HISTORY AND SOCIAL STUDIES

OVERVIEW

The History and Social Studies department aims to help students develop and draw upon their disciplinary knowledge in order to make ethical decisions and solve complex problems in the present and future. Guided by the 2018 Massachusetts History and Social Sciences Curriculum Framework, students will be educated in the histories of the United States and the world, as well as related disciplines such as economics, psychology, civics, and law. 

All NAHS students must pass four years of history and social studies, including three required courses: 

US and The World I (Grade 9) 

US and The World II (Grade 10) 

EITHER Civics OR AP US Government and Politics (Grade 11 OR 12) 

In addition to the required Civics (or AP US Government and Politics) course, students in Grades 11 and 12 can choose from a variety of semester-based or year-long elective and AP courses that align with their interests. All History and Social Studies courses, including all elective and AP courses, will help students develop important disciplinary skills, such as research, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication, as well as attain the content knowledge necessary to make informed choices in a complex world. 

The chart below explains the course selection sequencing:

*Note - All students must select either Civics or AP US Government and Politics in Grade 11 or Grade 12

FULL-YEAR COURSES

US AND THE WORLD I

Grade 9,  5 credits,  Honors – 207,  Level 1 – 208,  Level 2 – 209

This course offers the first year of a two-year sequence in a combined study of United States and World history. Students will be introduced to major people, events, and policies in U.S. history from the years 1763 to 1919, as well as the international influences, interactions, and considerations that helped to shape U.S. and world history. This course will incorporate standards from both the U.S. History and World History MA Curriculum Frameworks. Emphasis will be placed on developing the historical thinking skills necessary to construct a deep understanding of the past, as well as the critical thinking skills and dispositions necessary to become responsible and engaged 21st century citizens. 

US AND THE WORLD II   

Grade 10,  5 Credits,  Honors – 217,  Level 1 – 218, Level 2 – 219

This course offers the second year of a two-year sequence in a combined study of United States and World history. Students will be introduced to major people, events, and policies in U.S. history from the years 1920 to the present, as well as the international influences, interactions, and considerations that helped to shape U.S. and world history. This course will incorporate standards from both the U.S. History and World History MA Curriculum Frameworks. Emphasis will be placed on developing the historical thinking skills necessary to construct a deep understanding of the past, as well as the critical thinking skills and dispositions necessary to become responsible and engaged 21st century citizens.

AP WORLD HISTORY (ADVANCED PLACEMENT)

Grade 11-12,  5 credits, AP – 211

This course serves as an advanced study in the cultural, economic, political, and social developments that have shaped the world from c.1200 CE to the present. This college-level course allows students to analyze texts, visual sources, and other historical evidence to write essays and express historical arguments. Emphasis will be placed on evaluating primary and secondary sources, analyzing claims, evidence, and reasoning, putting historical developments into context, and supporting claims and theses through writing. This course is designed to prepare students to take the required AP World History: Modern exam in the spring. 

Texts may include: Ways of the World

AP EUROPEAN HISTORY (ADVANCED PLACEMENT) 

Grade 11-12,  5 Credits,  AP - 230

This course will serve as a historical study of European history since 1450 and introduces students to cultural, economic, political, and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live. This course is designed to prepare students to take the AP European test. Strong writing, analysis, and historical interpretation are required to successfully complete this course and be prepared to take the mandatory Advanced Placement Exam.

Guidelines for election:  85 or better in upper level history/social studies or recommendation of teacher.

AP UNITED STATES HISTORY (ADVANCED PLACEMENT) (EEP*)     

Grade 11-12,  5 Credits,  AP – 231

This course will serve as a detailed examination of the history of the United States from the pre-Colombian era to the early twenty-first century. It is designed to meet the Massachusetts state frameworks as well as preparing students for the Advanced Placement and/or SAT Subject Test in U.S. History. Strong writing, analytical and critical thinking skills are required to successfully complete this course’s objectives and to be properly prepared for the mandatory Advanced Placement Exam.

Guidelines for election:  85 or better in U.S. and The World I and II – Honors or recommendation of teacher.

*Students will have the option of electing to participate in the Early Enrollment Program for a fee.

AP PSYCHOLOGY (ADVANCED PLACEMENT) 

Grade 11-12,  5 Credits,  AP – 237

This course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. It is the equivalent of a college introductory psychology course, using a college-level textbook. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice.  Students will be required to take the AP Exam in May.

Guidelines for election:  85 or better in upper level history/social studies or recommendation of teacher.

