Social Studies Department
SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT
We offer a variety of Social Studies courses that challenge and support our students. Courses help students meet N. Y. State and local requirements and prepare students for study beyond high school.
GLOBAL HISTORY 1 Full year - 1 credit, Grade 9
This course is the first of a required two-year sequence which provides students with an understanding of the world’s history and culture. The two-year sequence includes historical events from Africa, South Asia, Asia, East Asia, Latin America, Europe, Southwest Asia, and Russia. Material from all the social sciences is included. Students in Global History 1 will be able to submit a portfolio of their work in order to receive (upon approval) honors credit for the course. Details will be shared with students at the start of the school year. Regents and Honors levels are offered for this course. Prerequisite: Grade 8 Social Studies
GLOBAL HISTORY 2 Full year - 1 credit, Grade 10
This course is the second of the required two-year sequence as described above. The final exam is locally developed. Students are also required to take the NYS Regents exam. Prerequisite: Global History 1 or Global History 1 Honors
AP WORLD HISTORY Full year - 1 credit, Grade 10
This course is designed to provide students with the content and analytical skills to deal critically with the major ideas and issues of world history. The course follows the scope and sequence of the World History Advanced Placement Course, organizing instruction thematically around major questions and various interpretations of historical events. Many of the assignments are from college level texts, and there are challenging reading and writing assignments. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Exam in World History. Students also are required to take the Regents Exam in Global History and Geography. Summer reading is required. Prerequisite: Global History 1 or Global History 1 Honors
UNITED STATES HISTORY Full year - 1 credit, Grade 11
This course surveys the major historical events and people who have contributed to our diverse cultural heritage. It provides students with an in-depth analysis of the principles of the Constitution and its persistent themes in American development. It also surveys the major technological, social and political developments of the last century and examines the role of the United States in world affairs. The final exam is locally developed. Students are also required to take the NYS Regents exam. Prerequisite: Global History 2 or AP World History
AP UNITED STATES HISTORY Full year - 1 credit, Grade 11
This course is designed to provide selected students with the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in United States History. It prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those of full year introductory college courses. The final exam is locally developed. Students are also required to take the NYS Regents exam. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Exam and the Regents Exam in United States History and Government. Summer reading is required. Extensive independent reading is required and there may be approximately 1 to 2 hours of homework per night. Prerequisite: Global History or AP World History
SUPA: U.S. History I & II Full year -1 credit, Grade 11
This course is recommended for students who are entering their first college level course. This course is a dual enrollment course between White Plains High School and Syracuse University. Upon successful completion of both courses students will earn 6 college credits. SUPA U.S. History I covers the period from the U.S. origins to 1865. SUPA U.S. History II covers the period from 1865 through the present. Students will be able to develop a greater appreciation for the history of the U.S. and dive deeply into specific subjects, while still preparing for the United States History Regents. The final for this course will not be the regents but an exam that will reflect the rigor of the course. Students paying the discounted fee for Syracuse University credit will receive a Syracuse University transcript. This course receives Honors weighting. Prerequisite: Global History or AP World History
THE FOLLOWING SOCIAL STUDIES COURSES MEET THE
NYS GRADUATION REQUIREMENT FOR ECONOMICS
ECONOMICS Half year - ½ credit, Grade 12
This course surveys the basic elements of both microeconomics and macroeconomics. This course provides students with a better understanding of the roles individuals, businesses, and government play and their impact on our economy. Students learn basic economic concepts such as supply and demand, business organizations, market structures, monetary and fiscal policy, money and banking, stock markets, international trade, and personal finance. Special emphasis is placed on current economic issues. This course fulfills the N. Y. State economics requirement. This course is also offered at the Honors level. Prerequisite: U.S. History or AP U.S. History
ECONOMICS/CRIMINAL LAW Full year - 1 credit, Grade 12
This course provides information on how people make a living and encourages students to understand and participate in the democratic process. The course emphasizes the continued development of reading, writing and math skills. Small group instruction and adaptations to meet individual needs are provided. Administrative approval is required for admission. Prerequisite: U. S. History
Farm to Table to Classroom: The Economics of Food HONORS Half year - ½ credit, Grade 12
The Economics of Food is an Honors level alternative for students who have a passion for food and want to use that passion as a medium through which they can master economic concepts and thinking. This course fulfills the N.Y. State economics requirement.
