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Thursday, November 21, 2024

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DEPARTMENTS (COURSES/STAFF)

Academics

SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT

Staff:

Barbara Bogdan	Stuart Bulan	Robert Dickerson	Kevin Gibson
Micah Harris	John Jakiel	Thomas Jost	Mary Manley
Alicia Proctor-Szilagyi	Maura Young

 

Courses:

GLOBAL STUDIES 9 (GS01G)	The chronological, topical study of man begins with prehistoric man and continues to present day events. Ninth grade units begin with a general introduction to geography, economics, political science, cultural and history as areas of study. The rest of the course is geographical and historical studies that include the following units: Early Man, Early River Civilizations, Classic Civilizations (Greece, Rome, Indus and Chinese); the great Religions; Gupta, Tang and Byzantine Empires; Islamic Civilization, Medieval Europe and the Impact of the Crusades; Early and Medieval Japan; Mongols and their Influence, Global Trade and Interaction; Influence of the Plague, Resurgence of Europe; Rise and Fall of African Civilizations, Slave Trade and its effects and the Ming and Manchu Dynasties of China; Rise of Mesoamerican Empires, The Coming of Europeans and their impact on Latin America. The Global History I course concludes with a teacher made final examination (following the Regents Global 10 format).
GLOBAL STUDIES AND GEOGRAPHY (GS02R)	The chronological, topical study of man begins with prehistoric man and continues to present day events. Tenth grade continues the course of study with the following units: Encounter among Europeans, Africans, Asians; Political Ideologies; Absolutism and its Response; Age of Revolution; (Scientific, Political, Economics, Social and Industrial) and Global Responses; Imperialism; Japan and the Meiji Restoration; World War I, Russia; Between the Wars; and World War II. The final unit, “20th century since 1945,” includes: The Cold War, Chinese Communist Revolution, Independence Movements, Middle East, Collapse of Communism and Latin America. The year will end with the study of Current Conflicts and Global Connections. The Global History and Geography II course concludes with the New York State Regents Exam.
AP US HISTORY & GOVT (US03P)	This is a college level, chronological United States history course. It is part of a national program administered by the College Board. It offers the opportunity to earn up to six college credits, depending upon the student’s performance on the Advanced Placement Examination and the judgment of the history department at the student’s college choice. Students must also take the United States History and Government Regents Exam to meet New York State requirements. PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of Global IR, recommended successful completion of Global IIR; due to the higher level expectations of an AP course, it is strongly advised that a 90 average in prior social studies classes be achieved.
US HIST & GOVT (US03R)	Students chronologically explore the development of the United States from a historical, economic, political, sociological, and geographical perspective. The major emphasis of the course is placed on several concepts from the social sciences that have contributed to the industrial development of the United States. Constitutional and legal issues are explored as well as issues of international involvement. Awareness of our American heritage is stressed, as are those aspects of our contemporary society that seem most relevant to the future. The social science skills developed in the Global History program are again reinforced in this course. Students must successfully pass the Regents Exam in United States History and Government administered at the conclusion of the course of study. PREREQUISITE: Recommended successful completion of Global History
ECONOMICS (EC04G)	This one semester graduation requirement emphasizes economic understandings and economic decision-making. This course includes the basic concepts and understandings that all persons need to function effectively and intelligently as citizens and participants in the economy of the United States and the world. The social studies skills and concepts developed and reinforced throughout the student’s high school experience are focused in this course on improving her/his economic literacy. Students will be required to complete the WCSD Performance Task for Economics, which is a graded simulation of the stock market. PREREQUISITES: United States History and Government
PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT (PG04G)	This one semester graduation requirement emphasizes the interaction between citizens and government at all levels: local, state, and federal. Public policy analysis is an integral aspect of the course with students using their social science skills and concepts to investigate social, political, and economic issues of their contemporary society. The development of active student participation in the processes of public policy analysis and government is encouraged. Students may thus be involved in a variety of public policy oriented field trips and community experiences which are designed to provide them with the opportunity to practically use their social studies skills and concepts in the "real world." Students will be required by WSCD policy to engage in a minimum of 20 hours of field experiences to learn about community service, political action, and other ways of becoming involved in the community. PREREQUSITE: United States History and Government R