History

Graduation Requirement: nine credits of history, including United States History or AP United States History

MS United States History I: Early America (year-long course offered in alternating years)
The goals of this course are to enhance students’ appreciation for and knowledge of United States history, with special attention paid to developments in Minnesota, and to develop study skills that will be useful in this and later courses. Topics covered in Early America include Native Americans, particularly the Dakota and Ojibwe, exploration with a focus on the French Voyageurs, the Colonial Period, the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, and the New Nation. Skills in this course include mapping, note taking, critical reading (i.e., textbook, primary sources, historical fiction), research, and analysis of current events.

MS United States History II: Modern America (year-long course offered in alternating years)
The goals of this course are to enhance students’ appreciation for and knowledge of United States history and to develop study skills that will be useful in this and later courses. Reconstruction, Industrialization (with special attention paid to concepts important in Minnesota’s history such as railroads, ore mining, and the lumber and flour industries), Progressivism, and Decades of the 20th Century. Students work to refine their research, writing, and critical reading skills and also analyze maps, graphs, and current events. Students complete a research project and several oral presentations.

World Geography (year-long course)
The course introduces students to the study of world geography. Students learn about the human and geographical forces which affect the various areas of the world. Regions and concepts include:
Fall Term: Geographer’s tools; Canada and the United States, including the Great Lakes, urban sprawl, national parks, and consumption patterns; Latin America; spatial inequality; extreme weather; land use conflict in the Amazon Rainforest; and life in the Central Andes.
Winter Term: European Russia, European Union, population dilemmas, transboundary pollution, new nation-states, Southwest and Central Asia and the effects of oil, and the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Spring Term: The Nile River, life in the Sahara and Sahel, post-apartheid South Africa, population issues in China, India’s comparative advantage (tech workers and globalization), Antarctica and climate change.
Students work on note taking and mapping skills, analyze relevant works of fiction, discuss current events, and complete a research project.

World History: Early Civilizations to 1450 (year-long course)
World History: Early Civilizations to 1450, typically a ninth grade course, begins with the study of early humans and continues through the 14th century. Themes include political, economic, social, and artistic developments in world history, as well as border issues and contacts between cultures. Analytical reading, discussion, research, and essay writing are important skills that are developed in this class.

World History: 1450-Present (year-long course)
Students in grade 10 continue their study of world history in this course which covers the time period from 1450 to the present. The themes of political, social and artistic developments in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas are continued, and special focus is paid to the world wars and post-war years. Students read one collateral book as well as the basic text and work on research and writing skills.

Advanced Placement Modern European History  (year-long course)
This course is open to select sophomores who have shown a superior ability in the study of history. The course scope includes the political, intellectual, social, and artistic developments in Europe from the 14th through the 20th centuries. The course is intensive in its demands and relies heavily on texts common to college level classes. Document based essay writing (DBQs), critical reading, and discussion skills are needed for success in this course. Students sit for the Advanced Placement European History exam in May.

Prerequisite: permission of the department chair

Introduction to Historical Studies II (first-year ESL students – grades 10-11 only)
This survey class offers students a preview of American, ancient, and European history, using selected textbook readings, as well as primary source readings. Designed to offer low intermediate English proficient students the opportunity to learn about history in a sheltered environment, this class is a full survey class and includes fostered development of note-taking, listening, reading, and academic discussion. Requirements: Selected readings; 5-7 formal writing exercises per term; 1 power point presentation; 1 oral presentation; 1 major project; term exams and a final exam. Entrance is not elective. The class carries history credit.

United States History (year-long course)
United State History studies the growth of America from the signing of the Declaration of Independence through the development of the United States as a world power in the twentieth century. Focusing on the political and social development of the United States, students gain an appreciation for the complexities of America’s past. Special emphasis is placed on analysis of primary documents, essay writing, and discussion.

Advanced Placement United States History (year-long course)
This course, which selected juniors may take in lieu of the standard U.S. history course, considers the American experience up to the present. Students have the opportunity to do extensive work with primary sources and enrichment readings designed to explore specific topics. The course has a strong focus on critical reading and historical writing. This course not only prepares talented students for the Advanced Placement Examination in May, but more deeply illuminates the richness of America’s past.

Prerequisite: permission of the department chair

Advanced Placement Modern European History (year-long course)
This course is open to juniors and seniors who have shown a superior ability in the study of history. The course scope includes the political, intellectual, social, and artistic developments in Europe from the 14th through the 20th centuries. The course is intensive in its demands and relies heavily on texts common to college level classes. Document based essay writing (DBQs), critical reading, and discussion skills are needed for success in this course. Students sit for the Advanced Placement European History exam in May.

Prerequisite: permission of the department chair

ELECTIVES – These electives are open to all seniors, juniors who have completed US History, and juniors who wish to double up in history (if space permits).

Advanced Studies in Modern Europe I 1900-1920 (one-term course offered Fall Term)

This course examines the political, diplomatic, and military history of Europe in a time of chaos, violence, renewal, and collapse. Advanced Studies in Modern Europe I concentrates on the origins and events of the Great War or World War I.
Advanced Studies in Modern Europe II 1920-1945 (one-term course offered Winter Term) This course examines the political, diplomatic, and military history of Europe in a time of chaos, violence, renewal, and collapse. Advanced Studies in Modern Europe II concentrates on the rise of the great destructive “isms” (Communism, Fascism, National Socialism) and the causes and events of World War II.

