Course Descriptions
Beginning 1/ENL Social Studies Prep One period – No Credit
The Beginning 1 social studies class is designed to provide the ELL students with the background, vocabulary and understanding of the concepts and skills necessary to successfully meet the challenges of the sheltered social studies classes.
Global History and Geography I – 1 credit
This course is designed to focus on the common themes that recur across time and place and eight historical eras. This is the first part of a two-year sequence which focuses on a chronological study of 1) Ancient World: Civilizations and Religion (4000 BC–500 AD); 2) Expanding Zones of Exchange and Encounter (500-1200); 3) Global Interactions (1200-1650); and 4) the First Global Age (1450-1770). The course is designed to show interdependence and to create in students a greater awareness of the world in which they live.
Global History I Honors (5% weight) – 1 credit
This honors course focuses on the common themes that recur across time and place and eight historical eras. This is the first part of a two-year sequence which focuses on a chronological study of (1) Ancient World: Civilizations and Religion (4000 BC-500 AD); (2) Expanding Zones of Exchange and Encounter (500-1200); (3) Global Interactions (1200-1650); and (4) the First Global Age (1450-1770). The course is designed to show interdependence and to create in students a greater awareness of the world in which they live. Within the honors level course, the program is designed to stress the development of higher-order cognitive skills through the use of more challenging questions, more in-depth study of topics, the use of more complete and difficult primary sources, and more challenging classroom examinations. In addition, students are expected to do more in-depth study of topics, the use of more complete and difficult primary sources, more challenging classroom examinations and independent study.
ENL Global History and Geography I – 1 credit
This course is especially designed for limited English proficient (LEP) students at the beginning or intermediate levels of English proficiency. It introduces them to the study of Global History from the Ancient World through the Global Age. The history and interaction of different cultures throughout the world are explored. Emphasis is placed on reading, writing and the interpretation of primary sources.
YEAR TWO
Global History II R – 1 credit
This course is designed to focus on the common themes that recur across time and place and eight historical eras. This is the second part of a two-year sequence which focuses on a chronological study of 1) an age of revolutions (1750-1914); 2) a half-century of crisis and achievement (1900-1945); and 3) global connections and interactions. The course is designed to create in students a greater awareness of the world in which they live. It will conclude with a Regents Examination encompassing material from Global History and Geography I and II.
Global History II R Honors (5% weight) – 1 credit
This course focuses on the common themes that recur across time and place and eight historical eras. This is the second part of a two-year sequence which focuses on a chronological study of (1) An Age of Revolutions (1750-1914); (2) A Half-century of Crisis and Achievement (1900-1945); (3) Global Connections and Interactions. This course is designed to show interdependence and to create in students a greater awareness of the world in which they live. Within the honors level course, the program is designed to stress the development of higher-order cognitive skills through the use of more challenging questions, more in-depth study of topics, the use of more complete and difficult questions, and more challenging classroom examinations. In addition, students are expected to do more in-depth study of topics, the use of more complete and difficult primary sources, more challenging classroom examinations and independent study. This course will conclude with a Regents examination encompassing material from Global History and Geography I and II.
Advanced Placement World History (10% weight) – 1 credit
This course highlights six overarching themes that correspond to the NYS curriculum for Global History and Geography. The themes include: interaction among societies; the relationship of continuity and change; the impact of technology and demography on people and the environment; systems of social structure and gender structure, the cultural and intellectual developments and interactions among and within societies; the changes in functions and structures of states including the emergence of the nation-state. This course will conclude with a Regents examination encompassing material from Global History and Geography I and II. Students are also required to take the Advanced Placement World History Examination prepared by the College Entrance Examination Board. College credit is based upon the Advanced Placement examination score.
Sheltered Global History and Geography II (R) – 1 credit
This course, taught by a social studies teacher, is the second part of the Global History strand and is especially designed for limited English proficient (LEP) students at the ?Intermediate? level of English proficiency. It continues with the Global History curriculum and prepares the LEP students to pass the Global History Regents examination.
YEAR THREE
United States History & Government R – 1 credit
This chronologically organized course emphasizes the United States as an industrial nation. Topics include: (1) The Constitutional Foundations for the Democratic Republic; (2) Nationalism and Sectionalism; (3) Industrialization of the United States; (4) The Progressive Movement; (5) Prosperity and Depression (1917-1940); (6) The U.S. in an Age of Global Crisis (1941-1950); (7) The U.S. and the World since 1950.This course will conclude with the U.S. History and Government Regents examination.
