African Studies – 2.5 credits, semester

(Juniors and Seniors)Africa is a continent of diverse cultures and peoples which has undergone numerous social, political, and economic changes in its long and rich history. This course examines Africa from the development of African Kingdoms to the current struggle in South Africa today. A major goal will be to focus on at least three countries that reflect the changes in Africa during the post-colonial period. This course stresses reading, thinking, research, and writing skills. The course is structured to offer a range of assignments designed to encourage students to develop their own interests through research projects. Levels will be selected before the end of the second week of the class.

Caribbean Studies - 2.5 credits, semester course

This course provides an overview of Caribbean history from the prehistoric period through modern day. The course is organized by themes such as Race & the Development of a Racial Hierarchy, Resistance: Practices and Patterns of Resistance, Revolution, Independence and Nation Building, & Modern Caribbean Culture and Politics. Throughout this course, students will raise questions about what they study and gather evidence about topics and events unique to the Caribbean. This course does not intend to promote one interpretation of Caribbean history but seeks to incorporate the knowledge, background and cultures of students in the class.

Economics – 2.5 credits, semester course

(Juniors and Seniors only)Economics is the study of how people try to solve the problems of scarcity. Society’s ability to produce goods and provide services is limited, while their desire for goods and services is unlimited. This course explains how societies and individuals deal with this fundamental problem. Emphasis will be on the economy of the United States in its world setting. The students will learn about the determination of prices for goods and services, money and banking, labor, business organization, foreign trade, the government’s role in the economy, and the problems of inflation and recession. This course is designed to provide an academic understanding of the economy and the problems facing it. This course is offered to three and four-level students in a combined format. Advanced assignments requiring independent research will be required of those electing four-level credit.

Psychology - 2.5 credits, semester course

Psychology is an intellectual survey course designed for students who would like to explore human behavior from different perspectives. Basic terms, concepts and principles of psychology are introduced, as well as contradictory viewpoints as to how these basic factors can be interpreted with regard to development and behavior. Topics such as perception, experience, learning, behavior, and personality are reviewed through discussion, introspection, experimentation, case studies and possible field projects. It is expected that students electing this course will be committed to strong individual preparation and a willingness to share their ideas. A major goal of the course is to expand our basic curiosity to a point where we can make legitimate evaluative statements about socially significant behavior and the psychological implications of issues now confronting society. This course is offered to three and four-level students in a combined format. Advanced assignments requiring independent research will be required of those electing four-level credit. Levels will be selected before the end of the second week of class.

Race, Genocide, and the Holocaust – 2.5 credits, semester course

(Juniors and Seniors only)This course is based on students examining events in the past and recognizing the need for participation and responsible decision-making in their world today. Students will have an opportunity to explore both the triumphs and the failures of history in the 20th century. They will examine the legacies of prejudice and discrimination, resilience and courage. This course encourages students to develop conversations with their peers about racism, genocide, social justice, and democratic participation. The course is open to all students who may choose their own academic level prior to the third week of class.

Sociology – 2.5 credits, semester

(Juniors and Seniors)Sociology studies human behavior in the context of groups which range from social cliques to families and other fundamental institutions. This course enables students to apply basic sociological concepts and methods to everyday situations, through a variety of experiments and observations. In addition, students will analyze contemporary problems. They will gather data for an ongoing sociological research project and participate in discussions of contemporary social problems. The course is structured to offer a range of assignments designed to encourage students of all ability levels to work together and learn from each other. Levels will be selected before the end of the second week of class.

Grade 9 US History Honors – 5.0 credits, Prerequisite World History 2

U.S. History 1 is the first half of a two-year requirement in United States History. The focus of the course content is the chronological development of the United States to 1900. Students will explore U.S. history by investigating the development of themes throughout U.S. history. These themes include: peopling of the U.S.; technology; environment and the economy; an evolving democracy; social change and our changing role in the world. Students will also continue to develop essential social studies skills. These include acquiring information, organizing and analyzing information and social and group participation skills. Local history and National History Day research are required components of this course.

Grade 10 US History I Honors – 5.0 credits, Prerequisite World History 2

U.S. History 1 is the first half of a two-year requirement in United States History. The focus of the course content is the chronological development of the United States to 1900. Students will explore U.S. history by investigating the development of themes throughout U.S. history. These themes include: peopling of the U.S.; technology; environment and the economy; an evolving democracy; social change and our changing role in the world. Students will also continue to develop essential social studies skills. These include acquiring information, organizing and analyzing information and social and group participation skills. Local history and National History Day research are required components of this course.

Grade 11 US History II Honors – 5.0 credits, Prerequisite United States History 1

This is the second of a two-year required sequence in United States History. The focus of the course content is the chronological development of the United States from 1900 to the present. Students will explore U.S. history by investigating the development of themes throughout U.S. history. These themes include: peopling of the U.S.; technology; environment and the economy; an evolving democracy; social change and our changing role in the world. U.S. History 2 continues to develop social studies skills, preparing the student for more advanced, specialized study in the social sciences and area studies during the senior year. A research paper, local history and civic participation are required components of this course.

