SOCIAL STUDIES

 

HISTORY COURSE OFFERINGS                   Course No.                     2003-04                       2004-05

Western Humanities                                          210                                   x                                     x

Western Humanities Honors                            212                                   x                                     x

Western Humanities Collab.                            214                                   x                                     x

U.S. History                                                           216                                   x                                     x

U.S. History Honors                                            218                                   x                                     x

U.S. History Collaborative                                  220                                   x                                     x

A.P. U.S. History                                                   222                                   x                                     x

A.P. Mod. European History                               224                                   x                                     x

Women in American History                             226                                   x                                     x

Current Issues                                                     229,230                           x                                     x

AREA STUDIES COURSE OFFERINGS

African Studies                                                     233,234                           x                                     x

China & Japan                                                     235,236                           x                                     x

Middle East Studies                                                                                                                            x

Latin American Studies                                                                                                                      x

SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSE OFFERINGS

Psychology                                                           241,242                           x                                     x

American Government                                       243,244                           x                                     x

A.P. U.S. Government & Politics                       245,246                           x

Intro. To Economics                                            247,248                           x                                     x

A.P. Macro Economics                                       249,250                           x

Anthropology                                                                                                                                        x

Environmental Studies                                       253,254                           x                                     x

 

·          All freshmen must take and pass Western Humanities or Western Humanities Honors.

 

·          All sophomores must take and pass an additional one and one-half (1 ½) credits in Social Studies. These courses must be distributed as follows:

 

½ credit of an Area Study

½ credit of American Government

½ credit of an additional elective

 

As you plan your program of studies, pleas note that several courses will be offered on an alternating year basis only (see chart).

 

With the exception of the four advanced placement courses and the two honors courses, all social studies courses are heterogeneously grouped and weighted at the A level. It is expected that enrolled in Advanced Placement courses, students will take the standardized Advanced Placement Exam given every spring.

 

HISTORY COURSE OFFERINGS

 

BRAVE NEW WORLDS: WESTERN CULTURE & LITERATURE

The three ninth grade courses listed below have been developed by both the Social Studies and English Departments. The curriculum will focus on the evolution and expression of European and American cultural values, as well as specific social and political institutions from classical times until the recent past. Key units will be thematic, and assignments will encourage in-depth inquiry and learning. The progression of subjects will follow chronology in order to teach the relationship between and among events. Frequent references to art, music, and dance will complement the literary and historical perspectives.

 

 

WESTERN HUMANTIES  (210)                                                                                                                                                             1 credit

Prerequisite: None; required of all Freshmen                                                                                                                               Full year

 

Western Humanities gives various glimpses of the vast panorama of European civilization from the Greeks to post war Europe. The first semester of this yearlong course will focus on the rise of Greek civilization, Europe during the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, Reformation and the Enlightenment. The second semester will focus on the Industrial Revolution, the growth of nationalism and imperialism, World War I, the rise of totalitarianism, World War II and the post war years. Each unit will be illustrated with examples from the Arts. Emphasis will be placed on improvement of writing skills, oral presentation skills and technology skills. The course will be taught in parallel with ninth grade English courses.

 

WESTERN HUMANITIES HONORS  (212)                                                                                                                                          1 credit

Guideline: Recommendation by grade 8 social studies teacher.                                                                                              Full year

 

The course is open to freshmen.

 

This course will follow the same thematic content outline as Western Humanities. More reading and more difficult reading will be required. Students will study topics in more depth and be required to do more writing and more analysis than in Western Humanities. Each student must complete a yearlong research project (freshman dissertation) and successfully defend their conclusions before a panel of teachers.

 

Western Humanities Honors is a rigorous and intellectually demanding course. Students must be prepared to spend up to 1 to    1 ½ hours of preparation for each class. Students can expect a summer reading and writing assignment.

 

WESTERN HUMANITIES COLLABORATIVE  (214)                                                                                                                          1 credit

Prerequisite: Enrollment in English 1 Collaborative                                                                                                                     Full year

 

This course follows the same curriculum as the Western Humanities course. Students who take Western humanities Collaborative are required to also take English 1 Collaborative. This interdisciplinary course will emphasize the connection between history and literature. The same students will be taught by an English and social studies teacher, sometimes working together in a combined class. The two courses will be graded individually though some work may be jointly assigned and may be jointly submitted.

