110 Advanced World History (P)

Full Year 1 Unit

Prerequisites:

1. Successful completion of 8th grade social studies or

2. Permission of the Department Supervisor.

The purpose of AP World History is to develop greater understanding of the evolution of global resources and contacts, in interaction with different types of human societies. This understanding is advanced through a combination of selective factual knowledge and appropriate analytical skills. This course highlights the nature of historical changes and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. Focused primarily on the past thousand years of the global experience, the course builds on an understanding of cultural, institutional, and technological events that, along with geography, set the human stage prior to 1000 C.E. Chronology and the study of historical themes from the organizing principles for dealing with change and continuity from that point to the 19th century. Equal emphasis is placed on historical analysis of the Western and non-Western world. This program option is particularly designed for those students whose records indicate superior achievement in the area of social studies, who evidence a serious academic interest in academic challenge in the social science field, and who display a readiness to begin a program sequence that can include the earning of Advanced Placement credit in grades 10, 11 and/or 12, as well as New York State Regents credit. The final examination in this course will be a test developed at Shaker High School. Expected range of achievement for this course will be 90-100.

112 Global History 9R 

Full Year 1 Unit

In studying world history from prehistoric times to the 18th century, unit work will center on political, social and economic topics studied within a historical context. Students will be required to make connections among concepts and themes in Global History and link them across time and place. Instruction will also emphasize the application of social studies skills in multiple historical settings. Emphasis is placed on helping student’s social studies skills such as locating and analyzing data from different sources.

121 Global Studies 10H (P) 

Full Year 1 Unit 

Prerequisites:

1. Successful completion of 9th grade social studies or

2. Permission of the Department Supervisor.

Study is focused on developing historical perspectives on world history from the early 19th century to contemporary times. Relationships and links are explored in order to learn how the past influences the present. Political, social, and economic themes such as nationalism, ideology, economic systems, modernization and human rights are introduced within a geographic and cultural context. Completion of a research paper is a requirement of the course. Students electing to take the course should be prepared to deal with subjects in an analytical and interpretive manner with demonstration of such ability in present course work as one criteria for recommendation. Expected range of achievement is 85-100. The final examination in this course is the New York State Regents Exam in Global History.

130 AP United States History (P) 

Full Year 1 Unit

Prerequisites:

1. Successful completion of 10th grade social studies or

2. Permission of the Department Supervisor.

This program is particularly designed for those students whose records indicate superior achievement in the area of social studies and who evidence a serious academic interest in the social science field. While not required, it is strongly recommended that students demonstrate excellent reading and writing skills preferably at the Honors ELA level. Major periods in United States history such as the colonial period, American Revolution, Jacksonian Era, Civil War and Reconstruction, Populist-Progressive period, the New Deal, and post-World War II United States are studied in order to develop understanding and appreciation of political, economic and social development of the United States. Students are given the opportunity to develop skill proficiency in reading and critically analyzing historical material, weighing and interpreting historical material, weighing and interpreting historical evidence, and making conclusions based on such evidence. This course is intended to substitute for United States History and Government H for selected students who have successfully completed the H level social studies program in grades 9 and 10, and who wish to earn advanced college placement or credit in United States History. Award of such credit is ultimately determined by the college based on the student’s test grade in Advanced Placement United States History as developed and scored by the Educational Testing Service. Students will also earn Regents credit by taking the New York State Regents Examination in United States History and Government which will serve as the final test grade. The Advanced Placement Examination is an option for students taking this course. A fee is charged by the College Board for the exam.

132 United States History and Government 11R (P) 

Full Year 1 Unit

Prerequisite: Global Studies 10.

This course will include a chronological survey of United States history in general, but the emphasis will be on the U.S. as a developing industrial and postindustrial nation. Constitutional and legal issues will be explored in-depth, as well as the problems of a dynamic industrial society in an increasingly complex and technology-oriented world. Classwork and homework is supplemented by use of various source materials and readings. The final examination in the course is the New York State Regents Examination in U.S. History and Government.

