Social Studies

Students are required to earn 3.0 credits in Social Studies, including US History.

By focusing on the record of human experience, students will evaluate how individuals and societies have resolved their problems, as well as examine the consequences of the decisions and choices made by previous communities and societies. The ever-changing political, social, and economic forces that exist in our local, state, national and global communities require a comprehensive and challenging social studies program. As a result of their educational experience students will confidently address the challenges they face with a deeper understanding of the alternatives and consequences of their decisions.

We're going on a time-travel adventure, diving into the epic stories and influential folks that molded Europe from ancient times up to the early modern era. We'll explore how nations took shape, check out both slow-burn and rapid-fire changes, and even witness some global showdowns. All of this to see why yesterday matters today.

You'll be digging into firsthand accounts and scholarly interpretations, then putting on your detective hat to dissect historical happenings. Everyone will need to tackle and ace a few hands-on projects and written analysis to wrap up the journey.

We're going to deep-dive into how Europe came to be, from ancient ages up to the cusp of the modern era. We'll get to know the folks who made it happen and the big events that stirred the pot. From the birth of nations, to game-changing movements, and the wars that shook the world, we'll see how the past shapes today.

In this class, we're not just scratching the surface. You'll be expected to really dig into historical events and documents. And get ready to flex your writing muscles - you'll be writing several in depth analysis pieces utilizing primary source documents along with other creative projects you will put together during our time in Honors Western Civilization. 

This course reflects the content of an introductory college course in European History as outlined by the Advanced Placement program. In AP European History, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes from approximately 1450 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change over time. The course also provides seven themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: interaction of Europe and the world, economic and commercial development, cultural and intellectual development, states and other institutions of power, social organization and development, national and European identity, and technological and scientific innovations.  

Students are responsible for completing a summer reading assignment.  Students who enroll in this AP course are required to complete the appropriate AP exam in May.  Payment and online registration for the exam will be required during the first weeks of school in September. 

Dive into an exciting journey around the world in this dynamic course. From Sub-Saharan Africa to East Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, you'll explore the rich tapestry of cultural regions that shape our world.

We'll delve into historical, geographical, social, and political issues, connecting the past with the present. You'll also get to flex your detective muscles as we analyze current events and their global impacts.

Grow your communication skills through lively class debates, presentations, and creative projects. Plus, you'll have the chance to join the elite ranks of our Honors International Relations activities.

Get ready to broaden your horizons and see the world through new eyes!

Dive into an exciting journey around the world in this dynamic course. From Sub-Saharan Africa to East Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, you'll explore the rich tapestry of cultural regions that shape our world.

We'll delve into historical, geographical, social, and political issues, connecting the past with the present. You'll also get to flex your detective muscles as we analyze current events and their global impacts.

Grow your communication skills through lively class debates, presentations, and creative projects. Plus, you'll have the chance to join the elite ranks of our Honors International Relations activities.

Get ready to broaden your horizons and see the world through new eyes!

Immerse yourself in the intricate weave of the United States Justice System through this engaging course. Dive deep into the fascinating journey of how laws come to life, from inception to execution and enforcement.

Delve into the rich tapestry of criminal, civil, and juvenile law, while also opening doors to the myriad of career possibilities within the criminal justice realm. You'll uncover the mysteries of individual rights, ethics, law enforcement duties, and peek behind the curtain of the prison system.

A highlight of this course is the enthralling forensic analysis unit. Roll your sleeves up for hands-on activities and dissect real-world cases ripped from the headlines. Watch law in action, tracing the path from the first hint of crime, through the meticulous gathering of evidence, all the way to the heart of the courtroom.

This course reflects the content of an introductory college course in U.S. History as outlined by the Advanced Placement program.  It is designed to provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to critically analyze the problems and materials in U.S. History.  Students will assess historical materials and analyze the evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship.  The major themes include American diversity and identity, culture, demographic changes, economic transformations, environment, globalization, politics and citizenship, reform, religion, slavery, war and diplomacy. 

Students are responsible for completing a summer reading assignment.  Students who enroll in this AP course are required to complete the appropriate AP exam in May.  Successful completion of this course meets the US History requirement for graduation. Payment and online registration for the exam will be required during the first weeks of school in September. 

Prerequisite: Two credits in Social Studies. 

