Program Goals

The Department's goals are as follows:

1. The preparation of students to accept their responsibility as citizens in a democratic society and the promotion of civic competence

2.The understanding by students of the deep enduring traditions prevalent in American society that have contributed to its growth and longevity

3. The acceptance, understanding and appreciation of the differing value systems of various cultural and ethnic groups in the United States and the world

4. The necessity of understanding the interconnection of the world and interdependence of people in a global society

5. The awareness of social studies as an integral component in the development of an educated person

6. The development of a knowledge base that will help students achieve individual growth and achievement. These would include enhancing skills in consumer economics, personal and group relationships, problem solving, analysis, synthesis, critical thinking, study skills, writing and communicating

7. The development of an understanding of the past and its application to the present and future

8. The development of an appreciation for social studies in helping students make informed and reasoned decisions in an interdependent world

9. The realization by students that social studies is not an isolated discipline but includes the integration of knowledge and skills within and across disciplines

10. The understanding by students that environment (geography) has social, political and cultural implications for them and the other people in the world.

World History II Course Number 0231

                                                                                                
Grade 9  Honors 1 Credit

Prerequisite: A “B-” in previous history and English courses or Teacher Recommendation

This course is designed for motivated students who wish to explore and examine in depth a global perspective of the world from the late 1700s to the present There is a chronological as well as thematic emphasis within this course. There will be a review of the Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment, and the causes and effects of revolutionary change prior to 1800 on the world. Additionally, the foundations of industrialism, democratic and social reform in Europe, the causes and effects of nationalism and imperialism in the world will be analyzed. Other topics studied will include World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, the fall of communism, and perspectives on the growth of democracy in the world. Supplementary research, reading, and projects will be required.


World History II Course Number 0232

Grade 9  College Prep. 2 1 Credit

This course is for the college bound student. It is designed to help students understand the foundations of a global society from the late 1700s to the present. Topics will include the causes and effects of major revolutions, the Scientific Revolution and the change in political thought. Also the course will examine the foundations of industrialism, nationalism and imperialism, World War I and II, Korea, and the Cold War. Additionally, there will be an emphasis on the roles of Europe, Africa and Asia in the world today. Additional readings and projects will be assigned appropriately during the course. Developing the historical writing process will also be stressed.


World History II Course Number 0233

Grade 9   College Prep. 1 1 Credit

This course is designed to help students explore the world from 1800 to the present. The course provides the student with the basic factual content of significant events, people and conflicts that have shaped the history of the world and how each contributed to the global society in which students live. The course will examine the cause and effects of revolutions, the meaning of nationalism, imperialism, industrialism, and colonialism and World War I and II. Additionally, the growth of China, struggles for democracy, the collapse of communism and the roles of Europe, Asia and the Americas in the world today will be explored. Geography, communication skills and writing will be stressed.

U.S. History I Course Number 0241

Grade 10 Honors  1 Credit

Prerequisite: A "B-" in Honors English and Social Studies classes or teacher recommendation.

This course is designed for motivated students who will examine the historical and intellectural origins of the United States during hte Revolutionary and Constitutional eras.  Students learn about the important political and economic factors taht contributed to the outbreak of hte Revolution as well as the consequences of the Revolution, including the writing of and key ideas behind the U.S Constitution.  Students also study the basic framework of American democracy and the basic concepts of American government such as popular sovereignty, federalism, separation of powers, and individual rights.  Students study America's westward expansion, the establishment of political parties, and economic and social change.  Finally, students will learn about the growth of sectional conflict, how sectional conflict led to the Civil War, and the consequences of the Civil War, including Reconstruction.  Supplementary readings, projects, and research are required.

U.S History I Course Number 0242

Grade 10   College Prep II   1 Credit

This course is designed for the college bound student.  Students examine the historical and intellectual origins of the United States during the Revolutionary and Constitutional eras.  Students learn about the important political and economic factors taht contributed to the outbreak of the Revolution as well as the consequences of the Revolution, including the writing of and key ideas behind the U.S Constitution.  Students also study the basic framework of American democracy and the basic concepts of American government such as popular sovereignty, federalism, separation of powers, and individual rights.  Students study America's westward expansion, the establishment of political parties, and economic and social change.  Finally, students will learn about the growth of sectional conflict, how sectional conflict led to the Civil War, and the consequences of the Civil War, including Reconstruction.  Various writing assignments, projects, and research will be required.

