History - Sophomore

UNITED STATES HISTORY I: (105/106)

THE REVOLUTION THROUGH PROGRESSIVISM (1763-1914) 

(Year) 1.50 credits

Grade 10: Level 2 and Honors

Students will examine the historical and intellectual origins of the United States during the Revolutionary and Constitutional eras.  The important political and economic factors that contributed to the Revolution as well as the consequences of the Revolution, including the writing and key ideas of the U. S. Constitution will provide the foundation for this course.  Other topics to be studied in U.S. History I will be America’s westward expansion, the establishment of political parties, and economic and social change in the new nation.  One main focus of the course is the study of the growth of sectional conflict in the emerging nation, the resultant Civil War and the consequences of the Civil War, including Industrialism. 

Students will develop a variety of skills in an effort to meet the course objectives.   Specific concepts and skills include, but are not limited to: long and short-term cause and effect relationships, distinguishing fact from opinion, interpretation of historical maps, charts and graphs, primary sources, distinguishing intended from unintended consequences, gathering and assessing evidence, historical context and the language skills necessary to become an independent learner.

Instructional strategies and materials include: discussions, readings, role-playing, lectures, cooperative learning, audio-visual programs, and research.

Honors Option

Honors is intended for those students with a serious interest in history and a willingness to apply themselves to a rigorous course of study with high expectations.  In addition to those skills outlined in level 2, directed-documents essays are utilized to develop expository writing skills.  A variety of discussion techniques are employed to further develop listening and speaking skills.  A broad selection of texts and readings, monographs, primary sources and selected audio-visual materials augment skill development.  Quizzes and tests are designed to reflect depth of understanding and particular emphasis is placed on expository writing assignments.

AP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT & POLITICS (124/127)

(Year) 1.50 credits

Grade 10 and 12:  Advanced Placement

This course provides a college-level, nonpartisan introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States.  Students will study US foundational documents, Supreme Court decisions and other texts and visuals to gain an understanding of the relationships and interactions among political institutions, processes, and behaviors.  They will also engage in disciplinary practices that require them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments.  In addition, they will complete a political science research, or applied civics project.  

Students enrolling in this course should have a high level of interest in history, government and politics. This is a college-level course that requires a substantial amount of daily reading and preparation.  There is a heavy emphasis on writing, debate, and discussion.

ANCIENT WORLDS 

(Semester) .75 credit

Grades 9-12: Level 2 and Honors

The ancient world was a time of excitement and of danger. The world was newer and full of unexplored wonders. It was also a time of danger and mystery, when cruel God-Kings decided the fate of millions and savage rites were performed for even crueler Gods. Every semester the students and the teacher will explore one or two different societies that existed in this time period (3000 BC-1000 AD). We will examine not only their wars and adventures, but also their entertainment, art and when possible their lost languages and mysterious writing systems. The realms of the Gods and demons will also be explored, with an emphasis on the rites and magic used to satisfy and control these dangerous beings. 

The idea behind Ancient Worlds is to introduce students to the events, peoples and ideas that existed between 3000 BC and 1000 AD. This time period is crucial for the development of modern society both in cultural terms and in technological terms. As part of the course, the students will make connections between the philosophies (both secular and religious), events, arts, and architecture of the society under study and their counterparts in the modern world.  Join us as we explore Ancient Worlds!

The class will read original texts, observe and recreate the art of the period, discuss important events, learn how to pass notes in dead languages, and use technology to explore the ruins and objects left behind by these societies. The class will be assessed through a series of short papers, a small number of standard tests, a creative project and a final exam.

2026-2027: 

Semester 1: The Greeks(###/###)

The class will read original texts like the Illiad, observe and recreate the art of the period, discuss important events, learn how to pass notes in ancient Greek, and use technology to explore the ruins of such places as the Parthenon and the temple of Zeus at Olympus. We will also be examining the various philosophies that have their origin in that most amazing of cities, Athens. The class will be assessed through a series of assignments, a small number of standard tests, a creative project and a final exam. 

Semester 2: The Romans(###/###)

The Romans were the greatest empire builders the world has ever known.  The class will read Tacitus, Livy and many others, in order to understand these amazing people from their own perspective. We will observe and recreate Roman art and see its connections to our own. The rise and fall of both the Republic and the Empire will be examined, and of course we will learn how to pass notes in Latin. The architecture of Empire will be discussed and explored.  The class will be assessed through a series of assignments, a small number of standard tests, a creative project and a final exam. 

