The Social Studies Department offers all levels of course offerings for four years of high school instruction. From skill-building Level 3 classes up through Advanced Placement Level 5 classes, the Social Studies Department challenges varying levels of student ability to further understanding of the social sciences. At each grade level there are choices afforded to students designed to further their interests, sharpen their abilities, and extend their knowledge. All course offerings stress critical thinking, geography, current events, reading numerous types of sources and documents, and writing research papers and persuasive essays, all in an effort to help students become more aware of the world they are living in and more effective global citizens.
Students are required to earn three (3) credits in Social Studies, including:
one (1) mandatory credit in U.S. History
can be Overview of US History, American Studies, or AP US History
one (1) mandatory credit in modern world studies
can be AP World History: Modern, World History II, World Cultures, Global Citizenship, or 20th Century History Through Film
one (1) mandatory elective
There are numerous electives that are offered in various aspects of the social studies to excite students about the world and community they live in.
FRESHMAN OFFERINGS
WORLD HISTORY I (3)
1 CREDIT
In this course, students will learn about how humans have evolved and developed into the complex social creatures who continue to shape the world we live in today. Students will investigate the roots our ancestors laid out for us by examining the prehistory and history of man, the geography that helped shape our destiny, and the social changes that occurred in the past. Developments of social stratification and how they led to ideological differences will be a major theme in the course. Starting with the evolution of man, the course will chronologically cover world events leading up to and including the Middle Ages. Students will learn about the developments of civilizations and the spread culture and ideas. Students will also learn the formation and developments of government and religion. Students will learn the historical context and how they continue to shape the world today. This will include a basic understanding of political issues, and the various ways issues are assessed.
Global Citizenship (3)
1 Credit
In this course, students will be challenged to consider what responsibility they have – within their political, social and local spheres – to participate as active global citizens. Students will learn to identify bias and think critically about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Students will explore public policy as well as ideologies and norms embedded in institutions and American society at large. Topics will include civic engagement, media literacy, race, gender, sexuality, class, and popular culture among others. At the end of this course, students will be better able to analyze evidence in order to construct their own critical opinions about ideas and practices in our society and in their own lives. They will have learned skills in order to become active global citizens.
Seeking Sustainability or Honors Seeking Sustainability (3 or 4)
1 Credit
This is a one semester class that will fulfill the mandatory modern World History credit for graduation. The United Nations defined the concept of sustainability in 1987 as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” We are all interconnected and decisions made at the local level can have global impact and vice versa. In this class, we will learn about the concept of sustainability, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and then apply the goals to current world issue case studies. Completing this course successfully will give you a strong foundation in current issues around the world and the efforts being made to manage those problems through the lens of sustainability.
SOPHOMORE OFFERINGS
WORLD CULTURES (3)
1 CREDIT
This course will examine the non-western world with students being introduced to the various regions and countries of the world. The role of culture, history and government in current world affairs will be explored. Regional issues will be examined in the context of globalization, economics, human rights and sustainability. This course concentrates on the modern world from the 20th century to today.
WORLD HISTORY II (3)
1 CREDIT
This course will look at modern World History, starting with the early modern period of the Renaissance and going up to the early 21st century and today. Students will develop an understanding of world history, seeing how geography, religion, economics, government, and culture affect development. Current events and current issues will also be explored. Students will learn about different ways of looking at world issues, analyzing and comparing different world views and perspectives.
A.P. WORLD HISTORY (5)
1 ½ CREDITS
This Advanced Placement (AP) course is taught to prepare students for the AP World History Exam in May. A high score on that exam can earn students college credit. The focus on the course is on themes, outlined by the College Board. Ideas such as the affect of geography on the development of civilization, the exchange of cultural ideas and innovation, and the development of ideas and philosophy are major areas of focus in this course. Students will compare different places and different time periods. How does the role of women compare? What are the affects of imperialism? How do different cultures diffuse? Why do wars occur?
Prerequisite: Successful completion of a summer reading and writing assignment. Mandatory meeting with the teacher is required before enrollment in this course.
JUNIOR OFFERINGS
OVERVIEW OF UNITED STATES HISTORY (3)
1 CREDIT
Overview of US History is a one semester level three class that will fulfill the mandatory US History credit for graduation. The class will focus on the development of America from the Civil War until the end of the 20th century and will examine the social, political, and economic issues America faced, as well as the impact those events have had on the development of the American Society. In order to gain a greater understanding of the history of America, students will be required to examine a variety of sources, including primary sources. Students will also be asked to interpret historical data and examine graphs and charts in order to understand the developments within the American political and economic system. Students will be required to do a variety of writing including works of historical fiction, research papers, editorials and letters throughout class.
