Course Subject: Global History & Social Sciences

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Course Subject: Global History & Social Sciences

10th
11th
12th
9th
BVR-X
English
Global History & Social Sciences
Mathematics
Modern Languages
Performing Arts
Science
Student-Directed Projects
Visual Arts

Student Directed Project – SDP

Interests: Architecture, Business, Design, Engineering, Film, Hands On, Health, Law, Literature, Politics, Psychology, Research, Social Justice, Social Sciences, Sports
A Student-Directed Project empowers students to do an in-depth exploration of a topic of interest throughout the term. The student designs, plans, and leads their research project in collaboration and with the guidance and support of a coach (faculty advisor). It allows students to delve deeper into their passion and to be the designer of their own learning. There is a wide range of Student-Directed Projects; they are multi-disciplinary, non-linear, and most importantly, student-created and led. That’s what makes them so interesting. Here are some examples of past projects:
  • Creating an architectural model using 3D architectural software
  • Through their eyes: Photo and interview series of veterans
  • Robosub electromagnetic linear accelerator
  • Acoustic pinger for Robosub
  • Virtual Reality game for visually-impaired persons
  • Creating a concept album
  • Dispute: Landlord-tenant board game
  • Multimedia journalism: Producing a podcast series
  • Perplex: English and Theater Study
  • Sensors and fiber optics: Building a fiber optic dress
  • Haptic technologies: Force-Feedback Virtual Reality
  • Applications of integrals to analytical continuation of functions
11th
12th
Global History & Social Sciences

Religions and Beliefs

Interests: History, Law, Politics, Religion, Social Sciences
Do you ever wonder why people from very different religious backgrounds might peacefully coexist, while others from mostly similar backgrounds find themselves in conflict? In this course, students will explore a wide range of belief systems, religious and spiritual ideologies, learning about the origins, practices, and adaptations over time. Investigations into how belief systems shape contemporary politics, government, and society will also be explored.
12th
Global History & Social Sciences

Advanced History: Theories of Punishment (Honors)

Interests: Criminology, Debate, Law, Politics, Psychology, Social Justice, Social Sciences
What aspects of culture and politics promote criminal justice reform? How can the United States achieve an effective justice system that protects public safety while also confronting issues related to restoration for those impacted by crime, both the victim and the accused? Is the prison industrial complex used by the government and industry to address social, political and economic challenges? In this course, students are introduced to criminology and penology. Students will examine historical trends, current programs related to reform, and examine the psychological impact and role that poverty, lack of mental health services, addiction, trauma, and education has had on the lives of incarcerated people. They will participate in forums led by people whose work or volunteerism is connected to addressing existing issues within the system and engage in field-based experiences. Students will explore topics of choice and design viable solutions.
11th
12th
Global History & Social Sciences

Governments From Around the World

Interests: Law, Politics
How do governments of the world work together in dealing with geopolitical issues? This course will explore the various governmental systems of the world in existence today. It will also examine why democracy thrives in some areas of the world and what factors hinder it in others. Throughout the  term, students will be exposed to governmental systems from all corners of the globe. Ultimately, through those explorations, students will critically engage with global contemporary issues and the challenges associated with the various governments in existence.
11th
12th
Global History & Social Sciences

Advanced History: Independent Research (Honors)

Interests: Research, Social Sciences, Student Directed, Writing
An intensive, inquiry-based course that will require students to pursue an advanced independent course of research on topics of their choice. Students in this class will be expected to work through several multi-step research assignments, including producing research-based papers and presentations and participating in research projects.  This course is designed to hone the research skills of critical thinking, problem-solving, analysis, and dissemination. It is designed for the student who is interested in possibly pursuing advanced humanities research in college.  Limit per class: 14 students.
11th
12th
Global History & Social Sciences

Media and Its Influences

Interests: Business, Film, Law, Media, Politics, Sports
From the printing press to widespread use of social media, the creation of news content has been defined and redefined by the technology of its historical time. Using today’s media landscape, students will examine what qualifies as news, what ethical questions are presented in journalism, and how we are impacted today by those that craft, manipulate, and distribute the message. Students will use different media tools and platforms to question, challenge, and deconstruct media messages and their biases. Students will become better equipped to read the world and understand the news.
11th
Global History & Social Sciences

Global History III: World History

Interests: Law, Politics, Required Course, Social Sciences
Empires, Colonization, Resistance and Independence Empires have shaped the political and cultural landscape of the world. They are the embodiment of power in policy and practice. How did they first form, and how have they evolved? Who are the people across history who have stood up to these colonizing giants? How did these leaders create movements that reimagined their world in the shadow of empires? And what are the legacies of colonization and imperialism that continue to manifest in our everyday lives?   Juniors are encouraged to take a second term of history and can choose from any of the available History electives.
10th
Global History & Social Sciences

Global History II: U.S. and World History

Interests: History, Law, Politics, Social Justice, Social Sciences
From Power to Superpower (Required) From the Spanish-American War to the end of World War II, this course will explore the evolution of the U.S. as a global superpower, its territorial expansion, its foreign policy, and its involvement in different wars and conflicts. We will examine how governments garner popular support for military and humanitarian interventions abroad and how the outcomes of these actions have affected and been affected by political decision-making and geopolitical interests.  A Time for Change This course provides students with a bird's eye view of American society through the lens of significant events in the 20th and 21st centuries that have affected and continue to challenge the nation and the world. Students will explore multiple narratives and experiences of different groups in America throughout the past century, considering why some stories are told instead of others. Students will explore themes of change and evolution in politics (role of government, gender, race), culture (music and art), economics, and technology and examine how the U.S. developed as the nation it is today.
9th
Global History & Social Sciences

Global History I: U.S. History

Interests: Law, Politics, Required Course, Social Justice
Nation and Nationalism  From the beginning, the identity and values of the U.S. nation were complex. This course looks closely at the distance between the ideals embedded in our founding documents and the lived realities of people’s lives. Students will investigate the founding and early growth of the nation to understand our modern political and social landscape better. What policies and practices allowed for the nation to expand? How are they upheld, or not, today? Who were the voices for progress, and how did they define that progress? When the U.S. divisively upheld slavery, what communities instead brought us closer to ‘a nation of the people, by the people, for the people’?  The Age of Reforms From Sectionalism, including Reconstruction, through the suffrage movement, this course examines the root causes of the political, social, economic, and cultural reform movements in the United States. How successful were those reformers, and how did some of their objectives become part of mainstream political discourse? Using multiple perspectives and sources, students will investigate the people and movements that helped shape the United States and assess the effectiveness of those movements.
11th
12th
Global History & Social Sciences

Theories of Justice

Interests: Debate, Law, Politics, Psychology, Social Justice, Socioeconomics
Is economic inequality unjust? Is the government justified in restricting your freedom if it does so to improve your life? Using philosophical ideas by which one might understand justice, students will engage in discussion, debate, and a series of project-based learning activities as they examine complex problems and develop solutions to issues that challenge some of their perspectives on fairness and the meaning of societal justice. In this course, students will explore a range of topics related to affirmative action, euthanasia, gentrification, drug policy, corporate social responsibility, and distributive justice.
11th
12th
Global History & Social Sciences

Artists’ Response to Social Change

Interests: Art, Politics, Social Justice, Student Directed
Throughout history, artists have responded to social change through various modes of expression. The impact of the artist’s voice in interpreting society has often played a critical role in documenting historical events and shaping the future. This course will examine different socio-political changes through the lens of artists and artistic movements. Students will discuss the power of these artists’ work, their messages, and the movements they’ve sparked. Art’s role as a political tool will also be explored.
8th
Global History & Social Sciences

History 8 – Ideologies in World History

Through a global lens, we will explore some of the major ideologies that have shaped the world, including  global citizenship & cooperation, religion, colonialism, racism, and ways of governing. We will consider how we experience the world, locally and globally. We will investigate how ideologies have influenced nations, ideas, conflict, peace, & change. We will reflect on our relationship to these ideologies and refine our ideas & opinions as engaged citizens.

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