MEDIEVAL WORLDS (112/113)

Grades 9-12: Level 2 and Honors

(Semester) .75 credit

What happens after civilizations fall apart and the world becomes iron and chaos? Warlords and barbarians clash over the mighty ruins of the golden age, and people and cultures struggle to survive and grow in a world without order. Every semester, the students and the teacher will focus on one culture that existed in the medieval world (400-1400 AD). Some of the cultures examined will be the survivors from the collapse of the ancient world struggling to hold on to their existence, while others will be the societies that emerged from the wreckage of that collapse. We will examine not only the battles they fought against each other, but also their stories and sagas, art and when possible their lost languages. The class will read original texts, observe and recreate the art of the period, discuss important events, learn how to pass notes in dead languages, and use technology to explore the ruins and objects left behind by these societies. The class will be assessed through a series of short papers, a small number of standard tests, a creative project and a final exam. The idea behind Medieval Worlds is to introduce students to the events, peoples and ideas that existed in the crucial thousand year period between 400 AD and 1400 AD. Every major society that exists today emerged from the wreckage of the medieval world, and in many ways, still bears the scars from this traumatic time period. As part of the course, the students will make connections between the philosophies (both secular and religious), events, arts, and architecture of the society under study and their counterparts in the modern world.

ECONOMICS (173/174)

Grades 10-12: Level 2 and Honors

(Semester) .75 credit

Contemporary Economics introduces students to key concepts and principles of the American economic system and relates these concepts and principles to students’ future economic roles.  Content includes the following: a survey of economic systems as societies decide what to produce, how and for whom; a study of the role of supply and demand, prices and profits in a market economy; and understanding of the organization and role of business firms in terms of how decisions are made as they respond to market structures.  Further topics studied in this course are an understanding of economic performance indicators, along with fiscal (taxation) and monetary (money and banking) responses to market failures and what these mean in terms of poverty, employment, and other quality of life indicators. World trade, exchange rates and Third World development are additional topics for study.  

Instructional methods include class discussion, inquiry, lectures, and audio-visual materials.  Skill development concentrates upon critical analysis and application of concepts to assignments and activities. Course materials include an assigned textbook, and reprints from contemporary economics journals as well as other readings.

PHILOSOPHY AND RHETORIC (153/154)

Grades 9-12: Level 2 and Honors

(Semester)  .75 credit

Did you ever stop to wonder why you have to go to school? Perhaps you have always wanted to know why the things that you do are judged to be either right or wrong or good or evil? Perhaps you have noticed great conflict in our society of late and have been curious to know its source? If any of the answers to these questions are yes, then you are a potential student of Philosophy! Congratulations, this is the class for you!

Every semester the students and the teacher will use the Socratic Method to explore different philosophical debates and topics. We will examine not only eternal debates such as what the nature of reality is and our relationship to that reality, we will also connect these classical arguments to our own lives and the society that we live in today. We will also examine the various philosophers themselves over time, such as Socrates, Aquinas and Nietzsche, in order to understand not only their world view, but to make our own world view clearer as a result.    

The class will read original texts, debate philosophical questions, discuss important events, and learn how to grasp more clearly philosophical concepts by learning basic concepts of Rhetoric and Logic. The class will be assessed through a series of short papers, a small number of standard tests, a creative project and a final exam. Join us as we explore your mind!

PSYCHOLOGY (125/126) 

Grades 10-12:  Level 2 and Honors

(Semester) .75 credit

This course introduces students to a wide variety of topics by examining individual and group behavior.  Psychology will allow you to better understand yourself and the world in which you live.  Contemporary problems and issues will be examined within a psychological framework. Unlike most other high school classes, your personal experiences and participation are relevant and important for successful active class discussion and analysis. 

Units and concepts include learning, perception, consciousness, cognition, child development, personality, psychological disorders, therapy and social psychology. Students apply psychological knowledge to questions such as "Why am I different from everyone else?" and "Why do people think and behave in a particular way?”   Experiments are used frequently to examine topics such as conditioning, memory, learning styles, right/left brain theories and human relationship with technology. 

Psychology class fosters a critical appreciation for multiple theories of human development and how the human personality is shaped by the controlling mechanisms that surround them. Teaching methods include cooperative group work, experimentation, discussions, readings, lectures, role-playing, research and audio-visual presentations. 

Honors Option: Honors level work in a junior/senior heterogeneous class requires students to consistently exhibit strong communication skills and high quality written work. Honors level students should expect to often start and lead class and group discussions, as well as be willing to personalize and take intellectual risks in applying psychological theories to life. Honors level students will often have more homework and longer assignments.

Honors level students should also be active listeners able to consider and respectfully respond to other’s comments and exhibit a reliable work ethic in all class assignments. Honors level students must be motivated to do work that is of excellent quality.

