Social Studies Department - Philosophy,
Goals, and Instructional Objectives

Course Outllines Global Studies I Global Studies II United States History Modern World History AP Government

Global Studies I | Return | The Freshman year course investigates the ancient through medieval histories of the Near East, Africa, Greece, Rome, Europe, India and the Far East. History is surveyed from the dawn of civilization to the European Renaissance. By studying the geography, society, government, economy, and philosophy of different regions, students gain an understanding of the diversity of human culture and learn the underpinnings of Eastern and Western civilization. Text: World History: Patterns of Interaction Goals: 1.) To develop a greater understanding of ancient civilizations. 2.) To develop an understanding of a multiple of styles of government. 3.) To develop an understanding of historiography, perspective and the battleground of history. 4.) To develop an understanding of the historical evolution of  humankind. 5.) To develop respect for the diversity of the human condition. 6.) To develop analytical and critical thinking skills. 7.) To develop in the student the ability to use reason to form       an opinion and to express that opinion clearly, orally or in writing. 8.) To develop written communication skills of our students with the ability to write a 2-3 page essay. 9.) To outline notes from written (a text) and oral (lectures) sources. 10) To develop the ability to read maps, charts, and graphs. 11) To develop visual skills through the study of art history. 12) To understand the influence geography can have on the development of a culture. 13) To develop self-discipline, a sense of responsibility and personal time management by completing the requirements of the course. Historic Themes Covered Per Semester Fall:- 1.) Intro to Geography 2.) Pre-History 3.) Ancient Egypt 4.) Ancient Near East 5.) Ancient Greece 6.) Roman Republic 7.) Roman Empire Spring:- 1.) Fall of Rome 2.) Byzantine History 3.) Rise of Islam 4.) Middle Ages 5.) Africa South of the Sahara 6.) India 7.) China/Japan Workload and Methods of Assessment 10 Assigned Assessments per quarter - approximately 2 per cycle ( graded written hw, quizzes on reading assignment, current events, etc.) 1 Computer skills project per semester 1 Group project per semester 2 Full period tests per quarter / hopefully 5 per semester 1 Writing skills project per quarter - note taking/knockout essays 1 End of semester exam worth 20% of the semester grade Sophomore Global Studies II | Return | This is a world history survey course that continues the study begun in freshman year. It opens with the Renaissance of Europe and the development of Western civilization, the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Counter-Reformation, the Commercial Revolution, the Age of Discovery, the Industrial Revolution, and the impact of Imperialism. The class traces the effect of the struggles and establishment of modern nationalism on all the continents to enable students to have a clearer understanding of the complexities of the modern world. Texts World History: Perspectives On The Past MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers The Prince by Niccolo' Machiavelli (Honors) Goals 1.) To develop in our students a connection between the political, economic, and social forces of world history and the world today. 2.) To further develop an understanding of historiography. 3.) To further develop respect for the diversity of the human      condition. 4.) To further develop analytical and critical thinking skills. 5.) To further develop in the student the ability to use reason to develop an opinion. 6.) To further develop in the student the ability to use reason to form an opinion and to express that opinion clearly, orally or in      writing. 7.) To further develop visual skills through the study of art history. 8.) To further develop written communication skills of our students      with the ability to write a 3-5 page typed research paper      including a bibliography. Historic Themes Covered Per Semester Fall:- 1.) European Renaissance 2.) Protestant Reformation/Catholic Counter-Reformation 3.) Rise of the Spanish & Portuguese Empires 4.) Age of Exploration & Scientific Revolution 5.) Rise of Absolute Monarchies in Europe 6.) Tudor & Stuart England 7.) Age of Enlightenment 8.) French Revolution and Napoleon 9.) Pre-Modern Asia Spring:- 1.) Industrial Revolution 2.) Rise of Nationalism - Unification of Italy & Germany 3.) Revolution of the 1840's & Liberal Reform 4.) Independence Movements of Latin America 5.) Age of Imperialism and the consequences for Africa & Asia 6.) World War I & Russian Revolution 7.) World History between the Wars 8.) World War II 9.) Post War World Workload and Methods of Assessment 10 Assigned Assessments per quarter - approximately 2 per cycle (graded written hw, quizzes on reading assignment, current      events, etc.) 1 Computer skills project per semester 1 Group project per semester 2 Full period tests per quarter / hopefully 5 per semester 1 Writing skills project per quarter - knockout essay/3-5 page       research 1 End of semester exam worth 20% of the semester grade Junior United States History | Return | This is a survey course in American History which begins in colonial times and progresses to the modern era. During the course, the student is introduced to over 350 years of American History. In the first semester the course covers the Age of Exploration, the Colonial Period ending in Revolution, the rise of our Republican from of Constitutional Government, western expansion, and the causes of the Civil War. In the second semester students learn about, the Reconstruction, the Age of Industrialization, the era of Imperialism, the period of Progressive Reform, World War I, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam and the Social Revolution, as well as the role the United States plays as a military and economic superpower. Texts The Enduring Vision: A History Of The American People" MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers Elements of Style by Strunk & White (A.P. History) A.P. American History Prep Book (A.P. History) Goals 1.) To develop in our students an understanding of the major      themes and forces which have shaped American history. 