HISTORY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSES HISTORY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSES

Honors History: The United States in the World (11)

This course approaches the study of United States history as inherently a part of broader regional and global histories. Understanding the course of United States history in relation to, rather than isolation from, other parts of the world promotes global citizenship through comparative analysis, awareness of varied perspectives on the actions of the United States government, and engagement with diverse sources. Students in this course will have the opportunity to examine pivotal moments in United States history, such as the Revolutionary, Civil, and Cold War eras, through examination of global contexts including other hemispheric revolutions and transnational ideological movements such as facism, socialism and anticolonialism. As an Honors course, this class provides a rigorous engagement with primary texts and the opportunity to demonstrate growing mastery of research methods and communications skills to ensure success in the undergraduate history classroom.

AP United States History (11)

This course is intended to provide a deep understanding of American history since the 16th century. In addition to developing mastery of historical thinking skills, including causality, contextualization, comparison, and an understanding of change and continuity over time, students will learn to write thesisdriven arguments grounded in the analysis of a wide range of historical evidence. Taken together, the analytical skills learned in the class are designed to prepare students for the AP Exam and history courses offered at the university level. Throughout the year, students will grapple with the development of American culture, identity, and politics and their relevance in today’s society. Attention will also be paid to local history as a window into larger historical themes.

Honors Global Economics (11-12)

Global Economics is an introduction to macroeconomics and international economics. By the end of the year, students will gain a basic understanding of how both the United States and global economic systems work. Some of the big questions we grapple with in this class include the following:; What are the causes of long- and short-term economic growth? What causes economic downturns (recessions, depressions)? Why are there economic inequalities both within countries and between countries? What role do governments play in regulating economic life? We cannot always provide definitive answers to these questions. But by the end of the year students will understand the views of mainstream economists on these questions as well as the debates that exist between economists on issues that are still in contention. Students will leave the class with a new set of analytical tools for better understanding the world and engaging in an educated conversation about some of the important economic issues of our times.

AP Comparative Government and Politics (12)

The AP course in Comparative Government and Politics introduces students to fundamental concepts used by political scientists to study the processes and outcomes in a variety of country settings. The course aims to illustrate the rich diversity of political life, to show available institutional alternatives, to explain differences in processes and policy outcomes, and to communicate to students the importance of global political and economic changes. In addition to examining the major concepts that are used to organize and interpret what we know about political phenomena and relationships, the course explores specific countries and their governments. Six countries form the core of the AP Comparative Government and Politics course: China, Great Britain, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, and Russia. By using these six countries, the course can move the discussion of concepts from abstract definition to concrete example, noting that not all concepts will be equally useful in all country settings. Students registered in Advanced Placement classes will be prepared to take the Advanced Placement exam.

AP Art History (11-12)

Through the investigation of global art-making traditions from prehistory to the present, AP Art History fosters an in-depth understanding of the history of art from a global perspective. Students learn and apply skills of visual, contextual, and comparative analysis to engage with a variety of art forms and to explore topics including the relationship between the creation and reception of art, its uses and meanings over time, and how art both influences and is influenced by the environmental and historical contexts in which it is produced. This course prepares students for the AP Art History Exam in May and is designed to offer an experience similar to that provided by a comprehensive introductory college course in art history.

Honors Psychology (12)

This course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavioral and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the 14 major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. The rigor of the course is equivalent to a semester-long, college-level program and requires students to submit regular written reviews of research, give oral and group presentations, engage in outside readings, and have extensive participation.