Computer Science

Students will use case studies from contemporary politics, including the evolution of the Democratic and Republican parties in the 21st century and the roles that interest groups have played in shaping party agendas. The course will also examine recent innovations, such as rankedchoice voting, to increase third-party participation in the electoral process. The course will culminate in students developing and executing a “lobbying day” meeting with a local elected official on an issue of concern to them.

Immigrants in American History and Life (Grade 12) Long considered a “nation of immigrants” and a “melting pot,” there is no denying that America is a country that was birthed, built, and molded by immigrants. But the story of immigration to America is complex, complicated, and multifaceted. This course traces the history of immigration and the meaning of citizenship from America’s very beginnings to the present day. In this course, students will investigate the many issues, events, and controversies surrounding the history of American immigration: questions of inclusion and exclusion, settlement patterns, issues of race, gender, and ethnicity, and the evolution of federal immigration policy. As we move chronologically through time, students will be pushed to critically analyze, question, and critique commonly held narratives surrounding immigration by examining a wide variety of primary and secondary sources to substantiate their interpretations. This course will place particular emphasis on exploring lived immigrant experiences throughout American history. Throughout the semester, students will conduct independent research, engage in mock debates on immigration issues, and apply historical context and perspective to current events surrounding Immigration.

History of New York City (Grade 12) An exploration of the forces and people who have shaped the history of our city, from the Lenape people who traded on the island of Mannahatta, through the Dutch and English colonists who seized and reshaped it, to the 8.4 million people who call it home today. Homework assignments will primarily consist of reading from the assigned text, supplemental articles, and primary sources. Assessments will include graded discussions, historical essays, and review essays.

Human Rights in the Modern World (Grade 12) Although the language of human rights is near universal in our world today, this was not always the case. Ideas about human rights have gained power and prominence over time as a result of political, economic, intellectual, and social developments throughout the past three centuries. In addition, the concept of “human rights” has been the source of much debate and controversy throughout history. In this course, students will investigate the origin and evolution of ideas about human rights from their first emergence during the Enlightenment to our world today. Students will have the opportunity to research specific case studies to explore the ways in which countries have historically dealt with the inherent tension between promoting human rights and achieving other policy priorities including national security, economic growth, and geopolitical goals. In one unit, we will look specifically at the track record of the United States when it comes to promoting human rights in the world to better understand the U.S.’s complicated relationship with global humanitarian issues. By studying human rights through a global lens, students will analyze the interconnectedness of ideas about human rights across national borders and engage in thoughtful comparisons between different parts of the globe. Students will also have ample opportunities to trace and analyze the historical roots of present-day human rights issues.

The Global 1930s (Grade 12) This course examines the tumultuous decade of the 1930s, when societies around the world faced interlocking economic, political, and social crises. We’ll look at global responses to the Great Depression; the rise of competing political ideologies including fascism and communism; and accelerating social opposition to colonial rule in societies in Africa and Asia. Using political writings, literature, film, visual art, and music as our primary sources, we’ll explore how people experienced and made sense of a time recognized worldwide as one of “crisis.”

HISTORY/SOCIAL SCIENCE EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Mock Trial

The mock trial program is a competition that has two purposes. The first is to teach high school students basic trial practice skills. Students learn the dynamics of a courtroom, how to conduct direct and cross-examinations, how to present opening and closing statements and how to think on their feet. Students will also learn to analyze legal issues and apply the law to the facts of the case. The second, and most important, purpose of the compe-