Social Studies Courses
Graduation requirements:
3.5 credits including .5 credit of U.S. Government and Economics
Class of 2012 must include the following courses:
U.S. History (1 credit)
World History (1 credit)
World Geography (1 credit)
U.S. Government and Economics (.5 credit)
Elective Courses
Buried Cities and Lost Tribes
Current Events
Psychology
U.S. History
Jina Baartman
jbaartman@blueskyschool.org,
Brittany Thomforde
bthomforde@blueskyschool.org
Students will read about, research, and analyze events in U.S. History from the Civil War era to modern times in order to gain a better understanding of the country’s identity as an independent nation and as a member of the international community. Primary and secondary resources will be used to help students comprehend the “whys” and the “hows” of our nation’s past as we determine how these events effect the present and the future of the United States of America.
World History
Anthony Shealy
ashealy@blueskyschool.org
Mathew Schaefer
mschaefer@blueskyschool.org
Over the course of the school year, students will be studying the foundations of modern human civilization and how they have influenced our present political, economic, and diplomatic history. In addition, students will be looking at key social, cultural, and intellectual events and movements that have shaped our world. Students will spend time not just reading about the past, but investigating, analyzing, and reflecting upon it in order to develop a thorough understanding of our common heritage and future.
World Geography
Suzanne Bordeau
sbordeau@blueskyschool.org,
Gaia Buttweiler
gbuttweiler@blueskyschool.org
Geography is the study of the human and cultural features and their spatial distributions on Earth’s surface. Geographers examine the effect that human beings have on their environment, as well as how the environment has shaped the actions and fates of civilizations. This course deals with environmental, cultural, economic, and political issues affecting the major world regions. Visual and graphic resources will be used in a problem-solving and issues-related approach. Course requirements include assigned readings, map work, weekly homework, videos, discussions and projects.
U.S. Government and Economics
Jeffrey Weiberg
jweiberg@blueskyschool.org
Heather Novak
hnovak@blueskyschool.org,
This course gives students a perspective on government, politics, and economics in the United States. It includes both the study of general concepts and the analysis of specific examples. Students will develop familiarity with the various institutions, beliefs, and ideas that constitute US politics. Students will also be introduced to the free enterprise system of the United States in order to begin the process of becoming a productive citizen, consumer, and employee. This course, or the equivalent, is required for graduation.
Elective Courses
Buried Cities and Lost Tribes
Jina Baartman
jbaartman@blueskyschool.org
In this course, students will explore the history of social culture, the development of civilization, and the mysterious decline of some of the world's largest societies. Students will study the tools of anthropologists, archaeologists and historians, and then apply those as they investigate the remnants of lost civilizations. Students will learn the who, what, when, where, and why of ancient civilizations such as the Maya of Central America, the Moundbuilders of North America, and the Celts of Europe. They will also study interesting places such as the Egyptian pyramids, the lost city of Pompeii, and Stonehenge. Not offered Semester 2, 2009-2010.
Current Events
Gaia Buttweiler
gbuttweiler@blueskyschool.org
This course provides an opportunity for students to better understand the world around them. Students will become better informed citizens by exploring events, issues, happenings and controversies at the state, national, and international level and by examining the effects of those issues on their lives today and possibly in the future. This course will include issues from many segments of society, including education, health, economics, politics, pop culture, and others.
Psychology
Heather Novak
hnovak@blueskyschool.org
This semester-long course aims to answer the question: Why do people act the way they do? In studying human behavior, students will use a variety of resources to examine topics such as learning and memory, personality theories, biological and environmental influences on behavior, gender differences, societal influences, stress and its effects, psychological disorders and treatment, and others. This course is designed to introduce students to the science that is psychology and help students to better understand themselves and those around them.
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