Social Studies Department

World History is a chronological course assessing cultures and historical events of the “Global Community.” Units range from the pre-Columbian Exchange through modern-day tracing of the development of civilizations in different parts of the world. Topics of emphasis include political and economic development, geography, culture, and advancements in science and technology.

MODERN WORLD HISTORY/CULTURES - HONORS

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Social Studies 8 with no less than a B+ (87%) average; 2 Teacher Recommendations; Writing Sample

Credits: 5

MODERN WORLD HISTORY - AP

Prerequisite: Recommendation by 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher; grade of A (93%) in 8th Grade World History; Writing Sample

Credits: 5

The AP World History course content is structured around the investigation of six course themes and 13 key concepts in four different chronological periods, from 1200 C.E. to the present. The use of key concepts and themes to organize the course facilitates both chronological and thematic approaches to teaching AP World History. Given the vast nature of the subject matter, using both approaches—even alternating between the two—aids students in deepening their understanding of the content. Students must take the AP World History exam in May to earn weighted GPA credits.

UNITED STATES HISTORY I - CP

Prerequisite: N/A

Credits: 5

The United States History I course traces American history from the Colonial period through Reconstruction. The course builds chronologically from the founding of the United States, the American Revolution, Westward Expansion, and the Civil War, to the late 19th century by examining the changes brought about by industrialization and urbanization. Special emphasis is placed on the study of the Constitution, political and economic development, as well as geographical, technological, and social changes.

UNITED STATES HISTORY I - HONORS

Prerequisite: Completion of World History with no less than a B+ (87%) average; 2 Teacher Recommendations; Writing Sample.

Credits: 5 Social Studies Credits

United States History I Honors course traces American history from the Colonial period through Reconstruction. The course builds chronologically from the founding of the United States, the American Revolution, Westward Expansion, and the Civil War, to the late 19th century by examining the changes brought about by industrialization and urbanization. Special emphasis is placed on the study of the Constitution, political and economic development, as well as geographical, technological, and social changes. The Honors course involves a more rigorous workload, in-depth writing assignments, and a greater degree of analysis and synthesis.

UNITED STATES HISTORY II - CP

Prerequisite: Successful completion of United States History I

Credits: 5

The United States History II Honors course traces American history from the Western Frontier up to modern day. The course builds chronologically with units of study including the Western Frontier, industrialization and urbanization, U.S. Imperialism, World War I, World War II, and the Cold War. Special emphasis is placed on the study of U.S. foreign and domestic policies, as well as the economic, social, cultural, and technological impacts of major events in the 19th and 20th centuries. In addition, all students will have a working knowledge of DBQ (document-based questions) essay writing.

UNITED STATES HISTORY II - HONORS

Prerequisite: Completion of United States History I with no less than a B+ (87%) average; 2 Teacher Recommendations; Writing Sample

Credits: 5

The United States History II Honors course traces American history from the Western Frontier up to modern day. The course builds chronologically with units of study including the Western Frontier, industrialization and urbanization, U.S. Imperialism, World War I, World War II, and the Cold War. Special emphasis is placed on the study of U.S. foreign and domestic policies, as well as the social, economic, and political impacts of major events in the 19th and 20th centuries from a global perspective. The Honors course involves a more rigorous workload, in-depth writing assignments, and a greater degree of analysis and synthesis. All students will have substantial working knowledge of DBQ (document-based questions) essay writing.

UNITED STATES HISTORY I - AP

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors or AP Modern World History; Teacher Recommendation; Writing Sample

Credits: 5

AP United States History I is a college-level program designed to provide outstanding 10th-grade students with the opportunity to gain college credit through completion of the course and high achievement on the AP Exam at the end of their junior year. The course traces American History chronologically from the pre-Columbian Era through Reconstruction. The goal of the course is to broaden students’ knowledge of principal themes in U.S. history, with an emphasis on the study of the Constitution, political and economic development, as well as geographical, technological, and social changes. This AP course involves extensive reading assignments, in-depth writing assignments with special emphasis on critical thinking skills, the analysis of document-based questions (DBQ) and primary sources, and the ability to challenge the validity of secondary sources. Students are encouraged to become independent thinkers and develop an individual historical perspective. Students must take a comprehensive final exam in June to earn weighted GPA credits.

UNITED STATES HISTORY II - AP

Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP United States History I; Teacher Recommendation; Writing Sample

Credits: 5

AP United States History is a college-level program designed to provide outstanding 11th-grade students with the opportunity to gain college credit through completion of the course and high achievement on the AP Exam. The course traces American History chronologically from Reconstruction through modern U.S. history. The goal of the course is to broaden students’ knowledge of principal themes in U.S. history, with an emphasis on the study of the Constitution, political and economic development, as well as geographical, technological, and social changes. This AP course involves extensive reading assignments, in-depth writing assignments with special emphasis on critical thinking skills, the analysis of document-based questions (DBQ) and primary sources, and the ability to challenge the validity of secondary sources. Students are encouraged to become independent thinkers and develop an individual historical perspective. Students must take the AP U.S. History exam in May to earn weighted GPA credits.

