Social Studies

WORLD HISTORY I H                                    _________                                       710

Full year, 1 credit  

Grade 9

This is a course that addresses foundational themes and key questions in world history.  Major units of study include prehistory and the rise of civilization, the great empires of antiquity, expanding zones of exchange and encounter, global interactions and cross-cultural exchanges, in the first global age.  Particular emphasis within the curriculum is placed on developing student skills around historical research with primary and secondary sources.  Students will then learn how to use that research to both create engaging presentations as well as craft insightful historical arguments and narratives.

WORLD HISTORY II H                                      ______                                      720

Full year, 1 credit     

Grade 10

Going around the world, beginning in 1700 in Europe with the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment and ending with studies on problems in contemporary societies, we will examine, through the use of case studies, turning points in the development of world cultures.  Especially, we will focus on the impact of history on the present day political, economic, social, and international issues that are the subjects of today’s news.  In a sense, we will be looking back from today and asking ourselves:  How did this happen?  For example, in studying the Bosnia Crisis, we will need to know about Europe, Russia, and the Near East for a history that will explain the present and then to understand how ethnic and national conflicts can be resolved through international cooperation rather than by war.  Essentially, we will be examining how and why cultures are different so that our understanding can enable us to fulfill our roles as citizens in a multicultural world.  Through this course we will learn how to think, write, and speak in ways that encourage interactive learning, cognitive processing, and intellectual development. At the end of this course each student will take the New York State Regents Exam in Global History and Geography which will only focus on 10th grade curriculum.

AP WORLD HISTORY                                ____________                                             725

Full year, 1 credit

Grade 10

Students will begin with a review of the foundations of World History to the 15th century, when the focus will shift to the modern period.  The class will explore the forces of change and continuity that promoted or hindered global interactions among world societies.  Included in this study are topics such as the impact of trade on global interactions; political and economic developments in the Western world and their impact on non-Western societies; nationalism, war, and the retreat from empires; the spread of technology and demography; and the impact of gender politics and policies in shaping modern societies.  The course aims to address the question of the impact of the Western ascendancy in world affairs from 1700-1945 on East Asia, India, the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.  In the contemporary period, we will study the social transformations and crises that have characterized the global community to forge a definition of globalization.  When appropriate, students will engage in a comparative study of different societies to learn how each confronted the West and the process of modernization.  Assignments will require considerable reading.  Students will be taught how to write analytical and argumentative essays under timed and untimed conditions in preparation for the advanced placement test that is required of all students.  All students are required to take the New York State Regents Exam in Global History and Geography at the end of the year.

AP U.S. HISTORY                                     ____________                                       735

1 credit

Grade 11

This college-level course covers American history from the pre-Contact period through the present day and provides stu­dents with the analytical skills and factual knowledge to deal critically with American history. This course makes the same demands on the students as a full year introductory college course. Students will learn to assess histori­cal materi­als, their relevance to a given problem, and their reliability and impor­tance. Students will learn to weigh the evi­dence and interpretations presented in his­torical schol­arship. The course will help students develop the skills neces­sary to ar­rive at conclu­sions on the basis of an in­formed judgment, and to present reasons and evidence clearly and persuasively in various es­say formats. Throughout the year stu­dents will participate in several interactive activities like simulations and seminars and extensive reading and writing are required.  All students must take the AP examination in May.  All students are expected to complete a summer reading and essay assignment which is due on the first day of class.  At the end of the course each student will take the New York State Regents Exam in United States History and Government.

(NOTE - there is a substantial summer assignment which must be completed by the first day of this course. No exceptions. This assignment will be announced by June 10th each spring)

U.S. HISTORY H                                              _________                                        730

1 credit

Grade 11

This survey course is organized chrono­logically and covers the period in U.S. His­tory from Colonialism to the present day. Thematic topics which will be investigated include:  the de­velopment of representative democ­racy, the problems of racial relations from slavery to the present, the con­tinuing expansion and mobility of the American peo­ple, the industrial and technological revolu­tions, and foreign policy. Substantial reading material from both texts and primary sources are assigned for homework and students write a significant number of free response, document based essays and a research paper.  The social studies curriculum will be coordinated with the 11th grade study of American Litera­ture. Simula­tions, role playing, Socratic seminars, video technology, debates and presentations will be used exten­sively in this course.  At the end of this course each student will take the New York State Regents Exam in United States History and Government.

