GLOBAL HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY I
Global History 1 is the first part of a two-year Global History sequence, culminating in a Regents exam at the end of the 10th grade. World history is studied chronologically from the dawn of man to European exploration of the Americas (c.1600). Major themes include cultural diffusion, patterns of settlement and migration, religions and connections to our world today.
This course is required for graduation.
GLOBAL HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY II
(Prerequisite: Global History I/Social Studies 9)
Global History II is the second year of a two-year sequence in Global History and Geography. During this year, we examine world history from 1750 to today. Major themes this year include cultural blending, imperialism and aggression, global conflicts and current issues of global concern.
This course is required for graduation. This course culminates in a Regents Exam.
AP EUROPEAN HISTORY
(Prerequisite: Grade 10 student or higher, recommended by a social studies teacher)
The AP European History course focuses on developing students’ understanding of European history from approximately 1450 to the present. The course has students investigate the content of European history for significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in four historical periods, and develop and use the same thinking skills and methods (analyzing primary and secondary sources, making historical comparisons, chronological reasoning, and argumentation) employed by historians when they study the past. The course also provides five themes (interaction of Europe and the world; poverty and prosperity; objective knowledge and subjective visions; states and other institutions of power; and individual and society) that students explore in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places.
This course culminates in a Regents Exam and an AP Exam.
UNITED STATES HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT
(Prerequisite: Global History & Geography II)
United States History and Government is a survey course that begins with events leading up to the founding of the United States as a nation and ends with current issues of today. Roughly one third of the course deals with the Constitution and government and two-thirds deals with the history of the United States.
This course is required for graduation. This course culminates in a Regents Exam.
AP AMERICAN HISTORY
(Prerequisite: Global History II or AP European History, recommended by a social studies teacher)
Advanced Placement American History is a college-level class open to seniors and juniors. Students will examine American political, social and cultural history from exploration to the present. This is an intellectually –demanding, writing intensive class. College credit can be earned by performing well on the AP exam given in May. Juniors taking this class will be required to take the Regents exam in United States History and Government in June in addition to the AP exam.
This course culminates in a Regents Exam and an AP Exam.
PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT / ECONOMICS
(Prerequisite: US History & Government or AP American History)
Students will learn to be informed and productive citizens in their community. All levels of government are surveyed, your obligations as American citizens are addressed, and current issues are debated. There is a community service requirement of 12 hours, and two local legislative meetings required. Students will become economically literate. The course teaches students how to understand what is going on in our economy, overviews general investment strategies, and includes basic economic theory. Designed to prepare students for real-life economics as well as college economics.
This course is required for graduation.
CIVICS (½ credit)
Civic readiness is the ability to make a positive difference in the public life of our communities through the combination of civic knowledge, skills and actions, mindsets, and experiences. Through civic education, students learn how to identify and address problems in their community or school community. Students also learn how to demonstrate respect for the rights of others, respectfully disagree with other viewpoints, and provide evidence for a counterargument. Civic education can strengthen the relationships of schools and students with parents, families, civic leaders, and organizations and community partners.
CURRENT EVENTS (½ credit)
This half-year course will examine current issues and problems on the local, national, and global levels. Course structure and requirements will vary by instructor, but many include a combination of class discussion, newspaper analysis, written assignments, presentations, and projects.
LAW AND ORDER: INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL STUDIES (½ credit)
Every society needs some form of regulation to ensure peace in our daily lives and in broader areas like business, family disputes, traffic violations, and the protection of children. In “Law and Order: Introduction to Legal Studies”, you’ll delve deeper into the importance of laws and consider how their application affects us as individuals and communities. Topics we will be learning about include: career exploration in legal studies, law enforcement, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, legal practice – lawyers, law school, and types of law, policing – history, practices, issues, courts – local, state, federal, and Supreme Court, juvenile justice, corrections, and case studies / analysis of criminal and civil cases.
TOPICS IN LAW AND LEGAL STUDIES (½ credit)
Take a deep-dive into historical and contemporary topics in law and legal studies, based on student-interest surveys. Students will be required to complete at least one research project during this course.
WORLD WAR II (½ credit)
The great conflict of the 1930’s and the 1940’s rings loud and clear in the halls of history and remains an item for extensive study. The WWII course enables a student of history the opportunity to discover the details of the causes and effects of WWII. We study the leaders of the 20th century, the battles, generals, and other significant events that played a role during this time. The students will be able to understand how a world war of this magnitude happened and explain the aftermath.
HOLOCAUST (½ credit)
The course will allow students to understand the history of the Holocaust; the perpetrators, the victims, and the bystanders. We will also evaluate how genocide continues in the 21st century.
HISTORY THROUGH FILM I – U.S. HISTORY (½ credit)
Like written history, contemporary Hollywood feature films are an interpretation of their society. A major goal of this semester course is determining what is valid in contemporary films and historical dramas about United States history and what these films say about the people who created them, the politics behind their creation, and how they reflect the values, ideas, and larger historical issues of the times in which they were created. Students are expected to view films, participate in class discussions, and write a series of short essays comparing the film evidence to information in more traditional sources such as articles, film review, and critical commentaries.
HISTORY THROUGH FILM II – WORLD HISTORY (½ credit)
Like written history, contemporary Hollywood feature films are an interpretation of their society. A major goal of this semester course is determining what is valid in contemporary films and historical dramas about World History and what these films say about the people who created them, the politics behind their creation, and how they reflect the values, ideas, and larger historical issues of the times in which they were created. Students are expected to view films, participate in class discussions, and write a series of short essays comparing the film evidence to information in more traditional sources such as articles, film review, and critical commentaries.
PSYCHOLOGY (½ credit)
This course is designed to give students a solid background in the field of psychology. Topics include: the fields of psychology, methods of psychology, Principles of Learning, Intelligence and Creativity, Infancy and Childhood, Adolescence, Adulthood and Aging, Personality, and Mental Illness.
This course is for students in grades 11 & 12.
This course is eligible for College Now credit.
WOMEN’S HISTORY (½ credit)
This class takes on the history of the United States through a different lens. Students take a much deeper dive into the study of famous (and sometimes not so famous) women of the United States, the roles they played in shaping this country and women’s rights for future generations.