Engage in the Study of Past and Present
Courses in the History and Social Science Department provide students with opportunities to engage in the study of the past and the present in order to develop the skills necessary to think critically and independently. Class discussions and other small group work provide opportunities to practice civil dialogue, deep listening, and perspective taking. Research and writing skills are integrated into all of our course offerings, and through careful scaffolding and frequent feedback, students become competent researchers, critical thinkers, and effective writers and speakers.
U.S. History
Students in Mr. Palmer's U.S. History class have the opportunity to put on their professional clothes for formal debates. Students select an issue and dive into research as they learn the ins and outs of both their topic and debate strategy.
History and Social Science Courses
Advanced Placement Psychology
The AP Psychology course provides students with an introductory psychology framework for college-level content and skills, as recommended by the American Psychological Association (APA) Introductory Psychology Initiative. These skills include Social Science Practices such as Research Design, Data Interpretation, Concept Application, and Evidence-based Argumentation. The Framework is organized into five content-based units, including - Biological Bases for Behavior, Cognition and Development, Social Psychology, and Mental and Physical Health. This framework integrates key skills throughout the course that students need to be successful in subsequent courses in psychology.
Current Issues in a Global Context
Current Issues in a Global Context allows students to become engaged thinkers while exploring the current issues & challenges pertinent in present-day America. The course is organized into three trimester-long topics of study: the Growth of US Foreign Policy in the Mideast from the writing of the U.S. Constitution to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Criminal Justice System Reform, and Modern Media and Its Societal Impacts (spring trimester). Students will engage & evaluate these subjects through a series of formative and summative assessments that include hands-on-activities, debates of varying formats, performance-based assessments, as well as numerous educational competitions to reinforce the material in a fun and engaging way. This program of study offers students many opportunities to apply an understanding of Current Issues & their historical context which directly impact their future. We will dissect how these current issues shaped the American character and how this ever-morphing character has altered the global viewpoints of Americans, its policies, and the American identity. Students will cultivate the knowledge and skills crucial toward global scholarship in the 21st century. This dynamic, engaging course allows students to refine the vital skills needed to contribute to their
society locally and globally.
Psychology of the Human Brain
Psychology of the Human Brain seeks to provide students with a strong introduction to
college-level neuro-psychology. The course allows students to dissect and evaluate human behaviors and their impact on the world around them by exploring the behavior, function, and anatomy of the human brain. This includes how parts of the brain jointly control & influence the behaviors of humans. Students will cover this journey through three trimester-long sections: Introduction to Psychology and the Human Brain (fall), Social Psychology and the Human Brain (winter), and Positive Psychology & the Inner Cosmos (spring). This program offers a wide range of assessments, including hands-on activities, competitive games, essay writing, gallery presentations, technological expressions, debates, personality research, and the use of a variety of education-based gaming platforms. This program of study allows students to apply course knowledge toward a greater understanding of themselves and the world around them.
Economics
This year-long course blends aspects of practical application of economics with theoretical approaches. The fall trimester (Economics in Everyday Life) focuses on understanding how economics shapes daily life. After a brief overview of global economic concepts, students engage in project-based learning tied to life after high school. Topics include budgeting, car purchasing (buying, financing, or leasing), credit management, financial instruments, retirement accounts, and the stock market. The winter trimester (Business Organization & Entrepreneurship) explores economic issues related to business, including finance and organization. Students examine inflation and its effects on local and global economies. Through entrepreneurial projects, they create investment pitches, identify funding sources, assess hiring needs, and develop products. Additionally, students build resumes, write cover letters, and practice interview skills. In the spring trimester (Classical Economic Theory and Globalization), students study global economic interconnections through trade and investment. Topics include international trade models, government policies, currency exchange rates, and their effects on trade. The course also covers development economics, inequality, and public sector issues like health care and environmental economics. Activities include discussions, simulations, debates, and research.
African American Studies
This course invites students to explore and reflect on the complex threads of Black experiences, cultures, storytelling, agency, and identity formation. Using a multidisciplinary approach, students examine African American history and culture through diverse sources, including film, literature, music, art, and poetry. Key topics span from early African kingdoms and diasporic origins to centuries of resilience, resistance, and contemporary achievements. Students will develop a trimester-long research project on a topic of their choice. The fall trimester focuses on the origins and influences of African peoples in the Atlantic world and the United States. Students amplify African voices through research using primary and secondary sources. The winter trimester examines the promise of freedom alongside the persistence of slavery and racism, analyzing how individuals shaped history through their responses. In the spring
trimester, students study the “school-to-prison” pipeline as framed by criminal justice reform advocates and evaluate Hip Hop’s global influence and cultural impact.
