History and Social Studies
HS 11-12: Citizenship
American Citizenship
Half of the freshman-year history program, this one-semester course focuses on the US Constitution and the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship. A core textbook, novels, movies and current events will illuminate these themes. Students will engage in a semester-long writing project exploring a public issue of their choosing. (Normally in the 9th grade.)
Global Citizenship
The other half of the freshman-year history program, this one-semester course uses the Facing History and Ourselves curriculum as a lens to evaluate historical events such as the Holocaust, the reign of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, and the genocide in Rwanda. Students will explore the political and social developments that permit such tragedies as well as their own values as citizens of the world. Through this course, student will be exposed to geography and non-Western cultures. (Normally in the 9th grade.)
HS 21-22: Modern European History (two semesters) The first quarter examines the significance of the impact of revolutionary ideas in western Europe, from the Renaissance and Reformation through the Enlightenment and from the Scientific Revolution to the Industrial Revolution, including the advent of Marxism. Two political revolutions that result are studied in the second quarter: the French Revolution and the Russian Revolution of 1917. The march of nationalism to imperialism and The Great War is the focus of the third quarter. Modern totalitarianism, in the form of Nazism and Stalinism, is studied in the last quarter. (Normally in 10th grade.)
HS 23-24: AP Modern European History (Advanced Placement; two semesters) This section will undertake a more intensive study of Modern European History that will start with the Renaissance and proceed through the Cold War. Essay writing, documentary analysis and document based essay writing will supplement a very detailed objective survey of the material. Students are required to take the AP exam in May. (Department approval required; normally in 10th grade.)
HS 31-32: United States History (two semesters) This chronological survey focuses upon significant governmental, social, and economic issues and developments in the nation's history. Students work from primary and secondary sources, write frequent position papers and analytical essays, and research and write a 10-to-15-page thesis. (Prerequisite: two semesters of history; 11th or 12th grades.)
HS 33-34: AP United States History (Advanced Placement; two semesters) This section will undertake a more intensive study of American history. The syllabus will emphasize work with documents and analytical work in political, economic, constitutional and social history of the United States. Students are required to take the AP exam in May and to write a major research paper. (Departmental approval is required; 11th or 12th grades.)
AS 31-32: American Studies (two semesters; double-credit) What do American literature and history have in common? Both offer a narrative of human lives. This offers a unique opportunity to examine American social, political, cultural, and artistic movements through the perspectives of history and literature. Working within a chronological framework, we will examine American society from European contact through the present. We will focus our analysis on events, movements, groups, and individuals who have shaped and continue to influence American culture. A 10-page research paper is required. This course meets for a double period, and fulfills credits for junior English & United States History. (Prerequisite: 2 semesters of history.)
All remaining History Department courses have the prerequisite of U.S. History, and are generally limited to one section.
HS 37: Post-War America (FALL; half-credit) "From Yalta to Megatrends" - This course will cover the dramatic emergence of the United States following the Second World War, through the impending Cold War, Vietnam, and Watergate. We will also consider America in the '80's under President Reagan and conclude by speculating about the future. A focus of the course will be comparing the 50s to the 60s and discussing which decade best fulfills the ideals that America professes. (Normally in 12th grade.)
HS 39: Women's Studies (FALL; half-credit) This course will chart the struggle for women’s equality beginning with the colonial period and ending with an examination of the status of women in America today. Topics to be examined include the campaign for women’s suffrage, the advancement of women’s educational opportunities, the role of women in reform movements, and the modern feminist movement. (Normally in 12th grade.)
HS 41: Modern Chinese History (FALL; half-credit) This course examines upheavals and changes in Chinese society and government in the 19th and 20th centuries: Western intrusion and influences, civil disorder and rebellions, collapse of imperial rule and renewed civil war, Japanese occupation, and the creation of two Chinas post-1949: the communist People’s Republic of China on the mainland, and the Republic of China also known as Taiwan. The extent to which the 3000-year-old Confucian culture has weathered social, economic, and political upheavals, and its influence on the Chinese polity and people today, is a central question. (Normally in 12th grade)
HS 44: African History (SPRING; half-credit) This course will focus on sub-Saharan Africa, examining traditional societies, the impact of colonialism, and recent social, political and economic developments in the post-colonial period. Although emphasizing the diversity within the continent, the course will also provide a basic framework by which to study the region. (Normally in 12th grade.)
