HISTORY AND THE SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT
WORLD CIVILIZATIONS 9: Emerging Worlds
World History is the story of our collective human family. These are stories of triumph and tragedy, ingenuity and creativity, resistance to change and bigotry, great compassion, and brutal, senseless violence. We undertake this study in order to learn how the peoples who came before us dealt with the world around them and with each other. What can we learn from them? Our goal to is to begin to ask how people in other times and in other places were both like and unlike us. Many of the basic questions that you have of your life and about the world are questions that have been asked for thousands of years. One purpose of this course is to ask those fundamental questions and look at how others have answered them.
WORLD CIVILIZATION 10: Interacting Worlds
World History 10 will begin with the rise of Islam and Islamic Empires. Following the trail of Islamic expansion will take us into India and finally into China. In each of these areas we will spend time extensively exploring the literatures that are representative of these cultures. From there we will move on to Europe. We will explore the voices of the global medieval world and then turn our attention to the great plague pandemics. Our attention will move to the periods of the European Renaissance and Reformation and the beginning of interaction between Europe and other worlds. Finally, in preparation for junior year American history, we will look at the Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolutions.
UNITED STATES HISTORY 11
A year-long survey of American history, this course covers the period of early exploration to the present. Focus is on specific themes and trends in our history, including social, political, economic, intellectual and cultural developments. Critical thinking and writing skills are at the heart of this course. Students will gain extensive experience in historical research and writing, culminating in a major analytical essay on the 20th century. Paralleling the study of American literature, this course will include interdisciplinary work with English 11 to make more meaningful and extend students' learning. Students will "do history" through the examination and analysis of primary sources and literature, including fiction and nonfiction.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY
This year-long, college-level course is designed to assist students in developing analytic skills and knowledge to deal critically with problems and materials in American history. A major focus of this course is preparation for the Advanced Placement U.S. History exam given in May. The course will examine our history through economic, social, political, diplomatic, cultural, and intellectual developments. It parallels the study of American literature and will include meaningful interdisciplinary work with English 11. Students will experience in-depth work in historiography and primary source interpretation. Historical thinking and writing are the foundations of the curriculum which is both content and writing intense.
Eligibility: Elective course open to eleventh and twelfth graders with the recommendation of tenth grade English and history teachers.
EUROPEAN HISTORY ADVANCED PLACEMENT
A.P. Modern European history covers the period from roughly the 14th century to the 20th century and focuses on the politics and culture of Europe. The histories of Africa, China, the United States, Japan, Central and South America, as well as many other regions are included in this survey but are examined primarily through their contact with Europe. The course will examine the ideas, trends, individuals, and groups that have shaped Modern European History. While the shift from old to new world ideology and technology will be the overriding perspective, specific themes such as industrialization, political and social revolution, imperialism, nationalism, as well as artistic and intellectual expression will also be discussed. Students will explore this vast and explosive history through the use of written primary and secondary sources, video, art, music, discussion, debate, lecture as well as a variety of different assignments.
Eligibility: Elective course open to twelfth graders with the recommendation of 11th grade history teachers.
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
This course will be an overview of government with emphasis of the following: origins of modern government; an in-depth study of the American Constitution and Bill of Rights; a survey of major constitutional court cases with emphasis on debate; state, county, and local government; political polling; elections and campaigns; and comparative politics. As a member of this class, the student will be exposed to directed study of the material, lecture/note-taking, guided discussion, simulations, audio-visual aides, group and individual projects, and student presentations.
Eligibility: This one-semester elective course is open to 11th and 12th graders.
GLOBAL ISSUES
This course is designed to promote understanding of current trends, events, and problems in the world, in our nation, and in our state. Unforeseen but important issues will almost certainly arise and be worthy of attention, but certain situations now existing will be studied from historical and present perspectives. Among these are American politics and the 1996 elections, Superpower relationships in the post-Cold War World, World trouble spots - Bosnia, Korea, Africa, The Middle East, Taiwan, Crises in the food supply, population and environment, The American economy and the role of the Federal Reserve, The Global Economy - interdependence and competition, Economic, social and political issues in Hawaii. The text will include handouts, current periodicals, and television news programs. Frequent writing will be expected with emphasis upon 2-page "opinion" and "response" papers.
Eligibility: This one-semester elective course is open to 11th and 12th graders.
INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS
This semester elective will introduce students to basic principles of both micro and macro-economics. Special emphasis will be placed on contemporary national and global economic issues. Specific topics will be tailored to fit student interests, particularly those students who may be considering a career in business.
Eligibility: This one-semester elective course is open to 11th and 12th graders.
POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY
This course has been developed to give students the opportunity for the in-depth study of geography. Students will first study physical geography for the purpose of becoming familiar with the world landscapes that have influenced the development of political borders. This will be followed by an extensive search into the different regions of the world for the purpose of discovering how various political climates have been impacted by geography over the centuries. More than geography, this course will also be a study of political systems and cultures.
Eligibility: This one-semester elective course is open to 11th and 12th graders.
PSYCHOLOGY
This is an introductory course designed to provide students with a physiological, theoretical and practical understanding of psychology. Students will receive an in-depth understanding of how the central nervous system functions as well as the various control points of the brain. Students will then study the theories that have been developed by pioneers such as Freud, Selye, Maslow, Piaget and Skinner. Practical application of theories will be introduced through the study of "Personal Style," the psychology of addiction, and by providing students with stress management techniques. This is a semester course.
Modern African History
This course will explore issues and events in modern African history. We will start with a brief review of African history from the ancient kingdoms to the colonial period. We will then turn our attention to the post WWII independence movements and the emergence of modern Africa. There will be special attention paid to South Africa and the anti-apartheid movement, Rwanda and the Hutu-Tutsi massacres, and the ongoing conflict in the Congo. Current events will be an integral part of coursework and discussions.
The Middle East
"The Middle East" is probably one of the most volatile areas in the world. This course will trace the history of this area from the ascendancy of the Ottoman Turks to the present day conflicts and issues. Special attention will be paid to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of the U.S.A. Current events will be an integral part of coursework and discussions.
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