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Foundations of the Social Studies: Course Description
A ninth-grade class taught at Columbia High School
in White Salmon, Washington, by Peter Knowles

Foundations of the Social Studies is a freshman course at Columbia High School that is designed to introduce students to a number of Social Studies concepts and skills in preparation for their high school years. In it, students use major themes in world geography to understand and evaluate the changing world around them. An introduction to research activities at the high school level helps them ready themselves for a number of future challenges at CHS. Because of its importance as a "foundation" of their further studies, students must successfully complete the course before enrolling in upper division Social Studies courses in years to come.

Course Goals: Students completing the course will:

  1. Understand five major themes in world geography:
    (Location, Place, Human and Environmental Interactions, Movement, and Regions)
  2. Perform research activities involved in geographical analysis.
  3. Locate, manipulate, and interpret data from a number of sources.
  4. Critically evaluate geographical features with regard to various factors.
  5. Successfully map the world.
  6. Develop successful speaking skills through class discussion and oral presentations.
  7. Write effective essays in response to a variety of critical-thinking questions.
  8. Use various computer technologies for research, writing, and presentations.
  9. Investigate current social problems around the world.

Foundations of the Social Studies course is divided into five geographical units of study:
1) Latin America, 2) North America, 3) Europe, 4) Africa, 5) Asia & Oceania

All but one unit of study will have a Global Challenge project as a focus, where students will set out to solve real-world problems related to the geographical region under study. Global Challenges are technology-dependent research projects requiring careful study, creative thinking, and clear communication of results, undertaken in small groups, with grading on both individual and group elements.

Foundations of the Social Studies: Global Challenges

September-January 1999
GC Region Main Theme(s) Question Tasks Time
1 South and
Central America		 Region
Place
Human/Environment
interaction 		Mega Opus International hopes to bring a modern production facility to a Latin American location.
Where should it be? 		Brief descriptive profile; freehand Maps of assigned countries; statistical data tables; charts & graphs showing key data from tables; references for all items 4 weeks
2 North America Movement
Region
Location (relative) 		Congress, the INS, and the American people want to know how to handle cross-border traffic in a way that is safe, fair, and efficient. How should it be done? Same as 1, plus webbing/ problem-solving activities; letter to politician or editor 4 weeks
3 Europe and
Middle East		 Location
(relative & absolute) Region 		European and Middle East countries are experiencing conflicts that threaten peace and prosperity in the entire region. What should the international community do? Same as 1, plus cover letter and descriptive report; Hypermedia project for presentation 3 weeks of class time (Thanksgiving break in the middle)
4 Africa Region
Location
(relative & absolute) Place 		None
Note: There was no "Global Challenge" for Africa. The content was presented in a fairly traditional manner. 		Traditional: direct instruction, readings, daily activities, videos, etc. 3 weeks (up to Winter break)
5 Asia/Oceania Same as 1 Same as 1
Note: Global Challenge 5 was a repeat of GC1, except focusing on Asia and Oceania. 		Same as 1 3 weeks (returning after Winter break)

In addition to the Global Challenges, students complete a number of geographical mapping activities, culminating in a final activity where a map of the world is drawn freehand from memory. An objective, multiple-choice final on key concepts from the course is also part of the final.

It is expected that students who successfully complete the course will have a record of successful activities in the Social Studies, and will leave the class fully prepared to continue their successes in later years as they progress through Columbia High School.