Course Offerings - Social Studies
SOCIAL STUDIES
GLOBAL HISTORY 1
From the days of nomadic roaming tribes in 10,000 B.C.E. to the meeting of hemispheres throughout the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, Global 1 explores the impacts of civilizations gaining, consolidating and losing power in an increasingly interconnected world. Using reference materials, maps, documents, cartoons, video clips, and other materials, teachers encourage students to think and write critically, develop a global perspective of world history, and define culture and civilization from the lens of a social scientist.
GRADE 9
1.0 CREDIT
GLOBAL HISTORY 2
Global 2 explores the impacts of power consolidation and power loss in an increasingly interconnected and technologically advanced world over 275 years from 1750 C.E. to the present. Using reference materials, maps, documents, cartoons, video clips, and other materials, teachers encourage students to think and write critically, develop a global perspective of world history, and define culture and civilization from the lens of a social scientist. Key concepts/themes such as imperialism, nationalism and interdependence are emphasized. Students must pass the Regents Exam in Global History and Geography 2, which is given in June.
GRADE 10
1.0 CREDIT
ADVANCED WORLD HISTORY 9
Prerequisite: Honors criteria
Advanced World History is a course of study for students whose ability and academic performance qualify them for this experience. Students will explore six overarching themes that emphasize human endeavors such as the impact of intellectual and technological developments and the emergence of the modern nation-state. These themes provide a framework to make comparisons over time and across cultures. The students will explore the time period from 8000 B.C.E. to 1400 C. E.
GRADE 9
1.0 CREDIT
ADVANCED PLACEMENT WORLD HISTORY 10
Prerequisites: Advanced World History 9, honors criteria and/or departmental approval
Students are expected to develop their analytical and critical thinking skills and to understand historiography. This course will also instill in students the habits of mind identified by the Advanced Placement program that students will need in order to be successful on the examination. The students will explore the time period 1400 C. E. to the present. Students who take AP courses will be required to take Advanced Placement examinations in May. Students must also pass the Regents Exam in Global History and Geography 2, which is given in June.
GRADE 10
1.0 CREDIT
UNITED STATES HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT REGENTS
This course strongly emphasizes the Constitutional foundations of the United States. Using the U.S. Constitution as the basis of our governmental process and our freedom, this course traces American History from the nation's inception to becoming a major industrial power through to the present. Students must pass the Regents examination in United States History and Government, given in June.
GRADE 11
1.0 CREDIT
ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY
Prerequisites: AP World, honors criteria and/or departmental approval
The Advanced Placement Program in United States History is designed to develop the critical thinking and analytical writing skills necessary to deal with the factual and interpretive problems inherent in the study of American History. Students explore major interpretive questions in both a chronological framework and a study of specific historical themes. The goal of the program is to prepare students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them that are the equivalent to those of full year introductory college courses. Students who take AP courses will be required to take Advanced Placement examinations in May. Students must also pass the Regents examination in United States History and Government, given in June.
GRADE 11
1.0 CREDIT
ECONOMICS
This course provides students with the economic knowledge and skills that enable them to function as informed and economically literate citizens in our society and the world. The course is designed to use rational decision making and encourages students to become wiser consumers as well as better citizens. Successful completion of this course is a graduation requirement.
GRADE 12
.5 CREDIT
PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT
This course engages students in the study of specific government policy issues and directs students in a wide range of relevant, practical participatory experiences. These experiences range from writing letters to the editor to group experiences such as participating in public discussions. Students are encouraged to examine the impact of current political issues on their local community. Successful completion of this course is a graduation requirement.
GRADE 12
.5 CREDIT
ADVANCED PLACEMENT GOVERNMENT/ECONOMICS
Prerequisites: AP US History, honors criteria and/or departmental approval
This is an integrated two-semester course that combines the study of economic theories, concepts, and policies in conjunction with an analysis of government policies regarding public, social, and political issues. Relevant economic issues such as fiscal policy, international trade and labor relations are studied as well. The "public policy analysis model" is utilized in this course offering. Students who take AP courses will be required to take Advanced Placement examinations in May.
