Global Studies

Our Social Studies courses add another dimension of our "whole Earth approach," a curriculum designed to create connections and cross-disciplinary instruction between our history and science curriculum strands.

Inspired by Dr. Maria Montessori’s “Cosmic Curriculum,” the first two years of our required four-year sequence lay a foundation of understanding the relationship between human and natural systems. In the context of studies of the origins and evolution of the Universe, students will learn about the development of Earth and its living systems, and the origins and development of human experience in this context. 

A common strand in our studies of human history will be an exploration of how geography, geology, and the bioregion that human communities are situated in have shaped culture, politics, and economics, and in turn, the impact that these human activities have had on the environment. Another focus will be systems thinking—understanding each concept and new piece of information as connected to and in the context of other aspects of the human and natural systems. Grounded in this understanding over the first three years of our required four-year sequence, students will explore how to apply this understanding to current issues in our community as part of a capstone experience in their Economics and Government course.  

Global Studies I

Global Studies I is the first part of a two-year course sequence that provides a meaningful overview of human history in direct relationship to the current challenges of political, economic, and environmental sustainability. This course sequence prepares students to demonstrate their understanding of world history and geography through a thematic approach and detailed case studies. New York State content standards are explored thematically to help students deeply understand the structures and processes that shape our current world system. In the first trimester, students explore both the role of historical narratives and human belief systems and how they help humans understand their origins and roles within their present environment. In the second trimester, students study culture through the lens of geography to better understand how our environment influences who we are.  This will include a case study to show the historical development of civilizations and how human societies have evolved from a complex evolution of human environment interactions. In the third trimester, students explore the origins, ideas, and development of political and economic systems through historical analysis of specific global regions.

Global Studies II

Global Studies II is the second part of a two-year course sequence that provides a meaningful overview of human history in direct relationship to the current challenges of political, economic, and environmental sustainability. This course sequence prepares students to demonstrate their understanding of world history and geography in multiple ways, including by passing the Global Studies Regents examination. New York State content standards are explored thematically to help students deeply understand the structures and processes that shape our current world system. In the first trimester, students investigate the Age of Encounter, deducing the essential aspects of empire and cultural exchange. Students will then analyze the concept of “geographic luck” and its implications for development.  Lastly, students evaluate the Industrial Revolution and the short and long term impacts, specifically the relationship with Imperialism.  In the second trimester, students begin to evaluate the colonialism.  This is followed by an exploration of the modern era and its network of political, social and cultural revolutions and conflict. They both consider and experience the role of individuals in making social change. In the third trimester, students conclude their study with the theme of reorganization. They participate in a model United Nations, learn to see our current world of sovereign nation-states from a multitude of national, political, and cultural perspectives, and develop a systems-level analysis of the current world, including recommended courses of action for sustainability through a regional planning expedition. 

The following 11th and 12th grade courses are currently under construction, but here's a preview of what to expect for the upperclassmen science core:

United States History and Government

In the United States History and Government course, students explore the history of the United States from the colonial era to the present day and the structure and function of democratic government. This course prepares students to demonstrate their understanding of American history and government in multiple ways, including by passing the United States History and Government Regents examination. New York State content standards are explored chronologically with thematic emphasis. Consistent attention is paid to the ways that beliefs and practices concerning land and natural resources have shaped the broad patterns of United States history. For example, students will study how land use has transformed through time from Native American settlement, to colonial mercantilism, southern plantationism, family farming, early and late industrialization, and imperialism. Furthermore, students will explore how local, state, and federal governments have structured the relation of people to land and resources. Finally, students will explore the possibilities of individual and collective action as citizens to construct a healthy and sustainable relationship of humans to the natural world. Throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on the development of students’ ability to: “read the world” using a variety of information sources such as text, visual media, and interpersonal communication; identify problems; envision alternative ways of being; and carry out real-world, community-based projects that address their relationship to the natural world. 

Economics and Government

This year-long course unites the traditional senior-year semester-long studies of economics and participation in government. This course introduces students to the main ideas and practices of economics and civics, as they relate to current political, economic, and ecological challenges. In the first trimester, students study the basic concepts and skills of microeconomics, macroeconomics, international economics, comparative economics, and green economics and entrepreneurship, using the Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education's curriculum “Business and Entrepreneurship Education for Sustainability.” Students analyze local, national, and global economies, actions being taken to reorient these economies toward ecological sustainability, and develop entrepreneurial planning skills. In the second trimester, students study the basic concepts of political theory, American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and developments toward sustainability in local, national, and transnational governance, using the Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education's curriculum “Inventing the Future: Leadership and Participation for the 21st Century.” In the third trimester, students work in groups to plan and enact a capstone project which demonstrates their understanding of economics and/or government as it relates to current challenges faced by their community.