Social Studies
ACIT aligns the Social Studies curriculum with the New Jersey State Learning Standards. The mission is to “provide learners with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and perspectives needed to become active, informed, and contributing members of local, state, national, and global communities” (State of New Jersey Department of Education). This is attained through developing students' abilities to develop questions and plan inquiry; gather and evaluate sources, seek diverse perspectives; develop claims and use evidence; present arguments and explanations; engage in civil discourse and critique conclusions; and take informed action. These skills are focused on throughout the year in each social studies course.
World History
Grade: 9
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: None
This is an introductory survey course highlighting human history from the First Global Age (1350) to modern day society. Students will consider and analyze turning points, cause and effect, and relationships between past and present historical events. Through the use of a variety of sources, students will explore the ways in which people, goods, and ideas have spread across the globe and discuss the consequences of this expansion. These interactions have led to both the greatest achievements of mankind and also the greatest tragedies. These interactions between societies across the globe, how they govern themselves will also be examined along with a focus on the major conflicts that have helped define the geographical boundaries from the 15th through 21st centuries. These topics will be dissected through class discussions, guided discovery activities, writing activities, media sources, and class projects. Students also will engage in a multitude of reading and writing assignments, which will serve as a pillar within the curriculum framework. In addition, students will actively participate in the examination of primary and secondary sources, videos, podcasts, and historical organizations and their curated materials enhancing the global literacy of students.
This is an introductory survey course highlighting human history from the First Global Age (1350) to modern day society in an effort to help students understand the past's impact on the present. Furthermore, students will consider and analyze turning points, cause and effect, and relationships between past and present historical events. The thematic nature of this course helps create these connections. Through the use of a variety of sources, students will explore the ways in which people, goods, and ideas have spread across the globe and discuss the consequences of this expansion. These interactions have led to both the greatest achievements of mankind and also the greatest tragedies. With a focus on major conflicts that have helped define the geographical boundaries from the 15th through 21st century, students will examine the global relations that dictated these boundaries. Through class discussion, these topics will be dissected through class discussions, guided discovery activities, writing activities, media sources, and class projects. Students also will engage in a multitude of reading and writing assignments, which will serve as a pillar within the curriculum framework. In addition, students will actively participate in the examination of primary and secondary sources, videos, podcasts, and historical organizations and their curated materials enhancing the global literacy of students.
Honors World History
Grade: 9
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: 93+ in previous relative coursework; Advanced Proficiency on standardized test scores; summer assignment
This is an advanced introductory course highlighting human history from the First Global Age (1350) to modern day society. Students will understand and apply historical thinking to concepts of change, continuity, and leadership over time and across the globe. Students will consider and analyze turning points, cause and effect, and relationships between past and present historical events through thematic and time period studies. Students also will engage in a multitude of advanced reading and writing assignments, which will serve as a pillar within the curriculum framework working individually and with groups. Students will focus on interactions between societies across the globe, how they govern themselves will also be examined along with a focus on the major conflicts that have helped define the geographical boundaries from the 15th through 21st centuries. In addition, students will actively participate and make valuable contributions to project-based and flipped class learning opportunities, using debate to discuss a wide range of material, including the examination of primary and secondary sources through global literacy. Using resources such as videos, podcasts, and historical organizations via curated materials to enhance their higher order critical thinking, reading and writing skills.
United States History I
Grade: 10
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: None
The United States History I course traces the development of the United States from colonization through the Civil War with a focus on the Atlantic World, European Colonization, Growth of the Colonies, the Road to Independence, the Constitution, Slavery, and the Civil War. Students will be able to apply historical concepts of change and continuity over time, and consider turning points, cause and effect, relationships between the past and present and how this might affect the future. Students will be able to explain how the historical development of the United States continues to take place in a global context and understand and define the individual responsibilities and duties associated with United States citizenship. In addition, students will actively participate and make valuable contributions to project-based and flipped class learning opportunities, including the examination of primary and secondary sources and digital, media and global literacies through the exploration of resources such as videos, podcasts, and historical organizations and their curated materials.
United States History I provides a thematic view that traces the development of the United States focusing on Shaping a Nation, Expansion and Immigration, Securing Freedoms and Rights and Domestic Conflicts and Changes. Each unit focuses on skills needed to become civically minded and globally aware. Students will be able to apply historical concepts of change and continuity over time, and consider turning points, cause and effect, relationships between the past and present and how this might affect the future. Students will be able to explain how the historical development of the United States continues to take place in a global context and understand and define the individual responsibilities and duties associated with United States citizenship. In addition, students will actively participate and make valuable contributions to project-based and flipped class learning opportunities, including the examination of primary and secondary sources and digital, media and global literacies through the exploration of resources such as videos, podcasts, and historical organizations and their curated materials.
