Social Studies Courses
Students are required to take Social Studies courses all four years of high school. The courses listed below are divided up by year/requirement. Students must take one of the course offered in grades 9, 10 and 11, and then must take Economics and one of the Government classes in grade 12. In addition, the Department offers two elective courses which may be taken in grade 11 or 12. In addition to the requirement of four social studies credits, the Regents exams in Global History & Geography and United States History & Government are also required for graduation.
Grade 9
Global History & Geography 9 (A&B)
Length of Course: 40 Weeks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Grade 8
Credits: 1
Description: Global History and Geography is a two year comprehensive course covering the Social Studies culture and history of the world with the exception of the United States. The course is set up to provide students with the opportunity to study other nations and their cultures within the framework that is designed to develop a global perspective. Our goal is to cultivate in students knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to function effectively in a world characterized by ethnic diversity and increasing independence. The B level course contains methods and strategies that are geared toward helping to meet the needs of those students who may have difficulty with more traditional classroom teaching styles. A chronological order of the following areas of study are included as part of the 9th grade level of study from early civilization to early modern times (circa 1500).
Global History & Geography 9 (Honors)
Length of Course: 40 Weeks
Prerequisite: Recommendation from 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher, 90 average in 8th Grade Social Studies.
Credits: 1
Description: Global History and Geography Honors is a rigorous two-year comprehensive course covering the culture and history of the world with the exception of the United States. The course is set up to provide honor students with the opportunity to study other nations and their cultures within a framework that is designed to develop a global perspective. Our goal is to cultivate in students knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to function effectively in a world characterized by ethnic diversity and increasing independence. The course is reading and writing intensive with multiple projects assigned. A chronological order of the following areas of study are included as part of the 9th grade level of study from early civilization to early modern times (circa 1500).
This course is designed to prepare students for the United States History Advanced Placement course available during the junior year.
Length of Course: 40 Weeks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Grade 8
Credits: 1
Description: Global History and Geography is a two year comprehensive course covering the Social Studies culture and history of the world with the exception of the United States. The course is set up to provide students with the opportunity to study other nations and their cultures within the framework that is designed to develop a global perspective. Our goal is to cultivate in students knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to function effectively in a world characterized by ethnic diversity and increasing independence. The B level course contains methods and strategies that are geared toward helping to meet the needs of those students who may have difficulty with more traditional classroom teaching styles. A chronological order of the following areas of study are included as part of the 9th grade level of study from early civilization to early modern times (circa 1500).
Global History & Geography 9 (Honors)
Length of Course: 40 Weeks
Prerequisite: Recommendation from 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher, 90 average in 8th Grade Social Studies.
Credits: 1
Description: Global History and Geography Honors is a rigorous two-year comprehensive course covering the culture and history of the world with the exception of the United States. The course is set up to provide honor students with the opportunity to study other nations and their cultures within a framework that is designed to develop a global perspective. Our goal is to cultivate in students knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to function effectively in a world characterized by ethnic diversity and increasing independence. The course is reading and writing intensive with multiple projects assigned. A chronological order of the following areas of study are included as part of the 9th grade level of study from early civilization to early modern times (circa 1500).
This course is designed to prepare students for the United States History Advanced Placement course available during the junior year.
Grade 10
Global History & Geography 10 (A & B)
Length of Course: 40 Weeks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Global History 9
Credits: 1
Description: This course is a continuation of the two year course begun freshman year. The B level course contains methods and strategies that are aimed toward helping to meet the needs of those students who may have difficulty with more traditional classroom teaching skills. The material covered begins with 1500 A.D. to the present day. In June, the student will be required to pass a Regents Exam comprised equally of ninth and tenth grade material. This Regents exam is required for graduation, and is used as the final exam grade for the course.
Global History & Geography 10 (Honors)
Length of Course: 40 Weeks
Prerequisite: 9th Grade Honors with a minimum average of 90, or recommendation of the Global 9A teacher.
Credits: 1
Description: This course is a continuation of the two year course begun freshman year. The course is reading and writing intensive with multiple projects assigned. In June, the student will be required to pass a Regents Exam comprised equally of ninth and tenth grade material. This Regents exam is required for graduation, and is used as the final exam grade for the course.
This course is designed to prepare students for the United States History Advanced Placement course available during the junior year.
Length of Course: 40 Weeks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Global History 9
Credits: 1
Description: This course is a continuation of the two year course begun freshman year. The B level course contains methods and strategies that are aimed toward helping to meet the needs of those students who may have difficulty with more traditional classroom teaching skills. The material covered begins with 1500 A.D. to the present day. In June, the student will be required to pass a Regents Exam comprised equally of ninth and tenth grade material. This Regents exam is required for graduation, and is used as the final exam grade for the course.
Global History & Geography 10 (Honors)
Length of Course: 40 Weeks
Prerequisite: 9th Grade Honors with a minimum average of 90, or recommendation of the Global 9A teacher.
Credits: 1
Description: This course is a continuation of the two year course begun freshman year. The course is reading and writing intensive with multiple projects assigned. In June, the student will be required to pass a Regents Exam comprised equally of ninth and tenth grade material. This Regents exam is required for graduation, and is used as the final exam grade for the course.