United States History & Government R Honors (5% weight) – 1 credit
This chronologically organized course emphasizes the United States as an industrial nation. Topics include (1) The Constitutional Foundations for the Democratic Republic; (2) Nationalism and Sectionalism; (3) Industrialization of the United States; (4) The Progressive Movement; (5) Prosperity and Depression (1917-1940); (6) The U.S. in an Age of Global Crisis (1941-1950); (7) The U.S. and the World since 1950.Within the honors level course, the program is designed to stress the development of higher-order cognitive skills through the use of more in-depth study of topics and the use of more challenging primary sources. In addition, students are expected to take more challenging classroom examinations and do more independent study. This course will conclude with the U.S. History and Government Regents Examination.
Advanced Placement United States History and Government (10% weight) – 1 credit
This is a college level course covering the period from colonial times to 1886 in the first semester, and the period from 1886 to the present in the second semester. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement United States History Examination prepared by the College Entrance Examination Board. College credit is based upon Advanced Placement Examination score. The final examination for the course is the Regents Exam in U.S. History and Government.
YEAR FOUR
Economics – ½ credit
This course deals with the basic principles that help explain the operation of our economy, money, and banking, business organization, and the stock market.
Economics H (5% weight) (Spring Valley High School Only) – ½ credit
This course deals with the basic principles that help explain the operation of our economy, money, and banking, business organization and the stock market. As an honors level course, the program is designed to emphasize the development of higher-order cognitive skills through the use of more challenging questions and activities, more in-depth study of topics, the use of more challenging source material, and more challenging classroom examinations.
Advanced Placement Microeconomics (10% weight) (Fall Semester Only) – ½ credit
This course is designed to expose students to the circumstances and challenges surrounding a national economy. It introduces the concepts of fiscal policy, monetary policy and international trade policy and their impact on unemployment, inflation, aggregate markets, and the value of the dollar. Particular attention is paid to policy analysis and the role of the individual in the macro-economy. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement Macroeconomics Examination prepared by the College Entrance Examination Board. This exam is administered in May; after-school refresher sessions will be provided in the spring. College credit is based upon the Advanced Placement examination score.
Advanced Placement Macroeconomics (10% weight) (Spring Semester Only) – ½ credit
This course is designed to expose students to the circumstances and challenges surrounding a national economy. It introduces the concepts of inflation, unemployment, aggregate markets, fiscal policy, monetary policy, economic growth and international economics. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement Macroeconomics Examination prepared by the College Entrance Examination Board. College credit is based upon the Advanced Placement examination score.
Economics – Project Advance (10% weight) (Ramapo High School Only) – ½ credit
This analysis of a market oriented economy deals both with the microeconomic and macroeconomic levels. There is a strong emphasis on personal choice and interpreting current news events from an economic perspective. This course affords the opportunity to earn college credits from Syracuse University.
Participation in Government – ½ credit
This course is designed to encourage the development of civic-minded individuals. Students study the structure of our government, analyze contemporary governmental issues and problems and via debates and research, formulate possible solutions.
Public Affairs – Project Advance (10% weight) – ½ credit
This college-level political science course given under the auspices of Syracuse University is designed to introduce students to the basic skills of public policy analysis. Students identify various social problems and research the various governmental agencies that deal with these problems. They learn the tools of statistical analysis, create questionnaires and surveys, and do feasibility studies and proposal writing related to these issues. Students make extensive use of newspapers and the Internet, must attend community meetings and perform at least five hours of community service. This course affords the opportunity to earn college credits from Syracuse University. Only seniors may use this class to fulfill their Participation in Government requirement.
Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics (10% weight) – 1 credit
This course will give students an analytical perspective on general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific case studies. The course covers the constitutional underpinnings of U.S. government, political beliefs and behaviors, political parties, interest groups, mass media, institutions of national government, public policy, civil rights and civil liberties. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics Examination prepared by the College Entrance Examination Board. College credit is based upon the Advanced Placement Examination score. Only seniors may use this class to fulfill their Participation in Government requirement.
