SOCIAL STUDIES

weeks during the summer. They use various experimental methods specific to their chosen mentor’s research expertise to answer their research question. Students are encouraged to participate in various meetings that members of their research group attend, such as research group meetings, journal clubs, and departmental seminars.

RESEARCH SCIENCE IV: SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION

Grades: 12 Prerequisites: Research Science III

In this culminating course, students learn how to analyze and present their research findings from their summer laboratory experience. Students write a paper on their research project in peerreview journal format. Students create a scientific poster similar to what would be presented at a professional conference. Students prepare and present an oral PowerPoint presentation to interested members of The Summit Country Day School community. The paper, poster, and oral presentation prepares the students to apply for local or national science competitions.

SOCIAL STUDIES

COURSE LENGTH CREDIT GPA WEIGHT

CP Modern U.S. History CP Modern World History Hon. Modern World History AP World History CP U.S. Government CP American Culture

2 Semesters 1 2 Semesters 1 2 Semesters 1 2 Semesters 1 1 Semester 0.5 1 Semester 0.5 Hon. Holocaust/Human Behavior 1 Semester 0.5 Hon. Global Issues 1 Semester 0.5

AP U.S. History

2 Semesters 1 AP U.S. Government & Politics 2 Semesters 1 AP Psychology AP Human Geography 2 Semesters 1 2 Semesters 1 AP Macro & Micro Economics 2 Semesters 1 0.00 0.00 0.666 1.333 0.000 0.000 0.666 0.666 1.333 1.333 1.333 1.333 1.333

CP MODERN U.S. HISTORY

Grades: 9

Inquiry based learning focuses on the use of primary sources as students develop historical thinking skills. Special emphasis centers on the development of the unique patterns and institutions that make the United States what it is today. Major points of concentration include the political and intellectual traditions, economic patterns, diplomatic events, and social and cultural events that shaped the nation, and the history of women and minorities.

CP MODERN WORLD HISTORY

Grades: 10 Prerequisites: CP U.S.

This course places emphasis on the changing nature of the world from the mid-19th century through the end of the 20th century. The first part of the course focuses on the Industrial Revolution, imperialism, the World Wars, and the Cold War. The second part of the course examines post-1960 world events that have shaped the world we live in today. In completing a research paper, students learn to utilize the library and online sources (including full-text databases) to locate primary and secondary sources. They also learn to form a research question (thesis) and to craft a written argument to defend their position.

HON. MODERN WORLD HISTORY

Grades: 10 Prerequisites: CP U.S.

This honors course is done thematically. Students cover themes such as cultural transformations, political revolutions, imperialism, industrialization, decolonization, and globalization. The course places special emphasis on discussion skills as students read, interpret, and debate primary sources around a Harkness table. Argumentative writing skills continue to be a main focus in the curriculum as tests ask students to trace issues over time in a particular region, to compare/contrast themes across regions, or to analyze causation. The honors course is designed to prepare sophomores for the rigor of an AP course as a junior.As in the CP course, this class also does a major sophomore research project.

AP WORLD HISTORY

Grades: 10, 11, 12 Prerequisites: CP U.S.; Recommendations for this course are based on overall performance in freshman courses as well as reading levels as there is no Honors history course in the 9th grade.

In AP World History: Modern, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes from 1200 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change over time. The course provides six themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: humans and the environment, cultural developments and interactions, governance, economic systems, social interactions and organization, and technology and innovation.*This course is also open to 11th and 12th graders who did not take the class as sophomores.

CP U.S. GOVERNMENT

Grades: 11 Prerequisites: CP World or Hon. World

This semester course covers the constitutional underpinnings of our government and how

Supreme Court interpretations along with historical and political changes have shaped the nature of our government. The main focus is on the national government, but students also learn about state and local governments.

CP AMERICAN CULTURE

Grades: 11, 12 Prerequisites: CP World

This semester course examines many aspects of American society, such as the development of urban areas, integration, labor issues, the changing roles of women, and the role of sports. The class also looks at African-American, Native American, and Hispanic-American history within American society. Students complete many hands-on learning activities in this course that emphasize research skills and critical thinking rather than traditional, memory-focused testing.

HON. HOLOCAUST/HUMAN BEHAVIOR

Grades: 11, 12 Prerequisites: CP World or Hon. World

Students examine the Holocaust in depth, studying a wide range of sources, including historic documents, literature, films, and survivor testimonies. Student-centered discussion, independent research, student portfolios, and group projects are emphasized to help individuals develop a personal understanding of the Holocaust's meaning for today's world. *Sophomores who excelled as freshman and wish to double history may apply to the Department Coordinator to take this course along with one of the three courses that satisfy the sophomore requirement.

HON. GLOBAL ISSUES

Grades: 11, 12 Prerequisites: CP World or Hon. World

Students focus on Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. In each unit, students are asked to examine the politics, economics, society, culture, and geography of the area. While some history is covered, the emphasis of the course is the present day. The goal is for students to better understand the world in which they live and to have a global awareness of issues. This course is also nontraditional in that it emphasizes alternate assessments meant to build higher analyticalthinking skills rather than traditional memory-based testing. Assessments range from research projects, to presentations, to open-notes tests. *Sophomores who excelled as freshman and wish to double history may apply to the Department Coordinator to take this course along with one of the three courses that satisfy the sophomore requirement.

AP U.S. HISTORY

Grades: 11, 12 Prerequisites: CP World OR Hon. World OR AP Euro

In AP U.S. History, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in nine historical periods from approximately 1491 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary

sources; developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change. The course also provides eight themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: American and national identity; work, exchange, and technology; geography and the environment; migration and settlement; politics and power; America in the world; American and regional culture; and social structures.

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS

Grades: 11, 12 Prerequisites: Hon. World or AP Euro

AP U.S. Government and Politics provides a college-level, nonpartisan introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. Students will study U.S. foundational documents, Supreme Court decisions, and other texts and visuals to gain an understanding of the relationships and interactions among political institutions, processes, and behaviors. They will also engage in disciplinary practices that require them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments. In addition, they will complete a political science research or applied civics project.

AP PSYCHOLOGY

Grades: 12 Prerequisites: Recommendation based on PSAT reading score; there is no required prerequisite course so students who are not recommended can waive in without any required grade in a previous course.

The AP Psychology course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. While considering the psychologists and studies that have shaped the field, students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts, and phenomena associated with such topics as the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatments of psychological disorders, and social psychology. Throughout the course, students employ psychological research methods, including ethical considerations, as they use the scientific method, evaluate claims and evidence, and effectively communicate ideas.

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

Grades: 12 Prerequisites: Recommendation based on PSAT reading score; there is no required prerequisite course so students who are not recommended can waive in without any required grade in a previous course.

This course introduces 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 socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research and