SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT

Four years of Social Studies are required for graduation.

FRESHMAN YEAR

Global Studies I is a two-semester course with several important curricular goals. First, it provides an introduction to all of the major social sciences: sociology, anthropology, history, economics and political science. The insights and skills provided by these disciplines are intended to enhance the study and understanding of the remaining courses in the program. Second, it serves as an introduction to the dynamic forces underlying the historical and current development of our world: conflict, scarcity, population pressures, environmental changes and nationalism, to name a few. Third, it focuses particularly on the nature of human societies and cultures, with emphasis on understanding the whys and wherefores of both the variety and commonalities. Fourth, it promotes an understanding of the essential unity of all mankind and the importance of the interrelationships of human societies with their environments in creating the future.

SOPHOMORE YEAR

Global Studies II is a humanities-based program in which the major cultural achievements of the West are stressed. The course is chronological in approach. Its goal is to familiarize the student with major Western traditions and institutions as seen through the arts, architecture, literature, economics and politics.

AP World History Advanced Placement World History is a full year elective course offered to sophomores who have an aptitude for history and want to challenge themselves. The general outline of the course follows that prescribed by the College Board to prepare for the A.P. exam in May and future college history courses. The course follows a chronological format from early man to modern times, emphasizing the similarities and change between regions and societies throughout history. Students must take the A.P. exam to receive credit for the course.

Prerequisite: Admission to AP World History is through application to the department. Students with a cumulative average of 90% in English and 90% in Social Studies are admitted without question. Other students are considered according to: reason for application, cumulative grade average, PSAT score, recommendation of current teachers, and approval of the chairperson.

JUNIOR YEAR

American History is an economic, political and social history of American life and institutions. Emphasis is placed upon those historical experiences and developments that have been pivotal in the emergence of the American culture today. The course attempts to integrate the American experience in global perspectives as well as its own unique milieu.

AP United States History is an introductory college-level course leading to the Advanced Placement Examination, which students must take in order to receive credit for the course. History is studied intensively, with greater attention to both detail and depth. There is a challenging workload of reading and writing assignments. For qualified juniors, AP United States History is an alternative to the regular American History course.

Prerequisite: Admission to AP U.S. History is through application to the department. Students with a cumulative average of 90% in English and 90% in Social Studies are admitted without question. Other students are considered according to: reason for application, cumulative grade average, PSAT score, recommendation of current teachers, and approval of the chairperson.

SENIOR YEAR

Government* is a half-year senior course, which explores the United States government through each of its major branches. Students will also study local, state and foreign governments. Classroom activities will include oral and written analysis of current events, guest speakers and recitation based on assigned readings and films. Evaluation will be based on testing, writing and class participation.

Economics* is a half-year course, which examines current issues involving our economic systems. Students will participate in an examination of microeconomics and macroeconomics. Concepts such as supply and demand, elasticity, consumer choices, costs and revenues, factor markets, product markets, unions, taxes, international trade, monetary policy, fiscal policy, money, banking and the stock market will be covered. An emphasis will be placed on current events within these fields of study. The course is taught through lectures, group work, class discussions and guest speakers. Assessments will include papers, quizzes and tests.

AP European History* is an introductory college-level course leading to the Advanced Placement Examination, which students must take in order to receive credit for the course. For seniors who qualify, it is offered as an alternative to the Government and Economics course. Primary and secondary sources are used in some depth to outline elements of the Classical and Medieval periods which relate to the Renaissance. This leads to a detailed study of the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Age of Absolutism, Romanticism, Realism, World War II and the Modern World. The course develops a student's oral and written skills as well as his knowledge of European History.

Prerequisite: Admission to AP European History is through application to the department. Students with a cumulative average of 90% in English and 90% in Social Studies are admitted without question. Other students are considered according to: reason for application, cumulative grade average, PSAT score, recommendation of current teachers, and approval of the chairperson.

AP Macroeconomics and AP Microeconomics* This is a full-year course that is designed to give students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to an economic system as a whole and to the individual. Macroeconomics deals with the study of national income and price determination and also develops a student’s familiarity with economic performance measures (GDP, inflation, unemployment), economic growth and international economics. Microeconomics deals with the study of opportunity costs and trade-offs, production possibilities curves, alternative economic systems, supply and demand, elasticity, consumer choices, costs and revenue, and the role of government in our economy. The course is taught through lectures, group work and class discussions. Assessments will include essays, quizzes and tests. The ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMINATION for each topic will be administered in May and STUDENTS MUST TAKE BOTH TESTS to receive credit for the course. For those colleges and universities accepting AP credit, each test is worth 3 credits, for a total of 6 college credits. Instructor approval is required.

Prerequisite: Admission to AP Macroeconomics and AP Microeconomics is through application to the department, a cumulative average of 90% in the current Social Studies class, assessment of proficiency in Math and English, reason for application, PSAT score, recommendation of current teachers, and approval of the chairperson.

*Seniors can satisfy their social studies requirement by taking Government and Economics or AP European History or AP Macroeconomics and AP Microeconomics .