Home > Academics > Academic Departments > Social Studies

Social Studies

History is being made all around us. It’s in every interaction, foreign and domestic, that marks every moment of every day, and knowing this makes social studies accessible and enjoyable. History and social studies courses are an essential part of the school’s comprehensive program designed to give students a framework for understanding the cultural traditions of humanity, a sense of the development and flow of human history, and an ability to critically analyze historic and contemporary social and political issues. Major historic issues and themes are examined in depth for the implications they might have in the future. Social studies is taught with the conviction that students want to know not only what has happened and is happening, but also how events affect us as a people.

The department offers a range of electives designed to investigate areas of study to improve analytical and reasoning skills developed in introductory courses. It is the goal of the department to encourage students’ understanding of historical patterns of human development and students’ opportunity to appreciate the impact of their generation has on the present, and will have in the future. Today’s news is history in the making:  Do I make history, or does history make me?

Social Studies Teachers:

Ms. Kate Long, Department Chairperson
Years Teaching:  13 years
BA BS Santa Clara University
MA Stanford University

Mr. Bert Bertero
Years teaching:    28 years
BA University of California, Berkeley
MA University of California, Berkeley

Mr. Connor Banks
Years Teaching:  5 years
BA Arizona State University

Mr. Bruce Halverson
Years Teaching:  33 years
BS University of San Francisco
MS California State University, San Diego

Mr. Jeff Rogers
Years Teaching:  14 years
BA University of California, Berkeley

Mr. Herman Shum
Years Teaching: 13 years
BA Saint Mary’s College, Moraga
MA California State University, Sacramento

Mr. Craig Sutphin
Years Teaching:  10 years
BA Westmont College
MA Dominican School of Philosophy &
Theology, GTU


Saint Mary’s Graduation Requirement: Three years

UC & CSU Requirement: Two years

Courses:

World History

AP World History (Honors/AP)

United States History

AP United States History (Honors/AP)

Perspectives on Diversity

Government and Law

AP US Government & Politics (Honors/AP)

Public Policy and Contemporary Issues

Economics

Intro to Philosophy

Intro to Psychology