History
The History and Social Sciences Department sees its mission as preparing students for citizenship, which implies understanding the origins and workings of our culture. The department embraces a core curriculum in history based on two fundamental courses: Modern World History (freshman year) and History of the United States (junior year). Both courses are offered in regular and honors/advanced placement classes. During the sophomore, junior and senior years, students may choose from a variety of semester or full year courses in history, government and economics. The result will be a graduate who understands the pageant and diversity of her nation, the debt the U.S. owes to other nations for her own unique culture and the role of the United States and other nations in a 21st Century global community.
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2 Semesters (1 Credit)
Grade Levels: Class of '27-10; Class of '28 9
Prerequisite: None
The primary objectives of this course are to introduce students to human geography as a field of inquiry and teach them about the patterns of human activity that are most important at global and regional scales. By the end of the course, girls should have a greater understanding of human activities at various scales and how those processes can be viewed geographically. By exploring human influences and patterns, students can better understand the world around them, make predictions, and propose solutions to current issues. Specific topics of investigation include geographic perspectives and analysis of historical and current patterns of migration and population growth; the political organization of agriculture, food production, land, and natural resource use; industrialization and economic development; and urban, rural, and global cultural phenomena. Special attention will be paid to the role that globalization plays in altering patterns of human activity at multiple scales. Students will become more geoliterate, engaged in contemporary global issues, and informed about multicultural viewpoints.
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2 Semesters (1 Credit)
Grade Levels: Class of '27-10; Class of '28 9
Prerequisite: None
This college-level survey course introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth's surface, emphasizing geographic thinking skills and spatial processing, as well as the tools and methods needed to apply them to real-world scenarios. Specific topics of investigation include geographic perspectives and analysis of historical and current patterns of migration; population growth concerns; political organization of space, agriculture, and food production; land and natural resource use; industrialization and economic development; economic activity in urban and rural settlements; global cultural phenomena and the impact of globalization. The goal of the course is for students to become more geoliterate, engaged in contemporary global issues, and informed about multicultural viewpoints.
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1 Semesters (.5 Credit)
Grade Levels: 10-12
Prerequisite: None
Ranging from trivial to tragic, constructive to destructive, conflict is a part of the world in which we live. In this course, students will examine why and how conflicts occur in and across societies. They will develop the skills necessary to understand why conflicts happen, the effects conflicts have, and potential ways to resolve them. The class will utilize several case studies that students will research, discuss with their classmates, and then present the conclusions.
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2 Semesters (1 Credit)
Grade Levels: 11
Prerequisite: None
This course provides a chronological survey of United States history from the Age of Exploration to the present. Using the textbook and primary documents, students will track the development of American ideas and institutions that have shaped and continue to shape the United States. Through the exploration of major issues, movements, people, and events, students will refine and hone historical thinking skills such as identifying causation and context, tracing patterns of continuity and change, and using historical evidence.
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2 Semesters (1 Credit)
Grade Levels: 11
Prerequisite: None
Advanced Placement United States History is a challenging course designed for students who are self-motivated, conscientious, and enthusiastic about learning. The study will include in-depth, fast-paced coverage of events in U. S. history as well as extensive readings in historical analysis and original documents. Working chronologically, students will emphasize interpretation and argumentation as they examine the mosaic of stories that compose the American experience. Students should also expect to hone critical-thinking and writing skills as they trace the political, social, and economic themes that give meaning to events over time. Enrollment is recommended for students who have proven their ability to work independently, write competently, and read on an advanced level.
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2 Semesters (1 Credit)
Grade Levels: 11-12
Prerequisite: None
Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics provides a college-level introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. Students will study U.S. foundational documents, Supreme Court decisions, and other texts and visuals to gain an understanding of the relationships and interactions among political institutions, processes, and behavior. They will also engage in disciplinary practices that require them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments.
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1 Semester (0.5 Credit)
Grade Levels: 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
How have the presidency and politics changed since 1945? What impact did the Cold War, the baby boom, the Civil Rights movement, the Vietnam conflict, and Watergate have on our government and its citizens? What about the Great Society and the Reagan administration, the Warren Court and Woodstock? The world we inhabit today has been most directly shaped by the recent past. If you've always been intrigued by post-World War II American history but have not had ample time to explore it, United States Since 1945 was designed with you in mind! Priority is given to seniors.
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2 Semesters (1 Credit)
Grade Levels: 12
Prerequisite: None
Advanced Placement European History is a general survey course using a college-level text and emphasizing strong writing skills, mature reasoning, analytical-thinking skills, and independent learning. The study begins with the rise of European nations during the late medieval period and concludes with the crisis facing current European nations and peoples. The aim of AP Modern European History is to build a knowledge of the factual narrative, an understanding of the principal themes in modern European history, an awareness of the consequences of European contacts with other areas of the world, and an ability to analyze historical evidence.
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1 Semester (.5 Credit)
Grade Levels: 11-12
Prerequisite: None
This interdisciplinary course charts the changing meanings of the concept of “adventure” in United States thought and culture from the late 19th Century until the very recent past. As such it intends to interrogate the concept of adventure: What is adventure? How has it changed? How has it been represented? What historical, cultural, social, political, and commercial significance does it have? Who gets to be an adventurer? Is adventure essential to the idea of being American? If so, how? Our examinations of exploration accounts, history writing, fiction, poetry, painting, photography, scientific expeditions, theme park design, movies, tv shows, and more will bring us closer to an understanding of how the concept of adventure has been constructed and employed and by whom. It will leave us to ponder the question “Is the idea of adventure integral to American identity?”
NOTE: This course counts as a core academic enrollment.
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2 Semesters (1 Credit)
Grade Levels: 10
Prerequisite: None
AP Modern World History focuses on developing students' abilities to think conceptually about world history from approximately 1200 CE to the present and apply historical thinking skills as they learn about the past. Six themes of equal importance—the environment, cultures, state-building, economic systems, social structures, and technology–provide areas of historical inquiry for investigation throughout the course. AP World History encompasses the history of the five major geographical regions of the globe: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, with a special focus on historical developments and processes that cross multiple regions.
Recommended criteria: Students who are typically successful in AP World are strong readers and writers, have earned an A- or higher in previous history and social science classes, and are able to keep pace with a greater amount of textbook reading outside of class.
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1 Semesters (.5 Credit)
Grade Levels: 10-12
Prerequisite: None
Economics provides students with a foundational understanding of how individuals, businesses, and governments make decisions in a world of scarcity. The course explores key topics such as supply and demand, the stock market, behavioral economics, and basic personal finance, while addressing both macroeconomic and microeconomic principles. Students will develop essential skills in interpreting graphs, applying economic models, and connecting course concepts to real-world events. Hands-on activities like a stock market simulation will provide students with the tools to think critically about economic challenges and solutions.
Ralph CovinoHumanities Department Coordinator and History & Social Sciences Teacher(423) 634-7698
Jordan McCarterDean of Eighth Grade, History & Social Sciences Teacher(423) 634-5425
Tiffany SimmsHistory & Social Sciences Teacher, Partnerships in the Community Advisor(423) 634-5437
