Social Studies

MODERN WORLD HISTORY 1 credit (Required)

Grade 9

This required course presents a survey of the world’s historic culture regions from 1300 AD to the early 20th century. The course will primarily emphasize European history and the impact of European culture on other regions of the world. Students will be introduced to the academic skills and habits necessary to achieve success in Marshwood High School social studies classes. Successful completion of the course will reflect successfully meeting the proficiency based assessments of the course.

0210 - Honors Modern World History

This full year course is designed for the highly motivated, creative, and exceptionally skilled student of Social Studies.  The emphasis will be placed on inquiry, critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation of material in all forms.  The student will acquire a general knowledge of world civilization themes and concepts that will facilitate successful adaptation into today’s world. The student will develop the skills of reading, note-taking, map study, historical analysis, managing projects and use of factual material in decision-making and participation. Students will have nightly reading and writing assignments. 

0212 - CP Modern World History

This full year course is designed for students planning to pursue post-secondary educational training of any kind, including four-year colleges. Students entering the CP level should be able to demonstrate the basic skills of reading, writing, and critical thinking.  The student will acquire a general knowledge of world civilization themes and concepts that will facilitate successful adaptation into today’s world. The student will develop the skills of reading, note-taking, map study, historical analysis, managing projects and use of factual material in decision-making and participation. Students will have nightly reading and writing assignments. 

0214 - Modern World History

This full year course is designed for students who will benefit from a greater focus on basic skills in reading, writing, and organization.  The student will acquire a general knowledge of world civilization themes and concepts that will facilitate successful adaptation into today’s world. The student will develop the skills of reading, note-taking, map study, historical analysis, managing projects and use of factual material in decision-making and participation. Students will have nightly reading and writing assignments. 

MODERN UNITED STATES HISTORY 1 credit (Required)

Grade 10

This course provides a full year survey of United States History from the Civil War to the modern era. All students will demonstrate knowledge of the political, social, and economic development of the United States. Students should consider taking the course at the College Preparatory or Honors level based on their interest, a realistic assessment of their own abilities, and willingness to put forth the effort necessary for success.  Both options offer rigorous curricula and build on skill development as well as content mastery.  Students considering taking Advanced Placement Social Studies courses as juniors and seniors should 

strongly consider enrolling in the Honors level course.

0230-Honors Modern United States History

To be considered for honors, students must be motivated, creative, and have demonstrated academic success in World History along with a teacher recommendation. In order to cover required content, the course moves at a rigorous pace so high expectations are placed on reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.  Both chronological and thematic approaches will be used in the examination of United States History. Students will be expected to master terms associated with basic historical literacy, as well as develop their own ideas regarding the meaning of their nation’s history. Assessment will be based on quizzes, tests, writing assignments, and research projects.

0232-College Prep Modern United States History

This course is designed for students who are planning to continue their education after high school. The course prepares students for the post-secondary experience by emphasizing note-taking, research skills, written and oral proficiency, and frequent reading assignments. Both chronological and thematic approaches will be used in the examination of United States History. Students will be expected to master terms associated with basic historical literacy, as well as develop their own ideas regarding the meaning of their nation’s history. Assessment will be based on quizzes, tests, writing assignments, and research projects.

AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP 1 credit (Required)

Grade 11 

This required course for juniors will help students gain a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities as citizens and consumers in the United States. The course begins by looking at the purpose and structure of government in the United States by examining the Constitution and its amendments. Emphasis will be placed on the Bill of Rights and how these rights have changed or been interpreted over time. Students will analyze and discuss the role of the President, Congress and the courts in our system of government as well as looking at the role of state and local government systems. Students will also learn how they can effectively participate in the political process and the importance of being active and informed citizens. Finally, students will study topics related to financial literacy such as personal budgeting, saving and investing, credit and debt, loan applications and how to be an effective consumer in the global marketplace. 

0221–Honors American Citizenship

The honors level course is designed for highly motivated, creative and exceptionally skilled students of social studies. To be considered for the honors level, students must have demonstrated success in previous social studies classes along with a teacher recommendation. The course moves at a rigorous pace and high expectations are placed on reading, writing, research and critical thinking skills. Students can expect regular reading, writing, and research assignments and a strong work ethic is required. Assessment will be based on quizzes, tests, writing assignments, and research projects.

0223–College Prep American Citizenship

This course is designed for students who are planning to continue their education after high school. The course prepares students for the post-secondary experience by emphasizing the skills of reading, note-taking, writing and use of factual material in decision-making and participation. Assessment will be based on quizzes, tests, writing assignments, and research projects.

