Full Year Advanced Placement 1 credit Grades 11, 12

Prerequisite: Recommendation by Social Studies teacher

Drawing from the expertise and experience of college faculty and teachers across the country, the course is designed to offer high school students an evidence-based introduction to African American studies. The interdisciplinary course reaches into a variety of fields—literature, the arts and humanities, political science, geography, and science—to explore the vital contributions and experiences of African Americans.   This course aims to provide an enriched understanding of how African Americans have shaped America, its history, laws, institutions, culture and arts, and even the current practice of American democracy. (CollegeBoard) 

One semester course Advanced Placement ½ credit Grades 11, 12

Prerequisite: Recommendation by Social Studies teacher

This Advanced Placement course in U.S. Government and Politics is designed to give juniors and seniors a thorough understanding of the role of government in the United States. This course involves critical analysis of both historical and contemporary events in the study of the underpinnings, ideology, groups and institutions of American government. Students will be expected to take the Advanced Placement Examination in May.  This course fulfills the Civics graduation requirement.

Full year course Advanced Placement 1 credit Grades 11, 12

Prerequisite:  Recommendation of World History II H teacher, Civics credit recommended

The AP U.S. History course focuses on the development of historical thinking skills and an understanding of content organized around seven themes, such as identity and America in the world. The course is uniquely designed to provide students with an experience that closely replicates that which would be had at the university level. High quality instruction will be delivered in a lecture and discussion format coupled with weekly small group breakout sessions. Learning will be enhanced by guest speakers, panel discussions, film viewings, and other authentic experiences. The course fulfills the one-year of United States history required for graduation.  Students will be expected to take the Advanced Placement Examination in May.  

Full year course Honors 2 credits Grade 11

Prerequisite:  World History II H

American Studies Honors is co-taught by English and Social Studies faculty members for two class periods. This course fulfills the state U.S. History requirement.  Students earn 2.0 credits with 1.0 credit each towards graduation for English and Social Studies.

American Studies Honors provides students the unique opportunity to explore what it means to be American as both a historian and a literary scholar. Throughout this honors level course, students will investigate concepts such as the American identity, democratic ideals, the tensions between the individual and American society, diverse perspectives on the American dream, and active citizenship. Through the marriage of historical documents and literature, students will develop a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, those people, events, institutions and turning points that have shaped American history and that continue to influence the nation and students’ lives today. 

Students who are enrolled in American Studies may elect to concurrently enroll in UCONN's Early College Experience (ECE) course, AMST 1201: Seminar in American Studies, for a fee.  Dual enrollment allows FHS students to earn high school and UCONN's ECE college credit simultaneously. The UCONN American Studies ECE course, AMST 1201, is described as a course in which students engage in "a multi-disciplinary inquiry into the diversity of American societies and cultures".

One semester course College Prep ½ credit Grades 10, 11, 12

This semester-long course is designed to prepare students to actively participate in the constitutional system of the United States government. Students will learn about the institutions of American government in order to evaluate their successes and failures in balancing individual rights with the needs of society. As part of the course, students will employ research skills in order to form and defend opinions on matters of public policy. This course also fosters the Vision of the Graduate skill of Critical Thinking, as students will evaluate bias and perspective as well as make connections between new information and prior knowledge by relating curriculum to current events. This course is designed to facilitate students’ acquisition of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions they will need to be active citizens in a 21st century democracy. This course fulfills the Civics graduation requirement.

Full year course Honors 1 credit Grade 9

World History I H emphasizes the development of major civilizations from ancient times up to the modern era. Students explore ancient, classical and medieval history by focusing on the significant and recurrent historical themes of: Geography and Society, Moral Codes and Belief Systems, Political Systems, Power and Authority, Change and Reform. Students also learn and demonstrate the skills of the Vision of the Graduate, such as Critical Thinking and Reasoning, and Collaboration, which they demonstrate through primary source analysis, academic research, essay writing, presentation, mock trials, and debates.

Full year course Honors 1 credit Grade 10

Prerequisite: World History I H

World History II H is a continuation of the freshman World History I H experience. World History II, in the sophomore year, is the study of themes, skills, and content from 1450-the present.  Interdisciplinary in nature, the course teaches students to use the content to analyze patterns in history and to make connections between history and current conditions in regions around the world.  The ultimate goal of this course is to understand world history as a process.  Students will study the past to understand why events are happening around the world today.  This course will also teach students to evaluate why interpretations and perspectives are different across cultures and societies.  Students will achieve this goal by analyzing complex primary and secondary sources, reasoning with evidence to develop a thesis, and using knowledge to expertly engage in class discussions and debates. 

