Social Studies

SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT

(1-27-17)

REQUIRED
CORE COURSES

WORLD CIVILIZATIONS CP, CPE

This required survey course in World History for ninth grade students begins with the First Global Age in the 14th century and continues to the present. Students study historic, social, economic, geographic, and political events of the Renaissance, Reformation, explorers, Enlightenment, Revolutions, and Imperialism. A significant emphasis is given to the events of the 20th century including World Wars and regional conflicts, human rights issues, the arts, the impact of technology, and the economy in contemporary Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe. Students in World Civilizations CP develop their skill of chronological thinking, geography, and decision-making. Students in World Civilizations CPE develop their skills in reading, writing, working with maps and charts. The importance of organizational habits and note-taking skills in the study of history is emphasized.

 

WORLD CIVILIZATIONS H

This is a survey course in World History for ninth grade students with excellent reading and writing skills. This course begins with the Emergence of the First Global Age in the 14th century and continues to the present. Students will learn about the importance of religion and philosophy, the Enlightenment, Revolutions, and imperialism. A significant emphasis is given to the events of the 20th century including World Wars and regional conflicts, human rights issues, the arts, the impact of technology, and the economy in contemporary Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe. Students in this course develop their skills of critical and chronological thinking, analysis and interpretation, geography, research, and decision-making. Students use primary documents, express their views in essays, editorials, and debates, and are expected to work independently in their study and reading about historical events.

 

UNITED STATES HISTORY 1 CP, CPE

This course, required of all tenth grade students, develops the history of our country in a combination of chronological and topical approaches. This course begins with the Colonization and Settlement of America and continues to the development of industrial America in the late 19th century. Although the subject matter for the different academic levels is the same, differences in the courses lie in the depth, quantity, and difficulty level of materials that are used. Materials may include the use of a basic text, supplemental texts, primary materials such as original documents and speeches, audiovisual materials, simulations, newspapers and periodicals. Differences may also lie in the emphasis that is given to critical thinking, consideration of opposing opinions and interpretations of history, and analysis of situations.

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY 1

This is the first course in a two-year sequential college level course providing an in-depth study of American historical development in the areas of social, cultural, political, economic, intellectual, and diplomatic history. The historical eras included in this course begin with Native American and continue through the Gilded Age to the end of the 19th century. This sequential course gives students a thorough grounding in relevant facts, and scaffolds from these facts to examine their context and significance. The students read historical materials analytically and critically, with historical evidence and interpretations, and arrive at conclusions on the basis of informed judgment. College textbooks provide the background, but extensive use is made of more specialized studies in other printed materials. Students gain experience in taking notes from both printed sources and lectures, writing essay examinations, and in writing college level historical research papers using various reference sources. This course also uses primary sources, requires students to do independent research, includes assignments on expository writing, and the development of a thesis. Successful completion of this course is required to register for AP United States History 2.

 

UNITED STATES HISTORY 2 CP, CPE

This course, required of all eleventh grade students, develops the history of our country in a combination of topical and chronological approaches. This course begins with the Progressive Era and continues through to present day. Although the subject matter for the different academic levels is the same, differences in the courses lie in the depth, quantity, and difficulty level of materials that are used. Materials may include the use of a basic text, supplemental texts, primary materials such as original documents and speeches, audiovisual materials, simulations, newspapers, and periodicals. Differences may also lie in the emphasis that is given to critical thinking, consideration of opposing opinions and interpretations of history, and analysis of situations.

Prerequisite:  U.S. History 1 CP, CPE

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY 2

In this second year of the two-year sequential college level course, providing an in-depth study of American historical development in the areas of social, cultural, political, economic, intellectual, and diplomatic history. The study of American historical development begins at the turn of the 19th century and continues through contemporary American society. This sequential course gives students a thorough grounding in relevant facts, and scaffolds from these facts to examine their context and significance. The students read historical materials analytically and critically, with historical evidence and interpretations, and arrive at conclusions on the basis of informed judgment. College textbooks provide the background, but extensive use is made of more specialized studies in other printed materials. Students gain experience in taking notes from both printed sources and lectures, writing essay examinations, and in writing college level historical research papers using various reference sources. Students must be able to express themselves clearly and concisely, and possess all necessary skills in the use of library and technology resources. It is expected that students in this sequence take the Advanced Placement Examination. This examination, given in May, provides an opportunity for students who later attend a participating college to receive appropriate credit and placement.

