Social Studies Courses

This is the required course for freshmen. The course surveys the history and cultures of the world from prehistory to the early modern age, 1500-1700. The course follows the rise of great civilizations across the globe, how they flourished, and the problems they encountered. The course examines culture and certain political, religious, social, and economic customs and institutions. Special topics include exploring cultural diversity, achievements, competition for supremacy, and the influence of religion among different civilizations in the ancient world. Ultimately, there is an important discovery, an understanding of our common humanity.

This is the required course for sophomores. It is an introduction to the political, economic and social aspects of the 20th century Western world. Its focus will be the events, the ideas and the people who have shaped the future of the modern world. Starting with the major causes that brought about WWI, it is arranged chronologically to include the rise of communism and the Russian Revolution, the rise of fascism and WWII, the Holocaust, the Cold War , the collapse of the Soviet Union, the rise of the European Union, and the advent of terrorism in the modern era. The second part of the 10th grade year will be the beginning of a three semester study of United States History which will carry over into the 11th grade. This one semester introduction will study America’s past from its revolutionary origins through its economic growth, to slavery and the Civil War. Both parts of this course require close reading of primary and secondary sources, critical writing and careful class discussion of ideas and their interpretations.

This is the required course for juniors. The course develops selected topics and issues in United States history from the colonial era to the post-Civil War western expansion. It then becomes a more in-depth survey of the late 19th century to the era of Vietnam. Using primary and secondary sources, through discussion and writing, students develop their own interpretations and conclusions about United State History and during their course of study come to appreciate the major topics, issues, and personalities that have helped transform the thirteen former British colonies into a 21st century world power.

This course is designed for selected sophomores as the second part of a two year curriculum of world civilizations. Its purpose is to prepare students to take the AP World History examination in the spring.

The course uses factual knowledge, geographic study and interpretive analysis from both primary and secondary sources to gain a greater understanding of the change and continuity of global history from ancient times to the present, employing both a chronological and thematic perspective.

Topics to be studied in this course will include a review of those issues, ideas and events studied in the first year of World studies before moving onto the subject matter of the second year such as:

The Emergence of Western Europe and the Atlantic Economy, the Rise of Russia and the Soviet Union, Revolution and Reaction in Latin America, African Diaspora and the Atlantic Slave Trade, the Development of the Muslim World in Africa and the Middle East, Social and Economic Transitions in China and Japan, the History and Development of the Indian sub-continent, East Asia and the Pacific Rim in the contemporary world and a critical look at Globalization.

Prerequisite: Departmental approval, teacher’s recommendation and selection test.

This course is an elective for selected juniors. Admission requires departmental approval based on teacher recommendation, test, and writing sample. The main goal of the course is to prepare for the Advanced Placement exam in United States History, and includes the potential for college credit. Students will read, write, and discuss the various historical interpretations for the major events, characters, and ideas of United States History from 1609-1990. Among the topics included in this course are: Colonization, Revolution, Constitution, Civil War, Progressivism, World Wars I and II, Cold War, and Civil Rights. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement examination in May.

Prerequisite: Departmental approval, teacher’s recommendation and selection test.

This is an elective open to juniors and seniors. This introductory course is designed to give students a basic understanding of the principles of microeconomic theory. It emphasizes the fundamental terms, concepts, and processes of economic study that apply to individual decision makers, both consumers and producers. Students learn to research, analyze, and apply solutions to a variety of economic problems. Some major topics include: cost and benefit analysis, supply and demand, perfect and imperfect markets, and private and government policy.

This is an Advanced Placement elective open to juniors and seniors. It is an introduction to the principles, terms, concepts, and processes which apply to both micro- and macroeconomic study. The primary goal of the course is to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement exams in both fields of economic study. Students are expected to read and write about economic theories, engage in economic research and discuss economic problems and their solutions. Among the major topics studied are: systems analysis, production possibilities; supply, demand, and elasticity; costs, 48 revenue, and profits; perfect and imperfect markets; aggregate demand and supply; national income accounting; Keynesian and classical views; monetary and fiscal policy; international trade and finance. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement examination in May.

Prerequisite: Departmental approval and teacher’s recommendation.