 

U.S. HISTORY  (216)                                                                                                                                                                              1 credit

Prerequisite: Western Humanities or Western humanities Honors; Required of all Sophomores                                    Full year

 

It is vital that every student has an understanding of the history of the United States, of who we are and how we got that way. To help the student do that, the U.S. History survey course is organized thematically. It begins with a discussion of the American Ideals by examining the Preamble to the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. The students then study the westward expansion, imperialism and the cold war in the unit, Spreading The Word. The second unit, Hamilton vs. Jefferson, deals with the continuing American debates over the nature of man, industry vs. agriculture and local vs. central power, and how the debates over these issues led to the Civil War. In unit 3, Is It The Good Life?, students examine the pros and cons of industrialization and immigration beginning in the 19^th century and continuing into the 20^th century. Finally, in the unit, And Justice For All, students discuss minority rights movements in the United States.

 

Students will be asked, as practicing historians, to read original documents and first person accounts of historical events, as well as textbook reading. As historians, students will have to sort the sometimes conflicting evidence to reach their own conclusions, which they must be able to support with proper and sufficient evidence. Much emphasis will be placed on a student’s ability to take a position and defend that position, both in written and oral form. Students will be expected to do a significant amount of writing in this course.

 

U.S. HISTORY HONORS  (218)                                                                                                                                                            1 credit

Prerequisite: Western Humanities or Western Humanities Honors                                                                                         Full year

Guideline: Completion of West. Hum. with at least an A- or West. Hum. Hnrs. with at least a B- and

 teacher recommendation, or by meeting standard on a department test

 

The course is open to sophomores.

 

“America has been racially diverse since our very beginning on the Virginia shore, and this reality is increasingly becoming visible and ubiquitous. Currently, one-third of the American people do not race their origins to Europe; in California, minorities are fast becoming a majority. They already predominate in major cities across the country – New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Los Angeles”.

Back Bay Books: Boston, 1993.

 

Given the demographic trends in the United States, it is imperative that any examination of United States history take its ethnic diversity into account. Thus, the honors level student is challenged to consider traditionally studied historical events from the lesser-considered perspective.

 

U.S. History Honors is a rigorous and intellectually demanding course. Students must be prepared to spend up to 1 to 1 ½ hours of preparation for each class. Students can expect a summer reading and writing assignment.

 

U.S. HISTORTY COLLABORATIVE  (220)                                                                                                                                          1 credit

Prerequisite: Western Humanities or Western Humanities Honors and enrollment in                                                        Full year

English 2 Collaborative.                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

Students taking this course are required to take English 2 Collaborative. Enrollment in this course is limited. This interdisciplinary course will illustrate the connection between literature and history. Units, complementing one another either thematically or chronologically, begin and end with a combined class instructed by both teachers. The two courses will be graded individually, although some assignments may be jointly submitted.

 

The first semester chronologically emphasizes the development of the Constitution, problems of the new nation, Westward Expansion, the Civil War, the industrialization of America in the latter part of the 19^th century, and America’s shift from a foreign policy of isolation towards one of involvement. The second semester emphasizes American emergence as a world power, the Great Depression, America in the Second World War, Post-War America, and the nation at present. Essential goals of the course are to have students know the story of the United States from 1783 to 1920, and to gain increased proficiency in the skill areas of critical thinking, writing, and studying. The grade for the course is based on class participation, quizzes, tests and projects.              

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY  (222)                                                                                                         1 credit

Prerequisite: Completion of U.S. History or U.S. History Honors                                                                                               Full year

Guideline: Completion of U.S. Hist. with at least an A- or U.S. Hist. Hnrs. with at least a B- and

teacher recommendation, or meet the standard or a department test.

 

A.P. U.S. History is a demanding introduction to American History and culture that assumes a high level of interest and competence. Because the workload is similar to a one year college course, students should expect that the workload will be significantly heavier than a regular U.S. History course. A.P. U.S. History is a rigorous and intellectually demanding course. Students must be prepared to spend up to 1 to 1 ½ hours of preparation for each class. All students are strongly encouraged to take the A.P. exam in May.

 

The study of American history introduces students to cultural, economic, political and social development that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live. In addition to providing a basic narrative of events and movements, the goals of the course are to develop (a) an understanding of some of the principle themes in American history, (b) an ability to analyze historical evidence, and (c) an ability to analyze and to express historical understanding in writing. The course is designed to prepare students to successfully complete the AP exam. Students can expect a summer reading and writing assignment.

