Social Studies Department

 

 

Department Chair

Mr. Eric Karn & Mr. Chris Baird

Staff

Mr. Chris Baird - B.A. History & Education - University of Findlay (1993)

Mr. Mike Berwanger - B.A. History, B.S. Education - Miami University (1994) - M.A. Education - Walden University (1997)

Mr. Kevin Curtis - B.A. Integrated Social Studies - Miami University (2002), Currently working on M.Ed Classroom Technology.

Mr. Matt Hotopp - B.A. Political Science - Hanover College (2007), B.A. Integrated Social Studies - College of Mt. St. Joe (2007)

Mr. Eric Karn - B.A. Political Science, History, & Geography - Miami University (1989),  M.A.T. Education - Miami University (1992)

Mr. Todd Sams- B.A. Secondary Social Studies Education - Miami University (1991), M.Ed. - Curriculum and Instruction - University of Cincinnati (1999)

Mr. Shawn Sowders- B.A. History - Hanover College (1989), M.Ed. -Technology Secondary Education- Miami University (1998)

Mr. Greg Zuleger - B.A. History & Political Science - Ohio University (1974), M. Ed.  Xavier (1989)

 

Course Offerings:

Freshman Year 

American and World History  9 (1877 – 1945)                                                                                                 1 Credit

American and World Studies  9 (1877 – 1945)                                                                                                 1 Credit

These courses are required for graduation.  Both courses emphasize American and World History within the realm of world events.  Students will concentrate on the social, economic and political interdependence of American and World History.

 

Sophomore Year

American & World History  10 (1945-Present)                                                                                                1 Credit

American & World Studies  10 (1945-Present)                                                                                                1 Credit

The emphasis in these courses will be on historical perspectives from 1877 to the present (economic, social, cultural, political), and United States relationships in world affairs. 

 

Junior Year

Juniors must select from one of the following ˝ credit electives or 1 Credit of AP American History:

NOTE: These courses may also be taken as electives during sophomore (except Current Global Issues II), junior, or senior year.

 

Ancient History (10,11,12)                                                  Semester Course                                                  ˝ Credit

This course is the study of mankind, its development, and the societies that it has created.  The course will provide an understanding of world development in the past and how it impacts the present.  The course is structured for students to investigate and learn about people, groups, institutions, societies, and historical sites.  The societies that will be studied existed from early cave dwellers to the end of the Roman Empire and include Egypt, Greece, Rome and China.

 

The Civil War (10, 11, 12)                                                    Semester Course                                                  ˝ Credit

This course will study the tension between the north and south and the series of events, which led to secession and the beginning of hostilities.  The course will also study the different social and economic systems that existed in the country at that time and the battles that took place during the war.   This course is an intensive study of the Civil War requiring a high interest level.  This is a semester class.

 

Current Global Issues 1 (10, 11, 12)                                   Semester Course                                                  ˝ Credit 

This course is designed to develop students’ knowledge of the United States in the modern world with an emphasis on the historical, political, economic, geographic, and cultural events that have shaped it.  Particular emphasis will be placed on America’s role as a leader in global affairs.  Students will examine current global issues and determine the relationship to past historical events.  A student fee is required for this course to subscribe to Newsweek magazine.

 

Current Global Issues 2 (10, 11, 12)                                   Semester Course                                                  ˝ Credit

Prerequisite – Current Global Issues I

 This course is designed to expand upon the political, social, and economic issues examined in Current Global Issues I.  This course will focus on analytical and critical thinking skills, while pursuing greater understanding of the issues facing all citizens locally, nationally, and globally.  Through an indepth examination of the political, social, and economic concerns facing the world today, students will further develop personal viewpoints and philosophies in relation to these fundamental areas.  These global studies will enhance the student’s awareness of the responsibility of being an informed citizen in a democratic society.

 

You and the Law (10, 11, 12)                                              Semester Course                                                  ˝ Credit

This course is designed to examine the legal system in its administration of justice.  The course will examine the development of the legal system in the United States and the procedures used in the criminal justice system.  The course will also examine the operation of civil laws and the redressing of an individual’s grievances in the legal structure.  The emphasis of the course will be the study of law and how it relates to the individual in our democratic society.  This is a semester class.

 

AP United States History (11)                                                                                                                           1 Credit

This course will cover the period from colonial times to the present.  Students will take the National Advanced Placement Exam in May.

 

Senior Year

Senior Government (12)                                                                                                                                      1 Credit

Senior Social Studies (12)                                                                                                                                   1 Credit

AP United States Government and Politics (12)                                                                                             1 Credit

The emphasis will be on the American political system, economics, and behavioral sciences.  AP students will take the National Advanced Placement Exam in May.

