Social Studies (Cont.)

Case Studies in World History (0.5 credit, fall only)

9th

Why do we have laws? How do the environment and geography shape human life? Why do some societies thrive while others fail? Case Studies in World History introduces a series of case studies that engage students in an in-depth study of a critical moment or place in world history, including the Neolithic Revolution, ancient Mesopotamia, and the Qin Dynasty in China. Students will use a variety of texts, including primary and secondary source documents. Students will focus not only on developing the skills of the discipline (thinking critically, reading for content, researching and analyzing primary sources, writing effectively, working cooperatively, communicating orally), but also on general academic preparation (note-taking, active studying techniques, annotating, organization, time management).

21st Century Civics (0.5 credit, spring only)

9th

During this one semester course, students will investigate the essential concepts of civics, including the foundational knowledge of how governments function, the three branches of government, elections, and voting. However, students will go beyond merely studying this content but will also learn how to apply it. Students will practice being engaged, active, and well-informed citizens who use the tactics of civics to change their communities - big and small - as they collaborate on an action project. Students will also continue to practice the fundamental skills of reading, writing, research, presentation, discussion, and critical thinking that will prepare them for future social studies courses at Episcopal.

Modern World History (1 credit, full year)

10th

Modern World History explores important global historical developments from the mid-1800s to the present and encourages students to become advanced historical-thinkers while learning about history from different perspectives. The course begins by looking at the changes wrought by the Industrial Revolution, the impact of nineteenth-century new imperialism in Africa and Asia, the causation of World War I, and the historical context of the Holocaust. During the second part of the course, students trace how World War II, the Cold War, decolonization, and globalization have defined and shaped the modern world. Along with encountering these historical topics, students learn to think like historians by analyzing and deciphering primary and secondary sources, forming and shaping their own evidence-based arguments, and acquiring and employing discipline-specific critical lenses. Assignments stress the development of students’ abilities to produce knowledge through writing, class discussion, presentations, and research. At the end of the course, students apply their skills and knowledge to pursue a research topic of their own choosing, culminating in a substantive capstone paper and presentation.

Honors Modern World History (1 credit, full year)

Prerequisite: Department Permission Required

10th

The Honors MWH course explores the same content as the Modern World history course, but with a more in-depth look at the multi-narrative nature of history, fostering an understanding of historiography. Students learn to think like historians by analyzing and deciphering primary and secondary sources, forming and shaping their own evidence-based arguments, and acquiring and employing discipline-specific critical lenses. Assignments stress the development of students’ abilities to produce knowledge through writing, class discussion, presentations, and research. At the end of the course, students apply their skills and knowledge to pursue a research topic of their own choosing, culminating in a substantive capstone paper and presentation.

United States History (1 credit, full year)

Prerequisite: Modern World History or Modern World History

11th

U.S. History is a survey course guided by four overarching themes: Identity, Democracy, Economic Expansion, and America in the World. Students will learn about key people, events and issues critical to an understanding of U.S. history. In the process, they will develop research, analytic, writing and presentation skills. Readings will include diverse voices and students will hone historical thinking skills as they engage with both primary and secondary sources, including Episcopal’s own archives. The many historical and governmental resources in the Washington, DC area will serve as a parallel, experiential classroom.

Advanced United States History (1 credit, full year)

Prerequisite: Modern World History or Modern World History, Department Permission Required

11th

Advanced U.S. History is a survey course designed to challenge students to develop a deep understanding of the American past. Beginning in the late fifteenth century, students will study critical turning points through the twenty-first century. Readings will include diverse voices and students will hone historical thinking skills as they engage with both primary and secondary sources. The course will prepare students to take the AP exam and will utilize opportunities to learn outside of the classroom in the Washington, DC area.

Advanced Global Studies: The History and Politics of Food (0.5 credit, fall only)

Prerequisite: Modern World History, Department Permission Required; Corequisite: Advanced US History, US History

11th, 12th

Have you ever wondered where your food comes from? Or if your food is safe to consume? Or perhaps you’ve wondered about how food in the past influenced major historical events? This course discusses how various foodstuffs changed the course of world history and the issues around our contemporary food supply. The first quarter introduces the importance of food in cultural development, and covers topics such as the major trade routes, the Columbian Exchange, and battles fought to ensure access to food supplies. The second half of the course will address the modernization of food supply in the early 20th century (the birth of the supermarket, invention of frozen food, and ability to can and box food for GIs fighting overseas), with the last weeks devoted to examining the issues related to our food supply today (equity in healthy food access, slaughterhouses, fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics, GMOs, carbon footprint, and food labeling). This course is a social science course not only examining history, but also the geography, politics, sociology and economics of food, with a heavy emphasis on skills.

Advanced Global Studies: Middle East (0.5 credit,

spring only)

Prerequisite: Modern World History, Department Permission Required; Corequisite: Advanced US History, US History

11th, 12th

This one-semester course explores the wide variety of cultures in the Middle East region and considers the complex political, historical, religious, economic, cultural, and ethnic factors that play a part in Middle East issues. This course focuses on how the cultural traditions throughout the region have intersected with modern nationalism to create challenging situations—from the Balkans to Afghanistan. Time is spent considering the variety of perspectives in each country, looking closely at the history leading up to the Arab spring and current turmoil in the region.