U.S History I Course Number 0243

Grade 10 College Prep I  1 Credit

This course is designed to help students explore United States history from the Colonial Period to Reconstruction.  The course provides the student with teh basic factual content of significant people, places and events that contributed to America's origin and development. Students learn about the important political and economic factors taht contributed to the outbreak of hte Revolution as well as the consequences of the Revolution, including the writing of and key ideas behind the U.S Constitution.  Students also study the basic framework of American democracy and the basic concepts of American government such as popular sovereignty, federalism, separation of powers, and individual rights.  Students study America's westward expansion, the establishment of political parties, and economic and social change.  Finally, students will learn about the growth of sectional conflict, how sectional conflict led to the Civil War, and the consequences of the Civil War, including Reconstruction.  Additionally, communication skills with a solid emphasis on writing will be stressed.

U.S. History II Course Number 0245

                                                                         
Grades 11- 12 Honors 1 Credit

Prerequisite: A “B-” in English and Social Studies classes or Teacher Recommendation

This course continues the American story from 1877 to the present. There is a strong emphasis on Modern America and its rise to a World Power. Topics and themes explored are industrialism, urbanization, imperialism, labor, progressivism, immigration, isolationism, the Twenties, New Deal, World War II, Cold War, Civil Rights, the turbulent Sixties, consumerism, conservatism and Vietnam. The Constitution and its application in a changing American society are examined. Local, state and Federal Government issues will also be explored. The analysis, synthesis and evaluation of America's foreign and domestic policy and its affects on American traditions and beliefs will be investigated. There will be an emphasis on America's cultural diversity and various ethnic contributions to the development and enhancement of the American heritage. Supplementary readings, projects and research are required


U.S. History II Course Number 0246

Grades 11- 12 College Prep. 2 1 Credit

This course is for the college bound student. It is aimed at fostering a better understanding of America from 1877 to the present. Some of the topics students will study are industrialism, urbanization, imperialism, the labor movement, progressivism, isolationism, the Twenties, New Deal, World War II, Cold War, Civil Rights, the turbulent Sixties, consumerism, conservatism and Vietnam. Additionally, the Constitution and its application in a changing American society from 1865 to the present is investigated and local, state and Federal Government issues will also be explored. America's foreign policy and its impact on world society will be discussed. As in the Honors, U.S. History II course there will be an emphasis on America's cultural diversity and various ethnic contributions to the development and enhancement of the American heritage. Various writing assignments, projects and research will also be required.


U.S. History II Course Number 0247

Grades 11-12 College Prep. 1 1 Credit

This course is designed to help students explore the History of the U.S. from 1877 in a way that will help them continue to value the traditions and beliefs that all Americans share. The course provides the student with the basic factual content of the significant people, places, and events that contributed to America's development to the present day. Some topics that students will investigate will be industrialism, the labor movement, imperialism, World War I, the Twenties, the Depression, and post World War II America to Vietnam. Civil Rights, the Women's Movement and Native American movement will also be explored. As in the U.S. History II CP 2 course there will be an emphasis on America's cultural diversity and the various ethnic contributions to the development and enhancement of the American heritage. Additionally, communication skills with a solid emphasis on writing will be stressed.

Advanced Placement World History Course Number 0230

                                                                                                
Grades 10-12 Advanced Placement 1 Credit

Prerequisite: At least a “B+” in previous English and social studies' classes

This course is for the highly motivated and mature student who has an aptitude for history and wants to complete a course equivalent to an introductory college level world history course . The course compares and contrasts Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Students investigate the geography of the world and the cultural, institutional and technological movements that affected the growth of civilizations prior to 1000. They then examine in depth a global perspective of the world from 1000 to the present. There is a chronological as well as thematic emphasis within this course on the interactions of societies on the world. Some of the major areas stressed include the Islamic world, Japanese and European Feudalism, the Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment, Industrialism, Imperialism, as well World War I, World War II and the Cold War. All students will be required to take the AP exam. Use of primary sources, extensive reading, writing and discussion are required.


