Social Studies

Social Studies Core Courses

Modern World History              Grade 9

This course is intended to present to the students an overview of the chronological events, time periods and geographical areas that are necessary to the study of Modern World  History. The content of this course covers the period from the 16th century to the contemporary period, focusing on the major cultural, social, economic, political, and religious developments. The purpose of the course is to have the student see the connection between American History and World History and to see the interconnections of events throughout history from one world area to another. Many of our traditions, customs, institutions and beliefs are based on our immigrant heritage and our interaction with other nations. The intent of the course is to prepare the student to understand the contemporary world by acquiring a global historical background. Specific areas of study will include the rise of Modern Europe, the Age of Imperialism and Modernization, the periods of wars and conflicts and contemporary world problems.  

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Social Studies 8. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

Honors Modern World History             Grade 9

The first semester covers the significant changes in Europe starting in the 16th century. The topics include: the Age of Monarchs, the Rise of National States, the Age of Reason, the period of Revolution and Reaction, the Industrial Revolution and the political changes during the 19th century. The second semester includes a world view study of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries dealing with the nations and empires of European and non European powers, the world wars and conflicts and the rise of new ideologies throughout each century. A specific area of study will deal with the Modern Contemporary World and its problems, such as the Superpowers, War and Peace, Area Conflicts, Global Wealth and Resources and Human Rights.  

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of a ‘90’ in Social Studies 8 and Teacher Recommendation Required.   

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

United States History I           Grade 10 

The first semester covers the founding of the United States and the American Constitutional System. Study includes the organization and functioning of our early governments (local, state, and national), the democratic processes and the successive problems of democratic growth in the development of American society and culture. The second semester focuses on the emergence of the American nation as a unified entity and the constitutional crises that led to Civil War. Concerns of this semester are industrial, social, economic, political and religious as the American culture reaches the centennial point. A research paper will be required to be completed for the successful completion of the course. 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Modern World History. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility.

Honors United States History I         Grade 10

Study begins with an examination of the British colonial system and its effects on American society with special emphasis on the 1763-1775 time period. The course continues with the chronological study of the American Revolution, the period of the Articles of Confederation government, and the Constitutional period with an in-depth study of the Constitution. The remaining portion of the year emphasizes the growth and  development of American society in political, economic and social terms and the development of a foreign policy throughout the first half of the 19th century. A chronological approach is followed by studying the administration of presidents Washington to Lincoln and the major themes of the time period, including the development of the political party system, American foreign policy issues, examples of “Manifest Destiny”, the development of Sectionalism, the causes of the Civil War and the period of Reconstruction. The student is expected to become proficient in all areas of course content: test-taking, written assignments, reading of primary and secondary  historical material and research papers. The student who enrolls in this class will be expected to complete a research paper during the academic year, in order to gain credit for the course.  

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of a ‘90’ in Modern World History and Teacher Recommendation Required.   

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

United States History II           Grade 11

This course is a natural continuation of United States History I, and includes our nation’s history from 1865 to the present. The course is approached chronologically with emphasis placed on the following topical areas: The Reconstruction era, the Second Industrial Revolution, the closing of the West, the Progressive era, the Expansionist era, World War I and II, Post War period and the development of the Cold War, domestic and  foreign policy and the changing world of the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and contemporary events.  

Prerequisite: Successful completion of United States History I. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

Honors US History II         Grade 11

Honors US History II is a full-year course designed to provide students with content and practical knowledge of US history, practice in critical thinking activities, and experience in effective writing techniques that will better prepare them for their future educational areas. Concepts and ideas such as examining and evaluating the desire to match European imperial expansion, progressivism, war, various economic and political systems such as capitalism, communism and socialism, democracy and others will be discussed and studied in depth. Students will be expected to synthesize and evaluate such information, as well as consider the development and impact of economics, technology, geography, and human rights on US history. The course will explore US foreign policy and students will develop personal conclusions and formulate policy statements. In doing so, students will make connections between the past and present and learn to make informed decisions as productive citizens in local, national, and global communities. Students will enhance their critical thinking, analyzing and synthesizing skills often through document analysis along with Document Based Question (DBQ) and open answer essay writing. Additionally, the use of maps, charts, timelines and other visual aids will be utilized and skills such as creating power points and outlining and essay writing will be developed.

