Social Studies

SOCIAL STUDIES COURSE SEQUENCE
3 credits required for graduation

*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.