Social StudiesModule Details

Rationale
Social studies are taught in an integrative and interdisciplinary style that combines aspects of history, geography, current events/humanities and the social sciences. Social studies education is not a static course. It evolves because of the events and trends that continually change.  Civic awareness remains an important facet for any responsible citizen. This course will equip the students with the knowledge of how to practise civic rights and their responsibility, hence empowering them to become a functional member of the society. The aim of social studies is to transmit the cultural heritage, instil informed social criticism and address issues of personal development. The course will further inculcate good inquiry habits and skills for quality decision-making, and emphasise on the nurturing of dispositions of informed, concerned and participative citizens in a society. Students will learn about what government is and how it is organised. Students will be guided to learn about the constitution and the various ways in which it works to protect citizens. They will further examine at multiple aspects of governance and discuss and distinguish good and bad policies and procedures. Elements of cultural studies will also be examined. 

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course students will be expected to:

i.     Discuss the importance of studying the Civic Education component of Social Studies and elate areas of experience where civic education is needed most.
ii.     Outline the role of civic education, functions of government and the importance of the principle of separation of powers.
iii.    Discuss the ‘constitution’, explaining its structure, content and processes.  
iv.    Identify factors that lead to bad citizenship and the different groups of citizens with special needs.
v.     Define ‘governance’, giving an account of governance in pre-colonial Zambia and state the importance of good governance.
vi.    Explain the election process, the types of elections held in their country and the dangers of election rigging or cheating. 
vii.    Define human rights and their characteristics.
viii.   Discuss how individuals and groups in society can contribute to the fight against corruption.
ix.     Discuss the importance of culture and its characteristics, outline the types of cultures and discuss cultural practices.
x.      Identify different types of abuses, the effects of substance abuse on individual, community and national levels and describe measures for its prevention.
xi.     Distinguish between culture and heritage. 
xii.    llustrate the importance of history and discuss how it should be taught in class.
xiii.   Analyse the different societies in pre-colonial Central Africa, their migrations and empires.
xiv.   Explore the evolution of the universe and articulate the early history of the Earth.
xv.    Describe the structure of the Earth and the various continents along with the rock cycle.
xvi.   Interpret world populations in relation to specific regions and countries and describe environmental management strategies.