GLOBAL ECONOMICS H                                                                                    740

Fall Semester, ½ credit

Required of all Seniors

This semester course will provide an understanding of the US economy, both micro and macro issues, and its relationship to global markets.  Topics will include supply and demand, competition, unemployment, inflation, and international trade.  To explore these issues, students will draw upon a formal text, periodicals, and independent research. Emphasis will be placed on current issue research, present issues facing the domestic and global markets, as well as concerns on a local level.  Additionally, there will be a brief unit on personal finance, to encourage students to become informed participants in  their own financial decision making.

A.P. ECONOMICS_(Macro)_______________________________________750

.5 Credit

Grade 12

This course is a rigorous yet rewarding semester-long examination of the fundamental principles that govern economic activities of the aggregate economy. In addition to preparing a student for the A.P. exam in macroeconomics, a major emphasis of this course will be on the development of critical thinking skills and the application of economic principles and methodologies in problem solving. Consequently, the course will incorporate a wide variety of activities, including formal instruction in writing, debates, presentations, research projects, and problem solving competitions, in addition to traditional lectures, exams and homework problems.
(NOTE: Students will complete a writing sample in their junior year to provide feedback about whether they should take the course.  There is a substantial summer assignment which must be completed by the first day of class. No exceptions. This assignment will be posted by June 10th each spring)

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS               ______________                               742

Spring Semester, ½ credit

The structure and goals of government are explored in much greater detail than a typical civics course.  There is an in-depth approach to the organizational components of the institutions of government, as well as a study of how the government works in achieving public policy goals and in issues of diplomacy.  This course focuses on: the constitutional foundations of the US, the branches of government, the bureaucracy and the development of public policy, civil liberties and civil rights, political theory and beliefs and their influence on individuals, the development and philosophies of political parties, and US diplomacy.  Even though one must understand the historical perspective of each topic, more often than not, examples are drawn from 1960 to the present.  Consequently, reading a daily newspaper and a weekly newsmagazine, and watching Sunday morning political television programs, are as important to the course as the text.  Simulations, projects, and guest speakers play an integral part in this course. 

A.P. United States Government and Politics

.5 Credit

Grade 12

AP United States 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 will 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 behaviors. Underpinning the required content of the course are several big ideas that allow students to create meaningful connections among concepts throughout the course. Students will also engage in skill development that requires them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments. In addition, they will complete a political science research or applied civics project. (NOTE: There is a substantial assignment which must be completed over February Break.)

PSYCHOLOGY                                                                                                     754

GRADE : 10, 11, 12

This half-year course will help students gain a basic familiarity with some of the fundamental concepts, principles, and theories of general psychology.  Topics from each of the following areas are discussed:

(a) states of consciousness: dreaming, sleeping, & hypnosis, (b) the structures and functions of the brain, (c) learning and memory, (d) the influence of social situations, (e) the influence of personality dispositions, (f) the symptoms, causes, and treatments of mental disorders, (g) contemporary issues in psychology.  The course will utilize field trips, guest speakers, presentation, research and group work to explore these themes.

BRONCO TV                                                                                          838

GRADE : 10, 11, 12

Students will use Bronxville’s TV Studio 4B to produce the news show Bronco TV. The TV Studio video production equipment includes HD Video cameras, a MAC desktop to learn the basics of shooting, editing and telling a story through video. The News Show will be completed in two forms, both a live stream and long form taped show.  Projects will include, shooting angles, telling a story-Sense of Place and Dream Sequence, Using music, sound effects, lighting and green screens to enhance videos. This will be in addition to completing stories for Bronco TV and will teach students how to write a script and conduct interviews for recorded pieces.  This course is hands on and is looking for motivated students who enjoy freedom to learn.

The W.I.S.E. Program provides the opportunity for high school seniors to design projects that may take the form of internships with community agencies or businesses, intensive research on a topic of interest, or artistic or performance-based projects.  W.I.S.E. (Wise Individualized Senior Experience) is a transitional program that gives graduating seniors the opportunity to clarify career interests, while they experience working independently in the larger community.  During part of the school day, evenings, and/or weekends, students devote significant time to work in their internships, research their topics, maintain written daily journals, discuss their experiences with one another, and meet with their mentors to explore and reflect upon project issues.  Upon completion of their project, students submit their daily journals for evaluation and give oral presentations before a panel of students, teachers, and community members. 

Credit will be granted based upon work completed.

Note that for seniors enrolled in Service Learning Seminar, they will have the opportunity to utilize course time during the second semester to complete their community service experience.  For instance, a student can opt out of English or Social Studies class (not an AP class) and ‘trade’ the hours for community service hours.