 

Social Studies Electives

Campaigns and Elections (9, 10, 11, 12)                            Semester Course                                                  ˝ Credit

This is a half year course open to all students where they will examine the history of political campaigns and the impact that certain elections have had on the United States.  Students will go over the changing needs of the population and how these needs lead to decisions in elections.  Topics that will be covered throughout the course are financing campaigns, and the use of media coverage during elections, amongst others. 

 

Cincinnati History (9, 10, 11, 12)                                        Semester Course                                                   ˝ Credit

This is a half year course open to all students that focuses on the history of the city of Cincinnati and its surrounding areas.  Students will experience the past in the areas of politics, business, entertainment and geography and how these histories have affected our lives in the Greater Cincinnati area today.  Guest speakers and some trips to historical spots will make this course come alive for students as they get to experience first hand how Cincinnati has evolved from its founding up to its modern state.

 

Sociology (9, 10, 11, 12)                                                      Semester Course                                                  ˝ Credit

This is a half year course open to all students that will introduce the basic concepts of the study of society and society’s impact on the individual.  Throughout the semester, students will examine how things like race, gender, and class, affect their lives and the lives of those around them.  Societal problems like poverty, discrimination, crime, populations, and problems with the family and at work will also be covered as all of these problems could affect the students within the school.

 

20th Century Issues (9, 10, 11, 12)                                      Semester Course                                                  ˝ Credit

This is a half year course open to all students that will cover world conflicts. This proposed course covers causes, effects, and relationships involving world conflicts such as the First World War, Second World War, Korean Conflict, Vietnam War, and the Gulf War.  The much larger and longer Cold War will also be addressed.  Notes, videos, and study guides will come directly from the instructor.  No text book would be required for this course. 

 

World Religions (9, 10, 11, 12)                                           Semester Course                                                  ˝ Credit

This is a half year course open to all students that will introduce the main religions practiced throughout the world, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Hinduism amongst others.  This course is not to persuade students to believe or choose one religion over another, but is set up to educate them on the histories, traditions, similarities and differences that each religion has with one another.  Students will experience topics that may not be familiar to them and broaden their understanding of belief systems that may not be the same as the beliefs that they have in their own lives.

 

World War II/ Holocaust (9, 10, 11, 12)                            Semester Course                                                  ˝ Credit

This is a half year course open to all students that covers in more detail the war that made a generation.  World War II is covered during 10th grade history, but this course dives a little deeper then the survey course covers.  Focusing on the different countries that the war impacted most, Germany, United States, Soviet Union and Japan, the students will examine the reasons why the war started, what the countries did to support the war effort and how each country contributed to the end of the war.  A primary focus will be on the Holocaust and the importance that this event had during the war and the impact that it had on the years after the war had ended.

 

AP Psychology (11, 12)                                                                                                                                      1 Credit

Prerequisite – teacher recommendation

The Advance Placement Psychology course at Harrison High School will reflect the College Board’s program mandates.  This year long course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings. Students will examine psychological facts, principles, theories, theorists, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology.  The brain, abnormal behavior, intelligence, and personality, among other topics will be studied.  Students will also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice.  Through this AP Psychology course, students will receive the opportunity to pursue college level course work at the secondary level.  All students who request acceptance to this class are expected to take the AP Psychology exam in the spring.

 

Special Notes:

*  Staff members of the Social Studies Department are involved in many facets of student life at Harrison High School.  They include Building Advisory Committee members, Junior Class Advisor, National Honor Society Chair, Key Club Chair, Wrestling, Basketball, Soccer, Golf, Softball, Football, & Track Coaches.

*  Our staff members have been university instructors, political activists, world travelers, college athletes, U.S. soldiers, active community members, and role models in our neighborhoods.  

 

Resources:

American National Biography Explore American History through the lives of men and women who shaped the nation.

World Factbook   A great site devoted to governments around the world! 

AP U.S. History   A resource to students studying AP United States History

Global Studies   A page devoted to Global Studies 

U.S. Senate  The United States Senate online

U.S. House of Representatives   The United States House of Representatives online

Library of Congress   The Library of Congress online

Greater Cincinnati Memory Project   A site devoted to the history behind the city we all love.

The First World War   It was the war to end all wars, and here's the site to explain why.

C-Span  The nationally funded source of monitoring your federal government in action.

 

Online News Sources CNN Online   BBC Online   Google News   Fox News Online   MSNBC News   Al Jazeera News