This course is designed to prepare students for the United States History Advanced Placement course available during the junior year.
Grade 11
United States History & Government (A & B)
Length of Course: 40 Weeks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Global History 9 & 10
Credits: 1
Description: U.S. History and Government is a course designed to prepare students for life in our democratic society. The purpose of the curriculum is to show students how the Constitution is a “living” document and how it is relevant to everyday life. A chronological approach to America history is used as a vehicle to teach how the Constitution governs our behavior and influences the operation of government at all levels. The B level course contains methods and strategies that are geared toward helping to meet the needs of those students who may have difficulty with more traditional classroom teaching styles. In June, the student will be required to pass a Regents exam covering this year's material. This exam is a requirement for graduation, and is used as the final exam for the course.
United States History & Government (Advanced Placement)
Length of Course: 40 Weeks
Prerequisite: 90 average in Global History 10 Honors; minimum of 90 on the Global History Regents exam; or recommendation of the Global 10A teacher.
Credits: 1
Description: This course is a full-year introductory college level course in United States history on the period from the first explorations of the Americas to the present. The course is designed to provide students with the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in United States history. Students need to demonstrate self-discipline and motivation. The course is reading and writing intensive. An Advanced Placement exam will be offered in May. Cost of the examination is the responsibility of the student. Colleges may award credit based on the test score achieved by a student. In June, students are also required to pass a Regents Exam in order to attain credit for graduation.
Length of Course: 40 Weeks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Global History 9 & 10
Credits: 1
Description: U.S. History and Government is a course designed to prepare students for life in our democratic society. The purpose of the curriculum is to show students how the Constitution is a “living” document and how it is relevant to everyday life. A chronological approach to America history is used as a vehicle to teach how the Constitution governs our behavior and influences the operation of government at all levels. The B level course contains methods and strategies that are geared toward helping to meet the needs of those students who may have difficulty with more traditional classroom teaching styles. In June, the student will be required to pass a Regents exam covering this year's material. This exam is a requirement for graduation, and is used as the final exam for the course.
United States History & Government (Advanced Placement)
Length of Course: 40 Weeks
Prerequisite: 90 average in Global History 10 Honors; minimum of 90 on the Global History Regents exam; or recommendation of the Global 10A teacher.
Credits: 1
Description: This course is a full-year introductory college level course in United States history on the period from the first explorations of the Americas to the present. The course is designed to provide students with the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in United States history. Students need to demonstrate self-discipline and motivation. The course is reading and writing intensive. An Advanced Placement exam will be offered in May. Cost of the examination is the responsibility of the student. Colleges may award credit based on the test score achieved by a student. In June, students are also required to pass a Regents Exam in order to attain credit for graduation.
Grade 12
Economics
Length of Course: 20 Weeks
Prerequisite: US History & Government 11
Credits: 1/2
Description: This is an introductory Micro and Macroeconomics theory and application course. The students learn basic theory from a textbook, and then through the use of supplemental article assignments and long-term projects, apply the theory to our everyday lives. The course is taught as a college “prep” course which emphasizes writing skills, synthesis and analysis of how the materials apply. General topics covered in the class include: supply and demand; market structure; economic growth; inflation and unemployment; economic enterprises; monetary and fiscal policy; money and banking. There is also a culminating project that consists of a research paper and an oral project (B level students have a choice as to which they wish to pursue).
All students are required to take Economics for graduation credit.
Participation in Government
Length of Course: 20 Weeks
Prerequisite: US History & Government 11
Credits: 1/2
Description: The Participation in Government (P.I.G.) course is designed to give students an understanding of how they can become active participants in the formal governmental process and their community. The course teaches students ways they can influence their government officials directly and indirectly. Also it shows them various forms of political activism that can be used to accomplish their political goals and agendas throughout life. The curriculum places a great deal of emphasis on the “civic responsibilities” that each citizen must accept if we are to maintain our democratic way of life. The course instructs how to identify public policy issues, how to analyze public policy issues, and how to prescribe public policy as a solution to a problem faced by local, state, national or international governments. The curriculum utilizes discussion and study of current public policy issues of community and issues of a criminal nature facing the United States.
P.I.G. students are required to attend two local government meetings and complete a form for each.
The course will count as credit for the Participation in Government course required for graduation.
Government Service Learning
Length of Course: 20 Weeks
Prerequisite: US History & Government 11
Credits: 1/2
Description: This is a Participation in Government course which follows a community service model. The course is designed to prepare student for participation and living in a democratic society. It will give students the opportunity to contribute directly to their community and to learn that by helping other they will help themselves. Students will have a wide range of placement opportunities including involvement with community agencies.
Requirements for the course include two classroom sessions per week and three on-site sessions per week. Also included will be successful completion of written work. Grading will be based on a combined evaluation between the teacher and the placement agency.
The course will count as credit for the Participation in Government course required for graduation.
