Social Studies
Administrator: Frank DeMauro | Phone: 453-1500, ext. 4001 | Department Chair: Joe Guiffrida
The development of critical thinking and an understanding of some of the major factors and developments that have shaped the heritage of our civilization are major goals of the social studies program. Thematic study of global history, required of all students, is a prelude to American history. Offerings in economics and participation in government complete the mandatory part of the curriculum.
Courses:
GLOBAL HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY 1
40 Weeks | 1 Credit | Grade 9 | Course Number: 2211
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Social Studies 8
Required course materials: Folder with some loose-leaf paper and a pen or pencil
Ninth grade Global History and Geography focuses on a study of the world beyond the United States and Canada from the dawn of mankind through the 1800s. Students will examine global patterns and compare and contrast societies and their interactions over time. Using a chronological approach, this course will focus on: Prehistory and Ancient Civilizations, Classical Civilizations, Transregional Trade Networks, Political Power and Achievement, Social and Cultural Growth and Conflict, and Interactions and Disruptions that occurred during this time period. Students are expected to build skills necessary to better comprehend, analyze and evaluate the issues in today's world and complete a research project.
GLOBAL HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY 1H
40 Weeks | 1 Credit | Grade 9 | Course Number: 2210
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation
Required Course Materials: Folder with some loose-leaf paper and a pen or pencil
This is a rigorous course designed to help students strengthen the skills and habits of mind necessary for successful completion of the College Board’s Advanced Placement courses at the high school level. The course emphasizes global patterns overtime and place, comparing within and among societies, and putting culturally diverse ideas and values into historical context. The course will cover the time period from 8000 B.C.E to 1750 C.E. Students who take this course will be expected to complete more in-depth analytical writing assignments and read independently from a variety of higher-level sources. This course prepares students for the 10th grade Advanced Placement World History course. There is an expectation that summer work will be assigned to students prior to beginning the course in the fall.
GLOBAL HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY 2
40 Weeks | 1 Credit | Grade 10 | Course Number: 2221
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Global History 9
Required course materials: 1 ½ - 2 inch three-ring binder, Loose leaf paper, Pen or pencil, and a highlighter
In tenth grade, students will expand upon their basic foundation in early global history and geography and examine global patterns, comparing and contrasting societies and their interactions over time in the following eras: The World in 1750, Age of Revolutions, A Half Century of Crisis and Achievement, the World Since 1945 and Global Connections and Interactions. Students are expected to expand their skills in world history, analyzing and evaluating global history issues in today's world. There will be additional readings in Honors-level Global History.
GLOBAL HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY 2H
40 Weeks | 1 Credit | Grade 10 | Course Number: 2220
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Global History and Geography 9H or successful completion of Global History 9A with a recommended 85 average.
Required course materials: Three-ring binder, Loose leaf paper, Pen and pencil
The goal of Global History and Geography 2 Honors is to bridge the transition from high school to college-level expectations in reading, writing, and classroom discussion. The course incorporates a college-level textbook, which promotes deeper investigations of historical topics. Students enrolled in this course are expected to read more, and read at a higher level than students in the academic-level course. The course will also cover vast amounts of historical content and skills at a fast pace. Students will be expected to complete a research project in which they design their own research question, develop a clear thesis, and prove that thesis with a variety of historical research tools and sources. Honors students should strive to maintain an 85% or above average in this course, and have no problems meeting deadlines on assignments or projects.
AP WORLD HISTORY
40 Weeks | 1 Credit | Grade 10 | Course Number: 2226
Prerequisite: It is strongly recommended that students have completed Global History and Geography 9H.
Required course materials: Three-ring binder, Loose leaf paper, Pen and pencil
Advanced Placement World History is designed for those advanced students who wish to prepare for the demands of college by developing their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, while simultaneously earning both college and Regents credit. The course mirrors an introductory full- year college course in its rigor, assignments, and expectations. Specifically, the course emphasizes global patterns overtime and place, comparing within and among societies, and putting culturally diverse ideas and values into historical context. The course will cover the time period from 1750 C.E. to the present. It requires superior skills in reading and writing as well as sophisticated analysis of historical material. There is an expectation that summer work will be assigned to students prior to beginning the course in the fall. The estimated fee for the required AP exam is $94.
UNITED STATES HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT 11
40 Weeks | 1 Credit | Grade 11 | Course Number: 2231
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Global History & Geography 10
Required course materials: Three-ring binder OR spiral notebook OR folder with pockets, Loose leaf paper, Pen and pencil
During the third year of the social studies sequence, the students survey United States history. While attention is given to an overview of U.S. History in general, the emphasis is on the United States as an industrial nation. Constitutional and legal issues are developed as well as topics pertaining to international issues.
*This course is offered in a semester format. Students who are enrolled in the semester US History course must be enrolled in the English 11 semester course during the same school year.
AP UNITED STATES HISTORY
40 Weeks | 1 Credit | Grade 11 | Course Number: 2230
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and a recommended score of 85 or better on the Global History and Geography Regents exam.
