Social Studies

2023-2024 Course Offerings (3 credits to graduate):

Required:

10th grade: U.S. History, Honors U.S. History, or A.P. U.S. History

11th grade: U.S. Government (one semester) and Economics (one semester), or A.P. U.S. Government and Macroeconomics (full year combined)

12th grade: Conflict in the Modern World (one semester) and a Senior Social Studies elective (one semester), or A.P. Comparative Government (full year)

**note: Business electives do not satisfy the Social Studies elective course requirement. Neither does AP Capstone or Persuasion and Argumentation.

9TH GRADE:

AP CAPSTONE SEMINAR-CULTURAL STUDIES ELECTIVE-FULL YEAR (This is an incoming freshman section by invite only to SHEP Humanities students.)

AP Seminar is a foundational course that engages students in cultural conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Using an inquiry framework, students practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies, and foundational literary and philosophical texts; listening to and viewing speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; and experiencing artistic works and performances. Students learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in research-based written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team. Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence-based arguments.

PERSUASION AND ARGUMENTATION ELECTIVE-ONE SEMESTER.

Persuasion & Argumentation is designed to provide students with the communication skills

necessary to be successful in college as well as the professional world. The course will focus on

two main components – argumentation and public speaking. Students will work on the

development of their critical thinking skills as well as ways to express those thoughts to a variety

of audiences. Through project based learning, students will form, deliver, and prove logical

arguments through the semester, engaging in competitive debates to foster hands-on learning. By

the end of the semester, every student in class will have debated at least twice and written their

own speech to persuade an audience of an issue significant to them.

10TH GRADE:

UNITED STATES HISTORY REQUIRED-FULL YEAR

This course is a survey of the history of the United States from pre-Columbian times to the modern era. The course will examine the history of America through the lens of the people, events, and issues which have transformed the nation from thirteen colonies into a major world power. Special emphasis is placed on the British colonies, the American Revolution, Civil War, Industrial Revolution, New Deal and Cold War as defining moments in American history. Students continue to develop the tools of social studies and refine their ability to write an analytical essay in this field.

HONORS UNITED STATES HISTORY BY APPLICATION-FULL YEAR

This course is also a survey of the history of the United States from pre-Columbian times to the modern era, but will move at a quicker pace and a deeper level, and thus include extra readings and other inquiry-based assignments that the regular course does not. The course will examine the history of America through the lens of the people, events, and issues which have transformed the nation from thirteen colonies into a major world power. Special emphasis is placed on the British colonies, the American Revolution, Civil War, Industrial Revolution, New Deal and Cold War as defining moments in American history. Students continue to develop the tools of social studies and refine their ability to write an analytical essay in this field.

AP UNITED STATES HISTORY BY APPLICATION-FULL YEAR

This course is a college level survey of the history of the United States from pre-Columbian times to the modern era. The course will examine the history of America through the lens of the people, events and issues which have transformed the nation from thirteen colonies into a major world power. Special emphasis is placed on the British colonies, the American Revolution, Civil War, Industrial Revolution, New Deal and Cold War as defining moments in American history. Major cultural, economic, religious, social and political trends will be discussed. Students will continue to develop the tools of social studies and refine their ability to write an analytical essay. This course replaces United States History and strives to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Examination in US History. Students who take this course should expect to have a larger quantity of reading, often from more difficult primary sources, and they should expect longer and more frequent written assignments as compared to the regular section of US History.

PERSUASION AND ARGUMENTATION ELECTIVE-ONE SEMESTER

Persuasion & Argumentation is designed to provide students with the communication skills

necessary to be successful in college as well as the professional world. The course will focus on

two main components – argumentation and public speaking. Students will work on the

development of their critical thinking skills as well as ways to express those thoughts to a variety

of audiences. Through project based learning, students will form, deliver, and prove logical

arguments through the semester, engaging in competitive debates to foster hands-on learning. By

the end of the semester, every student in class will have debated at least twice and written their

own speech to persuade an audience of an issue significant to them.

11TH GRADE:

ECONOMICS REQUIRED-ONE SEMESTER

This course offers a survey of economics with a focus on the American capitalist, free market approach. It teaches the skills necessary to analyze broad trends in the economy and consider solutions to such problems as unemployment, inflation, deflation, budget deficits, trade deficits, and recessions. Students will learn about the Federal Reserve System, monetary and fiscal policy, gross domestic product, the laws of supply and demand, and international trade.

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT REQUIRED-ONE SEMESTER

This course offers an analysis of the major concepts and issues of the American republican experiment. It includes a discussion of both ideology and institutions; including constitutional foundations, civil rights, political parties, interest groups, Congress, the President and the Supreme Court. Governmental institutions and procedure may be explored through role-playing exercises, including mock elections, a simulated Congress, and mock trials.

AP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT & POLITICS AND ECONOMICS BY APPLICATION-FULL YEAR

Descriptions of each follow. The Economics thread is a survey of the structure and functioning of the free market system. Emphasis is placed on basic economic institutions and factors of choice-making like opportunity cost and incentives. Consideration is also given to macroeconomic topics of unemployment, organized labor, inflation as well as monetary and fiscal policy. The class will consider the role that individuals play in the national and global economy as well as the impact of economics in shaping our social and political reality. Particular attention is paid to the topic of social justice in a capitalist economy.

The AP Gov thread offers a college level introduction to the American political system. It covers a wide range of topics in this far reaching subject. The course begins by addressing the fundamental questions of politics and government along with the ideological underpinnings of the American system. These goals are explored through founding documents and excerpts from numerous primary source documents. The course then transitions from ends to means, looking at such things as the role of the media, political parties and interest groups. Next, the course moves to the apparatus of American political institutions including the Congress, Presidency and Courts; whenever possible, primary sources such as US Supreme Court decisions are used to shed light on American political institutions. Finally students are invited to assess how well America has implemented the goals and principles laid down by the founders as we look at issues in public policy and political administration such as civil rights, foreign policy and economic policy. This course replaces the regular section of US Government and helps to prepare students for the Advanced Placement examination in US Government.