HUMAN SERVICES IN ACTION: CAREERS, SYSTEMS AND SIMULATIONS(162) 

Grades 10-12: Honors 

(Semester) .75 credit 

This course will introduce students to the many and varied careers available in the Social Assistance and Human service Sector.  The course will begin with an overview of the field of Human Services and the career options available.  Students will be introduced to the fields of mental health, philanthropy, law, corrections, policy (advocacy and legislation), government agents and administrators and technology- in particular how all of these fields intersect to implement Human Services and Social Assistance. With the introduction of each field, students will meet and interact with industry professionals.  The students will benefit from a partnership with the Cape Cod Foundation to understand the impact of philanthropic organizations and grantmaking on the fields of Human Services.

Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to apply what they have learned to real world situations.  In addition, there is an emphasis on building a collaborative and professional working culture within the classroom.

AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES (167)

Grade 9-12:  Level 2 

(Semester) .75 credit

This course is designed to introduce students to the major themes, issues, and debates in the African American experience. Topics covered include African kingdoms, colonial and antebellum slavery, the abolition movement, the Civil War, emancipation, Jim Crow segregation, racial violence, black culture, the modern freedom struggle, popular culture and political movements. History, literature, art, and music will inform the curriculum.

POLITICAL SCIENCE (165/166) 

Grades 9-12: Level 2/Honors

(Semester) .75 credits

Welcome to Political Science! The purpose of this class is twofold: the first is to examine, over the space of 90 days, the different styles of political leadership. Using treatises on leadership such as The Prince and The Art of War, as well as examining real politicians in action, you will grasp the qualities of successful political leadership and learn to recognize poor political leadership. In a republic such as ours, these skills are necessary as we use our voting power

every two, four, and six years to elect our leaders. We need to be able to distinguish between

good leadership and bad leadership. In addition, should you wish to become a leader in our

republic, this knowledge of past leaders and their techniques are crucial to your success. The second purpose is to take the skills acquired from a study of the techniques of leadership and

apply them to your own personal life. The person most suited to make decisions about your life is you! In other words, you will use these techniques to take control over the course of your own life, thereby benefiting.

The class of Political Science will introduce students to the philosophies, world views, and ideologies that form the reality of human politics, not only on the international and national level, but also on the interpersonal level. As part of the course, the students will read and discuss the philosophies and proponents for coercive, persuasive, and exemplary political leadership as well as examine real world examples. The class may be assessed through a series of short papers, a small number of standard tests, a creative project, and a final exam.

CONTEMPORARY WESTERN RELIGIONS (179/198) 

Grades 9-12: Level 2 and Honors

(Semester) .75 credits

Religions and religious philosophies have always been and still are an integral part of human societies and have been the basis of much of the art, culture, and politics that have come to make up human history. In addition, religions have often formed the framework of people’s lives and provided meaning through both good times and bad.

This class will examine the theologies or philosophies underlying modern Western religions in order to understand their world views as well as on their impact on Western societies and the world in general. Varied and widespread ideas and movements such as Theories of Innate or Natural Rights, Progressivism, and Conservatism as well as many more, all have their origins in of the three modern Western or Abrahamic religions. The class will read and discuss original scriptures and texts such as the Sermon on the Mount or the Surahs, observe and discuss the art movements inspired by the Western religions such as Baroque or Renaissance art, and explore the architecture which are the physical manifestations of these faiths. Churches such as the Santa Maria Maggiore or the Umayyad Mosque will be explored. The class will be assessed through a series of short papers, a small number of standard tests, a creative project, and a final exam. 

The idea behind Contemporary Religions is to introduce students to the philosophies, world views, and ideologies that form a core part of the human experience, not only throughout human history, but for a vast majority of humanity today. As part of the course, the students will use philosophy, the arts, and architecture to compare and contrast different belief systems in order to understand what they have in common as well as to understand the amazing diversity in humanity’s response to the most fundamental questions of human existence. Join us as we explore Contemporary Religions!

CONTEMPORARY EASTERN RELIGIONS (178/197)

Grades 9-12: Level 2 and Honors

(Semester) .75 credits

Religions and religious philosophies have always been and still are an integral part of human societies and have been the basis of much of the art, culture and politics that have come to make up human history. In addition, religions have often formed the framework of peoples lives and provided meaning through both good times and bad.

This class will examine the theologies or philosophies underlying modern Eastern religions in order to understand their world views. The class will read and discuss original scriptures and texts such as the Vedas or the Bhagavad Gita, observe and discuss the art movements inspired by the Eastern religions such as Zen, and explore the architecture and objects which are the physical manifestations of these faiths. Temples such as the Todai-ji will be explored and objects such as mandalas will be examined. The class will be assessed through a series of short papers, a small number of standard tests, a creative project and a final exam. 

The idea behind Contemporary Religions is to introduce students to the philosophies, world views and ideologies that form a core part of the human experience, not only throughout human history, but for a vast majority of humanity today! As part of the course, the students will use philosophy, art and architecture to compare and contrast different belief systems in order to understand what they have in common as well as to understand the amazing diversity in humanity's response to the most fundamental questions of human existence. Join us as we explore Contemporary Religions!

