Social Studies
TEACHERS:
Matthew Poytinger
Roxane Mayeur
Matthew Carrell
History of Ideas: Ancient Cultures - This is a course that focuses on the formation of the concepts of time, human interdependence, culture and the desire to create personal history. This course will require a lot of reading, research, thinking, discussion and creativity.
Looking for an Argument? - An educated person knows how to win an argument without raising their voice (or anything else). Debate, critical thinking, and evidence-based logic are skills that come with training and practice. Two teachers take opposing viewpoints on weekly topics and referee heated discussions with students on relevant issues such as, Should students be forced to go to school? Should citizens be allowed to carry firearms? Should MPS safety have handcuffs? Are people equal in America? Community leaders and media visit the classroom to argue with students and staff. Emphasis (and grade) is on listening, note-taking, civil discussion, highlighting, using evidence, learning both sides of the argument, timed essay writing, and critique.
World Geography - This course is a study of people, places and environment from a physical and cultural perspective. Through a variety of classroom activities, students will gain an appreciation and understanding of the interdependent world in which they live. Students will analyze and evaluate the connection between their local and global communities. The course will emphasize the practical and responsible application of geography to life situations
American Government/Citizenship - American Citizenship will focus on the basic concepts and principles of the American political system. It covers the structure and function of the American system of government, the roles and responsibilities of citizen participation in the political process, and the relationship of the individual to the law and legal system.
United States History I - This course discusses major political, economic, and social changes in the United States from the time of European exploration up to the Civil War. Students will have the opprotunity to discover history for themselves using inquiry based teaching techniques. This allows students to interpret the facts of an event and construct meaning for themselves. The course will cover major events such as European exploration, American Revolution, and the Civil War.
Teen Global Identity - This is a course that focuses on how identity is developed around the world. We will compare and contrast personal issues such as gender roles, religion and spirituality, the arts and the development of traditions from the perspective of teens. This course will require a lot of reading, research, thinking, discussion and creativity. We will discuss controversial topics demanding an open-minded and respectful atmosphere.