In this course outline for social studies in secondary schools a humanistic approach is designed to help the student develop his own personal philosophy and value system. Through comparative analysis of several societies, both past and present, students are introduced to differing views and differing cultures. Three value issues (What is a good man? What is a good life? What is a good society?) are examined together with geographic, political, economic and social settings of Athens, Florence, and New York. This unit deviates from the format used in most other quinmester curriculum guides. The departure is due to the availability of a project produced by Holt, Rinehart, and Winston "The Humanities in Three Cities: An Inquiry Approach," from the Carnegie-Mellon University) which contains objectives and learning activities which more than adequately support this 9 week unit. (Author/SHM)