SOCIAL STUDIES ELECTIVES
2012-2013
ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL HISTORY One semester course; no pre-requisites
This survey course covers historic peoples from the time of the first civilizations to the early Renaissance (c. 4000
BCE to 1350 CE). Emphasis is placed upon those geographic, political, social, economic, and cultural factors that
have formed the foundation upon which modern western history is based. Major topics to be covered are Prehistoric societies, Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Greeks, the Romans, and Medieval Europe. At the conclusion of the
semester, students will have the opportunity to research and construct a model medieval castle. Please see Mr.
Heeg in room 215 for details.
COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS One semester course; no pre-requisites
This is a survey course of five of the world’s major religions. We will be studying Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism,
Christianity and Islam. In addition, we will be examining some basic historical and theoretical aspects of religion
and the study of religion. This is not a course designed to change religious beliefs or establish religious beliefs. We
will not be answering any “big questions” in here; rather, we will examine the basic elements of the
aforementioned religions, which may include their own “big questions.” In addition to the basic tenets of the
religions, we will look at the historical development of the religions as well. Finally, we will attempt to look at each
religion in the context of today’s society. There will be a mix of conventional assessments such as tests and
quizzes, group and individual projects, and class discussions on ethics and morals. Please see Mr. Kuney in room
222 for details.
AP/IB ECONOMICS One year course; no pre-requisites
AP/IB Economics is a college-level course designed to give students a thorough understanding of the principles of
economics that apply to an economic system as a whole (Macroeconomics), and of the principles of economics
that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the economic
system (Microeconomics). During the first semester, the course will place particular emphasis on the study of
national income and price-level determination and will also develop students’ familiarity with economic
performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth and international economics.
In the second semester, the emphasis will be on the nature and functions of product markets, and will include the
study of factor markets and of the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy.
Throughout the year, students will supplement their understanding of core concepts through current issue-based
analysis, and in the case of IB diploma candidates, will complete a portfolio of analyses that will satisfy the Internal
Assessment requirement. Please see Mr. Vicari in room 219 for details.
AP EUROPEAN HISTORY One year course; no pre-requisites
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AP European History surveys European History from the 15 to the 20 centuries. The course covers major events,
themes and issues related to European history including the deterioration of the Feudal System; the growth of
major European nation-states; the development of major cultural, philosophical, and religious movements; social
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changes; and major diplomatic and military events, from the Military Revolution in the 15 and 16 centuries
through Napoleon’s conquest of Europe, World Wars One and Two, the Cold War, and beyond. The course
examines major shifts in intellectual history as well as the development of ideological systems - among them
Marxism, Communism, Fascism, and Nazism – that influenced the course of European and world history, and that
are crucial to understanding the political, economic and cultural context in which we live today. Our study of
European history will involve the analysis of a wide variety of historical perspectives. Please see Mr. Heeg in room
215 or Mr. Thomas in room 217 for details.
GLOBAL ISSUES One year course; no pre-requisites
Global Issues is a current events course that will emphasize experiential learning (projects, seminars, speakers,
mass media) in exploring the major issues facing the world and the United States. Topics to be covered include,
but are not limited to: the continuing war in Afghanistan; terrorism; climate change and the global environment;
nuclear proliferation; globalization and the world economy; genocide and violence in Darfur, Sudan; world poverty;
AIDS and other world health challenges; foreign aid; defense policy; Israeli/Palestinian conflict; oil, energy and
alternative fuels; immigration; human rights throughout the world; domestic policy debates on issues such as
health care, the economy, education, crime and constitutional issues; and student suggested topics. Please see
Mr. Donlon in room 211 for details.
AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY One year course; no pre-requisites
The purpose of the AP Human Geography course is to introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and
processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students employ spatial
concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. They
also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice. Topics include: Population,
Cultural patterns, political organization, land use, industrialization, and cities. Please see Mrs. Lyons in room 213
or Mrs. Lansell in room 228 for details.
JOURNALISM One year course; can take one or both semesters; no pre-requisites
This class is for students who enjoy writing, current events, sports, or even pop culture. The Journalism class is
recommended for all students interested in working on school publications, particularly those who seek editorial
positions as upperclassmen. Students will learn news gathering and reporting skills and improve their writing skills
by writing news, features, sports, reviews, and editorials – all skills that can help with those college essays. In
addition, we will discuss current events, responsibilities of the press, libel and slander laws, censorship, and the
role of the news media in shaping public opinion. This course is offered both semesters. Please see Mrs.
MacFarlane in room 220 for details.
LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY One semester course; no pre-requisites
Latin American History is a survey course designed to introduce students to the history and culture of Latin
America. Course units will include Latin American geography; the Americas before the Europeans; daily life in
colonial Latin America; Latin American independence; industrialization and debt crisis; land and society; the
Catholic Church; the role of the military; US-Latin American relations; African influences in Latin America, Latin
immigration to the US, women in Latin America and narcotrafficking. Please see Mr. Grosfeld-Katz in room 228 for
details.
LAW One semester course; students should have completed NSL Government
This course provides students with the opportunity to learn how the law plays an integral role in their lives and to
further their understanding of, and appreciation for, our constitutional form of government. The course covers
topics such as the jury system, criminal procedure, crimes and defenses, torts and capital punishment. Please see
Mr. Evans in room 214 or Mr. Taylor in room 232 for details.
