Academics at Saint Mary High School

Social Studies Department

Faculty:

Mrs. Susan Musiak, chair
smusiak@stmaryhs.com

Mrs. Terri Garfield
tgarfield@stmaryhs.com

The purpose of the social studies program is to motivate students to understand their heritage and their connection to the world. This is accomplished through critical reading, writing, and analytical thinking. It is our hope to prepare students for their role as responsible, intelligent, and active citizens in a democratic society.

Upon completion of the social studies program, the students will be able to recognize themselves as inheritors of the past and shapers of the future, to integrate knowledge, skills, and attitudes within the fields of social studies and across all disciplines.

The department reflects the mission of the school by challenging students with a demanding academic program. The curriculum emphasizes civic responsibilities, ethical and democratic principles necessary to everyday life.

The law course provides a strong base for students on which to build if a decision is made to pursue a career in law related fields. The outcomes for law are to provide the student with a working knowledge of the law, help them avoid legal problems, and show them how to handle problems of that type if they do occur.

600 – World History (section one, one semester – grade nine)
his semester long course is intended for Freshmen as an introduction to World History. Students are required to take this course in preparation for World History II.

601 – World History (section two, full year– grade ten)
Included topic and areas for discussion and interpretation are: early civilizations of the Ancient Worlds of Africa, Asia and the Americas, the Medieval World of Europe, the rise of the Church, the beginnings of nation states and democracy, Renaissance and Reformation, the emergence of modern nations, Absolutism, the French Revolution, Social and Industrial Ages, and World Wars of the 20th Century.

602 – US History
This course covers the emergence of the American Colonies into the United States of America, its early struggles, triumphs, tragedies, and failures leading into its becoming a world leader and super power of the 21st Century. Areas covered and discussed: American Revolution, Expansionism, Imperialism, Civil War, Reconstruction, Labor, Women’s Rights Movement and Immigration.

603 - US History – Advanced Placement
Prerequisite: A- in World History, teacher recommendation
This extensive course is taken online by a teacher providing the course solely to St. Mary High School students. The teacher will not be on campus. This course is an in-depth study of American History for students who excel in their history study and are interested in attempting to earn college credit. This course covers the emergence of the American Colonies into the United States of America, its early struggles, triumphs, tragedies, and failures leading into its becoming a world leader and super power of the 21st Century. Areas covered and discussed: American Revolution, Expansionism, Imperialism, Civil War, Reconstruction, Labor, Women’s Rights Movement and Immigration. Students taking this course are required to take the corresponding AP exam in late spring.

604 – Current US History – grade 11
20th Century History is an analytical, historical portrayal of American life. The course begins post WWI and studies the impact that the war had on the US. The course includes a study of The Great Depression, the emergence of the American welfare state; the economic implication of the American involvement; The Cold War; McCarthyism; The Civil Rights Movement; The Kennedy and Johnson presidencies; The Vietnam War and life in the 60’s; Nixon and Watergate; The Regan decade; The Gulf War; the Clinton Administration; and the Bush Presidency. In addition, students will be expected to keep up on current events on a daily basis.

605 – Psychology – Grades 11 & 12 Elective
The study of psychology offers the student the opportunity to study the human as an individual. Topics covered include but are not limited to: human psychological development, experimental method, heredity and environment, memory and cognition, and socialization theories of personality. The text will be supplemented with activities provided by the American Psychological Association.

606 – History through Film – Grades 11 & 12 Elective
Students will examine, discuss, and respond to works of literature and film through the historical perspective. This class will explore history trough film relationship to the world. Students will explore the relationship between image, fact, truth in history and its portrayal on the screen. Reading, writing, and film are the key components of this course.

641 – Government, Politics and Contemporary Issues – Grades 11 & 12 Elective
This course is designed to give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States, while using current events as the basis for exploration. This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. government and politics and the analysis of specific examples. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. government and politics. While there is no single approach that an AP United States Government and students will become acquainted with a variety of theoretical perspectives and explanations for various behaviors and outcomes.

707 – Fundamentals of the Legal System – Grades 11 & 12 Elective
This course will introduce the student to personal, practical, and everyday uses of the law. Students will develop a recognition and understanding of how that the law works in communities throughout the country. Students will be provided with a working knowledge of the law to help them avoid legal problems, while showing them how to handle the different types of problems if they occur. The protection that the legal system affords its citizens and an understanding of what the system expects from its people is the foundations of this course. In addition, students will be afforded a strong base that can be built upon if a decision is made to pursue a career in a law-related field.