HS 45: Russian History (FALL; half-credit) This course stresses political, social, and geographic factors in the development of modern Russia. Political thought and modernization are important themes throughout the course, which will emphasize history and literature from the turn of the previous century to the present. (Normally 11th or 12th grades.)
HS 48: Middle Eastern History (SPRING; half-credit) This course will emphasize the history of the Middle East, particularly the Arab-Israeli conflict, during the twentieth century, especially after World War II. Political, social, religious and economic developments, as well as current issues, will be dealt with in readings and discussions. (Normally in 12th grade.)
HS 49: Supreme Court, Constitution & Current Issues (FALL; half-credit) This course will investigate the historical background to the framing of the United States Constitution and engage in an in-depth analysis of the document itself. The course will then examine the role of the Supreme Court in interpreting the Constitution and making public policy. Landmark cases like Marbury v Madison, Plessey v Ferguson, Lochner v New York, Brown v Board of Education, Sullivan v New York and Roe v Wade will be examined. (Normally in 12th grade.)
HS 51: Microeconomics (FALL; half-credit) Concepts in this course will include the behavior of consumers and producers and decisions facing individuals and firms. To illuminate these concepts, students will pursue a traditional introduction to concepts such as the laws of supply and demand, opportunity cost, the marginal principle, the principle of diminishing returns and the principle of voluntary exchange. Concurrently, students will consider the evolution of man's economic behavior and the theories that have risen to describe that behavior. Current events will provide opportunities for practical application of course material. Students will be encouraged to use the language and concepts of economics to explore their positions on issues such as the environment, efficiency, income distribution and wealth disparities. (Normally in 12th grade.)
HS 52: Macroeconomics (SPRING; half-credit) Concepts in this course will include growth and production, inflation, employment, financial markets, monetary and fiscal policy, aggregate supply and demand, the national and international economy. Concurrently, students will consider the welter of statistics used to describe and predict economic fluctuations. A stock market project and discussion of current events will provide opportunities for practical application of course material. As in the fall, students will be encouraged to use the language and concepts of economics to explore their positions on issues such as the environment, economic growth, income distribution and wealth disparities. (Normally in 12th grade.)
HS 54: Comparative Religion (SPRING; half-credit) This course will offer an examination of the world's major religions. Special attention will be paid to common religious themes as well as differences in both belief structures and ethical tenets. The origins and the social, political, cultural, and economic impact of religious activity will also be examined. Consideration of literature, movies, art and music will supplement the core textbook. Current events will provide opportunities for practical application of course material. (Normally in 12th grade)
HS 64: Introductory Psychology (SPRING; half-credit) This course introduces students to the discipline of psychology as a science and to the actual practice of psychology. Areas covered include methods and history, physiological bases of behavior, perception, learning, cognition and motivation. Also addressed are the major areas of personality theory, developmental psychology, psychopathology and treatment of psychological disorders. (12th grade only.)
HS 67-68: AP Psychology (Advanced Placement; two semesters) The Advanced Placement course in psychology presents the student with a rigorous examination of the scientific nature of the discipline and the research methodology that directs the study of human and animal behavior and mental processes. Students will also gain an understanding of the ethical considerations that guide psychologists and their practices. In addition to examining the science of psychology and the various theoretical approaches that are used, a major focus will be the subfields that exist within psychology. Some of these areas include the psychology of learning, cognition, developmental psychology, social psychology, personality theory, physiological psychology, psychopathology and diagnosis and treatment of specific disorders. The class will be taught as a college level course and thus expectations will be commensurate with those of students who possess advanced skills in writing and critical thinking. Students are required to take the AP exam in May. (Department approval required; normally in the 12th grade.)
HS 71: Global Studies (FALL; half-credit)