AP US GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS (ADVANCED PLACEMENT)

Grade 11-12 ,  5 Credits, AP – 241

This course is designed to offer students the opportunity to see how individuals and their ideas can shape the world in which they live.  Students will be analyzing and interpreting the Constitution, looking at important political documents, and data as a way to better understand the American national government and the political actors who interact with it.  This course is designed to prepare students to take the mandatory AP test in May and to meet the Massachusetts Civics requirements. 

Guidelines for election: 85 or better in upper level history/social studies or recommendation of teacher.

AP ECONOMICS (ADVANCED PLACEMENT)

Grade 11-12, 5 Credits, AP - 260

This course is a college-level full-year course that is part of the College Board’s Advanced Placement program.  Students enrolled in the course will take one semester of Macroeconomics and be introduced to the principles that apply to an economic system as a whole. In addition, students will take a second semester of Microeconomics, which focuses on the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual economic decision-makers.  Students are required to take two AP exams associated with this course, for Macroeconomics and Microeconomics, respectively

Guidelines for election:  85 or better in upper level history/social studies or recommendation of teacher.

SEMESTER ELECTIVES

CIVICS  

Grade 11-12,  2.5 Credits,  Honors – 238, Level 1 – 239, Level 2 – 240

This course will allow students the opportunity to participate in a student-led, non-partisan civics project at an individual, small-group, or whole-class level. The projects that are developed in this class will meet the following criteria: student-led (student choice defines this experience), non-partisan (including research on all sides of an issue), project-based (solving a problem or answering a complex question), real-world (transferable to their lives outside of the classroom and involving real stakeholders), rooted in systems-impact (focused on the processes, policies, and institutions most connected to the root cause of their issue), and goal-driven (seeing themselves as agents of change who can influence public opinion or influence a policy goal). The students should leave this class with greater appreciation and capacity for participating as informed and active members of their community.  

Beginning with YOG 2025, all students must take this course in either Grade 11 or Grade 12 unless they opt to take AP Government and Politics.

MILITARY HISTORY 

Grades 11-12,  2.5 Credits,  Level 2 – 242

This course examines the development of military organization and the conduct of war from ancient Greece and Rome to present times. The evolution of weapons, strategy and tactics will be examined through exploration of important military battles, wars and leaders. Units studied include: Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar and the Roman Legions, Napoleon Bonaparte, George Washington, the American Civil War, Military organization, ranks and terminology, World Wars I & II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Emphasis will be placed upon the correlation between the development of new military technology and tactics. Students will gain insight into military culture and organization and important military leaders, wars and battles over the centuries.

LAW AND JUSTICE 

Grades 11–12,  2.5 Credits,  Level 1 – 243

This course surveys the role of law in our society. The court system from the local trial courts to the U.S. Supreme Court will be studied with emphasis on the appeal process and the rights of defendants in criminal cases. Students will study Criminal Law, Civil Law, their Rights, and their responsibilities.

ECONOMICS 

Grades 11–12,  2.5 Credits,  Level 1 - 245

This course introduces the student to the basic concepts and methods of economics and economic analysis. The course emphasizes macroeconomics, and includes topics such as Supply and Demand, Fiscal and Monetary Policy, Inflation and Unemployment, the Federal Reserve Bank and Money Supply and International Trade. The course includes a thorough study of the investment world including the buying and selling of securities in the various stock markets.

WORLD RELIGIONS 

Grades 11–12,  2.5 Credits,  Level 1 - 246

This course provides an overview of many religious belief systems throughout the world. It will cover the religions of many cultures from a historical and philosophical perspective. It will use an objective, critical approach to promote a balanced survey of the differing and similar views of life, the afterlife, and a supreme being in various world cultures.

GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY 

Grades 11–12,  2.5 Credits,  Level 1 – 252

This course introduces students to the study of Psychology. By examining some of the broad areas of research about human and animal behavior, students will develop an appreciation for the science of Psychology and a better understanding of themselves and others. Specific topics to be covered include: The field of Psychology, Sensation and Perception, Motivation and Emotion, the Principles of Learning, Memory, Intelligence, Personality, and Mental Disorders.

CHOICES IN THE MODERN WORLD 

Grades 11-12,  2.5 Credits,  Honors – 254,  Level 1 - 255

This course will allow students to explore current world issues by incorporating historical analysis, group interaction, and problem solving. Course topics include, but are not limited to, terrorism, nuclear weapons, genocide, immigration, and the world economy. Students will be responsible for examining the historical background of each conflict, researching opposing perspectives, assessing proposed solutions, and formulating personal responses to each problem. The elective is based on “The Choices Program” curriculum series developed by Brown University, which encourages higher-order skills such as interpreting a variety of sources, thinking critically, and weighing evidence.

