History Course Offerings

This freshman-level course is a survey of the major cultures that developed in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas from the beginnings of human civilization up to the present day. Political, social, cultural, economic, and intellectual history are covered, particularly as they shape contemporary world events. 

Prerequisites: None

Grade 9 · Full Year · 1 Credit

This writing-intensive, freshman-level course is an in-depth study of the major cultures which developed in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas from the beginnings of human civilization up to the present day. Political, social, cultural, economic, and intellectual history are covered, particularly as they shape contemporary world events. The depth of analysis is greater in the course, as is the examination of primary documents. Students will receive direct training in the writing of research papers and be responsible for the production of two research papers during the school year.

Grade 9 · Full Year · 1 Credit

This sophomore-level course is a survey examination that begins with the advent of the Modern Age in Europe and traces political, economic, and cultural influences that affected the global populations over a 500-year period. Particular attention is given to the influence of intellectual movements such as the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, as well as major social changes that flowed from both the French and Industrial Revolutions. The course examines major events that occurred during the 20th century and culminates with more contemporary developments in the 21st century. Students will receive direct training in the writing of research papers. 

Prerequisites: World History

Grade 10 · Full Year · 1 Credit

This writing-intensive sophomore-level course is an in-depth examination of the Modern Age. The depth of analysis is greater in this course, as is the examination of primary documents. Students will receive direct training in the writing of research papers and be responsible for producing two research papers during the school year. 

*Recommended: PSAT 8/9 Reading score of 28 or better.

Grade 10 · Full Year · 1 Credit

AP Modern European History is a college-level survey course that explores the major themes of European history from 1450 to the present era. The curriculum follows the latest requirements of the College Board and will include extensive training to advance academic skills as a critical reader and analytical writer. The use of primary documents and extensive assessments are an important focus of this class, which will prepare students to pass the College Board AP test at the end of the spring semester.

Prerequisites: Honors World History with 90 average · Departmental Approval · Students seeking admittance into course against dpeartmental recommendation will be required to sit for a timed essay based on an historical prompt.

*Recommended: PSAT 8/9 Reading score of 29 or better.

Grade 10 · Full Year · 1 Credit

This one-semester course covers the basic principles and theories of economics. It also examines the practical application of these theories in contemporary society and government. Tax forms, personal budgeting, and a stock market simulation are all part of the course.

Prerequisites: None

Grade 10/11/12 · 1 Semester · .5 Credit

This class builds upon note-taking and essay writing skills in presenting a survey course in American history. The first semester will be spent covering American history up to the Reconstruction era that followed the Civil War. The second semester will focus on post-Reconstruction developments and cover American historical events into the modern era. Students will be expected to read historical essays, biographies, and primary source materials. Research papers will also be assigned. In addition, students will be trained to master map skills for the periods studied. Summer reading is required.

Prerequisites: Modern European or AP European

Grade 11 · Full Year · 1 Credit

At the Honors level, students should be adept at writing essays and taking notes. This class builds upon these skills and presents a survey course in American history. It is more detailed and accelerated than the college preparatory U.S. History. The first semester will cover American history up to the Reconstruction era that followed the Civil War. The spring semester will focus on post-Reconstruction developments and cover major historical events into the modern era. Students will be expected to read historical essays, biographies, and primary source materials. Research projects and papers will also be required. In addition, students will be expected to master map skills for the periods studied. All students will construct a major research paper in the second semester. Summer reading is required.

Prerequisites: Modern European History with 90 average or Honors Modern European with 85 average or AP European History with 80 average · Departmental Approval

*Recommended: PSAT Verbal score of 28 or better

Grade 11 · Full Year · 1 Credit

This course is for advanced history students who have achieved high performance in previous history classes. Students will study a college curriculum with collegiate-level expectations and workload. The primary focus is to prepare the students for the national AP exam; thus, the class is conducted in a more teacher-directed manner than non-AP classes. American history from pre-colonial times through the 1970s is covered in depth. Students will become well-versed in essay writing and higher-level thinking skills of evaluation, analysis, and synthesis. The interpretation of primary sources and differing methods of data presentation are incorporated at every level, as are map skills. Summer reading is extensive and required.

