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Social Studies
Freshman
While there is no social studies requirement during freshman year, freshman may elect to satisfy the sophomore requirement of Geography. Please refer to the course description listed below.
Sophomore
Geography (S1) (S2)
The course is designed to expose the student to a wide variety of themes and issues in geography. The areas covered will include physical features of the earth, maps and location, cultural geography, environmental issues, current events and other topics in geography. This is a 10th grade class. Interested freshmen should demonstrate superior reading and writing skills. Students should be prepared and expect to engage in activities that require the student to convey thoughts in coherent well-organized essays, to effectively communicate ideas in discussions (some graded discussions and/or debates), to analyze data and synthesize groups of information, and to draw conclusions from several primary documents used to describe certain events or cultures.
One semester, one credit, required of all sophomores.
Western Civilization (S1) (S2)
This survey course will examine the development of Western Civilization from prehistoric times up until the Renaissance period. Topics will include the great ancient civilizations of Egypt, the Middle East, classical Greece and classical Rome. In addition, the Middle Ages, the building of national monarchies, the Renaissance and Reformation will be examined in relation to the growth of Western society. Students will develop their analytical skills through cause and effect; they will also learn how to write a historical essay. This course serves as a foundation of key concepts and chronology for courses offered junior and senior year.
One semester, one credit, required of all sophomores.
Junior
American Studies (S2)
This course fulfills the second semester United States History Social Studies requirement. Students must enroll in first semester United State History. This course also fulfills the semester two American Literature requirement.
This course blends United States historical events and themes in American literature to provide students with a comprehensive social, political, economic, and literary history. For the school year 2011-12, five eras have been selected to be “team-taught.” These time periods reflect specific epochs: Great Depression, World War II, Civil Rights, Cold War Conflict, and Challenges of Modern American Society. In these time periods students will explore themes such as The Individual, the American Dream, Violence, and Pluralism. We will study 20th century eras that will foster an understanding of how the principles, problems, and issues are basic to the establishment of our country. This understanding is essential for students to fully appreciate the complexities of history as it unfolds in modern times. Students enrolled in this course will meet two consecutive class periods.
One semester, two credits, open to juniors
United State History (YR)
This course is designed to give students an understanding of the problems of our evolving democracy and a realistic knowledge of our past through basic themes in United States history: states’ rights and nationalism, expansion and economic growth, Civil War, industrialization and trade, domestic issues and wars. Within these themes, selected topics are dealt with: political parties, slavery, immigration, reform, the Depression, the New Deal, imperialism, alliances, the Cold War, Vietnam, Civil Rights, conservatism, and constitutional crisis. The content is presented in chronological order from the pre-Civil War era to the present. Ongoing skill development in reading comprehension, critical thinking, critical research, historic writing and integrative technology compliment the content of this course.
Two semesters, two credits, required of all juniors.
Advanced Placement - Junior
Advanced Placement United States History (YR)
This course is designed for junior students who have strong academic ability and an interest in the study of the history of the United States. The course is presented in chronological order from the colonial period to the present. Various topics and events will be examined with the emphasis being placed on in-depth analysis of cause and effect relationships. Students are expected to actively participate in debates, simulations, presentations, speeches, and other classroom activities. Special emphasis is placed on writing the essays required for the AP exam.
Prerequisite: "B” or higher in most recent social studies course. A summer assignment may be required
Two semesters, two credits, open to juniors.
Senior
United States Government and Politics (S1)
This course consists of a survey of political thought and experience in the United States. American government at local, state, and federal levels will be studied, with an emphasis placed upon the institutions of the federal government. Course topics include the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States of America, political process, political philosophy, civil rights, the role of government, current events, and the duties of a United States citizen.
One semester, one credit, required of all seniors.
Economics (S2)
This survey course covers macro- and microeconomic theory, and it is designed to prepare students for an intro-level college economics course. Students will study the fundamental concepts of economics and the national economy and their links to the changing global economy. Course work will include the study of "consumerism," decision-making, various product markets, economic models and, the student’s role in the factors of production and consumption. An ongoing analysis and discussion of current economic policies and trends is also a significant aspect of this course.
One semester, one credit, open to seniors.
Psychology (S2)
This course is a survey of the science of human behavior. Topics include psychology as a science, the psychology of learning, and biological influence on behavior, personality development, and abnormal psychology. Students will discover the many applications that psychology has on his or her life. The text material is supplemented by additional readings and the PBS series, Discovering Psychology, hosted by Philip Zimbardo.
One semester, one credit, open to seniors.
