Social Studies
Printer-friendly versionRandolph-Macon Academy Social Studies
Have you ever wanted to be in on a discussion of who makes better rulers in the world, men or women? Compared Machiavelli and Modern Politics? Or even have the chance to write your own bill? These are just a few things that can be explored when the history books come alive in the R-MA Social Studies Department.
Individuals such as former President Woodrow Wilson, former United States Senator of Massachusetts Henry Cabot Lodge, and Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett Packard, all majored in history while in college, and credited their success to the skills they learned in those courses while in college as well as in their secondary education.
At R-MA, we seek to ground students in the foundations of the human experience and justice, enabling them to become culturally literate members of society. The curriculum provides students with a deeper understanding of issues and ideas, by laying a solid foundation of knowledge of the historical events and social processes that have shaped the world. The material learned is applicable in every academic field here at R-MA as we strive and stress cross-curricular education.
All courses in our department emphasize reading, writing, note taking, and outlining skills to provide students with a disciplined approach to the study of history. Students develop vital communications skills that will serve them in college and for the rest of their lives. Students also gain valuable research skills, as each course taught has a term paper requirement. Through the study of history at Randolph-Macon Academy, students acquire a greater sensitivity to the experiences of mankind and a more perceptive understanding of the world.
Click here for social studies course descriptions, or click here for religion courses.
| On This Date in History | |
|---|---|
| May 2, 1668 | The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle ends a brief War of Devolution waged over Louis XIV's claim to the Spanish possessions in the Belgian provinces following the death of his father-in-law Philip IV of Spain in 1665. |
| May 6, 1857 |
The British East India Company disbands the 34th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry whose Sepoy Mangal Pandey had earlier revolted against the British and is considered to be the First Martyr in the War of India's Independence. |
| May 9, 1936 |
Italy formally annexes Ethiopia after taking the capital Addis Ababa on May 5. |
| May 11, 1927 |
Louis B. Mayer forms Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. |
| May 13, 1568 |
Battle of Langside: the forces of Mary Queen of Scots are defeated by a confederacy of Scottish Protestants under James Stewart, Earl of Moray, her half-brother. |
| May 15, 1940 |
World War II: After fierce fighting, the poorly trained and equipped Dutch troops surrender to Nazi Germany, marking the beginning of five years of occupation. |
| May 18, 1536 |
Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII of England, mother of Elizabeth I (The Virgin Queen) is beheaded after being convicted for adultery. |
| May 21, 1927 |
Charles Lindbergh touches down at Le Bourget Field in Paris, completing the world's first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. |
| May 23, 1915 | World War I: Italy joins the Allies after they declare war on Austria-Hungary. |
| May 25, 1935 | Babe Ruth hits his 714th and last home run at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, setting a baseball record that will stand for 39 years. |
| May 28, 1937 | Stanley Baldwin resigns as British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain becomes British Prime Minister. |
| May 31, 1790 | The United States enacts its first copyright statute, the Copyright Act of 1790. |
