History and Social Sciences Courses

Full Year - 1.00 Credit

2150 - Level 1

Offered for grade 11

This year-long course provides students with the opportunity to learn United States History at the college level while still in high school. AP United States History will provide a survey of United States History from the colonial period until the late 20th century, while focusing specifically on those areas of study highlighted for the AP Examination. This course is intended to provide  a college level exposure to American history while assisting those students who wish to take the AP Examination in their preparation for that test. Students taking this course should be able to: (1) work independently at a college level, (2) become familiar with both primary and secondary sources, (3) analyze historical documents, and (4) prepare a minimum of one historical research paper. Students taking AP United States History should be aware of the demanding work and grading expectations of this college-level course. Students are required to complete a summer reading and writing assignment prior to entering this course in the fall.

Full Year – 1.00 Credit 

2310 - Level 2

Full Year & Tutorial Seminar - 1.50 Credits 

2320 - Level 2

Offered for grade 12

Civics/Current Issues is designed to give students a better understanding of some of the chief issues facing American citizens today and, at the same time, to consider possible ways of dealing with such issues intelligently. Students who are recommended for a tutorial seminar in Civics/Current Issues may earn a total of 1.5 Level 2 credits. The tutorial seminar meets every other day.

First Semester

Half Year - 0.50 Credit  

2421 - Level 2

Offered for grades 9 and 10

Modern World History I precedes Modern World History II. Students must complete both by the end of Grade 10. The Modern World History course organizes content around themes that are essential to understanding historical patterns and connections critical to the development of the modern world. Students will explore selected case studies from around the world, chosen to illustrate the course themes. Students will apply historical and social science thinking and literacy skills in their study of history throughout the year. First semester units include historical developments from 19th century Age of Imperialism through the Second World War.

Second Semester

Half Year – 0.50 Credit 

2422  - Level 2

Offered for grades 9 and 10

Modern World History I precedes Modern World History II. Students must complete both by the end of Grade 10. The Modern World History course organizes content around themes that are essential to understanding historical patterns and connections critical to the development of the modern world. Students will explore selected case studies from around the world, chosen to illustrate the course themes. Students will apply historical and social science thinking and literacy skills in their study of history throughout the year. Second semester units include historical developments beginning with the Holocaust and the Cold War and continuing through the early 21st century to include the study of modern human rights issues.

First Semester

Half Year – 0.50 Credit 

2351 - Level 2

Offered for grade 11

All students must earn one credit in United States History, usually in the junior year, by completing the two semester chronological survey courses or by taking the two semester Themes of United States History courses or by taking the yearlong level 1 AP United States History course.

The Thematic U.S. History course organizes content around themes that have shaped the development of the United States. This course addresses historical developments from Industrialization through the 21th century through the examination of select case studies. Thematic U.S. History I will focus on the themes of American character and identity, the changing roles and responsibilities of government and citizens, and rights and reform movements. The course will also provide students an opportunity to develop disciplinary reading and writing skills by critically analyzing primary and secondary sources, drawing conclusions from evidence, and engaging in the writing process. Students electing to satisfy their one credit graduation requirement in U.S. history by taking Thematic U.S. History must sign up for both semesters of Thematic U.S. History in the junior year.

Second Semester

Half Year – 0.50 Credit 

2361 - Level 2

Offered for grade 11

All students must earn one credit in United States History, usually in the junior year, by completing the two semester chronological survey courses or by taking the two semester Themes of United States History course or by taking the yearlong level 1 AP United States History course.

The Thematic U.S. History course organizes content around themes that have shaped the development of the United States. This course addresses historical developments from Industrialization through the 21th century through the examination of select case studies. Thematic U.S. History II will focus on the themes of globalization including: exploring America’s foreign policy goals and tools, the social, political, and economic impacts of foreign policy, and the nation’s role in a global and interdependent world. In semester 2, students will continue to develop and apply disciplinary reading and writing skills in their study of history. Also, all students must complete a formal historical research paper in Thematic U.S. History II. To this end, a unit of study in this course is dedicated to the development of research and writing skills. Students electing to satisfy their one credit graduation requirement in U.S. history by taking Thematic U.S. History must sign up for both semesters of Thematic U.S. History in the junior year.

First Semester

Half Year – 0.50 Credit

2330 - Level 2

Offered for grade 11

All students must earn one credit in United States History, usually in the junior year, by completing the two semester chronological survey courses or by taking the two semester Themes of United States History course or by taking the yearlong level 1 AP United States History course. The first semester course will review the legacies of Early America and examine the development of our country from the emergence of Modern America to World War II with an emphasis on the emergence of the United States on the world stage.

