History Course Descriptions
History 7
In Grade 7, students study the history of the United States from the earliest inhabitants of America to Reconstruction. Historical content focuses on political, economic, and social issues related to exploration, colonial development, the Revolutionary era, creation of the Constitution, challenges of the early republic, westward expansion, sectionalism, the Civil War and Reconstruction.
History 8
Students continue in the eighth grade the study of United States history from the Jacksonian era to the present. Historical content focuses on political, economic, and social issues related to the Gilded Age, the Progressive Era, World War I, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, and post-Cold War developments.
History I
History I focuses on the ancient world from the beginnings of recorded history to the fall of the Roman Empire. This course integrates the history and literature of the given time periods and teaches the process of integrating disciplines. It charts the major developments of Western Civilization in Sumeria, Egypt, Israel, Greece, and Rome. Students learn the major people, events, and the ideas that shaped Christendom and the foundations of modern Western Civilization.
History ii
History II focuses on the pre-modern world from the Middle Ages to 1700. Sophomores learn the distinctive characteristics and legacies of the early, high, and late Middle Ages, and conclude with studies of the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Early Modern Era. Students study the major people, events, and the ideas that shaped Christendom and the foundations of modern Western Civilization.
history III
History III focuses on the modern world from 1700 to present. This course integrates the history and literature of the given time periods and continues the process of integrating disciplines. History III covers the Advanced Placement European History content as well. This course focuses on the major movements of philosophy, politics, literature, sociology, and religion in Europe from the Scientific Revolution to the present. Studying the cultural, economic, political, and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world gives students a context for understanding the development of contemporary institutions, the role of continuity and change in present-day society and politics, and the evolution of current forms of artistic expression and intellectual discourse.
AP US HISTORY
Advanced Placement United States Histosry surveys the history of the United States beginning with the colonial period and ending with the present day. The course is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the political, economic, social, cultural, diplomatic, and intellectual aspects of U.S. history. The course will also focus on providing students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the events, people, trends, and themes in U.S. history. Students must learn to assess historical materials (i.e. their relevance to a given interpretive perspective, their reliability, and their significance) and to weigh the evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship.
government
During the one-semester U.S. Government class, students gain an understanding of the basic structure of American politics, including a thorough textual examination of the Constitution and other founding documents. Students spend the last quarter in an intensive study of the three branches of American government, legislative, executive, and judicial, as well as other related topics.
economics
Economics is a one-semester introduction to the fundamental concepts developed by modern economists for understanding the nature of the market economy and explaining the uniqueness of its prosperity in contrast to other economic systems. Special emphasis is placed on the U.S. economy as a source of examples and a medium for explanation. Readings stimulate awareness of distinctive alternative views of central economic questions as well as of the ethical dimension of economic activity. Emphasis is placed on the economic way of thinking.
