SOCIAL STUDIES
SOCIAL STUDIES Sequence 2024 – 2025
All students are required to take 3 years of social studies to meet their graduation requirements. Coursework aligns to the following subject matter.
9th grade: World History
10th grade: US History
11th grade: US History
*(Eligibility determined based on departmental readiness assessment)
Social Studies Electives:
AP European History
AP Human Geography
AP Government and Politics
AP Psychology
Psychology
The African American Experience
American Image on Film
AP African American Studies
Civics
Holocaust & Genocide
Sociology
US Law
Courses marked with a 🌐 satisfy the 21st Century Life & Career requirement.
social studies Courses
GRADE 9
WORLD HISTORY
CREDITS: 5
Full Year
Prerequisite: None
Grade: 9
World History is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the world’s history, fostering a sense of global citizenship and an appreciation for the interconnectedness of human societies. Students will examine the historical development of Europe, Asia, and Africa, exploring their interconnected histories and influences. World History helps to foster critical thinking skills through the examination of historical events, encouraging students to question, analyze, and interpret complex historical narratives. Key topics covered include, the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, Global Exploration and Trade, the Industrial Revolution, Imperialism, WWI, the Russian Revolution, the Rise of Dictators, and the Holocaust.
HONORS WORLD HISTORY
CREDITS: 5
(This course receives honors weighting for the calculation of the GPA.)
Prerequisite: A grade of at least a 90 in 8th grade Language Arts and Social Studies and teacher recommendation.
Grade: 9
The Honors World History course follows the same comprehensive content outline as the World History course but is specifically designed for students who seek an enriched and challenging academic experience. This honors program is tailored for students who thrive in a rigorous academic environment and are prepared to engage in in-depth analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of historical content. Through this course students will hone advanced critical thinking skills through extensive analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of primary and secondary historical sources. Additionally, students will gain a deeper understanding of historical events, movements, and themes, exploring nuanced perspectives and interpretations. It is expected that students enrolled in this course can maintain a sustained work ethic, dedicating time to in-depth study and analysis. Active participation in class discussions, debates, and collaborative activities is encouraged to foster a dynamic and engaging learning environment.
HONORS WORLD STUDIES
CREDITS: 5
(This course receives honors weighting for calculation of the GPA.)
Full Year
Prerequisite: Must be enrolled in Honors World Studies Language Arts concurrently, a grade of at least a 90 in 8th grade Language Arts and Social Studies and teacher recommendation.
Grade: 9
Honors World Studies offers students a distinctive and interdisciplinary exploration by integrating historical topics and concepts with literature and art reflective of or set in specific time periods. This course provides a dynamic and interactive platform for students to actively engage with thematic projects, fostering a holistic understanding of cultural, artistic, and literary movements. Through this multi-faceted approach, students will piece together historical narratives, literature, and art, creating a hands-on and engaging learning experience. Students will explore the intersections of history, literature, and art to gain a comprehensive understanding of cultural movements and societal shifts. This course will provide students with a variety of supplemental readings to deepen understandings and provoke thoughtful discussions. There will be a heavy emphasis on writing skills through various writing tasks and assignments.
GRADE 10
U.S. HISTORY I
CREDITS: 5
Full Year
Prerequisite: None
Placement recommendations: None
Grade: 10
US History I is a required course designed to offer students a profound insight into the influential forces that have shaped the United States. This course is thoughtfully structured to cater to students with varying abilities, providing all learners with the opportunity to master the essential content and skills of this discipline. Throughout the course, students will engage in the analysis of political, social, cultural, and economic foundations that have defined the development of the United States. Students can expect to explore major themes in American History, addressing key events and movements. The course will begin with the Constitution and progress chronologically through the Progressive Era. Students will analyze historical documents to deepen their understanding of historical events. Formative and summative assessments are used to gauge student understanding. US History I aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the foundations and development of the United States.
HONORS U.S. HISTORY I
CREDITS: 5
(This course receives honors weighting for the calculation of the GPA.)
Full Year
Prerequisite: A grade of 80 in Honors World History or World Studies. Students moving from standard World History class should have a 90 average and teacher recommendation.
Grade: 10
Honors US History I is an advanced course that follows the same comprehensive content outline as the required U.S. History I course but is specifically tailored for students seeking a rigorous academic experience. Designed for those who thrive in an intellectually challenging environment, this honors program emphasizes enhanced discussions, a diverse array of supplemental readings, and expanded writing tasks. Students engaging in this course will not only meet the U.S. I History graduation requirement but will also delve into an enriched exploration of the historical forces that have shaped the United States. Critical thinking skills are fostered through the examination of primary and secondary sources and complex historical contexts. Students are encouraged to develop independent research skills through advanced research-based assignments.
