In all social studies courses, students analyze cause and effect of social issues. Research and writing skills are developed through papers and essays along with oral and visual projects. Students discuss the significance, bias, and reliability of historical evidence. In honors courses, more emphasis is placed on critical thinking of the subject matter in addition to comparing and contrasting the various aspects of controversial issues.
Courses
U.S. HISTORY I Honors - Grade 9
In U.S. History I, students examine the historical and intellectual origins of the United States during the Revolutionary and Constitutional eras. They 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. Students also study the basic framework of American democracy and the basic concepts of America 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. Finally, students will learn about the growth of sectional conflict, how sectional conflict led to the Civil War, and the consequences of the Civil War, including Reconstruction. Students taking this course should anticipate instruction fostering student inquiry and be able to do advanced work independently. There will be a strong emphasis on oral and written communication and presentations.
U.S. HISTORY I College Prep - Grade 9
In U.S. History I, students examine the historical and intellectual origins of the United States during the Revolutionary and Constitutional eras. They 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. Students also study the basic framework of American democracy and the basic concepts of America 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. Finally, students will learn about the growth of sectional conflict, how sectional conflict led to the Civil War, and the consequences of the Civil War, including Reconstruction. There will be a strong emphasis on oral and written communication and presentations.
U.S. HISTORY II Honors - Grade 10
In U.S. History II, students analyze the causes and consequences of the Industrial Revolution and America’s growing role in international relations. Students study the goals and accomplishments of the Progressive movement and the New Deal. Students also learn about the various factors that led to America’s entry into World War I and World War II as well as the consequences of World War II for American life. Finally, students study the causes and course of the Cold War, important economic and political changes during the Cold War, such as the Civil Rights movement, and recent events and trends that have shaped modern-day America. Students taking this course should anticipate instruction fostering student inquiry and be able to do advanced work independently. There will be a strong emphasis on oral and written communication and presentations.
U.S. HISTORY II College Prep - Grade 10
In U.S. History II, students analyze the causes and consequences of the Industrial Revolution and America’s growing role in international relations. Students study the goals and accomplishments of the Progressive movement and the New Deal. Students also learn about the various factors that led to America’s entry into World War I and World War II as well as the consequences of World War II for American life. Finally, students study the causes and course of the Cold War, important economic and political changes during the Cold War, such as the Civil Rights movement, and recent events and trends that have shaped modern-day America. There will be a strong emphasis on oral and written communication and presentations.
MODERN WORLD HISTORY Honors - Grade 11
In Modern World History Part I, students study the rise of the nation state in Europe and the economic and political roots of the modern world, including the Industrial Revolution, 19th- century political reform in Western Europe, and European imperialism in Africa, Asia, and South America. They also examine the causes and consequences of the great military and economic events of the past century, including the rise of nationalism, World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, the beginnings of the Cold War, and the continuing persistence of political, ethnic, and religious conflict in many parts of the world. Students taking this course should anticipate instruction fostering student inquiry and be able to do advanced work independently. There will be a strong emphasis on oral and written communication and presentations.
MODERN WORLD HISTORY College Prep - Grade 11
In Modern World History Part I, students study the rise of the nation state in Europe and the economic and political roots of the modern world, including the Industrial Revolution, 19th- century political reform in Western Europe, and European imperialism in Africa, Asia, and South America. They also examine the causes and consequences of the great military and economic events of the past century, including the rise of nationalism, World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, the beginnings of the Cold War, and the continuing persistence of political, ethnic, and religious conflict in many parts of the world. There will be a strong emphasis on oral and written communication and presentations.
U.S. HISTORY III & Government Honors - Grade 12
In U.S. History III, students will analyze the causes and consequences of the major issues of the 1970’s, 1980’s, 1990’s and ending with 9/11. Students will then review selected topics in Economics, Financial Literacy and Contemporary Issues as well as an in depth analysis of the structure of the Federal, State and Local Governments culminating in a senior project that will focus on local or national issues such as civil discussion and climate change.
In this honors based program, students taking this course should anticipate instruction fostering student inquiry and be able to do advanced work independently. There will be a strong emphasis on oral and written communication as well as challenging assignments involving the use of Project Based Learning including Hyperdocs.
U.S. HISTORY III & Government College Prep - Grade 12
In U.S. History III, students will analyze the causes and consequences of the major issues of the 1970’s, 1980’s, 1990’s and ending with 9/11. Students will then review selected topics in Economics, Financial Literacy and Contemporary Issues as well as an in depth analysis of the structure of the Federal, State and Local Governments culminating in a senior project that will focus on local or national issues such as civil discussion and climate change.
In this college prep based program, students taking this course should anticipate instruction fostering student inquiry and be able to do advanced work independently. There will be a strong emphasis on oral and written communication.
