General Objectives of Social Studies – JSS2 Social Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

The general objectives of social studies are the goals the subject aims to achieve. They include helping students think critically, understand society, integrate ideas from different subjects, and become patriotic and responsible citizens who know their roles in the environment and can address societal and global concerns.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• define objectives;
• state three general objectives of social studies;
• explain how social studies helps students think critically;
• explain what it means to integrate ideas from different subjects;
• list other objectives of social studies, including those on citizenship.

What are objectives?

Objectives are goals an individual or group aims at to get the very best of their performance.

What are the general objectives of social studies?

Main objectives

Some of the general objectives of social studies include the following:

1. Critical thinking: Social studies teaches students about history and enables them to understand how society has evolved. It also helps students develop an ability to think critically about societal issues and learn how to address them based on their understanding of social values.
2. Social understanding: It allows students to develop an understanding of society and the human condition.
3. Integrating ideas: Social studies involves several subjects including history, geography and economics. Students learn how to integrate ideas from different disciplines to come up with reasonable decisions so that they are better able to identify problems affecting society.

Other objectives

Other objectives of social studies include:

1. Social studies educates students on becoming patriotic and responsible citizens.
2. Social studies teaches us our roles and responsibilities in the environment where we find ourselves.
3. It helps us develop critical thinking abilities.
4. Social studies prepares us to participate competently and productively as concerned citizens. It teaches us to address societal and global concerns using literature, technology and other identifiable community resources.

Generally, social studies educates students on citizenship, providing them with the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will help them become responsible citizens.

Evaluation

1. What are objectives?
2. State three general objectives of social studies.
3. Which subjects does social studies bring together when students integrate ideas?
4. How does social studies help students become responsible citizens?

Assignment

Write short notes on any three objectives of social studies. For each one, explain in your own words what students learn from it.