AP PSYCHOLOGY One year course; no pre-requisites
AP Psychology introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of
human beings and other animals. Students will be exposed to the psychological facts, principles and phenomena
associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Students will also learn about the methods and
approaches psychologists use in their science and practice to explain, predict, control and treat psychological
disorders. By the end of the course, students will be better able to discern fact from myth with respect to the
study of psychology and will have a better understanding of how psychology has developed into a valid science
supported by empirical data and widely accepted research methods. This AP course prepares the student to
obtain a successful score on the AP Psychology Exam (given in May) and subsequent college credit or advanced
standing (check with each school for policies). Please see Mr. Kuney in room 222 or Mrs. Vires in room 311 for
details.
IB PSYCHOLOGY One year course; strongly recommended for IB students who are taking this course as their sixth
subject
The IB Psychology course approaches the study of human behavior through three distinct levels of analysis: the
Biological, Cognitive, and Sociocultural perspectives. Within each perspective, students will examine historical and
cultural contexts, conceptual frameworks, basic assumptions, methodologies, applications to psychological issues
and critical evaluations of the perspective. Please see Mrs. Vires in room 311 for details.
PSYCHOLOGY One year course; no pre-requisites
This course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of
human beings and other animals. Students will be exposed to the psychological facts, principles and phenomena
associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Students will also learn about the methods
psychologists use in their science and practice. Please see Mrs. Vires in room 311 for details.
IB SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY One year course; no pre-requisites. Open to all students including
students who are not in the IB Diploma program.
Please note that students taking the IB Social and Anthropology class are NOT required to take the IB exam
unless the course is chosen as their sixth subject for their IB diploma.
Anthropologists study cultural and social variations among different groups of people. They have made
contributions to the fields of medicine, law, management, and international development by coupling close
observation of how people behave with a thorough examination of how they think. In this course our task will be
to explore how the people of the world have been affected by increasing economic, political, and environmental
interdependence. Our subject matter will run the gamut from food distribution among Bushmen to the career
prospects of crack dealers. IB Social and Cultural Anthropology will broaden your appreciation for the diversity of
culture around the world and deepen your understanding of your own culture. Please see Mr. Stillman in room
310 for details.
AP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS One year course; no pre-requisites
AP United States Government and Politics will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics
in the United States. This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. government
and politics and the analysis of specific examples. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups,
beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. government and politics. We will consider the following topics: The
Constitution, Political parties, interest groups, the media, public policy, civil liberties, the three branches of
government, and current government events. Please see Mrs. Lyons in room 213 for details.
IB WORLD PHILOSOPHY One year course; open to all students, including students who are not in the IB Diploma
Program.
Students taking the IB World Philosophy class are NOT required to take the IB Philosophy exam unless the course
is chosen as their sixth subject for their IB diploma.
Why is there something rather than nothing? Is there an answer to the problem of human suffering? Is Diogenes
right to assert that it is better to live in a barrel without worry, than to live in a palace with nothing but worry? Do
we really suffer, or do we only THINK we do? What is the nature of humor? What does it mean to be human? Can
an android ever be “human”? What is the meaning of identity? Should you be able to wear, (eat, drink) whatever
you want, do whatever you want, when you want, as much as you want? Why? Why not? What is the nature of
power, and who should have it? Is anarchism the best approach to the question “Who should rule”? What do we
owe to others? How do we deal with the problem of evil?
If you are curious about the universe, your place in it, what it means and why, we explore all these themes and
more in IB World Philosophy. Students taking IB World Philosophy will read the actual words of philosophers
themselves who have asked and continue to ask and seek answers to a variety of questions that have challenged
humanity for millennia, focusing on human nature and major questions of political and ethical philosophy. This
course asks you to learn to think carefully, and to argue effectively. It is an active exploration of philosophical
issues, in which discussion and interaction with peers on the basis of a reading of some of the world’s great
philosophers will be an important part of the learning process.
Among the texts to be examined in this course are Plato’s Republic, the Tao Te Ching, the Inner Chapters of Chuang
Tzu, the Bhagavad Gita, Mill’s On Liberty, and a host of other readings which will enhance our exploration of
philosophical topics. The emphasis of the philosophy course is very much on "doing" philosophy. Doing philosophy
requires a willingness to attempt an understanding of alternative views by applying intellectual rigor and
cultivating an open and critical mind. It also invites the development of perspectives that encompass cultural
pluralism and an awareness of the international context within which it unfolds. We will be in a constant dialogue
with authors of the past, and each other. Ideas will be subjected to rigorous analysis in our attempt to move closer
to wisdom about ourselves and the world around us. Please see Mr. Thomas in room 217 for details.
WORLD PHILOSOPHY One semester course; no prerequisites
What is the nature of power, and who should have it? Is anarchism the best approach to the question “Who
should rule”? Is democracy the best alternative to governing a state justly? Why do human beings suffer? Is there
an answer to the problem of human suffering? Do we really suffer, or do we only THINK we do? Is Diogenes right
to assert that it is better to live in a barrel without worry, than to live in a palace with nothing but worry? What
does it mean to be human? Can an android ever be “human”? What is the meaning of identity?
If you are curious about the universe, your place in it, what it means and why, we explore all these themes and
more in World Philosophy. We will read the actual words of philosophers themselves who have asked and
continue to seek answers to a variety of questions that have challenged humanity for millennia, focusing on human
nature, and major questions of political and ethical philosophy. This course asks you to learn to think carefully, and
to argue effectively. It is an active exploration of philosophical issues. The emphasis of the philosophy course is
very much on "doing" philosophy. We will be in a constant dialogue with authors of the past, and each other.
Ideas will be subjected to rigorous analysis in our attempt to move closer to wisdom about ourselves and the world
around us. Please see Mr. Thomas in room 217 for details.