Social Studies Department

The Social Studies Department prepares students to critically examine the past, understand the complexities of the present, and engage thoughtfully with the world around them.

Through the study of history, government, culture, and current events, students analyze primary and secondary sources, identify bias, evaluate differing perspectives, and construct evidence-based arguments. Research, writing, debate, simulations, and project-based learning strengthen students' abilities to think critically and communicate effectively. Grounded in Mercy's commitments to educational courage, social justice, and principled leadership, the Social Studies Department encourages students to understand their responsibilities as citizens and participate actively in their communities as women of Mercy.

Eligible students are invited to apply for the National Social Studies Honor Society - Rho Kappa Townsend Chapter.

Courses Highlight

Contemporary World Issues

The Sisters of Mercy have identified five critical concerns of social justice that must be addressed in the world today: Earth, Immigration, Nonviolence, Racism, and Women. This class examines each of the five concerns through readings, discussions, documentaries, essays, and current events. The class culminates in an action project where each student identifies a current issue within the five concerns and presents a report on solutions for building a better future.

AP Psychology

AP Psychology is an elective course designed to introduce students to the study of human behavior and mental processes at a college-level rigor and pace. Students are exposed to the history and subfields of psychology, the brain’s structures and functions, altered states of consciousness, psychological testing, and psychological disorders. Students analyze the biopsychosocial approach to psychology in all human interactions and decisions. Emphasis is placed on the ethics and statistical methods psychologists use in their science and practice as well as on famous psychological experiments that shaped the field of psychology. This class involves an additional workload and extended content for the accelerated student.

International Relations

Sport Psychology

Students study the foundational principles of sport psychology, explore how psychological factors influence athletic performance, and how participation in sport and exercise affects psychological well-being. Students engage with theories and real-world applications related to motivation, confidence, focus, group dynamics, arousal regulation, and mental toughness. Through a combination of readings, lectures, group activities, reflective journaling, and research-based projects, students build both analytical skills and practical tools for understanding performance and behavior in sports contexts. This course integrates critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and self-reflection to prepare students for future academic and professional studies in psychology, kinesiology, and related fields.

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