Successful completion of Honors Themes in US, United States History, or AP US History is required for graduation. 

Focusing on a variety of thematic strands in American history from its inception to the present, students will examine the political, social, economic and environmental forces responsible for shaping our history.  Students will develop critical thinking skills through the thematic study of our nation’s development.  In this manner, students will be able to engage in a more thorough study of particular topics such as expansion, civil rights, immigration, progress, transformation and war throughout the course of US History. By studying documents and text relevant to the topic, students will be able to scaffold historical knowledge from one era to the next as well as make deeper connections to today. An emphasis will be placed on historical writing and document based analysis of US seminal text. Students will be able to follow themes from the past into the present multiple times throughout the course of the year. 

The successful completion of a research paper and presentation will be required of all students.  

Successful completion of Honors Themes in US, United States History, or AP US History is required for graduation. 

In this course, we'll explore key themes in American history from the beginning to present day. We'll look at how political, social, economic, and environmental factors have shaped our journey.

You'll develop critical thinking skills as we delve into topics like expansion, civil rights, immigration, progress, transformation, and war. We'll use historic documents and texts to build our knowledge and connect the past with the present. We'll focus on improving your historical writing and document analysis skills. We'll trace themes from the past to present throughout the year. To pass the course, you'll need to complete a research paper and presentation. 

 Successful completion of Honors Themes in US, United States History, or AP US History is required for graduation. 

This course is devoted to a survey of the contemporary international community and will examine political, environmental, economic and military affairs around the world.  Students will research these areas and debate in role playing simulations and examine problem-solving practices for dealing with complex issues. The course will focus on examining where current events originated from.  

Prerequisite: Two credits in Social Studies

This course will survey the various wars and conflicts the United States has been engaged in.  Students will analyze and discuss the reasons for, the impact of, and the long-term effects of America’s military history.  The course will examine the role our military history has had in the development of our country.  The course will also consider the importance of military strategy, political and military leadership, geography, weather and climate, technology, media and public support of our military.  Students are required to act as historians in analyzing and interpreting historical events, documents, speeches, and decisions.  

This course is an overview of the biological and cultural evolution of humans from prehistoric through modern times.  A variety of artifacts will be used to assist students in understanding the value of learning from objects of the past through careful investigation.  Students will learn the discipline of anthropology and gain a perception of how artifacts can be studied to gain greater knowledge of the past.  From there, students will use their knowledge of artifacts to uncover various aspects of human life.  

This course is an introduction to and study of Eastern religions (Buddhism, Taoism and Islam), as well as how those philosophies compare with Western religions and beliefs (Christianity, Judaism, and Native Americans).  This course will provide the basis for student understanding and appreciation for the beliefs and values of various cultures and people in our global community.  

This course is an introductory college-level course in U.S. government and politics as outlined by the Advanced Placement program. Students will cultivate their understanding of U.S. government and politics through analysis of data and text-based sources as they explore topics like constitutionalism, liberty and order, civic participation in a representative democracy, competing policy-making interests, and methods of political analysis.  

Students are responsible for completing a summer reading assignment.  Students who enroll in this AP course are required to complete the appropriate AP exam in May.  Payment for the exam will be required during the first weeks of school in September. 

This course reflects the content of an introductory college course in Macroeconomics as outlined by the Advanced Placement program. The purpose of the AP course in macroeconomics is to give students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to an economic system as a whole. The course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination, and also develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics. 

Students who enroll in this AP course are required to complete the appropriate AP exam in May.  Payment and online registration for the exam will be required during the first weeks of school in September. 

Prerequisite: Two credits in Social Studies.

Note: This course will be offered in alternating years. See chart at top of the page. 

This course is a study of economic concepts such as markets, supply and demand, the measurement of economic activity, government finance and fiscal policy, banking, and international trade and finance. Students will practice their analytical skills and apply economic principles to practical situations. 

In this course, we'll delve into the history and sociology of the Holocaust in Nazi Germany. We'll explore themes of prejudice, racism, and anti-Semitism, tracing them back to their historical roots. We'll connect these events to other instances of genocide, highlighting the link between history and the ethical decisions we face in our daily lives. By examining the tough moral questions raised by studying racism, anti-Semitism, and violence, students will learn the importance of courage, empathy, and compassion in tackling these issues.

