The Social Studies Department has a two-fold mission and commitment to the students: (1) to help them understand and process the forces of history that have shaped our times and the world in which we live; and (2) to develop within the students the skills and facility to handle and encourage historical research.

The first task is designed to provide students with knowledge and information so that they are familiar with the events of history, the concepts and ideas that have influenced and resulted from the course of events and the actions of people, and the patterns that have emerged among diverse peoples over time.

From the subfreshman through junior year, courses survey the sweep of history from the emergence of humans to modern times. The places are varied -- from the riverine civilizations in Africa and Asia to the plains of Europe to the shores of New England.

Having focused on this proficiency for four years, the students are then prepared for the next step -- engaging in their own research to truly develop and employ the techniques and thinking discipline of the historian. Students, in their academic and personal development, are ready to identify and select a topic of special interest, to commit themselves and their time to pursue this special interest, and to engage in critical thinking and writing. The product -- their thesis -- is a scholarly paper that the student is not only knowledgeable about but excited to share with their peers and the faculty.

From the subfreshman year on, the Social Studies Department encourages students to take full advantage of internet resources in their research assignments. It is assumed that students can evaluate the sources, give proper citations, and incorporate graphics into their papers and presentations.

Seniors in the American History Seminar conclude the course with a symposium for faculty, parents, and students. Each student offers a summation of their research through a power point presentation which encourages them to synthesize their work to significant, cogent statements accompanied by selected graphs or images that highlight their work.