Social Science

Prepare to engage and think critically.

The Social Science Department offers you meaningful opportunities to understand how society works, how and why people make decisions, and the consequences of those decisions on our lives. Classes in human development and behavior, social and governmental structure, cultural patterns, and economic systems will expand your viewpoint, teach you multiple perspectives, and prepare you to engage and think critically about yourselves and the economic, political, and social institutions that influence your lives.

Key Highlights:

All our courses are elective in nature, with offerings at all levels.
We work to increase student education around financial literacy, both in our classrooms and across the school.

Featured Courses

CL Social Science Seminar: Globalization

Globalization, the growing interconnectedness of peoples, cultures, and economies, has brought a dramatic increase in both opportunity and competition. While some theorize that globalization is synonymous with Westernization and is inherently tied to processes of colonization, others pose that globalization has been happening for centuries, is multidirectional, and adds to the global fabric. Regardless, it has become the principal system shaping international relations, economic systems, culture, and the environment. Mixing history with current events, students will study and debate fundamental questions of globalization and its consequences.

Neuropsychology

How is it possible that the human brain, a three-pound physical organ in our body, can be responsible for all our behavior and cognition? While the question has been explored and studied for many years, only recently have we begun to make some headway into the workings and functional processes of the brain, and yet topics such as consciousness remain an enigma. This course will explore the field of neuropsychology by focusing on the relationship between the brain, cognition, and behavior. The course will highlight the structures and functions of the brain as they relate to the psychological processes of learning, remembering, communicating, temperament, emotions, and relationships. Students will also delve into the principles of brain organization while underscoring an appreciation of individual differences. Emphasis will be on discussions of case examples and commonly used assessment tools to illustrate variations in neuropsychological development.

Contemporary Economic Perspectives

This term course will expose students to current issues as viewed through the economic perspective. By taking a theme-based approach to relevant global topics, students will critically analyze the world around them, seeking to understand the underlying economic problems. The subject matter will purposefully vary from year to year to incorporate contemporary issues; likely topics include social policies and policy making, international trade and development, and business and finance (including the stock market). Regardless of the specific issues, the course will intentionally examine, discuss, and debate multiple perspectives to help students learn and understand the complexities of real-world decision-making.