Social Studies Electives

Advanced Placement (AP) Elective Courses

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ECONOMICS  (SS420)

Grades 10, 11, 12; 5 credits; One Year Elective

This AP course in economics aims to give students a thorough understanding of the principles of both micro- and macro-economics.  This course will apply the functions of individual decision-makers, both consumers and producers, within the economic system. The course will also focus on the nature and functions of product markets, the role of government, national income, price-level determination, economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics.  This program will prepare students for intermediate and advanced college courses through requirements equivalent to those found on the college level, and they will be prepared to take both the AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics Exams. This course meets the New Jersey Personal and Financial Literacy requirement.  ^^Six college credits may be earned through the Fairleigh Dickinson University Middle College Program.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT HUMAN GEOGRAPHY (SS421)

Grades 10, 11, 12; 5 credits; One Year Elective

The Advanced Placement Human Geography introduces students to systematically studying patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding and the use and alteration of the Earth’s surface. Students will learn to employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to analyze human socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences. Students will also learn about geographers' methods and tools in their research and applications. This course will prepare students for a college-level course through requirements equivalent to those found on the college level, and students will be prepared to take the Advanced Placement Human Geography Exam. 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT EUROPEAN HISTORY (SS440)

Grades 11, 12; 5 credits; One Year Elective

The Advanced Placement European History course is designed to provide selected students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal with problems and materials in European history.  Students will be expected to examine closely a series of problems or topics through readings and college-level textbooks. After an intensive study of the Renaissance, Reformation, Rise of Constitutionalism and Absolutism, the Enlightenment, the French Revolution and Napoleon, students will closely examine the development of Modern European Society.  Emphasis will be placed upon Liberalism and Conservatism, the Rise of Nationalism, and International and Domestic Changes throughout the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. Experiences will be provided that will develop students’ abilities to assess historical materials—including relevance to a given problem, reliability, and importance—and to evaluate the evidence and interpretations.  This program will prepare students for intermediate and advanced college courses through requirements equivalent to those found on the college level and they will be prepared to take the AP European History Exam. 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY  (SS431)

Grades 11, 12; 5 credits; One Year Elective

Advanced Placement Psychology is a course 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 psychological facts, principles, theories, and phenomena associated with psychologists' methods in their science and practice. Content areas include, but are not limited to, physiological, developmental, perceptual, abnormal, and social psychology.  Topics for discussion and evaluation include intelligence testing, parenting styles, personality, emotion, motivation, research ethics, statistics, and more. Students can take the Advanced Placement Examination given by the College Board in May of the school year.  ^^Three college credits may be earned through the Fairleigh Dickinson University Middle College Program.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS (SS422)

Grades 10, 11, 12; 5 credits; One Year Elective 

The Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics course will introduce students to key political ideas, institutions, policies, roles, and behaviors that characterize the political culture of the United States. This course examines politically significant concepts and themes, through which students will learn to apply disciplinary reasoning,  assess the causes and consequences of political events, and interpret data to develop evidence-based arguments. An integral part of the course includes analyzing and interpreting basic data relevant to the United States government and politics and developing connections and applying relevant theories and concepts. This program will prepare students for intermediate and advanced college courses through requirements equivalent to those found on the college level, and they will be prepared for the Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics examination.  ^^Three college credits may be earned through the Fairleigh Dickinson University Middle College Program.

General Electives

ANTHROPOLOGY  (SS960)

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; 5 credits; One Year Elective

This course examines the basic concepts of human development, both physically and culturally.  This study of humankind should help the student better understand the variables in human adaptation and how human life has varied in nature over time and from place to place. Studied in detail are the theories concerning the development of the hominids that gave rise to Homo sapiens and the diverse cultures of our species, whose members share the same fundamental needs but satisfy them in different ways.  Attention will be given to research methods. Students will develop ideas and tools for observing, recognizing, and appreciating diverse living patterns.          