AMERICAN STUDIES (3) or HONORS AMERICAN STUDIES (4)
2 CREDITS
The American Studies course covers the American Experience from colonization to the present. Through the study of history, literature, art, architecture, and music, students explore the economic, cultural, and historical forces shaping America and its people. Students will be afforded opportunities to develop critical thinking skills through reading primary documents and representative literature, responding in various forms of writing, and participating in relevant discussion. This course will be taught by a two-member team from the Social Studies Department and the English Department. This course bears one English and one United States History credit.
To receive a level 4 grade in American Studies a student must do an independent project each quarter and present it to the class. The project should include these two parts:
Research and analyze (by writing a 5-7 page paper) one historical time period per quarter (from list).
Reading at least one book about the time period we are covering in the quarter. This book can be a primary source (written during that time period) or secondary source (historical novel, biography, history) written after the period was over. You should write a 2-3 page paper showing connections between the book and the time period.
The project will have to be presented to and approved by both teachers, one of whom will advise the student during the project. Work time for this project will not specifically be allotted during class. One of these quarter projects must be presented to the class during the year.
A.P. UNITED STATES HISTORY (5)
1 ½ CREDITS
A.P.U.S. History is a one and a half block course designed to prepare the student for the A.P. U.S. History exam. This course will be taught at the college level and there will be a heavy emphasis on enhancing reading comprehension and promoting effective written communication. Class members will be expected to make use of primary sources to help them view American History from a variety of perspectives. Students will engage in a variety of activities that will help further their understanding of the people, places and events that shaped American History.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of a summer reading and writing assignment. Mandatory meeting with the teacher is required before enrollment in this course.
SENIOR OFFERINGS
A.P. Comparative Government (5)
1 ½ CREDITS
AP Comparative Government and Politics introduces students to the rich diversity of political life outside the United States. The course uses a comparative approach to examine the political structures; policies; and the political, economic, and social challenges among six selected countries: Great Britain, Mexico, Russia, Iran, China, and Nigeria. Additionally, students examine how different governments solve similar problems by comparing the effectiveness of approaches to many global issues. This Advanced Placement (AP) course is taught to prepare students for the AP Comparative Government and Politics exam in May. A high score on that exam can earn students college credit.
Prerequisite: Upon successful completion of a teacher-determined summer reading and writing assignment, students will demonstrate the ability to read a college level textbook and write grammatically correct, complete sentences. Prior to the beginning of this course, a student must also meet with the teacher to review course expectations.
ELECTIVES OPEN TO JUNIORS AND SENIORS
PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY (3)
1 CREDIT
This course will deal with Psychological and Sociological theory and research. Students will be exposed to a variety of viewpoints as they develop their own perspectives on relevant issues. Current events will be a major part of this course. The class is largely discussion-based. Students need to be prepared to handle a range of viewpoints and discuss their own views in a civil way. At times, sensitive topics will be discussed. Students need to be prepared for that. Topics such as family relationships, social stratification, education and social norms will be explored in depth. More time will be spent on topics where students show an interest in current event discussions.
ECONOMICS (3)
1 CREDIT
This semester-long course is designed to give students an understanding of the basic principles of economics. It will include micro and macroeconomics, a comparison of economic systems and world equity markets, and an introduction to theory and relevant terminology. A major focus will be an examination of the implications of globalization.
WORLD GEOGRAPHY (3)
1 CREDIT
This course will focus on the five themes of geography, as defined by National Geographic: location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, and region. Throughout this course, students will explore countries and regions throughout the world, including the United States. Students will learn about the physical, cultural, political, and historical geography, as well as cartography.
SENIOR SEMINAR/HONORS SENIOR SEMINAR (3/4)
1 CREDIT
This semester-long course is designed to provide students with an intense focus on a few selected specific topics that other Social Studies courses have not been able to devote as much attention to. Topics vary based on student and teacher interest, but are mainly focused on current events and controversial social and political issues, including topics like capital punishment and marijuana legalization. There is a focus on constitutional law in each section in understanding the legal status of each issue. A major component of the course is students learning to have an educated opinion in regards to controversial topics and discussing and debating these topics intelligently while respecting others points of view.
20TH CENTURY HISTORY THROUGH FILM (3)
1 CREDIT
The goal of this course is the understanding and comprehension of the major events of the 20th century through the medium of film. This semester-long course will examine the major events of the world throughout the 20th century, from decolonization in the early 1900’s to current human rights issues in the twenty-first century, encompassing North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Students will be expected to participate in class discussions, read primary and secondary source documents, research topics independently, and write several in-depth essays over the events we will discuss. Religion, economics, government, politics, geography, ethnicity, art, and philosophy are just a few areas of the social studies that we will utilize and explore to aid in our discussion of major events. The medium of film will be used to generate discussion and increase comprehension and understanding of these events and their impact on the world we live in today.