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT MODERN EUROPEAN HISTORY (224)                                                                                                 1 credit

Prerequisite: Completion of U.S. History or U.S. History Honors                                                                                               Full year

Guideline: Completion of U.S. Hist. with at least an A- or U.S. Hist. Hnrs. with at least a B- and

teacher recommendation, or meet the standard on a department test.

 

The A.P. course in European History is intended for qualified students who wish to complete studies in secondary school equivalent to college introductory courses in European history. Because the workload is similar to a one year college course, students should expect that the workload will be significantly heavier than a regular course. A.P. Modern European History is a rigorous and intellectually demanding course. Students must be prepared to spend up to 1 to 1 ½ hours of preparation for each class. All students are strongly encouraged to take the AP exam in May.

 

The study of European history since 1450 introduces students to cultural, economic, political and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live. In addition to providing a basic narrative of events and movements, the goals of the course are to develop (a) an understanding of some of the principle themes in modern European history, (b) an ability to analyze historical evidence, and (c) an ability to analyze and to express historical understanding in writing. The course is designed to prepare students to successfully complete the AP exam. Students can expect a summer reading and writing assignment.

 

WOMEN IN AMERICAN HISTORY  (226)                                                                                                                                           ½ credit

Prerequisite: U.S. History or U.S. History Honors                                                                                                        Second semester

 

Thematically organized in order to highlight trends and trace progress in the women’s experience in United States history, this course surveys women’s history from colonial times to the present day. Themes include Women and Power, Motherhood and Reproduction, the Victorian Era and the Cult of Domesticity, and Women and War. The course examines the impact of societal changes on both men and women, taking into account disparate socioeconomic status and varying ethnicities.

 

CURRENT ISSUES  (229,230)                                                                                                                                                             ½ credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of U.S. History or U.S. History Honors                                                            Either semester

 

Our current curriculum focuses on historical events and issues. Despite our best efforts to incorporate current events in a relevant, meaningful and thorough manner, it becomes increasingly difficult to adequately address all required content of our courses in addition to developing issues and events. As the technological revolution continues to narrow international chasms, it becomes increasingly important that students entering this global arena are aware of the social, economic and political issues that face them. A course in current issues will help alleviate this weakness in our social studies offerings as well as create a course that appeals directly to students’ interests.

 

The specific content of the course will, by necessity, be fluid. Regardless of the format chosen, students should be introduced to an overview of the changing scope of the American federal government and the role domestic issues play in the voting decisions of the average American. Similarly, students should review the state of relations between countries and regions of the world since the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1990 and the changes in the international scene that resulted. This context provides a framework for students’ processing of developments in international current events.

 

 

AREA STUDIES COURSE OFFERINGS

The purpose of the area studies courses is to afford an in-depth view of a “non-western” portion of the world. The courses provide students with knowledge of areas of the world whose culture and history may make the inhabitants of those places see the world from an entirely different perspective than those of us living in the United States, do. In a world increasingly interdependent, and increasingly interconnected by modern technology, it is important that students have an understanding of people and cultures that are different than us. Every student must successfully complete an area study course to meet the Staples graduation requirements.

 

 

AFRICAN STUDIES  (233,234)                                                                                                                                                          1/2 credit

Prerequisite:  U.S. History or U.S. History Honors                                                                                                          Either semester

 

African Studies is a one-semester course open to juniors and seniors. It begins by focusing on the traditional cultures of African peoples. Next, students look at what occurred when Western societies and traditional African societies came into contact. Finally, the students look at Africa and African society today, and students are asked to make some predictions about the future. There is no textbook for the course. Instead, students are asked to read four books, a combination of novels, short stories, autobiographies and scholarly studies of Africa. Students do extensive writing, keep a reflective journal and complete four papers based on the four books they read. An emphasis is placed on students taking position and providing evidence to defend that position. Other major components of a student’s grade are class discussions and student presentations.

 

CHINA & JAPAN  (235,236)                                                                                                                                                              1/2 credit

Prerequisite: U.S. History or U.S. History Honors                                                                                                           Either semester

 

This is a one-semester course open to juniors and seniors. The course focuses on China for one quarter and on Japan for the second quarter. The format is to look at the traditional society and values of both China and Japan, to study what happened when Europeans came into contact with that traditional society, and to view both China and Japan today. Students will be asked to read works written by Chinese and Japanese authors as well as materials by experts on China and Japan. Students will be asked to demonstrate their understanding of the traditional cultures of China and Japan as well as their understanding of modern China and Japan. Students are expected to complete significant amounts of reading and writing during this course. Grades will be determined by work on projects, papers and by students’ participation in class discussions.