Prerequisite:  AP United States History 1

 

UNITED STATES HISTORY 2 CPE

FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON UNIVERSITY (FDU) MIDDLE COLLEGE PROGRAM

This U.S. 2 CPE section meets the district requirement for a second year of American History. Students who successfully complete this course may receive three college credits towards FDU or another accepting university; tuition is paid directly to FDU by the student’s parents. This course utilizes both a topical and chronological approach to the study of twentieth century America. Major topics include: the emergence of the United States as a world power, World War I, life during the 1920’s, the Depression and the New Deal, World War II, post-war international relationships, themes in the 20th century American political and economic life, and issues for the 21st century. Additional themes like, the nature of history, historical study skills, historiography, and research writing make up the course requirements. Students receive library privileges at Fairleigh Dickinson University and will use primary sources in addition to the standard textbook.

Prerequisite:  U.S. History 1 CP, CPE

 

AMERICAN STUDIES – US HISTORY 2 CPE

American Studies is an interdisciplinary course that satisfies the requirements of United States History 2 and English 3. A coordinated thematic curriculum is based on the diverse experiences of the people of the United States in realizing the American Dream. Students who elect to take the American Studies program receive separate grades and five credits from each department. The American Studies course explores connections linking the American experience to four questions: 1) What is the American Dream? 2) Who is entitled to the American Dream? 3) How is the American Dream evolving? 4) Should the American Dream apply to the world? The study of literature, art, music and film brings life and humanity to the historical experience, while historical documents and social history give perspective to the human experience. During each marking period all students participate in planned educational activities (field trips, films, debates, speakers, simulations, etc.) relating to the coordinated themes taught in literature and history. Students are expected to write reflective and analytical papers, create multimedia projects, maintain a writing portfolio, and engage in research projects/papers in a literary and historical context. Critical thinking and problem solving skills explore the relationship between the humanities and historical issues. America’s role as a world power is the theme for the evolution of America’s foreign policy in the twentieth century.

Prerequisite:  U.S. History 1 CP, CPE

 

ELECTIVE COURSES:

 

ANTHROPOLOGY CPE

This full-year elective course for eleventh and twelfth graders deals with the scientific study of humankind and the development of cultures both past and present. Included in this course are units on physical anthropology, archaeology, and socio-cultural ethnography. This course concerns the human experience from prehistoric times to the present, from the simple hunter-gatherer tribes to more complex cultures. Cultural patterns, structures and functions are evaluated, and the focus is global and comparative. Cultural case studies are used to supplement learned anthropological data and to bring about a better understanding of the behavior of man and society. Actual field experience in archaeology is included during the year.

 

ECONOMICS CPE

This full-year elective course for eleventh and twelfth graders seeks to provide a basic understanding of economics through the study of how the economy works today. Topics include supply and demand, the banking system, the national and global economy, monetary and fiscal policies, personal finance, investment, insurance, pensions, and the real estate market. The stock market is also covered in this course with an emphasis on how stock prices are determined, why stock prices change, how a stock exchange functions and the impact of the stock market on the overall economy. Opportunities are provided for students to learn economic terms, principles, laws, calculate percentages and interest rates, interpret graphs, analyze statistics, and determine personal income taxes. High school level textbooks are used in this course, unlike the AP Economics course that uses a college level textbook. This course should provide an excellent background for students seeking to take economics and business courses in college.

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ECONOMICS

This full-year elective course for eleventh and twelfth graders emphasizes the theoretical study of economics and provides insight into many social and political problems in the United States and the world. This course provides an understanding of what economics is all about. Relating theory to history increases the student’s understanding of the subject. Topics include: inflation, recession, depression, the development and workings of the free market system, monetary and fiscal policy, economic indicators, supply side economics and current economic issues. Skills such as the interpretation of statistics and graphs, translating economic statistics into graphs, evaluating various types of investments such as stocks, bonds, and money-market funds are studied. Students are given the opportunity to develop an approach to decision-making that is less emotional and more rational using cost-benefit analysis. It is expected that students take the AP exam. This exam, given in May, provides an opportunity for students who later attend a participating college to receive appropriate credit and placement.

