Social Studies and History are two subjects that are often confused when it comes to their
subject matter. It is often felt that both refer to one and the same subject. Strictly speaking,
it is not right to think that both are one and the same. They are indeed different. History is
one of the social sciences. On the other hand, social studies refer to the studies made in the
field of society and social behavior.
Social studies refer to the studies made with an intention to promote social competence.
Man is made to understand his responsibility to the society in which he lives. He is made
to realize the factors that contribute to the growth of the society around him. Social studies
are one of the chief subjects taught at the primary, middle and high school levels.
Environmental studies form a very important part of social studies.
It is important to know that social studies have a bearing of the other subjects such as
history and political science too. In other words, it can be said that social studies borrow a
few portions from social sciences, as well. Thus, it is proved that social studies are a subset
of social sciences.
On the other hand, history refers to the study of the various events that took place in the
past in the realm of the human world. These events include historical events too. They
include the various kinds of rule different countries in the world have experienced the
development of various civilizations across the world, the constructions and the
contributions made in the course of time through several centuries and the like.
History contributes a lot towards the development of the subject of social studies. These
are the differences between social studies and history.