Social Studies (Cont.)

Advanced History of the Cold War (0.5 credit, spring only)

Prerequisite: Modern World History, Department Permission Required; Corequisite: Advanced US History, US History

11th, 12th

This one-semester course, taught as a Harkness seminar, seeks to understand how peace prevailed in the face of a war that lasted half a century, with the hope that lessons continue to be learned about how conflicts are resolved rather than how they become violent. How did the USA and USSR -- both of whom possessed nuclear arsenals large enough to destroy the world several times over -- manage to keep their conflict cold? How did this clash of superpowers impact the rest of the globe? How was such a seemingly intractable conflict brought to an end? Or does the Cold War continue to this day? Students will investigate the answers to these questions and more by reading and synthesizing complex primary and secondary sources from a range of perspectives on all sides of this global conflict. This class emphasizes student-led discussion, textual analysis, critical thinking, and writing. Assessments will include a simulation of a Cold War crisis situation, essays, and research projects. This course assumes students enter with strong reading skills as well as familiarity with the research process and Chicago-style citations (or are willing to seek additional support during Office Hours to develop these skills).

Advanced Global Studies: Latin America (0.5 credit, spring only)

Prerequisite: Modern World History, Department Permission Required; Corequisite: Advanced US History, US History

11th, 12th

This course uses a thematic and chronological approach to provide students the opportunity to study the modern history of Latin America. We begin with the struggle for power between the Spanish and their colonial subjects that led to Latin American independence and then dive into the nineteenth and twentieth centuries by focusing on topics like state formation, economic exploitation, liberalism vs conservatism, the role of the Catholic church, slavery and emancipation and the struggle for indigenous rights and identity. With an area as large and diverse as Latin America, the course uses case studies of events and issues that illustrate broader themes in the region. Students get the opportunity to serve as the “expert” for one Latin American nation throughout the semester so they can teach their classmates and apply what they are learning to develop a “big picture” understanding of the historical events that have shaped the unique character of the country. Class discussions are guided in such a way that the history of the region will shed light on the present and therefore enable students to better understand current events and analyze potential problems that might arise in the future. Participation is critical for success and is assessed on a daily basis through short quizzes and graded discussion. There are no traditional tests in the class. Students write analytical essays after each unit and complete a final digital project focused on the country they chose at the beginning of the course. In the Washington, DC area, students can visit the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art, various Embassies, and cultural institutions.

Advanced Macroeconomics (0.5 credit, spring only)

Prerequisite: Modern World History, Department Permission Required; Corequisite: Advanced US History, US History

11th, 12th

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. This course prepares the student to take the AP exam.

Advanced Microeconomics (0.5 credit, fall only)

Prerequisite: Modern World History, Department Permission Required; Corequisite: Advanced US History, US History

11th, 12th

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 competition, and oligopoly work. This course prepares the student to take the AP exam.

Advanced Research Seminar: Digital History (0.5 credit, fall only) not offered 23-24

Prerequisite: Modern World History, Department Permission Required; Corequisite: Advanced US History, US History

11th, 12th

Students learn how to use digital tools to conduct original research and design their own web-based projects. This hands-on course starts with an exploration of the many ways historical sources and narratives are presented using digital platforms and the opportunities and challenges associated with moving away from an “analog” or more traditional approach. There are amazing projects to explore, including podcasts, digital archives and uniquely created data visualizations to name a few categories. Students learn to use a variety of digital tools and the course culminates in the creation of a web-based project that will be a part of our site: ehshistoryproject.org. The final project allows students the opportunity to do a deep dive into a topic in history of particular interest to them. Assessments are project-based and begin with smaller assignments, eventually culminating in the final project that will hopefully be of high enough quality that it can be a part of our public website. Throughout the semester students will hone their presentation skills as an added bonus.

Advanced Research Seminar: EHS, Virginia, DC (0.5 credit, fall only)

Prerequisite: Modern World History, Department Permission Required; Corequisite: Advanced US History, US History

11th, 12th

This seminar course examines four key turning-point eras that are important for understanding the historical “place” of Episcopal High School. As a school founded in 1839, less than ten miles from the White House, the course will start with a deep dive into the Early Republic era and the creation of the District of Columbia (1790-1820). Students will then study the antebellum and Civil War eras (1830-1865) in Virginia and DC, Reconstruction and the early Jim Crow time period (1865-1900) and the era of World War II and the modern civil rights struggle (1940-1970). Throughout the course students will read compelling secondary sources and engage in seminar-style discussions. Students will also conduct original primary source research in online digital archives, the EHS archives and other local repositories. Assessments will consist of graded discussions, end of unit short papers drawing on primary sources and secondary literature, and a culminating digital project focused on a unique aspect of EHS history.

Advanced Research Seminar: World War & European Society (0.5 credit, fall only)

Prerequisite: Modern World History, Department Permission Required; Corequisite: Advanced US History, US History

11th, 12th

This advanced course, taught in the format of a Harkness seminar, traces the history of European diplomacy and society from the eve of World War I to the conclusion of World War II, attempting to understand how and why two massive global conflicts occurred in such a short span of time. Although the conflict was global in nature, the course focuses on the actions of European countries and citizens and how these two wars dramatically changed Europe-