History and Social studies

HISTORY AND SOCIAL STUDIES

OVERVIEW

The History and Social Studies department aims to broaden the education experience of students. 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. The curriculum will prepare students to have the knowledge and skills necessary to become active participants in a democratic society and a complex world.

All students at NAHS are required to pass four years of history and social studies. In an effort to better align with the new state curriculum framework, the sequential study of history was changed in 2019-20. For the 2022-23 school year, all freshmen will be enrolled in The United States and The World I and all sophomores will be enrolled in The United States and The World II. All Juniors, who took U.S. History I in their freshmen year and U.S. History II in the sophomore year, will be enrolled in World History, which will also be offered at the Advanced Placement level. Seniors must take one semester of American Government/Civics and another semester elective of their choice, unless they choose to pursue coursework at the Advanced Placement level.

Seniors who wish to pursue Advanced Placement courses in history and social sciences may do so in lieu of the required courses for their senior year. These students may choose to enroll in AP US History, AP World History, AP Psychology, or AP Economics in their senior year. All upperclassmen may take additional history/social studies electives if they so choose. Juniors may elect to take AP US History in addition to their World History course if they choose.

The following chart illustrates the course sequences that align our curriculum with the state framework and prepare our students for a future MCAS History test:

FULL-YEAR AND REQUIRED 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.

WORLD HISTORY

Grade 11(2021), 5 credits, Honors – 212, Level 1 – 213, Level 2 – 214

In this course students study the period of exploration and its impact on the world. Students also examine the important political, economic, and ideological developments around the globe, including the development of democratic, scientific, and secular thought in Europe. Students will also study the rise of the nation state in Europe and the economic and political roots of the modern world, including the impact of WWI, WWII, and the Cold War. This course will establish the proper world perspective for students to begin their study of American history.

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 UNITED STATES HISTORY (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. History I+II – Honors or recommendation of teacher.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT/CIVICS (One Semester)

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

This course provides a framework for understanding the purposes, principles, and practices of American government. Students will understand and apply their rights and responsibilities as citizens by participating in hands-on and practical applications. Major themes will include the basis of representative government, the division of power among local, state and federal organizations, the role of the United States in world affairs and individual participation in the electoral process.

PSYCHOLOGY (ADVANCED PLACEMENT)

Grade 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.

EUROPEAN HISTORY (ADVANCED PLACEMENT)

Grade 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.

ECONOMICS (ADVANCED PLACEMENT)

Grade 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

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.

INTEGRATED AMERICAN STUDIES

Grade 11-12, 2.5 Credit English and 2.5 Credits History, Level 1 – 250

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 will 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.

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.