 

GEOGRAPHY CPE

In this full-year elective for tenth, eleventh, and twelfth graders, students are encouraged to develop an understanding and appreciation of the interrelationship between geography, people, and the environment. Besides a study of maps, landforms and climate, culture and economics are emphasized.  Opportunities are provided for individual and group activities so that students will be able to gain practical experience in the discovery of geographic concepts and principles.

 

LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS CPE

This full-year elective for eleventh and twelfth graders includes semester topics on the study of criminal and civil law and the study of human rights issues. Knowledge of the law is not only fascinating but a necessity in today’s complex society. The examination of our criminal and civil laws will emphasize rights and responsibilities. Students will also examine the nature of crime, problems of prison administration and the rehabilitation of prisoners, study the criminal justice system, jury trials, and define basic legal terms and concepts. The part of the course on human rights examines many facets of human nature and the basic questions about the role and importance of moral responsibility in today’s turbulent world. The focus of this course is an examination of various genocides (Holocaust, Armenian, Bosnian, Cambodian, Rwandan, Sudanese). Students use primary source materials in their examination of these important questions. The course includes examples of violations of human rights in contemporary times in such places as Russia, South Africa, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Central America, and Serbia. Problem analysis, critical thinking, social criticism, and decision-making skills are emphasized. Students will discover how problems in one country affect other nations.

All students will study the Holocaust and other examples of genocide in U.S. History 2.

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT MODERN EUROPEAN HISTORY

This course is recommended for tenth, eleventh, and twelfth graders who are planning to attend a competitive college. This is an important college level course where students are exposed to the people, ideas, and events that are part of the rich traditions of European History. The historical material in this course parallels the historical events in American history and may be taken at the same time as U.S. History 1 or 2. The course places a special emphasis on the literary, artistic, and philosophical contributions to world history. Students will develop the skills of Internet research; participate in classroom simulations and debates, and complete creative and expository writing assignments. Students will enhance their skills of research and analysis through the reading of primary documents relating to the time period from the Renaissance to the end of the twentieth century. The study of European History provides an understanding on current issues in foreign policy and the world economy. It is expected that students take the Advanced Placement Examination. This examination, given in May, provides an opportunity for students who later attend a participating college to receive appropriate credit and placement.

 

PSYCHOLOGY CPE

This full-year elective for eleventh and twelfth graders presents the science of psychology. In each section, the student is offered greater insight into the motivations, thought patterns, emotions and behaviors of human beings. Students are expected to actively participate in classroom discussions and activities. Topics include comparative psychology, the structure and function of the brain, normal and abnormal childhood development, adolescent behavior, neuroses (phobias, manias, depression, anorexia, and bulimia), psychoses (schizophrenia, manic depressive, psychosis, etc.), and dream analysis.

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY

AP Psychology is a college level course designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students will be exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major fields within psychology and learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice. The course of study prepares students for the AP exam in May. Topics include the schools of psychology, biological bases for behavior, developmental, abnormal, and social psychology, learning, motivation, perception, states of consciousness, personality, and psychological disorders.  Students are expected to take the AP exam and need to have demonstrated competency in reading, writing, and research in required core academic courses.

Prerequisite: This course is open only to seniors who have previously taken Psychology CPE and maintained an A or B average. Seniors who have not taken Psychology CPE as a prerequisite must have the approval of the Social Studies Subject Supervisor to register for the course.

 

SOCIOLOGY CPE

This full year course for eleventh and twelfth graders is designed to afford students insight into their role in society. The course is divided into four major conceptual areas: the individual and our various roles and relationships in society, the deviance and inequities in our society and how that inequity negatively affects us all, the social institutions which impact our development and daily lives, and a global perspective of social change. Relevant sub-topics included in the scope of the course are: social interaction, abnormal deviant behavior, the prevalence of prejudice and discrimination, social class, the role of the family and religion in America, collective behavior, social movements and gender roles. Students are encouraged to look beyond their own personal existence and see society from a broader, multifaceted perspective. The course is characterized by a high level of student participation and sociological "fieldwork" in the form of survey design, observational studies and social experiments. The students are encouraged to develop sociological insights, impression management skills and a mindfulness of the sociological perspective.

