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Warren Hills Regional High School

Course of Study 2008-2009

Department of Social Studies

Students are required to complete three units of high school social studies to meet the state requirement.  Students are encouraged to take additional social studies courses offered as electives by the district. A student must pass a core course before moving to the next class.  For example, a student failing U.S. History I must retake and pass U.S. History I before he or she may enroll in U.S. History II. No student will be allowed to take more than one required social studies course in the same school year unless that student has senior standing.  Students who elect a course for which they have not been recommended are required to complete an appeal form.  If the appeal is granted,  a course preference form must be signed by a parent or guardian.  No request will be considered after April 1, of the current school year.

i.  Recommended High School Social Studies Sequence

See the printed version of the course of study or the PDF version for this table.

*Elective course does not count toward state requirement.

Courses which are under-subscribed may not run.

ii. Course Descriptions

231, 232 CP World History (5 credits grade 9)

World History is a course which aims to develop understanding and appreciation among students of the complexities that have created and continue to affect global conditions. The curriculum focuses upon the social, political, economic and cultural forces that have influenced humankind. Periods studied include prehistory, the ancient world, the ages of global encounters, revolutions, imperialism, world war, and the modern world.  A balance of materials from Western Civilization, Asia, Africa, and other world cultures in each of these periods will be studied.  Students should develop an appreciation of general lessons to be learned from history; how and why societies change; why civilizations decline and perish; why political and social conflict exists; the influence of religion on the development of societies; how individuals effect change; how social institutions and groups failed to function in a positive way when people have behaved in cruel or inhumane ways; and how people have worked to combat instances of prejudice, cruelty, and discrimination.

233 Honors (Pre-AP) World History (5 credits grade 9)

Prerequisite: 90% or better by the end of the second marking period and teacher’s recommendation.

Honors (Pre-AP) World History is an elective course open to students who commit to additional reading and writing during the summer.  Students will focus on the same elements of curriculum as World History (see above), except a greater emphasis will be placed on primary source material and document based questions. It is designed to channel students into AP World History.

234 AP World History (5 credits grades 10-12)

Prerequisite: 90% or better by the end of the second marking period and teacher’s recommendation.

This course is open to those who have successfully completed World History.  It is an in-depth view of world events over the past one thousand years.  Students are expected to attain much of the content through out of class readings, leaving class time to investigate, evaluate, and discuss pertinent, often controversial issues.  Students are expected to take the World History AP test.

210, 211 CP U.S. History I (5 credits grade 10)

The New Jersey Department of Education requires this subject for graduation. This history course will focus on political and diplomatic, societal, cultural, and economic forces of New Jersey and the United States from the Colonial period through the Progressive era.  Students will be asked to make connections between events being studied to similar occurrences at different times in history and to present events.  The course is intended to develop a broad appreciation for American heritage, as well as for the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

212 Honors (Pre-AP) U.S. History I (5 credits grade 10)

Prerequisite: 90% or better by the end of the second marking period and teacher’s recommendation.

This course fulfills social studies requirements and is open to students who have chosen to commit to additional reading and writing during the summer.  It is designed to channel students into the AP U.S. History II course.  Skill in the use of reference materials and expertise in writing is required.  This course will begin the preparation for the Advanced Placement American History test which students will take at the conclusion of their junior year. 

213, 214 CP U.S. History II (5 credits grade 11)

The New Jersey Department of Education requires this subject for graduation. This history course will focus on political and diplomatic, societal, cultural, and economic forces of New Jersey and the United States from World War I through the Modern Age.  Students will be asked to make connections between events being studied to similar occurrences at different times in history and to present events. 

215 U.S. History II Honors (5 credits grade 11)

Prerequisite: 90% or better by the end of the second marking period and teacher’s recommendation.

This course fulfills social studies requirements and is open to students who have committed to additional reading and writing during the summer.  Skill in the use of reference materials and expertise in writing are required.

