Social Studies

Prerequisite:  2 Years / 2 Credits in Social Studies 

The course is an opportunity for students to explore accomplishments, struggles, intersections, perspectives, and collaborations of African American/Black and Puerto Rican/Latino people in the U.S. Students will examine how historical movements, legislation, and wars affected the citizenship rights of these groups and how they, both separately and together, worked to build U.S. cultural and economic wealth and create more just societies in local, national, and international contexts. Coursework will provide students with tools to identify historic and contemporary tensions around race and difference; map economic and racial disparities over time; strengthen their own identity development; and address bias in their communities. 

Prerequisite: Required for Graduation

American Government is a study of the history and functions of U.S. government and democratic practices. Emphasis is placed on the national level, the structure of the 3 branches of government, and Constitutional issues.  State and local governments are also studied and several short research projects are required. This course satisfies the Civics graduation requirement.

Prerequisite:  Required for Graduation

American Government is an introductory study of the history and functions of U.S. government and democratic practices. Emphasis is placed on the national level, the structure of the 3 branches of government, and Constitutional issues.  State and local governments are also studied and several short research projects are required. This course satisfies the Civics graduation requirement.

Prerequisite: Required for Graduation

American Government is an introductory study of the history and functions of U.S. government and democratic practices. Emphasis is placed on the national level, the structure of the branches of government and Constitutional issues.  State and local governments are also studied.  Several short essays and research projects are required.  The American government program ensures that students will develop the skills in critical reading and writing necessary for success in post-secondary education.  Emphasis is placed on developing effective study skills, reading for information and reasoning with evidence, needed skills in all areas across the curriculum.  This course satisfies the Civics graduation requirement.

Prerequisite:  2 Years / 2 Credits in Social Studies

Child Development addresses the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors associated with supporting and promoting optimal growth and development of infants and children. The focus is on research-based nurturing and parenting practices and skills, including brain development research that supports positive development of children. Topics include: consideration of the roles, responsibilities and challenges of parenthood; prenatal development; preparation for birth, the birth process; meeting the physical, social, emotional, intellectual, moral and cultural growth and developmental needs of infants and children; impacts of heredity, environment, and family and societal crisis on development of the child; caring for children with special needs; parental resources, services, and agencies; and career awareness. 

Prerequisite:  Developmental Child Psychology 1 and 2 Years / 2 Credits in Social Studies

This is the perfect course for students who like children or plan to work with children as a career path. Parenting and childcare skills will be taught and practiced in an active, practical manner by participating in a young child/pre-kindergarten program.  Students will work in a classroom with certified teachers to learn and model positive influences for and with children.

Prerequisite:  American Government, Regions, and the Completion of a Skills Based Summer Assignment.

This UConn credit course, Modern Western Traditions, is a history of political institutions, economic systems, social structures and cultures in the modern Western world from the last five hundred years.  Key elements throughout the course will include the influence of Christianity, the evolution of thought, revolutionary movements and development of worldwide conflicts. This course is designed for the student with strong work habits and a keen interest in thinking and arguing historically about Western culture and its impact on shaping the modern world and using researched evidence to support original historical arguments in both interactive discussions with classmates and in well-developed written form.  Students will receive a summer assignment in the beginning of May and are expected to complete a reading and writing assignment during the summer as specified by the Social Studies department. Students who opt into the course without the required prerequisite must meet with the instructor and  complete a skills based assignment over the summer.  Failure to do so will reflect in the first quarter’s grade. This course affords the student the opportunity to register for the University of Connecticut’s HIST 1400: Modern Western Traditions course through our Early College Experience program and earn 3 college credits. Only students who are registered in the UCONN/ECE Program for this course will receive UCONN credit. These credits are transferable to other colleges. Note: Credit transfer policies vary from college to college, hence students must check with their colleges of interest. Typically grades below a C do not transfer, and grades of a C or higher transfer as a “T” which carries no GPA or grade.

Prerequisite:  2 Years / 2 Credits in Social Studies and the Completion of a Skills Based Summer Assignment.

ECE U. S. History offers a very intensive and fast paced study of American history from early colonization to the present day.  Students will be responsible for textbook assignments, outside readings, class participation, book reports, position papers, and a research paper.  Only extremely motivated college bound students should enroll in this course.  A summer reading assignment is a prerequisite to entrance to the course in the fall.  Students will receive a summer assignment in the beginning of May and are expected to complete a reading and writing assignment during the summer as specified by the Social Studies department.  Students who opt into the course without the required prerequisite must meet with the instructor and complete a skills based assignment over the summer. Failure to complete the summer assignments will be reflected in the first quarter’s grade. 

This course affords the student the opportunity to register for the University of Connecticut’s HIST 1501: United States Hist. to 1877 course, and HIST 1502: United States History since 1877 course through our Early College Experience program and earn up to 6 college credits. Only students who are registered in the UCONN/ECE Program for this course will receive UCONN credit. 

These credits are transferable to other colleges. Note: Credit transfer policies vary from college to college, hence students must check with their colleges of interest. Typically grades below a C do not transfer, and grades of a C or higher transfer as a “T” which carries no GPA or grade.