Honors United States History I
Grade: 10
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: B in Honors or CP World History; successful completion of summer assignment(s), teacher recommendation, and the ability to read, write, and think critically
The honors level United States History I course encourages students to participate in an in-depth study of American history and the evolution of the U.S. Constitution through the Civil War. This class covers the political, social, economic, and cultural aspects of America’s history, and examines events from colonization to approximately 1900. Students will be able to explain how the historical development of the United States continues to take place in a global context and understand and define the individual responsibilities and duties associated with United States citizenship. In addition, students will actively participate and make valuable contributions to project-based and flipped class learning opportunities, including the examination of primary and secondary sources and digital, media and global literacies through the exploration of resources such as videos, podcasts, and historical organizations and their curated materials. Throughout this course, an emphasis will be placed on critical thinking, reading and writing skills as well as digital, media and global literacies.
College Board Prep US History I (Formally Advanced Placement United States History I)
Grade: 10
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: B or higher in Honors World History, successful completion of summer assignment(s), teacher recommendation, and the ability to read, write, and think critically
*US History I (College Board Prep) is part one of a two-part course. Only students who successfully complete College Board Prep US History I with a B and a teacher recommendation are eligible for AP US History II. Waivers are not eligible for this course.
This course is the first of a two part course. Students taking APUSH I will trace the development of our country from pre-colonization through the end of the Reconstruction Era. Upon completion, the students will be able to demonstrate a mastery of a broad body of historical knowledge and skills using historical evidence to defend and support basic arguments and positions, differentiate between various schools of historical thought and interpretation, and interpret and draw conclusions from various pieces of historical data including primary and secondary sources. They will be able to demonstrate an effective use of analytical skills of evaluation, cause/effect relationships, and compare/contrast. Working effectively in groups to produce analyses, essays, answer Document Based Questions or presentations, students will also be able to solve problems, think conceptually about the past and prepare for the AP US History Exam. Students are required to take the AP exam in May. The goal is to receive a score of 3 or better which may yield 6 college credits.*This course fulfills the United States History I requirement.
United States History II
Grade: 11
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: US History I
This course is designed to give students an understanding of the United States’ reconstruction efforts following the Civil War through the Age of Imperialism and the events which led to both World Wars. Students will partake in project-based learning which will give them an opportunity for a deeper understanding of what enabled the United States to rise from a nation struggling to remain united as one, to the beginnings of Civil Rights movements, to a world superpower. In addition, students will actively participate and make valuable contributions to project-based and flipped class learning opportunities, including the examination of primary and secondary sources and digital, media and global literacies through the exploration of resources such as videos, podcasts, and historical organizations and their curated materials.
This course is designed to give students an understanding of the United States’ through a thematic lens focusing on innovation and economics, global conflict, genocide, and American arts and culture. Students will partake in project-based learning providing an opportunity for a deeper understanding of what enabled the United States to rise from a nation struggling to remain united as one, to the beginnings of Civil Rights movements, to a world superpower. In addition, students will actively participate and make valuable contributions to project-based and flipped class learning opportunities, including the examination of primary and secondary sources and digital, media and global literacies through the exploration of resources such as videos, podcasts, and historical organizations and their curated materials.
Honors United States History II
Grade: 11
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: B in Honors or CP US History I; successful completion of summer assignment(s), teacher recommendation, and the ability to read, write, and think critically
This course will examine modern American history, roughly 1900 to the present, through the following themes: American democracy, civil rights and liberties, economic development, conflict and cooperation, geography and environment, the influence of technology, the individual and family life, humanities and religion, cultural diversity and the role of the US in world affairs. Throughout this course, emphasis will be placed on both critical thinking and writing skills as well as digital, media and global literacies.
Advanced Placement United States History II (AP)
Grade: 11
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: B in College Board Prep US History I; successful completion of summer assignment(s), teacher recommendation, and the ability to read, write, and think critically
*AP US History II is part two of a two-part course. Only students who successfully complete College Board Prep US History I with 86+ and a teacher recommendation are eligible for AP US History II. Waivers are not eligible for this course.
APUSH II students will study American History from the Industrial Age to present at the Advanced Placement level continuing with the same procedures and activities begun in AP US History I. By dividing the US History AP into two courses, the teachers and students will have more time to develop the themes and concepts begun in AP Us History I. Students are not required, but strongly encouraged, to take the end of course exam in May. Students enrolled in this course have the option to also be enrolled in a dual enrollment program available through Rowan College at Burlington County. The goal is to receive a score of 3 or better which may yield 6 college credits.*This course fulfills the United States History II requirement.
Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics (AP)
Grade: 12
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: B in Honors or AP United States History II,successful completion of summer assignment(s), teacher recommendation, and the ability to read, write, and think critically
AP U.S. Government and Politics provides a college-level, nonpartisan introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. Students study U.S. foundational documents, Supreme Court decisions, and other texts and visuals to gain an understanding of the relationships and interactions among political institutions, processes, and behavior. They also engage in disciplinary practices that require them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments. In addition, they complete a political science research or applied civics project. Students are not required, but strongly encouraged, to take the end of course exam in May. Students enrolled in this course have the option to also be enrolled in a dual enrollment program available through Rowan College at Burlington County.