Social Studies

Social Studies

As a knowledgeable and ethically grounded citizen, the Marist graduate will demonstrate sound social decision making by utilizing the values, principles, and moral tradition of Marist School. The social studies student will respect and have information about diverse socioeconomic, political and cultural systems. Additionally, the graduate will demonstrate personal responsibility and self-discipline by making informed and morally based decisions. Through the critical assessment of information and mastery of higher thinking skills, the graduate will understand and appreciate the complexity of an interdependent global community. Finally, the graduate will possess the skills and values necessary for lifelong social awareness and political participation.

Courses

List of 19 items.

  • Geography (SS101: Grade 7)

    This two-term course examines the spatial relationship between people and places on the earth as an introduction to social studies. The course focuses on maps, landscapes, climates, vegetation, population, culture, and resource use in an examination of world regions.
  • Ancient Civilizations (SS201: Grade 8)

    This one-term course is an introduction to the study of history. In this course, students will have an opportunity to practice and demonstrate the essential social studies skills necessary for upper-level history courses. Students will utilize these methods through the study of the earliest beginnings of civilization, Ancient Egypt, the Fertile Crescent, Ancient India, and Ancient China.
  • World History (SS301: Grade 9)

    This three-term survey course examines the political, social, religious, economic, and cultural development of humanity. Major topics include the rise and contributions of classical and medieval societies, the Renaissance and Reformation, the rise of nation-states, the Age of Exploration, the Age of Revolution and Reaction, the Industrial Revolution, the Age of Imperialism, the World Wars, the emergence of independent nations in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, and the growing sense of global interdependence.
  • AP World History (SS941: Grades 9-12)

    This three-term course is designed to provide a college-level experience. The purpose of this course is to develop a greater understanding of the development of human societies in each major region of the world over the course of four different time periods between 1200 and the present. As the world becomes more globally interdependent and as developing nations play an ever-larger role in international affairs, students need the broader understanding of the world at large provided by this course. The Advanced Placement (AP) Examination is required in May (fee to be announced annually).

    Permission of the instructor is required.

    This course fulfills the World History graduation requirement.
  • United States History (SS401: Grade 10)

    This three-term survey course is an examination of United States history from pre-Columbian North America to the present. Particular emphasis is given to colonial society, the revolutionary era, the writing of the Constitution, the Federalist era, the formation of political parties, nationalism, and Jacksonian democracy. A close examination is given to the issue of slavery, the Civil War and Reconstruction, industrialism, urbanization, Imperialism, political and social reform movements, economic challenges, America at war, the Cold War, and America of the twenty-first century.
  • Honors American Experiment (SS404: Grade 10)

    This 10th grade interdisciplinary course is an American Studies Honors course, bridging the distinct but complementary subjects of American History and American Literature. While fulfilling the United States History and American Literature requirements for graduation, the course will involve complex cultural analysis, historical interpretation, and writing. This course is taught in two back-to-back periods, co-teaching.

    The course will focus on a variety of texts, including, but not limited to, primary historical documents, art, literature, music, and film. Students will be taught the materials in their proper historical context as lessons of history go side by side with the period appropriate literature. In other words, these texts do not simply respond to the world around them, but actively shape America. We also will consider literary theory and criticisms as tools for understanding and interpreting literature, rhetoric, and poetry, including musical, illustrative, art, and film criticism. To recognize the formation of American culture, we will read texts and learn history and historiography that exemplify the nation’s cultural, racial, gender, religious, and class diversity, and political, economic, and social past.

    Along with our interdisciplinary studies, students will get the full gamut of both United States History, American literature, writing, and grammar. They will develop portfolio analytical and critical writings, research papers, and creative presentations with active participation. Historical understanding will be tested with regular quizzes and vocabulary knowledge will be taught via Membean.

