History & Social Sciences
T he History and Social Sciences curriculum at The Storm King School prepares students to be informed, perceptive, and engaged citizens of their communities and the world. In all courses, students increase their knowledge about the many peoples, cultures, and events that have shaped human history.
Students are exposed to the moral and ethical issues that have faced other people in other times, in studying the struggles and triumphs that have marked human history, and in understanding the purposes that have divided people as well as those that have united them.
Classes Offered
Middle School History explores physical and human geography around the world. The course is divided into two sections. In the first, we examine general principles of geography, including weather and climate, natural resources, and the dynamics of population. In the second section, we explore the geography of specific regions across the globe. We will focus on human-environmental interaction, challenging our students to reflect on some of the current, real-life crises in each region and develop sustainable solutions. Our course also examines the geography and history of our local region, the New York Hudson Highlands. Throughout the course, students are introduced to key social studies skills, such as map and chart analysis, data presentation and interpretation, and critical thinking.
In this required ninth grade course, students explore the cultures and history of people across the globe, from the beginning of human development through ancient civilizations and the Middle Ages. By understanding the common struggles and achievements of past people, students better understand the shortcomings and successes of our current age. Along with studying history chronologically, we will focus on several themes that have impacted the course of human culture and civilization, including colonization and empire-building, different political systems, and technology. We will also look at many of the more day-to-day aspects of life such as family, religion, and food that have changed over time.
Offered to sophomores, this course will review the important events and key issues related to U.S. history. Topics covered include the birth of the new nation, the Civil War, diversity and equality, government, and foreign policy. The Storm King School takes advantage of its historical location along the iconic Hudson River to further the students’ exploration of history with resources such as the Black Rock Forest Preserve, West Point, the FDR museum, Washington’s Headquarters, and Fort Montgomery, and many others.
This course supplies academic support to students enrolled in the ASP program.
Honors United States history is a thematic examination of the important events in United States History for sophomores. Students explore essential questions in depth such as “What is the role of government?” “How does a country become a great power?” and “How can equal rights be guaranteed for all?” Through their studies, students connect key terms and deepen their understanding of history. The area of content serves as an avenue to improve in important skill areas. Students assess their strengths and weaknesses and work to improve in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and analysis, writing, individual and group work, all in preparation for the rigors of college work in the social sciences.
This course provides extra academic support to those enrolled in the ASP program.
Advanced Psychology uses the David Myers AP textbook. The pace, number of topics, quantity of reading, and writing will be at a significantly higher level in the Advanced Psychology class. Students have the option of taking the AP exam.
AP Art History is offered every other year unless there is significant interest. This course is a seminar art history course. It is taught following the AP art guidelines, and in preparation for the AP art exam in May. The course meets both a history requirement and an art requirement.
Microeconomics and Advanced Microeconomics are offered in alternating years. The course introduces the main principles and concepts of microeconomics. The study of microeconomics focuses on the actions and decisions of individuals, companies, and industries. A fundamental characteristic of this course is the occasional integration of concepts of macroeconomics as well in an effort to study economics holistically. Students will examine microeconomics from the viewpoint of consumers and investors. The course starts by gaining a better understanding of the fundamental philosophies and systems of economics followed by the principles of personal finance, supply and demand, business and labor, prices, inflation, investing, firms, markets, and entrepreneurialism. Throughout the course, students engage in projects that enhance their learning. For example, students participate in team projects on the stock market, entrepreneurialism, and business planning.
Macroeconomics and Advanced Macroeconomics are offered in alternating years. This course introduces the main principles and concepts of Keysenian macroeconomic theory. The study of macroeconomics focuses on the behavior and performance of an economy as a whole and the aggregate changes in an economy related to factors such as unemployment, growth rate, gross domestic product and inflation. Throughout the course, students engage in group work with their fellow classmates that enhances their learning. In addition to their theoretical study, students will examine macroeconomics from their viewpoint as global citizens interested in and participating in the global economy.
Students taking Introduction to Law will explore the foundations of the American legal field, as well as develop strong oral and written advocacy skills. The course concentrates on four pillars: constitutional law, torts, contracts, and criminal law. A shorter unit will cover other key legal subjects, such as property law, administrative law, and international law. Students will learn primarily by reading and discussing actual court cases; discussions will employ the Socratic method of question and answer that is used extensively in law school. In addition, students will learn how to prepare briefs and form oral arguments. The course will conclude with a moot court simulation, where students will have the opportunity to argue a complex legal case in front of a panel of judges. Beyond giving interested students an understanding of the legal field as a possible profession, the course is designed to help all students become more informed citizens and foster their ability to use advocacy and logical reasoning to address current problems.
This course introduces the concepts of owning and operating a business, which include the rewards and challenges of entrepreneurship and the details of developing a successful business plan. Additional topics include major national and global influences on businesses, money and banking, the importance of marketing a product or service, human resources management, developing and retaining employees, financial management, as well as technology in the workplace. Students will also gain an understanding of managing their personal finances, career planning, making intelligent consumer decisions, the basics of credit in the marketplace, and the principles of risk management.
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