 

MIDDLE EAST STUDIES   (Not offered 2003-04)                                                                                                                           1/2 credit

Prerequisite:  U.S. History or U.S. History Honors                                                                                                          Either semester

 

Mid East Studies is a one-semester course open to juniors and seniors. The focus of the course is the on-going conflict between Palestinians and Israeli over Israel/Palestine, the same land, claimed by both sets of people. The course begins with a brief history of the Middle East, the cradle of Western civilization. Time is spent studying the three major monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, their similarities and their differences, and their historical conflicts. The development of Jewish and Arab nationalism in the 19^th and 20^th centuries is discussed. The course spends time on the conflicts arising over the creation of the state of Israel in 1948 and the problems that ensued and continues ‘til the current day. Much emphasis is placed on student writing. Because there are so many “valid” points of view in this material, students are constantly asked to take a position and to defend it, using specific evidence. Other major components of a student’s grade are participation in class discussions, a student reflective journal and student projects.

 

LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES   (Not offered 2003-04)                                                                                                                    1/2 credit

Prerequisite: U.S. History or U.S. History Honors                                                                                                           Either semester

 

This is a one-semester course open to juniors and seniors. It provides an overview of the cultures of traditional societies and the transformation to modern society of selected Latin American countries. Students will be asked to read an autobiography, a novel, a short story anthology and various primary source selections, written by Latin Americans. Students will keep a reflective journal and do extensive writing. In addition, other components of students’ grades will be class participation and student presentations.               

 

 

SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSE OFFERINGS

 

PSYCHOLOGY: HUMAN BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT  (241,242)                                                                                          1/2 credit

Prerequisite:  U.S. History or U.S. History Honors                                                                                                          Either semester

 

Psychology 1 helps students to attain a psychological understanding of human behavior. The course focuses on selected topics from Developmental and Clinical Psychology. Students with questions about human adjustment, personality development, and mental illnesses will find this course of interest. Various methods will be used to present materials. Evaluation may be based on group work, opinion-reaction papers, tests and individual projects.

 

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT  (243,244)                                                                                                                                            1/2 credit

Prerequisite: U.S. History or U.S. History Honors                                                                                                           Either semester

 

American Government is a required, one-semester course, open to juniors and seniors. The course is not a traditional survey of American government. It is an activity-based course that illustrates how the legislative and judicial branches of government operate. After a general overview of the American system of government, students spend half the course as Senators in a “Senate Simulation”. Students are members of a political party with certain platform goals. They represent a state whose populace demands certain political decisions and become expert on at least one major policy issue which they attempt to either pass or kill during the senate sessions. The second portion of the course has students representing a client on an appeal of a case to the Supreme Court. Each student serves as both a legal counsel for his or her client and as a member of the Supreme Court deciding another case.

 

Because the course is so activity-based, active student participation and near perfect attendance are required. Students will be asked to keep a reflective journal and follow current political events. Students will be required to research policy issues for the Senate Game and legal issues, and Supreme Court and Federal Court precedent decisions for the Supreme Court Game. Students must do substantial writing as well as speaking during both simulations.

 

A.P. U.S. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS    (245,246)                                                                                                                  1/2  credit

Prerequisite: Completion of American Government                                                                                                       Either semester

Guideline: Completion of Amer. Govt. with at least an A-, teacher recommendation or

meeting standard on a department test.

 

Admission to this course is dependent on students earning at least an A- in American Government and receiving  the American Government teacher’s recommendation or meeting the standard on a departmental exam. The course is open to juniors and seniors.

 

A.P. U.S. Government and Politics is a demanding, college level course designed for students interested in social studies in general, and American government in particular. It is designed to replicate the introductory American government course taught in a university setting. As such, the course requires far more effort and commitment from you than the typical high school course.

 

The course is a comprehensive survey of the American political system, and is designed to give students a critical perspective on politics and government in the United States. The class involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret American politics and the analysis of specific case studies. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs and ideas that make up the American political reality. Primary sources and interpretive documents will be used, with a heavy emphasis on individual research as demanded by the requirements of the AP course of study.

