Social Studies courses at Episcopal High School introduce students to the origins and workings of the society for which EHS is preparing them. The department embraces a core curriculum in history based on three fundamental courses: World History 1 (freshman year), World History 2 (sophomore year), and United States History (junior year). All three courses offer a synthetic account of the human experience. The two World History courses utilize a multicultural and interdisciplinary approach, augmented by the regular use of tours, symposia, and other resources in the Washington DC metropolitan area.
Courses
Faculty
- J. Michael Miller, Ph.D. and M.A., Chair
- Leavenworth M. Ferrell II, M.B.A.
- Rachael A. Flores
- Peter P. Goodnow, M.A.
- F. Robertson Hershey, M.Ed.
- Tyler J. Hodges, M.Ed. and M.A.
- Heidi R. Huntley, M.Ed.
- Elizabeth Watts Metcalf ’00
- David M. Phillips, Jr., M.B.A.
- Michael S. Reynolds, M.A.
- Aleta Richards, Ph.D. and M.S.W.
- Robert C. Watts III, M.Ed. and M.A.
World History 1
This course surveys world history from the origins of human civilization until approximately 1750, to introduce students to the content of world history and geography before 1750, and to develop competency in skills necessary for studies in the social studies (reading for content, using computer technology, speaking in front of a class, writing effectively, and working cooperatively). The course uses the art and cultural resources of Washington DC. (one credit)
World History 2
This course explores topics in world history from 1750 to the present and includes topics in the history of Europe, Russia, Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, India, China, and Japan. The course encourages students to examine patterns and progressions in world political, economic, and cultural history. For each region the course investigates, focus is on several common themes, including: imperialism, international trade, government systems, religion, philosophy, art, and culture. (one credit)
AP Modern European History
The class surveys European history from the late Middle Ages until 1990, and follows the College Board's course outline. The major purposes of the course are to introduce students to the content of modern European history and geography and refine skills developed in World History 1. Students must have strong reading and writing skills. The course relies heavily upon our proximity to the cultural resources of Washington DC for art and cultural history. By department permission. (one credit)
United States History
The goal of this two-semester, required course in the Social Studies Department is for the students to learn the major themes found in the development of the United States over a period of approximately four hundred years while enhancing their individual skills of reading, writing, researching, articulating, presenting, debating, and thinking critically.
AP United States History
This course may be taken to satisfy the U.S. History requirement with departmental permission. This is an introduction and overview to familiarize students with the basic skills, concepts, and content goals for Advanced Placement United States History. This course is designed to build an understanding of the various significant aspects of American social and cultural development, political institutions, diplomacy, and economics from the pre-Columbian era through to the present. Working within that conceptual framework, we will focus upon teaching and reinforcing critical and analytical reading, writing, communicating, and thinking skills. These skills are vital for the students’ intellectual development from mere concrete-operational thinking to more advanced critical and analytical modes of thought and expression. A significant focus of this course will be the preparation for the Advanced Placement examination in U.S. history.
AP Human Geography
The course focuses on human experience on earth by the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding and use and alteration of the Earth's surface. Students use spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. Topics include population, cultural patterns, political organization of space, agricultural/rural land use, industrialization and economic development, and cities and urban land use. By department permission. (one credit)
Honors Government
This honors seminar examines key events in U.S. government and politics in the context of producing a journal for public consumption. Students will engage in individual and group research projects and critique recently published books. They will also interact with Washington through public opinion sampling and interviews with involved officials. While this is a selective course for our best students, it does not prepare students for the Government AP exams. By department permission. (one credit)
AP Macroeconomics
This course begins with the role of the individual firm and consumer in the market and basic principles of the role of government as a regulator, producer, and consumer. Special attention is paid to how the government can stimulate economic growth while keeping inflation and unemployment at low levels. The course concludes with a brief study of the world economy and the balance-of-payments situation and study of economic growth in developed and developing countries. By department permission. (one-half credit)
AP Microeconomics
The course begins with the role of the individual firm and the consumer in the market and the basic principles of trade, supply, and demand. The role of price elasticity on equilibrium and revenues and the role of market failures such as externalities and public goods are also studied. The core of the course is the theory of the firm. Students learn how models of pure competition, monopoly, monopolistic completion, and oligopoly work. By department permission. (one-half credit)
Finding Hope in Africa
When we see images of Africa on TV, we typically see sick children, warfare, and exotic animals. While all of these scenarios do exist in Africa, in this course you will gain a better understanding of why problems exist and what is being done to combat them. This course will concentrate on the time period from colonialism to the present and will focus on both the short- and long-term impact that colonialism had on Africa. Students will learn about Africa through the analysis of specific countries (Zimbabwe, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, and the Congo) in order to discover the issues unique to the individual country, while also making connections between the similar problems that face different nations. (one-half credit)
Introduction to Economics
This course presents the major concepts, institutions, and issues of the modern market system, with a primary focus on the economy of the U.S. At first, the course examines the basic microeconomic concepts, focusing on demand, supply, and price as the foundation of all economic decision making, then progresses to more complex issues of macroeconomics and concludes with an examination of the role of the U.S. in the world economy. (one-half credit)
Introduction to Psychology
This course is a one-semester review of the field of psychology, which reviews the relationship between neuroscience and behavior, as well as sensation, perception, consciousness, learning, and motivation. The course focuses on developmental psychology, stressing the importance of understanding the physical, cognitive, and emotional dimensions of human development. After the study of human development theories, students receive an introduction to mental disorders and treatment modalities.(one-half credit)
Regional History: The South
One aspect of the American identity is imagining ourselves as belonging to some smaller region of the U.S. This course will examine the myths and realities of the American South through historical monographs, literature, and films. (one-half credit)
Introduction to Sociology
Sociology is the study of how our membership in certain groups influences our development. Introduction to Sociology offers students a global perspective on how race, class, gender, age, sexual orientation, and other variables influence their lives. It provides an in-depth understanding of the experience of being different and the impact of social events on individual development. In addition, the course explores the causes of social problems and multiple theories for implementing social change.
Turning Points of American History: Cold War
This course explores political, diplomatic, intellectual, economic, and social history during the Cold War (1945–91). Students will use various research sources to analyze and discuss a wide range of topics concerning American society. Additionally, projects will allow students to explore topics of their own interest. (one-half credit)
Turning Points: 1929–1945
This course examines the Great Depression, World War II, and the origins of the Cold War in order to analyze how they interacted to create the atmosphere in which the United States became a global power. Students study and discuss America's changing perceptions of itself and its shifting position in the global dynamic during the early Cold War years. Students will develop both a broad view of the time period and appreciation of subtler details associated with main events, individuals, and themes. (one-half credit)
Energy and Society
This one-semester elective course will examine the geographic, scientific, economic, environmental, and political issues surrounding the generation and consumption of energy, both nationally and globally, through power plants and automobiles. Current energy policy will be evaluated especially with respect to the environment and the economy, and students will be empowered with tools to participate in the solution. Media, outside experts, and up-to-date resources will guide the work in this class, culminating with a major, real-world, hands-on project. (one-half credit)
Understanding Modern China
This is a one-semester course introducing the student to contemporary China and Chinese culture. This course begins with the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911 and deals with the cultural, social, and political changes that have shaped China into what it is today. Students will learn about the crucial events that have helped form modern China, and about the people who were instrumental in these changes. This is a seminar-style course, so students will be expected to be actively involved in all aspects of study. The goal of this interdisciplinary course is to give students the basic tools they need for future business or political interactions with China and people from the Chinese culture. Video materials such as documentaries and movies are used in class. (one-half credit)