Social Studies Department Course Offerings

4011 - UNITED STATES HISTORY I - examines the historical and intellectual origins of the United States during the Revolutionary and Constitutional eras. The basic framework of American democracy and the basic concepts of American government are studied. Students also study America’s westward expansion, the establishment of political parties, economic and social change, the growth of sectional conflict, the Civil War and its consequences, and finally, Reconstruction. (Freshmen)

4022 – HONORS UNITED STATES HISTORY II – examines the political, social, economic and cultural aspects of the United States beginning in the late 19th century early 20th century. Topics to be covered include American Imperialism in the 20th century, Rise of Cities, World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, and the Cold War. Honors level U.S. History students will be required to work independently on long-range assignments. An important goal of this course is to foster the development of the student’s ability to think critically and read and write proficiently. Research reports, oral presentations, essays, projects and primary and secondary source readings will be assigned.

4012 - UNITED STATES HISTORY II - analyzes the causes and consequences of the Industrial Revolution and America’s increased participation in the world diplomatic scene. Students will examine the goals and accomplishments of the Age of Reform from the Progressive Movement to the New Deal. The United States’ entry into World War I and its aftermath will be studied. The causes and consequences of the Great Depression, America’s involvement in World War II and its consequences, the Cold War, the Civil Rights movement and recent events in modern America are also examined. (Sophomore)

4034 – HONORS CONTEMPORARY U.S. HISTORY - examines the political, social, economic, and cultural aspects of the United States from the end of World War II up to present times. Topics covered include: The Cold War, Korean War, Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War, Reagan Era, and Cultural Changes of the 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s.
Note: Honors level U.S. History will require students to be engaged in active learning which involves group projects, essays, and weekly exams. An important goal of the course is to foster the development of each student’s ability to think critically and read and write proficiently. Students will also practice study skills that will be helpful at the college level.

4004 – CONTEMPORARY U.S. HISTORY - examines the political, social, economic, and cultural aspects of the United States from the end of World War II to the present. Topics to be covered include America’s role in the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and key people, places and events in the 1970’s and 1980’s. The course will primarily focus on key people, places and events in the United States since the conclusion of World War II, and how they have shaped present day America.

4003 - AMERICAN GOVERNMENT - provides the student with an understanding of the purposes, principles, and practices of American government on the national, state, and local levels. Students will examine the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and how to exercise these rights. The function and role of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government on the national, state, and local levels will be examined. Students will study how the purposes, principles, and institutions of government for the American people are established in the United States Constitution and reflected in the Massachusetts Constitution. Landmark Supreme Court cases will also be examined.

4083 - CURRENT EVENTS - provides the student with an increased knowledge of their environment and the vital issues of the day. Values of citizenship and civic concern are stressed. Students also develop a geographic knowledge of the areas under discussion. (Selective Junior/Senior)

4064 - SOCIOLOGY – provides a study of human relationships in contemporary American society. The course will focus upon the use of a sociological point of view to examine culture, social structure, the individual in society, social institutions and social inequality. The changing social world and its implications are presented and analyzed.

Favorite External Links for Social Studies

• British Broadcasting Corp.
  Explore ancient history through feature articles, 3-d virtual tours, games and animations.
• British Broadcasting Corp. Online: World War II
  Resources include a timeline of the war w/ features of sabotage & espionage, the Holocaust, war museums, etc.
• CIESE - Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education
  Projects using primary sources and archived collections: “Historical Treasure Chests,” “Movie in the Making,” “Population Growth”.
• History Channel
  Based on cable television network, site rich in history resources. Hundreds of winks searchable by keyword or decade.
• Library of Congress
  1920s and Great Depression, Roosevelt, New Deal, Dust Bowl, etc., links for high school and college students.
• Library of Congress: The Learning Page, Especially for Teachers
  Find more than 100 “ American Memory Collections.” Gives a “teacher’s eye view” of over 7 million historical documents, photos, maps, films, & audio recordings. Find lessons, activities, etc. for use in classrooms.
• Plimoth Plantation
  The living history museum of 17th century Plymouth, MA features info culled from primary resources on Pilgrim life.
• Social Studies for Kids
  A site for students and teachers covering history, geography, economics, cultures, current events, holidays, religions, languages, archaeology, and much more.
• TerraServer USA
  Searchable database of aerial photos, satellite photos, maps, etc.
• The Truman Library
  Teacher workshops, lesson plans, social studies links, online teacher publications.
• U.S. History
  Focuses on Colonial & Revolutionary eras in Philadelphia area w/ special sections on Betsy Ross, Ben Franklin, the Liberty Bell, Valley Forge, & Brandywine Battlefield.
• Wars and Conflict: World War I
  Examines WWI from British perspective, including newspaper articles and eyewitness accounts.
• World War I Trenches on the Web
  Presents encyclopedic info on people, places, events of The Great War, abroad & U.S. homefront – includes a topical index and a search.
• World War II Resources hosted by Ibiblio
  Primary source materials on the Web - Original government documents regarding all aspects of the war. Chronological history w/ search feature.

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