    Prerequisite: Permission of the instructors. Students must submit an application and writing sample. This course fulfills the 10th grade US History graduation requirement.
  • AP European History (SS901: Grades 10-12)

    This three-term course is designed to provide a college-level experience with an emphasis on developing critical thinking skills, interpreting documents, mastering quantitative historical techniques, and writing historical essays. Topics include the Renaissance, the Reformation, the religious wars of the 16th and 17th centuries, the establishment of Western European leadership, the struggle for wealth and empire, the social, scientific, and intellectual revolutions, and the development of nationalism, the world wars, and the changes of the European order after the Cold War. The Advanced Placement (AP) Examination is required in May (fee to be announced annually).

    Prerequisite: World History (SS301). Permission of the instructor is required. Having taken AP World History (SS941) or AP United States History (SS911) is recommended.
  • United States Government (SS501: Grades 11*-12)

    This one-term course is a survey of the structure and organization of the government of the United States. Focus is on the institutions of government, citizen participation, and policy development. Research is required.

    *11th grade students with permission of the instructor.
  • Economics (SS502: Grades 11*-12)

    This one-term course is an introduction to economic principles of both microeconomics and macroeconomics. Emphasis in microeconomics is placed upon marginal analysis in a variety of contexts and market structures; in macroeconomics, students focus on the composition and fluctuation of major economic indicators and their connection to the household, business, government, and international sectors of the economy. Research is required.

    *11th grade students with permission of the instructor.
     
  • AP United States History (SS911: Grades 10-12)

    This three-term course is designed to provide a college-level experience. An emphasis is placed on interpreting documents, mastering quantitative historical techniques, and writing historical essays. Topics include life and thought in colonial America, revolutionary ideology, constitutional development, Jeffersonian and Jacksonian democracy, abolitionism, and Manifest Destiny. Other topics include the Civil War and Reconstruction, industrialism, populism, progressivism, World War I, the Jazz Age, the Great Depression, the New Deal, World War II, and postwar problems. Research work is required. The Advanced Placement (AP) Examination is required in May (fee to be announced annually).

    This course fulfills the United States History graduation requirement.

    Prerequisites: It is recommended that students complete Advanced Placement World History or Advanced Placement European History before taking this course. Permission of the instructor is required.
  • AP United States Government and Politics (SS921: Grades 11-12)

    This two-term course is designed to provide a college-level experience. An emphasis is placed on interpreting documents and statistics, analysis of political theory, and writing analytical essays. The topics that will be covered include foundations of American democracy, interactions among branches of government, civil liberties and civil rights, American political ideologies and beliefs, and political participation. The Advanced Placement Examination is required in May (fee to be announced annually).

    This course fulfills the United States Government graduation requirement.

    Prerequisite: United States History (SS401). Permission of the instructor is required. It is recommended that students complete an Advanced Placement course in Social Studies before taking this course.
  • AP Macroeconomics (SS931: Grades 11-12)

    This two-term course is designed to reflect a college-level introductory course in macroeconomics. In addition to the fundamental concepts of scarcity, price determination, and opportunity cost, the course places emphasis on the study of national income, economic performance measures and international economics. Application of economic theory within the context of government stabilization policy lends relevancy to the topics explored throughout the course. The Advanced Placement (AP) Examination are required in May (fee to be announced annually).

    Prerequisite: Approval of instructor. This course fulfills the Economics graduation requirement.
  • AP Microeconomics (SS932: Grade 12)

    This two-term course is designed to reflect a college-level introductory course in microeconomics. In addition to the fundamental concepts of scarcity, price determination, and opportunity cost, the course analyzes variations in market structure and the resulting differences in firm behavior. Analysis of factor markets and the potential for market failure provide exposure to alternate uses of fundamental economic tools as well as discussion of the government’s role in a market economy. The Advanced Placement (AP) Examination are required in May (fee to be announced annually).

    Prerequisite: Economics (SS502) or AP Macroeconomics; approval of instructor. This course fulfills the Economics graduation requirement.
  • African Development: Colonization-Modernity (SS460: Grades 10-12)

    This one-term course is offered to students who have completed World History. This course will examine precolonial African history, colonization, and Africa’s transition to modern times. We will investigate the rise of African empires, their interaction with Europe, survival under colonization, and struggle for freedom. This course will also explore challenges the African continent faces in their transition to modernity. Themes of study include: justifications and strategies for colonization, the power dynamics between the colonizer and the colonized, the struggle for freedom, and the balance between tradition and modernity.

