Academics

Moreau Honors World Cultures – #H13A/B                                           1 Credit Level 3                 NCAA

This course is a thematic approach to world cultures designed to encourage the formation of students’ critical thinking skills needed to make objective judgments about historical and contemporary issues. It presents a global perspective of the forces and movements that have made the past continuous with, and relevant to, the present. A heavy emphasis is placed on activities designed to analyze, interpret, and evaluate the historical and cultural patterns of the world.  Requirements for placement: Previous record; signature of school counselor.

World Cultures – #H12A/B                                                                        1 Credit Level 2                 NCAA

This introductory course emphasizes reading, writing, note taking and study skills necessary for academic success. World Cultures is designed to provide students with an understanding of the ancient societies of the world with an emphasis on the culture, geography, and government systems. The course begins with Mesopotamia and extends through the ancient civilization of Rome.  Requirements for placement: Freshman status

AP United States History – #H34A/B                                                        1 Credit Level 4                 NCAA

In a College Board designed and approved curriculum students will learn how to use the AP Historical Thinking Skills and the AP Connecting Themes Students will work on AP Exam strategies in preparation to take the AP exam for potential college credit. Student’s will seek to understand the nine periods of United States history from pre-contact America to the modern era. As a Graduation requirement, students will write the Junior Research Paper during this course. Requirements for placement: Junior status: minimum overall average of 90% in all classes and signature of your second term World Cultures teacher.

Honors United States History – #H33A/B                                                 1 Credit Level 3                 NCAA

The Honors Level American History program is designed to help students develop historical thinking skills such as: depth of knowledge, analysis, evaluation, and critical thinking. The goal of the course is to build upon students understanding of U.S. history and develop an appreciation of why history

matters and how it affects us today.  The focus of the courses thematic approach will include the study of the United

States from the Colonial Period to the 1960’s with an emphasis on the social, political, and economic factors that have shaped the nation.  As a Graduation requirement, students will write the Junior Research Paper during this course. Requirements for placement: Junior status: minimum overall average of 85% in all classes and signature of your second term World Cultures teacher.

United States History – #H32A/B                                                              1 Credit Level 2                NCAA

This survey level course is designed to help students develop historical thinking skills such as: analysis, evaluation, critical thinking, logical reasoning, and problem solving.  The goal of the course is to build upon students' understanding of U.S. history and develop an appreciation of why history matters and how it affects us today.  An emphasis of this course’s thematic focus will be on the political, social, economic, geographic, and cultural factors that led to the development of the United States from a colonial territory to a world superpower.  As a Graduation requirement, students will write the Junior Research Paper during this course. Requirements for placement: Junior status.

AP United States Government & Politics – #H44A/B                             1 Credit Level 4                 NCAA

Students will read, analyze, and interpret data, develop evidence-based arguments, and engage in an applied civics or politics research-based project. The goal of the course is to prepare the students for the Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics examination, which they will be offered to take in May. AP United States Government and Politics is a college-level introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. Students will read and analyze U.S. foundational documents, Supreme Court decisions, and other texts and visuals to gain an understanding of the relationships and interactions between political institutions and  behavior. As part of their senior service project, students are required to work a minimum of ten hours in a municipal, state, or national election campaign.

Requirements for placement: Minimum overall 90 average; senior status and signature of your second term US History Teacher.

Honors American Government – #H43A                                    0.5 Credit             Level 3                NCAA

The focus of this course is to help to build upon students high level historical thinking skills with a focus on civics and political based discussion, evidence based research, and analyzing fundamental documents. The goal of the course is to develop in students an understanding and appreciation of exercising their political responsibilities as thoughtful and informed citizens, as well as give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States.   Emphasis is placed on how systems of government are founded, function, and impact individual, local, state, and national decisions.  As part of their senior service project, students are required to work a minimum of ten hours in a municipal, state, or national election campaign. Requirements for placement: Minimum overall average of 85% in all classes and signature of your second term US History Teacher.