HONORS AMERICAN STUDIES I
CREDITS: 5
(This course receives honors weighting for calculation of the GPA.)
Full Year
Prerequisite: Must be enrolled on American Studies I Language Arts concurrently. A minimum grade of 80 in World Studies or Honors World History and a Grade of 80 in Honors LA I Honors and teacher recommendation.
Grade: 10
Honors American Studies I offers students a unique and innovative interdisciplinary study that intertwines topics from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in U.S. History with literature reflective of the same time period. This thematic course is designed to foster meaningful connections, presenting content through a team-teaching, integrated approach. Students will encounter the same objectives as traditional classes but will explore them through a lens that integrates history and literature. Throughout the course, students will gain insight into the motivations of writers from different historical periods, understanding why they wrote about specific subjects and utilized particular styles as they navigate through significant forces and movements in history. Successful completion of this course satisfies the U.S. History I graduation requirement. Students should expect to engage in demanding projects, readings, and activities designed for students who thrive in a creative, academic environment.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT U.S. HISTORY I
(This course receives advanced placement weighting for the calculation of the GPA.) (Colonial to 1900)
CREDITS: 5
Full Year
Prerequisite: A grade of 85 in Honors World History or World Studies. Students moving from standard World History class should have a 90 average and teacher recommendation.
Grade: 10
AP United States History I is a rigorous and challenging course designed to serve as a pre-requisite for the Advanced Placement U.S. History II offered in the 11th Grade. It is the first part of a two-year survey course in American history. This course will specifically focus on the Native Americans through the Gilded Age. The course demands solid reading and writing skills, as well as a willingness to dedicate considerable time to homework and study. Through course work students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes. Additionally, students will develop and apply the same skills and methods employed by historians, including analyzing primary and secondary sources, developing historical arguments, making historical connections, and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change. Successful completion of this course satisfies the U.S. History I graduation requirement. By successfully completing this course, students not only satisfy the U.S. History I graduation requirement but also prepare themselves for success in the Advanced Placement United States History exam and future college-level courses. The AP US History exam is taken upon completing AP US History II.
GRADE 11
U.S. HISTORY II
CREDITS: 5
Full Year
Prerequisite: None
Placement recommendations: None
Grade: 11
US History II is a required class designed to provide students with profound insight into the historical forces that have shaped the United States. In this course, students will embark on a comprehensive analysis of political, social, cultural, and economic events spanning from World War I to the present day. The curriculum places a particular emphasis on understanding the unfolding narrative of U.S. History, highlighting key developments within New Jersey and exploring the pivotal role the state played in the broader development of the United States. Additionally, the course content will incorporate current events and global issues, offering students historical perspectives on contemporary challenges. US History II provides students with a dynamic and comprehensive exploration of the historical forces that have shaped the United States. By analyzing events from World War I to the present, students will not only satisfy graduation requirements but also develop critical thinking skills and a nuanced understanding of how history continues to influence the contemporary world.
HONORS U.S. HISTORY II
CREDITS: 5
(This course receives honors weighting for the calculation of the GPA.)
Full Year
Prerequisite: A grade of 80 in Honors US I. Students moving from standard US I class should have a 90 average and teacher recommendation.
Grade: 11
Honors US History II is an advanced course that aligns with the same comprehensive content outline as the required U.S. History II course. Tailored for students who thrive in a rigorous academic environment, this honors program offers an enriched exploration of U.S. History from World War I to the present. Honors level courses are distinguished by enhanced discussions, a diverse array of supplemental readings, and expanded writing tasks. Students successfully completing this course will fulfill the U.S. II History graduation requirement, having engaged deeply with the complex historical forces that have shaped the United States. Through coursework students will foster intellectual engagement with complex historical themes and events.
HONORS AMERICAN STUDIES II
CREDITS: 5 (This course receives honors weighting for calculation of the GPA.)
Full Year
Prerequisite: Completion of Honors American Studies I and concurrent enrollment in Honors American Studies II Language Arts. A minimum grade of 80 in American Studies I and American Studies I Language Arts and teacher recommendation.
Grade: 11
Honors American Studies II offers students a unique and innovative interdisciplinary study, connecting historical developments in the U.S. during the twentieth century with literature written during the same time period. Building on the foundations laid in American Studies I, this course emphasizes a thematic approach that enables students to make meaningful connections between historical events and literary expressions. Presented through a team-teaching, integrated approach, students engage with the same objectives taught in traditional classes, while the course content is enriched with a focus on creativity and academic exploration. Completion of a research paper is an integral component of this course, and successful students will satisfy their U.S. History II graduation requirement. Honors American Studies II provides an intellectually stimulating and academically challenging environment for students seeking an enriched exploration of U.S. History and literature.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT US HISTORY II
CREDITS: 5
(This course receives advanced placement weighting for the calculation of the GPA.)
