Social Studies / Regents Review

To graduate: All students must complete four units of Social Studies. All students must pass either the Regents Exams or the RCT in both Global History and U.S. History.

To earn a Regents Diploma With Distinction: Students must pass the Regents Exam in Global History and the Regents Exam in U.S. History.

Required high school social studies courses are

Grade 9 - Global History I
Grade 10 - Global History II
Grade 11 - U.S. History and Government
Grade 12 - Economics/Participation in Government

Advanced sophomores may elect to take Economics/Participation in Government in Grade 11 and satisfy the U.S. History requirements by completing AP Social Studies in Grade 12.

GLOBAL HISTORY I: 1 UNIT OF CREDIT

This course includes an important introductory unit on culture and the social sciences - government, geography, history, anthropology, economics and sociology - which establishes a framework for both Global History I and Global History II. It will include a study of European and Non-European World History. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate the ability to utilize the knowledge and insights gained to participate in democratic decision making and to work effectively with others of differing views and cultures. The course begins with the Ancient Period of History and ends with the Enlightenment Period.

GLOBAL HISTORY II : 1 UNIT OF CREDIT

This course consists of the continued study of Europe and Non-European World History. It consists of the study of the political, historical, social, cultural and economic events that shaped history from the 1700's to the present. All students will take the Global History & Geography Regents Examination (a comprehensive exam consisting of both Global I and II courses.) Local Diploma students must receive a grade of 65 or higher to fulfill graduation requirements.

U.S. HISTORY & GOVERNMENT: 1 UNIT OF CREDIT

This course will deal with a thorough analysis of the Constitutional foundations of the Republic. Key Constitutional principles such as separation of powers, check and balances, judicial review and the Bill of Rights will be examined. The remainder of the year is based on American History from 1865 to the present. A students will be required to take the New York State Regents Examination in U.S. History and Government. Local diploma students must receive a grade of 55 to fulfill diploma requirements. This course is required by the New York State Education Department for all students for graduation. A grade of 65 or better is necessary for a Regents Diploma.

ECONOMICS: 1/2 UNIT OF CREDIT

This is a survey course in macro and micro economics. This course will include a study of the United States and international economy, history, theories and practical applications. This course is required by the New York State Education Department for all students for graduation.

PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT: 1/2 UNIT OF CREDIT

This course is a study of democracy in action through participation in government activities such as Youth in Government, School Elections and Mock Trials. It includes a look at local, state and national government operations and the role of citizens in the democratic process. This course is required by the New York State Education Department for all students for graduation.

AMERICAN LAW: 1 UNIT OF CREDIT

This full year course is an elective course that can be used for a sequence in social studies. American Law will examine the various aspects of United States Law and its practice. This provides a very significant overview of a major segment of American Government. This course includes law as it relates locally and on the state and federal level. Units will include constitutional law, tort or civil law and criminal law and the historical influence in our legal system. Activities will include mock trials, "one on one" examinations and cross-examinations, briefs, individual and group research and interviews, and oral presentations. Students should have good writing skills.
Prerequisite: U.S. History or permission of the instructor.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT/AMERICAN HISTORY: 1 UNIT OF CREDIT

This course is open to those students who have excelled in advanced social studies previously and are willing to make a definite commitment to the subject. All students taking the course will be required to write the College Board Examination each May. Students must pay for their own AP exam (approximately $75.00). With approval of the counselor, this course may be taken in place of American History & Government. Students who do so will be required to take the New York State Regents Examination. The Advanced Placement Program is designed to provide students with the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in American History. The program prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those made by full year introductory college courses. College credit or advanced placement in college may be earned if adequate scores are achieved on the College Board Examination.

LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY: 1 UNIT OF CREDIT

The Latin American History in Spanish course is designed for students who want to put all the efforts and study of the first three years of study into practical use. As we learn the history of the Latin American people, we will move on to a higher level of proficiency in the four skills of language learning: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. The focus of the course will be on a global view of the history and the people of Spanish speaking Latin America. We will study the most important events and people in its history, along with the major cultural events. Our study will be divided into four major topics: Aboriginal Latin America, Colonial Latin America, and Present Latin America. At the end of each topic you will be required to make a presentation to the class, for which you will receive a grade. You will also be required to complete and report to the class on some written projects.

AMERICAN REVOLUTION: 1/2 UNIT OF CREDIT

A total in-depth analysis of the causes, consequences and military events that deal with the American Revolution. Causes such as the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party will be examined in specific details. Military battles will be analyzed concerning logistics, casualties, strategy, weapons and results. The time period will begin with a brief discussion of Mercantilism and concentrate for one quarter on the events leading up to the Revolution from 1763 to 1776. The second quarter will deal with military events from 1775 to 1783. This course is recommended for students of all levels, grades 10 - 12.

MILITARY HISTORY OF THE WORLD: 1/2 UNIT OF CREDIT

This course is designed to survey the development of, use of and the results of the use of the military by various nations throughout history. By focusing on selected countries and selected wars, this course will illustrate the causes and results of wars and will examine the weapons of each period. The Napoleonic Wars, World War II and Vietnam are studied in specific detail. Videos, films and class trips will aid in discussing these as well as other wars, grades 10-12.

CIVIL WAR & THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD: 1/2 UNIT OF CREDIT

This course is designed to provide the students with a total in-depth analysis of the causes, consequences and military events that deal with the American Civil War. Special attention will be given to the various programs of Reconstruction which were proposed as well as the long range results of the Reconstruction program which was implemented. One third of the course will deal with the major battles of the period including Bull Run, Shiloh, Antietam and Gettysburg. History will be presented through various media and demonstration including videos, battle field re-enactments, special military artifacts and field trips. This course is recommended for students of all levels in grades 11 and 12.

PSYCHOLOGY I: 1/2 UNIT OF CREDIT

This course is a study of human behavior and will include such topics as: perception, intelligence, emotions, dreams, hypnosis and ESP. It is recommended for 11th and 12th grade students interested in the Social Sciences.

PSYCHOLOGY II: 1/2 UNIT OF CREDIT

This course is a study of human behavior and will include such topics as: child development and adolescence. The major focus is on neuroses and psychoses, and the understanding of mental illness.

SOCIOLOGY: 1/2 UNIT OF CREDIT

Sociology is the science of society. Essentially, it deals with the way people behave in groups. Emphasis is placed on such topics as the meaning of culture, group dynamics and cultural change. This course should be meaningful to the student in that it deals with contemporary issues such as marriage and the family, crime, aging and terrorism. This course is recommended for 11th and 12th grade students interested in the Social Sciences.

GLOBAL STUDIES OR U.S. HISTORY ACADEMIC INTERVENTION SERVICES (AIS): NO CREDIT (1/2 year on alternate days)

Each one is a remedial course for those who have failed to pass a Social Studies Regents Examination Test one or more times. The course will focus on the interpretation of charts, graphs, maps and political cartoons as well as learning to read and listen for understanding. Regents exams will be administered in January, June and August.