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of a ‘90’ in US History I and Teacher Recommendation Required.

Note: Students are permitted to take this course for high school credit only. If students would like to receive Bergen Community College credit, they are responsible for the tuition as required. For this Bergen Community College course the cost of tuition is approximately $224.25 for the course plus the registration fee. Tuition subject to change.

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

AP United States History    Grades 11-12 

AP United States History is a college level course which has been designed for those students who have exhibited exceptional ability, skills, interest and achievement in Social Studies. The student who enrolls in this course must be willing to extend oneself beyond the norm of a typical class environment. This course begins with a brief review of the content of the Honors American History I course. A chronological study combined with a topical approach is the primary focus as the student progresses through the study of the second half of the 19th century concentrating on the period of  Reconstruction and the economic development of American society. The coming of the 20th century brings Industrial, Social, and Economic Development and Change, International Expansion, the causes and consequences of the World Wars, and Foreign Policy issues affecting the American Society. The student is expected to become proficient in all areas of course content: test-taking, written assignments, reading of primary and secondary historical material and research papers. Students enrolled in the AP US History course are expected to make a commitment to taking the AP Examination administered by the College Board in May.  

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of a ‘90’ in Honors US History I and Teacher Recommendation Required.

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility.

Social Studies Full-Year Electives 

Honors Holocaust, Genocide and Human Behavior    Grades 10-12

The Holocaust is one of the turning points in human history, whose influence in our lives remains some sixty years after the end of World War II. This course builds on the introduction to the Holocaust and genocide studied in US History II and addresses the historical, sociological and psychological implications of the Holocaust as well as its impact on human behavior. Among these are: its origins, the role of anti-Semitism and racism; who were the perpetrators, victims and bystanders; patterns of resistance; the response of the United States and other countries; and the universal lessons for today. Additionally, case studies of the Armenian Genocide, the Cambodian Genocide, the Rwandan Genocide and the Sudanese Genocide will be studied within this framework.  

Prerequisite: None.  

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility.

AP United States Government and Politics   Grades 10-12 

AP US Government and politics provides a college-level nonpartisan introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. Students will study US foundational documents, Supreme Court decisions, and other texts and visuals to gain an understanding of the relationships and interactions among political institutions, processes, and behaviors. They will also engage in disciplinary practices that require them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments. In addition, they will complete a political science research or applied civics project.  

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of ‘90’ in any Honors Social Studies class and Teacher Recommendation Required.  

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

AP Economics   Grades 11-12 

AP Economics is a college level course that will allow students to investigate the choices and decision making processes that individuals, businesses, and governments must make in today’s ever-evolving global economy. Students will be introduced to a wide variety of economic ideologies, terminology, and theories and will be required to use varied methods of analysis while exposing them to the practical applications of economics. AP  Economics is a full year course that will include both microeconomics and macroeconomics. The first part of the course will cover microeconomics which focuses on the behaviors and the decision making process of individuals and firms. This includes supply and demand functions, profit and profit maximization, market structure, production possibilities, and market failures. The second part of the course will cover  macroeconomics which focuses on both the domestic and international economy as a whole. Students will study how fiscal and monetary policy impacts economies, measure economic health and progress, investigate international economies and trade, and analyze general economic trends and market movements. Students enrolled in the AP Economics course are expected to make a commitment to taking the AP Examination administered by the College Board in May. Students will be prepared to take both the AP Macroeconomics and AP Microeconomics exams.  