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Social Studies Advanced Placement - Senior
Advanced Placement European History (YR)
This is a course about the formation and development of Europe from the Renaissance to the modern day. Topics will be studied in a chronological thematic order. The course introduces students to a variety of political and economic systems, ideologies and theories, as well as explores social and religious issues that interacted with these ideas and systems. The course also examines the impact of historical development on culture including art, music and literature. In addition to discussion of content, emphasis is placed on expressing historical thinking through writing thematic essays as well as in-depth analysis of trends and cause-and-effect relationships. This course will provide a solid foundation for understanding international relationships as well as global and social justice issues.
Prerequisite: "B+" or higher in both semesters of United States History or a "B-" in both semesters of AP United States History.
Two semesters, two credits, open to seniors.
AP United State-Government and Politics (S1)
The United States government is a complex organization of structure and theory. This course combines both general concepts and specific institutions to develop an understanding of the government and political environment of the United States and why it functions as it does. Six areas of emphasis are covered in the course: constitutional underpinnings; political beliefs and behaviors; political parties, special interest groups, and mass media; governmental institutions (including the three branches); public policy; and civil rights and civil liberties. This course will analyze both the theoretical and practical components of our political system and government structure through discussion, analysis, and fluency. Analysis of current news, reports, blogs, and debates will guide discussion of theory and practice.
Prerequisite: “B+” or higher in both semesters of United States History or a "B" or higher in both semesters of AP United States History.
One semester, one credit, open to seniors.
Advanced Placement Comparative Government and Politics (S2)
Comparative politics is the study of other countries’ political and economic systems and why they function as they do. Since this course examines the current systems of various countries, a strong emphasis is placed on current events in relation to the course. The study of comparative government enables students to have a deeper understanding of global politics and foreign relations as well as the United States. Students will explore the impact of democratization, globalization and marketization on the development of government and politics. Six core countries are studied, as well as general concepts, such as political culture and political socialization, democracy, communism and post-communism, the political economy and supranational organizations such as the EU, UN, IMF and World Bank. Countries studied include: Great Britain, Russia, China, Mexico, Nigeria and Iran. A major project in the course involves the students’ designing a state of their own.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP United States Government and Politics or course instructor approval.
One semester, one credit, open to seniors.
Advanced Placement Macroeconomics (S2)
This macroeconomics course introduces students to fundamental economic concepts such as scarcity and opportunity costs. Other basic concepts that are explored include the functions performed by an economic system and the way the tools of supply and demand are used to analyze the workings of a free market economy. The course also introduces the concept of the business cycle to give students an overview of economic fluctuations and to highlight the dynamics of unemployment, inflation, and economic growth. Coverage of these concepts provides students with the foundation for a thorough understanding of macroeconomic concepts and issues and a developing fluency of curernt economic issues. As part of this course of study, students will explore and explain economics not only from a social science perspective, but also as a field related to social justice in a global society.
Prerequisite: “B+” or higher in both semesters of United States History, or a "B" or higher in AP United States History.
One semester, one credit, open to seniors.
United States History 7
Seventh grade American history concentrates on the period between human migration to the North American continent and expansion west. Included are the following units: American Indians, West African History and Culture, European Exploration and Colonization, Revolutionary War, U.S. Constitution, Age of Jefferson, and War of 1812.
Year-long course required of 7th graders.
United States History 8
Eighth grade United States history focuses on the following topics: Jacksonian Democracy, immigration, reform movements, western migration, internal conflicts, slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, the transition to the 20th century, World War I, the Great Depression, World War II & the Holocaust, the Korean Conflict, Vietnam, the Civil Rights Movement, the Cold War and modern day issues.
Year-long course required of 8th graders.
Both courses are designed to help the student foster critical thinking skills, as well as acquire basic knowledge of the history of the American nation.
Incorporated into both history courses are other related disciplines such as civics, economics, current events, and geography.
American Experience
The American Experience, an 8th grade class, is a uniquely formatted interdisciplinary class facilitated by two teachers over an 80-minute block. In the American Experience, students are presented with and consider multiple perspectives of American history while reading, interpreting, and evaluating interrelated literature to enhance their understanding and comprehension of key terms, concepts, and themes. In addition, the class offers learning opportunities beyond the classroom during which students connect their experiences to their studies.
Year-long course for selected 8th graders.
Genocide & Social Justice
Genocide & Social Justice (GSJ) is an 8th grade interdisciplinary class taught by two teachers covering issues relating to social justice and both current and past genocides. While studying the occurrences of genocide worldwide, students discuss the impact genocide has on our global community. Students reflect on why genocide happens, how it is carried out and what can be done to prevent it. Through studying the components of social justice and human rights, students define, learn, and discuss the responsibilities we have to care for each other worldwide.
One semester course, meets every other day, required of 8th graders.
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