Full Year
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of 85 in Honors US History I, 80 in AP US History I, or 90 in US History I and teacher recommendation.
Grade: 11
AP US History II offers students an intensive exploration from the Gilded Age (1877-1896) to the modern era. This course is meticulously designed to equip students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary for critical engagement with the complexities of U.S. History. Emphasizing the development of analytical thinking, students will learn to assess historical materials, evaluate their relevance to interpretive problems, scrutinize their reliability, and understand their impact. The curriculum places significant emphasis on diverse interpretations of history, document analysis, essay writing, research, and comprehensive text reading.
social studies Elective Courses
ADVANCED PLACEMENT EUROPEAN HISTORY
CREDITS: 5
(This course receives advanced placement weighting for the calculation of the GPA.)
Full Year
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of 85 or above in previous Honors or 80 AP Social Studies classes.
Grade: 12
In AP European History, students embark on a captivating journey through the significant events, individuals, developments, and processes that have shaped Europe from approximately 1450 to the present. This course empowers students to develop and employ the same skills, practices, and methods utilized by historians, including the analysis of primary and secondary sources, the development of historical arguments, making connections across time and place, and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change over time. The curriculum further explores seven overarching themes that guide students in making connections among historical developments in different times and places. These themes encompass the interaction of Europe and the world, economic and commercial development, cultural and intellectual development, states and other institutions of power, social organization and development, national and European identity, and technological and scientific innovations. Students will delve into the cultural, economic, political, and social developments that have fundamentally shaped the modern world. Throughout the course there is a heavy emphasis on writing assignments to assess the ability to express historical understanding effectively.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
CREDITS: 5
(This Course receives advanced placement weighting for the calculation of the GPA.)
Full Year
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of 85 or above in previous Honors or 80 AP Social Studies classes.
Grade: 10- 12
Advanced Placement Human Geography is a rigorous yearlong course in geography that gives students the opportunity to earn college credit in geography. The content of AP Human Geography helps students develop critical thinking skills through the understanding, application and analysis of the fundamental concepts of geography. Major themes that transcend the course of study at multiple levels of scale include globalization, diffusion, assimilation, acculturation, integration, and interaction. Through AP Human Geography, students are introduced to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of the Earth’s surface. Students will employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to analyze human social organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice. The objective is to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Examination. Student success on this exam determines the credit and placement awarded by various colleges.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT U.S. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
CREDITS: 5
Full Year
(This course receives advanced placement weighting for the calculation of the GPA.)
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of 85 or above in previous Honors or 80 AP Social Studies classes
Grade: 12
AP U.S. Government and Politics offers a college-level, nonpartisan exploration of key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that define the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. Students will delve into U.S. foundational documents, Supreme Court decisions, and various texts and visuals to comprehend the intricate relationships and interactions among political institutions, processes, and behaviors. Students should expect to gain an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. Integral to coursework is the completion of an applied civics project. AP U.S. Government and Politics provides students with a comprehensive and analytical understanding of the American Political System.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY 🌐
CREDITS: 5
(This course receives advanced placement weighting for the calculation of the GPA.)
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of 90 in Standard, 85 in Honors, or 80 in AP Social Studies and Biology classes.
Grades: 11-12
The AP Psychology course is an engaging exploration into the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. Students delve into the rich history of psychology, exploring the psychologists and studies that have shaped the field. Throughout the course, students apply psychological theories, key concepts, and phenomena to various topics, including the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, and social psychology. Ethical considerations are woven into the exploration of psychological research methods, guiding students in using the scientific method, evaluating claims and evidence, and effectively communicating ideas. Students will be introduced to the ethics and methods used by psychologists in both research and practice.
THE AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE
CREDITS: 5
Full Year
Prerequisite: None
Placement recommendation: None
Grades: 10-12
The African American Experience course offers a comprehensive overview of the lives of peoples of African descent in the United States, spanning from the Diaspora (slavery) to the present. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on exploring the historical, social, political, economic, and cultural factors that have profoundly shaped the experiences of African Americans. Throughout the course, students will examine the resilience and creativity of African Americans as they continue to articulate their experiences through literature, music, and the visual arts. This course seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of African American experiences, offering a holistic understanding through the history and past experiences which shape and influence current life practices. The African American experience provides students with a deep appreciation for the rich tapestry of African American experiences, fostering an understanding of historical challenges and contemporary contributions.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES
CREDITS: 5
Full Year
Prerequisite
Placement Recommendations:
Grades: 10-12
AP African American Studies is an interdisciplinary course that examines the diversity of African American experiences through direct encounters with authentic and varied sources. Students will explore key topics that extend from the origins of early African kingdoms to the ongoing challenges and achievements of the contemporary moment and experiences. Students in this course will develop skills across multiple fields, with an emphasis on developing historical, literary, visual, and data analysis and connect these interdisciplinary skills to the further comprehension of modern-day African American experiences. This course highlights the study of the diversity and experiences of Black communities in the United States within the broader context of Africa and the African diaspora.