Advanced Placement U.S. History Course Number 0240

                                                                                               
Grades 11-12 Advanced Placement 1 Credit

Prerequisite: An “A” or “B” in English or Social Studies classes

This course is designed for the mature student who has already demonstrated an aptitude for history . The course is a survey course of U.S. History from exploration to the present. Major concepts and themes are examined from various historical perspectives. This course fosters a critical analysis of America's past and progresses at an accelerated pace . All students will be required to take the AP exam. Students who have taken the U.S. History II course may take this college level course. Extensive reading, expository writing and discussion are required.

Advanced Placement U.S Government and Politics  Course Number 0207

Grade 11-12  Advanced Placement  1 Credit

Prerequisite: An "A" or "B" in English or Social Studies classes.

This course is designed to give the mature student an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States.  The course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S politics and an analysis of specific examples.  Students will become acquainted with a variety of theoretical perspectives and explanations for various behaviors and outcomes.  Topics covered include the Constitutional underpinnings of U.S Government;  Political beliefs and behaviors; Political Parites, Interest groups and mass media; Institutions of National Government; Public Policy; and Civil Rights and Liberties.  All students wil be required to take the AP exam.  Use of primary sources, extensive reading, writing and discussion are required.  There will be a required summer assignment.

Psychology Course Number 0251

                                                                                         
Grades 11-12 Honors 1 Credit

Prerequisite: A “B-” in English and social studies' classes or teacher recommendation.

This course will focus on the psychological theories of development. It will cover the fundamental principles of Psychology with a specific aim to help students understand themselves and others better. Outside reading and research will be required. It will be the overall intent to improve study skills, research skills, and note taking. College-bound students will find this course to be very helpful as an Introduction to Psychology 101 that many take in their first year of college. The Honors Psychology course will cover the individual theorists and theories of development in detail. Other topics covered will be conditioning, learning and motivation theories. The course will also require outside reading, writing and research. A strong reading ability is suggested for students enrolled in this course


Psychology Course Number 0250

Grades 11-12 College Prep. 2 1 Credit

This course will focus on what psychology is and the psychological theories of development. It will cover the fundamental principles of psychology with a specific aim to help students understand themselves and others better. Outside reading and research will be required. It will be the overall intent to improve writing, study skills, research skills, and note taking.


Sociology Course Number 0237

Grades 11-12 Multi-level 1 Credit

This revised course combines elements of the former courses: American Federal Government, Facing History and Ourselves, and Afro-American History with sociology. The course will investigate man's involvement through group interaction. Relationships with current and past cultures, customs, traditions and societies will be studied. Topics such as the elements of group life, group control, cults, social dominance and obedience, and cultural integration will be explored. Additionally, the interaction and responsibilities of citizens with their local, state and federal governments will be discussed as well as the cause and effects of social change as it applies to the values of civility and the dangers of indifference within a culture. Ethnic relations, especially the experiences of the Afro-American and their contributions to society will also be incorporated within this class. Students interested in people's relationship within a society should seriously consider this course.

Cultural Perspectives in U.S History   Course Numbers 0205 (CPII) 0206 (Honors)

Grades 11-12     Multi Level      1 Credit

This course will investigate the cultural integration of various groups into American society, with an emphasis on the experiences of Afro-Americans, and their relationship with the American Federal Government.  Students will examine the Amercian Dream, the principles and operation of hte federal government, including its relationship with various ethnic groups and the rich cultural contributions of these diverse groups to American society.  Additionally, students will explore the interaction and responsibilities of citizens with their local, state adn federal governments as well as a basic understanding of civic life, politics and government.  Community service learning projects, additional readings and research will be assigned appropriately during the course.

International Political Economy      Course Numbers: 0258 (CPII) 0259 (Honors)

Grades 11-12   Multi Level     1 Credit

This course will explore the dynamics of struggle and cooperation among nations as each pursues power and wealth in internatonal relations.  The first semester will provide students withh the basics of international relations in both theory and practice.  The second semester will provide an historical overview of the development of the world economy and will ask such questions as: How is it organized? Who controls it? Who gains and who wins? Topics discussed will include realism, international liberalism, development, free trade, monetary systems and globalization.

Asian Studies Course

Grades 12   Multi Level     1 Credit (either in English or Social Studies)

This course will be run in conjunction with the English department, which will satisfy an English or History Credit. More info coming soon.

 

Back to Social Studies Home Page

Get a free html hit counter here.