Social Studies
Overview
The Social Studies program explores the global political, economic, social, historical, and religious trends of our world. The curriculum is designed to examine the emerging trends of history and to achieve an awareness as to how they shape institutional, intergovernmental and interpersonal relationships in our world. Thus, the curriculum seeks to establish patterns of human behaviors, within their historical and geographic contexts, and to examine their impacts upon cultures around the globe in order to gain an appreciation for the complexity of our world. In addition, the curriculum attempts to leave the students with a sense of empowerment and a “call to action” to seek out a more just world.
In order to achieve these overriding goals, the students are asked to learn to think for themselves. To this end, the student activities have a concentration on communication and critical thinking skills. This includes, but is not limited to, a focus on writing, small group work, large group discussions, reflective writing, seminar discussion, note-taking, reading for analysis, persuasive argumentation, and the use of contemporary technologies to access, analyze, comprehend and communicate information about our world.
Ultimately, the course work is designed to allow students to learn how to learn and to begin to appreciate learning as a life-long activity that includes a community much greater than themselves.
Curriculum
Social Studies Faculty
Department Chair
Brian Elsner teaches AP Economics as well as Collegio (both history and English) in addition to serving as the Social Studies department chair. He is a graduate of Santa Clara University and a 1997 alum of Seattle Prep.
Social Studies Courses
![Ancient Civilizations]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1695447220/seattleprep/jqjjqovmcx0sntqat5bb/collegioodyssey.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1695447220/seattleprep/jqjjqovmcx0sntqat5bb/collegioodyssey.jpg","width":344}])
Ancient Civilizations
Ancient Civilizations is taught in the interdisciplinary Freshman Collegio course. The Social Studies program explores the political, economic, social, historical, and religious trends of our world. The freshman history curriculum includes the origins of human civilization, case studies from ancient Greece and China, Christianity and Islam, history of the Hebrew people and issues in contemporary Israel and Palestine, and an examination of contemporary issues with refugees. Student activities develop literacy, communication and critical thinking skills. This includes, but is not limited to, a focus on writing, small group work, large group discussions, reflective writing, seminar discussion, note-taking, reading for analysis, and persuasive argumentation. Ultimately, the course work is designed to encourage students to begin to appreciate learning as a life-long activity that includes a community much greater than themselves.
![AP® Economics (year-long)]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1695484344/seattleprep/af7m6xzm4pxlucwuho3d/economics.webp","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1695484344/seattleprep/af7m6xzm4pxlucwuho3d/economics.webp","width":509}])
AP® Economics (year-long)
AP Economics is a year-long, college-level course that combines the study of both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics and prepares students to take the Advanced Placement Microeconomics and Macroeconomics exams in the spring.
While there are no formal prerequisites, students should be comfortable with algebraic reasoning, graph interpretation, and reading complex texts. Counselors, the Social Studies Department Chair, and the Assistant Principal for Academics may consider placement factors such as G.P.A., other course selections, and past performance in math and social studies courses.
AP® Macroeconomics (year-long)
AP Macroeconomics is a year-long, college-level course that prepares students to take the Advanced Placement Macroeconomics exam in the spring. The course introduces students to the principles and models economists use to analyze both the overall economy and individual decision makers within it. Students begin by developing foundational economic thinking skills and then explore macroeconomic topics such as national income and price-level determination, economic performance measures (GDP, inflation, unemployment), the financial sector, monetary and fiscal policy, economic growth, and international trade and finance. Throughout the year, students apply graphs, data analysis, and real-world case studies to evaluate how government policies and global events influence economic outcomes.
While there are no formal prerequisites for this course, students should be comfortable with algebraic reasoning, graph interpretation, and reading complex texts. Counselors, the Social Studies Department Chair, and the Assistant Principal for Academics may consider placement factors such as G.P.A., other course selections, and past performance in math and social studies courses.