COURSES OFFERED

THE SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT prides itself in developing civic minded and socially responsible students, that upon graduation will continue the core values of American citizenship, by being active participants in local and state communities, making informed decisions and continuing to have their voices heard.

Current Course Overview:

AP COURSE OFFERINGS:

~ AP CIVICS: US GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS:

This course introduces students to key political ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the political culture of the United States. The course examines politically significant concepts and themes, through which students learn to apply disciplinary reasoning, assess causes and consequences of political events, and interpret data to develop evidence- based arguments. ~ A summer assignment is required.

~ AP HISTORY: AMERICAN HISTORY:

This course will provide in-depth study of American historical development in the areas of social, cultural, political, economic, intellectual, and diplomatic history. The students read historical materials analytically and critically, with historical evidence and interpretations, and arrive at conclusions on the basis of informed judgment. College textbooks provide the background, but extensive use is made of more specialized studies in other printed materials. Students gain experience in taking notes from both printed sources and lectures, writing essay examinations, and in writing college level historical research papers using various reference sources. Students must be able to express themselves clearly and concisely, and possess all the necessary skills in the use of library and technology resources. ~ A summer assignment is required.

~ AP PSYCHOLOGY:

Psychology introduces students to the overall study of human behavior and the research methods/statistics used by psychologists to answer basic questions concerning the human condition. Topics such as human development, learning, memory, personality theories, mental illness, therapy types, social psychology and altered states of consciousness are explored. In addition to reading and class discussions, information will be gathered through experiments and demonstrations. Students are encouraged to pursue further investigation of those topics of particular interest to them. Students will develop the ability to conduct scientific field research in areas of their special interest within the social sciences. They will learn how to analyze their data and draw conclusions. ~ A summer assignment is required.

ELECTIVES:

~ PSYCHOLOGY (PARTNERSHIP WITH HUDSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE):

This full-year elective for eleventh and twelfth graders presents the science of psychology. In each section, the student is offered greater insight into the motivations, thought patterns, emotions and behaviors of human beings. Students are expected to actively participate in classroom discussions and activities. Topics include comparative psychology, the structure and function of the brain, normal and abnormal childhood development, adolescent behavior, neuroses (phobias, manias, depression, anorexia, and bulimia), psychoses (schizophrenia, manic depressive, psychosis, etc.), and dream analysis. There is a charge from Hudson Community College

~ PSYCHOLOGY: 5 CREDITS

This course will study of how individuals affect and are affected by other people and by their social and physical environments. Students will be exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major fields within psychology and learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice.

~ DOCUMENTARY/ FILMMAKING: 5 CREDITS

This course is a student-driven hands- on program that energizes civic education and promotes civic engagement through documentary filmmaking. The class enables students to bring civics to life by empowering them to produce and screen short documentary film on community issues they care about.

~ ECONOMICS: 2.5 CREDITS

This course will teach students how to become responsible citizens by learning how to make effective economic decisions. It seeks to provide a basic understanding of economics through the study of how the economy works today. Topics include supply and demand, the banking system, the national and global economy, monetary and fiscal policies, personal finance, investment, insurance, pensions, and the real estate market. The stock market is also covered in this course with an emphasis on how stock prices are determined, why stock prices change, how a stock exchange functions and the impact of the stock market on the overall economy.

~ CIVICS: 2.5 CREDITS

This course will study of the theoretical and practical aspects of citizenship, its rights and duties; the duties of citizens to each other as members of a political body and to the government.

~ THE RENAISSANCE AND REFORMATION: 2.5 CREDITS

This course will study two key events in European History: The Renaissance and Reformation. The course will look at the creativity and discovery in art, music, politics, economics, and science during this time period. This course will begin by examining the transition from Medieval worldview to the humanist perspective in Italy, then consider the rise of secular learning, the emergence of capitalism and trade, and then the formation of a particular aesthetic culture. The course then turns to Northern Europe, where Renaissance values were manifested in the reformation by men like Luther, Erasmus, and Thomas More.

~ NEW JERSEY HISTORY: 2.5 CREDITS

This course will highlight the social, political, and economic history of our home state. Students will learn about the history of NJ, as well as the popular culture that has been attached to the state. Students will be required to take field trips to various landmarks throughout the state. Students will also look at the role North Bergen and Hudson County has played in the history of the state and today.

~ HISTORY THROUGH MUSIC: 2.5 CREDITS

This course will look at social, political, economic and cultural changes/events within Modern American society and the world through the lens of popular music. The course will look at lyrics as a primary source and their influence on society or the time period in which they were written.

~ CONTEMPORARY ISSUES: 2.5 CREDITS

This course seeks to help students make sense of the shifting work around them. Students will focus on current and future issues, national and international events. Students will examine present and emerging dilemmas that influence personal, national, and international decisions. Students would have the opportunities to study in-depth contemporary issues that are important in todayś ever changing world.

The course consists of issues that people in the United States face related, but limited to:
Social Issues
Human rights
Political Issues
Economic Reform
International Policies
Regional, State, and Local Issues
The course will explore diverse aspects of the world and the United States. All students are expected to behave in a mature and responsible way. It is required that all students are respectful and treat others fairly regardless of personal beliefs or political views at all.

~ WORLD HISTORY CULTURES: 5 CREDITS

This course focuses on tracing the development of civilization from prehistory to the French Revolution. This course focuses on exploring and responding to quality literature from a variety of cultures and is divided into four major units: Perspectives, Journey, Tradition and Change, and Fate vs. Free Will. Students will examine folklore, biography/autobiography, historical and realistic fiction, poetry, drama and essays. In addition, stories are examined from a historical, literary, or cultural perspective. Collaborative learning, heterogeneous grouping, and attention to multiple intelligences are critical components of the course. Computer technology is used in research, writing development, and to foster collaboration and the development of digital citizenship.

~ WORLD HISTORY CULTURES HONORS: 5 CREDITS

~ UNITED STATES HISTORY I: 5 CREDITS

This is the first half of a two-year sequence, which constitutes the sophomore year of the History/Social Science program at the high school. It satisfies the requirements of New Jersey standards in the area, and is required for all students who do not choose an alternate United States History I or II sequence. This survey course follows a flexible chronology, which broadly covers the panorama of our nation’s development over a period of three centuries from colonization and settlement through the Industrial Revolution.

~ UNITED STATES HISTORY I HONORS: 5 CREDITS

~ UNITED STATES HISTORY II: 5 CREDITS

This is the second half of a two-year sequence. Continuing the survey of American History began in the sophomore year, it deals with the major events which have shaped and molded our nation in the 20th and 21st centuries. As in the case of United States History I, the course is intended to meet the requirements established by the State of New Jersey, and our district-wide curriculum frameworks. The survey examines the ever-changing political scene, as well as social and economic developments. It pays particular attention to world affairs, major wars, and contemporary problems and conflicts both internal and external, an understanding of which is a prerequisite to their solution.

~ UNITED STATES HISTORY II HONORS: 5 CREDITS

Extra Help is ALWAYS available for students, please visit their teachers webpages or contact the office (201) 295-2831 for additional information.