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of ‘90’ in any Honors Social Studies class or Teacher Recommendation Required. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

AP European History         Grade 12

This AP, college level course, will afford the student the opportunity to study the evolution and development of European History from the Renaissance to the Present in its social, political, diplomatic, economic, intellectual and artistic manifestations. Working individually and/or in groups, and using all available technologies, students will undertake research, write essays and term papers, make oral presentations and participate in debates – all aimed at mastering content, raising awareness of trends in European History, fostering appreciation of European culture(s), and sharpening research, writing, oral/communication, analytical and critical thinking  skills. Students enrolled in the AP European History course are expected to make a commitment to taking the AP Examination administered by the College Board in May.  

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of a ‘90’ in AP US History and Teacher Recommendation Required.

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

Social Studies Half-Year Electives

Introduction to Law   Grades 10-12 

This Business and Consumer Law course will provide students with basic knowledge of the law. It will focus on the structure of the law, as well as important decisions handed down by the courts. A practical component of the course will focus on various laws that provide protections to consumers and employees in everyday life. Students will be given an introduction to the American judicial system, and the role of litigation in solving  problems.  

Prerequisite: None.  

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

Human Development   Grades 10-12

Human Development is a semester elective course in the social studies department offered to sophomores, juniors and seniors. The course will explore the self, society, and the interaction between the two. The course will focus on the complexities and diversity of human thought and behavior. Major theories and the individuals who researched the theories will form the basis for the beginning portion of the course. The final unit will  involve the study of abnormal psychology.  

Prerequisite: None.  

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

Economics    Grades 10-12 

An Economics course is offered as an elective for students as an introduction to the principles that form the backbone of the US economy and our role in the international economy. Economic decision-making is fundamental to all fields of endeavor and this course will provide students with a basic vocabulary, an introduction to microeconomic and macroeconomic theories, and the awareness of current issues facing the US economy. Effective economic decision-making is more likely to occur if students understand and can apply economic concepts to issues that will arise. 

Prerequisite: None.

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

Sociology   Grades 10-12 

This course will emphasize both basic sociology and culture. In the study of basic sociology, socialization is the investigation of the process by which people become social beings, how people become what they are, and how they behave. Included are such topics as the effects of extreme isolation, development of the self-concept, the social self, a concept of morality, and an understanding of norms and roles. There are many experiments and field studies to personalize the content. Then, going from the individual to the larger societal unit is culture: the way of life of a given people. The study includes: social practices which can be found in all cultures, the idea that all people feel their own way of life is superior to all others and the need for cultural understanding, both nationally and internationally. Problems selected for in-depth study in the second marking period are: the nature of prejudice, racial and ethnic relations, criminology, social class, marriage and the family. Specific topics and content included are personalized based on the interests of the class.  

Prerequisite: None.  

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

Introduction to Social Justice Issues    Grades 10-12

In this course, students will explore multiple definitions of social justice and methods used to promote social change. Students begin by evaluating how self and group identities shape individual perception and communities by investigating social identities and the agents of socialization. Students evaluate power dynamics by analyzing the distribution of wealth and power. Students investigate how public policy is developed to identify how lawmakers, community organizations, lobbyists, and popular movements shape policy and create a platform to affect social change. Furthermore, students will examine the historical importance and the contemporary relevance of struggles to overcome inequality and injustice. Students apply their understanding of social justice by identifying existing issues present in their own school and community. Students evaluate emerging social justice movements on a local, state, national, and global level by studying social justice issues, movements, pedagogy, and case studies. Lastly, this course will consider the impact that the arts and social movements have on each other. Students will learn skills to proactively address issues of social justice,  focusing on effective group and inter-group communication and organizing, development and implementation of action plans, linked learning projects, participation in discussion via community building circles, the critique of media, research, analysis of statistics with meaningful reflection.  

Prerequisite: None.  

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

Current Events: Critical Thinking In Today's World Grades 10-12

The Current Events course provides students with the opportunity to examine contemporary global, national, and local issues in depth. Through critical discussions, media analysis, and collaborative projects, students will explore the impact of current events on politics, society, and culture. This course aims to develop media literacy, critical thinking, and civic awareness, encouraging students to connect historical trends to contemporary issues and become engaged citizens.

Prerequisite: None.

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility (please refer to page 3).