Social Studies Department


The mission of the Social Studies Department is to foster the growth and adaptability of globally aware students and to cultivate an appreciation of the responsibilities of American citizenship within our students. An emphasis is placed on developing analytical and research skills along with other 21st century skills. 

Timothy Furtak
Mr. Timothy Furtak '02
Department Chair

Mr. Furtak ‘02 earned his B.A in History and his M.A. in Secondary Education from Sacred Heart University. Mr. Furtak has been teaching at ND for 16 years, and was named the Defensive Coordinator for the football team in 2011. In addition to coaching football, he served as the JV hockey coach for 10 years.When Mr. Furtak was a senior at ND, he was a member of the football and hockey state championship teams in 2001-2002! Mr. Furtak also serves as the moderator for the Outdoorsman Club as well as the Bass Fishing Team, which competes on the CT B.A.S.S. High School Trail.

Social Studies Courses for 2023-2024


Social Studies Courses

#H13A/B World Cultures Moreau Honors 
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. 

#H12A/B World Cultures 
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

#H34A/B AP U. S. History 
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.

#H33A/B Honors U.S. History 
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 

#H32A/B U.S. History 
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 

H44A/B AP U. S. Government & Politics 
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. 

#H43A Honors American Government 
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 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 

#H42A American Government 
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 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

#HH2B Modern US History 
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. 

#HH3B Honors Modern US History 
0.5 Credit Level 2 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

#HH4A/B Psychology 
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

#H62A Antisemitism and the Holocaust 
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

#HH6A American Military History 
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 of the course 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. This course is designed to examine the American military experience from the American Revolution to the Vietnam War. Some of the 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

#U90A Information Technology Internship
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. Students who have a love of digital creation (music, photography, video. website construction, coding, etc.) will now have a place for others to get in contact with them and utilize their talents. 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 Notre Dame in the IT department. 

Requirements: Sophomore, Junior, or Senior; ability to work before and after school to help set up for events; signature of Director of Instructional Technology. 

#P20B Life Skills 
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 

#U42A Entrepreneurship
0.5 Credit Level 2 

This course gives each student an in-depth look at what it takes to plan, start, and maintain his own business. The course is organized into various Levels. The first exposes the student to the basics of entrepreneurship: the second teaches the fundamentals of business planning and the competitive free market environment: the third Level gives each student a comprehensive look at what is needed to manage a small enterprise using Virtual Business simulation software. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America), which is an association for marketing students. 

Requirements for placement: sophomore, junior, or senior status

#U52A Marketing
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. Also, all marketing students will be encouraged to join DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) an association of marketing students. 

Requirement for placement: junior or senior status