The Social Studies Department has designed its program to help students acquire the skills of informed and reasoned decision making, increase the awareness of political and civic systems, and develop the knowledge of their culturally diverse society and the increasingly interdependent world.  While history forms the core of the program, it is expanded by civics, geography, sociology, anthropology, and environmental science. The department objectives are as follows:

• Students will develop an interest in and respect for the study of history, civics, and geography.
• Students will refine written and spoken expression, debate, and persuasive argument using the strategies of the social sciences.
• Students will obtain an awareness of and respect for various cultures, particularly those found in the school community, including their traditions, achievements, contributions, and noteworthy personalities.

WORLD HISTORY CP                  

Grade: 9

This course is a thematic study of World History from the emergence of the first global age to the contemporary world.  Students will begin by studying the long lasting achievements, events, and historical figures beginning with the Renaissance and moving forward along the timeline in history to the Modern World.  Students will evaluate, analyze, and critique important events by utilizing primary and secondary sources. Topics covered in class will include the world events and important leaders to the present.  Students will compare, contrast, and connect historical events to contemporary issues in efforts to understand the value of historical study. Students are required to write a research paper and/or to complete research based projects.  

WORLD HISTORY HONORS

Grade: 9

This course is an accelerated study of World History from the emergence of the first global age to the contemporary world.  Students will begin by studying the long lasting achievements, events, and historical figures beginning with the Renaissance and moving forward along the timeline in history to the Modern World.  Students will evaluate, analyze, and critique important events by utilizing primary and secondary sources. Topics covered in class will include the world events and important leaders to the present.  Students will compare, contrast, and connect historical events to contemporary issues in efforts to understand the value of historical study. Students are required to write a research paper and/or to complete research based projects.

U.S. HISTORY I CP                                         

Grade: 10

This course is a thematic study of United States History from the Age of Exploration through Reconstruction. Students will develop an appreciation of our state and national heritage by concentrating on the following areas: the beginning of national unity, the contributions of New Jersey and its citizens to the growth and development of the United States, and the contributions of the many ethnic groups which have played and continue to play a vital role in American society.  Students will evaluate, analyze, and critique important events by utilizing primary and secondary sources. Students are required to write a research paper and/or to complete research based projects.

U.S. HISTORY I HONORS                                        

Grade: 10

This course is an accelerated study of United States History from the Age of Exploration through Reconstruction. Students will develop an appreciation of our state and national heritage by concentrating on the following areas: the beginning of national unity, the contributions of New Jersey and its citizens to the growth and  development of the United States, and the contributions of the many ethnic groups which have played and continue to play a vital role in American society. Students will evaluate, analyze, and critique mportant events by utilizing primary and secondary sources. A goal of the class is to refine written expression while promoting critical thinking skills.  Students are required to write a research paper and/or to complete research based projects.

US HISTORY II CP                                

Grade: 11

This course is a thematic study of United States History from the Reconstruction Period into the Twenty-first Century.  The themes which form the framework of the class are multi-cultural relationships, change, democracy, identity, power, technology, and global connections.  Special emphasis will be placed on evaluating cause and effect relationships as well as acquiring Social Studies vocabulary. Students will evaluate, analyze, and critique important events by utilizing primary and secondary sources.  Students are required to write a research paper and/or to complete research based projects.

US HISTORY II HONORS                                

Grade: 11

This course is an accelerated study of United States History from the Reconstruction Period into the Twenty-first Century. The themes which form the framework of the class, are multi-cultural relationships, change, democracy, identity, power, technology, and global connections.  Special emphasis will be placed on evaluating cause and effect relationships as well as acquiring Social Studies vocabulary. Students will evaluate, analyze, and critique important events by utilizing primary and secondary sources. A goal of the class is to refine written expression while promoting critical thinking skills. Students are required to write a research paper and/or  to complete research based projects.

UNITED STATES HISTORY ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP)

Grade: 12

This course is an advanced survey of United States History.  The class covers the political, social, economic and cultural aspects of America’s history and describes the major events and chronology beginning with the Age of Exploration until the Twenty-first Century.  Students are expected to read and comprehend regular assignments from a college-level text. Frequent essay tests, writing assignments, and research projects are designed to prepare students for college and the Advanced Placement Exam. Students will be required to take the US HISTORY AP Exam in May.

PSYCHOLOGY HONORS/ DUAL CREDIT

Grade/s: 11-12

This introductory elective course will provide students with an overview of the current body of knowledge and methods of the science of Psychology.  Topics will include the historical foundations of Psychology, cognition, emotions, learning, human development, biological bases of behavior, personality, psychological disorders, psychotherapy and behavior change, and social behavior.  An emphasis will be placed on the application of Psychology to diverse human endeavors.

SOCIOLOGY HONORS/ DUAL CREDIT

Grade/s: 11-12

This introductory elective course will provide students with an overview of the fundamental concepts of Sociology as well as the tools and methods of this field.  The objectives of this course are to acquaint the students with the basic principles pertaining to the study of Sociology, and to familiarize them with the sociological approach to social life.  Students will acquire an awareness of the complexities of our society and an ability to think objectively about the many social problems confronting the youth of today. 

 INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Grades: 10-12

This course will survey the history, development and philosophy of law enforcement in a democratic society.  Introduction to agencies involved in the administration of criminal justice career orientation. Students will be introduced to a basic knowledge of the criminal justice system in the United States of America.  The student will examine the criminal justice process in some detail, focusing on how the system is structured to respond to crime in American society. The student will develop an understanding of the three core elements of the criminal justice system: police, courts and corrections.  This is a year long course and the first in a series of three.