Prerequisites: 90 in Previous Honors Level History and English Courses or AP European History with 85 average · Departmental Approval

*Students seeking admittance into this course against departmental recommendations will be required to submit a writing sample from a previous history course. 

*Recommended: PSAT Reading score of 31 or better.

Grade 11 · Full Year · 1 Credit

United States Government is a one-semester history course that will examine the basic principles of our government: the workings of the legislative; the executive and judicial branches; and the sharing of power between the state and federal governments. A portion of the class is dedicated to a discussion of current events and debates, as well as a further examination of constitutional principles as applied to today’s issues. Students must remain current on national events.

This is a college-level course for those students who have achieved high performance in previous history classes and are avid learners of history. It is a college curriculum with collegiate-level expectations and workload. The primary focus is to prepare the student for the national AP exam; thus, the class is conducted in a more teacher-directed manner than non-AP classes. The philosophy and structure of government along with economic issues and principles are thoroughly studied. Primary source materials and current event resources are heavily utilized. Summer reading work is extensive and required.

*Recommended: PSAT Reading score of 31 or better

Grade 12 · Full Year · 1 Credit

This one-semester course is an introductory-level examination of the systematic study of individual human behavior and experience. The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the content, terminology, methodology, and application of the discipline. This survey course contains an introduction followed by four units based on the physiological, cognitive, behavioral, and affective domains of psychology. 

*This course does not count toward the fulfillment of a student’s credit requirement in history.

Grade 11/12 · 1 Semester · .5 Credit

This one-semester course is an introductory course that emphasizes fundamental concepts in sociology and their application to contemporary society to enhance the student's understanding of the world in which they live. The class will include significant discussions of themes like socialization, stratification, population demographics, family life, and technology.

*This course does not count toward the fulfillment of a student’s credit requirement in history.

Prerequisites: None

Grade 11/12 · 1 Semester · .5 Credit

This is a college-level class that examines the role of art within history and the effect of that history upon art. The study of Art History involves critical thinking and will develop an understanding and knowledge of diverse historical and cultural contexts of architecture, sculpture, painting, and other media. It also will create opportunities for students to strengthen an area neglected in most curricula. In this course, students will examine major forms of artistic expression from the past and present from a variety of cultures. While visual analysis is a fundamental tool of the art historian, art history emphasizes understanding how and why works of art function in context, considering such issues as patronage, gender, and the functions and effects of art. Summer work is required.

*This course does not count toward the fulfillment of a student’s credit requirement in history. 

*This class can fulfill 1.0 credit in Fine Arts instead of 1.0 History elective credit. 

Prerequisites: AP U.S. History with 85 average or Honors U.S. History with 90 average · Departmental Approval

*Recommended: PSAT Reading score of 31 or better

Grade 11/12 · Full Year · 1 Credit

This course will explore those events that led to the systematic murders of six million Jews during World War II and created countless other victims during that period. Students will encounter the stories of survivors, witnesses, and rescuers that continue to raise essential questions about the nature of human behavior. The course will explore the consequences of how destructive policies are constructed and implemented and how individuals and communities are affected by malevolent decisions and actions. The curriculum requires extensive reading of primary and secondary sources and will emphasize class discussions. By studying the historical development of the Holocaust and similar examples of genocide, students will be invited to make the essential connection between history and the moral choices they confront in their personal lives. By utilizing sources that illuminate victim experiences, perpetrator perspectives, and bystander responses, the class will investigate the Nazi racial state that systematized mass killings and demanded collaboration and complicity. Finally, the course will examine the memory of the Holocaust in western culture. 

*This course does not count toward the fulfillment of a student’s credit requirement in history.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval

Grade 11/12 · 1 Semester · .5 Credit

World History · 405

Honors World History · 415

Modern European History · 402

Honors Modern European History · 412

AP European History · 452

Economics · 404

Economics · 404

Government · 408

U.S. History · 403

Honors U.S. History · 413

AP U.S. History · 450

AP U.S. Government & Politics · 451

Principles of Psychology · 407

Introduction to Sociology · 409

AP Art History · 453

Honors Holocaust History · 420

Economics · 404

Government · 408

AP U.S. Government & Politics · 451

Principles of Psychology · 407

Introduction to Sociology · 409

AP Art History · 453

Honors Holocaust History · 420