GRADE 12
1.0 CREDIT
ELECTIVES
ADVANCED PLACEMENT HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
Pre/co-requisite: enrollment in one honors or AP course and/or departmental approval
The purpose of this full year AP course in Human Geography is to help students to become more geoliterate, more engaged in contemporary global issues, and more informed about multicultural viewpoints. The approach is spatial and problem oriented. Case studies are drawn from all world regions, with an emphasis on understanding the world in which we live today. Historical information serves to enrich analysis of the impacts of phenomena such as globalization, colonialism, and human–environment relationships on places, regions, cultural landscapes, and patterns of interaction. This is an AP elective course. Students who take AP courses will be required to take Advanced Placement examinations in May.
GRADES 9-10
1.0 CREDIT
AP MACROECONOMICS
Pre/co-requisite: enrollment in one honors or AP course and/or departmental approval
AP Macroeconomics is an introductory college-level macroeconomics course. Students cultivate their understanding of the principles that apply to an economic system as a whole by using principles and models to describe economic situations and predict and explain outcomes with graphs, charts, and data as the explore concepts like economic measurements, markets, macroeconomic models, and macroeconomic policies. This is an AP elective course. Students who take AP courses will be required to take Advanced Placement examinations in May.
GRADES 12
1.0 CREDIT
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY
Pre/co-requisite: enrollment in one honors or AP course and/or departmental approval
The purpose of this full year AP course in Psychology is to introduce the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Included is a consideration of the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Students also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. This is an AP elective course. Students who take AP courses will be required to take Advanced Placement examinations in May.
GRADES 10-12
1.0 CREDIT
AMERICAN HISTORY THROUGH FILM
The history of the United States is a rich tapestry of people and events unique in the history of the world. This course will allow students to delve into that history via numerous media representations of our nation’s history. Students will watch, analyze, and critique various media portrayals of U.S. history. This course is designed to highlight and reinforce the United States History and Government curriculum and will focus on events such as the American Revolution, the Civil War, Westward Expansion, the Civil Rights Movement, the War on Terror, and more. A variety of films such as The Patriot, Glory, Mississippi Burning, Forrest Gump, and Frost/Nixon are used to teach students about our nation’s past and to develop in our students a lifelong interest in our nation.
GRADES 9-12
.5 CREDIT
COLLEGE PSYCHOLOGY
This half-year course is designed to give students the opportunity to explore human behavior. The field of psychology explores what people do, how they think, and why they act the way they do. Areas of study include theories of psychology, human sexuality, abnormal and developmental psychology. Class time is devoted to observations, demonstrations, and seminars. This course offers college credit for a fee through one of Oyster Bay High School’s college partnerships.
GRADES 9-12
.5 CREDIT
CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAW
This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of the American criminal and civil law systems. In criminal law, topics include the organization and functions of the criminal justice system, the role of corrections in the legal system, the role of the police in the legal system, and the rights of society vs. the rights of the accused. In civil law, topics include the nature of torts, family law, and contract law. Career opportunities in the field of law are also discussed. Mock trials are incorporated into the curriculum.
GRADES 9-12
.5 CREDIT
GLOBAL HISTORY THROUGH FILM
The history of the world comes alive through the active viewing and the written analysis of educational and entertaining films. Designed to highlight and reinforce the Global History and Geography Curriculum, this course will focus on the cultural and narrative history of Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. This course seeks to inform as well as to develop critical tools of analysis. A variety of films such as Gladiator, Elizabeth I, Khartoum, Gandhi, Pretorius, Hotel Rwanda are used to teach the students about our world’s complex past and to develop in our students a lifelong habit of historical inquiry.
GRADES 9-12
.5 CREDIT
SOCIOLOGY: CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ISSUES
This course focuses on the major troubles and concerns of our time. The nation and the world face incredible challenges, such as crime, poverty, political instability, environmental crises, racial and gender issues, technology and privacy, and others. Students in this class will examine, research, and debate these vital issues. This class will prepare students to work with others to solve these problems. This course will also address the ways these issues are discussed by the media, elected officials, experts, and others, which will help students to build their analytical skills and to deepen student interest and knowledge of these critical social and political issues.
GRADES 9-12
.5 CREDIT