History & Social Science

HISTORY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE

In accordance with the Massachusetts History and Social Studies Curriculum Framework, the history and social science program presents core academic content, concepts, and skills in history, geography, economics, and civics and government that are essential to the study of democracy and to the development of educated and responsible citizens. In an effort to foster informed and reasoned adherence to the ideals of a free society the department will follow the ten guiding principles as enumerated in the Frameworks.  Those principles are:

1. An effective history and social science education teaches students about the legacy of democratic government. 

2. An effective history and social science education incorporates diverse perspectives and acknowledges that perceptions of events are affected by race, ethnicity, culture, religion, education, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and personal experience. 

3. Every student deserves to study history and social science every year, from pre-kindergarten through grade twelve.  

4. An effective history and social science education teaches students to think historically.  

5. An effective history and social science education integrates knowledge from many fields of study.

6. An effective history and social science education builds students’ capacities for research, reasoning, making logical arguments, and thinking for themselves. 

7. An effective history and social science education improves reading comprehension by increasing students’ content knowledge.

8. An effective history and social science education incorporates the study of current events and news/media literacy. 

9. An effective history and social science education teaches students about using data analysis and digital tools as research and presentation techniques in the social sciences. 

10. An effective history and social science education develops social and emotional skills.

The central ideas, events, people, and works that have shaped our world, for good or ill, are not at all obsolete.  Instead, the quicker the pace of change, the more critical it will be for us to remember them and understand them well.  Without this knowledge, citizens remain helpless to make wise judgments about that which secures or endangers personal freedom.

By becoming skillful and competent in history and social science, students understand ideas central to the vision of the 18th century founders that hold us together as a nation.  They know how democratic ideas have been turned into institutions and practices.  This knowledge coupled with an understanding of the current condition of the world and how it got that way, prepares one to act upon the challenges to democracy in our own day.   

The graduation requirement in this history and social science program is three major courses (4.50 credits) in grades 9-12.  Those requirements include one year of World History and two years of United States History.  There are multiple paths students can take to meet these requirements.  In addition, all students are required to complete two Civics Action Projects, one in 8th grade, and one in 11th grade.  This is a non-partisan, student-led project in which students will evaluate and analyze political institutions and policies, and to take informed and intentional action with the goal systems change.   In addition to the graduate requirements, students are encouraged to continue to enhance their critical thinking skills by enrolling in a variety of electives offered by the department.

Final course offerings are dependent upon student enrollment numbers and teacher availability.