 

In order to prepare adequately for the A.P. U.S. Government and Politics and the Advanced Placement Exam in May, you must spend considerable time preparing for class. Assignments must be read and questions formulated before coming to class. The text must be read, and assignments and papers completed in a timely fashion. Typically, you should plan to spend up to 1 to  ½

hours preparing for each class meeting.

 

All students are strongly encouraged to take the AP exam in May. Students can expect a summer reading and writing assignment.

 

INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS  (247,248)                                                                                                                                1/2 credit

Prerequisite: U.S. History or U.S. History Honors                                                                                                           Either semester

 

This course will provide students with a conceptual framework for effective economic decision-making. Units studied include basic concepts, American capitalism, money, credit, banking, investment, fiscal and monetary policy, macroeconomics, and international trade. Considerable attention is given to personal fiscal policy. Students are encouraged to see how politics, international relations, and daily life are affected by economic factors. Class activities include films, speakers, discussion, game simulations, and student presentations. Grades will be based on tests, quizzes, and projects.

 

A.P. MACRO ECONOMICS  (249,250)                                                                                                                                            1/2  credit

Prerequisite: Completion of Introduction To Economics                                                                                               Either semester

Guideline: Completion of Intro. To Econ. with at least an A-, teacher recommendation or

meeting standard on a department test.

 

Admission to this course is dependent on students earning at least an A- in Introduction to Economics and receiving the Economics teacher’s recommendation or meeting the standard on a departmental exam. The course is open to juniors and seniors.

 

A.P. Economics is a demanding, college level course designed for students interested in social studies in general and economics in particular. It is designed to replicate the introductory macroeconomics course taught in a university setting. As such, the course requires far more effort and commitment from you than the typical high school course. The course goals are:

·          To introduce students to the field of macroeconomics

·          To teach basic economic concepts and analytical skills

·          To enable students to score well on the A.P. Macroeconomics Exam

 

A.P. Macroeconomics is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of the principles of economics. Students can expect to learn how the measures of economic performance, such as GDP, inflation and unemployment are constructed and how to apply them to evaluate the macroeconomic conditions of an economy. Students will learn the basic analytical tools of macroeconomics, primarily the aggregate demand and aggregate supply model and its application in the analysis and determination of net income, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of both fiscal and monetary policy in promoting economic growth and stability. Various schools of economic thought will be introduced as solutions to economics problems (national and international) are considered.

 

In order to prepare adequately for the A.P. Macroeconomics and the Advanced Placement Macroeconomics Exam in May, you must spend considerable time preparing for class. Assignments must be read and questions formulated before coming to class. The text must be read and problems completed in a timely fashion. Homework problems are a necessary part of learning economics. Typically, you should plan to spend up to 1 to 1½ hours preparing for each class meeting.

 

All students are strongly encouraged to take the AP exam in May. Students can expect a summer reading and writing assignment.

 

ANTHROPOLOGY    (Not offered 2003-04)                                                                                                                                    1/2 credit

Prerequisite: U.S. History or U.S. History Honors                                                                                                           Either semester

 

Does man descend from the apes...? When do human beings become truly “human”...? Is there anything that sets man apart from other creatures besides our apparent willingness to kill so many of our own kind...? Have you ever been on an archeological “dig”...? Would you like to try...? Have you ever thought how “primitive” you would feel trying to survive on the Kalahari Desert or how sophisticated such an experience might make the Bushmen appear to be...? Have you ever wondered why other cultures do things that appear so strange to us? Have you ever wondered what it is we do that appears so strange to other people...? If all or even some of these are your kind of questions, then Anthropology is the place for you. Grades are based primarily on reports and projects. Bring curiosity, a willingness to discuss, a shovel and a toothbrush.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES  (253,254)                                                                                                              1/2 Social Studies credit

Prerequisite: U.S. History or U.S. History Honors                                                                                                           Either semester

 

This course is designed for students having an interest in environmental issues. Utilizing field experiences that will focus on both scientific and social issues, students will study local habitats such as estuaries, marshlands, wetlands, and seashores. A journal will be kept for the collection of obtained data. Using class and field experiences, students will explore past, present and future proposed use of a particular habitat. Political and environmental factors regarding land use are explored as well as future plans and anticipated impact on the total environment. The course will run for two consecutive periods, being team taught by a science teacher and a social studies teacher. The course is limited to 40 students.