ELECTIVES
Contemporary Affairs – ½ credit
This one-semester elective is designed to enable students to gain certain basic understandings about our contemporary world. Some of the topics covered are 1) crime and punishment in our society; 2) a study of diversity in our society; 3) the problems of marriage and family in our society; 4) the problems of aging; 5) alcoholism and drug abuse; 6) teenage suicide; 7) gun control; 8) animal rights; 9) terrorism; 10) criminal and civil law.
Psychology – ½ credit
This one-semester elective introduces students to several topics in the field of psychology, including personality development, abnormal behavior, sleep and dreams, and dealing with problems. This course deals with a study of topics such as learning, personality, mental illness, hypnosis and dream analysis. Simulated behavior modification methods will be used where feasible.
Advanced Placement Psychology (10% weight) (Spring Valley High School Only) – 1 credit
This is a full-year, college-level course that covers eighteen units, including the biology of behavior, thought and language, and stress and emotions. Psychology is not a prerequisite for AP Psychology. This course is available to seniors and qualified juniors. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement Psychology Examination prepared by the College Entrance Examination Board. College credit is based upon Advanced Placement Examination scores.
Psychology – Project Advance (10% weight) (Ramapo High School 12th graders only) – ½ credit
This one-semester college-level psychology course is given under the auspices of Syracuse University. It provides a foundation for more advanced study in the subject. This course affords the opportunity to earn college credits from Syracuse University.
Sociology (Ramapo High School Only) – ½ credit
This one-semester sociology course introduces students to the field by engaging them in discussions and written analysis of current topics. The topics include family, institutions, sports, culture and race relations. Students are expected to carry out fieldwork by the use of cooperative learning groups, technology and face-to-face interviews.
Sociology – Project Advance (10% weight) (Ramapo High School Only) Open to 12th graders only – ½ credit
This one-semester, college-level sociology course, given under the auspices of Syracuse University, is designed to introduce students to the professional field. The course uses professional journals in the area of sociology to cover such topics as identity, marginality, transgenderism, post-modernism, the media and multiculturalism. Students are moved to high level thinking by provocative discussions and in-depth analysis of professional articles. Field projects and written analysis are required through the use of cooperative learning groups, technology and face-to-face interviews. This course affords the opportunity to earn college credits from Syracuse University.
Constitutional Law* – ½ credit
In this one-semester course, students examine our protections under the Bill of Rights, study major Supreme Court decisions and current constitutional issues and their impact on our lives. Students develop the skills of legal analysis and engage in mock trials.
American Justice System* – ½ credit
This one-semester course examines aspects of constitutional, criminal and civil law. Rights, due process of law and legal system structure are included. Mock court trials and field trips will be included.
*NOTE: The Constitutional Law and American Justice System courses will be offered in alternating years.
Criminal Justice – ½ credit
This one-semester course offers students the opportunity to study, observe and participate in the American Criminal Justice system. Students will study significant cases, listen to guest lecturers such as District Attorneys, lawyers and Judges. Students will participate in Mock Trials to gain experience in the field of law. Through this course students will learn of their rights and responsibilities in our society.
African-American Studies – ½ credit
This one-semester course is a study of the history of the African-American in the United States from the 1500’s to the present. It emphasizes the African-American struggle against persecution, oppression and injustice as well as the achievements and contributions of African-Americans to American life. Contemporary issues (affirmative action, the family, education) are discussed as well. Students must complete a research project related to the African-American experience.
Model Congress (Ramapo High School Only) – ½ credit
This course offers students a chance to learn about the legislative process of the United States using a ?”hands-on” approach. Students select an aspect of our society which they believe can be improved by legislation, then research the problem, write original legislation and prepare to debate and defend their ideas. Students are also offered the opportunity to attend Model Congress Conferences sponsored by other high schools and by major universities. Only seniors may use this course to fulfill the Participation in Government requirement.
College Learning Strategies (Ramapo High School 12th graders only) – ½ credit
This one-semester course, involves the study and application of strategic approaches to learning. In preparation for the rigor of college study, students will learn to apply learning strategies in their current courses and analyze which work best for them.
Social Studies Regents Prep (12th graders only) – No Credit
This one-semester course is for fourth-year high school students who have passed the Global History and / or United States History courses but have not yet passed one or both of the Regents examinations. Instruction will be individualized based on each student’s needs. Teacher and student will analyze the actual results of the student’s prior Regents examination(s) to plan a differentiated instructional program.