Social Studies

Requirements

Ninth Grade

Global History and Geography 9 (NCAA Core)

1 Year/1 Unit

Course Description

In Global 9, students will learn about the achievements and struggles of people around the world from roughly 10,000 BCE to 1750 CE.  We will focus on issues that have endured across time and place in Asia, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Students will learn about the impact of geography, the origins of major world religions, spread of disease, and the rise of empire and global trade.  Students’ reading and writing skills will be a focus to prepare for the Global Regents exam.  Students will participate in lessons to understand multiple perspectives on both current and historical events.  

Course Requirements

Students will complete a final exam worth 10% of the final course grade. 

Tenth Grade

Global History and Geography 10 (NCAA Core)

1 Year/1 Unit

Course Description

In Global 10, students continue their investigation into the achievements and struggles of people around the world from 1750 C.E. to the present. Students will investigate the historical role of conflict and change in shaping modern society.  Students will continue to examine issues, themes, and historical events from multiple perspectives and make global connections that lead to in-depth understanding. A review book will be supplied by the district.  Students’ reading and writing skills will be a focus to prepare for the Global Regents exam.  

Course Requirements

The Global History & Geography Regents exam score is worth 10% of the final course grade. 

World Culture and Literature – Honors (NCAA Core)

1 Year/1 Unit

Course Description

World Culture-Honors is part of an interdisciplinary course with World Literature-Honors. In these humanities courses, students learn about the connections between art and architecture, literature, and historical events in global history. The works of 18th-20th century writers, artists, and architects are studied. Students develop their analytic and communication skills in this course through a variety of writing assignments, research-based activities, and a major oral presentation. 

Course Requirements/Recommendations

Students are required to complete a final project and take the Global History & Geography Regents exam.  The final project is worth 10% of the final course grade. The Global Regents exam score is worth 10% of the final course grade.

Recommendation: Positive recommendations from the Global 9 and English 9 teachers; a minimum of an 85% average in both English 9 and Global History and Geography 9 is highly recommended. 

Eleventh Grade

U.S. History & Government (NCAA Core)

1 Year/1 Unit

Course Description

In U.S. History & Government, students investigate the complex history of the United States, and learn about how individuals and groups have addressed civic and constitutional issues.  An examination of U.S. history gives students a basic understanding of the interrelationship between political, economic and social issues faced by the nation since our founding. Emphasis is placed upon the development of critical thinking skills, the analysis of primary and secondary sources, and students’ ability to construct and communicate historical argument and evidence in short and long essay formats.  The course prepares students for the U.S. History & Government Regents exam.  A review book will be provided by the district. 

Course Requirements

All students must take the U.S. History and Government Regents exam. The U.S. History and Government Regents exam score will be worth 10% of the final course grade.

Advanced Placement United States History (NCAA Core)

1 Year/1 Unit

Course Description

In AP US History, students are prepared to think critically about the issues that have confronted and influenced the United States.  Students' ability to integrate the examination of factual knowledge, develop and apply analytic skills, and assess primary and secondary sources will be developed in this course.  The course provides a college-level, intellectual challenge that requires time to complete assignments (reading, essays and projects) outside of class. The course uses a college-level text.  Assignments in this course will improve the ability to write clearly and logically, and develop and communicate historical arguments.  

Course Requirements/Recommendations

All students enrolled in this course are expected to register for and complete the AP exam in May at a cost of  approximately $100, which will be reduced or waived for students who qualify for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program. 

The score for the U.S.  History and Government Regents exam will not be included in the final course grade.  

Recommendation: A positive teacher recommendation and a minimum of 90% average in World Culture-Honors or AP World History or a 95% average in Global 10  is strongly recommended. 

Twelfth Grade 

Economics (NCAA Core)

1/2 Year/.5 Unit

Course Description

In Economics, students will learn about how the U.S. economy works, and their role in the national and global economy.  Using economic reasoning, students will gain financial literacy  by completing projects based on real-world problems.  Topics include current issues like the role of supply and demand in determining price, changes to the workforce in the United States, the role of entrepreneurs, as well as the effects of globalization.  This course also introduces students to principles of investing, personal finance, budgeting and the smart use of credit.   

Course Requirements/Recommendations

The final exam is worth 20% of the final course grade.

Summer School Economics (NCAA Core)

.5 Unit

Course Description

This course will follow the same curriculum as Economics. Students will attend in-person class daily, Monday-Thursday during Summer School and complete 5 hours of study outside of class to meet the requirement of 45 hours of study. If students have more than 1 absence they will be disenrolled and scheduled into Economics during the 2025-2026 school year.  Permission to take Summer School Economics is by application only and there specific eligibility requirements including a student's average in their grade 11 Social Studies course, credit status as a rising senior and number of absences.  There is a final exam in the course. 

Course Requirements/Recommendations

The final exam is worth 20% of the final course grade.

COLL Economics (NCAA Core)

1/2 Year/.5 Unit

(ECON 100/Macro) 

Course Description

+College Credit Option

In College (COLL) Economics, students will practice economic reasoning to become informed, rational citizens who use the economic way of thinking to analyze major life issues (i.e., college and student loan issues, acting as consumers, investors, etc.)  Through the study of microeconomic and macroeconomic principles, students will understand major issues facing the U.S. including the national debt, taxation, unemployment, and income inequality.  Students will investigate the role of scarcity, supply and demand, markets, the how and why of measuring the economy (including GDP, CPI, and unemployment) as well as monetary and fiscal policy actions.   Students will learn and apply mathematical formulas and logic to analyze economic problems.  The course uses a college-level textbook. 

