Fordham Preparatory School - Ramview Ramview Spring 2019 | Page 7

Social Studies–2nd Floor
Jenik Radon is an adjunct professor of International and Public
Affairs at Columbia University and a 1963 graduate of the Prep. Here
he puts in context why a new social studies department is vital to the
educational success of future Prep students. This is an abridged
version of his piece, titled ‘Learning for Life: The Prep Way.’ How does the Prep ensure that students develop their own
compass so as to meet the challenges of tomorrow in a
rewarding and impactful career? Yes, you need inspiring
teachers to instill curiosity. Yes, you need a meaningful social
studies syllabus which recognizes the need to study other
cultures in detail (it is a matter of courtesy and respect to people
Studying history through the works of others is seeing history
through someone else’s eyes. The foundation laid in high school
is absolutely critical as studies have now found that for many of other countries to be knowledgeable about other cultures -
where a country is located, the local language, its capital city,
etc.). As I learned in city planning at Berkeley, having a suitable
people their basic political and civic beliefs are formed by the
age of 18, the age at which we graduate the Prep. What facts
students glean from their social studies classes form the basis space for learning is critical, a space that facilitates vibrant
conversation and debate between faculty and students. The East
Wing Project promises that the social studies space will be that,
of their lifetime beliefs. I thank the Prep for laying that strong
foundation. and I personally look forward to the inauguration of the new
space, and to celebrate its opening with a lively discussion on the
teaching of history in our ever more globalized world.
Please visit our website to read more.
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