World Civilizations & Geography
Taught 2004 - present
This course examines the rise and fall of world civilizations and their geography. Students undertake an exploration, analysis, and evaluation of the globe, its geographical features (both physical and human) and world civilizations of Eurasia, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. The examination of world civilizations focuses on political, economic, cultural, and social development, while allowing students to assess the rise and fall of civilizations around the globe.
Students will develop the following skills by examining and evaluating primary and secondary sources; information categorization, collaborative problem solving, critical thinking, evaluation of critical reading, critical writing and critical viewing of media.
Students will demonstrate their knowledge through multiple pathways including but not limited to: research, multimedia presentations, document based essays, and short and long response questions.
Taught 2004 - present
This course examines the rise and fall of world civilizations and their geography. Students undertake an exploration, analysis, and evaluation of the globe, its geographical features (both physical and human) and world civilizations of Eurasia, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. The examination of world civilizations focuses on political, economic, cultural, and social development, while allowing students to assess the rise and fall of civilizations around the globe.
Students will develop the following skills by examining and evaluating primary and secondary sources; information categorization, collaborative problem solving, critical thinking, evaluation of critical reading, critical writing and critical viewing of media.
Students will demonstrate their knowledge through multiple pathways including but not limited to: research, multimedia presentations, document based essays, and short and long response questions.
AP Human Geography
Taught 2007 - present
This course focuses on: use and consideration of maps and spatial data; interpretation and understanding of the implications of associations among phenomena in places; definition of regions and evaluation and analyzation of the regionalization process; and analysis and characterization of the changing interconnections among places.
Students will develop the following skills by examining and evaluating primary and secondary sources; information categorization, collaborative problem solving, critical thinking, evaluation of critical reading, critical writing and critical viewing of media.
Students will demonstrate their knowledge through multiple pathways including but not limited to: research, multimedia presentations, document based essays, and short and long response questions.
Students in this class will be expected to take the Advanced Placement test in May. In addition to regular class meetings, after-school seminars will be offered, and a summer project will be required.
Taught 2007 - present
This course focuses on: use and consideration of maps and spatial data; interpretation and understanding of the implications of associations among phenomena in places; definition of regions and evaluation and analyzation of the regionalization process; and analysis and characterization of the changing interconnections among places.
Students will develop the following skills by examining and evaluating primary and secondary sources; information categorization, collaborative problem solving, critical thinking, evaluation of critical reading, critical writing and critical viewing of media.
Students will demonstrate their knowledge through multiple pathways including but not limited to: research, multimedia presentations, document based essays, and short and long response questions.
Students in this class will be expected to take the Advanced Placement test in May. In addition to regular class meetings, after-school seminars will be offered, and a summer project will be required.
AP United States Government & Politics
Taught 2018 - present
This course will examine the history and effects of government and politics in the United States. Students will analyze specific topics, including: Constitutional underpinnings; Political Beliefs and Behaviors; Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media; Institutions of National Government; Public Policy; and Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. An integral part of the course includes analysis and interpretation of basic data relevant to US government and politics, and the development of connections and application of relevant theories and concepts.
Students will develop the following skills by examining politically significant concepts and themes, through which students learn to apply disciplinary reasoning assess causes and consequences of political events, and interpret data to develop evidence-based arguments. Additionally collaborative problem solving, critical thinking, evaluation of critical reading, critical writing, and critical viewing of media will be emphasized.
Students will demonstrate their knowledge through multiple pathways including but not limited to; extensive reading, research, and writing, including but not limited to; document based and free response essays.
Students in this class will be expected to take the Advanced Placement test in May.
Taught 2018 - present
This course will examine the history and effects of government and politics in the United States. Students will analyze specific topics, including: Constitutional underpinnings; Political Beliefs and Behaviors; Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media; Institutions of National Government; Public Policy; and Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. An integral part of the course includes analysis and interpretation of basic data relevant to US government and politics, and the development of connections and application of relevant theories and concepts.
Students will develop the following skills by examining politically significant concepts and themes, through which students learn to apply disciplinary reasoning assess causes and consequences of political events, and interpret data to develop evidence-based arguments. Additionally collaborative problem solving, critical thinking, evaluation of critical reading, critical writing, and critical viewing of media will be emphasized.
Students will demonstrate their knowledge through multiple pathways including but not limited to; extensive reading, research, and writing, including but not limited to; document based and free response essays.
Students in this class will be expected to take the Advanced Placement test in May.
AP World History
2019 - present (Modern)
2016 - 2017, 2017 - 2018 (Original)
This course provides a perspective and understanding of history as a foundation which students can analyze the complexities of today’s global interdependency. The course will be broken down into units of study based on historical periodization. AP World History will use the approach of analyzing global events and interactions from the foundations of history to the present centering on five themes of history. Interaction between humans and the environment, Development and interaction of cultures, State-building, expansion and interaction of economic systems, Creation, expansion and interactions of economic systems, Development and transformation of social structures.
Students will develop the four historical thinking skills. Crafting historical arguments from historical evidence, Chronological reasoning, Comparison and Contextualization, Historical Interpretation and synthesis.
Students will demonstrate their knowledge through multiple pathways including but not limited to; extensive reading, research, and writing, including but not limited to; document based and free response essays.
2019 - present (Modern)
2016 - 2017, 2017 - 2018 (Original)
This course provides a perspective and understanding of history as a foundation which students can analyze the complexities of today’s global interdependency. The course will be broken down into units of study based on historical periodization. AP World History will use the approach of analyzing global events and interactions from the foundations of history to the present centering on five themes of history. Interaction between humans and the environment, Development and interaction of cultures, State-building, expansion and interaction of economic systems, Creation, expansion and interactions of economic systems, Development and transformation of social structures.
