Hamilton, 1776 and Beyond: Musicals in the Social Studies Curriculum

Musicals can enhance the social studies curriculum. Stage, film, and television musicals are all potential sources for learning. Instructors can utilize concepts, themes, characters, settings, dialog, and songs in musicals to teach students. This article outlines a rationale for utilizing musicals to enhance various subjects within the social studies umbrella. It proceeds to offer suggestions for learning scenarios, activities, and assessments. In addition, students can learn about an important art form from United States popular culture inviting interdisciplinary learning bridging the arts, humanities, and social studies. Guidelines for integrating musicals into lessons and units are described. The techniques offer social studies instructors alternatives for including musicals in student learning applicable to a variety of musicals and songs. An appendix provides a categorized list of areas within history and social studies and specific musicals to consider for curriculum integration.