Social
Studies
SOCIAL
STUDIES COURSE
SEQUENCE
3
credits required for graduation
| Grade
9 |
Grade
10 |
Grade
11 |
Grade
12 |
| 1
Credit |
1
Credit |
1
Credit |
1
Credit Electives |
|
Global
Studies
or
Honors Global Studies
|
Civics/
American Government*
or
Honors Civics/ American Government*
|
Modern
U.
S. History**
or
Honors Modern
U.S. History
or
AP U.S. History I**
Civics/
American Government
|
AP
U.S. History II
Civics/American Government
Contemporary Issues
Economics
Honors Economics
Law
Modern World History
Psychology
Social Studies
Topics
Sociology |
| |
|
|
1/2
credit
Electives |
| |
|
|
Economics
Contemporary Issues
Law
Psychology
Sociology |
*Successful
completion with a grade of 60 or higher required for graduation. Option
for course make up in grade 11 and 12.
**Must be included in a student’s course sequence.
SOCIAL
STUDIES COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
GLOBAL STUDIES (1 credit)
Global Studies is a study of world regions, cultures and global
issues that will help students develop research, writing
and analytical skills. The purpose of Global Studies is to
give students an understanding and appreciation of major
geographic and cultural areas of the world and the issues
and challenges that unite and divide them. The essential
social studies concepts and skills in this course provide
a foundation for continuing study in social studies. The
areas of study will include Latin America, the Middle East,
Africa and Asia. In each area, an emphasis will be placed
upon regional characteristics, challenges and cultural heritage.
Students will be expected to understand global interdependence
as it relates to culture, resource management, conflict and
human rights. Moreover, students will explore the relationship
between diverse cultures and the world in which they live. Students
will read, write, discuss, analyze and take positions on
multiple topics in order to persuade and inform. Students
will use a variety of print and non-print sources to analyze
and suggest solutions to real-world problems and to analyze
global and societal issues. Students will develop critical
thinking skills and perspectives to better understand the
world around them. Global Studies prepares students to take
the Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) by teaching
key skills throughout the curriculum.
HONORS GLOBAL STUDIES (1 credit)
Honors Global Studies is an accelerated course for the motivated
student who has a strong interest in social studies and is
a proficient reader with strong writing and analytical skills.
The course is a study of world regions, cultures and global
issues that will help students develop research, writing
and analytical skills. The purpose of Global Studies is to
give students an understanding and appreciation of major
geographic and cultural areas of the world and the issues
and challenges that unite and divide them. The essential
social studies concepts and skills in this course provide
a foundation for continuing study in social studies. The
areas of study will include Latin America, the Middle East,
Africa and Asia. In each area, an emphasis will be placed
upon regional characteristics, challenges and cultural heritage.
Students will be expected to understand global interdependence
as it relates to culture, resource management, conflict and
human rights. Moreover, students will explore the relationship
between diverse cultures and the world in which they live. Students
will read, write, discuss, analyze and take positions on
multiple topics in order to persuade and inform. Students
will use a variety of print and non-print sources to analyze
and suggest solutions to real-world problems and to analyze
global and societal issues. Students will develop critical
thinking skills and perspectives to better understand the
world around them. Global Studies prepares students to take
the Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) by teaching
key skills throughout the curriculum.
CIVICS/AMERICAN GOVERNMENT (1 credit)
Civics/American Government is a required course
for graduation. The focus of this course is to prepare students
to participate in exercising their political responsibilities
as thoughtful and informed citizens. Civics provides
a basis for understanding the rights and responsibilities for
being an American citizen and a framework for competent and
responsible participation. Emphasis is placed on the
historical development of government and political systems,
and the importance of the rule of law; the United States Constitution;
Federal, State and local government structure; and rights and
responsibilities of citizenship. Students will actively
investigate local, state and national issues, read and participate
in discussions, and develop informed opinions using a variety
of writing forms. This course prepares students to take the
Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) by teaching key
skills throughout the curriculum.
HONORS CIVICS/AMERICAN GOVERNMENT (1
credit)
Honors Civics/American Government is an accelerated course
for the motivated student who has a strong interest in social
studies and is a proficient reader and writer. Civics is a required course
for graduation. The focus of this course is to prepare students
to participate in exercising their political responsibilities
as thoughtful and informed citizens. Civics provides
a basis for understanding the rights and responsibilities for
being an American citizen and a framework for competent and
responsible participation. Emphasis is placed on the
historical development of government and political systems,
and the importance of the rule of law; the United States Constitution;
Federal, State and local government structure; and rights and
responsibilities of citizenship. Students will actively
investigate local, state and national issues, read and participate
in discussions, and develop informed opinions using a variety
of writing forms. This course prepares students to take the
Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) by teaching key
skills throughout the curriculum.
MODERN U.S. HISTORY (1 credit)
Modern United States History builds upon the historical foundations
learned in Civics/American Government. This course
focuses on the major historical periods, issues and trends
in U. S. History from the 20th century to the present. Students
examine historical themes such as ideals, beliefs and institutions,
change and conflict, and mass media and technology in order
to understand how the United States came to be the way it
is. The course emphasizes the historical, political,
social, cultural and economic events and developments that
shaped our nation. Throughout the year, connections
are made to the student’s trade and technical program. Students
will develop historical thinking through active inquiry and
research using multiple sources. Students will analyze
multiple perspectives and interpretations and write to inform
and persuade the reader.