SOCIOLOGY(###/###)

Grades 10-12: Level 2 and Honors

(Semester) .75 credit

This elective explores the field of sociology or the study of human social behavior from a group perspective. We will study how the individual is socialized to become a member of their society and culture and what mechanisms control and impact this process. What are the agents of socialization throughout the lifespan and how does it shape personality and the social self? What is the role of the adolescent (teenager) in American society? What social challenges do adolescents face in the 21st century? What are the effects of social inequality in racial and ethnic relations, gender, age and health? What is social control and how does it affect deviance and crime? Group work will often be utilized as well as evaluated in this class. Additional teaching methods will include experimentation, discussion, Socratic seminars, reading analysis, lectures, role-playing, research and audio-visual presentations. 

Honors Option: Honors level work in an upper grade level class requires students to consistently exhibit strong class communication skills and high quality written work. Honors level students should expect to substantially contribute to all class activities, as well as being willing to personalize class concepts and take intellectual risks in applying sociological theories to real life. Honors level students will often have more homework and longer assignments. It is important that honors level students are also active listeners, able to consider and respectfully respond to other’s comments and always exhibit a reliable work ethic.

THE ART OF WAR: WESTERN MILITARY HISTORY(###/###)

(Semester) .75 Credits 

10-12 L2 &Honors

This course explores warfare through the ages - from ancient civilizations to the global clashes of the 20th century. It will use conflicts as case studies from which students will discuss the causes and consequences of war for the planet. Special emphasis is placed on the impact of key personalities, technologies, and strategies in directing the courses of these key conflicts. 

CURRENT EVENTS 

Grades 9-12:  Level 2 (131)

(Semester)   .5 credits

This course examines social, political and economic issues and conflicts in the contemporary world. The issues chosen for consideration in this course vary from year to year and require students to explain the conditions and motivations which contribute to conflict and cooperation between and among societies and nations.  Students describe and analyze the effects of technology on the global community and study the causes, consequences and possible solutions to persisting contemporary issues such as human rights, health, national security, resource allocation, economic development and environmental quality.  They also explore the historical background of these issues to develop an understanding of the relationship and tensions between national sovereignty and regional/global interests. Integral to this process is an examination of the role and function of regional, international, and multinational organizations.

Current Events provides an understanding of the historical roots of today's complex and ambiguous world power system.  Interdependence, political control, command and market economies, revolution and technological change are the fundamental concepts emphasized.

Course materials include various texts, cartoons and readings from selected journals and newspapers. Skill development emphasizes research, oral presentation and critical thinking.  Students are required to demonstrate their comprehension of course information and concepts through participation in a variety of class activities.

Instructional methods include class discussion, inquiry, guest speakers, and issues interpretation using a variety of media sources.

THE 1960S: ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE (###)

(Semester)-.5 Credits 

Grades 9-12

This course examines the political, social, and cultural climate of the 1960s--one of the most pivotal decades in American history. Using multimedia, literature, and a variety of primary and secondary sources, students will examine key topics such as the Presidency and the assassination of JFK, the fight for civil rights for minority groups, the Stonewall Riot, the Vietnam Conflict, the counterculture movement, and the Watergate scandal. In addition, the course will consider key figures in art, literature, politics, music, athletics, and radical movements of the time and their influence in shaping American society.

THE HISTORY OF FANTASY (###)

(Semester) – .5 Credits 

Grades 9-12

How have major historical events shaped the human imagination? From fear of technological progress to world wars, human imagination has always drawn real-world inspiration, no matter how fantastical the setting. In this course, students will study great fantastical stories such as Lord of the Rings and Dracula in the context of the time period they were published. Students will analyze the social and cultural influences behind the worlds and stories created, and how their legacies have endured.

LEGENDS AND MYTHS (116)

2026-2027: British Isles

(Semester) .5 credits

Grades 9-12 

What stories define humanity? Throughout history, every civilization has had its own extraordinary heroes. Tales told around the fire or in the marketplace were passed down from generation to generation, becoming legend. From King Arthur to Sinbad the Sailor, Gilgamesh to Odysseus, Mulan to Sleeping Beauty, these stories explore what it means to be human, and continue to influence the imagination today. Every semester, the students and the teacher will focus on one particular legend or myth from the past. We will examine the original texts, historical context, and later reinterpretations of the stories up to the present day. Art, novels, movies, political movements–these and more have been inspired by traditional legends and myths of a culture. The class will be assessed through a series of short papers, a small number of standard tests, a creative project, and a final exam. The idea behind Legends and Myths is to introduce students to the stories that shaped civilizations and continue to inspire people around the world today. The students will make connections between the stories and cultures of the past and the modern world.