American Government – #H42A                                                 0.5 Credit             Level 2                 NCAA

The focus of this survey course is to help to build upon students historical thinking skills with a focus on civics and political based discussion, evidence-based research, and analyzing fundamental documents. The goal of the course is to develop in students an understanding and appreciation of exercising their political responsibilities as thoughtful and informed citizens, as well as give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States.  Emphasis is placed on how systems of government are founded, function, and impact individual, local, state, and national decisions.  As part of their senior service project, students are required to work a minimum of ten hours in a municipal, state, or national election campaign. Requirements for placement: Senior status.

Modern United States History – #HH2B                                     0.5 Credit             Level 2                 NCAA

This survey level course is designed to build upon students historical skills such as: analysis, evaluation, critical thinking, logical reasoning, and problem solving. The goal of the course is for students to be able to identify and understand key themes from America’s recent past becoming more aware, appreciative, and respectful citizens. This class will have an emphasis on key stressors that are left over from the Cold War era and be able to connect them with the events of 9/11 and beyond.  Requirement for placement: Senior status: Please note seniors enrolled in Level 4 US Government and Politics and/or have taken US History L4 will be exempt from this course.  

Honors Modern United States History – #HH3B                       0.5 Credit             Level 3                 NCAA

The Honors Level American History program is designed to build upon students’ historical skills such as: analysis, evaluation, critical thinking, logical reasoning, and problem solving.  The goal of the course is for students to be able to identify and understand key themes from America’s recent past becoming more aware, appreciative, and respectful citizens.  The course will focus on key events during the past 50 years of American history with an emphasis on how they affected the political, cultural and social makeup of the country.  Requirement for placement: Minimum overall average of 85% in all classes and signature of your second term US History; Please note seniors enrolled in Level 4 US Government and Politics  and/or have taken US History L4 will be exempt from this course. 

SOCIAL STUDIES ELECTIVES

Psychology –  #H72A/B                                                               0.5 Credit             Level 2                 NCAA    

This course is an introduction to the behavioral sciences that will emphasize 3 major skill areas: communication, critical thinking, and self-introspection. The course will focus on the systematic understanding of our thoughts and how these thoughts affect us. Students will be encouraged to take what they learn in class and apply it to their lives. The topics of mindfulness as well as human performance will be explored in great detail.  Requirements for placement: Junior or senior status.

Antisemitism and the Holocaust – #H62A                                 0.5 Credit             Level 2                 NCAA

A development of historical thinking skills through an in depth look at antisemitism and the Holocaust focuses on the transferable practical application of examining the world around us. As a chronological and thematically based course, students will investigate the origins of antisemitism and its connection to Christianity. An important focus is on the historical context of Germany to understand the effects of World War 1 in perpetuating a discriminatory atmosphere towards European Jews. This analysis seeks to create an understanding of the events leading up to, contributing to, and after the Holocaust to allow a more modern investigation of present-day antisemitism and political extremism in the world.  Requirements for placement: Junior or senior status.

American Military History – #HH6A                                            0.5 Credit              Level 2                 NCAA

This course will help students develop historical thinking skills such as analysis, evaluation, critical thinking, logical reasoning, and problem solving.  The goal is to help students gain a better understanding of how the U.S. military has helped to shape American history through the strategy and tactics used on the battlefield. It is designed to examine the American military experience from the American Revolution to the Vietnam War. Some key battles that we will be examining will be Yorktown, Gettysburg, Belleau Wood, Normandy, Iwo Jima, Battle of the Bulge, and the Tet Offensive. In addition, we will also examine the technological advances in weapons and the improvements in military organization and operational planning. Finally, we will also look at the diplomatic, social, political, and economic impact that war has had on the United States. Requirements for placement: Sophomore, junior, or senior status.  

