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Social Studies Department

To meet Vermont Standards and RUHS graduation requirements students must complete a minimum of three credits of Social Studies, one of which must be United States History in grade 11.

Humanities 9: Freshman Exploring the Community (Grade 9) 1 credit English, 1 credit Social Studies
This course combines both English and Social Studies requirements into one team taught program. The program will examine the concept of community, civics, literature, and history and the role of the individual in society. The emphasis in class is on experiential learning through reading, writing, and listening as outlined in the Vermont Framework. Students may earn a college preparatory (CP) designation on their transcript by successfully demonstrating advanced levels of performance on the identified course standards. The course focuses on Vermont Field of Knowledge Standards in Civic Responsibility and on the Vital Results standards.

Humanities 10 (Grade 10) 1 credit English and 1 credit Social Studies
What does it mean to be “human?” Through an integrated study of selected literary works, historical events and social issues, students will explore possible answers to this question. Vermont Field of Knowledge standards include: Investigation and Critical Evaluation; Historical Connections; Meaning of Citizenship; Diversity and Unity; Conflicts and Conflict Resolution; and Identity and Interdependence; Critical Response; Literature and Media; and the Artistic Process. Additional Vital Results standards include: Writing Reports; Writing Dimensions; Writing Conventions; Persuasive Writing; Speaking; Problem Solving; Making Decisions; Human Diversity; and Change. Students may earn a college preparatory (CP) designation on their transcript by successfully demonstrating advanced levels of performance on the identified course standards.

American History Survey ( Grade 11) 2 semesters, 1 CP or 1 General Credit
Students may utilize mock trials, primary sources, film and a variety of artifacts to explore and discuss topics drawn from colonization through the Reagan Administration. Eight Vermont History and Social Science standards, including human rights, conflict, economic systems, and conflict are at the center of this flexible credit offering. Students who leave the course with a B+ average will earn CP credit. That level of achievement can be reached through superlative writing, important independent reading, and very strong overall classroom performance.

SOCIAL STUDIES ELECTIVES

Asian Studies (Grades 11-12) 1/2 credit
This course is an introduction to Asian history and thought. Through the study of such topics as Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Islam, students examine the connections between religion and society, and how each is shaped or influenced by the other. Vermont Framework Field of Knowledge standards addressed include: Investigation and Critical Evaluation; Traditional and Social Histories, Movements and Settlements; Types of Government; Institutional Access; Human Rights; and Diversity and Unity. Vital Results standards addressed include: Writing Dimensions; Writing Conventions; Persuasive Writing; Speaking; Problem Solving; Making Decisions; Human Diversity; and Change.

You and The Law (Grades 11-12) 1/2 credit
Students may use role play activities, discussions, presentations, and response papers to probe the purposes, degrees, and ramifications of law. Vermont standards addressed include critical evaluation, citizenship, and human rights. Prospective students are cautioned that this course carries a significant reading. writing. and research load. Willingness to be an active and informed participant in classroom discussions is absolutely essential.

Psychology (Grade 12) 1/2 credit
Introduction to Psychology will provide the student with an understanding of central issues of psychology and theories of leading psychologists. Students will read the following paperbacks: I’m OK, You’re OK, The Wave, and Dibs in Search of Self, as well as various articles. The course focuses on these Vermont Field of Knowledge standards: Interrelationships and Conflict. The Vital Results addressed are Development, Making Decisions, Relationships and Change.

Sociology (Grade 12) 1/2 credit
Introduction to Sociology will provide the student with an understanding of how individuals and groups function in society. The course will deal with central issues of sociology and theories of leading sociologists. The course focuses on Vermont Field of Knowledge standards related to Causes and Effects in Human Societies, Diversity and Unity, Conflict and Social Theory. The Vital Results stressed are Reasoning and Problem-Solving, Relationships, Human Diversity and Change.

The 1950’s: A Seminar ( Grade12 or by permission of the instructor) 1/2 credit
Designed for students who have completed American History. This course explores the postwar economic boom, U.S. foreign policy, popular American culture, and the Cold War in greater depth. We will examine a selection of art, literature, music, and film from the period. Works by Loren Baritz, Norman Rockwell, Betty Freidan, David Halberestram, Lorraine Hansberry, Studs Terkel, Grace Mettalious, Elvis Presley, and Sloan Wilson may be given particular attention. Site visits to 1950’s landmarks and readings of Howard Frank Mosher’s Northern Borders, will be expected. A number of Vermont Standards, including Historical Connections, Traditional and Social Histories, Movements and Settlements, and the Forces of Unity and Disunity, lay at the center of this offering.

European History Survey (Grades 10-12) 1/2 credit
Students will discover how Byzantium, Feudal Europe, the Renaissance, and Enlightenment shaped our world. Participants explore the thousand year Byzantine empire, and build scale models of cathedrals, and examine the artistic treasures of Florence. The lives of Galileo, Elizabeth I, and Louis XVI will be investigated through mock trials, discussions and role play activities. Vermont Framework Standards including human rights, economic systems, and conflict are interwoven throughout the course. Students unwilling to be active classroom participants will struggle in this elective course. The course may carry a significant amount of reading, writing and research.

Introduction to Economics (Grades 10-12) 1/2 credit
Introduction to Economics will provide you with a basic understanding of the science of economics. You will learn what money is, how the economic system distributes money, and how individuals are affected by the actions of the government, corporations and labor within the economic system of the United States.

The Working Man/Woman: Labor History from 1619-1950 (Grades 11-12) 1/2 credit
A freestanding elective without prerequisite, this survey studies the life of an average worker through three and a half centuries of American and British history. Students examine the moral and economic ramifications of slavery, links between labor and the commodities they produce, and the gradual advancement of workers lives. The Gilded Age servant system, rise of the great cities, and birth of suburbia will be utilized to consider the birth and development of a middle class. Art, technology, law and good film will play heavily in this course. The offering is grounded in the study of social history, human rights, economic systems, and conflict.