EUROPEAN HISTORY - AP

Prerequisite: Completion of Modern World History, United States History I, and United States History II courses at an Honors or AP level with at least a B (83%) average; 2 Teacher Recommendations; Writing Sample.

Credits: 5

AP European History is a one-year college-level program designed to provide 12th grade students with the opportunity to gain college credit through completion of the course and high achievement on the AP Euro Exam. The goal of the course is to build on the students’ knowledge of European social, economic, and political themes throughout modern history, and to create an expanded awareness of the contributions and consequences to Western Civilization. Chronologically, the course begins with the Renaissance period and ends with the formation of the European Union. This course involves faster-paced extensive reading assignments, in-depth writing with special emphasis on the analysis of document-based questions (DBQ) and primary sources, and the ability to challenge the validity of secondary sources. Students must take the AP European exam in May to earn weighted GPA credits.

HUMAN GEOGRAPHY - CP

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Modern World History

Credits: 2.5

Human Geography is a thematic course that is structured around the interrelationships of humans and their environment. This course focuses on the study of population, urban, economic, cultural, and political geography. The units in this course will be differentiated by continent, but geographic skills and knowledge relating to location, place, regions, movement, and human/environment interaction are incorporated throughout. This course will have a strong focus on the usage of maps and map skills while incorporating current events relating to the regions being studied.

SOCIOLOGY - HONORS (DUAL-ENROLLMENT OPTION WITH BERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE; SOC 101)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of United States History I

Credits: 2.5

Sociology is designed to teach students about our complex social environment. The course examines social relationships and institutions, the impacts of cultural change, socialization and personality development, race and ethnic relations, and social deviance. Students will learn how human behavior and society shape our lives and influence our social experiences. The class is designed to improve communication skills through considerable class discussions. Various outside resources are used which require students to analyze educational articles and sources.

CRIMINAL LAW - HONORS (DUAL-ENROLLMENT OPTION WITH BERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE; CRJ 103)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of United States History I

Credits: 2.5

The purpose of the Criminal Law component in Social Students is to foster in students the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about legal actions and behaviors by studying the origins of law, the model penal code, and the New Jersey legal code. This knowledge base will supply students with the skills necessary to respond critically, analytically, and practically to the world around them, both within New Jersey and in the United States. Students will be encouraged to greater self-discovery by examining the law in multiple ways. This program will build on skills attained in previous Social Studies courses while encouraging students to understand the law and all of its ramifications. The scope of the course will include the origins and limits of the law, and the kinds of crimes included under the law, namely (but not limited to) homicide, arson, assault, and property crimes. The curriculum is designed to integrate critical thinking and reasoning skills by giving students the chance to read, speak, write about, and evaluate situations, events, and stories, leading to a greater understanding of criminal law. As students progress, they will continuously examine the conceptual strands of Growth and Development (Individual, Society, the World); Civics; Conflict and Compromise; and Human Rights.

PUBLIC AND MEDIA HISTORY - CP

Prerequisite: Successful completion of United States History I

Credits: 2.5

In this course, students will be trained for productive careers working in historic preservation. This class will explore the stewardship of cultural resources and heritage by acquiring and utilizing archival skills, objects conservation practices, and digitization skills to help preserve our shared Saddle Brook history. This class will also delve into the various ways history has been remembered and preserved around the world, in contexts ranging from historic sites to museum exhibitions to film and media. In order to address this topic, we focus on the “primary resources” of public memory and supplement this study with readings from a growing body of scholarship on public history and the public memory of history. Doing so allows us to consider a range of techniques currently employed in the public interpretation and preservation of history, and compare their effectiveness side-by-side, as different types of projects and programs address the same historical issue.

CONSUMER ECONOMICS - CP

Prerequisite: N/A

Credits: 2.5 (may be applied as Financial Literacy credits)

This course is designed to help students gain knowledge to participate in society as educated consumers. Students will recognize economic alternatives in purchasing goods and services while understanding the role of advertising in the decision-making process. They will examine the relationship between consumers and producers in relation to supply and demand, government intervention, and the impact of foreign trade. The course will also offer insight into personal financial management, and the functions of banks and insurance institutions.

INTRODUCTION TO NEURODIVERSITY

Prerequisite: None
2.5 Elective Credits

This course teaches students the foundations of Neurodiversity and offers an opportunity to build empathy, self-awareness and a well-rounded understanding of a growing population of individuals in the world. Students will learn what Neurodiversity means, as well as how it presents itself in different people. Students will become proficient in understanding executive functioning, masking, burnout, emotional regulation, sensory integration, communication differences and how these can impact varying individuals. They will also learn about advocacy and the laws in place to support individuals with disabilities. Students do not need to be neurodiverse to benefit from this class. Individuals who want to become teachers, or follow a career path of assisting others, working with children, or joining the medical field would benefit from this course, as it will create a foundational level of understanding neurodiverse people. It is a hands-on class where students should be prepared to engage in activities that challenge their way of perceiving others and themselves.

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