HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES

Civics – one-half credit, first semester of freshman history
In the course, students will be introduced to the basic elements of American government.  The class will begin with an investigation of government and the types of government that have existed throughout history.  There will be a detailed study of the Constitution.  Students will explore all seven articles of the Constitution in detail.  The class will explore the court system, the Congress, the Presidency, government bureaucracy, and the basic elements of the legal system.  Students will participate in a mock trial and formal team debate.  There will be regular coverage of current events.  Students will be tested regularly.  There is a cumulative final.  An honors track is offered for students who fulfill the requirements.

Geography – one-half credit, second semester of freshman history
This class is a review of the geography of the world.  The class begins with an introduction to the science of geography and students will learn the basic elements of map reading and geographic formations.  Each continent is explored in-depth.  Students will be expected to familiarize themselves with countries and their capitals and to plot them on a map.  Students will also learn about the diverse cultures and outstanding geographic formations of each continent.  There will be occasional guest speakers.  Students will submit a backboard presentation for Geography Day.  Students are tested regularly.  There is a cumulative final.  An honors track is offered.

World History – one credit, sophomore year
This class is a wide and general overview of the history of the world.  Students begin with a study of the Middle East and will progress on to a general overview of Africa and Asia’s ancient and medieval history.  Students will review the history of ancient Greece and Rome.  An in-depth study of the political and religious history of Europe during the Middle Ages will lay the groundwork for an understanding of major political and sociological events in the early modern period.  Major events that will be touched upon include the Glorious Revolution, the reign of Louis XIV, the formation of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, the French Revolution, Imperialism, Nationalism, and Communism.  This course will explore the causes and the events of World War I, the rise of the German nation, World War II, and the Cold War.  The class will conclude with an overview of the world as it is today. Students will participate in National History Day.  Students will be tested regularly.  There is a mid-term and a final.  A separate Honors track is offered for students who fulfill the requirements.

U.S. History 1865 - Present – one credit, junior year
This is a chronological overview of the history of the United States from 1865 to the present.  There will be a brief review of the colonial period to 1865 for context.  Students will explore the Reconstruction Era, the Gilded Age, Progressivism, U.S. Imperialism, the United States and World War I, the Depression Era, and the United States and World War II.  There will be an in-depth study of the political and social events of Post-War America from 1945 to the present.  Class discussions will cover major problems in the Post-War Era from Civil Rights to the Vietnam War, and from Watergate to the Clinton Administration.  Students will be tested regularly.  They will also complete quarterly project work from a list of options.  There is a mid-term and a final.  Honors section offered.

Worldview – one credit, senior year only/required for graduation*
What we believe shapes how we live.  Ideas have consequences.  This class studies the basic elements of a worldview and then analyzes six major worldviews (Christianity, Islam, Secular Humanism, Marxism, Cosmic Humanism, and Postmodernism) and their perspectives on theology, philosophy, biology, psychology, sociology, and other disciplines.  Students will enhance their worldview and develop the ability to recognize other worldviews as presented in print, visual media, and the arts.  The class will read Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis.  This will enable them to articulate the existence of God based on natural law.  Students will choose a worldview book of interest to them and prepare a presentation for the class.  Students will participate in a field experience designed to take their worldview into the real world, and they will attend a worldview-related activity on the campus of the University of Delaware to prepare them for their college experience.