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History and Social Studies

The History/Social Studies Department at Loyola Blakefield endorses Loyola’s mission of intellectual competence by challenging its students to master historical content, develop social studies skills, and hone their analytical abilities.

To attain our academic objective, an intellectual agility, we insist upon an accurate grasping of the facts: dates, people, and the sequence of events in both a linear and a kaleidoscopic perspective. All students are expected to be able to trace main historical movements and to be familiar with the most outstanding personalities. Our pedagogical aim, to develop habits of the mind, is fulfilled by working toward an understanding of the relationship of causes and effects, by viewing the sweep of historical trends, by realizing how events of the past have had their effects upon the present, by broadening our understanding of current history through analogies with past history, and by recognizing that a knowledge of history empowers students in the present.

The Department believes that this approach, practiced in all Department courses, helps lay the foundation of knowledge and understanding that is necessary for future study in the Social Studies as well as fosters a deeper understanding of the roles, history, culture, economics, politics and religion play in today’s world.

Placement Criteria: Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) level courses are offered for all capable and motivated students who meet the following criteria: For placement in an AP or Honors level History/Social Studies Department course, a student in an Honors or AP level class must receive a B or better in his previous sequential History/Social Studies course. If a student is in a College Prep level course, a grade of A is required in the previous sequential History class. Placement decisions will be made based on a student’s scores in the third quarter, at the time of registration for the upcoming year.

Freshman wishing to place in AP US History must earn an A for the year.

  • American Experience: Government & Recent Issues

    American Experience is designed to familiarize students with the structure and function of the American government and with the social, economic and political issues which have shaped contemporary America since the end of the Second World War. Topics include the evolution of the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, the Korean, Vietnam and Gulf Wars, Watergate, Iran-Contra, and America since the end of the Cold War. The objectives of the course are to assist the student in analyzing his political system in a Constitutional and historical context, and to examine how recent events and developments have inexorably altered the structure of the American Experience. 

  • Ancient Civilizations 6

    This course is designed to begin the process of learning a method of historical study. Through a variety of activities, including projects and field trips, students will learn how civilization developed and expanded. Concepts in geography, history, anthropology and other social sciences will be used to study civilizations of Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. Current events are also addressed in this course. 

  • AP Comparative Government and Politics

    AP Comparative Politics introduces the students to the diverse world of political cultures and political institutions. The course examines fundamental political concepts and global issues in a comparative context. Students will analyze, compare, and contrast the political systems of six core countries: Great Britain, Russia, China, Mexico, Nigeria, and Iran. The course is designed to prepare the students for the AP Comparative Politics exam.

  • AP European History

    Advanced Placement European History is a course which students in the 12th grade may elect. This elective course is based upon concepts introduced in previous courses and it requires intensive text and non-text reading. The ability to examine historical evidence and present clear analyses is further developed. Students who elect to take this course are expected to sit for the Advanced Placement Examination in European History.

  • AP Macroeconomics

    AP Macroeconomics is a college-level course that introduces students to the principles that apply to an economic system as a whole. The course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination. It also develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics. Students learn to use graphs, charts, and data to analyze, describe, and explain economic concepts. The prerequisites for this course are a grade of B- or better in an AP or Honors course or an A- or better in a college preparatory course. Students should have ability to read a college level textbook and have basic mathematics and graphing skills.

  • AP United States Government and Politics

    Advanced Placement Government and Politics is a course open to students who wish to examine closely the structure and operation of the American political system within the context of current events. The course requires intensive text and non-text reading, including the morning paper, classroom blogs, and other on-line and digital classroom resources. Students who elect the course are expected to sit for the College Board Advanced Placement examinations. Homework and writing assignments are commensurate with the Department’s expectations of students taking Advanced Placement courses. 

  • AP United States History

    As an accredited Advanced Placement course, this offering provides students with a college- level freshman survey of US history from the era of exploration through the conclusion of the Cold War. It is designed to prepare students to sit for the College Advanced Placement United States History examination, given each May. The course utilizes a college level text and frequent use of primary historical documents. It focuses on the skills of critical reading, argumentative reasoning and writing, and historiography. Homework and writing projects are commensurate with the Department’s expectations of the capabilities of the A.P. student.

  • Chinese History

    Summer Class. Registration for this course occurs through Summer at Blakefield Website: https://www.loyolablakefield.org/blakefield-experience and requires an additional fee.  Students should indicate their intention to take the courses in the NOTES/Alternatives section of the Course Selection Form.

  • Financial Literacy

    Financial Literacy helps students understand how money works in their personal life.  It assists students in learning how to be smart with their money and making good financial decisions.  The key areas covered in financial literacy are Investing, Banking, Budgeting, Credit, Insurance, Taxes, Philanthropy and Paying for College.  The course helps students develop a strong framework of key terms in Financial literacy and allows them to develop a foundation of basic financial life skills that they will use in practice in their everyday life. 

  • Geography 8

    The course is designed to promote global awareness. Through a variety of activities, including individual projects, students will examine the geographic, political, economic and social differences which characterize the global family of nations. Students will develop an understanding of the impact of physical features on societal development. A special emphasis is placed on the development of map skills. Field trips may be used, when appropriate, to supplement the overall curriculum of the course. 

