Social Studies

The Social Studies Department offers students a variety of courses in history and the social sciences.

State law mandates that all students who will graduate from high school are required to complete three years of social studies with passing grades prior to graduation. This includes one year of World History and two years of United States History.

Course Descriptive Codes

+21st Century Careers and CTE | @ Visual and Performing Arts | ^ NCAA Approved Course | FY Course meets Full Year | A/B Course Meets every other day full year

0500 HONORS WORLD HISTORY ^

Grade: 9

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation, grades, test scores. 

This course is designed for highly motivated students. It emphasizes events which have shaped the contemporary world. Non-western and western history are addressed. Significant themes and events in history and the impact of each on the development of the world are discussed. The contributions of important people in history are included. Intellectual, cultural, political, economic and social history are integral components of the curriculum. Completion of  a research component is required.

0500J HONORS WORLD HISTORY JAA STUDENTS ^

Grade: 9

Prerequisite: Admission into JAA (any strand)

This is a cohort class and is designed for highly motivated students who have demonstrated talent in one of the fine or performing arts. It emphasizes events which have shaped the contemporary world. Non-western and western history are addressed. Significant themes and events in history and the impact of each on the development of the world are discussed. Students will examine important artists, musicians, and theatrical performances from different movements in the arts. History’s effects on the arts and how art affected history will be studied. The contributions of important people in history are included. Intellectual, cultural, political, economic and social history are integral components of the curriculum. Completion of an end of semester portfolio project is required.

0501 AP WORLD HISTORY ^

Grades: 9-12

Prerequisite: Honors English, Teacher recommendations (English and Social Studies), demonstrate advanced writing and reading skills, and NJSLA other assessments may be considered.

Advanced Placement World History is a challenging course for highly motivated, academic students who will take the AP examination in the spring semester. Solid reading and writing skills, along with a willingness to devote considerable time to homework and study are necessary for success. Emphasis is placed on critical and evaluative thinking skills, essay writing, interpretation of documents and historiography. This course highlights events which have shaped the contemporary world. A chronological approach will be used to help facilitate learning. Non-western, as well as western history is addressed. Significant events and ideas in history and the impact of each upon the development of the modern world are discussed. Contributions of individuals and people in history are included. Cultural and social history, as well as political and economic history, are all integral parts of the curriculum. Students will be taught to analyze the processes and causes involved in the continuities and changes of the world’s history. A College Board approved textbook and many other supplemental documents and materials will serve as the basis of the course. Students are required to take the AP Examination in May.

0502 WORLD HISTORY ^

Grade: 9

World History is a social studies requirement for graduation. Significant themes and events from the Renaissance to WWII are explored, examined and discussed. The diversity of world cultures and their effects throughout the non-western and western world are addressed through the use of critical analysis.

0510 HONORS UNITED STATES HISTORY I ^

Grade: 10

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation, grades, and NJSLA Assessment may be considered

This course is designed for advanced tenth grade students. The purpose of the course is to provide students with a chronological and philosophical history of the United States from the beginning stages of the Civil War to the New Deal. This exposition leads to abstract levels of study that go beyond the requirements of U.S. History I. This seminar style class will study and analyze problems in American history. There will be readings in both primary and secondary sources. Proficiency in reading and writing will be stressed. Completion of a research simulation task/paper is an essential component of the Honors experience. In the course of the semester, students will refine their reading and writing skills as well as master the use of varied media and technology. 

0512 UNITED STATES HISTORY I ^

Grade: 10-12

US History I is a social studies requirement for graduation. This course will study the American experience from the beginning stages of the Civil War to the New Deal. Students will investigate the development of the social, political, and economic institutions of our history at the national, state, and local levels. 

0520 HONORS UNITED STATES HISTORY II ^

Grade: 11

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation, grades, and NJSLA  Assessment may be considered

This course is designed for advanced eleventh grade students. The purpose of the course is to provide students with a chronological and philosophical history of the United States from the beginning of World War II to the Modern Age. This exposition leads to abstract levels of study that go beyond the requirements of United States History II. This seminar style class will study and analyze problems in American history. There will be readings in both primary and secondary sources. Proficiency in reading and writing will be stressed. Completion of an independent research paper is an essential component of the Honors experience. 

0522 UNITED STATES HISTORY II ^

Grade: 11

This course will study the American experience from the beginning of World War II to the Modern Age. Students will investigate the development of the social, political, and economic institutions of our history at the national, state, and local levels.

0526 AP UNITED STATES HISTORY ^ (A/B)

Grades 11-12

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation, department pre-test is required. Honors US I and II recommended but not required. 

Advanced Placement United States History is a challenging course for highly motivated, academic students who will take the AP exam in the spring semester. Advanced reading and writing skills, along with a willingness to devote considerable time to homework and study are necessary for success. Emphasis is placed on critical and evaluative thinking skills, essay writing, interpretation of original documents, and historiography. The course is a survey of United States History from 1607 to the present. A college level textbook and many supplementary readings serve as the basis of this course. * Students are required to take the AP Examination in May

0528 AP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT & POLITICS ^ (A/B)

Grade: 12

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation and department pre-test.