Advanced Studies in Modern Europe II 1920-1945 (one-term course offered Winter Term)
This course examines the political, diplomatic, and military history of Europe in a time of chaos, violence, renewal, and collapse. Advanced Studies in Modern Europe II concentrates on the rise of the great destructive “isms” (Communism, Fascism, National Socialism) and the causes and events of World War II.

Advanced Studies in Ancient World: Greece and Rome (one-term course – offered Spring Term)
This one-term elective is a rapid survey of ancient history from the Greco-Persian Wars through the reigns of the Five Good Emperors (500 B.C.-180 A.D.). The course familiarizes students with the major political events of this important period in the development of western civilization.

AP Economics (year-long course)
The purpose of an AP course in Economics is to give students a thorough understanding of economic principles as they apply to individual decision makers, and to whole economic systems. The course is organized by term and designed to prepare students for the AP Exam in Macroeconomic and the AP Exam in Microeconomics. The Fall Term will focus on Macroeconomics, including emphasis on the study of economic systems, national income and price-level determination. The course will also develop students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, and economic growth. The Winter Term will focus on Microeconomics and its principals as they apply to individual decision makers, both producers and consumers, within economic systems. It places emphasis on the nature and functions of product markets, and includes the study of the role of government in promoting greater equity and efficiency in the economy. The Spring Term will include study of International Economics and modern global markets as well as a structured preparation for taking the AP exams in Macroeconomics and Microeconomics in May.

Prerequisite: permission of the department chair

Economics: Microeconomics (one-term course offered Fall Term)
Microeconomics is the study of how people decide to allocate scarce resources. This process of choice guides the development of economic systems, addressing and resolving issues of production: what to produce, how to produce, how much to produce, and how to distribute the fruits of production. Microeconomic principles are emphasized, and marketing principles are introduced through the assessment of business actions in new product development. Students initiate, create, and develop their own new product. By understanding their new product, students gain insight into how market forces influence corporate success.

Economics: Macroeconomics (one-term course offered Winter term)
Macroeconomics is the study of national economics, economic development, taxes, unemployment, inflation, and income distribution. The course examines economic actions and reactions within governments, banking systems, and financial markets. Macroeconomic topics are emphasized and finance/accounting principles introduced through an investment activity. Students are responsible for “investing” in a publicly traded company and indices; they also research a value chain related to their company. By choosing a portfolio that includes a company specific stock, industry index, and an international index, students gain insight into how risk and reward impact personal investment and corporate business decisions. International Economics (one-term course offered spring term) International Economics investigates the economic challenges of a global market. Topics analyzed include trade, tariffs, off-shoring, globalization, and the negative effects of government, drug trafficking, and scarcity of natural resources. Economic principles are emphasized through a course project that allows for the development of a non-profit organization, creation of a law, or construction of a social program. The objective of the course project is for students to learn how to create economic programs that bring about change in a global setting. Students are encouraged to select a developing country, identify natural resources, pinpoint localized talents, and create a program which will give economic opportunity to that population.

Prerequisites: Microeconomics or Macroeconomics

International Economics (one-term course offered Spring Term)
International Economics investigates the economic challenges of a global market. Topics analyzed include trade, tariffs, off-shoring, globalization, and the negative effects of government, drug trafficking, and scarcity of natural resources. Economic principles are emphasized through a course project that allows for the development of a non-profit organization, creation of a law, or construction of a social program. The objective of the course project is for students to learn how to create economic programs that bring about change in a global setting. Students are encouraged to select a developing country, identify natural resources, pinpoint localized talents, and create a program which will give economic opportunity to that population.

Prerequisites: Microeconomics or Macroeconomics

Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics (year-long course)

Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics is a year-long course open to select juniors and seniors who have shown a superior ability in the study of history. AP US Government and Politics covers the basic topics of a college-level introductory course in Government, including: Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government, Political Beliefs and Behaviors, Political Parties, Interest Groups, Mass Media, Institutions of National Government, Public Policy, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. The course will provide a high level of inquiry for motivated students who are interested in improving their knowledge of how the Government of the United States functions. Students will evaluate viewpoints presented through major print and electronic media and analyze statistical data trends related to significant political events. Emphasis is placed on applying problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, interpreting graphs and tables, organizing information, evaluating information, and communicating orally and in writing. The course aims to help students participate effectively and democratically in the American political system but is specifically focused on preparing students for the AP Exam.

Prerequisite: permission of the department chair

Government (year-long course)

Government is offered as a junior/senior elective. Students in Government will study the ways in which society creates structure to enforce laws for a country or area. The fall term focuses on what motivates people to form a government and what factors shape the form that government takes. Students read works by political philosophers and look at several different government models both in theory and in practice, before studying the United States Constitution. Winter term focuses on American government. Students study the structure and powers of the three branches of government, and the interaction between those branches. Spring term focuses on the legal system, with students studying the history of the US Supreme Court as well as following current cases before the court. Assessments will include tests and quizzes, projects, reflection essays, and class presentations.

AP Psychology (year-long course)
AP Psychology is a year-long course covering all the basic topics of a college level introductory course in psychology, which is defined as the study of human behavior and mental processes. The course is organized by term, with biological bases of behavior in the Fall Term, a cognitive focus in the Winter Term, and socio-cultural topics addressed in the Spring Term. AP Psychology provides many opportunities for active learning, such as classroom demonstrations, experiments, development and administration of questionnaires, as well as personal and group reflection. This course provides a high level of inquiry for motivated students; it serves as a unique AP level course that appeals to students who are interested in improving their scientific literacy, since psychology shares methods with chemistry, biology, and other sciences, and in personal and society-level decision making, as the subject matter of psychology has a unique relevance to their daily lives.

Prerequisite: permission of the department chair