Overview of the Social Studies Curriculum
Our curriculum enables students to complete their academic course work in social studies and fulfill Regents requirements through an accelerated process. In order to improve students’ chances of passing the Regents, we program them to double period courses, thereby enabling them to complete the coursework at half the time of what it would normally take at other schools.
Social Studies Courses
Global History I – This course focuses on the rise of civilizations especially in Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, the Americas, and Europe (the Byzantine Empire and Medieval Europe). Opening with a week on methodology and the like the course covers the historical period ranging from the Neolithic Revolution to the rising indigenous civilizations of the America’s especially the Meso-American (Mayas and Aztecs) and Andean peoples (Incas). Technological (irrigation systems) and social advances (written laws) along with geographical effects on peoples and civilizations are some of the topics discussed in this course.
Global History II – This course examines the growing role of interdependence as civilization spread across various parts of the Earth. Beginning with early Japan and its feudal history, this course terminates with the rise of Absolutism in Europe and the reaction of the English to such governmental systems. These two historical periods serve as bookends with various topics discussed, such as Pre-Columbian Americas, European exploration, African empires, the Ming Dynasty, the Ottoman Empire, and the establishment of the European nation-state. Increasing interaction between peoples is a central theme in this course as are the effects of this interaction between Eastern and Western societies.
Global History III – Moving past the ancient and pre-modern world, Global History III begins with the accomplishments of the Italian Renaissance and Scientific Revolution and concludes with the outbreak of WWI. As result of historical trends and state requirements, Global History III is heavily weighted toward European history or Europe’s role in the modern period. The rise of imperialism, the spread of the Industrial Revolution, the French, American, and Russian Revolutions all serve as topics of discourse. However, though Europe’s role is emphasized Latin America, Japan (Meiji Restoration), and global nationalism are all central issues within the course. Moreover, the influence of natural rights, the Enlightenment, and new perceptions of government are all themes surfacing within the course. The course is normally offered as the first half of a double-course, double-period program.
Global IV – The final installment in the Global History series, Global IV begins with the period between the World Wars and continues into the early 1990’s focusing on global issues such as environmentalism, population explosions, globalization, and human rights. Unlike Global III, this course examines more of the world outside Europe and its reactions to the Cold War. Independence movements in India and China are discussed, as are the collapse of European imperialism and the creation of Israel in the Middle East. In addition, Africa’s various independence movements are examined through various cases studies, often utilizing that of the South African ANC movement. This course is normally offered as the second half of a double-course, double-period program – where the first half of the semester covers Global 3 and second half covers Global 4.
Participation in Government – This course prepares students for the US History and Government Regents Exam. PIG allows students to develop an “understanding of national, state, and local governing bodies emphasizing the individuals’ role in each area. Students should understand the philosophical foundations of their rights and their responsibilities as citizens.” Specifically, this course addresses such topics as checks and balances, the separations of powers, the responsibilities of each branch, judicial review, the elastic clause and others. It is offered in tandem with the double-course, double-period U.S. History I and II.
Introduction to United States History -- This is a non-credit course for students with a more tenuous grasp of the English language. Developed especially for beginner ESL students, it provides the foundation for future credit-bearing US history courses, allowing student to adjust to the English language while improving their knowledge of history and preparing them for the U.S. History Regents.
United States History I – U.S. I covers the historical period from America’s colonial beginnings to its Reconstruction after the Civil War and the rise of big business. This course focuses on America’s early political, economic and social development from backward backwater to overbearing regional giant. Topics discussed in this course includes but is not limited to the effects of colonization, manifest destiny, French and Indian Wars, the American Revolution, neutrality and isolationism, Monroe Doctrine, Native American policies, sectionalism, economic changes, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the rise of corporations and big business. The course is normally offered as the first half of a double-course, double-period program.
United States History II – US History II discusses the growth of the United States from a regional power to a stumbling global juggernaut. The course begins with the Progressive Era and World War I and ends with Bill Clinton’s presidency. US II is dominated by the United States new internationalism after WWII. Topics include but are not limited to the Cold War, US containment of Communism, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Feminist Movement, the Civil Rights Movement, the Red Scare, the 1920’s, government scandals of the 1970’s and 1980’s, US led globalization, and others. This course is normally offered as the second half of a double-course, double-period program – where the first half of the semester covers US I and second half covers US II.
Economics – A required course, Economics serves to introduce students not only to economic theories such as those of Marx and Smith but also to more practical economic applications such as finance. Topics include but are not limited to the role of economics in society, the government’s role in the economy, the role of Business, investing, personal, the global economy, the role of labor in the economy, current issues and trends and economics such as balancing a check book or establishing a savings account.
Multiculturalism -- This is an elective course designed to increase awareness among students of cultural differences and similarities. It aims to give students an understanding and appreciation of diversity and acceptance of differences. Videos and readings are utilized in exposing students to such perspectives. Texts include Black Elk Speaks, Tapestry, The House on Mango Street, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, and Chinese Folktales. Guest speakers and UNICEF materials play an integral role in the structure of this class.
Ethical Leadership – Ethical Leadership introduces students to the role that ethics plays in society. Ethical decision-making serves as a central feature of this course. Moreover, students engage in exercises to determine the value of ethics and what ethics dominate particular arguments and situations. Ultimately, this course enables students to make rational ethical decisions in their personal and professional lives and, thereby, help raise the school’s and the community’s ethical barometer. The course uses the curriculum developed by the Institute for Global Ethics under the direction of Rushworth Kidder, the Institute’s founder. The Institute also provided teacher training.