BUSINESS AND LIFE SKILLS ELECTIVES

Information Technology Internship – #U90A                                         0.5 to 1.0 Credits              Level*                 

This internship is designed to offer students the opportunity to serve as an assistant to the Director of Instructional Technology and the IT Specialist in the oversight and execution of various technology-based needs.  Responsibilities will include setting up and running the microphones and soundboards in the gym and auditorium, installing and updating software applications on school owned devices, instruction on utilizing technology devices such as projectors, phones, wireless applications. The IT interns will advise, inform, research, and demonstrate multiple areas of technology as well as help implement our current technology to the best of its ability.  Time commitment will vary from week to week but will not exceed more than 3 hours of work a week. This internship will open the door for actual employment over the summer and vacation breaks for students who are interested in working for ND in the IT department.    Requirements: Sophomore, junior, or senior status; ability to work before and after school to help set up for events; signature of Director of Instructional Technology.

Life Skills – #P20B                                                                                      0.5 Credit              Level*                 

This course deals with personal and health issues in the life of an adolescent. Topics discussed will be building self-esteem, decision-making, relationship skills, public speaking, financial literacy and more. Students’ grades will be based  primarily on presentations completed during the term.  Requirements for placement: Sophomore status.

Entrepreneurship – #U42A                                                                       0.5 Credit              Level 2  

This course will provide an introduction to entrepreneurship. The class will study general concepts such as; types of business entities, economics, taxes, and budgeting. Using computer software the class will participate in a virtual “business world” as a restaurant owner. The software requires the successful application of concepts studied in the class throughout the term.  Requirements for placement: Sophomore, junior, or senior status.

Marketing – #U52A                                                                                   0.5 Credit              Level 2  

This course is designed to provide students with the fundamental concepts, principles, skills, and attitudes common to the fields of marketing, merchandising, distribution, and retailing. Instruction will emphasize applications directly involved with marketing areas such as advertising, sales, research, promotions, fashion merchandising, and sports and entertainment marketing. E-Commerce and the Internet’s involvement in marketing will also be explored. Students will receive “hands on” experiences through Virtual Business ™ simulation software.  Requirements for placement: Sophomore, junior, or senior status.

IB Individuals and Societies

IB History of the Americas (HL) I

The emphasis of the course is on specific historical inquiry that enables the student to develop and apply the skills of a historian by selecting and analyzing a range of source material and considering diverse perspectives. The goal of the course is to develop historical thinkers based on key concepts such as change, causation and significance.  United States History will be a primary focus with comparative cases from other countries in the region.  Main topics will include: US Civil War: causes, course and effects (1840–1877), Emergence of the Americas in global affairs  (1880–1929), and The Great Depression and the Americas (mid 1920s–1939).  Students will also be required to complete a historical investigation into a topic of their choice.  Requirements for placement: Must be enrolled as an IB student.

IB History of the Americas (HL) 2

This course is a continuation of IB History of the Americas (HL) I and continues to develop high level historical thinking skills such as comprehension, critical thinking, analyzing, and evaluating evidence.  The goal of the course is to develop an understanding of the past, which leads to a deeper understanding of the nature of humans and of the world today. World History will be a primary focus with comparative cases from countries around the world. Main topics will include: Causes and effects of 20th century wars, The Cold War: Superpower tensions and rivalries (20th century), and The struggles for rights and freedoms in the mid-20th century. Students will prepare for IB external assessments for May of senior year.  Requirements for placement: Must be enrolled as an IB student.

IB Psychology (SL) 

IB Psychology teaches students to develop an understanding of how psychological knowledge is generated, developed, and applied and will allow them to have a greater understanding of themselves and appreciate the diversity of human behavior. The course teaches students to develop and apply an understanding of the biological, cognitive, and sociocultural factors affecting mental processes and behavior and to understand diverse methods of inquiry and the importance of ethical practice in psychological research. Students will complete an Experiment component of the Internal Assessment and prepare for the IB External Assessment given in May.  Requirements for placement: Must be enrolled as an IB student.  

The mission of Model UN is to provide an opportunity for Notre Dame students to understand the real functioning of the United Nations and to gain a greater awareness of member states and the value of peaceful diplomacy to resolve international problems (real-world issues).Students in our Model UN club use 21st Century skills.  They research, debate, use critical thinking skills, collaborate with others, communicate, and use leadership skills. Students frequently attend Model UN conferences to engage with students from other schools. 

The RRPDC is meant to bring together students for lively conversation about current events and topics of interest.