SOCIAL STUDIES PHILOSOPHY
The aim of the Social Studies Department is to give students an understanding of their place in society based on an historical, cultural and contemporary perspective. Social Studies hopes to develop in students the skills that will help them become an active citizenry and effective leaders.
SOCIAL STUDIES OBJECTIVES
Students will be exposed to a variety of courses that help them learn how to learn.
Students will learn to conduct inquiry.
Students will learn to make choices and decisions.
Students will become more aware of themselves and others.
Students will be exposed to the value of living with change and becoming agents of change.
In accordance with the History and Social Studies Curriculum Frameworks, students will achieve knowledge of the academic content and skills in the areas of history, geography, economics, civics and government.
COURSE PLACEMENT
Social Studies Placement at the high school is a complex process. Collaborative in nature, classroom performance , exam grades, MCAS scores (when appropriate), placement and assigned essays designed to measure analytical writing and critical thinking skills, and teacher recommendation are all evaluated in order to find the appropriate level for your child. Our goal is to challenge your son or daughter at a level that fits his or her unique needs the best. All courses follow the same curricula but the pacing, delivery methods, level of independence, type of homework and assessments vary between levels. Honors classes are designed for students who have already demonstrated superior analytical writing and critical thinking skills.
Core 9th, 10th and 11th grade history classes are offered at the Honors, C1 and C2 level. Additionally, AP United States History is offered to the most highly qualified juniors. Moving beyond a recommended placement level can be problematic. Experience has shown that while a few students rise to the challenge, many others struggle with the degree of analytical writing and critical thinking required. Grades can be considerably lower. If, after meeting with your child’s teacher to talk about your placement concerns, you continue to have questions, please contact Kathleen Emerson, Social Studies Department Chair @ 508-359-4367 X 11011 or kemerson@email.medfield.net. Please note that any appeal of the placement recommendation must take place by April vacation.
WORLD HISTORY
Grade 9
Full Year - 5 credits
This course includes a look at the rise of the nation state in Europe, the French Revolution, and the economic and political roots of the modern world. Students study the origins and consequences of the Industrial Revolution, 19th century political reform in Western Europe, and imperialism in Africa, Asia, and South America. They will explain the causes and consequences of the great military and economic events of the past century, including World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, and the Russian and Chinese revolutions. Finally, students will look at the era of globalization and conflicts among peoples including genocide and terrorism.Individual and group projects, primary and secondary readings, videos, discussions, debates and research will be the major methods of instruction.
World History (Honors) - Course #634
World History (College I) - Course #635
World History (College II) - Course #636
UNITED STATES HISTORY I
Grade 10
Full Year - 5 credits
This course includes a look at the Revolutionary and Constitutional eras. Students learn about the important political and economic factors that contributed to the outbreak of the Revolution as well as the consequences of the Revolution, including the writing and key ideas of the U.S. Constitution. They also study the basic framework of American democracy and the basic concepts of American government such as popular sovereignty, federalism, separation of powers, and individual rights. Students study America’s westward expansion, the establishment of political parties, and economic and social change. Students will learn about the causes and consequences of the Civil War and Reconstruction and the growth of the US due to immigration and industry. Finally, students will study the Progressive Era and WWI. Individual and group projects, primary and secondary readings, videos, discussions, debates and research will be the major methods of instruction.
US History I (Honors) - Course #637
US History I (College I) - Course #638
US History I (College II) - Course #639
UNITED STATES HISTORY II
Grade 11
Full Year - 5 credits
This course covers American history from 1920-present. Students will study the role of economics in modern US history. In addition, students will study the various ways Americans responded to new ideas in society. Students will also study the causes and consequences of the Great Depression and the New Deal as well as the impact of WWII and the Cold War which followed. Lastly students will learn about civil rights efforts at home and the US response to increasing globalization. The course has been designed around the Massachusetts Social Studies Frameworks. Social, geographical, economic and political themes and trends will be examined. Individual and group projects, primary and secondary readings, video, discussions, lectures, debates and research will be the major methods of instruction.
US History II (Honors) - Course #632
US History II (College) - Course #631
US History II (College) - Course #633
ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY
Course #622
Grade 11-12
Full Year - 5 credits
The goal of the A.P. U.S. History course is to give students a solid grounding in U.S. History and in major interpretive questions that derive from the study of selected themes. In addition to the textbook, supplementary readings in the form of documents, essays, or books on special themes will be used. Students are required to read additional assigned books during the summer and throughout the school year. The course will train students to analyze and interpret primary sources, including documentary materials, maps, statistical tables, and pictorial and graphic evidence of
historical events. This course can be taken in place of US History II. As part of fulfilling course expectations in AP United States History, students will take the AP exam in May that consists of a 55-minute multiple-choice section and a 140-minute free-response section.
Prerequisites:
Approval of the Social Studies teacher and approval of the department chair.