12TH GRADE:

**Seniors are required to take EITHER Conflict in the Modern World + one Social Studies elective, OR a full year of AP Comparative Government

CONFLICT IN THE MODERN WORLD REQUIRED-ONE SEMESTER

Conflict in the Modern World is is a seniors-only elective that explores the last century of world history with a particular focus on Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Emphasis will be placed on tracing political, economic, social, and cultural developments and change in each of these regions, and current events will often be a focus of discussion. Students will grapple with issues like globalization, emerging markets, war, terrorism, and modern era conflicts and will also work to strengthen their skills in geography and comparative politics.

BEYOND BORDERS: A HISTORY OF MIGRATION IN AMERICA ELECTIVE-ONE SEMESTER

“A change of attitude towards migrants and refugees is needed on the part of everyone, moving away from attitudes of defensiveness and fear, indifference and marginalization – all typical of a throwaway culture – towards attitudes based on a culture of encounter, the only culture capable of building a better, more just and fraternal world.”--Pope Francis (July 14, 2014)

In recognizing Pope Francis's call to encounter and "building a better, more just and fraternal world," students in this course will examine the ways migration patterns to and within the United States have shaped people, places, and cultures over time. This course will provide insight to the social, political, and cultural borders that migration has created as the United States grew into the physical boundaries it has today. This course will study the formation and cultural conflicts of the US-Mexico borderlands, the creation of Native American reservations and contemporary issues facing Natives Americans, African American migration out of the rural South, Asian American migration, and Latino American migration.

SOCIOLOGY ELECTIVE-ONE SEMESTER

Sociology teaches us to recognize the many ways that social forces impact our lives. This course will look at how structures affect people and groups, paying special attention to how inequality is produced and perpetuated through social institutions. Topics will include: race, gender, class, sexuality, crime, and social change. The practice of sociology strives to foster a lifelong engagement with questions of social justice. As Ignatian sociologists, we will seek to use our knowledge and skills to realize a more just society.

THEODICY AND THE HOLOCAUST ELECTIVE-ONE SEMESTER (can count as EITHER the senior Religious Studies elective OR the senior Social Studies elective, but not both)

In Pope John Paul II’s 1998 letter regarding the Vatican’s publication of We Remember: A Reflection on the Shoah, he wrote, “May the Lord of history guide the efforts of Catholics and Jews and all men and women of good will as they work together for a world of true respect for the life and dignity of every human being, for all have been created in the image and likeness of God.” In this spirit, “Theodicy and the Holocaust” seeks to examine the justice of God and the injustice of the Holocaust. Students will explore the history of Jewish-Christian relations and the birth of anti-Semitism, the role of anti-Semitism during the rise of the Third Reich, the evolution from persecution to the Final Solution, the religious and historical implications of the Holocaust, and theodicy in the modern world. This class will be uniquely team taught by a member of the Religious Studies Department and a member of the Social Studies Department.

BLACK IN MODERN AMERICA, 1890-2021 ELECTIVE-ONE SEMESTER

Black history is American history. This course uses contemporary research and film to explore the political, economic, cultural, and social history of Black Americans in the 20th century through the present day. The course highlights social struggles for justice of the Black community over time and in different regions across the country. Additionally, the course explores Black cultural expression across generations and Black influence in key American historical milestones of the 20th century through the present.

LAW AND SOCIETY ELECTIVE-ONE SEMESTER

Law and Society will explore the basic elements of United States society and how people interact with the law from a practical standpoint. Students will learn how to be actively engaged citizens in their communities through the skills and knowledge of local, regional, state, and federal governments. Exploration of legal obligations, responsibilities, and citizen rights will allow students to discover why rules and laws exist. Students will engage in a foundation of Constitutional law and how laws and legal precedents are created. Students will also learn about important aspects of the law regarding immigration, the environment, personal rights and liberties, and other important issues.

AP PSYCHOLOGY ELECTIVE BY APPLICATION-FULL YEAR (**This course counts as the 0.5 Social Studies elective opposite Conflict in the Modern World, or can be paired with AP Comparative Government as a straight elective)

The purpose of the AP course in Psychology is to introduce the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Included is a consideration of the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Students also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice.

**There may be other electives added opposite Conflict in the Modern World before the scheduling process is finalized. We will email students if that's the case.

THIS SENIOR COURSE SATISFIES THE ENTIRE SENIOR SOCIAL STUDIES REQUIREMENT:

AP COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS BY APPLICATION-FULL YEAR

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. This course is designed to introduce students to fundamental concepts used by political scientists to study the governments and politics.

THESE COURSES ARE PURELY ELECTIVE AND DO NOT SATISFY THE SENIOR SOCIAL STUDIES REQUIREMENT:

LEADERSHIP

This class is the student council, first period class.

* Also please see the Xavier link and the JVLA link for other elective options. These won't satisfy the Social Studies requirement, but they do count as elective credit and are good courses, particularly for those with an interest in Social Studies.

AP CAPSTONE: RESEARCH ELECTIVE-FULL YEAR

Pre-Requisite: AP Capstone: Seminar

AP Research allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of individual interest. Through this exploration, students design, plan, and conduct a year-long research-based investigation to address a research question.

In the AP Research course, students further their skills acquired in the AP Seminar course by understanding research methodology; employing ethical research practices; and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information as they address a research question. Students explore their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of the development of their scholarly work in a portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper of 4000-5000 words (accompanied by a performance or exhibition of product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense.