History

Human Societies: In the Beginning and Now

This course focuses on understanding humans and the societies which they’re created–by starting at the origins of the universe, long before humans were around. Many of the earliest societies tell these stories, with vivid, almost personal connections to their beginnings. Through the course of the year, students will survey a vast range of early civilizations, from Mesopotamia to Papua New Guinea to the Olmecs. Our goal is for students to gain a comprehensive appreciation for the commonalities and differences between these societies. Yet social studies is meant to be more than a study of the past. We look to make frequent connections to today, and thus students will spend significant time considering our modern world, and how globalization highlights the commonalities that exist between all human societies. 

In social studies, students should expect to stretch themselves academically, learning new skills and adapting old ones to find success in our historical inquiries. They will learn to work independently and collaboratively with their peers, with the hope that as they reflect on these processes, students will develop strong interpersonal AND academic skills. Units will have small assignments and larger culminating products, in which students may showcase their skills and creativity. By the end of the course, students should be growing social scientists, ready to tackle the many complexities of the interplay of societies to be tackled in World History.

STUDENT SKILLS

• Notetaking
• Organization
• Reading for Understanding
• Research
• Historical Writing Techniques
• Personal & Group Presentations
• Teamwork and Responsibility

ACADEMIC SKILLS

• Social Studies Terminology
• Geography
• Timelines
• Cause/Effect
• Historical Significance
• Primary and Secondary Sources

UNITS OF STUDY

• Origins/Pre-Human: The Modern Scientific Story, Origin Stories (Final Project: Write an Origin Story)
• First Civilizations: Mesopotamia  (Final project: Diorama)
• Early Global Case Studies: Egypt, Indus River, China, Olmec, Papua New Guinea (Final project: Infographic)
• Global Societies Today: Modern countries, cultures and organizations (Final project: Travel Presentation)
• Archeology: Creation of society and unearthing process (Final project: Archeology Dig/Museum Exhibit)

A Connected Globe: Creation, Collusion and Collision

A true world history course, A Connected Globe covers the major developments of human societies from the beginning of the Common Era through circa 1800.  While roughly chronological, the course focuses on five key themes (see below) of this extensive period.  Students will learn that history is full of patterns, such as cause/effect and continuity/change, that can be learned with the right tools.  For this reason, each unit is like a three-layered cake in which we first analyze the past, then make connections to the present, and lastly predict the future.

During the course, students should expect to learn academic methods for analyzing both primary and secondary sources.  They will participate in first-person simulations and socratic-style seminars, learning the art of inquiry through personal and guided discussion.  With each unit, students will create final products, from research papers to board games to puppet shows.  Overall, World History is designed around the unique needs of growing minds and active bodies; traits that make for a fascinating class.

STUDENT SKILLS

• Notetaking
• Organization
• Close reading/Annotations
• Class Discussions
• Teamwork
• Research
• Narrative & Expository Writing

academic SKILLS

• Terminology
• S.P.I.C.E Analysis (Social, Political, Interactions, Cultural, Economic)
• Cause/Effect
• Historical Significance
• Primary and Secondary Sources
• Historical Perspective

UNITS OF STUDY

• Classical Societies: Rise and Fall of the Han, Gupta, Roman, Maya Empires (Final project: Stop Motion Story)
• Belief Systems: Abrahamic Faiths, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism (Final project: Personal Belief System)
• Silk Roads and Trade: Silk Roads, Africa, Cultural Diffusion (Final project: Board Game)
• Migration and Exploration: European and Asian Sea Voyages (Final project: Research Paper)

• Power and Revolutions: French and Haitian Revolutions (Final project: Write your own Declaration)

Our Place in History: From Global to National to Local

If the the previous two courses can be characterized by comprehension and analysis, then their final studies in US History is a time of evaluation and argumentation.  Building on previous themes and skills, US History focuses primarily on the last 200 years, with a greater emphasis on the United States within a global context, with connections to local/regional stories.  Students can expect to delve into many of the most contentious events of the 20th century, such as industrialization, war, governmental power and personal responsibility.   Moving past simply describing the significance of an event and its place in time, the class will question the ethics of judging the past and considering how these views shape the future, from a personal to a societal level.     

Students are expected to effectively research, compile and present their historical findings in a variety of formats, written and/or oral.  Success in the class dictates a focused, considerate, open intellect, willing to grow, learn and make mistakes within the process of historical studies. 

STUDENT SKILLS

• Notetaking
• Research
• Argumentative writing
• Presentation
• Debate
• Reflection

academic SKILLS

• Cause/Effect
• Change/Continuity
• Historical Significance
• Primary and Secondary Sources
• Historical Perspective
• Ethical Dimensions

units of study

• Industrial & Global Consequences: Societal Impacts, Urbanization and Triangle Trade  (Final project: Historical Narrative)
• Government: The Fight for Constitutional Amendments (Final project: Co-lead Class Lesson)
• War & Morality: Conflicts of 1900-1950, Globalization (Final project: Research Paper)
• March Madness: Most Influential Debate Series, Rotating Topic (Final project: Debate)
• A Local Tale: Re/telling History (Final project: Oral Story)