Full year Advanced Placement 1 credit Grades 12

Prerequisite: Recommendation by Social Studies teacher

Drawing from the expertise and experience of college faculty and teachers across the country, the course is designed to offer high school students an evidence-based introduction to African American studies.  THe interdisciplinary course reaches into a variety of fields-literature, the arts and humanities, political science, georgraphy, and sciene-to explore the vital contributions and experiene of African Americans.  This course aims to provide an enrished understanding of how African Americans have shaped America, its history, laws, institutions, culture and arts, and even the current practice of American democracy. (Collegeboard)

One semester course Advanced Placement ½ credit Grades 11, 12

Prerequisite: Recommendation by Social Studies teacher

AP Comparative Government and Politics, an introductory college level course, examines the political institutions and processes of six different countries—China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, and the United Kingdom—and compares the ways they address problems. Students will: connect political concepts to real-life situations, analyze data to find patterns and trends and draw conclusions, read and analyze disciplinary texts, and develop and support arguments. Students will be expected to take the Advanced Placement Examination in May. 

Full year course Advanced Placement 1 credit Grade 12

Prerequisite: Two years of World History and one year of U.S. History

This course is designed for college-bound students who have a high interest in the study of history and have successfully completed two years of World History and one year of U.S. History. In this class, students will have the opportunity to do advanced work and potentially earn college credit. The course examines the rise of modernity from the Renaissance to the present day. It stresses the themes of intellectual and cultural history, political and diplomatic history, and social and economic history. The course also provides training in essay writing, historiography and historical debate. Students will be expected to take the Advanced Placement Examination in May.

Full year course Advanced Placement 1 credit Grades 11, 12

Prerequisite: Recommendation by Social Studies teacher

The AP Human Geography curricula explores how humans have understood, used, and changed the surface of Earth by examining patterns of human population, migration, and land use. Students will connect geographic concepts and processes to real-life scenarios, understand information shown in maps, tables, charts, graphs, infographics, images, and landscapes, understand spatial relationships using geographic scales, and evaluate patterns and trends in data and in visual sources such as maps. Students will be expected to take the Advanced Placement Examination in May.

One semester course Advanced Placement ½ credit Grades 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Economics H or recommendation of Social Studies teacher

The purpose of this half-year course is to give students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to our economic system as a whole. This course is for students who want the opportunity to do advanced work and potentially earn college credit.  Students are expected to attend review sessions prior to the AP exam. This course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price determination as well as government policy. The topics of various economic performance measures, economic growth, and international economics are also stressed. Other basic economic concepts, such as scarcity and opportunity costs, are reviewed.  Students will be expected to take the Advanced Placement Examination in May.

One semester course Advanced Placement ½ credit Grades 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite:  Advanced Placement Macroeconomics

The purpose of this course is to give students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within our economic system.  This course is for students who want the opportunity to do advanced work and potentially earn college credit.  The course places emphasis on the nature and functions of product markets and includes the study of factor markets and of the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in our economy.  Topics include:  Supply and Demand Analysis; the Theory of Consumer Choice; Production and Costs; Firm Behavior and Market Structure; Factor Markets; and, Market Failure and the Role of Government.  Other basic economic concepts such as Scarcity, Comparative Advantage, Economic Systems; Property Rights; the Role of Incentives and Marginal Analysis are reviewed.  Students are admitted contingent upon their successful completion of Advanced Placement Macroeconomics.  Students will be expected to take the Advanced Placement Examination in May.

Full year course Advanced Placement 1 credit Grades 11, 12

Prerequisite: Recommendation by Social Studies teacher

The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. Students will be expected to take the Advanced Placement Examination in May.

Full year course Advanced Placement 1 credit Grade 12

Prerequisite: Two years of World History and one year of U.S. History

In AP World History:  Students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes from 1200 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change over time. The course provides six themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: humans and the environment, cultural developments and interactions, governance, economic systems, social interactions and organization, and technology and innovation.  Students will be expected to take the Advanced Placement Examination in May. 

One semester course Honors ½ credit Grades 10, 11, 12

The focus of this course is the study of human beings and human culture, both in the past and today. The areas of concentration include physical and cultural anthropology, as well as the field of archaeology. Physical anthropology traces the origin and development of human beings and human society, with an emphasis on the fossil evidence in support of evolutionary theory. The dispute between evolutionists and creationists is also addressed. As part of cultural anthropology, students study the values, norms, ideals, and learned behaviors of people as far-ranging as the Inuit, Amish, Bedouin, and modern Americans. The course includes guest speakers, museum trips, training in the use of archaeological methods and, when possible, a hands-on experience with a current archaeological investigation.

Dual enrollment courses, such as ECE Archaeology, allows FHS students to earn high school and UCONN's ECE college credit simultaneously. The UCONN Archaeology ECE course is described as a “survey of important discoveries in archaeology spanning the whole of human prehistory across the globe. Current issues, methods, and techniques in the field of archaeology”. 

One semester course College Preparation ½ credit 1 semester Grade 11, 12

Prerequisite: Criminal & Civil Law

ASPIRE - Criminal & Civil Law II allows students to build on their content understanding from Criminal & Civil Law I and explore their personal interests within the topic in a more independent way. Students can choose one of two pathways within the course: career path exploration or reform movements. ASPIRE projects will be driven by student choice and will be showcased as part of each student’s VOGC Exhibition of Learning. This course also provides many opportunities to interact with community members within the field of criminal and civil law through guest speakers, individual interviews, and field trips.