Course Requirements/Recommendations

The final exam is worth 20% of the final grade.   Three college credits may be obtained for COLL Economics (HVCC Econ 100) with successful completion of this course at a cost of approximately $210. Tuition may be further reduced for students who qualify for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program. 

Recommendations: A positive teacher recommendation and a minimum of an 85% average in students’ 11th grade Social Studies course is strongly recommended.  In addition, a  minimum of an 85% average in Algebra 2 & Trigonometry-Honors or a 90% in Algebra 2 & Trigonometry is strongly recommended.  

National Issues Forum (NIF) (NCAA Core)

1/2 Year/.5 Unit

Course Description

National Issues Forum is an issues-based course that examines the public policy process at the local, state, and national level.  The goal of the course is to prepare students for their role as active and well-informed citizens. Students are provided with opportunities to investigate and analyze relevant social issues, simulate or engage in the political process, and exercise the skills needed to develop informed opinions. They will also research and evaluate existing public policies from multiple perspectives and propose logical alternatives.  Students are expected to take an active, participatory role using the skills they have developed over the course of the entire K-12 Social Studies program.  The completion of the final project will count 1.5 points towards the requirements of the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness.  This course meets the Participation in Government requirement.

Civics Capstone (NCAA Core)

1/2 Year/.5 Unit

Course Description

Do you know what to do when you see a problem that you want to fix in your community?  In the Civics Capstone course, you will learn how to investigate issues, create and evaluate solutions, and take informed action to address the problems that you see.  You will discuss and learn more about issues that matter to you.  Students will work together in groups throughout the course, and make a presentation of their Capstone project at the end of the semester.   Students learn and practice skills in this course like communication, time management, problem-solving, and research that can be applied in any field. This course will empower you to become an active, engaged citizen. Students will earn 4 points (out of the 6 required) toward the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness requirements by successfully completing their Capstone project.   This course meets the 12th grade Social Studies  Participation in Government requirement.  The final project, the presentation of the Capstone project, is worth 10% of the course grade.   

COLL Introduction to Policy Studies (NCAA Core) 

(SYR PST 101) 1/2 Year/.5 Unit

Course Description

+College Credit Option

This introductory college level course examines current public policy issues.  Students will examine societal problems on the national, state and local levels, evaluate the effectiveness of current public policies, and develop and analyze alternative policies. Group and individual projects will require students to conduct extensive research and conduct interviews.  Students are also expected to observe public meetings. Students will develop critical thinking skills and acquire an understanding of the impact that public policies have on a democratic society.  This course meets the Participation in Government requirement.   Students can meet the requirements for the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness's High School Civics Project (1.5 points) by creating and making a presentation about the public policy project they complete for this course. 

Course Requirements/Recommendations

This course can be taken for 3 college credits through Syracuse University Project Advance by paying a tuition fee of $115 per credit to SUPA. Tuition assistance and forms are available from SUPA at supa.syr.edu/tuition-assistance.

Recommendation: Students that have above-average reading, research and writing skills and an interest in public policy are successful in this course.

Electives 

Criminal Justice (NCAA Core) 

½ year/.5 Unit

Course Description

Are you curious about what causes people to commit crimes?  Are you interested in learning more about a career in law, law enforcement, or intelligence?  In this introductory course, you will learn about the complex systems of criminal justice, policing and sentencing in 21st century America. You will be able to meet professionals who work in criminal justice-related fields with guest speakers and field trips. You will learn about the court system, corrections, juvenile justice, police reform, technology and crimes. Students that pass this course will earn .5 points toward the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness.

Requirement: Juniors or Seniors can enroll in this course.  Priority will be given to seniors. 

COLL Psychology (NCAA Core)

(SYR PSY-205)

1/2 Year/.5 Unit

Course Description

+College Credit Option

This introductory college level course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the scientific basis of psychology and an increased awareness of their everyday environments. The course will examine such topics as learning, motivation, human development, abnormal behavior, and psychological disorders. Students will use a college textbook, professional journals, and extensive library research to develop an understanding of the psychological factors that influence human interaction. In addition to several college level examinations, students will also research and write a psychological study of a selected topic. 

Course Requirements/Recommendations

This course can be taken for 3 college credits through Syracuse University Project Advance by paying a tuition fee of $115 per credit to SUPA. Tuition assistance and forms are available from SUPA at supa.syr.edu/tuition-assistance.

Requirement: Seniors or Academic Administrator’s Approval

Recommendation: Students are successful in this course with above-average study, reading, research and writing skills.  

COLL Sociology (NCAA Core)

(SYR SOC-101)

1/2 Year/.5 Unit

Course Description

+College Credit Option

This course is designed as an analytic, skills-based introduction to sociology as an empirical social science. It emphasizes analytic reading and conceptual analysis. The readings are based on empirical research studies or are review articles of research in an area of sociological investigation. It is a writing-intensive course. This course introduces C. Wright Mills’ classic notion of “the sociological imagination” and the promise of sociology; it encourages students to see and think about the social world, themselves and the relations between themselves and the social world in new ways. As the course progresses, students should obtain increasing skill in analytic reading and writing, sociological reasoning, empirical investigation and the ability to make empirical and conceptual generalizations about self and society in an increasingly global world. 

Course Requirements/Recommendations

This course can be taken for 3 college credits through Syracuse University Project Advance by paying a tuition fee of $115 per credit to SUPA. Tuition assistance and forms are available from SUPA at supa.syr.edu/tuition-assistance.

Requirement: Seniors or Academic Administrator’s Approval

Recommendation: Students are successful in this course with above-average study, reading, research and writing skills.