Social Studies is a part of a school or college curriculum concerned with the study of social relationships and the functioning of society and usually made up of courses in history, government, economics, civics, sociology, geography, and anthropology
Social studies education helps explain the world in which we live, and it encourages students to open their minds to the many places humans live on this planet. Not only does the social studies curriculum teach physical geography, but as students learn about different places, they also become aware of the many cultural differences of the world’s populations through the study of sociology and anthropology. As they learn more about cultural differences, students begin to find that there are a large number of cultural similarities as well.
Studying social studies helps students figure out their role in society as well as their place in history. By studying the past, students learn how institutions, traditions and ideals change as society modernizes. They also learn how cause and effect influence relationships between individuals, groups and nations. As students mature, the study of history gives students the chance to develop their research skills and the ability to think critically. A sense of history gives students good background knowledge as they study other subjects, such as literature.
Social studies students learn they are part of a larger societal organization that must have structure in order to operate for the good of all the people in the group. This basic sense of citizenship starts in the primary grades as students work to monitor classroom rules and expands as students study the electoral process, the branches of government and how citizens interact within the laws of a society in more advanced classes. The social studies curriculum also compares other types of government institutions found outside the United States. Civic education allows students to analyze foreign governments while at the same time developing an appreciation for the freedoms accorded citizens by the U.S. Constitution. Civic lessons cross inter-disciplinary lines and are often a part of geography, history and sociology lessons.
Economic themes find their way into the social studies curriculum in a variety of ways. From the basic concept of want versus need taught in primary grades to advanced concepts such as global economic policy discussed in a high school current events class, economics is an integral part of social studies education. As students learn about the four factors of production -- land, labor, capital and entrepreneurship -- they begin to realize that these all contribute to what goods and services are available for consumers. Students study economic trends as they study history so they can better understand events such as recessions. On a more personal level, economics teaches students the basics of handling their own finances and helps them set career goals aligned with their personalities.
Source: http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/importance-social-studies-education-5135.html
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Current events (aka current affairs) are the contemporary developments in local, national, or world affairs. Current events are the present-time news events concerning important people, places, things, and ideas.
Raising student awareness of global issues is increasingly important as the countries of the world become more interdependent. At the same time, consuming domestic news with a critical eye is vital to enhancing democracy and defeating narrow-mindedness. Students also need an understanding of the world’s economy, politics, social structures and environment in order to make the best decisions about how to live their own lives. More than ever, an appreciation for news and our civic institutions is a key step toward self-empowerment and advancement. (Source: http://www.pbs.org/now/)
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