Social Studies

Social studies is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence. Within the school program, social studies provides coordinated, systematic study drawing upon such disciplines as anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, history, law, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, and sociology, as well as appropriate content from the humanities, mathematics, and natural sciences.

The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, emocratic society in an interdependent world. (National Council for the Social Studies)

Social Studies Course Offerings 2012-2013

HONORS WORLD CULTURES
Full Year      Grade 9      5 credits

This accelerated course challenges the students to use critical thinking skills to collect, interpret, and synthesize course-related data as they explore the economic, social, and political history of regions around the world. These regions include: Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Students will be held to a high standard of performance in the completion of assignments, activities, and projects. The skills and activities developed in this class will provide the foundation for the requirements of Advanced Placement courses.

WORLD CULTURES
Full Year      Grade 9      5 credits

World Cultures is a yearlong course designed to fulfill the five-credit Social Studies requirement for nonfreshmen who require credit for World History. The World Cultures program will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of people, their cultures, and their surroundings. The students will understand various geographic, cultural, political, and economic factors that have contributed to the development of different groups. Students are encouraged to view historical events from multiple perspectives and respond personally to the issues raised in each unit.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT WORLD HISTORY
Full Year      Grade 10-12      5 credits

Prerequisite: Modern World Cultures

Advanced Placement World History enables students to develop understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts, in interaction with different types of human societies. This understanding is advanced through a combination of selective factual knowledge and appropriate analytical. The course highlights the nature of changes in international frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. It emphasizes relevant factual knowledge used in conjunction with leading interpretive issues and types of historical evidence. The structure of the course involves lectures, class discussions, plus in-depth readings of interpretative and historiographical materials.

HONORS U.S. HISTORY 1
Full Year      Grade 10      5 credits

Honors United States History 1 is a 5-credit, full-year course designed to fulfill five credits of the United States History 1 graduation requirement. This accelerated Honors History course will provide students with an in-depth study of United States History from early colonial times through the turn of the twentieth century. By taking this course, students will understand the various cultural, economic, geographic, intellectual, political, psychological, and social factors that contributed to the development of the United States. Students will interpret historical events, empathize and sympathize to the issues raised in each unit, and research major events that occurred in each unit. Honors U.S. 1 is recommended for students willing to do considerable amount of challenging readings and activities as well as independent research that will illuminate varying historical perspectives.

U. S. HISTORY 1
Full Year      Grade 10      5 credits

United States History 1 is a 5-credit course designed to fulfill five credits of the United States History 1 graduation requirement for the state of New Jersey. The course will engage students in the study of United States History from early colonial times through the turn of the twentieth century. Students will explore U. S. History using a variety of skills and activities that will prepare them for the challenges of today‘s world and workplace.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT: AMERICAN HISTORY
Full Year      Grade 10      5 credits

Prerequisite: U.S. History 1 Honors – May be used to fulfill U.S. History 2 requirement

Advanced Placement U.S. History is a 5-credit, full-year course fulfilling the U.S. 2 graduation requirement.

This course will serve as a review first of the U.S. History 1 topics ranging from Colonial America to Imperialism, followed by an in-depth look at America in the 20thCentury. Students will be preparing to take the national Advanced Placement History test in May.

HONORS U.S. HISTORY 2
Full Year      Grade 11-12      5 credits

Prerequisite: U. S. History 1

This accelerated course continues to follow the development of the United States in the Twentieth century. Areas of study will include but is not limited to Progressivism, Industrialization and economic growth, Immigration, Imperialism, The Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War politics, Kennedy and the New Frontier, Johnson and the Great Society, the upheaval of the 1960s along with the Nixon, Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton years and beyond. In addition, world events/issues that have shaped American policy at home and abroad will be studied.

U. S. HISTORY 2
Full Year      Grade 11-12      5 credits

Prerequisite: U. S. History 1

Untied States History 2 is a 5-credit, full-year course designed to fulfill five credits of the United States History 2 graduation requirement for the state of New Jersey. This course will engage students in the study of United States History from the early 1900s through the turn of the twenty-first century. Students will explore historic themes such as Immigration, Urbanization, Foreign policy, Civil rights and social change, the role of technology in the economy, among others. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the past and present using a variety of skills and activities that will prepare them for the challenges of today‘s world and workplace.

LAW AND BUSINESS
Full Year      Grade 9-12      5 credits

Introduction to our Anglo-American system of law, tracing its sources and history. Introduction to the legal system as it affects business activity. Principles of the law of contracts, agency relationships, commercial paper and sales are discussed and analyzed through the use of the Uniform Commercial Code, cases and problems. Emphasis is upon the law and business relationships.