Social Studies Curriculum

In the later primary grades, the students’ world expands to regions, the United States and eventually World Cultures by the end of the sixth grade.

Junior high students survey Physical Geography and United States History, concentrating on the Discovery through Civil War Period.

In high school, students must earn three units (three full years of study) of social studies credit for graduation, but the earning of more credits is encouraged.

A high school general course of study includes World Regions in ninth, World History in tenth, United States History (concentrating on the 20th Century) in eleventh, and American Government in twelfth.

Other high school social studies electives include: Anthropology, Economics, Model United Nations, Contemporary Issues, Minority Studies, Psychology, and Sociology.

Advanced Placement courses are offered in American History, European History, Politics, Economics and Psychology.

Social Studies Standards are divided into ten themes:
1. Citizenship
2. Culture
3. Time, Continuity, Change
4. Space, Place
5. Individual Development, Identity
6. Individuals, Groups, Institutions
7. Production, Distribution, Consumption
8. Power, Authority, Governance
9. Science, Technology, Society
10.Global Connections

Extra-curricular Simulations – MUSS and MUN Students may participate in two simulations in high school, Model United Nations and Model United States Senate.
In MUN, students are assigned a country which they research and then role play that country as ambassadors at THIMUN, The Hague International Model United Nations every January.
In MUSS, students are assigned the role of a senator, cabinet member or lobbyist. They research their role and then participate in a simulation of the United States Senate.

University of Michigan Simulations
Social studies content courses are offered to high school and middle school students are part of the “Interactive Communications and Simulations (ICS) activities. These include: “The Arab-Israeli Conflict Simulation: Political Reality in the Classroom,” “Earth Odysseys: The Electronic Field Trip,” and “Conflix: American Government and Current Issues.” These simulations are offered through the University of Michigan and require a registration fee.

Distance Learning Courses
High school students may take Economics and Advanced Placement American History as a Distance Learning Course which is coordinated through the DoDDS Distance Learning Center.

The National Geography Bee is held every year in conjunction with the National Geographic Society

Links to educational resources
* National Council of Social Studies
* History Channel
* Close Up Foundation
* National Geography Bee
* White House
* DoDDS Distance Learning Center
* Time for Students
* Yahoo news
* United Nations

National Council for the Social Studies
3501 newark St., NW
Washington, D.C. 20016-3167 U.S.A.
Telephone: 202/966-7840
FAX: 202/966-2061
E-mail: ncss@ncss.org
World Wide Web: http://www.ncss.org

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