Second Semester

Half Year– 0.50 Credit 

2340 - Level 2

Offered for grade 11

All students must earn one credit in United States History, usually in the junior year, by completing the two semester chronological survey courses or by taking the two semester Themes of United States History courses or by taking the yearlong level 1 AP United States History course. The second semester course will examine United States foreign and domestic developments from the Cold War to September 11th, 2001 and its aftermath, with an emphasis on the role of the United States in the world. All students must complete a formal historical research paper in United States History II.

Full Year – 1.0 Credit

2560 - Level 2

Offered for grades 10, 11, and 12

The course is an opportunity for students to explore accomplishments, struggles, intersections, 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 citizenship 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 – 1.00 Credit 

2130 - Level 1

Offered for grades 10, 11, and 12 

This year-long course provides students with the opportunity to learn European History at the college level while still in high school.  AP European History will provide a survey of European history from the 15th century to the present, while focusing specifically on those areas of study and historical thinking skills highlighted by the AP examination. This course is intended to provide a college level exposure to European history while assisting those students who wish to take the AP examination in preparation for the test. Students taking this course should be able to: 1. Work independently at a college level. 2. Become familiar with both primary and secondary historical sources. 3. Become proficient with a number of historical thinking skills. 4. Prepare historical arguments and research papers. Students should be aware of the demanding workload and grading expectations for this college-level course. Students are required to complete a summer reading and writing assignment prior to entering the course in the fall. 

Full Year – 1.00 Credit

2141 - Level 1

Offered for grades 11 and 12 

Advanced Placement Psychology introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavioral 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 methods psychologists use to explore the processes involved in normal and abnormal perceptions, thoughts, feelings and actions. Students will actively participate in simulations, demonstrations and experiments as part of AP Psychology and should be aware of the demanding work and grading expectations of this college-level course. 

Half Year – 0.50 Credit

6381 - Level 2

Offered for grades 10, 11, and 12

Students obtain a basic understanding of individual legal rights and responsibilities under the U.S. justice system. The acquisition of knowledge about law is approached as a means for expanding capacity for responsible citizenship. Topics include an introduction to law and the structure of the court system, the criminal justice process, and crime and punishment. Guest speakers, videos, field-trips, and simulations enhance the curriculum. Students participate in a mock trial as a culminating activity. 

Half Year - 0.50 Credit 

2570 - Level 2

Offered for grades 11 and 12 

Prerequisite: Psychology, Sociology, or Criminal Law.

This interdisciplinary course is designed for students seeking advanced study in law and psychology. The course will stress theories of criminal behavior; the measurement and impact of crime; rehabilitation, treatment, and correctional facilities; and forensic science. A mock scene investigation will reinforce classroom instruction. This course is offered as a business or history/social sciences elective. 

Half Year – 0.50 Credit 

2470 – Level 2

Offered for grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

This course examines the basic principles of capitalism. Its primary objective is the development of economic literacy. Topics include the operation of markets, the consumer, business and market structure, money and banking, growth and instability, and the role of government and international trade and finance. 

Half Year– 0.50 Credit 

2480 – Level 2

Offered for grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

This course gives students a better understanding of the philosophy and structure of United States government at the local, state, and national levels. Topics included are the nature of American democracy, information and the role of public opinion, political parties and elections, and decision-making. This course will also introduce the basic elements of other political philosophies and institutions. 

Half Year – 0.50 Credit

2400 – Level 2

Offered for grades 10, 11, and 12 

This course offers an opportunity for students to become familiar with the various subdivisions, concepts, experiments, and theories in the field of psychology. Among the topics considered will be motivation and learning, child and personality development, the brain and behavior, stress and conflict, altered states, and abnormal and social psychology. Throughout the course, emphasis will be on helping the individual to gain self-awareness. Students will actively participate in simulations, demonstrations, and experiments as part of the course. 

Half Year – 0.50 Credit 

2410 – Level 2

Offered for grades 10, 11, and 12 

Sociology studies human society and social behavior. The course examines cultural and social structure and then focuses on social issues and problems. Some of the topics considered are minority groups, discrimination and prejudice, race relations, the elderly, gay rights, crime and punishment, juvenile delinquency, poverty and social class, and issues revolving around the American family, including teenage sexuality, child care, divorce, and family violence.