HONORS MODERN U.S. HISTORY (1 credit)
Honors Modern United States History is an accelerated course
for the motivated student who has a strong interest in social
studies and is a proficient reader and writer. The course
builds upon the historical foundations learned in Civics/American
Government. This course focuses on the major historical
periods, issues and trends in U. S. History from the 20th
century to the present. Students examine historical
themes such as ideals, beliefs and institutions, change and
conflict, and mass media and technology in order to understand
how the United States came to be the way it is. The
course emphasizes the historical, political, social, cultural
and economic events and developments that shaped our nation. Throughout
the year, connections are made to the student’s trade
and technical program. Students will develop historical
thinking through active inquiry and research using multiple
sources. Students will analyze multiple perspectives
and interpretations and write to inform and persuade the
reader.
AP U.S. HISTORY I (1 credit)
United
States History at the Advanced Placement level is in-depth
chronological and topical study of issues in United States
history from the constitutional period through reconstruction. Emphasis
will be placed on writing, critical thinking, research and
discussion. Original source documents will be examined and
extensive reading in economics, cultural, intellectual and
political history will be assigned. Students selecting this
course should have the ability to work independently and as
a member of a team, be self-motivated, and have solid time
management, reading writing and analytical skills.
AP U.S. HISTORY II (1 credit)
United
States History at the Advanced Placement level II is a continuation
of an in-depth chronological and topical study of issues
in United States history from the reconstruction period through
the present. Emphasis
will be placed on writing, critical thinking, research and
discussion. Original source documents will be examined and
extensive reading in economics, cultural, intellectual and
political history will be assigned. Students selecting this
course should have the ability to work independently and
as a member of a team, be self-motivated, and have solid
time management, reading writing and analytical skills. Students
participating in this course are encouraged to take the Advanced
Placement Examination in May.
SOCIOLOGY (1
credit or 1/2 credit)
Sociology introduces students to the study of human behavior
from an individual and group perspective. Students will
examine the role of the individual as a member of primary and
secondary groups, and the pressures that these groups exert. They
will investigate the culture and values of school, home and
work. Throughout the year, connections are made to the
student’s trade and technical program. Students
will review research, take part in discussions, engage in group
projects, demonstrations and exercises – all designed
to develop student understanding and awareness of group dynamics.
ECONOMICS (1 credit or 1/2 credit)
In Economics, students will study about choices that people
make to satisfy their needs and desires. The course will
provide them with fundamental economic ideas, concepts and
skills necessary to reason logically about key economic issues
that affect their lives as workers, consumers, producers and
citizens. The course focuses on economic choice making
due to limited human, natural and capital resources. Throughout
the year, connections are made to the student’s trade
and technical program. Students learn about the American
economy and the differing views on important economic issues. Essential
consumer skills will be introduced including budgeting, savings
and investment, credit and insurance. Students will identify
economic problems, alternatives, benefits and costs, collect
and organize economic evidence and compare benefits with costs.
HONORS ECONOMICS (1 credit)
Honors economics is an accelerated course that focuses on key
micro and macro economic concepts as well as key economic
philosophies and their application to specific issues and
topics. Current issues of economic policy and practice
and the role of public policy in economic decision-making
are studied. An understanding of the operation of a
free market economy and the influence of contemporary forces
upon it constitute the major purposes of the study. This
course requires high level reading, writing and analytical
skills.
LAW (1 credit or 1/2 credit)
In Law, students are introduced to the American legal system
and the impact of law on the daily life of the individual. Students
learn about their legal rights and responsibilities, various
kinds of laws and lawmaking bodies as well as Technology-related
issues. The course provides an overview of the criminal
and juvenile justice system. Discussions, role plays,
demonstrations and exercises will be used to develop student
understanding and awareness of the legal system.
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES (1 credit or 1/2
credit)
In Contemporary Issues, students examine current issues on
the local, national and global level using a variety of print
and electronic news sources. The course encourages students
to make connections to their trade and technical program. Classes
focus on decision-making and critical thinking activities such
as mini-debates and class discussions. Students will
use the process of inquiry to identify issues, form questions,
investigate resources and draw conclusions on important contemporary
issues. Discussions, role plays, demonstrations and
exercises will be used to develop student understanding and
awareness.
PSYCHOLOGY (1 credit or 1/2 credit)
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes
that can involve both animal and human behavior. In
Psychology, students are introduced to the historical development
of psychology and the scientific study of behavior and mental
processes. Students will learn about personality development,
learning theory, biological bases of behavior, heredity versus
environment, memory, abnormal psychology and current mental
health issues. Students will take part in discussions,
experiments, group projects, demonstrations and exercises
designed to better understand how people think, feel and
do.
SOCIAL STUDIES TOPICS (1 credit)
Social Studies Topics is an elective course providing students
an introduction to social science courses in a focused marking
period study. Topics for one marking period studies are in
three of the following social sciences: economics, law, psychology,
sociology or contemporary issues. Selecting a different course
each marking period, students will be introduced to a critical
topic. Students will use a variety of print and non-print
sources problems and will analyze a variety of issues through
out the year. Students will develop critical thinking skills
and perspectives to better understand the world around them.
MODERN WORLD HISTORY (1 credit)
Modern World History is the study of western and non-western
history from the Renaissance period to modern times. The
course presents events that changed the direction of human
affairs. Students will investigate major historical periods,
issues and trends. Students will learn how empires
and nations developed, how people have interacted with their
natural environments, how religion affected their values
and societies, and how the arts revealed concepts of beauty. Throughout
the year, connections are made to the student’s trade
and technical program. Students will read, discuss,
analyze and take positions to multiple topics in order to
persuade and inform. Students will develop historical
thinking through active inquiry and research using multiple
sources. Students will analyze multiple perspectives
and interpretations.