The Social Studies Department has developed a sequence of courses, the intent of which is to prepare students for their responsibilities as American citizens. Our program in the high school builds on the middle school coursework, giving students an understanding of modern American and World histories. As important, students will develop the skills of critical and creative thinking as a means to analyze the problems faced by America in the world community.

Three years of Social Studies are REQUIRED for graduation. Grade 9, 10 and 11 courses are offered at three levels of sophistication: College-Prep 2, College-Prep and Honors. An Advanced Placement option will be offered at the eleventh grade level. In addition to the required courses, Social Studies Electives are offered to students in Grades 9 through 12.

The program is sequential. Students will not be allowed to take courses, with the exception of electives, at the next grade level until they have successfully passed the current year's courses.

Course numbers indicate the appropriate level by the THIRD digit in the course number: 1= College-Prep 2, 2= College-Prep; 3= Honors; and 4= Advanced Placement (A.P.). (This does not apply to electives. Electives are grouped by level in the Program of Studies.) Placement at a particular level requires written approval of the student's current Social Studies teacher or the Department Chair.

Starting with the Class of 2008 this sequence of courses will be followed:

Grade 7 World Cultures
Grade 8 World History 500 - 1815
Grade 9 Modern World History
Grade 10 American History I
Grade 11 American History II or A.P. U.S. History
Grade 12 Electives

Electives may be taken in addition to required course at any grade level.

REQUIRED OF ALL SEVENTH GRADERS
Grade 7 - World Cultures Full Year-6 periods per cycle
World Culture is the study of physical and cultural elements of the world in which we live. Major emphasis is placed on the study of the habitat and culture of various world areas. The academic year is divided into a series of units dealing with selected countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Many units will revolve around a simulation, which requires students to combine knowledge of history and culture with analysis and research skills.

REQUIRED OF ALL EIGHTH GRADERS

Grade 8 - World History 800-1815 Full Year-6 periods per cycle
As directed by the Massachusetts History and Social Science Framework in preparation for the MCAS exam, the eighth grade Social Studies program is designed to enable the students to develop an understanding of history to 1815. As a continuation of the sixth grade Ancient Civilization program, the first trimester traces European History from 800-1500. The second trimester focuses on major developments in Asia, Latin America and Africa. The third trimester helps the student understand how these cultures clashed and blended to cause the worldwide upheavals in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries leading up to the Congress of Vienna.

REQUIRED OF ALL NINTH GRADERS
CLASS OF 2008 and BEYOND ONLY
2113 Modern World History (9) Full Course – 5.0 Cr.
2123 Modern World History will continue the Grade 8 program and will focus on world historical issues
2133 from 1800 to the present. Students will actively analyze the events that have shaped our present
world. Historically, students will look at the issues of world war, world depression, totalitarianism, decolonization, the Soviet Empire and the development of worldwide economic interdependence.
Students will be grouped by ability and past performance.

CLASSES OF 2005-2007 ONLY*
2111 World History 800-1800 (9) Full Course - 5.0 Cr.
2121 This course is designed to enable the student to develop an understanding of history to 1815.
2131 As a continuation of the sixth grade Ancient Civilization program, the first semester traces World History from the Renaissance through the Congress of Vienna. The second semester focuses upon the major events that shaped the Nineteenth Century. Major developments in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa are considered so that the student will be able to understand how these cultures clashed and blended to cause the worldwide upheavals in the Twentieth Century. Students will be grouped by ability in this course.

REQUIRED OF ALL TENTH GRADERS
2211 Modern World History (10) Full Course - 5.0 Cr.
2221 Modern World History will continue the Grade 9 program and will focus on world historical
2231 issues from 1800 to the present. Students will actively analyze the events that have shaped our present world. Historically, students will look at the issues of world depression, totalitarianism, decolonization, the Soviet Empire and the development of worldwide economic interdependence. Students will be grouped by ability and past performance.

REQUIRED OF ALL ELEVENTH GRADERS
2311 American History (1865 to Present) (11) Full Course - 5.0 Cr.
2321 This is a chronological survey of American History with a heavy emphasis on America in the
2331 20th Century. The course will examine the emergence of America as an industrial, economic, and world political power and the influence of that growth on American culture. Significant emphasis will be placed on America in the post World War II era as she faces the challenges, responsibilities, and problems confronting her as a super power.

OR

2441 United States History A.P. (H) (11,12) Full Course - 5.0 Cr.
This course is a college-level learning experience involving a chronological, in-depth study of American History from 1610 to the present. The course requires solid essay writing skills, note taking, numerous readings, critical thinking tasks, independent research and classroom discussion. The program is designed to challenge the student academically and to facilitate transition from the secondary school to college. Department Head approval is required for acceptance into this course. The expectations and grading will reflect the rigor of an A.P. program. All students enrolled in this course are expected to take the A.P. exam in May.