AP Human Geography presents high school students with the curriculum equivalent of an introductory college level course in human geography or cultural geography.  Content is presented thematically rather than regionally and is organized around the discipline’s main subfields; economic geography, cultural geography, political geography, and urban geography.  The approach is spatial and problem oriented.  Case studies are drawn from all world regions, with an emphasis on understanding the world in which we live today.  Historical information serves to enrich all world regions, with an emphasis on understanding the world in which we live today.  Historical information serves to enrich analysis of impacts of phenomena such as globalization, colonialism, and human-environment relationships on places, regions, cultural landscapes, and patterns of interaction.  

Students who enroll in this AP course are required to complete the appropriate AP exam in May.  Payment and online registration for the exam will be required during the first weeks of school in September.

This two-part course Oceanography and Maritime History (.5 Science credit and .5 Social Studies credit) will combine an introduction to biological, geological, physical and chemical oceanography with maritime history. It will include the exploration of the geological structure of the ocean floor; paleoceanography; the chemical composition and properties of seawater and pollutants; the physical study of waves, tsunamis, tides and currents and the innumerable forms of life within the oceans. A variety of ocean ecosystems and the key role that oceans play in climate change, both now and in the geologic past, will be explored. The Maritime history component will be an introduction to the history of North American seafaring from the Pre-Columbian Era through the twentieth century. There will be an emphasis on New England’s relationship to the sea. We will explore the historical, economic, and political ties to the ocean. In understanding the scientific aspects of the ocean, it is essential to include our region’s history and dependence on the sea. 

This course reflects the content of an introductory college course in Psychology as outlined by the College Board Advanced Placement program.  AP Psychology is an introduction to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Included is a consideration of the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Students also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice.  

Students are responsible for completing a summer reading assignment.  Students who enroll in this AP course are required to complete the appropriate AP exam in May.  Payment and online registration for the exam will be required during the first weeks of school in September. 

Prerequisite: Two credits in Social Studies

This course provides students with a unique orientation to the study of criminals and criminal behavior, with the fields of abnormal psychology, criminology, and forensic psychology. This class will explore biological, developmental, learned, situational, and social-psychological theories of crime and criminals. Students will study the correlation between human aggression and crime and/or mental illness and crime. Students will also be exposed to some of the principles and methods used in the profiling of criminals and various crimes. These insights are then applied to major crime classifications to form an integral model of criminal psychology.

Prerequisite: Completion of Psychology or AP Psychology or another Honors Social Studies Course (Honors Global Studies, Themes) or any AP Social Studies Course 

This course is an introduction to the study of mental health and human behavior.  Students will examine the areas of personality/human development, learning, emotions, motivation, disorders and current mental health issues.   Contemporary ideas regarding these and other topics will be explored.  This course includes the use of primary source materials, supplemental readings and activity-based instruction. 

This course will seek to highlight the historical, cultural and economic development of the Town of South Kingstown and the State of Rhode Island.  Topics will include settlement, industrialization, immigration, political history, geography, local history and Narragansett Bay.  Students will perform several oral presentations and classes will debate many of the major topics both past and current in our state.  A major travel research project is required as part of the Comprehensive Course Assessment.   

This course deals with the means by which people relate to one another as members of groups.  Areas of study include cultural variation and change, social interaction, social stratification and socialization.  Students will be introduced to a number of current social issues, including education, poverty, race, gender, healthcare, aging, crime and diversity.  Successful completion of this course will include a research essay and presentation, a senior citizen interview and an end of the semester reflection essay.    

Note: This course will run on alternating years. See chart at top of the page. 

This course is a survey of late 19th and 20th century American music.  Students will study music as a cause and effect of the social, economic and political trends of this country.  Students will also study the evolution of American musical genres throughout the 20th century and various musical artists and performances.  Writing assignments and a research project are required.  Students committed to a serious inquiry of this subject are best suited for this course.  

This course will focus on the evolving role of sports in American society.  Students will examine the history of sports and its relationships with race, gender, economics, and politics in the United States.  Additional topics will include social pressures, drug abuse, violence, and careers in sports.  Students will conduct historical research and apply their analytical and interpretation skills in order to evaluate primary and secondary documents.