216 U.S. History II AP (5 credits grades 11-12)

Prerequisite: 90% or better by the end of the second marking period and teacher’s recommendation.

This course is open to students who have committed to additional reading and writing during the summer, and are committed to taking the AP American History test in the spring.  Skill in the use of reference materials and expertise in writing are required.  Extensive preparation for the AP American History test will be emphasized. Students are expected to take the U.S. History AP test.  Extensive practice in Document Based Questions will be a vital part of this course.

235 European History AP (5 credits grades 10-12)

Prerequisite: 90% or better by the end of the second marking period and teacher’s recommendation.

European History (Advanced Placement) is a program of study which concentrates upon the principle themes of modern European history by exposing participants to a factual, chronological development of events which marked the course of the western world and its global influences from A.D. 1500 to the present. Since this curriculum is an AP elective, students meeting entrance criteria will be expected to read extensively, to use reference materials to advantage, to analyze and comment upon historical issues and to write well. Students are expected to take the European History AP test.

244 AP U.S. Government and Politics (5 credits grades 10-12)

Prerequisite: 90% or better by the end of the second marking period and teacher’s recommendation.

This course will be open to those who have made a commitment to complete additional reading and writing during the summer. Skill in the use of reference materials and expertise in writing is required. The course of study will include a critical examination of the structure and processes of the American governmental system. Extensive reading and critical use of historical materials are expected of every student, and preparation for the AP test will be emphasized.  Students are expected to take the American Government AP test.

203 Sociology (5 credits grades 10-12)

Sociology is the study of human relationships. It enables us to view human society as various social interactions and provides us with a better understanding of ourselves, groups, and our cultural and social worlds. Students will analyze how behaviors of individuals are largely shaped by groups to which we belong, the culture and society in which we live.

205 Introduction to the Social Sciences (2.5 credits grades 9-12)

This elective course is designed to familiarize students with social science subjects such as anthropology, psychology, geography and political science. Students will have the opportunity to evaluate the social science disciplines for potential careers and will be systematically introduced to processes that promote effective thinking and study habits.

208 Criminal Justice (2.5 credits grades 9-12)

This course may be elected by students in grades 9 through 12. It is designed to acquaint students with a knowledge of our legal and penal system in regard to its political, social and economic impact on the lives of each of us. The basis, development, types of laws, court decisions, and punishments will be stressed in their relationship to our judicial system. Case studies of individual rights will form the backbone of the course. Critical thinking, researching, reading, writing, listening, debating, and oral presentations will be stressed.

204 Psychology (5 credits grades 10-12)

Psychology is a comprehensive full year elective which studies the science dealing with the behavior and thinking of human beings.  The understanding of current theories on human development, personality, intelligence, learning and memory will be explored.  Students will be introduced to a variety of important psychologists throughout history, with an emphasis on their contributions to current understanding.  Topics of interest will include the individual in society, anxiety, stress, dreams, psychosis, suicide, death and dying.  Students will also be introduced to the field of psychology as a career option.  This course serves as an excellent opportunity for students to grow in self-knowledge, while pursuing a topic often first experienced at the college level.

207 Genocide:  Betrayal of Humanity (2.5 credits grades 11-12)

This elective course is designed to encourage tolerance in a culturally diverse state.  Students will analyze the possibility of genocide as consequences of prejudice and discrimination.  Students will learn that each citizen bears personal responsibility to fight racism and hatred wherever and whenever it happens.  This course will delve into the genocides of through various primary sources:  The Holocaust, Darfur, Native American, Bosnian, Rwandan, et al.  This course is designed for the student that will be going onto college. 

iii.  Summer Reading for the Social Studies Department

There is a summer reading requirement for all mandated social studies courses. Honors (Pre-AP) and AP courses also have summer reading and writing requirements.  Students are reminded that the department does not permit the use of commercial and/or internet sources to complete their work without the specific permission of the teacher.  Students are required to complete their own work without the specific help of peers, adults, etc. Students found guilty of using outside sources will receive a zero for the assignment.