Program of Studies - History / Social Sciences

All students are required to take and pass three (3) full year courses, one of which must be U.S. History.

9th GRADE

All freshman must take one of the following:

WESTERN CIVILIZATION I - HONORS
SO11

1 CREDIT

An accelerated and comprehensive introduction to some of the great civilizations of the past and their achievements. Extensive readings of primary sources and frequent essays are required. This section is open to highly motivated students who have exceptional language arts and reading comprehension skills. Enrollment is based on teacher recommendation and placement testing.

WESTERN CIVILIZATION I - A LEVEL
SO12

1 CREDIT

This course begins with the Renaissance and ends with the implications of Napoleon, the Congress of Vienna and the Industrial Revolution roughly 1250-1870. This course is recommended for students with very good reading and writing skills. Enrollment is based upon teacher recommendations, but the vast majority of students can work at this level.

WESTERN CIVILIZATION I - B LEVEL
SO13

1 CREDIT

This course begins with the Renaissance and ends with the implications of Napoleon, the Congress of Vienna and the Industrial Revolution roughly 1250-1870. This course emphasizes the development of reading, writing and organizational skills. Enrollment is based upon teacher recommendation.

CIVICS AND GOVERNMENT - A LEVEL

SO15

1 CREDIT

Enrollment is limited to 40 students.

What's the difference between a Democrat and a Republican? Who really elects the President? How is the State House different from the White House? What happens at a Town Meeting? Civics and Government focuses on the structure, function, and role of national, state, and local government in the United States. Students will examine the Constitution, the evolution of government and politics in America, and the responsibility of citizenship. Like Western Civilization I, this rigorous course satisfies the first-year history requirement. It is recommended for students with strong reading and writing skills and an interest in changing the world.

WESTERN CIVILIZATION I
N56

1 CREDIT

This course follows the SO12 curriculum with an emphasis on the development of reading, writing, and organizational skills. Enrollment is based upon special education team recommendation and the student's Individualized Education Plan.

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10th GRADE

All sophomores must take one of the following:

A. P. EUROPEAN HISTORY
SO20

1½ CREDIT

Pre-requisite: Teacher recommendation and an A- or better in previous course

This college level course examines European history from about 1450 to the present. The course work provides a narrative of events and movements to help students develop (a) an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European history; (b) an ability to analyze historical evidence; and (c) an ability to analyze and to express historical understanding in writing. All students are required to take the AP test in May for which a fee is required. A 9th grade History teacher recommendation is necessary.

WESTERN CIVILIZATION II - HONORS
SO21

1 SEMESTER

An accelerated and comprehensive study of European History from 1870 to the present in the first semester. The second semester will focus on the settlement of the Americas, the founding documents of our country, and US history through Reconstruction. Extensive reading of primary sources and frequent essays are required. This section is open to highly motivated students who have exceptional language arts and reading comprehension skills. Enrollment is based upon freshman year History teachers' recommendations.

WESTERN CIVILIZATION II - LEVEL A
SO22

1 CREDIT

The study of European History from @1870 to the present in the first semester. The second semester will focus on the settlement of the Americas, the founding documents of our country, and US history through Reconstruction. This course is recommended for students with very good reading and writing skills. Enrollment is based upon freshman year History teachers' recommendations.

WESTERN CIVILIZATION II - LEVEL B
SO23

1 CREDIT

The study of European History from @1870 to the present in the first semester. The second semester will focus on the settlement of the Americas, the founding documents of our country, and US history through Reconstruction. This course emphasizes the development of reading, writing, and organizational skills. Enrollment is based upon freshman year History teachers' recommendations.

WESTERN CIVILIZATION II
N94

1 CREDIT

This course follows the SO23 curriculum with an emphasis on the development of reading, writing and organizational skills. Enrollment is based upon special education team recommendation and the student's Individualized Education Plan.

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11th GRADE

All juniors must take one of the following:

A.P. U.S. HISTORY
SO41

1½ CREDIT

An in-depth study of American History from colonization to the present. Students will develop skills in advanced methods of historical analysis through extensive writing and research assignments using primary source materials. All students are required to take the AP test in May for which a fee is required. A 10th grade History teacher recommendation is necessary.

U.S. HISTORY A
SO32

1 CREDIT

A study of American History from Reconstruction to the present with an emphasis on the 20th century. Students will polish research skills by writing a comparative analysis essay. Enrollment is based upon l0th grade History teacher recommendations.