World History  Honors – 5.0 credits

The focus of the honors course is a study of the chronological development of the world prior to European contact with the Americas to the present. Students develop the knowledge and skills to think analytically about the significant eras and events of the past. Some themes that are addressed in this course include: culture and religion, conflict, economics, and government. Throughout this course, students will analyze source materials, write argument-based and other essays and conduct book critiques. Students are expected to conduct meaningful interpretations of the past, be able to identify cause and effect relationships and analyze change over time. This course utilizes the AP writing rubrics for written tasks and the historical thinking skills of the AP World History course are emphasized. Students in this course have the opportunity to take the AP World History exam in May.

Comparative Government & Politics AP - 5.0 credits, full-year

The Comparative Government and Politics course is a college-level course. The course provides a comprehensive study of six foreign governments, including historical and philosophical foundations. The countries are currently Russia, China, Nigeria, Mexico, Great Britain and Iran. Reading, oral and written assignments, expository essays, research papers and demonstrable knowledge of current political developments are requirements. An interest in politics and history and a wide reading background are strongly recommended for this demanding course. (Students are expected to take the AP Examination.)

European History AP – 5.0 credits, full-year

This is a college-level course for juniors and seniors. The purpose of the course will be to afford the student an opportunity to explore the philosophical, political, economic, and social forces which have shaped modern Europe since the medieval period. In the process of achieving these objectives, the student will be required to show mastery of the formulation and expression of oral and written argument in the forms of discussion leadership, the expository essay and a number of research papers. (Students are expected to take the AP Examination.) Admission to the course will be based upon teacher recommendations of previous history teachers and the student’s past performance in history. There is a required summer assignment for those entering the course.

Psychology AP – 5.0 credits, full-year

(Juniors and Seniors)This rigorous college-level course is designed to introduce students to the study of behavior and mental processes of human beings. Among the major content areas covered in the course are: sensation and perception, states of consciousness, learning, cognition, personality, abnormal psychology, social psychology, history and approaches and research methodology. Students will learn about the facts, principles and phenomena associated with these topics as well as the ethics and methods psychologists use. Successful completion of the course will culminate in taking the Advanced Placement exam in May.

US Government & Politics AP - 5.0 credits, full-year

The U.S. Government and Politics AP course is a college-level course. The first semester provides a comprehensive study of American government, including its historical and philosophical foundations. Reading, oral and written assignments, expository essays, research papers and demonstrable knowledge of current political developments are major requirements. An interest in politics and history and a wide reading background are strongly recommended for this demanding course. (Students are expected to take the AP examination.) Admission to the course will be based upon recommendations of previous history teachers and the student’s past performance in history. There is a substantial summer assignment required for those entering the course.

US History 1 AP – 5.0 credits, full-year

The United States History 1 AP course is a college-level course that surveys United States History from the colonial period through the 19th century. This is a two-year course where students are required to complete the entire Advanced Placement U.S. History curriculum. In addition to a thorough study of the important people, events, institutions, and movements that have shaped our country’s history, students study and critically analyze the major works of historical philosophy. Students are assigned outside reading with specially selected topics closely correlated with the history studied in class. Training in original research, library reference work and composition is gained through the preparation of papers on several of the topics studied. This course is designed for those students who have demonstrated excellence in the use of the skills of research, critical thought and writing in their previous history course. Students applying for this course are expected to have mastered the mechanics of English composition. This course fulfills the U.S. History 1 requirement and is open to sophomores. Students receive AP credit upon completion of U.S. History 2 AP and the AP examination. Admission to the course will be based upon recommendations of previous history teachers and the student’s past performance in history. There is a required summer assignment for those entering the course.

US History 2 AP - 5.0 credits, full-year (Qualifying Criteria, U.S. History 1 AP)

The United States History 2 AP course is a college-level course which surveys United States History from 1900 to the present. This is a two-year course where students are required to complete the entire Advanced Placement U.S. History curriculum. In addition to a thorough study of the important people, events, institutions, and movements that have shaped our country’s history, students study and critically analyze the major works of historical philosophy. Students are assigned outside reading with specially selected topics closely correlated with the history studied in class. Training in original research, library reference work and composition is gained through the preparation of papers on several of the topics studied. This course is designed for those students who have demonstrated excellence in the use of the skills of research, critical thought and writing in their previous history course. Students applying for this course are expected to have mastered the mechanics of English composition. This course fulfills the United States History 2 requirement for graduation and is open to juniors and seniors. (Students are expected to take the AP Examination.) Admission to the course will be based upon recommendations of previous history teachers and the student’s past performance in history. There is a required summer assignment for those participating in the course.