SOCIAL STUDIES 6 (460)

2 credits; 2 semesters

This course focuses on world history and geography from pre-civilization through the rise of the Roman Empire.

Grade 6 Social Studies begins with Hominids and Homo Sapiens and their migration to the six continents, and continues with the Paleolithic and Neolithic ages. Students go on to learn about the Middle East, Egypt, India, Judaism, Mythology, and Early Greece.

Students continue learning about the Greek City States and Persia and war between Greece and Persia. The course goes on to the study of East Asia, focusing on China’s geography, isolation, warring states, religions, politics, and dynasties. Students next learn about the rise of Rome, some of its legends and founding people, including Julius Caesar and Pax Romana.

Throughout the course, students learn of the interactions among various cultures, with an emphasis on their enduring contributions and the link, despite time, between the contemporary and ancient worlds.

WORLD CULTURES 7 (470)

2 credits; 2 semesters

This initial social studies course on the secondary level examines the evolution of modern man from Ancient Sumer and Egypt to the rise of nation states in the fifteenth century and the Age of Discovery.

Students will also be introduced to the physical and political geography of the areas studied in the Eastern Hemisphere as well as the cultural and historical background of the studied civilizations.

Numerous multimedia materials will be employed in examining the course content in the study of social, political, economic, and religious systems of ancient Western cultures, with an emphasis on the relationship of ancient developments to the present-day. The incorporation of numerous forms of visual aids to illustrate the locations and characteristics of these early civilizations is an important component of this course. Students will experience vocabulary instruction, practice of literacy strategies, and collaborative inquiry, as well as research experiences.

EARLY U.S. HISTORY 8 (480)

2 credits; 2 semesters

The eighth grade social studies course introduces students to our country’s early beginnings in the seventeenth century and traces our development through the Colonial and Revolutionary War era to eventual independence. The course examines the political, economic, social, and cultural development of the United States beginning with the Confederation Period and traces it through the late-nineteenth century. In addition to historical content, students will study the physical and political geography of the western hemisphere with particular emphasis on the United States and how geography played a role in our nation’s development. The study and discussion of current events is also part of this course.

This course combines practical understanding of our history and geography with the issues of technological change and life in our culture. Analytical writing, through essays and research projects, as well as reading and vocabulary assignments are required.