160M AP Macroeconomics/Government H (P) 

Full Year 1 Credit

Prerequisites:

1. Successful completion of United States History and Government or

2. Permission of the Department Supervisor.

AP Macroeconomics is a full-year course, which includes a nine-week political science intensive that fulfills the New York State Participation in Government graduation requirement. Approximately 27 course weeks are devoted to the curriculum objectives for AP Macroeconomics as prescribed by the College Board. This course provides an introduction to concepts consistent with those covered in a typical college introduction macroeconomics course. The emphasis will be on application and not memorization. Students will be expected to successfully demonstrate their ability to identify and apply twenty-five different macroeconomic models to a variety of questions and problems. Students will develop critical thinking skills and learn the tools of analysis economists use to arrive at plausible conclusions. This course will provide instruction in basic economic concepts such a production possibilities, comparative advantage, supply and demand and circular flow as well as the components of the gross domestic product, models for analyzing unemployment and inflation, fiscal and monetary policy, including the tools of the Federal Reserve Board. The Advanced Placement Examination is an option for students taking this course. A fee is charged by the College Board for the exam.

137 UHS Introduction to Sociology 

First Semester ½ Unit

This class provides an introduction to basic sociological concepts and themes relevant to the modern world. In addition to core ideas and principles, the course covers topics such as the social construction of the self, race and gender inequality, the sociology of sport, and deviance and social control. While emphasizing college preparatory skills, this elective is appropriate for all social science majors and those looking to enter fields such as social work, psychology, or as a general education requirement for non-majors. Students in this course will have the opportunity to enroll in the SUNY University in the High School Program. As a result, students may earn three SUNY course credits upon successful completion of course work. This course is open to seniors in good academic standing only. In the event more students request the course than space allows, a lottery will be held to determine the course roster.

145 UHS Psychology

Both Semesters ½ Unit

This course is an introductory college preparatory course incorporating important concepts from the fields of psychology. Emphasis is placed on studying human behavior and understanding human nature. Among the unit topics are: the nature of the behavioral sciences and human behavior, physical and mental ability, cultural and social determinants of behavior, abnormal behavior, and behavior therapy and modification. Within each of these units, study is made from a psychological and/or sociological perspective. Specific topics include human aggression, adolescence, alienation, intelligence, and schizophrenia. Emphasis is placed on psychological research through written projects culminating in a final paper involving the use of multiple research strategies. The final grade for this course is an average of two quarterly grades and final projects. Students in this course will have the opportunity to enroll in the University in the High School Program. As a result, students may earn college credits upon earning a passing grade.

This course is open to seniors in good academic standing only. In the event more students request the course than space allows, a lottery will be held to determine the course roster.

156 The United States and Humanitarian Crises in the 20th Century 

Either Semester ½ Unit

This semester-long course will examine America and its role during major human rights violations in foreign affairs during the 20th century. Students will study the role, concept, and structure of the United States’ government in relation to its citizens and the international community through case studies of humanitarian crises in the 20th Century. At the end of the course students will examine America’s current relationship to humanitarian crises and engage in the civic and democratic process to raise understanding beyond the classroom regarding the crises. This course meets the ½ Unit Participation in Government requirement. This course is open to seniors.

180 Politics of Green Economics 

Either Semester ½ Unit

This semester-long course aims to provide students with an exploration into the concepts of scarcity and self - interest in the evolving field of Green Economics. Examination is made into the economic and political trade - offs necessary in pursuing energy security and environmental protection at the local, state, national, and international levels. Consideration is given to the economic goals of price stability, full employment, efficiency, equity, and growth, as well the debate over the level of government involvement in the economy. Analysis of public policy will be used to investigate the roles of individuals, linkage institutions, and levels and branches of government in addressing the challenges of environmental degradation and energy independence. In addition, a final project is necessary in order to fulfill the course requirements. This course will meet either the ½ unit of Economics OR ½ unit of Participation in Government requirement. This course is open to seniors.

182 Inequality in America 

Either Semester ½ Unit

This semester-long course provides an exploration of the various ways in which class inequality impacts American society. The course will analyze how members of various social classes live and relate to one another in America. We will explore the politics of inequality with a focus on strategies used by the wealthy to maintain the status quo. We will also explore the hopes and dreams of all middle class, working class and poor people. This course will explore the meaning of the “American Dream” and discuss the obstacles that impede the ability of many Americans to partake in that dream. The readings in this course will emphasize the dynamics of inequality as they intersect with class, race and gender. This course will explore the multitude of ways in which inequality is the result of the way our society is structured. Students will be expected to respond verbally and in writing to a number of different forms of content. We will be utilizing newspaper articles and long-form journalism, book excerpts, and a variety of other media based content. This will be a project-based curriculum with research papers, essays, film analysis and presentations among the assessments used for the course. This class will also require that students are active participants in class discussions. This course will meet either the ½ unit of Economics OR ½ unit of Participation in Government requirement. This course is open to seniors.