St. Augustine's College

Social Studies are the study of human society. In this subject, we observe and collect information through research, about human behaviour and social institutions, such as the family, politics, economy, and so on.

Social Studies helps you become an active participant in the society you live in, since no society can exist without human beings. It helps you criticize and analyse your everyday life from an objective point of view. It helps you understand human behaviour; decide what is right, and what is not socially acceptable. It provides you with a social skill that is indispensable to live as an intellectual human being.

Studying Social Studies

Students who take Social Studies at secondary level are prepared for both an academic career and the work environment. The lessons are delivered in Maltese and after having completed their studies in Form 5, students would be able to sit for the SEC exam .The paper is set in both Maltese and English.

In Social Studies we learn about what the term survey stands for. Today on the media, we hear about various research studies conducted in Malta and abroad. We understand better the society we live in and how it works; its values, norms, traditions, laws, folklore, national and public holidays and politics. We all have heard of the terms high class, middle class and low class without actually knowing what they stand for. We thus need to become aware of the various social classes and the opportunities that help us move up the social ladder. Moreover, we need to understand how our economy works.

Do you know how many people live in Malta? How many die each year? Do you know how long Maltese people are expected to live? These are all questions for which you would be provided with information, by studying the data gathered in the census. Do you watch the news or read the newspapers? Are you well informed about what happened in Malta in 1989? Do you know when the first general election took place? Social Studies help you find answers to all these queries. We also learn about: politics, elections, the parliament and the role of ministers, local councils, international relations, the United Nations, the European Union, and other related topics. We would be able to discuss and analyse the various social institutions and social problems such as the family, politics, religion, adolescence, crime, drug abuse, education and mass media. It is very challenging to take Social Studies, but it is also an adventure which helps you discover how a society functions and how one can survive and be successful in today’s fast changing world.

Career Opportunities

If you intend to study Sociology at Intermediate or Advanced Level, Social Studies can be of great help. Topics covered in Social Studies also help you in other subjects such as Economics, Environmental Studies and Systems of Knowledge (offered post-secondary).

In addition to a specialized degree in Sociology, other courses offered at University such as Psychology, Criminology, Communications, Engineering, Law, Commerce and Gerontology, Social Work , Labour Studies and Political Studies include Sociology as part of their study course.

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	Social Studies
Ms Muscat