Organization of American States
Length of Course: 20 Weeks
Prerequisite: A minimum of a B+ average in US History & Government 11, or teacher recommendation
Credits: 1/2
Description: The Organization of American States course is based on a Model United Nations principle where the students will be given a country, and over the course of the semester will study and research that country in preparation for a mock assembly of the OAS to be held on the campus of SUNY Plattsburgh in late May. The course is divided into six phases:
The course will count as credit for the Participation in Government course required for graduation.
Length of Course: 20 Weeks
Prerequisite: US History & Government 11
Credits: 1/2
Description: This is an introductory Micro and Macroeconomics theory and application course. The students learn basic theory from a textbook, and then through the use of supplemental article assignments and long-term projects, apply the theory to our everyday lives. The course is taught as a college “prep” course which emphasizes writing skills, synthesis and analysis of how the materials apply. General topics covered in the class include: supply and demand; market structure; economic growth; inflation and unemployment; economic enterprises; monetary and fiscal policy; money and banking. There is also a culminating project that consists of a research paper and an oral project (B level students have a choice as to which they wish to pursue).
All students are required to take Economics for graduation credit.
Participation in Government
Length of Course: 20 Weeks
Prerequisite: US History & Government 11
Credits: 1/2
Description: The Participation in Government (P.I.G.) course is designed to give students an understanding of how they can become active participants in the formal governmental process and their community. The course teaches students ways they can influence their government officials directly and indirectly. Also it shows them various forms of political activism that can be used to accomplish their political goals and agendas throughout life. The curriculum places a great deal of emphasis on the “civic responsibilities” that each citizen must accept if we are to maintain our democratic way of life. The course instructs how to identify public policy issues, how to analyze public policy issues, and how to prescribe public policy as a solution to a problem faced by local, state, national or international governments. The curriculum utilizes discussion and study of current public policy issues of community and issues of a criminal nature facing the United States.
P.I.G. students are required to attend two local government meetings and complete a form for each.
The course will count as credit for the Participation in Government course required for graduation.
Government Service Learning
Length of Course: 20 Weeks
Prerequisite: US History & Government 11
Credits: 1/2
Description: This is a Participation in Government course which follows a community service model. The course is designed to prepare student for participation and living in a democratic society. It will give students the opportunity to contribute directly to their community and to learn that by helping other they will help themselves. Students will have a wide range of placement opportunities including involvement with community agencies.
Requirements for the course include two classroom sessions per week and three on-site sessions per week. Also included will be successful completion of written work. Grading will be based on a combined evaluation between the teacher and the placement agency.
The course will count as credit for the Participation in Government course required for graduation.
Organization of American States
Length of Course: 20 Weeks
Prerequisite: A minimum of a B+ average in US History & Government 11, or teacher recommendation
Credits: 1/2
Description: The Organization of American States course is based on a Model United Nations principle where the students will be given a country, and over the course of the semester will study and research that country in preparation for a mock assembly of the OAS to be held on the campus of SUNY Plattsburgh in late May. The course is divided into six phases:
- Research of the background of the country the students will represent.
- The history and structure of the Organization of American States.
- The art of questioning and argumentation (debate skills)
- Practice of the various procedures and writing resolutions in the Model Assembly.
- Feld trip to Washington, DC and/or Ottawa, Canada to interview Ambassador of the country the class represents accounts for 15% of the students’ grade.
- Attendance at the Model Assembly in Plattsburgh at Plattsburgh State College is required.
The course will count as credit for the Participation in Government course required for graduation.
Electives
Genocide
Length of Course: 20 Weeks
Prerequisite: none
Credits: 1/2
Description: This course will study the period of 1933 through 1945, during the time of Nazi domination in Europe. The Holocaust is a compelling case study of human potential for extremes of both good and evil. Topics of study will include the following:
Introduction to Archaeology
Length of Course: 20 Weeks
Prerequisite: none
Credits: 1/2
Description: This course is intended to familiarize students with the field of archaeology. Students will examine the connections between human culture and material remains. They will learn about the different types of archaeology and some of the methods and technology used by archaeologists to try to explain past cultures. Students will examine some of the earliest cultures and civilizations and learn to make assessments of their values, customs and technological levels based on the artifacts they left behind. The course will culminate in a project designed by the student and presented to the class.
Length of Course: 20 Weeks
Prerequisite: none
Credits: 1/2
Description: This course will study the period of 1933 through 1945, during the time of Nazi domination in Europe. The Holocaust is a compelling case study of human potential for extremes of both good and evil. Topics of study will include the following:
- forerunners to the Holocaust
- Adolf Hitler's rise to power
- Nazi thought
- the Final
Solution
- Anti-Semitism - traditional and racial
- deportation/resistance
- concentration camps
- liberation/survivors
- afterward - Nuremberg
Trials/Eichmann Trial
- implications for the future
- response by individuals, institutions & nations
Introduction to Archaeology
Length of Course: 20 Weeks
Prerequisite: none
Credits: 1/2
Description: This course is intended to familiarize students with the field of archaeology. Students will examine the connections between human culture and material remains. They will learn about the different types of archaeology and some of the methods and technology used by archaeologists to try to explain past cultures. Students will examine some of the earliest cultures and civilizations and learn to make assessments of their values, customs and technological levels based on the artifacts they left behind. The course will culminate in a project designed by the student and presented to the class.