An “A” in United States History I or an “A-” in United States History I Honors class.
Advanced Placement level writing sample according to rubric.
Strong reading, writing and communication skills.
Due to the rigorous and demanding nature of the course, only after course selection has been completed for those who have met the prerequisites, will appeals be considered.
QUARTER COURSES
Quarter courses are available to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Courses will run for the duration of a term. Students must select a minimum of two quarter courses, totaling 2.5 credits. Students can select two or four quarter courses within their schedule.
HISTORY OF SPORTS IN THE UNITED STATES
Course # 646
Grades 10-12
Quarter - 1.25 credits
Professional sports today are a multi-billion dollar industry. The NFL alone had revenues of over $13 billion in 2018. How did this come to be? Did George Washington roll out of bed in the morning with nightmares of his missed foul shots from the night before? From Native American and colonial ball games to the modern world of both recreational and professional sports, this course will explore the historical, cultural, and economic roots and impact of sports in the US.
ROOTS OF TERRORISM
Course #647
Grades 10-12
Quarter - 1.25 credits
Terrorism is a word that is much used but litte understood in the world today. Events like 9/11 attacks come to mind, but at its root, what is terrorism? Who uses it? Why? How has this impacted the U.S. and world from the 20th century to the present? This course will examine the concept of terrorism with a focus on state sponsored and insurgent groups, including the rise of domestic terror groups in the U.S. during the 1960s and culminating with the study of the recent rise in Islamic Jihadi groups.
FINANCIAL LITERACY
Course # 650
Grades 10 - 12
Quarter - 1.25 credits
This course will help students understand credit,loans and interest and interest accrual, credit card debt, online commerce and the rights and responsibilities of renting or buying a home. Units will include the benefits of saving, investing and planning for retirement; the role of banking and financial services and balancing a checkbook. In addition, students will learn about the impact of taxes; charitable giving, and the importance of evaluating media content. Lastly there will be a focus on paying for post secondary education and the impact of educational debt.
NEWS AND MEDIA LITERACY
Course # 651
Grades 10 - 12
Quarter - 1.25 credits
“Fake News” is a phrase often heard today. Social media, Adobe Photoshop and memes are just some of the ways that news can be distorted and opinions shaped. How can we become thoughtful consumers of news and information which is so essential to democracy? What are the principles of responsible journalism? Topics include freedom of the press, the history and roles of journalism in a democracy and the challenges of news and media literacy in contemporary society. This course will help students understand the importance of sourcing, bias, verification and inference as well as “slant” and omission.
SEMESTER ELECTIVE COURSES
MODERN WORLD CONFLICTS
Course #628
Grades 11-12
Semester - 2.5 credits
Students are coming of age at an extraordinary moment in human history. Unrelenting technological advancements are shrinking the world at a rapid pace, causing cultures to collide and giving individuals and institutions unprecedented power and influence over each other. The Modern World Conflicts course is designed to help students navigate this ever-changing world and create a better future for the current generation and those who will follow. With an emphasis on the interests of the members of the class, students will explore the underlying causes, impacts, and potential solutions to the most compelling and important challenges facing humanity today.
PRACTICAL LAW (A YEAR 2022-2023, 2024-2025)
Course #720
Grades 11-12
Semester - 2.5 credits
This course will give students a practical understanding of the American legal system. The objective of the course is to inform students of their legal rights as individuals and their responsibilities in observing the law. Videos, case studies, and mock trials are some of the activities included. Emphasis will be on juvenile justice, criminal and civil law.
SOCIOLOGY
Course #642
Grades 11-12
Semester - 2.5 credits
This introductory hybrid blended learning course will focus on society. Sociology is the study of groups and the actions of individuals within groups; how groups are formed and changed. Students will look for patterns of interactions among persons in social situations. This course relies heavily on discussion about topics including the nature of culture, family and education, conformity and deviance, group behavior, minorities, stereotyping and discrimination, and gender roles among others. Students enrolled in this class will be expected to participate in classroom discussions, administer surveys, conduct interviews, run experiments and analyze the resulting data. Class members will read a variety of primary and secondary sources and will be responsible for completing class and homework designed to deepen their comprehension of social issues and the methods used by sociologists to gain understanding.
HUMAN STUDIES
Course #623
Grades 9-12
Semester - 2.5 credits
Is humanity good or evil? Where do the good and evil aspects of human nature come from? To what degree does civilization bring out the best in humans? This interdisciplinary course seeks to answer these questions and others by exploring our species’ biology, psychology and history. Students will investigate why war and murder are at the lowest levels in recorded history and the the richest countries are not the happiest. Students will study concepts of human morality and whether “right” and “wrong” are universal or matters of opinion. In this course students will gain a deeper understanding of what makes humanity unique, and how the journey from the wilderness to civilization has changed our species.
