Social Studies

World History                                                                                                                        

Course Number: 4645

Gr: 9                                                                                                                             

Length: Yr.

Credit: 1 credit                                                                                                    

NCAA Approved

This course will examine world events from 1600 through the age of imperialism, and will culminate with the events of the 20th century. This course will also explore the impact of democratic and industrial revolutions, domination of European powers and the effects of global interdependence. Additionally, this course will examine the following units in relation to the 20th century: WWI, Russian Revolution, WWII, Cold War, and the world today. 

World History Advanced (H)

Course Number: 4650

Gr: 9

Length: Yr.

Credit: 1 credit

NCAA Approved

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation (from 8th Grade teacher)

Advanced World History is a year-long course designed as an in-depth study of World History circa 1450 to the present, with the addition of a 9-week study over the key principles of geography.  The course builds students’ essential skills and helps to prepare them for a range of AP history and social science coursework during high school, including AP U.S. History, AP American Government, AP Psychology, and AP Human Geography.   The course begins with a study of geography and world regions and advances through the Early Modern Period (c. 1450 to c. 1750), the Modern Period (c. 1750 to c. 1914), and the Contemporary Period (c.1914 to the present).  Students will develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical comparisons; and utilizing reasoning about contextualization and historical causation.

American History                                                                                                                   

Course Number: 4800 

Gr: 10                                                                                                                          

Length: Yr. 

Credit: 1 credit                                                                                                     

NCAA Approved 

This course will examine the history of the United States from 1877 to the present. Understanding how these events have shaped our society is the purpose of this course. This course will examine the following units: Historical Documents, Industrialization, WWI, Great Depression, WWII, Cold War, Civil Rights Movement, and the world today. 

American History – Advanced Placement                                                                             

Course Number: 4801 

Gr: 10-11-12                                                                                                                 

Length: Yr. 

Credit: 1 credit                                                                                                     

NCAA Approved 

Prerequisite: teacher recommendation; required summer reading and writing assignment; successful completion of World History with a “B” or above is recommended

The AP American History course is designed for the student who can complete college level studies in the secondary school. The AP American History course follows the AP syllabus provided by College Board. It is a comprehensive examination of American History from the Ages of Exploration through present day. The course emphasizes the student’s reading, writing, and interpretive comprehension skills. In May, the Advanced Placement Examination will be given for those students who desire to take the exam. Those who succeed on this exam may earn college level Social Science credit.

American Government: The Role of the American Citizen                                                    

Course Number: 4900 

Gr: 11-12                                                                                                                               

Length: Yr.

Credit: 1 credit                                                                                                    

NCAA Approved 

Students will explore the role of the U.S. citizen in American democracy at the local, state, and national level. Students will recognize the components and benefits of our American democracy and the federal system. Students will examine the American political system and the election process.

American Government – Advanced Placement                                                                           

Course Number: 4905

Gr: 11-12                                                                                                                               

Length: Yr.

Credit: 1 credit                                                                                                            

NCAA Approved

Prerequisite: teacher recommendation; required summer reading and writing assignment; successful completion of US History OR AP US History with a “B” or above in recommended.

The AP American Government course is designed for students who can complete college level studies. The AP American Government course follows the AP syllabus provided by College Board. Students will study the general concepts used to interpret U.S. government and politics, with a specific focus on the Constitutional basis of government, political beliefs and behaviors, political parties and mass media, institutions of national government, public policy, civil rights and civil liberties, and current events related to national government. In May, students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement exam, successful completion of which may earn the student college-level Government credit.

AP Psychology                                                                                                                     

Course Number: 4505                                                                                                                                  

Gr: 12                                                                                                                              

Length: Yr.  

Credit: 1 credit

NCAA Approved                                                                                                           

Prerequisite: Selection will be determined by the course teacher based upon successful completion of American Government or American Government AP and a teacher recommendation.       

The AP Psychology course is designed for students who can complete college level studies. The AP Psychology course will follow the AP syllabus provided by the College Board. The course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. While considering the psychologists and studies that have shaped the field, students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts, and phenomena associated with such topics as the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatments of psychological disorders, and social psychology. In May, students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement exam, successful completion of which may earn the student college-level Psychology credit.

American Ethnic and Minority Studies                                                                                                               

Course Number: 4865                                                                                                 

Grades:  11-12

Length:  Semester

Credit:  ½ credit

NCAA Approved

This course is a historical study of the unique experiences, struggles, and contributions of Americans representing different ethnic and minority groups including, but not limited to, African Americans, American Immigrants, American Indians, American Muslims, and LGBTQ+. The class emphasizes the pursuit of liberty, equality and justice and discusses contemporary issues from a multicultural perspective.  

