Social Studies

This one-year course covers the behavior and mental processes of human beings. Students will study the following topics: neuroscience and biology, personality, and psychological disorders. Research will be a very important component of this class and students will learn how psychologists use the scientific method to study behavior and mental processes. The possibility of gaining college credit and/or advanced standing in college is based upon students’ performance on the AP exam.

Advanced Placement in United States Government and Politics will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This AP course will provide students an opportunity to earn college credit and/ or placement in college. Students successfully completing this course will know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U.S. government and politics. Students will be able to understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences. Students will be analyzing and interpreting basic data relevant to U.S. government and politics. Students will be able to critically analyze relevant theories and concepts, apply them appropriately, and develop their connections across the curriculum.

This course is designed to study the history of the United States chronologically, with emphasis on interpretation and analysis of the material by contemporary and modern historians. It is assumed that the student will acquire a basic understanding of the factual material before embarking on discussion or venturing options. All students who have been selected and accept placement in the Advanced Placement Program must complete the summer assignment and take the Advance Placement Exam at the end of the year. Students who do not meet the requirements must have a recommendation by a teacher and the approval of the Principal. All students must maintain good academic standing in order to remain in the program. *In addition to the Advanced Placement Examination, all students will take the Regents exam in U.S. History and Government.

The AP World History course covers topics from Ancient Roman history to 21st century world history. The course places emphasis on analytical and writing skills, reading primary source documents, student notetaking and research. This is a college level course with challenging vocabulary and reading assignments. The student who will be successful in this course is a highly motivated and conscientious student with strong writing and reading ability. The Regents exam in Global History will be given at the conclusion of the course. The possibility of gaining college credit and/or advanced standing in college is based upon students’ performance on the AP exam.

This course will use a chronological approach to trace the paths taken by African-Americans during their journey from the great African Kingdoms of the past to their achievements and struggles of today. Topics to be discussed include slavery, the Harlem Renaissance, and the Civil Rights Movement. The literary works of select African-American authors will be examined. Guest speakers will be invited to share their “oral biographies” with the class. The course will conclude with a unit on contemporary issues facing the African-American community.

This course discusses issues in feminism with an emphasis on diversity, including race, class, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, and degree of physical ability. Topics include: family and women’s work; sexuality and sexual identity; gender roles and women’s images in language, literature, religion, art, advertising performance, media, and science; and the impact of the contemporary feminist movement.

This course is designed to acquaint students with the various aspects of the Criminal Justice System. In taking this course, students will learn of their rights and obligations as citizens. They will be informed as to the specifics of laws regarding drug use, search and seizure, use of deadly physical force, due process, etc., as well as procedures such as criminalistics and homicide investigations. They will meet with members of the Suffolk County Police and Sheriff’s Offices, law groups, attorneys, and various agencies involved in the social welfare of citizens.

This course centers on a problematic study of contemporary economies. Among the major topics explored are studies on capitalism, socialism, and communism; the involvement of the United States Monetary System and the status of the dollar today; industry in America and the farmer in America, both in historical perspective; modern determinants of prices; the banking system; the various systems of taxation; and examination of the future of the American economy.

This course centers on a problematic study of contemporary economies. Among the major topics explored are studies on capitalism, socialism, and communism; the involvement of the United States Monetary System and the status of the dollar today; industry in America and the farmer in America, both in historical perspective; modern determinants of prices; the banking system; the various systems of taxation; and examination of the future of the American economy.

Students will investigate civilization from pre-history up to the late 1700’s. Topics covered will include A) An introduction to Global History B) The Ancient World C) Expanding Zones of Exchange and Encounter D) Global Interaction E) The First Global Age F) The Age of Revolutions – Part 1

Students will investigate civilization from pre-history up to the late 1700’s. Topics covered will include A) An introduction to Global History B) The Ancient World C) Expanding Zones of Exchange and Encounter D) Global Interaction E) The First Global Age F) The Age of Revolutions – Part 1

As a continuation of Global History 9, students will continue their study of civilization from the late 1700’s up to the present. Topics covered will include “The Age of Revolutions – Part II”, “A Half Century of Crisis and Achievement”, the latter 20th Century, and “Global Connections and Interactions”. *A combined 2-year Regents Examination in Global History will be given at the conclusion of Global History 10.

As a continuation of Global History 9, students will continue their study of civilization from the late 1700’s up to the present. Topics covered will include “The Age of Revolutions – Part II”, “A Half Century of Crisis and Achievement”, the latter 20th Century, and “Global Connections and Interactions”. *A combined 2-year Regents Examination in Global History will be given at the conclusion of Global History 10.

This course is designed to examine the most relevant and controversial issues in the Criminal Justice System. The topics will include the insanity defense, gun control, police brutality, failure of our prisons and court systems, police and minorities, and law in our suburban environment. An additional focus of this course will be the examination of the relationship between law enforcement and social unrest. Students will meet with members of the local police agencies, and Correction Officers from the Suffolk County Jail. Through this course, students will gain a better understanding of the major issues facing law enforcement today.

This course is designed to enhance student development in four separate areas: Personal Development, Relationships, Personal Finance, and Food Choices. The mission statement of the course involves preparing students to deal with these issues proactively rather than having life happen to them. Goal setting and the way you see your life will be covered in the Personal Development segment. The importance of budgeting will be stressed in the Personal Finance segment; improving all of your personal relationships will be the focus of the “Relationships” segment. Finally, in an era dominated by an obesity epidemic and other health related issues we'll explore what's in the food you eat, how it gets to your plate, and how to develop healthy eating habits.

Student “participation” is the essence of this course, which examines societal issues, and public policies will include having students define societal issues as well as gather current and historical data related to these issues. In addition, identifying individuals and groups directly and indirectly interested in the resolution of these specific issues are among some of the requirements of this course. AP Macroeconomics is an introductory college-level course that focuses on the principles that apply to an economic system as a whole. The course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination; it also develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics. Students learn to use graphs, charts, and data to analyze, describe, and explain economic concepts.

Student “participation” is the essence of this course, which examines societal issues, and public policies will include having students define societal issues as well as gather current and historical data related to these issues. In addition, identifying individuals and groups directly and indirectly interested in the resolution of these specific issues are among some of the requirements of this course. AP Macroeconomics is an introductory college-level course that focuses on the principles that apply to an economic system as a whole. The course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination; it also develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics. Students learn to use graphs, charts, and data to analyze, describe, and explain economic concepts.

This course will examine the principles of human behavior emphasizing how people learn and perceive their environment. Also covered will be motivation, selected topics in developmental psychology, child and adolescent topics, emotion, behavior disorders, and adjustment. Through this course students will gain a better understanding about personality. This course will involve some experimentation and research by the student.

This course is a comprehensive study of American Society and its similarities and difference with foreign cultures. The course attempts to provide an understanding of the interaction among people and the effects of this on human behavior. Major emphasis is placed on understanding the function of groups and institutions in society and discussion of contemporary problems confronting American Society in areas such as family, religion, race, education and deviant behavior.

This course includes the history of the United States. The course will include a chronological survey of United States history in general, but the emphasis in this course will be on the United States as a developing and as a fully developed industrial nation. Constitutional and legal issues will be explored in depth, as well as the problems of a dynamic and pluralistic industrial society in an increasingly complex and technologically oriented world.

This course includes the history of the United States. The course will include a chronological survey of United States history in general, but the emphasis in this course will be on the United States as a developing and as a fully developed industrial nation. Constitutional and legal issues will be explored in depth, as well as the problems of a dynamic and pluralistic industrial society in an increasingly complex and technologically oriented world.