Nine trimesters (three years) of Social Studies courses are required for graduation. World History, either U.S. History or Advanced Placement U.S. History, Government and Economics or Honors Government and Economics are required courses.

 

 

Click here to download the Social Studies Department Course Descriptions

Instructors

Mrs. Cassidy  has been a teacher for sixteen years, fifteen of which have been at Loretto.  Mrs. Cassidy earned a B.A. in History from Santa Clara University and her teaching credential with a supplemental authorization to teach Art History at U.C. Berkeley.  She is a wife and mother of four children(her primary job!) and enjoys, reading, music, walking her dog and entertaining family and friends at home.

Mr. Eckard has taught most of the 41 years since graduating from Illinois State Normal University with a B.A. in Social Studies.  He has taught in Michigan, Illinois, Germany, England and now at Loretto.  Mr. Eckard has a M.A. in International Relations from USC's graduate overseas program in Frankfurt, Germany, took PHD courses in International Relations at the University of Kent in Catebury, England and studied Polish language at Nicolas Copernicus University in Torun, Poland.  He began teaching at Loretto in 1982.  In his spare time, Mr. Eckard enjoys photography and traveling with his wife of 37 years.

Ms. Hilts has been teaching for twenty years, seventeen of them at Loretto.  She earned a Bachelors degree and teaching credential from California State University, Sacramento.  Ms. Hilts has been married for over eighteen years, and has two beautiful children.  She was born and raised in Sacramento, but has traveled across the United States, Canada and Europe.  In her spare time, Ms Hilts enjoys reading and watching movies, but most importantly spending time with family and friends.

Mr. Paras earned his B.A. in Social Science and his M.A. in History from California State University, Sacramento.  He has taught at Loretto for approximately seven years.

His thesis, "The Janus Mahdi" is currently on file in the Clinton Presidential Library.