Social Studies Department

Bringing the world a little closer to home.

The goal of the Hill-Murray Social Studies Department is to help students understand how both historical and current events affect their lives and the world culture in which we all live.


The Social Studies Curriculum


Middle School Requirements

Seventh graders will be introduced to basic social studies skills, including multi-cultural studies, geography, civics and economics.  These skills will be taught within the American history timeline of European exploration through the Era of Reconstruction.  Eighth graders will continue their historical journey into the 20th century.  Students will develop critical thinking skills and will apply them to such issues as the Holocaust, the Vietnam War, and the Civil Rights Movement.

Sophomore Requirement Course Options

World History
This course is a survey of major civilizations from the earliest time though the present day.  Considerable emphasis is placed upon recognition of cultural, religious, economic and political interaction and change.  Among the course requirements are two short papers, a group presentation and an individual presentation.

Honors World History
This course is a survey of major civilizations from the earliest times through the present day.  Utilizing an advanced text, students will discern social, religious, political, and economic trends through the study of geography, people, societal structure, institutions and events.  Students will also develop disciplined reading, note taking, and writing skills.  Among the course requirements are one major paper, a group  presentation, an individual presentation, and multiple projects.


Junior Requirement Options

United States History
This course surveys the development of the United States, from the first Americans and European exploration, through the 1990’s.  Political, cultural and social history will be explored, with a strong emphasis on the 20th century, including the Civil Rights Movement, Holocaust history and immigration.  Students will explore primary sources, including documents, diaries, and photographs to discover just what it means to be an American.

Honors United States History
This course provides a balanced, thorough survey of American history from the first Americans and the Era of Colonization, through the 1980’s.  Using an advanced text supplemented with considerable outside reading, students develop a working knowledge of major patterns in American political, religious, social and economic development in preparation for the Spring Advanced Placement Examination in United States History.  This course requires and instills tremendous reading and writing skills and discipline.  Among the course requirements are a group presentation, a major research paper and an individual presentation.


Senior Requirement Options

Senior Social Studies
One semester of government and one semester of economics make up this senior level course.  Students will study the theory of democratic government, political parties, the Constitution, as well as Federalism and political process.  The fundamentals of economics are studied during the second semester.  Concepts such as scarcity, opportunity cost, and supply and demand will be studied.

Honors Senior Social Studies
This Senior-level honors course is composed of one semester of government and one semester of economics.  Students will examine the philosophical foundations of the United States republican form of government.  They will also investigate the impact of public opinion, participation, and political parties on public policy.  Honors economics consists of a thorough analysis of the free enterprise system as well as a critique of the impact of economic decisions on
social justice.  Among the requirements for this course are independent reading assignments, and a major research paper.

Full Year Elective Courses

World Cultures
Open to all students (grade 9-12)

This geography class examines countries in Africa, Asia, South America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.Students will explore physical characteristics, cultural aspects, and current events.  The five themes of geography will be the tools used to analyze an area to answer the where, why, and how questions that constitute geography.  This course will include hands-on projects, class presentations and several field trips.


Semester Elective Courses

Psychology
Open to juniors and seniors

This course is an introduction to psychology.Students will be provided with a greater understanding of human behavior, especially their own.  Topics include human development, gender differences, sensation and perception, adolescent behavior, stress and conflict, and states of consciousness.

Global Conflicts
Open to juniors and seniors

This course examines the role of the United States in recent events.  In particular, the course seeks to explain this country’s political, social and military responses to recent events.  Included are the Vietnam and Gulf wars; revolution; terrorism; and geostrategic issues such as the collapse of the Soviet Union; the powder keg that is the Middle East; and relations with China.  The influence of the media, technology, and other influences upon the making of foreign policy will also be examined.  Among the requirements of this course are participation in several panel discussions, an individual position speech, and two short papers.

20th Century Human Behavior
Open to juniors and seniors

Within the historical context of the Holocaust and other 20th Century genocides, including Armenia, Rwanda, Cambodia, and Bosnia, students will examine human reaction to crisis.  The psychological and cultural basis of racism and discrimination, bystander responsibilities, and social justice will be dominant themes.Course requirements include research, class presentations, participation in class discussion, and several short papers.


Social Studies Faculty

Judy Bartel is the Social Studies Department Chair and began teaching at Hill-Murray in 1993.  Judy earned her B.A. in Anthropology and History from Macalaster College and her M.A.Ed from Hamline University.  Judy is also the Regional Education Coordinator for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Shane Rose began teaching at Hill-Murray in 1998.  Shane graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth with a B.A. in teaching Social Studies with an emphasis in Political Science and History.

Renae Elert joined the Hill-Murray faculty in 1996.  Renae earned her B.S. in Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Marty Mudek graduated from Hill-Murray in 1996 and returned to teach in 2005.  Marty earned his B.A. and M.A. from St. Mary’s University.

Don Blake began teaching at Hill-Murray in 1999.  Don earned his B.S. in Social Sciences and History from the University of Minnesota and his M.A. in Elementary Administration from the University of St. Thomas.

Mary Eileen Fitch earned her B.A. from St. Norbert’s College and her M.A. from St. Mary’s University.  She began teaching at Hill-Murray in 2001.

Amy Fletcher-Brewer began her teaching career at Sidney Lanier High School in San Antonio, Texas. She earned her B.A. in Art History with a minor in Religion from Hamline University, and her M.A. in Secondary Education from the College of St. Catherine.  She joined the Hill-Murray faculty in 2004.