|
The Social Sciences Department endeavors to nurture student curiosity about the past and present so as to lead them to make informed and creative decisions in a diverse and changing world. Through questioning, research, analysis, and communication of ideas we help students understand and engage in a lifelong exploration of the human condition.
World History
Grade: 10
Prerequisite: None
Credit: Requirement/1.0
Length: 1 Year
World History emphasizes the developments, contributions, and diffusion of early Middle Eastern, African, and Asian civilizations. In the second part of the course, attention will be given to early European history (Greek, Roman, and Medieval). These topics will be studied from the perspective of history, geography, economics, politics, and culture. Primary and secondary documents are used.
Teacher's Website -- Tormala
Honors World History
Grade: 10
Prerequisite: Application and acceptance by the Department based on Social Science Honors Criteria
Credit: Selective/1.0
Length: 1 Year
Honors World History examines the same content as World History but in greater depth. Students are expected to read extensively, think critically, and write effectively. A formal research paper is assigned.
US History
Grade: 11
Prerequisite: None
Credit: Requirement/1.0
Length: 1 Year
Students in US History conduct a chronological investigation of the past 150 years of the American story beginning with developments prior to the Civil War and ending with trends in the twentieth century. Specific attention is given to integrating varied cultural perspectives. The role of women in American history is examined.
AP US History
Grade: 11
Prerequisite: Application and acceptance by the Department based on Social Science Honors Criteria
Credit: Selective/1.0
Length: 1 Year
Advanced Placement US History is a chronological survey of American developments including, during the first semester, a brief study of the colonial and revolutionary periods and an in-depth study of the federalist era, Jeffersonian and Jacksonian democracy, nineteenth-century territorial expansion, the Civil War, and reconstruction. During the second semester, students investigate the emergence of the United States as a world power, the conflicts of twentieth-century militarism, and the trends of the modern-era politics. Students will be expected to work independently. Significant outside reading is required. The course further develops critical and analytic thinking and writing. Additionally, the course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Exam in US History.
Honors Modern European History - PSU Challenge
Grade: 12
Prerequisite: Application and acceptance by the Department based on Social Science Honors Criteria
Credit: Selective/1.0
Length: 1 Year
Portland State University's Challenge Modern European History is an intellectual history class that begins with the Scientific Revolution of the 1600s. Emphasis is placed upon the evaluation of pivotal works by authors/thinkers in the Western Tradition such as Mary Shelley, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Karl Marx, Charles Darwin, Sigmund Freud and Virginia Woolf. Themes such as the role of history in the exploration of human identity, capacities and limits of humans, interplay of faith and reason, and the relationship of the individual to society are emphasized. Students read extensively from primary sources such as traditional Western intellectual texts and novels, as well as from sources that include works by authors who present various cultural perspectives. Critical thinking and strong writing and communication skills are stressed. Several short papers, and one long research paper are required. Through the PSU Challenge Program, St. Mary's students earn four college credits from PSU. The university assesses an additional fee.
Modern European History (Teacher's Website -- Brigham) (Teacher's Website-- Vannelli)
Grade: 12
Prerequisite: World History & US History
Credit: Requirement/1.0
Length: 1 Year
Modern European History begins with European Renaissance during the 1400s and leads to the Protestant Reformation with a focus on Italy, Germany, England, France and Spain. European expansion during the 15th through 18th century is also examined where emphasis and evaluation is placed upon native experiences as well as European ones. This history course emphasizes historical themes as well as a chronological study covering the Scientific Revolution, European Enlightenment, French Revolution, Romantic Movement, and Industrial Revolution. While European history is emphasized, European experiences are compared and contrasted to other peoples’ development. For example, while Europe was experiencing nation building, what was happening in other world areas? Attention is directed to world conditions that led to the wars of the twentieth century including the First and Second World Wars, and the emergence of third-world nations. Students will also examine pertinent international topics. Historical essays will be required as well as several history projects.
American Government
Grade: 11,12
Prerequisite: None
Credit: Requirement/.05
Length: 1 Semester
American Government examines the formal institutions of government, especially the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. Additionally, the course emphasizes the process of government. Students consider why the government initiates policies or responds to political situations in a particular way. Students will not only develop an understanding of the subject, but they acquire the skills of note taking, analyzing, and interpreting.
AP US Government & Politics
Grade: 11,12
Prerequisite: Application and acceptance by the Department based on Social Science Honors Criteria
Credit: Selective/0.5
Length: 1 Semester
This Advanced Placement class provides students with an analytic perspective on government and politics in the United States. The course includes studying general facts and concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and analyzing specific examples. Students are guided to use this specific information critically to evaluate general propositions about government and politics and examine political relationships. Students are required to interpret and utilize basic data relevant to government and politics in written and/or oral arguments. Some topics covered include the following: the Constitution, Political Beliefs and Behaviors, Political Parties, Interest Groups and Mass Media, Branches of Government, and Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. This course prepares students to take the Advanced Placement Exam in U.S. Government and Politics and fulfills the 0.5 graduation requirement in Social Science.
Introduction to Economics
Grade: 11,12
Prerequisite: World History
Credit: Selective/0.5
Length: 1 Semester
Introduction to Economics is an exploration of the fundamentals of economics including these topics: basic economic problems faced by consumers in American society, how businesses make economic decisions, the ways people invest money to save for the future, and how economic policy affects the individual, the state, the nation, and the world.
Criteria for Acceptance into Honors World History 10
- Must earn and maintain at least an A- in freshman English and Religion
- Must have an English teacher recommendation
- Must have successfully completed a proctored 250-350 word essay
- Score in the "qualified" to "extremely well-qualified" range of categories in the overall history acceptance rubric
Criteria for acceptance into Advanced Placement U.S. History 11 and PSU Challenge-Modern European History
- Successful completion of a proctored 250-350 word essay
- The recommendation of their current history teacher
- A minimum B average in current history class
- Score in the "qualified" to "extremely well-qualified" range of categories in the overall History acceptance rubric
Donald Housley, Department Chair
- BA History, Portland State University
- MST Social Studies, Portland State University
- Teaches AP US Government, AP US History, Economics and American Government
Jennifer Brigham (Teacher's Website -- Modern European History)
- BA Spanish, St. Louis University
- BA History, St. Louis University
- MA Latin American Studies, University of Chicago
- MA History, University of Chicago
- Teaches Spanish and Modern European History
Julie Goebel
- BA American Studies, Oregon State University
- M.Ed Curriculum & Instruction, Texas A & M University
- Teaches U.S. History and American Government
Joan Nyland
- St. Mary's Academy Alumna
- BA History, University of Oregon
- MA Education, University of Michigan
- Teaches World History and Honors World History
- Close Up adviser
Alyssa Tormala (Teacher's Website -- World History)
- BA English & Journalism, University of Utah
- JD, Stanford University
- Mock Trial Advisor
- Teaches World History
Matthew Vannelli (Teacher's Website- Modern European History)
(Teacher's Website - Honors Modern European History- PSU Challenge)
- BA Environmental Studies, Ecological Anthropology, Binghamton University
- MAT Secondary Education, Binghamton University
- Teaches Modern European History and PSU Challenge History
Faculty and staff may be contacted by phone at (503) 228-8306 or by e-mail: webmaster@stmaryspdx.org. Address subject line to the specific teacher.
|