The Holocaust

Course Number: 4860

Gr: 10-11-12

Length: Sem. 

Credit: 1/2 credit                                                                                                  

NCAA Approved 

This course explores the events of the Jewish genocide conducted by Nazi-controlled Germany. Emphasis will be placed on the Nazi abuse of political power, Aryan supremacy, the stark realities of camp life, and the atrocities committed to achieve Hitler’s “Final Solution”.

Criminal Studies                                                                                                                    

Course Number: 4520 

Gr: 10-11-12                                                                                                             

Length: Sem. 

Credit: 1/2 credit                                                                                                  

NCAA Approved 

Emphasis in this course will be given to the criminal justice processes from arrest to sentencing.  Students will also have the opportunity to explore careers in the field of, or connected to, criminal justice.  Many guest speakers will be utilized throughout the course.

Human Geography – Advanced Placement                                                                                 

Course Number: 4545                                

Gr: 10th (by application only), 11th, and 12th                                                                                               

Length: Yr.

Credit: 1 credit                                                                                                            

NCAA Approved

This course introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of the earth’s surface. Students will interpret maps, analyze geospatial data, analyze changing interconnectedness of the world, and examine socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences.

Economics – Advanced Placement                                                                                              

Course Number: 4550

Gr: 11-12                                                                                                                               

Length: Yr.   

Credit: 1 credit                                                                                                            

NCAA Approved

Prerequisite: Selection will be determined by the course teacher based upon successful completion of American History or American History AP and a teacher recommendation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          AP Economics is a combination of two semester-long AP courses: AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics. The AP Economics course will follow the syllabus provided by the College Board. Students will study basic economic concepts such as supply and demand, consumer choice, the behavior of firms, monopolies, price elasticity, and market failures. In May, students are encouraged to take both the AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics Advanced Placement exams, successful completion of which will earn students college level Government credit as well as high school credit.

Peer Facilitation                                                                                                                     

Course Number: 4950 

Gr: 10-11-12                                                                                                                 

Length: Yr. 

Credit: 1 credit 

Prerequisite: Instructor Approval

The Peer Facilitation course is designed to train students to serve as positive role models and resources for other young people. The course is designed to train students to offer confidential active listening, support, alternatives, and information to a peer in an attempt to help him or her resolve his or her problem. Peer helpers try to reach students who might be reluctant to speak with adult helpers about small problems. Some peers will be invited to participate in the class for a second year in order to aid in the training of new peer facilitators.

Peer Facilitation II                                                                                                                 

Course Number: 4952

Gr: 11-12                                                                                                                      

Length: Yr.

Credit: 1 credit

The aim of this course is leadership training. Instruction will center on group process, organizational skills, small group facilitation, and teen social problems. Activities in this course will center on assisting members of the NHS student body, training peer mediators, and publicizing the services provided by the peer facilitation program.

Peer Tutoring                                                                          

Course Number: 4951

Gr: 10-11-12                                                                                                                 

Length: Yr.

Credit: 1 credit

Prerequisite: Selection through application and interview process

The Peer Tutor program educates and trains students to effectively support students with disabilities. Peer Tutors will research and investigate a variety of disabilities, such as Autism, Developmental Disabilities, Dyslexia, visual impairments, etc. In addition, students will learn and implement strategies to support these students in various settings: classes, community, job-site coaching, etc. Peer Tutors serve as important role models and advocates for individuals with disabilities. Peer Tutors are expected to complete quarterly projects and journals, attend monthly meetings, have strong attendance, and be able to apply the tutoring strategies taught during training sessions and daily experiences. Students may participate as a Peer Tutor for a maximum of two years. (Availability of class will be determined by enrollment.)

Hope Squad

Course Number: 4954

Gr: 9, 10, 11, 12                                                                                                                            

Length: Yr.

Credit: 1 credit   

Prerequisite: Selection through application and interview process 

Hope Squad is a school-based, peer-to-peer suicide prevention program that deploys trained students to do intentional outreach with distressed peers. Hope Squad follows a four-year curriculum that emphasizes suicide prevention fundamentals, self-care, and anti-bullying.  The Hope Squad involves training students and staff to recognize suicide warning signs and to act upon those warnings to support students to seek help from other adults.