2.) To develop in our students an understanding of how the U.S.      government functions and how the democratic process works. 3.) To develop an understanding of the importance of the values of pluralism in American society. 4.) To further develop analytical and critical thinking skills. 5.) To develop in the students the importance of reason in      developing informed consent. 6.) To develop in the students the ability to research and write a      10-page typed research paper (with an outline, citation of       research, and a bibliography). Historic Themes Covered Per Semester Fall:- 1.) Age of Exploration & Colonization 2.) Establishment of early political traditions 3.) Causes for the American Revolution & Revolutionary War 4.) Contrasting the Articles of Confederation vs. Constitution       of 1787 5.) Federalist Era, Republican Revolution & War of 1812 6.) Jacksonian Democracy 7.) Manifest Destiny and the Mexican-American War 8.) 1850s Anti-Bellum South Spring:- 1.) Civil War & Reconstruction 2.) Industrialization and the Era of the Railroads 3.) Guilded Age and Populist/Progressive Reforms 4.) American Imperialism and the Spanish-American War 5.) World War I 6.) The Roaring Twenties 7.) Great Depression and the New Deal 8.) World War II 9.) Cold War/Civil Rights/Vietnam Workload and Methods of Assessment 10 Assigned Assessments per quarter - approximately 2 per cycle (graded written hw, quizzes on reading assignment, current      events, etc.) 1 Computer skills project per semester 1 Group project per semester 2 Full period tests per quarter / hopefully 5 per semester 1 Writing skills project per quarter - knockout essay/3-5       research/term 1 End of semester exam worth 20% of the semester grade Senior Post World War II - United States | Return | This is an in depth study of the concepts and events that have shaped America since World War II. Topics covered include the Cold War and arms race, the Civil Rights movement, Vietnam, Watergate, the changing attitudes of Americans during the period, as well as the major accomplishments and problems during the Nixon through Reagan administrations. Emphasis is placed on reading and interpreting primary documents, secondary works, and viewing and interpreting media sources of the period. Texts The Unifinished Journey by William Chafe Night by Elie Weisel Goals 1.) To develop in our students a greater understanding of growing      American involvement in the politics and economy of the world      community. 2.) To trace the effect the United States' world role has influenced       the nation's development since World War II. 3.) To develop in our students a greater understanding of the       social, economic, and political forces that effect our lives in the       present day United States. 4.) To develop in our students the ability to use reason and       informed opinions in order to take a stand on current       controversial issues. 5.) To develop in our students the skills necessary to research       current issue materials (newspapers, magazines, journals, and       memoirs) through the assignment of 3-5 page position papers. 6.) To further develop the ability to research and write a 10-page       research paper. Historic Themes Covered By The Course 1.) World War II and the aftermath 2.) United States' changing role in world affairs and self-perception 3.) Cold War and its effects on American society 4.) Korean War 5.) Suburbanization of America 6.) Civil Rights Movement 7.) Vietnam and the Social Revolution 8.) The Presidency of Richard Nixon 9.) The Presidency of Jimmy Carter 10) The Presidency of Ronald Reagan 11) Social Changes of the 1970s and 1980s Workload and Methods of Assessment 10 Assigned Assessments per quarter - approximately 2 per      cycle (graded written hw, quizzes on reading assignment,      current events, etc.) 1 Computer skills project per semester 1 Group project per semester 2 Full period tests per quarter / hopefully 5 per semester Writing skills project - one 3-5 research per quarter & one       term paper 1 End of semester exam worth 20% of the semester grade Senior Advanced Placement U.S. Gov't & Politics | Return | This course covers the principles of the U.S. Constitution, the branches of government, political parties and interest groups. The student is prepared to take the A.P. exam on U.S. Government. This course develops in the student a deeper understanding of the U.S. political process. Texts Government By The People - Prentice Hall Presidential Power & The Modern Presidency by R. Neustadt Goals 1.) To develop in our students a greater understanding of the      principles of U.S. government. 2.) To develop in our students a greater understanding of the Constitutional underpinnings of U.S. government. 3.) To develop in our students a greater understanding of our civil liberties and our civil rights. 4.) To develop in our students a greater understanding of political       culture and political parties in the U.S. 5.) To develop a greater understanding of the branches of      government. 6.) To develop a greater understanding of the formulation of public      policy. 7.) To develop in our students the ability to give a 15 minute oral presentation in class. 8.) To further develop the ability to research and write 10-page      research papers. Government & History Themes Covered Per Semester Fall:- 1.) Sociological Statistics 2.) U.S. Constitution 3.) Civil Rights Movement 4.) The Federalist Papers 5.) Separation of Powers 6.) Bill of Rights 7.) The Judiciary System 8.) Lobbying 9.) Federalism vs. Confederalism Spring:- 1.) Congress 2.) The Presidency 3.) Economics 4.) Budget Process 5.) Political Parties 6.) Elections 7.) Public Opinion Assessment 8.) The Press Workload and Methods of Assessment 10 Assigned Assessments per quarter - approximately 2 per cycle (graded written hw, quizzes on reading assignment, current      events, etc.) 1 Computer skills project per semester 1 Group project per semester 3 Full period tests per quarter   2 Writing skills project - one 3-5 research per quarter & one      term paper 1 End of semester exam worth 20% of the semester grade