During the last five years the "house" of social studies has been and continues to be severely tested. Knowledge and depth of understanding of the foundations of the social studies may be key to promoting cohesion in the field and lessen the possibility of severe damage or destruction. This paper presents some of the most frequently cited dissertations in the field. The 14 studies described in the paper are those that graduate students and other researchers have found to be the most useful in establishing the origins of key ideas and directions of the foundations of social studies. The paper synthesizes three notions from each of the dissertations: (1) purpose; (2) design; and (3) significance to foundations of social studies. Following the three notions, the paper addresses common themes or patterns. The dissertations are examined in the paper in chronological order according to the date each was written, not according to the period about which the study was written. (Contains 20 references.) (BT)