This course is for seniors and focuses on the introduction to basic finance, investing, domicile management, and financial responsibility. The course’s focal point is on the history of finance in The United States and how it affects everyone’s daily life. Introduction to checking and savings accounts, understanding taxes and why we pay them, Real Estate procedures and protocols, and our credit system, are some of the many topics that will be covered by the instructor. The students will be expected to read extensively in primary and secondary sources, write short papers on the historiography of Wall Street, The Federal Reserve, and The Federal Housing Administration. Literature both fiction and non-fiction is a major component of the course’s methodology. In addition to role-playing and “Mock Purchases”, a class trip to a local financial institution is a requirement of the course.

This course will explore diplomacy in the modern era, the role of the United Nations, and interactions between and among nations. Activities include utilization of daily foreign press reports, programs which focus on decision making, position papers, oral presentations, group projects, online negotiation simulations and simulcasts with students in other nations.

Prerequisite: Department approval through teacher’s recommendation. Also, this unique seminar is designed to be an “additional” elective. Therefore, the student must carry a full load (at least the minimum number of credits) before he can “add” this course to his schedule. The class will meet every other day for the full year.

The course is designed to have students come to know and understand the importance of European history in the development of global affairs. Students will learn to criticize, analyze, and synthesize primary and secondary source materials in European History, and cover the period from the Renaissance to the collapse of Communism and end of the cold war, 1350-1990. Significantly, the course also prepares students for the Advanced Placement exam in European History. It is presumed that all students who elect this course will also take the Advanced Placement examination.

Prerequisite: Department approval through teacher’s recommendation.

This course is an elective course open to seniors. This course provides students with a general orientation towards the methods, content areas, and central findings of psychology. The course is designed to give students an understanding of psychology as a science and an art and to demonstrate 49 psychology’s application in daily living. The course develops three overall areas of thinking in psychology – analytic, creative, and practical – each of which includes both cognitive and affective abilities.

This course is designed to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement exam in the spring semester. It will introduce students to the systematic study of the behavioral and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students will study the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They will also learn about the ethical issues and laboratory methods psychologists use in their science and practice.

Prerequisite: Departmental approval through teacher’s recommendation.

This course examines the history of Vietnam and the region of the world known as Southeast Asia. The course focuses on the land, history, and culture of Vietnam. It centers on United States involvement from aid to the French, through the fall of Saigon, to the normalization of relations with Vietnam. Students read extensively in primary and secondary sources, write short papers on the historiography of Vietnam, and research the significance of Vietnam in modern American History. Literature is a major component of the course. A class trip to the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial - The Wall - is a requirement of the course which leads students to research projects about Vietnam era veterans. Other topics in the course are: the legality of the Vietnam war, fighting the war for the U.S.: the composition of forces, war tactics and strategies, when war becomes a crime: My Lai, the war at home including the role of media and perspective of women, wounds of war and the process of healing, boat people, and Vietnamese refugees in the U.S.

This course focuses on United States Government and Politics, one of two A.P. curricula offered in Political Science. Major topics include: Constitutional foundations of the U.S. Government; Political beliefs and behaviors; Political parties, Interest groups and Mass media; Institutions of National Government: the Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and Federal Courts; Public Policy; Civil Rights and Liberties. A major purpose of this course is to prepare students for the Advanced Placement exam in May. Students who select this course are expected to take the Advanced Placement exam.

Prerequisite: Department approval through teacher’s recommendation.

This course examines the U.S. Civil War. The course begins with an examination of the U.S. Constitution as it relates to the Civil War. There will be an extensive examination of slavery in the U.S. beginning with its origins. The course continues with a study of the divergent interests of Northern and Southern states, including economic, political and social differences. Abolitionism,
territorial expansion, the tumultuous 1850s and the election of 1860 will lead to the secession of the Southern states and the formation of the Confederacy. The central focus of the course will be
the war itself including extensive examination of the key leaders such as Lincoln, Davis, Lee, Grant and Jackson as well as key battles, including Manassas, Shiloh, Antietam and Gettysburg. The
course will conclude with the surrender of all Confederate armies, the assassination of Lincoln and the opening of the Reconstruction era. The course will include extensive use of books, primary
and secondary documents, research and writing.

Prerequisite: Department approval through teacher’s recommendation.