    Prerequisite: World History (SS301) or AP World History (SS941).
  • Contemporary U.S. and the Developing World (SS551: Grade 11)

    This three-term course will focus on the political, economic, and the social/cultural factors that shape our world. This course will explore current issues confronting both the United States and the developing world and promote an understanding and appreciation for the complexity of an interdependent global community. Students will learn and utilize research, writing, and rhetorical skills in an examination of pertinent primary and secondary sources.
  • History and the Holocaust (SS543: Grades 10-12)

    This one-term course traces the evolution of the Holocaust from Hitler’s rise to power until the end of World War II. It examines the geography of the Holocaust, Jewish responses to persecution, international responses, and the aftermath and recovery of Jews in Europe after 1945. The legacy of the Holocaust is analyzed in light of other 20th century incidents of genocide and the modern world’s responses to them.
  • Civil Rights History and Theology in the U.S. (SS470: Grades 11-12)

    Students will study the history of Civil Rights in the United States, with special emphasis on the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, as well as the sources of civil and voting rights in philosophy and religious tradition, including Catholic social teaching. The course will explore the relationship between Civil Rights and the African-American experience, as well as women’s rights, Native American rights, and other minority rights and interests in the context of United States history and “lived” historical events.

    This course can fulfill a Social Studies elective graduation requirement or fulfill a Theology elective graduation requirement for non-Catholic seniors only.
  • Introduction to Latin American Studies (SS545: Grades 10-12)

    This one-term course is a comprehensive study of major events, developments, and themes in Latin America. Specifically, it examines the political, economic, and social history of the region from the colonial period to the present and the interests and involvement of the U.S. It also exposes students to the role of Hispanics/Latinos in the U.S., who now comprise the largest minority in the country.
  • Social Studies Seminar: Civil War (SS550: Grades 11-12)

    In this one-term course, students will be steeped in history, using a non-survey approach, that focuses on the American Civil War. Students will learn through the guidance of one teacher and from a variety of visiting co-teachers/lecturers on topics ranging all of Social Studies: history, economics, political science, literature, and religion as related to the Civil War. Students will conduct research and produce a 10-page research document.

    Prerequisites/co-requisites: AP United States History (SS911), AP European History (SS901), or AP United States Government and Politics (SS921).

Social Studies Department

List of 13 members.

  • Photo of Matthew Romano

    Mr. Matthew Romano 95

    Social Studies Department Chair
  • Photo of John Bauersfeld

    Mr. John Bauersfeld 

    Teacher
  • Photo of Armand Bodrug

    Mr. Armand Bodrug 

    Teacher
  • Photo of Jose  Gregory

    Mr. Jose  Gregory 

    Teacher
  • Photo of Troy  Hall

    Mr. Troy  Hall 

    Teacher
  • Photo of Nicolas Hoffmann

    Dr. Nicolas Hoffmann 03

    Teacher
  • Photo of Brittany Loudermilk

    Ms. Brittany Loudermilk 07

    Teacher
  • Photo of Kevin Moore

    Mr. Kevin Moore 04

    Teacher
  • Photo of Brendan Murphy

    Mr. Brendan Murphy 

    Teacher
  • Photo of David Negus

    Mr. David Negus 84

    Teacher
  • Photo of Abigail Schirmer

    Ms.  Abigail Schirmer 

    Teacher
  • Photo of Kerri Stinger-Herbert

    Ms. Kerri Stinger-Herbert 00

    Teacher
  • Photo of Mike Strickland

    Mr. Mike Strickland 

    Teacher

Marist School

3790 Ashford Dunwoody Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30319-1899
(770) 457-7201
An Independent Catholic School of the Marist Fathers and Brothers