Option 1: Black and Latinx Studies                Full-year course     1 Credit       Grades 11, 12

Option 2: African American/Black Studies   Half-year course   ½ Credit Fall Semester  Grades 11, 12

Option 3: Latinx Studies                                Half-year course ½ Credit Spring Semester     Grades 11, 12

This course is an opportunity for students to explore the accomplishments, struggles, perspectives, and collaborations of African American/Black and Puerto Rican/Latino people in the U.S. Students will examine how historical movements, legislation, and wars affected the rights of these groups and how they, both separately and together, worked to build U.S. cultural and economic wealth and create more just societies in local, national, and international contexts. Coursework will provide students with tools to identify historic and contemporary tensions around race and difference; map economic and racial disparities over time; strengthen their own identity development; and address bias in their communities.

Full-year course 1 Credit     Grades 11, 12

Have you ever wanted to make a difference in our community or in our state? How can you engage the government or a non-profit organization to actually make this happen? Students in this course will be actively engaged in making positive change by creating a real-world civics project in our community through partnerships with community leaders. Students will learn how significant issues manifest themselves on a local or state level and will then deeply investigate an issue of their choosing. Then students will design, implement and advocate for a plan which will aim to create local, sustainable change through a government action or a non-profit initiative. Examples could include: Pedestrian/Bicycle planning, school starting time, youth voting, recycling initiatives or support for those in poverty. The final product from this will be showcased as part of each student's VOGC Exhibition of Learning.

One semester course College Prep ½ credit Grades 10, 11, 12

Civil and Criminal Law introduces students to the workings of the American justice system. Civil law focuses on private relations of individuals within the nation. Contracts, property law, and family law are examples of civil law. Criminal law is the process by which the accused are tried and sentenced for crimes. The content of the course is reflective of student interests as determined by a beginning of course survey. Simulations, site visits, and guest speakers will enrich the class experience. Students interested in a career in the legal field or in gaining a better understanding the American legal system are encouraged to take Civil and Criminal Law.

One semester course Honors ½ credit Grades 10, 11, 12

Economics Honors is designed to introduce students to the basic economic principles that govern the discipline. This course will strengthen students’ skill in economic decision making through the investigation of economic initiatives and policies in their local and state communities. In this problem based course, students will conduct research to draw conclusions about current issues and communicate those conclusions to authentic audiences. Students will think critically about the balance between individual economic freedom and the collective good when evaluating current and proposed economic policies. Students who take Economic Honors will be well prepared to engage in civic discourse around the significant economic issues that impact our society.

One semester course Honors ½ credit Grades 10, 11, 12

This seminar looks at the fundamental questions of life and the human experience in the world, guided by an authentic and hands-on approach to learning. The first part of the course focuses on the interactions between humans and the environment, and looks to define what it means to be happy across cultures and throughout time. Individual and collective happiness is also explored, and students are challenged to reflect on the societal and cultural values which help to frame conceptions of what it means to lead a "good" life. The second part of the course is focused on the relationship between art, architecture, belief systems, and culture in both the Western and Eastern worlds. Students are encouraged to seek out topics of interest within this subject and conduct independent research. When possible, visits to museums, parks, landscapes of interest, and retreats will enrich the curriculum. Students will participate in a culminating student-led project to create or refine intentional landscapes in the community.

One semester course College Prep ½ credit Grades 11, 12

Are you interested in why you and other people behave the way they do? If so, this is the course for you. Psychology is the study of behavior and mental processes. This course explores how psychologists attempt to describe, explain, predict, and possibly control human behavior. Topics include a historical overview of the science, research methods, learning, memory, intelligence, emotions, sexuality, dreams, personality theory, and psychological disorders. Throughout the course, students will be challenged to examine their own motivations and behavior, as well as those of the individuals in their lives. Active participation in discussions is highly encouraged.

Half-year course ½ Credit 1 semester     Grades 11, 12

This course is an opportunity for students to explore the accomplishments, struggles, perspectives, and collaborations of Native American people in the United States. Studnets will examine Native American History as integral to United States History by focusing on topics such as Federal Indian policy, land issues, reservation and urban issues, cross-cultural influences, and American Indian literature, art, music, and language. This course will also include a location based study of the five sovereign recognized tribes of the State of Connecticut. The course will immerse students in resources put together by tribal leaders of Connecticut and involve opportunities for authentic learning through interactions with tribal leaders and field trips to local museums and tribal lands.

One semester course College Prep ½ credit Grades 11, 12

How much of your behavior is influenced by your parents, friends, the media, or society at large? Sociology is the study of society and group behavior. It explains how social forces impact us. This course is designed to equip students with a working knowledge of the concepts and methods used by sociologists. The course investigates human societies and social behavior in an attempt to better understand how people relate to one another and influence each other’s behavior. Topics include a historical overview of the science, culture, social structure, prejudice and discrimination, institutions, conformity and deviance. In addition, students will be challenged to reflect on how society and social problems affect their own personal lives. Active participation in class discussions is highly encouraged.