Social Studies Department
About the Social Studies Team
The Social Studies department is composed of nine experienced educators with backgrounds in US and world history and cultures, as well as other social sciences such as economics, sociology, and psychology. This team recently worked collaboratively to develop the new US history courses, We the People and Conflict and Resolution. We continue to strive to provide dynamic, high-interest courses for students, including a wide array of electives. This includes the new ninth grade course, Global Leadership. To view our course listings, please visit the Program of Studies Website.
Meet Our Team
- Cynthia Young (cyoung@sau52.org): - We the People - Ancient and Modern Western Civilization (EC) - Art, Architecture, and Fashion - Art and Architecture of Empires - Cold War - Modern US History (EC)
- Sara Carpenter (scarpenter@sau52.org) - Psychology - Sociology
- Maya Glos (mglos@sau52.org - Current Issues - Modern America - Another View - World Wars - Cold War - American Studies II
- Dana Gray (dgray@sau52.org - Psychology - Sociology - Conflict and Resolution
- Andrew Haemker, Department Head, (ahaemker@sau52.org - We the People - Economics - Microeconomics (EC) - Macroeconomics (EC) - Civics
- Allison McGrimley - (amcgrimley@sau52.org - Global Leadership
- Shannon Parsons (sparsons@sau52.org - GPS - Conflict and Resolution - Modern Middle East - World Religions - Cold War
- Sam Tombarelli (stombarelli@sau52.org - Global Leadership
- Michelle Wheeler (mwheeler@sau52.org - Global Leadership
About Our Classrooms
Our classrooms each have overhead projectors and make use of the school library resources. All classes teach non-fiction reading, analytical writing, and research skills. Students engage in a variety of discussions, research projects and written responses.
About Our Courses
The Portsmouth Social Studies Department provides students with an understanding of the persistent themes, concepts and issues in history and the social sciences as well as an awareness of current issues and challenges facing the community, state, nation, and world. The core of our program centers on offering students a diverse background in civics, economics, geography, and history. We aspire to prepare active global citizens and participants in our democratic society.
The Social Studies Department offers juniors and seniors an opportunity to participate in Honors and Dual Enrollment (college-level) programs. Dual Enrollment United States History (11-12), Dual Enrollment Microeconomics and Macroeconomics (11-12), and Dual Enrollment Ancient and Modern Western Civilization (11-12) are designed for students who desire advanced study and who wish to complete college work while in high school. Requirements include summer reading and essay assignments.
Additional Support Opportunities
Students are encouraged to meet with teachers during FLEX to get extra help with writing assignments or any other work that needs to be completed.
Department Highlights
We offer cross-disciplinary courses such as the History and Literature of Sports and Holocaust Studies. We host a number of different clubs, including History Club, Italian Club, Model UN, and Philosophy Club.