Prerequisite: 2 Years / 2 Credits in Social Studies 

This is a non-textbook course offered to students who are interested in studying United States foreign and domestic policy.  Emphasis will be placed on current issues and their historical components.  Students must be prepared to read news magazines and daily newspapers.  Opinion papers are required.

Prerequisite:  2 Years / 2 Credits in Social Studies  

Introduction to Psychology is a semester elective course. Through readings and class discussion, basic concepts in the following areas will be explored: intelligence, personality theory, human development, adolescent issues, emotion, motivation, memory, thinking, and defense mechanisms.  New developments in Psychology will be discussed.  Projects are required.

Prerequisite:  American Government

This course explores the histories, as well as the economic, political and current challenges facing the countries of India and China, as well as the regions of Africa and the Middle East.  While the current challenges faced by these countries and regions, emphasis will be placed in the complex histories of these regions and countries and how they have related to the western world.

Prerequisite:  American Government

This course explores the histories, as well as the economic, political and current challenges facing the countries of India and China, as well as the regions of Africa and the Middle East.  While the current challenges faced by these countries and regions, emphasis will be placed in the complex histories of these regions and countries and how they have related to the western world.

Prerequisite:  American Government

This course explores the histories, as well as the economic, political and current challenges facing the countries of India and China, as well as the regions of Africa and the Middle East.  While current challenges faced by these countries and regions, emphasis will be placed in the complex histories of these regions and countries and how they have related to the western world.  The regions program ensures that students will develop skills in critical reading and writing for the purpose of preparing for post-secondary education.  The emphasis is on the development and use of effective study skills, reading for information, reasoning with evidence and synthesis of information, necessary skills in all curriculum areas. 

Prerequisite:  2 Years / 2 Credits in Social Studies 

Sociology is a half-year course.  It is intended to examine concepts, principles, and methods central to the scientific study of Sociology.  Once examined, the information will be applied to the social inequities that exist in society and to social institutions such as the family and religion.  A research paper is required.

Prerequisite:  World History 1&2 

This semester course offers seniors the opportunity to examine history through the media's lens. Many films and television shows have been made to cover much of history. This course will look at how various aspects of history are portrayed in films and contrast that with “how it really was.” A major goal of this course is to determine what is true to life in historical dramas and comedies. In addition, the course will touch on the history of Hollywood, the motion picture and media industry itself and examine, from time to time, the changes in film technology and techniques.

Prerequisite:  World History 1&2 

This course is designed for students with general knowledge of world history and gives students an opportunity to more thoroughly explore the history, geography, politics, and culture of a specific area of the world, in this case Japan. The course will cover the history of Japan from the ancient Jomon era to the modern Reiwa era, with particular emphasis placed on the Edo to Showa periods of ~1600 CE to ~1990 CE. Students will study the development of the Japanese empire, the geography of the Japanese islands, what life was like for the Japanese people during these eras, and the global impacts Japan has made over time. The course will culminate in a study of the American occupation of Japan and an examination of the relationship between the two countries, including how Japan has adapted to the global world post-WWII. 

Prerequisite:  2 Years/2 Credits in Social Studies. Required for Graduation. 

U.S. History 1 offers an in-depth overview of American history from 1900 – 1970. It will emphasize a chronological investigation of U.S. foreign and domestic policy. Several performance-based projects are expected.

U.S. History 2 offers a survey of American history from 1970 - 2011.  It concentrates on a thematic discussion of domestic issues emphasizing women and civil rights.  Several performance-based projects, and a research paper, are required.

Prerequisite:  2 Years/2 Credits in Social Studies. Required for Graduation.

U.S. History 1 offers an overview of American history from 1900 – 1970.. It will emphasize a chronological investigation of U.S. foreign and domestic policy. Several performance-based projects are expected.

U.S. History 2 offers an overview of American history from 1970 - 2011.  It concentrates on a thematic discussion of domestic issues emphasizing women and civil rights.  Several performance-based projects, and a research paper, are required.

Prerequisite:  American Government 

This World History course surveys the Western worlds from the periods of the Roman Empire to the Reformation History and is presented so that students can see the relationships among civilizations. Emphasis is placed on cause and effect, interaction of peoples and nations, and the continuity of history in terms of the significant forces shaping and impacting events.  Students also study the economic, political, intellectual, social and religious issues in the context of the rise and decline of civilizations.  This section covers early civilizations, the rise of major religions, and the creation of ancient empires. Requirements may include a book report, oral and written projects, and/or a research project.

Prerequisite:  American Government

This World History course surveys the Western worlds from the period of the Age of Exploration through the World Wars.  History is presented so that students can see relationships among civilizations. Emphasis is placed on cause and effect, interaction of peoples and nations, and the continuity of history in terms of the significant forces shaping and impacting events.  Students also study the economic, political, intellectual, social and religious issues in the context of the rise and decline of civilizations.  This section covers early civilizations, the rise of major religions, and the creation of giant ancient empires. Requirements may include a book report, oral and written projects, and/or a research project.