Upper school program guide

United States History 

Responsible citizenship entails a firm understanding of the nation’s past and its basic 

institutions. This eleventh grade course is an in-depth survey of the major political, 

diplomatic, economic, cultural, social, and intellectual trends in American life from the 

fifteenth through the twenty-first centuries. Major themes include: the nature of 

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leadership; the relationship between culture, economics, and politics; the ways in which 

the benefits and responsibilities of society are distributed in different periods and among 

different groups; the development of foreign policy; the use and abuse of force; and the 

blending of many cultures to create a great nation. Materials include a college level 

textbook, music, videos, primary sources, and a variety of Internet resources. 

Organizational and note-taking skills are refined; regular research opportunities present 

practice in computer and library literacy; and written, oral, analytic and synthetic skills 

are honed. (Full year, 1 credit) 

 

AP European History 

In this course, students master the basic chronology and major events and ideas from 

1450 to the present. Significant primary source analysis and extensive supplementary 

secondary articles and excerpts accompany a college text. Frequent analytical essays and 

a number of field trips punctuate lecture and classroom discussion. Themes include 

changes in religious belief and the rise of secularism; political theory and scientific 

advances; the diffusion of knowledge among different social groups; changes in popular 

culture; the impact of global expansion on European culture; the rise of the nation state 

and nationalism; colonialism, imperialism, decolonization, and global interdependence; 

the extension and limitation of rights and liberties; diplomacy and war; urbanization and 

the industrial revolution; changes in family and gender roles; and the major themes of 

literature, music, and the visual arts. Students may take this course with departmental 

approval. (Full year, 1 credit) 

 

AP United States History 

AP United States History is a college-level course that parallels a college seminar and 

gives students the opportunity to earn college credit on the Advanced Placement 

examination. In this class, we will explore the foundations and development of the United 

States through a chronological look at the major themes, peoples, events, ideas, and 

movements in American history.   Much of the supplementary reading will consist of 

primary sources as the ability to understand and analyze these is an integral component of 

the AP course. Students will be exposed to several writing assignments. These writing 

activities will help each student develop their analytical writing at an advanced level.

 

(Full year, 1 credit)

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History – Electives

 

African Studies 

This course introduces students to the fascinating world of Africa, the birthplace of 

humankind. The course covers a variety of aspects of this, the second largest continent, 

including geography, early man, some of the early African kingdoms, such as Nubia, 

Ghana, and Songhay, and the slave trade. Later in the course, students learn about how 

the West came to know about Africa, and how Europeans carved up the continent for 

their own glorification. The course covers the African people’s reaction to all this, and 

looks closely at the mfecane, the “time of troubles.” Finally, students encounter some of 

the conflicts that have wracked Africa, including the Zulu Wars, the Boer War, and 

Africa between the wars, which led directly to African independence and Africa today, a 

continent with massive and tragic problems. Woven throughout the course are glimpses 

of African culture, folklore, art, music, dance, and food. (Semester, .50 credit)

 

Civil Rights, Human Rights, and Civil Liberties 

This course focuses on understanding how the Constitution works to guarantee specific 

rights to United States citizens. Students take a close look at the United States 

Constitution and Bill of Rights to develop a greater understanding of the meaning and 

intent of these documents. Using a case-based method, students debate the controversial 

aspects of these fundamental freedoms. Utilizing many of the major historic Supreme 

Court cases, as well as cases of the post-9/11 world, students acquire a deeper 

comprehension of how the protection of rights fits into the structure of the Constitution 

and how these rights are the basis of what it means to be an American. The course 

thoroughly delves into two civil rights movements unique to the United States, that of 

African and Native Americans. In addition, students have the opportunity to explore a 

civil rights issue of global importance so that they may gain a greater understanding of 

issues facing those living outside the United States. (Semester, .50 credit) 

 

D.C. History 

This course focuses on archival primary source work that allows students to analyze and 

synthesize local history. Students establish partnerships with local archives to facilitate 

access to primary source documents. Projects also include the curation of local online 

history that is not currently available digitally, thus contributing to the larger field of 

historical research. The course allows students to look at history through a myriad of 

cultural lenses, for example the African-American experience in Washington, DC. 

(Semester, .50 credit) 

 

Global Art History 

This course is a study of the human experience as revealed through works of art. Students 

connect art and history by researching events and cultures that have inspired the “stories” 

told via painting, sculpture, architecture, printmaking, ceramics, and photography. 