CRIMINOLOGY   (SS950)

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; 2½ credits; One Semester Elective

All Americans are impacted by crime in one way or another.  Some are criminals, some are victims, and all are taxpayers and citizens.  Our knowledge and understanding of crime and the criminal justice system are frequently limited to our exposure to the news media, popular TV shows, and films.  This half-year course aims to introduce the criminal justice system as it truly functions in our society. This course examines crime and the criminal justice system from the sociologist, the criminologist, the police officer, the judge, and the correctional specialist. 

AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES (SS951) 

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; 2½ credits; One Semester Elective

This elective course is built and developed to represent and teach a diverse population of learners about African-American History. This class celebrates African-American culture and its impact on the world. It will be mainly discussion-based, and students will learn to examine sources and critically understand historical biases and limitations. Students will learn about the origins of African-American culture, the range of contributions by African-Americans to the world, and how African Americans overcame adversity to develop a vibrant and salient culture.  

INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS   (SS952)

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; 2½ credits; One Semester Elective

The students explore their stake in the economic system and the economic forces at work in the U.S.  Included in this course is the study of the operation of the American economy and its goals, the money and banking system, the problems facing our American economy, and the impact of economic forces on the individual.  Some studies are made of other economic systems. The course will strive to increase students' ability to reason accurately and objectively about economic matters. They will also develop skills and strategies that promote personal and financial responsibility related to financial planning, savings, investment, and charitable giving in the global economy.  This course meets the New Jersey Personal and Financial Literacy requirement.  

FOUNDATIONS OF PHILOSOPHY (SS961)

Grades 11, 12; 2.5 credits; One Semester Elective

This course examines the origin and development of Western philosophy and prominent philosophers' methods, problems, and theories.  Topics to be considered include metaphysics (the nature of reality), aesthetics (the nature of beauty), epistemology (the nature of knowledge), logic (the nature of reasoning and argument), ethics (how to live), and political philosophy (how to organize societies).  The course will include group activities, independent- and group research, small- and large-group discussions, debate, video responses, and journal writing. Students will apply philosophical principles to their own lives, and the class is designed to be engaging and accessible to students with various skill sets and academic capacities. ^^Three college credits may be earned through the Fairleigh Dickinson University Middle College Program.

MILITARY HISTORY (SS956)

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; 2.5 credits; One Semester Elective

Students will explore the changing nature of war and its relationship to the development of various cultures and societies in Western Civilization, from empire-building in the nineteenth century to the modern nation-state.  Emphasis will be placed on the role of war in developing the modern nation-state, as well as the origins and nature of total war. Students will also analyze the various conflicts in which the United States took part, including the causes and consequences of these conflicts.  

PSYCHOLOGY   (SS962)

Grades 11, 12; 5 credits; One Year Elective

This course surveys the fundamental principles of human development and behavior. Various psychological topics are examined, including sensation and perception, learning, developmental psychology, physiological psychology, substance abuse, psychological testing, psychopathology, social groups, parapsychology, etc. Activities include psychological readings, case studies, experiments, investigations, discussions, and simulations.

SOCIOLOGY  (SS953)

Grades 10, 11, 12; 2½ credits; One Semester Elective

Sociology is the systematic study of human society and social interaction.  It allows us to sense how people interact in groups and how that interaction influences the lives of individuals and society.  Special emphasis will be placed on the student’s evaluation of their own interaction in social groups and its impact on them. They will also better understand the socialization process, the structure of society, social-cultural change, and the social influence of opinion, mass communications, and propaganda. This course uses various instructional techniques, including sensitivity exercises, role-playing, values clarification exercises, and group dynamic simulations.

SPORT IN AMERICAN CULTURE   (SS954)

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; 2 ½ credits; One Semester Elective

This course will challenge students to examine the culture of sports in the United States and the world.  Students will explore the causes and consequences of many of the issues confronting sports today. Additionally, students will analyze the impact sports have on the American culture.    The course is based on a variety of instructional techniques and assessment methods. 

^^Course eligibility for the Middle College Program may vary from year to year.  Check with your instructor at the start of the school year to see the most up-to-date list of eligible classes.

Go to Social Studies Core Courses