Required course materials: 2-inch three-ring binder, Loose leaf paper, Pen and pencil
Advanced Placement United States History and Government is designed for those advanced students who wish to prepare for the demands of college by strengthening their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, while simultaneously earning both college and Regents credit. The course mirrors an introductory full-year college course in its rigor, assignments, and expectations. The course will give students an in-depth understanding of United States history, covering Native American culture before European contact to the present. Students with a genuine interest in history will find the depth of study more satisfying than a Regents level course. The course is designed around several key themes and concepts including the development of an American Identity and understanding the events of American history within a larger global context. The course is based primarily on reading and writing, with the main format being lecture-discussion. AP students will engage in various activities throughout the year including debates, group discussions, and projects. The estimated fee for the required AP exam is $94.
SUNY AMERICAN HISTORY, HIS202/HIS203
40 Weeks | 1 LHS Credit | 6 College Credits | Grades 11-12 | Course Number: 2292
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and a recommended score of 85 or better on the Global Regents exam.
Required course materials: Notebook (at least 100 pages), Folder
This course is designed for students with a passion for American history and excellent reading, writing and analysis skills. SUNY United States history delves into the government, economics, politics and beliefs of America beginning with the settlement of the colonies and working up to our modern day nation. In keeping with the demands of the college level, the course emphasizes interpretation of primary and secondary documents, Presidential acts and decision-making, and the ever-evolving society and culture of the United States. Offered in conjunction with the State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego), SUNY US History provides students with the opportunity to earn six hours of college credit upon successful completion of the course. The estimated SUNY fee for three credits is $175 for each semester. The total estimated cost for six credits for both semesters is $350.
ECONOMICS
20 Weeks | 1⁄2 Credit | Grade 12 | Course Number: 2241
Prerequisite: Senior Status
Required course materials: Three-ring binder, Loose leaf paper, Pen and pencil
The central theme of this course is an understanding of the major characteristics of the United States’ economy. Specific content areas include resource scarcity and choice, supply and demand, labor markets, inflation/unemployment and the business cycle, GDP as a measurement of national output, the role of government through fiscal policy and international trade.
PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT
20 Weeks | 1⁄2 Credit | Grade 12 | Course Number: 2245
Prerequisite: Senior Status
Required course materials: Three-ring binder, Loose leaf paper, Pen and pencil
The main focus of this course is the individual’s role in a democratic society. Students will be expected to become actively involved in the political process as they practice the process of responsible decision making required of all citizens, explore contemporary state and local issues, survey voter behavior, review the workings of political parties, analyze the impact of public opinion, and assess the role of pressure groups.
AP MACROECONOMICS
40 Weeks | 1 Credit | Grade 12 | Course Number: 2249
Prerequisite: Senior honors status or recommendation of the teacher.
Required course materials: Three-ring binder, Loose leaf paper, Pen and pencil
The purpose of an AP course in Macroeconomics is to give students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to an economic system as a whole. This course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price determination and also develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, economic growth, and international economics. Students must be self-motivated, diligent, and capable of sophisticated analytical thought. AP Economics will be conducted in combination with Participation in Government over the 40-week school year. The estimated fee for the required AP exam is $94.
AP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
40 Weeks | 1 Credit | Grade 12 | Course Number: 2250
Prerequisite: Senior honor status or recommendation of teacher.
Required course materials: Three-ring binder, Loose leaf paper, Pen or pencil, and a highlighter
The Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics course is intended for motivated students preparing to enter college that would like to strengthen the comprehension and analysis skills necessary for success. The content of the course is focused particularly on the functioning of the United States government, politics, and public policy. Students explore the content through engagement with multiple texts, various forms of media, activities, lectures, and collaborative communication. The scope of information covered in this course, and the skills developed during the year, make the course extremely valuable for a variety of college majors and professions. The AP United States Government and Politics course is conducted in combination with Economics over a 40-week school year. This advanced level government course will follow the guidelines set forth by the College Board and students will take the Advanced Placement Examination in Government and Politics, which is administered in early May. The estimated fee for the required AP exam is $94.
ELECTIVE COURSES
AP EUROPEAN HISTORY
40 Weeks | 1 Credit | Grade 12 | Course Number: 2248
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Global History and US History.
Required course materials: Three-ring binder, Loose leaf paper, Pen and pencil
The goal of Advanced Placement European History is to offer students at Liverpool High School an opportunity to earn college credit for one of the most required college courses: Western Civilization II. Similar to Western Civilization II, Advanced Placement European History investigates historical topics from the time of the European Renaissance to Modern Europe. The class is taught both chronologically and thematically. The students are expected to critically read, discuss, and write about historical events. Students are expected to be self-directed learners who analyze and evaluate historical topics. The estimated fee for the required AP exam is $94.
CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LAW
20 Weeks | 1⁄2 Credit | Grades 10-12 | Course Number: 2253
Prerequisite: Sophomore status
Required course materials: Three-ring binder/Folder, Loose leaf paper, Pen or pencil, and a highlighter
This course is designed to introduce students to the American civil law and criminal law systems. Students will develop a deeper understanding of how the American legal system impacts every American citizen, and how the system changes over time. It is the general goal of this course to provide each student with an opportunity to increase his/her role in this system through participation in case studies, mock trials, legal research, and presentations by professionals in the field. This course also looks specifically at the roles played by lawyers, judges, and law enforcement professionals. Students will gain a practical understanding of law and the legal system, and how it relates to their everyday lives.
