The Social Studies Department History

The history of the Social Studies Department at MPLS mirrors the development of the Iowa State Normal School in many ways. Even as the name of the “Model School” was changed to the “Training School” and then to the “Campus School,” and finally “Malcolm Price Laboratory School (MPLS),” the Social Studies Department evolved over time. 

What sets the Social Studies Department history apart from other units, however, is how fundamentally the changes in American society impacted the teaching of Social Studies. While the study of mathematics, language, or basic science typically looks to teach eternal laws and truths, any study of the Social Studies often looks for varied interpretations of the truth. Those who teach the Social Studies are impacted more by “current events” than any other faculty. For example, how does one teach about recent national U.S. elections without discussing issues of religion, race, gender, or social media? As a result, the history of the Social Studies Department shows cultural changes that set it apart from others. These are their stories.