FULL YEAR ELECTIVES
GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
Course #607
Grades 11-12
Full Year - 5 credits
General Psychology is a full-year course that deals with the psychologist's attempts to understand human and animal behavior. Topics include the psychological and physiological processes; biological foundations of behavior; biological base for integrated behavior; methods of psychology, tests and measurements, experimental design; intelligence; segments of the psychological process including motives, emotions, sensation and perception, processes of learning; personality and adjustment; and neurosis, psychosis, and psychotherapy. This course will utilize lectures, outside reading, discussions, and class activities/projects to increase the students' understanding of psychology as a science. To achieve this understanding, students will need to apply critical thinking in their exploration and comprehension of psychology's multiple personalities. History, theoretical perspectives, basic concepts and research findings will be presented, analyzed and critiqued to help students develop a fundamental introduction to the field of psychology.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT ELECTIVES
ADVANCED PLACEMENT EUROPEAN HISTORY
Course #600
Grade 11-12
Full Year - 5 credits
AP European History is a course designed to study European history since 1450. It is intended to introduce students to cultural, economic, political, and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live. Without this knowledge, students would lack the context for understanding the development of contemporary institutions, the role of continuity and change in present-day society and politics, and the evolution of current forms of artistic expression and intellectual discourse. The goals of AP European History are to develop an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European history, an ability to analyze historical evidence and historical interpretation, and an ability to express historical understanding in writing.
In addition to the textbook, supplementary readings in the form of documents, essays, or books on themes of European History will be used. Students will be required to read additional assigned books during the summer and throughout the school year. The course will train students to analyze and interpret primary sources, including documentary materials, maps, statistical tables, and pictorial and graphic evidence of historical events. As part of fulfilling course expectations in AP European History, students will take the AP exam in May.
Prerequisites:
Approval of the student's U.S. History teacher and approval of the department chair.
A minimum grade of a “B” in AP US History, a “B+” in honors 10th or 11th grade history class, or an "A-" in C1 10th or 11th grade history class.
Advanced Placement level writing sample according to rubric
Strong reading, writing, and communication skills
Motivation and commitment to the course and its rigorous requirements
ADVANCED PLACEMENT MACROECONOMICS
Course #615
Grade 11 & 12
Full Year 5 credits
The Advanced Placement Economics program is designed as a full year course focused primarily on macroeconomics public finance, fiscal and monetary policy, inflation, unemployment, economic growth, international trade. These concepts will be studied in depth and paired with real life examples and applications. This course will incorporate interpretive skills, analytical thought, and complex concepts in the study of economics. The study of economics is the foundation for business, the market economy and global interaction. Within a market economy, students will examine various roles between consumers, producers, and governments. The national and global economy become the context for macroeconomics, as students apply individual and aggregate tools to measure economic welfare and evaluate the decisions made by economic leaders and institutions. Students who enroll in AP Economics are required to take the AP test in Macroeconomics in the spring.
Prerequisites:
Approval of the 10th or 11th grade Social Studies teacher and/or approval of the department chair.
A minimum of “B” in the previous year’s history (Honors) class, or a minimum of a “B+” in the previous year’s history (College) class.
Strong reading, writing and communication skills
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY
Course #608
Grade 11 & 12
Full Year - 5 credits
(Preference given to Grade 12; If there is room in the course for Grade 11 students, a lottery will be conducted among students who have signed up)
The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of humans and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Summer reading and research is an expectation of this course. Students will be asked to complete challenging cumulative assessments. They will be required to not only know each concept, but also be able to apply each principle in proper context. Students will learn all major theorists and understand each one’s contribution to psychology. Students that enroll in AP Psychology are required to take the AP test in the spring. Students who take Advanced Placement Psychology will be prohibited from taking General Psychology.
Prerequisites:
Approval of the 10th or 11th grade Social Studies teacher and/or approval of the department chair.
A minimum grade of “B” in the previous year’s history (Honors) class, or a minimum of a “B+“ in the previous year’s history (College) class.
Strong reading, writing and communication skills
ADVANCED PLACEMENT U.S. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Course #609
Grade 11 & 12
Full Year - 5 credits
(Preference given to Grade 12; If there is room in the course for Grade 11 students, a lottery will be conducted among students who have signed up)
The Advanced Placement American Government and Politics program is designed to teach the principles of American constitutional government, interpretation of original documents, American political culture, political parties and interest groups, national institutions and the process of making policy. They will also learn about civil rights and civil liberties and the role of mass media, especially television and the internet. Summer reading and research is an expectation of this course. Students that enroll in AP US Government and Politics are required to take the AP test in the spring.
Prerequisites:
Approval of the 10th or 11th grade Social Studies teacher and/or approval of the department chair.
A minimum grade of a “B” in the previous year’s history (Honors/AP) class, or a minimum of a “B+” in the previous year’s history (College) class.
Strong reading, writing and communication skills