• SOCIAL STUDIES

    Below are the typical Social Studies course selections at each grade level. Check course descriptions for course details and prerequisites. Please contact the department chairperson if you have any questions.

    Chairperson: Kevin Budzynski
     
     
     
     
     Grade 9Grade 10 Grade 11Grade 12
     Required      
     
     
     
    Global History & Geography 9R
     
    Global History & Geography 9H
    		Global History & Geography 10RUS History & Government RParticipation in Government (1/2cr)
    AND
    Economics (1/2cr)
     
    Electives
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    		 AP European History
    US History & Government AP
     
    Sociology
    Psychology
    		Sociology
    Psychology
     

    GLOBAL HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY 9R - 1 year, 1 credit
    This course is the first course of a two-year curriculum students will take in Global History and Geography. This course includes a chronological study of history and human development from early nomadic man through the 18th century. Through various activities students will develop an understanding of culture, the importance of key events, the contributions of historical figures, and knowledge of our worlds’ geography. Global 9R culminates with the administration of the local 9th grade global history final exam.

    GLOBAL HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY 9H - 1 year, 1 credit.
    This is a preparatory course to the 10th grade World History AP program. This course will introduce students to the major elements of human history from Prehistoric times to the 16th century. This course is designed for students who are self-motivated and have the ability to draw connections from a variety of data. A major goal of this course is to prepare students to face the rigors of a college history program. With this in mind, it will require students to analyze and evaluate a series of themes and investigate how these themes have changed over time. Using a college level textbook as a guide, students will read, interpret, and analyze a variety of written material. It is imperative that each student takes ownership of the course and their learning. The class will rely heavily on discussion where students are responsible for completing the assigned readings before the star of class. In class, the literature will be discussed as to discover deeper analysis and a greater understanding of history. A summer reading assignment is required.

    GLOBAL HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY 10R - 1 year, 1 credit
    This course examines chronological events from Absolutism to the present day. Students will discover how modern history has shaped and continues to shape the world around us. The course is designed to fulfill the requirements for a two-year study in Global History and Geography. At the end of this course, students are required to take the Global History and Geography Regents examination that is required for New York State graduation.

    ADVANCED PLACEMENT EUROPEAN HISTORY - 1 year, 1 credit
    AP European History is designed into give students understanding of European history and its impact on today’s global society. This will be taught using a variety of methods and sources of information (primary sources, video clips, discussion, lecture, individual and group projects). The course will cover European civilization beginning with the Renaissance through the present day. Not only will this class increase student knowledge of the evolution of European societies, but it will also prepare them for the AP European History exam. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement examination.

    UNITED STATES HISTORY & GOVERNMENT R - 1 year, 1 credit
    This course is a chronological survey of American history, with emphasis on the period after 1865. It is divided into six major historical units: Constitutional Foundations for the United States Democratic Republic; Industrialization of the United States; the Progressive Movement - Responses to Challenges Brought About by Industrialization and Urbanization; At Home and Abroad - Prosperity and Depression 1917-1940; the United States in an Age of Global Crisis - Responsibility and Cooperation; and, A World in Uncertain Times - 1950 to the Present. The New York State Regents exam is issued at the end of this course. A high level of active class participation and attendance is essential for success. Students need to write essays at a competent academic level mandated by New York State Standards and will complete two to three extended projects and assignments as part of this course.
     
    UNITED STATES HISTORY & GOVERNMENT AP - 1 year, 1 credit
    The objective of this course is to increase the student’s understanding of United States history with the goal of having success on the AP American History Examination and the New York State Regents Exam. Students will take the AP Exam in May and the Regents Exam in June. The AP program in United States History is designed to provide students with the analytical skills and enduring understandings necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in United States history. The program prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those made by full-year introductory college courses. Students learn to assess historical materials – their relevance to a given interpretive problem, their reliability, and their importance – and to weigh the evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship. This AP United States History course develops the skills necessary to arrive at conclusions on the basis of an informed judgment and to present reasons and evidence clearly and persuasively in an essay format. The course is taught at the college level and the major difference between this course and the Regents level course is the amount of reading and depth of focus. Moreover, the AP curriculum stresses a large degree of higher order thinking skills with rigorous academic context. Students will be required to frequently analyze, synthesize, and evaluate primary and secondary historical sources in addition to memorizing, comprehending, and applying facts. Summer reading is required. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement examination.

    PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT (SPRING) - ½ year, ½ credit (Fall or Spring)
    This course emphasizes the interaction between citizens and government at all levels: local, state, and federal. The development of student participation in the processes of government is encouraged.

    ECONOMICS (SPRING) - ½ year, ½ credit
    This course explores the role of the consumer and produce in the world of finance. Students will examine how money, goods, and services impact on society. Students will also explore in depth the role of the consumer, the worker, business, and the influence of government on Wall Street. Students will learn practical issues regarding the importance of credit and how mortgages and other types of loans work.

    Social Studies Electives:

    PSYCHOLOGY - 1 year, 1 credit (Molloy College creditable – see page 14)
    Psychology is a full year elective designed to help 11th and 12th grade students gain a general knowledge about the field of Psychology and to be able to better understand themselves, peers and family. Topics to be studied include the history of psychology, the nature of sleep and dreams, learning and conditioning, mental disorders and the processes of childhood, adolescence and old age. Focus will also be on the contributions of the field of Psychology by individuals including Maslow, Skinner, Erikson, Freud, Rogers, Jung, Adler and Bandura.

    SOCIOLOGY - 1 year, 1 credit (Molloy College creditable – see page 14)
    This course will introduce 11th and 12th grade students to the fundamental concepts of sociology. It will examine issues of stereotypes, gender bias, racism, family life and their resultant societal problems. The goal of this course is to broaden student understanding and appreciation of our diverse society and world. Students are required to regularly reflect on classroom discussion in written form.