In conjunction with the current standards prescribed by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCCS) and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the Brunswick history/social studies department has developed a curriculum rooted in the postulate that, since history and humankind are shaped by the past, the critical examination of this past is paramount in preparing one for the future.
At Brunswick, students develop a core of basic knowledge and various ways of thinking. They learn how to analyze their own and others' opinions on important issues, thus becoming motivated to participate in civic and community life as active, informed, and worldly citizens. The gaining of critical reading, writing, and verbal skills is rigorously promoted throughout the program. Laptop computers are used to allow the students to pursue through simulations, presentations and web research, a more active approach to the study of history and the social sciences.
The Upper School history/social studies program strives not only to put students in further contact with the larger world, but also demands that they take part in the intellectual realm/debate surrounding them as well. Students are expected to think along the lines of a historian or social scientist. All students are required to craft extensive research papers for their ninth, tenth, and eleventh grade years. Ninth graders are required to enroll in World Cultures. This course asks the students to learn the skills and assume the role of a cultural anthropologist. Japanese, African and the Middle Eastern as well as American/Western culture pose as backdrops for the students to hone their skills.
In tenth grade, the most commonly followed path for students is to take European history. This is a broad overview of Western Civilization which, in addition, requires the students to cover more philosophical concepts such as the theories behind diplomacy, government, and religion. Emphasis is placed on the reading of primary source documents as well.
The traditional next step for eleventh graders is to select American history. This survey course goes behind the more factually-based Lower and Middle School American history offerings. Students are asked to see at least two sides to every historical event. An emphasis on writing history with the use of a myriad of sources is expected. Newspapers, journals, diaries, letters, court records, and interviews are required research materials. In-class discussion forces the students to sharpen critical thinking abilities.
With the coming of the senior year, a whole host of Advanced Placement (AP) offerings provide students with a superb way to wrap up their high school years and also provide them with some needed preparation for college courses in the history and social sciences arena. The course selections include: American history, European history, art history; economics, psychology, and American government. On successful completion of the A.P. national exams in May, some students earn college credit toward freshman level courses at their respective undergraduate institutions. For those interested in non-AP electives, the department provides a variety of offerings including: Constitutional Law, Vietnam, Facing History, United States Cultural Studies, Micro Economics, Latin American History, Psychology and Military History.
Faculty:
- John Booth, Chair
- Richard Beattie '80
- Kristine Brennan
- Stephen Duennebier
- Jeff Harris
- Thomas Mulvoy '96
- Thomas Philip
- Robert Taylor
- John Van Atta