0233-Advanced Placement United States History             1 credit

Grade  11, 12

Prerequisite: Open to highly motivated students who have completed Modern World History and with teacher recommendation

This course is designed to provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in U.S. History from colonial times to the present. The Advanced Placement program prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those made by a full year introductory college course. Each student is required to take the Advanced Placement Examination in U.S. History in the spring. Students are responsible for the exam fee. This course is recommended to serious students of U.S. History who can sustain maturity, study skills, and work habits over the entire academic year. Students enrolled in this course will be expected to meet a rigorous work schedule including demanding reading. Written and verbal analysis is the cornerstone of this course.

0234-Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics 1 credit

Grade 12

Prerequisite: Open to high achieving senior students that have completed World History, US History and American Citizenship and have a teacher recommendation

Advanced Placement Government and Politics is a full year course open to seniors who have demonstrated outstanding ability in social studies. This is a rigorous course, equivalent to an entry-level college course, and students are required to take the Advanced Placement exam in the spring. Students are responsible for the exam fee. In addition, students must have strong enthusiasm for the subject matter and possess the ability, motivation and discipline to do the large amount of reading required. A summer assignment may be given at the teacher’s discretion.

This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of government and politics in the United States. To accomplish this, students develop analytical perspectives for interpreting, understanding and explaining political events in our country. Topics in the course of study include:  Constitutional underpinnings of the U.S. government, political beliefs and behaviors, political parties and interest groups, public opinion and the mass media, institutions of national government, public policy, and civil rights and civil liberties.

0235-Advanced Placement History of Art  1 Credit (Standards Based Fine Art) 

Grades 11, 12 

Prerequisite: Open to high achieving junior/senior students who have completed World History and with teacher recommendation 

Advanced Placement History of Art is a full year course which studies the expressions of visual art found in a wide variety of cultures from the ancient (Paleolithic, Near Eastern, Egyptian) to the art of the twentieth century. Advanced Placement History of Art addresses the Cultural Heritage, as well as Criticism and Aesthetics aspects of the State of Maine Learning Results and satisfies the Marshwood Fine Art requirement. Students will learn of the ways that human events, location in the world, and cultural heritage have inspired people to respond to their surroundings and times. This is a rigorous course, equivalent to an entry-level college course, and students are required to take the Advanced Placement exam in the spring. Students are responsible for the exam fee. In addition, students should have enthusiasm for the subject matter and possess the ability, motivation, and discipline to do the large amount of reading and substantial critical and analytical writing required. Summer assignments may be given at the teacher’s discretion. Success in this course is dependent on nightly reading assignments, participation in the class discussions based on these readings, and short written essays. 

0237- College Prep Crime and Justice in Contemporary America      .5 credit

Grades 10, 11, 12 

This course examines the nature of crime in our society and the operation of the criminal justice system.  Topics explored will include the nature and cause of crime, the adult and juvenile judicial system, noted court cases, and the law as it affects the victim, defendant, police officer, juror, prosecutor, defense counsel and judge. 

0240-College Prep Psychology   .5 credit

Grades 10, 11, 12  

This course is a one-semester introduction to the behavior of individuals.  It explores the fascinating world of human behavior, examining such topics as stress, therapy, motivation, personality, dreams, meditation, abnormal psychology, addictive behavior, the learning process and interpersonal relationships. 

0241-College Prep Sociology  .5 credit

Grades 10, 11, 12 

Sociology examines the behavior of people in groups and the social relations among groups how people behave and why they behave as they do.  Sociology will explore topics such as culture, socialization, social institutions, political power, deviance and social inequalities. This course emphasizes class discussion, group and individual projects as well as written responses.    

0242-College Prep World Religions  .5 credit

Grades 10, 11, 12 

The 21st century has begun, as most have begun, with conflict between individuals of different faiths and beliefs. In order to ensure an understanding of the complexity of human beliefs and sacred traditions, World Religions will expose the student to the major belief systems of his/her own culture and those of the rest of the world. Judeo-Christian, Islamic, Buddhist and Hindu traditions will be examined, compared and contrasted.  One semester, open to all students 10th grade and above.  Independent and required reading, quizzes, final exam and research project required. 

0262-Sports in the Western World  .5 credit

Grades 10, 11, 12

As we examine the development of sports in the United States, 1865 to the present, we will find that sports and games derive from the dominant political, economic and social structures of society. Games change from era to era. Some expand; others decline. All change in social 

function according to the societal values of each era. 

 Yet four elements are constant: 

1.  Athletes and the games they play 

2.  Patrons and their promotional schemes  

3.  Spectators and their vicarious thrills 

4.  Commentators and their vicarious interpretations 

Although the motives, numbers and styles of each of these groups vary from age to age, athletes, patrons, spectators and commentators make up the cast for the drama of sports in modern America. Amidst all our ruminations about the political, economic and social context of sport, we focus primarily on the people at the heart of the story. This course is not approved as a core course for NCAA eligibility.