Students are expected to research, present, and defend point papers, collaborate in 

discussion forums, and prepare a legacy book of artistic contributions within significant 

themes/time frames that become the final project for evaluation. (Semester, .50 credit) 

 

 

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Greek and Roman History and Civilization 

In this course, students learn the history of the ancient Greeks and Romans, gaining 

further insight into the cultures and daily lives of these civilizations through the study of 

their literature in particular and art, where applicable. By learning the history of these 

important civilizations, students are also able to parley this enhanced historical literacy 

into a greater cultural literacy, understanding the lessons of ancient history and drawing 

parallels between the problems and triumphs faced by the Greeks and Romans with those 

encountered by our civilization today. The course is open to all interested students in 

grades 10 and above. No prior knowledge of Latin or Greek is required. This course is 

considered either a history elective or a classics elective. (Semester, .50 credit)

 

 

Greek and Roman Mythology 

In this course, students learn the most important mythological stories of the ancient 

Greeks and Romans with an eye toward discerning the priorities and fears of the 

civilizations that produced them. By learning details of these important myths, students 

are also able to parley this enhanced mythological literacy into a greater cultural literacy, 

appreciating the richness of Western literature and art and recognizing allusions to 

mythology that occur therein. Students are also able to detect universal archetypes and 

patterns across a variety of mythological stories and understand how they recur in myths 

from other cultures and other forms of media. The course is open to all interested students 

in grades 10 and above. No prior knowledge of Latin or Greek is required. This course is 

considered either a history elective or a classics elective. (Semester, .50 credit)

 

 

History in the News 

The course attempts to build on the tenth and eleventh grade experiences in 

Contemporary World History and US History. Students will have acquired not only 

background knowledge of national and world events, but they will also be proficient at a 

number of technology skills such as Internet research strategies. (Semester, .50 credit)

 

 

Middle East Issues 

In this course, students learn about a pivotal region in current affairs and politics. While 

students study historical events and developments in the area since the advent of the 

Ottoman Empire, the course focuses on significant elements and concepts that make the 

region unique, such as its diverse peoples and its noted conflicts. In addition, the course 

emphasizes the interplay of religion, social structure, literature, politics and history, with 

the purpose of creating in the student the ability to recognize these relationships 

whenever events are reported upon in the media. This course is open to juniors and 

seniors. (Semester, .50 credit)

 

 

Russian Studies 

In this course, students learn about the culture and history of Russia, as well as the 

influence of Russia on European and Asian history. The emphasis of this course is on 

Russia in the modern world. Since this course is a general studies course, literature, 

music, society, and culture occupy a central place in the course. This course is offered to 

seniors. (Semester, .50 credit)

 

 

 

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Social Sciences

 

AP Comparative Government 

This course introduces students to fundamental concepts used by political scientists to 

study the processes and outcomes of politics in a variety of country settings.  The course 

aims to illustrate the rich diversity of political life, to show available institutional 

alternatives, to explain differences in processes and policy outcomes, and to 

communicate to students the importance of global political and economic changes.

 

Comparison assists both in identifying problems and in analyzing policy-making. For 

example, we only know that a country has a high population growth rate or serious 

corruption when we compare it to other countries. Careful comparison of political 

systems produces useful knowledge about the institutions and policies countries have 

employed to address problems, or, indeed, what they have done to make things worse. 

We can compare the effectiveness of policy approaches to poverty, or overpopulation by 

examining how different countries solve similar problems. Furthermore, by comparing 

the political institutions and practices of wealthy and poor countries, we can begin to 

understand the political consequences of economic well-being.  Finally, comparison 

assists explanation.  Why are some countries stable democracies and not others? Why do 

many democracies have prime ministers instead of presidents? In addition to covering the 

major concepts that are used to organize and interpret what we know about political 

phenomena and relationships, the course covers specific countries and their governments.

 

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Seven countries form the core of the course: the United States, China, Great Britain, Iran, 

Mexico, Nigeria, and Russia. By using these seven countries, the course moves the 

discussion of concepts from abstract definition to concrete example, noting that not all 

concepts are equally useful in all country settings. The course adds a study of the same 

concepts for the U.S. government to assist students with comparison to something they 

should have some familiarity with after completing U.S. History, which is a prerequisite 

to this course. (Full year, 1 credit)

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AP Macroeconomics 

The purpose of any course in economics is to teach students how to calculate the benefits 

and costs of making tough choices with scarce resources. Macroeconomics uses tools to 

assess the behavior of the economy as a whole. Students learn about  the world created 

when land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurial activity become universally marketable. 

The course covers the following topics: fundamental economic concepts; measurements 

of economic performance; national income and price determination; and international 

economics. Students may take this course with departmental approval. (Full year, 1 

credit)

 

 

AP Microeconomics 

The purpose of this course is to give students a thorough understanding of the principles 

of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers 

and producers, within the economic system. The course places primary emphasis on the 

nature and functions of product markets, and includes the study of factor markets and role 

of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. Students may 

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take this course with departmental approval. (Full year, 1 credit) 

 

AP Psychology 

This course follows the guidelines of the College Board by examining fourteen different 

areas of the discipline of psychology. The class introduces students to the systematic and 

scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. 

The topics covered in the class range from biological psychology and basic statistics to 

abnormal psychology and social psychology. Common themes throughout the course 

include a constant analysis of nature versus nurture and a discussion of how different 

psychologists look at the mind and behavior. All students are expected to take the AP 

Exam in May; throughout the year, students take tests that mimic the format of the exam. 

