All students are required to take 3 credits of social studies for graduation (World Studies, Economics, Civics and US History). Many colleges require 3-4 years of social studies courses. Listed below are suggested sequences for students. Students will have the option of changing as their academic plans change.

235-WORLD STUDIES HONORS ( 1 credit)

236-WORLD STUDIES Level 1 (1 credit)

237-WORLD STUDIES (1 credit)

Through the content of this course, students will explore and demonstrate their understanding of how humans have expressed themselves through religion, philosophy, art, and political and economic institutions in different surroundings, at different times, and relative to other groups and the natural environment. The course encompasses broad historical themes and their connection to critical issues facing contemporary life, such as allocation of resources, population growth, conflict, and cooperation. To anchor their examination of the global past-present connection, students will also learn the role that geography plays in the development of culture and civilizations.

Unleveled: Requires independent reading and writing skills as well as analytical response and presentations on summative assessments.

Level 1: Requires strong independent reading and writing skills as well as extended analytical response, and presentations on summative assessments.

Honors: Will encourage students with high academic skills and motivation to work independently to gain depth of understanding in the subject matter. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and understanding through extensive research projects and presentations.

226-CIVICS HONORS (½ credit)

227-CIVICS Level 1 (½ credit)

228-CIVICS (½ credit)

In Civics, students will focus on understanding the purpose, structure, and function of American government at the local, state, and national levels. Additional focus will be given to comparative political systems, the political process, and rights and responsibilities.

Level 1: Requires strong independent reading and writing skills as well as extended analytical response on summatives.

Honors: Will encourage students with superior academic skills and motivation to work independently to gain depth of understanding in the subject matter. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and understanding through extensive research projects.

223-ECONOMICS HONORS (½ credit)

224-ECONOMICS Level 1 (½ credit)

225-ECONOMICS (½ credit)

In Economics, students will explore basic economic concepts and principles using economic models, simulations, and decision-making activities. An emphasis will be placed on understanding how economics affects individuals as decision-makers. The national economy and its interaction with the global economy will also be addressed.

Level 1: Requires strong independent reading and writing skills as well as extended analytical response on summatives.

Honors: Will encourage students with superior academic skills and motivation to work independently to gain depth of understanding in the subject matter. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and understanding through extensive research projects.

Prerequisite: Sophomore; World Studies

Geography For students to select Honors or Level 1, they need to earn a B- or better in the current Honors or Level 1 social studies course.

245-CC-U.S. HISTORY COLLEGE CREDIT (1 credit)

250-U.S. HISTORY Level 1 (1 credit)

260-U.S. HISTORY (1 credit)

United States History students develop an understanding of the dynamics of modern America. They define the causes, effects of late 19th and 20th century political, economic, and social events and trends. Students analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources, develop and defend opinions, work collaboratively, and demonstrate their learning through verbal and non-verbal expression.

Level 1: Requires strong independent reading and writing skills as well as extended analytical response on summatives.

CC: Will encourage students with superior academic skills and motivation to work independently to gain depth of understanding in the subject matter. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and understanding through extensive research projects.

Prerequisite: Junior or Senior; For a student to remain at the Honors/CC or Level 1, they need to earn a B- or better in the current Honors or Level 1 social studies course.

271-PSYCHOLOGY

(½ credit)

This course focuses on topics such as approaches to psychology, its contributors and its historical development, psychology disciplines, the structure and function of the brain, personality development, learning, emotions, stages of life, mental health, and therapies. Students will have the opportunity to explore psychology in many ways including individual projects and group activities. This course is the basis of exposure for college.

Prerequisite: Junior or Senior

273CC -PSYCHOLOGY COLLEGE CREDIT

CC (1 credit)

This course focuses on topics such as approaches to psychology, its contributors and its historical development, psychology disciplines, the structure and function of the brain, personality development, learning, motivation, emotions, stress and stress management, memory, sleep and sleep cycles, dreams, altered states of consciousness, mental health, and social behavior. Students will have the opportunity to explore psychology through many ways including individual projects and group activities. Students who sign up for Psychology College Credit are required to apply for college credit through the Community College System of New Hampshire. Strong independent reading and writing skills are required.

Prerequisite: Junior or Senior

275-CIVIL WAR

(½ credit)

The American Civil War is one of the most divisive and important events in American history. In this course, students will analyze the coming of the war, considering the political, social, and cultural issues and attitudes which divided the Americans in both the North and the South. Students will explore the role of government, state's rights, slavery, and the fate of the Union. Sectional conflict centered on a series of questions that involved the future of African slavery, and the Southern way of life. This course attempts to briefly summarize and present the major events and battles related to the war in chronological order. This course will explore the major political issues and philosophies that set the stage for the Civil War, sustained is, and continue to the present.

278-HOLOCAUST STUDIES

(½ credit)

Explore and analyze the complex factors contributing to the Holocaust, interpret the events of 1933-1945, and evaluate the impact of the genocide on post-war Europe and generations to come. The course examines the Holocaust both chronologically and thematically. The course incorporates primary sources and many elements of psychology, sociology, ethics, and economics. Individual and group collaboration approaches for assessments.

Prerequisite: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

280-US GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

CC (1 credit)

Are you interested in what is going on in our nation’s capital? Do you want to understand more about how our government works and who is able to influence it? Do current political beliefs and behaviors in Washington D.C. matter? Have you thought about what you can to do influence our current leaders? This course examines the relationship between government, politics, and power. Students discuss how people in a democracy can effect change in government to address current and future needs. Topics include political beliefs and behavior, political parties, interest groups, mass media, civil rights, civil liberties, etc. Strong independent reading and writing skills are required.

Prerequisite: Junior or Senior; Civics

284-SOCIOLOGY

(½ credit)

This course examines the social world, using the study of social interactions. With focus on culture and human interaction, students will learn how to connect research to concepts, through the study of social customs, social norms and social institutions. This course will examine the connections among the individual, social groups and social institutions with a focus on issues, such as gender, race, crime, and class struggles. Students will learn how to connect research to concepts, and develop critical thinking skills, deepening their understanding of the social world.

Prerequisite: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

295-CRIMINOLOGY

(½ credit)

This course provides students with the foundations of the Criminal Justice System by placing an emphasis on the four domains of Criminology: Crime and Crime Causation, Law Enforcement, the Justice System and Institutional Corrections. The course is introduced by having students both explore the careers that are associated with the study of Criminology. The course concludes by addressing the issues confronting criminal justice in an age of technology and terrorism.

Prerequisite: Sophomore, Junior or Senior