AMERICAN IMAGE ON FILM: FILM STUDY IN AMERICAN HISTORY/CULTURE
CREDITS: 2.5
Half Year
Prerequisite: None
Placement recommendation: None
Grades: 10-12
This course will focus on how the motion picture industry has conveyed the American image over time. Using films that reflect the issues of the day, students will discern how film mirrors issues such as social justice, traditional American values, and the complex and often contradictory social, political, scientific, and economic developments in American society. Not a history versus Hollywood course, but a course that will teach students how to read the film for evidence of the time in which it was made. This course will provide students with a diverse range of movies, which will enable them to become more analytical and precise when speaking and writing about film.
CIVIC ACTION IN A DEMOCRACY
CREDITS: 2.5
Full Year
Prerequisite: None
Placement Recommendation: None
Grades: 10-12
This semester class will promote civic competence and responsibility by providing students with an innovative course of instruction on the history and principles of constitutional democracy in the United States. Critical thinking exercises, problem-solving activities, and cooperative learning techniques help develop intellectual and participatory skills which increase understanding of the institutions of American constitutional democracy.
THE HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE IN THE MODERN WORLD
Dual-Enrollment Course with Kean University
CREDITS: 5
Full Year
Prerequisite: None
Placement Recommendation: None
Grades: 11-12
In this course, the mature minded students will delve into the intricacies of human behavior, exploring the complexities of social dynamics and moral responsibilities. Emphasis will be placed on a critical examination of the origins of prejudice and racism, with a keen focus on understanding how these phenomena contribute to discrimination and antisemitism. This course will feature an in-depth study of historical events, including the Holocaust and other genocides, providing a profound insight into the implications of unchecked hatred and the importance of preserving human rights. Additionally, students will engage in thoughtful analysis of contemporary issues related to race relations, fostering a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities for creating a more inclusive society. Ethical behaviors in various society contexts will be a central theme, encouraging students to reflect on their own values and responsibilities as members of a global community. Through a multidisciplinary approach, this course aims to equip students with the knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to actively contribute to the promotion of empathy, justice, and ethical conduct in today’s complex world.
PSYCHOLOGY 🌐
CREDITS: 5
Full Year
Prerequisite: None
Placement Recommendation: None
Grades: 10-12
Psychology, as the study of behavior and mental processes, serves as a captivating exploration into the complexities of the human mind. This course is meticulously designed to empower students with the ability to relate an understanding of psychological concepts to their own growth and development. As a fundamental discipline, psychology is a key tool that facilitates a comprehensive understanding of human behavior within the context of a complex society. The course content places a special focus on development, learning and cognition, and personality theories, offering students a nuanced perspective on the factors that shape individuals and societies. Included in the coursework is an exploration of a variety of perspectives, theories, and applications within the field of psychology.
SOCIOLOGY 🌐
CREDITS: 5
Full Year
Prerequisite: None
Placement recommendation: None
Grades: 11-12
Sociology is designed to introduce students to the sociological study of society which focuses on the systematic understanding of social interaction, organization, institutions, and change. Major themes in sociological thinking include the interplay between the individual and society, how society is both stable and changing, the causes and consequences of social inequality, and the social construction of life. Students will study the social world and gain insights into topics such as culture, socialization, delinquency, poverty, racism, sexism, classism, and more! By making vivid the social basis of everyday life, sociology also develops critical thinking by revealing the social structures and processes that shape diverse forms of human life. The course is designed with a heavy emphasis on class discussion and participation.
INTRODUCTION TO U.S. LAW 🌐
CREDITS: 5
Full year
Prerequisite: None
Placement recommendation: None
Grades: 11-12
This course is designed to give students the opportunity to explore the structure, power and purpose of the American legal system and government. Throughout this course students will better understand the intricacies of our three branches of government, the inner workings of the legal system, as well as the structure of our law enforcement and penal system. The goal of this course is to help students be informed citizens by allowing them to evaluate the powers of government and law, how to interpret law and the way power, rights and constitutional interpretations influence the law. Students will have the opportunity to explore if they are interested in the federal/local government, local law enforcement and legal system as potential career paths or courses of study in the future. Some highlights of the course involve mock trials, creating new governments from scratch, evaluating Presidents, writing letters to legislators, interviewing court officials and debates/discussions about the constitutionality of many laws as well as analysis on major Supreme Court rulings.