This course is a year-long program that provides students with a broad, analytical overview of governmental process, political experiences, social policy, and an understanding of the democratic principles that drive the American nation in our global society. The focus of the course is to engage learners in the exploration of a variety of civic experiences that will promote the participation of the learner, while fostering the growth of student character and responsibility. The program stresses a multidimensional approach to learning that includes the acquisition of knowledge through direct research, debate, supplemental reading, analysis, and engagement of students in their school and in the community-at-large. Students are required to take the College Board Advanced Placement Test.

0531 AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

Grades: 9-12

Prerequisite: Review of 8th grade academic record and teacher recommendation

The AP Human Geography introduces high school students to college-level introductory human geography or cultural geography. The content is presented thematically rather than regionally and is organized around the discipline’s main subfields: economic geography, cultural geography, political geography, and urban geography. The approach is spatial and problem oriented. Case studies are drawn from all world regions, with an emphasis on understanding the world in which we live today. Historical information serves to enrich analysis of the impacts of phenomena such as globalization, colonialism, and human–environment relationships on places, regions, cultural landscapes, and patterns of interaction. 

0538 HONORS MAN'S INHUMANITY TO MANKIND ^

Grades 11-12

This course is taught at an accelerated level. Honors level credit will be offered to students who complete accelerated coursework. This social studies elective is designed to introduce the students to the problems, causes of, and possible solutions to the actions that deny people their rights, human dignity, liberty and justice. Events from western and non-western history will be covered as well as those of our nation's past. Significant concepts such as: racism, prejudice, bigotry, genocide with an emphasis on the Holocaust, will be addressed.

0540 MAN'S INHUMANITY TO MANKIND ^

Grades 11-12

This social studies elective is designed to introduce the students to the problems, causes, and possible solutions to the actions that deny people their rights, human dignity, liberty and justice. Events from western and non-western history will be covered as well as those of our nation's past. Significant concepts such as: racism, prejudice, bigotry, genocide with an emphasis on the Holocaust, will be addressed.

0542 SOCIOLOGY ^

Grades: 10-12

The purpose of this elective course is to provide each student with perspectives on American Society, culture and human behavior. Emphasis is placed on the basic characteristics of modern society such as, population growth, urbanization, technological change and social organization.

0544 PSYCHOLOGY ^

Grades: 11-12

This elective is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes. Students will be exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They will also learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice. Additionally, students will be taught to write psychological proposals and research.

0545 AP PSYCHOLOGY ^ (A/B)

Grades: 11-12

Prerequisite:  Verbal score of 50 or higher on PSAT or 500 on SAT, consistent attendance, and teacher recommendation.

This course is available to select students who meet advanced criteria. The course introduces the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of organisms. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. During the year students complete essay questions requiring them to interrelate different content areas, to analyze and evaluate psychological constructs and, more generally, theoretical perspectives. Students are required to take the College Board Advanced Placement Test.

0546 EXPLORING GLOBAL AWARENESS

Grades: 9-12

Exploring Global Awareness is a Social Studies Elective class in which learners will explore, research and reflect to understand a region's geography, resources, history, economy, religions, and languages in order to gain insight into varying perspectives, cultures, identities, customs, values, mores , lifestyles, and individual's different and similar ways of being and thinking in, within, and around the world. This course will develop various social, behavioral and emotional skills on how to regulate and recognize one’s emotions, to take perspective and empathize with others of diverse backgrounds, to establish and maintain healthy relationships, and to make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on ethical standards, safety concerns and social norms.

0551 ART, MUSIC, MEDIA: A SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES

Grades 9-12

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of major cultural trends in art, literature, movies, music, radio, television, theater and fads during the last 100+ years.  Students will have a deeper understanding of media and pop culture and its effects on society. 

0552 HISTORY OF SPORTS

Grades 9-12

Students will gain historical knowledge about the origins and development of various sports in America as well as worldwide.  They will look at major social, cultural, and economic concepts through the chronological history of sport.  Students will understand why and how sports have become a popular cultural phenomenon.  Students will also learn a greater appreciation for the issues that have affected sports such as race, gender, ethnicity and social class.

NJGPA Portfolio Math/English

Grade 12
Prerequisites: Placement by guidance only.

This course is designed for 12th-grade students who have not yet met the New Jersey Department of Education assessment requirements for graduation in Math, English, or both. It provides targeted instruction to help students strengthen their skills and prepare for assessments such as the Accuplacer, ASVAB, SAT, and ACT.  In addition to test preparation, students will complete all necessary components of the NJGPA Portfolio, an alternative assessment submitted to the NJDOE for review and approval.  Enrollment in this course is mandatory.  Placement is determined by the Math and English supervisors based on assessment data from the end of 11th grade.