 

SPORTS HISTORY CPE   

This full-year elective course for eleventh and twelfth graders is designed to have students examine the place sports hold in American life. Students will focus on sports as a reflection of our social, political, and economic make-up and its ability to effect and shape our institutions. Particular attention will be given to social class, race and ethnicity, gender, labor issues, community, technology and commercialization, and the media. This course examines major ideas and events in the history of sports. Course material will be based on primary, secondary, audio and visual resources.  Instructional practices will be differentiated to be inclusive of all academic levels.

UNIVERSITY PROGRAM: INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND BUSINESS

 

NINTH GRADE

UP – WORLD HISTORY H  

This International Studies and Business University Program core course prepares students with an understanding of global history through the use of basic historical reading, writing, and research techniques. Students will investigate historical topics and prepare multimedia presentations. All historical fields: political, diplomatic, intellectual, cultural, economic, and social are covered.

 

NINTH GRADE

UP – CRITICAL GLOBAL ISSUES H

This International Studies and Business course introduces students to the knowledge, research, and debate of critical global issues. The course will focus on the following contemporary global problems:

  • Environment
  • Urbanization
  • Global Health

Students explore these topics both inside and beyond the classroom. The course may include visiting speakers, field trips, research, multi-media presentations, and position papers. Students will research and debate issues relating to cost-effectiveness, public policy, funding, and methods of enforcement.

 

TENTH GRADE

UP – GLOBAL FINANCIAL MARKETS H

This course uses an interdisciplinary approach to study and analyze the interaction between investment markets in the economy. Students research the impact of economic news reports on market trends.  Students follow the short and long term trends of the stock, bond, commodity, and real estate markets. Projects include managing a stock market portfolio, bond fund, commodities, currency exchange rates, and in-class presentations.

 

ELEVENTH GRADE

UP – GLOBAL ECONOMY: TRADE, POVERTY, AND WEALTH H

Today’s global economy is faced with the social and political issues of the “great divide” between the developed and developing countries. This course introduces students to these issues through the study of macroeconomic principles relating to trade, fiscal policy, employment, and banking. Students will study the following core themes:

  • Causes and Effects of World Poverty
  • International Trade Case Studies
  • The Creation of Wealth

Students will research and analyze topics relating to the environment, World Bank, the World Trade Organization, regional trade agreements, and entrepreneurial markets. Presentations emphasizing debate, technology, position papers, case studies, and analytical thinking are required.

 

TWELFTH GRADE

UP – MANAGERIAL BUSINESS DECISIONS AND ACCOUNTING H

Students will study executive business, management, and decision-making accounting. They will continue to develop problem-solving and analytical skills in this course. The principles of financial and executive managerial accounting are followed by case studies relating to specific corporations.  Students will study the budget process, analyze corporate balance sheets, apply microeconomic principles of marginal costs and revenues, explore case studies of business decisions, and present recommendations based on a field experience.

 

TWELFTH GRADE

UP – 21ST CENTURY ISSUES-INTERNATIONAL LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS H

Technology and globalization are impacting our society and the legal principles of different countries and institutions.  This interdisciplinary University Program course investigates constitutional and common law issues affecting business, society, government, and the diplomatic community.  The creation of the new International Criminal Court, disputes affecting maritime trade and outer space, nationalistic movements leading to the desire for independent states, and intellectual property rights are examples of topics researched, debated and discussed in this project oriented course.

Students will study the following core themes:

  • Principle of Law and Jurisprudence
  • Evolution of International Law
  • The UN and the International Community
  • Human Rights

Presentations include a case study on human rights issues, simulated Security Council meetings, debates, and moot courts.  Research skills include analyzing U.N. resolutions, U. S. and World Court decisions, and the use of professional journals