CURRENT EVENTS 

Grades 11-12,  2.5 Credits,  Level 1 – 257,  Level 2 – 258

This course seeks to engage students in an examination of both the ongoing and the immediate questions, issues, debates and developments that shape our nation and world.  In order to give students insight into the present world, this course will emphasize industrialism, nationalism, modern imperialism, the increasing importance of science and technology, political revolutions and the interdependence of nations as they develop. Curriculum will be determined in part by issues that occur at the actual time of the class, as well as student and teacher input.  Consequently, each section of the class will be unique.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Grades 11-12,  2.5 Credits,   Level H –  261, Level 1 – 262, Level 2 – 263

This course provides a framework for understanding universal human rights- the freedoms, protections, and opportunities that all human beings are entitled to. Students will examine how our understanding of those rights have evolved across countries and over time. Students will apply their understanding to also explore the ways and instances in which those human rights have been violated, both in the past and in contemporary society, in the United States and around the world. Consideration will be given to the role of protest, advocacy organizations, and active citizen participation.

HISTORY OF NORTH ATTLEBORO

Grades 11-12,  2.5 Credits, Level H – 264, Level 1 – 265, Level 2 – 266

Students enrolled in this semester-long research-based course will research and examine the history, geography, economy, government, and politics of the town of North Attleborough, Massachusetts, from its founding in 1694 to the present day.   Students may visit significant sites within the community such as the Little Red School House, Falls Fire Barn, Woodcock Garrison House, and others. Students will be exploring, investigating, and analyzing various primary source documents and artifacts that collectively tell the story of their hometown.  Guest speakers will be invited to discuss various aspects of the town of North Attleboro.   Students will also be expected to complete a culminating final research project (or paper) that will count as the final exam grade.

CONSPIRACY IN AMERICA

Grades 11-12,  2.5 Credits,  Level H – 267, Level 1 – 268, Level 2 – 269

This semester-long course will allow students to explore the issues of misinformation, fact-checking, logic, argument, and truth through the lens of conspiracies and conspiracy theories in American history. Students will apply media literacy and historical research skills as they examine historical events such as the attack on Pearl Harbor, the assassinations of JFK and Martin Luther King Jr, and 9/11, as well as ongoing themes such as extraterrestrials, government surveillance, and secret societies. This course will address standards from multiple sections of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, including Digital Literacy, News and Media Literacy, U.S. History, World History, and American Government.

INTERDISCIPLINARY COURSES

STORIES OF THE '60S

Grade 11-12,  2.5 Credits Social Studies, Level 1 - 250B

This course will focus on a particular time period (the sixties) and study the history, literature, and culture of that time. The course will examine the decade as a whole and how the events of the time impacted on and were reflected in the literature. Students will also consider elements of the time such as entertainment, toys, fashion, etc. The goal of the course is to offer students a new perspective on a time period they have previously studied. The integrated approach should reinforce the concept that History and English are not separate entities that exist in a vacuum (or solely in a classroom). Students will receive instruction from both an English and History teacher in back-to-back periods. This structure allows for frequent combined classes with dual instructors. Also, although students will receive one grade for the course, they will receive 2 ½ credits for each discipline.

Texts may include:  In Cold Blood, In Country, The Sixties, “The Subject Was Roses,” and selected poetry and essays.

NOTE: This course must be taken at the same time as 250A.  Both courses will receive the same grade and each course will carry 2.5 credits.

STORIES OF WAR

Grade 11-12,  2.5 Credits Social Studies, Honors - 251B

This course will investigate the aspects of war from both a historical and literary perspective covering selected periods in world history. It will focus on the periods of the American Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the World wars, the Cold War Era focusing on Vietnam, and the modern era, including the Iraq War, Gulf War, and the War on Terror. It will incorporate many different genres, including nonfiction essays and speeches, journalism, primary source documents, and fictional short stories, novels, poetry, and films. The integrated approach should reinforce the concept that History and English are not separate entities that exist in a vacuum (or solely in a classroom). Students will receive instruction from both an English and History teacher in back-to-back periods. This structure allows for frequent combined classes with dual instructors. 

NOTE: This course must be taken at the same time as 251A.  Both courses will receive the same grade and each course will carry 2.5 credits.