U.S. HISTORY B
S033

1 CREDIT

A study of US History with an emphasis on the 20th century. This course will emphasize reading, writing, organizational skills. Enrollment is limited to l8 and is based upon the recommendation by l0th grade History teacher and Department Head.

U.S. HISTORY
N36

1 CREDIT

This course follows the SO33 curriculum with an emphasis on reading, writing and organizational skills. Enrollment is based upon special education team recommendation and the student's Individual Educational Plan.

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12th GRADE

AMERICAN POLITICS AND DIPLOMACY
SO50

1 CREDIT

A study of the political, social and economic factors shaping our world today. National and international current issues will be examined and four major units focusing on areas such as Electoral Politics, the Middle East including Israel and the Persian Gulf, Genocide including the Holocaust and contemporary Africa, and the rise of China may be taught each year. A foundation in basic economic principles will be provided. Course work includes: active discussion,research and presentation of individual and group projects, a current issues journal, and consistent reading and viewing of media sources in addition to those provided in class. The course can be taken as either and Honors section or an A-level. B-level students are encouraged to enroll.

A.P. ECONOMICS
SO61

1 CREDIT

This course offers a broad examination of the principles of microeconomic theory. After introducing opportunity costs, the concepts of scarcity and the law of comparative advantage, the course focuses on marginal utility analysis, the laws of supply and demand, the law of diminishing return, the costs of production, profit maximization, the theory of the firm in perfect and imperfect competition, the factor markets, and finally international trade. Selected topics in macroeconomics will also be covered. This college level course prepares students to take the Advanced Placement examination in microeconomics. It is expected that all course members will take the A..P. Exam. Enrollment is limited to students who have achieved a B or better in U.S. Honors or A..P. (Payment of a fee is required.)

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ELECTIVES
GRADES 10-12

U.S. ART HISTORY

SO45 SPRING 1/2 CREDIT

This course will examine painting, sculpture, photography and the architecture as students trace US History throught he prism of art. Students will research, analyze and present on a series of pieces from time periods chosen throughout the year. We will do a wide variety of virtual field trips to museums and, space permitting, visit the MFA in the spring.

HUMANITIES SO65 SPRING
	½ CREDIT

This course examines selected events, landmark ideas, creativity and human interaction through the perspective of the humanities. Photography, literature, sculpture, architecture, music, painting, poetry and cinema reveal what people think and do. Library research, analysis, discussion and interviews are complemented by field trips, especially to meet members of the Cape's diverse art community.

AMAZING ASIA
SO86 SPRING

½ CREDIT

A study of Asian culture focused on China, Japan, and various South East Asian countries. Geography, 20th century history and current issues will be the major emphasis, but classwork will also include projects related to Asian religion, medicine, and the arts. Speakers and field trips will be integral to the program. Our goal will be to develop an understanding of the relationship between the United States and Asia as we enter what may be termed the "Pacific Century".

CURRENT EVENTS
N26

1 CREDIT

Utilizing newspapers, magazines, and the Internet, students will review current events with a historical perspective. The development of basic reading and writing skills will be emphasized. Enrollment is based upon special education TEAM recommendation and the student's Individualized Educational Plan.

*These courses may be taken together as a full-year psychology course.*
PSYCHOLOGY – PART I SO51 FALL	½ CREDIT

Grades 11-12

What is it that makes us human? Scientists and philosophers have explored this question for millennia. This 1/2 credit course will investigate the human mind and give a broad survey of what psychologists know. The course will focus on the mind-body connection, including topics like development from infancy through adolescence; how your brain senses and perceives the world; and the psychological basis of stress and wellness. The last part of the semester will explore learning and memory. Each unit is this survey course will include readings, internet assignments, application activities and a knowledge test or project.

PSYCHOLOGY – PART II
SO52 SPRING

½ CREDIT

(Grades 11-12)

A ½ credit course which will investigate different aspects of the human mind. The course will open with an exploration of sleep, dreams, and the neurological effects of drugs. We will explore thinking, intelligence, and key elements of social psychology. The second half of the course will focus on clinical issues - psychological disorders and therapies. Each unit in this survey course will include readings, internet assignments, application activities and a knowledge test or project.

A.P. PSYCHOLOGY
SO60

1 CREDIT

This course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and animals. Students will investigate the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. There is an emphasis on critical thinking, reading and writing within the context of scientific methodology and questioning. The course prepares students for the Advanced Placement Exam administered in May. It is expected that all course members will take this exam. (Payment of a fee for the exam is required.)

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