Students will develop the four historical thinking skills. Crafting historical arguments from historical evidence, Chronological reasoning, Comparison and Contextualization, Historical Interpretation and synthesis.
Students will demonstrate their knowledge through multiple pathways including but not limited to; extensive reading, research, and writing, including but not limited to; document based and free response essays.
Asian Studies
Taught 2005 - 2015, 2016
2016 syllabus
This course examines the unique history, literature, and art forms of China, Japan, and India. Governing themes include tradition, modernity, modernization, the expansion of Europe and the United States, colonialism, nationalism, and the rise of “popular” participation in politics and economic growth. Important to our work is an understanding of differences in these themes in different national settings. Among the essential questions of this course are: How do traditional values and other cultural tendencies inform a society’s attitudes, practices, and institutions? Through investigation of select historical periods and integration of history, literature, visual and material culture, and current issues, students develop an in-depth picture of Asia and its rich, diverse contributions to the world.
Students will develop the following skills by examining and evaluating primary and secondary sources; information categorization, collaborative problem solving, critical thinking, evaluation of critical reading, critical writing, and critical viewing of media.
Students will demonstrate their knowledge through multiple pathways including but not limited to: research, multimedia presentations, and short and long response questions.
Taught 2005 - 2015, 2016
2016 syllabus
This course examines the unique history, literature, and art forms of China, Japan, and India. Governing themes include tradition, modernity, modernization, the expansion of Europe and the United States, colonialism, nationalism, and the rise of “popular” participation in politics and economic growth. Important to our work is an understanding of differences in these themes in different national settings. Among the essential questions of this course are: How do traditional values and other cultural tendencies inform a society’s attitudes, practices, and institutions? Through investigation of select historical periods and integration of history, literature, visual and material culture, and current issues, students develop an in-depth picture of Asia and its rich, diverse contributions to the world.
Students will develop the following skills by examining and evaluating primary and secondary sources; information categorization, collaborative problem solving, critical thinking, evaluation of critical reading, critical writing, and critical viewing of media.
Students will demonstrate their knowledge through multiple pathways including but not limited to: research, multimedia presentations, and short and long response questions.
Native American Studies
Taught 2006 - 2014, 2016, 2025
2015 syllabus & Semester Project
This course is examines the cultural experiences of the Indigenous people of the Americas, beginning with the arrival of Native Peoples to the continent and the formation and evolution of communities/civilizations. Contact among Native Peoples on the North American continent and with other world civilizations from 1100 CE inform studies through North American frontiers involving Native Peoples from 1500 to 1900 CE. We finish our studies with an eye to the future with focus on: the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and survival, transformation, and the quest for unity and strength. Attention is given to enduring beliefs, values, institutions, and attitudes that enable an understanding of the persistence of Native Peoples and distinctive traditions despite cultural innovations and colonization. Interwoven are case studies with attention to the Native Peoples of Maine and the Maritimes – Wolostoqwiuk (Maliseet), Mi’kmaq (Micmac), Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot.
Students will develop the following skills by examining and evaluating primary and secondary sources; critical thinking, evaluation of critical reading, critical writing, and critical viewing of media.
Students will demonstrate their knowledge through multiple pathways including but not limited to: research, multimedia presentations, document based essays, and short and long response questions.
Taught 2006 - 2014, 2016, 2025
2015 syllabus & Semester Project
This course is examines the cultural experiences of the Indigenous people of the Americas, beginning with the arrival of Native Peoples to the continent and the formation and evolution of communities/civilizations. Contact among Native Peoples on the North American continent and with other world civilizations from 1100 CE inform studies through North American frontiers involving Native Peoples from 1500 to 1900 CE. We finish our studies with an eye to the future with focus on: the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and survival, transformation, and the quest for unity and strength. Attention is given to enduring beliefs, values, institutions, and attitudes that enable an understanding of the persistence of Native Peoples and distinctive traditions despite cultural innovations and colonization. Interwoven are case studies with attention to the Native Peoples of Maine and the Maritimes – Wolostoqwiuk (Maliseet), Mi’kmaq (Micmac), Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot.
Students will develop the following skills by examining and evaluating primary and secondary sources; critical thinking, evaluation of critical reading, critical writing, and critical viewing of media.
Students will demonstrate their knowledge through multiple pathways including but not limited to: research, multimedia presentations, document based essays, and short and long response questions.
Practical Law
Taught 2010 - 2015, 2016 - 2019, 2024 taught by other OHS colleagues
co-taught with School Resource Officer.
2015 Syllabus and course drive
The course examines the law as a vital part of everyday life. Students analyze aspects of the law, both criminal and civil, with a focus on its impact on students' lives, now and in the future. They examine legal institutions and processes, for example, law enforcement, courts, and rehabilitation systems are some of the concepts that make-up course content.
Students will develop the following skills by examining and evaluating primary and secondary sources; information categorization, collaborative problem solving, critical thinking, evaluation of critical reading, critical writing, and critical viewing of media.
Students will demonstrate their knowledge through multiple pathways including but not limited to: research, multimedia presentations, and short response questions.
Taught 2010 - 2015, 2016 - 2019, 2024 taught by other OHS colleagues
co-taught with School Resource Officer.
2015 Syllabus and course drive
The course examines the law as a vital part of everyday life. Students analyze aspects of the law, both criminal and civil, with a focus on its impact on students' lives, now and in the future. They examine legal institutions and processes, for example, law enforcement, courts, and rehabilitation systems are some of the concepts that make-up course content.
Students will develop the following skills by examining and evaluating primary and secondary sources; information categorization, collaborative problem solving, critical thinking, evaluation of critical reading, critical writing, and critical viewing of media.
Students will demonstrate their knowledge through multiple pathways including but not limited to: research, multimedia presentations, and short response questions.