CURRENT WORLD ISSUES
20 Weeks | 1⁄2 Credit | Grades 9-12 | Course Number: 2255
Prerequisite: None
Required course materials: Pen/pencil, Loose-leaf paper
This course offers students the opportunity to explore current events and issues in the news. We examine international and national news and follow events as they occur, focusing on all areas of the globe from the Americas to Africa to Asia. Issues that have been covered in the past include human rights, ISIS and other terrorist groups, global pandemics, human trafficking, rights of women and girls, political unrest/protests worldwide, the crisis between Ukraine and Russia, North Korea, opioid crisis, and many other issues. Class discussion is an essential component of the course. Students’ interests play a major role in determining the events and issues discussed. This course is a great choice for any student who is intellectually curious and wants to know more about what is happening in the world today.
INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGION
20 Weeks | 1⁄2 Credit | Grades 10-12 | Course Number: 2257
Prerequisite: Sophomore status
Required course materials: Three-ring binder, Loose leaf paper, Pen or pencil, and a highlighter
In this course, students will learn about the basic tenets, practices, history and leading figures of major religions, and will explore a variety of modern-day events and issues that have been shaped by religion. Religions covered in the course include Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Sikhism. By taking this class, students will increase their ability to think critically as they are presented with perspectives and worldviews other than their own. It is a goal of this class for students to be better able to connect with each other and respect each others’ differences both in and out of school.
PSYCHOLOGY
20 Weeks | 1⁄2 Credit | Grades 10-12 | Course Number: 2252
Prerequisite: Sophomore status
Required course materials: Three ring binder or spiral notebook or folder with pockets, Loose Leaf paper, pen and pencil.
This course will provide students with an introduction to the study of psychology. Students will learn about the principles and theory behind the forces that shape people’s experience of, and interaction with, the world around them. Topics covered include learning, memory, personality, attitude and social influence, biological influences on behavior, altered states of consciousness, sensation and perception and psychological disorders.
SUPA PSYCHOLOGY, PSY205
20 Weeks | 1⁄2 LHS Credit | 3 College Credits | Grade 11-12 | Course Number: 2293
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior status.
Required course materials: Three ring binder, Loose Leaf paper
Syracuse University Project Advance Psychology: A college course worth three college credits through Syracuse University. The single semester course costs $350 dollars and matches the content and rigor of Syracuse University’s PSY 205: Foundations of Human Behavior. Students can take the course in their junior year if they are strong in academics and organizational skills. Seniors are encouraged to take the course if they are prepared to perform at the college level. Students are required to think, question and explore. The course is an overview of the entire field of psychology with an emphasis on project-based learning. The final assessment in this course is a student designed and implemented experiment that must be presented to Syracuse University staff. Students must agree to the Syracuse University Code of Conduct. This is a deep, dynamic and useful course. This course satisfies the “Introduction to Psychology” course at the majority of American universities.
SOCIOLOGY
20 Weeks | 1⁄2 Credit | Grades 10-12 | Course Number: 2251
Prerequisite: Sophomore status Sociology examines the external factors that shape human behavior ranging from family to peer groups.
Required course materials: Three-ring binder, Loose leaf paper, Pen and pencil
This course offers a background in the theory and practice of sociology by examining issues and ideas that affect students and young adults in today’s society. Sociology gives us the tools to understand what makes people all over the world tick. Are we destined to be a certain way through genetics, or do our experiences play a larger role than we might think? Why do students in Liverpool say its soda, when people in Buffalo call it pop? We will look at the social forces, both big and small, which influence us throughout our lifetimes. Over the semester we'll use our "sociological imagination" to begin to see the world with new eyes. We'll also examine what techniques are available to professional sociologists in order to make sense of these questions. Along the way, we will study core concepts including culture, language, social networks, social capital, race, class, and gender.
SUPA SOCIOLOGY, SOC101
20 Weeks | 1⁄2 LHS Credit | 3 College Credits | Grade 11-12 | Course Number: 2294
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior status
Required course materials: Three-ring binder, Loose leaf paper, Pen and pencil
Syracuse University Project Advance Sociology: A college course worth three college credits through Syracuse University. The single semester course costs $336 dollars and matches the content and rigor of Syracuse University’s on-campus SOC101: Introduction to Sociology. SOC101 is an analytic, skills-based introduction to sociology. The emphasis is on analytic reading and conceptual analysis. The approach to sociology is to view it as an empirical social science. The readings are based on empirical research studies or are review articles of research in an area of sociological investigation. It is a writing-intensive course. As the course progresses, students should obtain increasing skill in analytic reading and writing, sociological reasoning, empirical investigation, and in the ability to make empirical and conceptual generalizations about self and society in an increasingly global world. Students must agree to the Syracuse University Code of Conduct.