ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Social Studies
The Social Studies Department
Our Social Studies Department presents the development of Western Civilization as a culture based on our Christian heritage, and America as a result of that development. In these classes, you will learn about your place in the living history of the United States, establishing a foundation for your future ideas.
The courses offered not only provide you with strong content-based knowledge, but also help you develop the ability to think critically about societal issues and learn how to address them based on your understanding of Christian social values. We focus on the place that each of us occupies in the broad historical spectrum, emphasizing that “where I come from is what I am.” Social Studies educates you on citizenship, providing you with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will help you to become informed, competent, and responsible citizens who thoughtfully participate in your community while exhibiting moral and civic virtue.
Primary Sources
Our Social Studies Department focuses on the importance of bringing history to life through the use of primary sources and historical analysis.
Through primary source textbooks, Papal encyclicals, and novels written in the time period you are studying, you will hear directly from those who helped shape the world in which we live today. Study of these documents allows you to strengthen your historical analysis and writing skills by utilizing period documents for evidence to support your theses and the arguments you present.
Required Courses:
Elective Courses:
Western Civilization
This course is a survey of the important trends, events, and individuals in the history of Western Civilization from the earliest civilizations through the Renaissance. Emphasis is placed on the birth and development of Christianity as the foundation of Western Civilization. The Bible is used as a primary source when studying certain ancient civilizations that contributed to the western world. The writings of the Church Fathers and later medieval scholastics are consulted to deepen understanding of the early Church and the moral and ethical guidelines she has provided for man to follow.
Modern Western Civilization
This is a survey course of world history from the Industrial Revolution to the dissolution of the Soviet Empire. This course will examine the great evils of modern times: militarism, communism, fascism and Nazism. It will explore the continuing dissolution of Western Civilization and the part played in the undermining of our culture by atheism and materialism. We integrate faith by teaching students the role the Church played in the creation of our current world, Catholic social teaching and the decisions made by world leaders, and the role the Church played in ending some of the worst regimes in history. Primary sources are used to deepen students understanding of the role played by the Church in establishing moral guidelines for the physical, spiritual, and moral welfare of humanity.
Economics
Economics examines the principles and problems of the free enterprise system. It gives students an understanding of the American (World) economy: what it is, how it developed and how it works. Students study patterns of production, exchange, distribution and consumption in the American (World) economy. They examine the price system, principles of money and banking, and theories and practices of credit and marketing. Other topics include industry and agriculture, big business and labor, foreign trade, investments, taxation, and other economic systems. We integrate faith by teaching students the morality of our own decisions, Catholic social teaching and its relationship to economic theory, and the importance of the vocation of business in helping others out of poverty.
American History
This course surveys the history of the United States from colonial times to the present. Emphasis will be placed on the development of America, the belief in God as the foundation of our country, and the extension of democracy to all Americans. In American History, faith is integrated by including scripture as it relates to the dignity of the human person as well as the Church’s teaching on morality and social justice. Examples of Catholic leaders and how Christian leadership has helped to influence the nation are integrated throughout the course.
AP American History
This course is a comprehensive evaluation of American History from colonial times to the present. Topics include those covered in the American History course but with a stronger emphasis placed on chronological connections and cause/effect relationships. This course will provide students with an in-depth understanding of the individuals and events that shaped our nation both before and after its founding, as well as how the US emerged as a world leader following World War II. While the course follows the Advanced Placement curriculum of the College Board, it is also guided by the principle that faith is built by understanding and studying the world God has made. Faith is integrated through emphasis of the role that Christian, and especially Catholic, leadership has played in shaping policy and its contributions to the varied social justice movements that have an important place in our history. Students are expected to take the national AP American History exam that will be offered in May.
American Government
This course provides students an opportunity to understand the political system in the United States and their place in it. Through the use of Catholic social teachings the students will understand the major government issues that affect them as Christians and gives them the tools to defend their opinions and their faith in the public sphere as they prepare to go out into the world as Christian citizens of the United States.
Geography
The study of Cultural Geography offers students an opportunity to discern patterns of physical and cultural characteristics in a variety of world regions. Students will learn about the spatial distribution of people, places, physical features, resources, and human activities. Students will examine the role religion plays in shaping cultures around the world and help to examine the role the Catholic Faith plays in shaping our own cultural geography. Students will consider questions asked by geographers as they study the world: What are the physical and human characteristics of places? Why are things located where they are? What is the significance of the location of things? What patterns are reflected in the groupings of things?
Military History
Looking for a fun elective that will challenge you and is different and unique? If yes, then Uncle Sam wants you! Military history also known as Historical Survey runs the gambit:
- We recreate the topography and layout of competing armies in the sand!
- We analyze the strengths and weaknesses of competing generals and their armies juxtaposed to the teachings of Sun Zu.
- We divide the class up into two competing camps and simulate battles outside or in the auxiliary gym using nerf swords and rhino balls.
- We practice route security and small unit tactics with an ambush team and several fire teams- weather permitting.
Students will learn about military tactics and strategy from some of the greatest generals of all time, from ancient to present.
Debate
This course will teach the fundamental principles associated with debating and argumentation. Students will participate in a series of debates and mock trials. In this class, students will utilize Catholic social teaching and learn the tools necessary to defend their beliefs and opinions on these issues.
Film History
You will never watch movies the same way! Starting with silent films and working up to the early 1950’s, Film I students will watch the best films from each decade while learning to analyze acting, film techniques, and mise-en-scene. If you don’t know what that is – don’t worry – you will and it will change how you watch movies.
Law
This course will explore the purpose of law based on the fundamental principles found within the United States Constitution, United States Law, State Laws, and the United States Legal Systems. In addition, this course goes a step further and focuses on the obligations of activism that we, as Christians, are called to. Focus of the course will be on both Criminal Law and Civil Law. Students will examine past cases and current issues related to the law and legal systems, as well as careers in the field of law.
Psychology
This course’s curriculum introduces the methods of inquiry and evaluation used by psychologists. It contains information relating to issues that all individuals encounter, not only in themselves, but also in their relationships with friends and families; its study should lead to an appreciation of and tolerance for individual differences. All students will acquire insight into the complex determinants of behavior and prepare to be intelligent consumers of psychological services. While all approaches will be included in a general course survey, the course will primarily emphasize the interpersonal/social and personality/development approaches. This course provides continued emphasis of the dignity of the human person, as well as the recognition that we, as God’s creation, are continually being shaped by both Him and our environment.
AP Microeconomics
AP Microeconomics is a course that provides an introduction to the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the economic system. Topics discussed and examined in-depth will reflect the material included in the AP Microeconomics Course Description from the College Board. The course provides particular emphasis on the function of consumers and producers within the economic system. It also offers analysis of the markets in which consumers and producers interact, as well as non-market economics.
AP Macroeconomics
AP Macroeconomics is a course that provides an introduction to the principles of economics that apply to an economic system as a whole. Topics discussed and examined in-depth will reflect the material included in the AP Macroeconomics Course Description from the College Board. These include an analysis of national income and its components, economic indicators, inflation and unemployment, money and banking, stabilization policies, and the United States and world trade. The course emphasizes the study of national income, price determination, economic performance measures, economic growth, and international economics.