History Grade 8: Policy Sheet

History Grade 8 is a half year course designed to facilitate enrichment to global topics in the mid-Twentieth Century and the emergence into the Twenty-first Century. Background information begins the foundation of the study and expands to the rapid and dramatic changes that took place in the 1900s to 2000. The course deals with these changes focusing on their causes, immediate effects and possible long range consequences which encourage the student in the development of analytical thinking skills. Course content includes the following regions of the world: Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Global policies emerge and lead to discussion of topics such as nuclear proliferation, human rights, and terrorism. World business, trade and corporate enterprise are covered along with technology and advances in sciences. Maps, graphs, charts, and cartoons enhance skill development and data interpretation.

     Ancient and Medieval History: Policy Sheet

Ancient and Medieval History is a survey course of ancient and medieval history, tracing humanity's progress from primitive life in the Stone Age up to the Enlightenment and the American Revolution. It begins with the Stone Age and moves through the ancient Near East, ancient Rome, ancient Greece, native America, the Middle Ages, the Muslim world, the Renaissance, and ends with the Age of Exploration. It is designed to teach not only the events that have shaped our world but also to portray the value of history and how it can help students appreciate their heritage.

     Modern European History: Policy Sheet

Modern European History is a full year, elective course offered to students in either the sophomore, junior, or senior years. This survey course picks up where Ancient and Medieval History leaves off. It begins with the era of the Enlightenment in Europe and continues through the events in Europe and the world to the present day. Each quarter, a novel will be read that corresponds to the time period under study, and students will produce a research paper to help develop documentation skills as well as written expression of facts. Novels include A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, Animal Farm by George Orwell, All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque and Hiroshima by John Hersey.

     Civics - 20th Century History: Policy Sheet

Civics - 20th Century History is a half year, elective course offered to students in either the junior or senior years. It is designed to teach the basic principles behind government and the citizens' role in government. In the hopes of ensuring a government "by the people," students will study the three branches of the federal government as well as the institutions of state and local government. Classroom participation and writing skills are emphasized throughout the course. Students work on critical thinking activities and also examine various issues that surfaced in our nations past. Each quarter students will develop through essay form successful written expression in the format established by the English Department.

     US History: Policy Sheet

US History is a full year, required course usually taken in the sophomore year. Massachusetts law requires all students to pass US History in order to graduate from high school. This is a survey course designed to enable students to become better acquainted with the history of the United States, to better understand the present and to play a part in the nations future as responsible citizens. Students will produce written essays and a research paper to help develop documentation skills as well as written expression of facts.

     AP US History:

AP US History is a challenging full-year course presented as a freshmen college course and can earn students college credit. It is an elective course offered in either the junior or senior years. In order to take this course, students must have successfully completed two years of social studies at the high school level. The student will submit a previously graded paper and take a free-response essay sample that incorporates supplied documents and the students' prior knowledge of the time period. Acceptance is based on successful completion of the summer assignment and first test, however, the student may select to stay or change to the regular US History course.

This course is taught on the college level using a college textbook and is divided into six units. The emphasis is on providing the students with the factual knowledge and the analytical skills necessary to deal critically and conceptually with the problems and issues presented in US History. Primary and secondary readings are used to supplement the textbook. Heavy amounts of reading are assigned, and strong essay writing skills are necessary. These skills address the ability of the student to deal successfully with the historical scholarship level of materials. At the conclusion of this course, students should be prepared to take the national AP US History exam. Colleges and Universities award college credit for a passing score on the exam.

The first four chapters, covering the exploration and discovery era, are assigned over the summer. One submission of work is mailed to the teacher at the end of July, and the second set is mailed at the end of August. There are twelve discussion days in September, followed by a 100 objective-question test on the four chapters.