Social Studies Department

COURSE CREDIT LENGTH

AP Government                       .5       20 Weeks 

AP US History                     1       40 Weeks      

Global History & Geography I                         1         40 Week

Global History & Geography II                           1       40 Weeks

US History/Gov't                     1       40 Weeks

Economics                     .5         20 Weeks

Sociology                         .5         20 Weeks 

Psychology                         .5                   20 Weeks

Government                       .5         20 Weeks

Intro to Criminal Justice                           .5           20 Weeks 

World History I                               1               40 Weeks

AP World History                   1                 40 Weeks

AIS - Social Studies                 0                   As needed

GLOBAL HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY I (SS01)   

Credit: 1 Length: 40 Weeks       Grade:  9 Prerequisite: None

This is the first part of a Global Studies sequence, providing students with the opportunity to study other nations and cultures. Students work to cultivate the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to function effectively in our culturally diverse and interdependent world.  Global I students begin their study with early man and continue until the 1600's.  A final exam will be given to measure student achievement.  

GLOBAL HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY II (SS02)

Credit: 1 Length: 40 Weeks         Grade:  10 Prerequisite: Global History & Geography I

This is the second part of the two-year Global Studies sequence.  Students continue their study of the world from the 1700's to the present day. A Regents examination is given at the end of this course to measure student knowledge of the Global II curriculum. The New York State Global Regents  Examination is the final course exam for students.

UNITED STATES HISTORY & GOVERNMENT (SS03)  

Credit : 1   Length: 40 Weeks Grade:  11 Prerequisite: Global History & Geography II

This is a two-semester course required of all 11th grade students.  The course content will include a chronological survey of American History and a unit dedicated to the U.S. Constitution.  The New York State U.S. History & Government Regents examination is the final course exam for students..

AP US HISTORY (SS07)                                   

Credit: 1        Length: 40 Weeks  Grade:  11-12 Prerequisite: Global History & Geography I & II, and teacher recommendation.

This is a two-semester course that combines the New York State U.S. History and Government Regents requirement with the Advanced Placement U.S. History Course. This course is geared to the above average student who is highly motivated toward study in American History and social sciences.  There may be a required summer reading list and assignment.  All students taking the course will be required to take the A.P. Exam.  The fee involved to take A.P. Exam is approximately $100.  Students in this section will also be taking the New York State U.S. History & Government Regents Exam in June.   Students in this course will also be eligible to receive six college credits through SUNY Erie for a reduced tuition.

WORLD HISTORY I (SS13)                                       

Credit: 1        Length: 40 Weeks  Grade:  9 Prerequisite:  Middle School Recommendations

This is the first part of a course that combines the New York State Global History & Geography Regents requirement with the Advanced Placement World History course. This course is designed for the above average student who is highly motivated in a study of World History. A final exam modeled after the A.P. World History Exam will be given to measure student achievement.

AP WORLD HISTORY (SS14)

Credit: 1        Length: 40 Weeks  Grade:  9 Prerequisite:  World History I

This is the second part of a course that combines the New York State Global History & Geography Regents requirement with the Advanced Placement World History course.  This course is designed for the above average student who is highly motivated in a study of World History.  All students taking this course will be required to take the A.P. Exam.  The fee involved to take the A.P. exam is approximately $100.  Students in this section will also be taking the New York State Global Regents Exam in June.

ECONOMICS (SS04)                                       

Credit: 1/2    Length: 20 Weeks  Grade:  12 Prerequisite: U.S. History and Government

This course is a one-semester course required of all seniors.  The course includes the basic economic concepts and practical knowledge which all Americans need to function as citizens and participants in the economy of the United States and the world.  Emphasis will be placed upon rational decision-making which can be applied to all decisions, not just those related to economics.

PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT (SS05)           

Credit: 1/2    Length: 20 Weeks  Grade:  12 Prerequisite: U.S. History and Government

This course is a one-semester course required of all seniors.  It will emphasize the interaction between citizens and government at all levels. Students will be asked to analyze public policy issues and make decisions through problem solving techniques. Completion of mandatory projects and community service are required in order to receive credit for the course.  A final project will also be required at the conclusion of the course.

AP US GOVERNMENT & POLITICS (SS08)    

Credit: 1/2    Length: 20 Weeks  Grade: 11-12 Prerequisite:  U.S. History and Government and teacher recommendation.

This course provides students with a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in a college introductory political science course.  Students taking AP U.S. Government & Politics will fulfill their graduation requirement for Participation in Government by completing the projects and community service components.  All students taking the course will be required to take the AP exam.  The fee involved to take the AP Exam is approximately $100.

SOCIOLOGY (SS09)                                         

Credit: 1/2    Length: 20 Weeks  Grade:  11-12 Prerequisite: None

This is a one-semester elective open primarily to seniors. In addition to the study of social issues, the following topics are covered: Introduction to Sociology, Culture and Cultural Diversity, Social Conformity & Adaptation, and Socialization of the Individual. The course has been designed to be writing intensive in order to prepare the student for collegiate level writing and research. There is no Regents Exam, however, a portfolio assessment and research paper are required in order to pass the course.

PSYCHOLOGY (SS10)                                     

Credit: 1/2    Length: 20 Weeks  Grades:  11-12 Prerequisite: None

This course is a one-semester Social Studies elective in the Social Sciences field open primarily to seniors, but available to some juniors. It will introduce the student to the scientific study of behavior.  It will acquaint the student with a body of verified knowledge about the behavior of individuals. It is hoped that by participating in this course, the student will better understand their own behavior and the behavior of others. There is no Regents Examination associated with Psychology, however, a project based upon self analysis is required at the conclusion of the course.

INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE (SS11)  

Credit: 1/2 Length: 20 Weeks  Grades: 11-12 Prerequisite: 11th & 12th Graders Only

This course is designed to acquaint the student with the Criminal Justice System from its historical foundations to its present state.  Furthermore it will introduce, to the student, the wide variety of careers available in Criminal Justice and other related fields. This course seeks to show the relationship between the three main components of the Criminal Justice System: Law Enforcement, the Courts, and Corrections. 

AIS SOCIAL STUDIES (AISSS)                         

Credit: 0        Length: As Needed Prerequisite: Global 10 Regents Score Below 65 or U.S. History & Government Below 65

This AIS lab is designed to help students gain or improve the skills they need to pass the Global and/or US Regents exam.  Students must pass at least one of these exams to graduate.  Skill building focuses on vocabulary, increasing comprehension, improving test-taking skills on multiple choice questions and document analysis.  Students will also work on essay writing.