The academic subjects of the Social Studies Department are designed to help students better understand themselves and their society. The Sun Prairie Social Studies Program attempts to fuse subject matter information, skills, attitudes, and values into comprehensive and practical knowledge. The long-range objective is to develop informed citizens who appreciate the strengths of our society and are prepared to meet the challenges of the future.

The social studies curriculum is developed around the disciplines of history, geography, economics, sociology, political science, psychology. It is from these disciplines that students will learn about man's political, economic and social structures. Three credits of social studies are required (one year of American History, one year of World History, and one semester each of Sociology or Psychology and Economics). It is recommended that students elect two additional social studies courses to broaden their understanding of our society.


List of Course

Credit Requirements for Graduation

Requirements:
1 credit in World History / Expanded World History
1 credit in United States History
1/2 credit in Economics
1/2 credit in Behavioral Studies: Psychology or Sociology

INTRODUCTION

Our local standards are based on Wisconsin's Model Academic Standards for Social Studies and have been written specifically to follow our curriculum. Social studies is the title used to describe the study of the social sciences and humanities. Within the curriculum, social studies provides coordinated, systematic study of information, skills, and concepts from the disciplines of history, geography, political science, economics, anthropology, psychology, law, archeology, and sociology. Social studies helps young people develop the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed and reasoned decisions as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.

Knowledge and Skills: Students at all levels should develop skills and understandings in all five strands found in the Wisconsin's Model Academic Standards for Social Studies. The curriculum in elementary and middle schools establishes the foundation for the entire social studies program. Without this foundation, students cannot develop the attitudes nor acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in a democratic society and understand an increasingly complex world.

Connections in Social Studies: The organization of these standards allows the social studies curriculum to be developed as separate disciplines or in an integrated course. In elementary, and middle and junior high schools, the five strands of social studies are usually integrated in a time during the day called Social Studies. In high schools, the social studies courses are given names such as United States History, Geography, Global Studies, World History, Economics, Civics, Social Studies, Current Events, Sociology and Psychology. Courses with these names might include performance standards from one, several, or all of the social studies strands.

Non-Discrimination Policy
All students attending Sun Prairie Area School District schools may participate in educational programs and activities, including career and technical education, regardless of sex, color, religion, profession or demonstration of belief or non-belief, homelessness status, sexual orientation, or emotional, physical, mental or learning disability.  The District shall provide appropriate educational services or programs for students who have been identified as having a handicap or disability, regardless of the nature or severity of the handicap or disability.   (SPASD Policy JB)