Students may take this course with departmental approval. Priority placement is given to 

seniors. (Full year, 1 credit) 

 

AP United States Government 

This course is concerned with the nature of the American political system, its 

development over the past two hundred years, and how it works today. It examines the 

principle processes and institutions through which the political system functions, as well 

as the policies that these institutions establish and how they are implemented. This course 

is designed to increase understanding of traditions, values, and framework, as well as to 

understand how its components work together. Students exercise higher order thinking 

skills in their efforts to understand the full range of each issue and, therefore, become 

independent social critics capable of fulfilling their responsibilities as active and 

informed members of a democracy. The skills of critical analysis, visual representation of 

data, thesis-driven writing, and public speaking are all emphasized. Students may take 

this course with departmental approval. (Full year, 1 credit) 

 

Human Development 

This course is designed to provide a developmentally appropriate framework for factual 

content and behavioral strategies to help adolescents navigate the physical, social, and 

emotional aspects of their lives. Students learn the importance of how to keep themselves 

socially, emotionally, and physically healthy. Students learn how to evaluate social 

situations, which include peer pressure, decision-making, and understanding themselves, 

and others, in relationships. Students learn to identify mental health issues within 

themselves and others and are able to apply what they have learned so they can seek help 

in situations regarding mental health. This course is required of all ninth grade students. 

(Quarter, .25 credit)

 

 

Introduction to Economics 

This course consists of an overview of general economic reasoning skills, macro and 

micro topics, and connections to current events. Students also explore topics in personal 

finance such as goal setting, budgets, investing, and taxes. This course is open to juniors 

and seniors. (Semester, .50 credit)

 

 

 

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Psychology 

In this course, students examine patterns and variations of human behavior and the 

process of individual human development. They examine the emotional, intellectual, and 

physical factors that influence the development of human beings. Students distinguish 

among the major schools or perspectives and systems of psychology and methods of 

investigations. Students also look at the mental processes and biological rationale for 

behavior. The course provides students with a hands-on approach in which they become 

active learners in the understanding of psychology. (Semester, .50 credit) 

 

A Social Sciences Approach to Biological Issues 

This course seeks to engage students in a collaborative effort to explore local and global 

biological dilemmas and propose possible solutions. Students work in collaborative teams 

to learn the pertinent biology and social science concepts and principles needed to 

understand and address these issues. The course is considered either a history elective or 

a science elective. (Semester, .50 credit) 

 

World Religions and Ethics 

This course explores the major beliefs of Hinduism,Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, 

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as articulated in the sacred literature of each of these 

religions and as they relate to the world in which we currently live. The primary goal of 

the course is to try to begin to stand in the shoes of one of the followers of each of these 

faith traditions. In addition to primary source material, the course uses both a secondary 

commentary and a series of videos on "The World's Religions," by Huston Smith. The 

course largely follows a seminar format, based on a selection of questions that emerge 

from the readings. Along with traditional quizzes and tests, there are also several papers 

on key, essential questions that are at the heart of the study of most religions. The course 

also includes several visits to museums and different houses of worship. (Semester, .50 

credit) 

 

 

Possible History/Social Science Sequencing Paths

 

Grade 9

 

Grade 10

 

Grade 11

 

Grade 12

 

Modern European History

 

Contemporary World 

History

 

U.S. History

 

Senior Electives

 

Modern European History 

Honors

 

AP European History

 

AP U.S. 

History

 

AP Social Sciences 

courses

 

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Innovation

 

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Computer Science

 

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Introduction to Computer Science

 

This course uses a design-based learning approach utilizing a programming learning 

environment such as Scratch. Students engage in the creation of programs including 

games and interactive media. The course supports students’ development as creative 

computational thinkers and supports the development of personal connections to 

computing, by drawing upon creativity, imagination, and interests. This course 

emphasizes the knowledge and practices young people need to create the types of 

dynamic and interactive computational media they enjoy in their daily lives. (Semester, 

.50 credit)

 

 

Introduction to Robotics 

This course introduces students to the design, programming, and engineering process 

fundamentals necessary for success in a robotics team building environment. The course 

implicitly demonstrates the application of math, science, and technology, and introduces 

students to technological literacy as they develop the following work related 

competencies: project and time management, resource allocation, information accessing, 

systems understanding, team work, and problem solving. This course introduces 

academic concepts in contexts that make sense to students. Students begin to understand 

the digital world in which they live. (Semester, .50 credit)

 

 

Computer Science I 

This course introduces the formal study of computer science and its role in the modern 

world. The course provides students with the skills and knowledge to understand the 

technology they use daily and to extrapolate this knowledge to understand and to use 

emerging technologies. Computer science encompasses more than just programming: it 

builds the basic logical problem solving skills and framework required for understanding 

an increasingly complex and technological world. The variety of activities and topics 

gives each student multiple opportunities to develop an appreciation of computer science. 

A major outcome of this course is to provide students with general knowledge about 

computer hardware, software, languages, networks, and their impact in the modern world. 

Completion of Introduction to Computer Science is a prerequisite to this course, or 

students may take this course with approval of the instructor. Such approval is based on 

students’ having completed a summer computer programming camp or similar 

experience. (Full year, 1 credit)