ELECTIVES

Courses offered as electives in the Social Studies program build on the knowledge that students have gained through their Social Studies courses in Grades 9-11. In each course, the student will use and expand his/her knowledge in the study of contemporary issues. Juniors and seniors are encouraged to take any of the following electives. Electives will run based on adequate enrollment requests and available funding. The appropriate grade level for each elective is listed after the course title.

COLLEGE-PREP LEVEL

2502 Economics: How America Works (11,12) Half Course - 2.5 Cr.
Please see course description included with Honors Level selections.

2421 International Relations (11,12) Half Course - 2.5 Cr.
Please see course description included with Honors Level selections.

2661 Introduction to Psychology (11,12) Half Course - 2.5 Cr.
Introduction to Psychology will survey the field of psychology. Its purpose is to introduce students to the study of psychology and allow students to see how psychology can be applied to their own behavior to help them understand why they do what they do. The course will provide for this understanding through worksheets, class discussions, experiments and simulations, videos and student research. The topic of human sexuality and its influence on one's personality is also explored.

2751 Introduction to Geography (9,10,11,12) Half Course - 2.5 Cr.
Similar in content to the Advanced Placement Geography course, this program will deal with major current and historical problems affected by human interaction with the earth’s surface. Students will gain skills in problem solving and an expanded knowledge of the field of geography. A major emphasis in the course will be an experiential approach to a series of issues presented for student analysis.

2861 Ancient History (9,10,11,12) Half Course - 2.5 Cr.
Please see course description included with Honors Level selections.

2662 Experiencing Psychology (9,10) Half Course - 2.5 Cr.
The field of Psychology helps us to better understand who we are. Using the tools of modern psychology, students will explore the world of thought, personality, identity, learning and adjustment. The class will be primarily experience-based in order to introduce students to the concepts of psychology which can be explored in more depth in later years in the Introduction to Psychology and A.P. Psychology courses.

6321 Early Childhood Education (10,11,12) Full Course - 5.0 Cr.
This program provides students with the opportunity to learn the basic concepts regarding child development, to learn to be reflective about interactions with children, to gain a sense of how a child experiences the world, and to acquire skills needed for child care responsibilities in a day care program. Students also have the opportunity to learn about career opportunities in the field of Early Childhood Education.

2721 Introduction to Sociology (10,11,12) Half Course - 2.5 Cr.
Introduction to Sociology will explore the behavioral science of sociology. Its purpose is to introduce the student to the scientific study of group behavior and group dynamics, as well as examine how the individual mutually affects and is affected by the social environment. The course will examine the sociological research process, major sociological principles and theorists. In addition, emphasis will be placed on applying these principles to understanding everyday situations. This course will provide this knowledge through readings, case studies, class discussion, simulation and experimentation. May be taken for honors credit.

2821 World Religions and Philosophies (11,12) Half Course - 2.5 Cr.
(Grade 10 with permission of Department Chair)
The need to understand our relationship with the earth, each other and the experience of the transcendent has led to the development of many different religions. This course will study the various religious and philosophical traditions which have developed in world history as humans attempt to answer the questions “Who Am I?” and “What Am I Doing Here?” This course also has a $10,000 grant from the Forest Foundation. During fourth quarter, students will research and select a worthy organization/cause to donate the grant to, and volunteer their time as a community service project.

2021 Asian Studies (11,12) Half Course - 2.5 Cr.
Western people often do not realize that the religions, cultures, histories, and environments of Southwest Asia and the Middle East have developed a very different worldview in minds of the peoples from this area. Our study will involve a look at the history, culture and religion in this region, including such places as Afghanistan and the countries of the Middle East. We will also examine the effect that this area of the world is having on America in the 21st Century.

HONORS LEVEL

2431 International Relations (11,12) Half Course.- 2.5 Cr.
International Relations is intended to teach students academic responsibility while at the same time developing skills in the area of research, oral communication, and critical thinking. The course will include an introduction to key concepts in international relations and an in-depth look at the development of American Foreign Policy and its applications in the 1990's. Further, we will use the case study approach to analyze current international problems in specific areas of the world. We will also examine the development of international organizations and multi-national corporations and the impact of these on the international community. The course will involve research work, extensive reading, paper writing and the presentation of research findings of the students to the class for consideration, appraisal, and debate. Students who have met success in College-prep level Social Studies courses are encouraged to select this course as a solid foundation for college work. If students wish less rigorous requirements, they may opt for College-prep level credit by signing up for Course #2421.

