History and Social Science

This course examines the history of the world from 1492 to the present, especially the nature and transformation of civilizations in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. Through class work, reading, essay writing, and research, students explore the interaction between these regions, competing economic and political systems, developing nationalism and the rise of the West, and industrial capitalism. Students do not need to have taken World History 1 to enroll in this course. This course is not open to 9th grade students. 

This course examines the history of the world from 1200 CE to the present with a review of world religions and philosophies that predate 1200. The purpose of the course is to develop greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts, in interaction with different types of human societies. The course emphasizes the use of analytical reading and writing skills, a critical evaluation of primary and secondary sources, analysis of historiography, oral presentations, and discussion groups. After the AP exam in May, the culminating project for the year will be a student-centered research paper. Sophomores who have earned an A- or higher in both their previous year’s English class and their previous year’s History class meet the requirements for this course, but they still must be recommended by their current history teacher. 

This course surveys the history of the United States from the colonial period to the present, including national independence, slavery, the Civil War, urbanization and industrialization, the expanded role of the federal government, and the involvement of the United States overseas. Students review the U.S. Constitution and the operation of federal and state governments, and explore the experiences of women, workers, and ethnic and racial minorities. In addition to traditional unit tests, students also engage in debates, presentations, creative projects and undertake a major research project. This course is recommended for juniors and seniors.

This year-long, college-level course examines the government institutions, politics and policy challenges of seven countries by uniquely blending both the AP United States Government and Politics course and the AP Comparative Government course. In addition to an in-depth examination of American government and politics, this course studies the institutions and policy-making of six core countries: the United Kingdom, Russia, China, Iran, Mexico, and Nigeria. Employing a comparative approach throughout, the content of this course changes as the political landscape of the world changes. Students develop the tools to critically analyze these global political developments as they occur. Assessments include traditional AP-like tests, but students also regularly engage in real-life project-based learning including debates, simulations and current event briefings. This course prepares students to take two AP Exams in the spring: United States Government and Politics and Comparative Government and Politics. This course is recommended for juniors and seniors with a keen interest in global politics. 

This course introduces the basic principles of economics and their application and relevance to public policy issues. Emphasis is placed on the development, current state and future position of the political economy of the United States in an international context as well as introducing basic theoretical tools 
to aid analysis of central economic issues and debates. The theory includes basic micro-economic models to explain market behavior and macro-economic models to explain price levels and output in national economies. The objectives of this course are to provide the basic tools for understanding fundamental economic issues and to stimulate thinking and consciousness on the central areas of debate. 

This course takes a deep dive into the importance of sports and athletes in forming the American identity. It will examine the culture of fandom, the levity of sporting events, and the history and impact of sports on politics and society. Using historical examples and current events, students will better understand the relationship between fans and athletes, and the role of both men and women’s sports in American culture, identity, and mentality. This course will build on the philosophical, ethical and economic movements in America in the 20^th and 21^st centuries. This course is reading and writing-intensive and students will engage in debates, research and argumentative writing.

This course introduces students to the nature of business and entrepreneurship. It will focus on what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur through the use of economic theory and the various skills one needs to start and run one’s own business. Students will learn how to identify, assess and develop a business plan as well as how to find and evaluate business opportunities. The role of marketing, accounting, risk assessment, and other mediums needed to become an entrepreneur will be covered extensively throughout the semester. Students will develop their own business models including a fast casual restaurant, a minor league sports franchise, a small business using a microloan, and marketing an original invention. 

This course takes a deep dive into the importance of sports and athletes in forming the American identity. Specifically, this course focuses on the economic impact of sports, and political impact on leagues and players. Revenue is what allows sports to be relevant in American culture, and the sports industry is a multibillion-dollar American asset. Students will examine in what ways we consume men’s and women’s sports as well as the politics of sports in America and how they have contributed to foreign policy and diplomacy in the 20th and 21st centuries. This course is reading and writing-intensive and students will engage in debates, research and argumentative writing.