Social sciences

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Social sciences

HomeSchool resourcesSocial sciences

Topic summary

Learning in the social sciences is focused on how societies work and how people can participate as critical, active, informed, and responsible citizens.

The social sciences include the key subjects of social studies, economics, geography, and history, as well as a broad range of other subject areas including classical studies, media studies, sociology, psychology, and legal studies. Students explore ideas such as continuity and change, and learn about identity, culture, the environment, and the economic world.

Through the social sciences, students develop the knowledge and skills to enable them to better understand, participate in, and contribute to local, national, and global communities. The social sciences equip students to engage critically with issues within society and to evaluate, using a range of approaches, different social, economic, political, and environmental practices.

The social sciences play a crucial role in equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and mindsets they need to be active, responsible, contributing members of society.

Learning programmes in the social sciences should draw on contexts from the past, present, and future, and from places within and beyond the student’s own country.

  • What knowledge and skills do students need in order to contribute positively to their communities?
  • What do students need to know and understand about the past to equip them for the present and the future?
  • How can we equip and empower students to explore, analyse, and respect other people’s values and perspectives?

Research reviews

Webinars

Social studies education in New Zealand: Where are we at?

Associate Professor Bronwyn Wood explores why and how social studies should be taught using the well-established concept-led approach.

Infographics

Snapshots

Teaching and learning social studies in Aotearoa New Zealand

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