  • Ignatian Honors AP United States Government & Politics

    The Ignatian Honors Program invites students to explore humanity’s big questions and analyze how various cultures and traditions have addressed those questions over the course of history. These topics will be explored using historical, theological, and literary approaches, revealing the interconnectedness of themes across disciplines. In Junior Year, students will examine closely the structure and operation of the American political system within the context of current events. The course requires intensive text and non-text reading, including the morning paper, classroom blogs, and other on-line and digital classroom resources. At the conclusion of the course students, if they so choose, may sit for the College Board’s Advanced Placement United States Government examination, given each May.  Homework and writing projects are commensurate with the Department’s expectations of the capabilities of an Ignatian Honors student. 

  • Ignatian Honors AP United States History

    The Ignatian Honors Program invites students to explore humanity’s big questions and analyze how various cultures and traditions have addressed those questions over the course of history. These topics will be explored using historical, theological, and literary approaches, revealing the interconnectedness of themes across disciplines. In Sophomore Year, students will take part in a college- level freshman survey of US history from the era of exploration through the conclusion of the Cold War. At the conclusion of the course students, if they so choose, may sit for the College Advanced Placement United States History examination, given each May. The course utilizes a college level text and frequent use of primary historical documents. It focuses on the skills of critical reading, argumentative reasoning and writing, and historiography. Homework and writing projects are commensurate with the Department’s expectations of the capabilities of an Ignatian Honors student. 

  • Ignatian Honors History 9 - World History

    The Ignatian Honors Program invites students to explore humanity’s big questions and analyze how various cultures and traditions have addressed those questions over the course of history.   These topics will be explored using historical, theological, and literary approaches, revealing the interconnectedness of themes across disciplines. In Freshman year, students will encounter ideas that emerged from the ancient world to the middle ages.  The common text in History, Theology, and English in the first semester is the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest known examples of epic literature.   Students then examine Beowulf as a common text in the second semester, considering the text and its implications from historical, theological, and literary lenses.  The History curriculum of the 9th grade Ignatian Honors program examines the development of civilizations across the ancient world, including Egyptian, Chinese, Indian, Greek, and Roman civilizations.   The second semester moves to the medieval world, looking at the establishment of Christendom, the expansion of Islam, feudalism in Japan, and ending with the age of exploration.  The history curriculum also focuses on developing skills of document analysis, research, and identifying bias in historical perspectives. 

  • Introduction to Psychology

    This course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of behavior and mental processes through a review of the major subfields within psychology. These include the history of psychology, research methodology, perception, consciousness, learning, developmental psychology, personality, abnormal psychology, and social psychology. Students will complete reading assignments (text and other handouts), written assignments (including book reports, research paper, etc.), and participate in class discussions.

  • Principles of Economics

    In this course students practice careful economic reasoning as they analyze formal economies, particular markets, and the economic behavior of individuals. Furthermore the course presents personal, local, national and international issues and events in order to stimulate students curiosity and present them with an opportunity to learn and practice economic reasoning. Finally, the course prepares students to make informed decisions about savings, investments, spending, credit and other matters crucial to personal finance. Students learn from a variety of formats including the class text and financial publications.

  • The Civil War Era

    The Civil War Era course will focus on American History from the Jacksonian Era to the end of Reconstruction.   In addition to the military aspects of the war, the class will address the social, political and economic causes of the Civil War as well as the impacts left by the conflict on American history and society into the present day.  The course will roughly be divided into thirds with a third of the course material focusing on causes of the war, the war itself and the period of reconstruction following the conflict. There will be a strong focus on experiential and public history with numerous field trips to historic sites, Civil War Battlefields, and museums. There are no perquisites for this course, students will need reading, writing and analytical skills as well as strong interest in American History and the American Civil War.

  • Themes in American History 7

    This course examines the individuals, ideas, and events that have shaped the history of the United States. Special emphasis is given to the development, structure, and operation of the federal government and to the duties of responsible citizenship. The course also strives to help students gain a knowledge and appreciation of how American history relates to present day issues. 

  • United States History

    This course provides the student with a chronological survey of the events, individuals and ideas which combined to shape the American nation. A special emphasis is given both to an analysis of the development of a common American identity and to an examination of the unique social, political and economic factors which transformed the United States from a small British colony to its current role as a leader in the family of nations. The scope of this course is from the Era of Exploration to the end of World War II.

  • World History

    Designed as an introduction to the Social Studies, this freshmen course focuses on key social studies skills as well as introducing the key threads that define major civilizations around the world. This course acquaints students with the significant events of the civilization, east and west, from the origins of human civilization through the twentieth century.  This survey course gives students an appreciation for the political, social and economic conditions that have shaped the modern world and the importance of the interrelationships of human societies.

  • World History Honors

    The scope of Honors World History will mirror that of the existing 9th grade World History Course. The goal of the course is not to expand the amount of material covered, but instead to introduce the higher-level skills the students will need for AP US History in their sophomore year. Examples of these include answering document-based questions, reading sources for bias, and using written sources to support a thesis statement. The course will put more of an emphasis on critical thinking and analysis and synthesis of information. Students will also be challenged to compare broad world views as well as survey civilizations throughout history for continuity and change over time. The goal of this course is to create students who are independent and interconnected thinkers with the skills and ability to recognize bias, myth, and stereotypes to become intellectually competent citizens of the world. 

Department Faculty

500 Chestnut Ave. Towson, MD 21204
communications@loyolablakefield.org
(410) 823-0601