2441 United States History A.P. (H) (11,12) Full Course - 5.0 Cr.
This course is a college-level learning experience involving a chronological, in-depth study of American History from 1610 to the present. The course requires solid essay writing skills, note taking, numerous readings, critical thinking tasks, independent research and classroom discussion. The program is designed to challenge the student academically and to facilitate transition from the secondary school to college. Department Head approval is required for acceptance into this course. The expectations and grading will reflect the rigor of an A.P. program. All students enrolled in this course are expected to take the A.P. exam in May.

2443 A.P. European History (H) (10,11,12) Full Course - 5.0 Cr.
A.P. Europe is a college-level course. It requires students to possess good skills in essay writing, document analysis, critical thinking and discussion. The student must be a responsible student willing to undertake independent research. The program will assist students in the transition to college. In addition to providing a basic exposure to the factual narrative, the goals are to develop an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European History (1450 to present). Department Head approval is required for acceptance into this course. Students are expected to take the A.P. Exam in May.

2503 Economics: How America Works (11,12) Half Course - 2.5 Cr.
The focus of this course will be to give students a real-world understanding of how our economy works today and the challenges facing us as we compete in a global economy. We will begin by learning basic economic principles including supply and demand, the workings of the stock market, economic cycles, and foreign trade. We will then examine how these principles work in the real world by tracking the economy and exploring how we will compete in the 21st century. We will read current periodicals, use computer models, listen to guest speakers, and debate U.S. trade policy. Each student will complete an individual project that looks into how a local company is facing the 21st century. If students wish less rigorous requirements, they may opt for college-prep level credit by signing up for Course #2502.

2723 Introduction To Sociology (H) (10,11,12) Half Course – 2.5 Cr.
See description under College Prep section. Honors students will be grouped with college prep students, but will receive honors level assignments.

2841 A.P. Psychology (11,12) Full Course - 5.0 Cr.
A.P. Psychology is a college-level course. It is much more theoretical and scientific than Introduction to Psychology and makes more demands on the student for independent study. This course may be taken in addition to Introduction to Psychology or may be taken on its own. Department Head approval is necessary for admission to this course. Students are expected to take the A.P. Exam in May.

2871 Ancient History (9,10,11,12) Half Course - 2.5 Cr.
Since revising our 7-12 program to conform to the Frameworks, Ancient History as a field has been moved to the Grade 6 classes. A group of 15 high school students who are interested in history have petitioned the department to offer a new elective in this area. The program would teach the history of human kind from its earliest beginnings in Africa, through to the development of early civilizations world wide, bringing them up to the period of the Middle Ages of Europe. An emphasis will be placed on the political, social and economic development of cultures as well as the hallmarks of civilization such as religion, music, art and literature. Students may opt for College-prep level credit by signing up for Course #2861.

2741 A.P. Geography (10,11,12) Full Course - 5.0 Cr.
Advanced Placement Geography will meet the standards of the College Board Advanced Placement Program. The course will deal with the major themes of geography as described by the National Geographic Association. Students will be exposed to issues of place, political, social and economic geography. They will also be introduced to modern technology-based tools used by the geographer. A major emphasis in the course will be in solving current and historical problems affected by human interaction with the earth’s surface.

Topics in American History

Using a new approach, the Social Studies Department will offer different topically oriented courses every other year. These electives can be taken together or separately.

2531 H Half Courses - 2.5 Cr.
2532 CP Get Up Stand Up…Stand Up for Your Rights - Civil Rights Movement in America (10,11,12)
What was the Civil Rights Movement and how does it affect America today? Get Up Stand Up is a thematic course which is designed to allow you to explore in greater depth race relations in America during the 1960's. Relying heavily upon documentary footage and film, the course will explore the major racial and socioeconomic events that impacted your parents' generation. In addition to pivotal figures such as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Robert Kennedy, and George Wallace, the course will examine the role of larger organization such as the NAACP, SNCC, Black Panthers, the Nation of Islam and others. Special attention will be directed to popular culture issues such as entertainment and professional sports to examine their impact in both reflecting and impacting the movement.

2541 H Half Courses - 2.5 Cr.
2542 CP "What a long, strange trip it has been!" - America's Journey Through the 1960's (10,11,12)
The years from the election of John F. Kennedy to the Watergate Scandal mark a unique and chaotic period in American History. They also mark the most significant time period in terms of understanding America in the years 2002-2003. This course proposes to examine with depth, the political, social and cultural climate of this period. Through the use of music, video, literature, and documents, we examine the key questions of the day. Topics will include the Presidency and the assassination of JFK, the fight for civil rights for minority groups in America, the Vietnam Conflict, the counterculture, and the scandal growing from the break-in at the Watergate Hotel. We will also look at the key figures in art, literature, politics, music, athletics and radical movements of the time and their influence in shaping the times of the '60's today.