Contemporary World Problems

(FRESHMAN, one semester, offered yearly)
Contemporary World Problems examines current issues of global import while building oral communication and presentation skills. Using a unit-based approach, students will become aware of what are the most pressing social, political, and economic conflicts in a variety of regions, and work both individually and together on identifying and presenting the roots of such conflicts and potential solutions. Students will learn about how problems are addressed by multilateral and non-governmental organizations, what role they themselves have in building a better world, and how rhetoric shapes our perceptions of pressing issues. Topics will change yearly in order to remain up to date.

Northwest History  

(FRESHMAN, one semester, offered yearly)

Northwest History is a semester class that surveys major historical developments in the Pacific Northwest from the late 1700s to the present. It examines relations between whites, Native Americans, and other groups, changing relationships between people and the environment, and relations between the region and international and national political, economic, and social developments.

Government

(SOPHOMORE, one semester, offered yearly)
The United States Government course explores the development of the United States Constitution and how it functions through the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, the foundations of American government, civil liberties and rights, and state and local governmental structure and functions. This class will look at government in action from both historical and current perspectives. In addition to this, the course seeks to continuously develop and foster higher-level critical thinking skills that emphasize analysis, synthesis, debate and evaluation. Students will learn how to support their positions with credible and factually based evidence. In doing so, students will learn how to accept the critiques and varying viewpoints of their classmates on a pathway toward academic excellence. The overall goal of the government course is to make students aware of being well-informed citrizens of the United States.

Economics

(SOPHOMORE, one semester, offered yearly)
Economics will examine the way in which economics affects the lives of individuals. The class will also examine how individuals through their economic choices shape the world. The study of economics includes learning about scarcity and choice, opportunity cost and trade-offs, productivity, supply and demand, economic systems, the roles of government, monetary policy and fiscal policy as well as other recurrent themes, such as the economy and global issues. Units on personal finances and the stock market are also included. The semester concludes with a marriage/roommate project that helps students better understand personal finances through real-world problems.

European History/AP European History 

( JUNIOR/SENIOR, year-long, alternates with U.S. History)

Students cultivate their understanding of European history from the Renaissance to modern day, through analyzing historical sources and learning to make connections and craft historical arguments. They will explore concepts like the interaction of Europe and the world; economic and commercial developments; religious, cultural, and intellectual developments; the role of states and other institutions of power; the ability of individuals to make major impacts; social organization and development; national and European identity; and technological and scientific innovation.