The Economics of Sports HONORS Half year - ½ credit, Grade 12
This Honors level course is intended to provide students with an introduction to the micro- and macroeconomic thought, content and skills that they would encounter in a college economics class, but does so by using sports as a lens. This course focuses on economic thinking and decision making, and how athletes, teams, leagues, unions and the media make decisions, as well as how economics has come to play an increasingly important role in the operation of sports. Core concepts such as opportunity cost, supply and demand, the business cycle, and the role of government in the economy will be explored through issues ranging from cities and stadium construction to rosters and personnel decisions. There is also a significant personal finance component that provides students with real world skills related to budgeting and responsible use of credit and debt. Students who take this course should be interested in, and have a basic working knowledge of professional and amateur sports. This course fulfills the N.Y. State economics requirement. Prerequisite:U.S. HistoryorAPU.S. History
SUPA ECONOMICS:THE ECONOMICS OF PERSONAL FINANCE (Pending budget and BOE approval)Half year - ½ credit,Grade 12
This course is designed to provide a foundation for students to make informed reasoned choices about financial decisions over their professional and personal lives. (SUPA ECN 305 Course Description) This course would follow the state guidelines and meet the requirements for Economics credit. Students must pay the discounted fee for Syracuse University credit to receive a Syracuse University transcript. This course receives Honors weighting. Prerequisite: U.S. History Regents of AP U.S. History with a B or higher.
THE FOLLOWING SOCIAL STUDIES COURSES MEET THE NYS GRADUATION REQUIREMENT FOR GOVERNMENT
CIVIL LAW Half year - ½ credit, Grade 12
This course is designed to increase the students’ understanding of their rights and responsibilities in the American legal system. Topics include negligence, contracts, family law (marriage, divorce, and child custody), Constitutional rights and students’ rights. The course requires participation through role-play, mock trials, and hearings. Prerequisite: U. S. History or AP U. S. History
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW (Pending budget and BOE approval) Half year - ½ credit, Grade 12
This course is designed to increase student knowledge and awareness of Constitutional rights, systems, and the effects that the Constitution has on their lives. This course will concentrate on understanding the Articles and Amendments of the Constitution, as well as the government systems established by the Constitution’s framework. The course will provide opportunities for students to interact with their communities and to earn points towards the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness through civic engagement projects. This course will follow N.Y. State guidelines and meets the requirements for the government credit . Prerequisite: U. S. History or AP U. S. History
CRIMINAL LAW/CRIMINAL JUSTICE ` Half year - ½ credit, Grade 12
This is a dual enrollment course offered in collaboration with Marist College. This course is designed to introduce students to some of the basic ideas, concepts and laws along with a basic understanding of how our criminal justice system functions in the United States. The course will begin with a look at the nature and causes of crime and their impact on society. This will be followed by a focus on the different roles that individuals play in the criminal justice system. Finally, the course will look at current events in the field of criminal justice to see how the criminal justice system is responding to the constant issues arising for our society to deal with on a daily basis. Students taking the course for Marist College credit may register for the course and pay the discounted fee to Marist College. They must also earn a grade of C or better. This course receives Honors weighting. Prerequisite: U. S. History or AP U. S. History
CURRENT EVENTS IN AMERICAN POLITICS Half year - ½ credit, Grade 12
This course gives students the opportunity to build upon their knowledge of American government. Students will study the relationships among the branches of government and the world of current political events. Prerequisite: U. S. History or AP U. S. History
HUMAN RIGHTS Half year - ½ credit, Grade 12
This course explores the origin and nature of prejudice and racism, the global context of the struggle for human rights and the ways in which the individual can contribute to the extension of human rights as we move toward a global community. The Holocaust, Armenian genocide, history of Native Americans, Cambodia and apartheid in South Africa are among the issues and events discussed. Lively class discussion, literature, the arts, guest speakers, field trips and films are a part of the class format. Prerequisite: U. S. History or AP U. S. History
AP COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS Full year - 1 credit, Grade 11*12
This Advanced Placement course studies comparative government and politics focusing on Great Britain, Mexico, Iran, Russia, Nigeria, and China. It addresses the sources of public authority and political pwer, the relationship between State and society, the relationship between citizens and States. Summer reading is required. This course is offered in alternating years. It will be offered in the 2023-2024 school year. Administrative approval is required for juniors. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Exam at the end of this course. Prerequisite: Global History 2, AP World History, U.S. History or AP U.S. History
PROTEST MOVEMENTS IN AMERICAN HISTORY Half year - ½ credit, Grade 12
This course will allow students to examine diverse themes of protest throughout American History. Students will examine protest in its many forms and share insights, ask questions and examine the causes and consequences of each theme and form of protest. This course is open to seniors who have successfully completed the first three years of Social Studies and passed the required N.Y. State examinations. This course will be offered with an “Honors Option”. This means that throughout the course, students will be able to choose to do more challenging work to earn an Honors designation and a weighted grade for this class.
Action Civics: Engaging in Democracy Half year - ½ credit, Grade 12
This course will concentrate on government institutions and the public’s interaction with these institutions. Students will learn about the foundations of American democracy, their rights and responsibilities in it, and the various ways they can participate in our government and society. This course will satisfy the semester government or participation in government course that is mandated by New York State’s Department of Education as a requirement for graduation.
SUPA: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC POLICY Half year - ½ credit, Grade 12
This is a dual enrollment course offered in collation with Syracuse University. This course will explore citizenship and the components of public policy. Students will be able to develop research skills and advocacy that can be used throughout their college career. Students must pay the discounted fee for Syracuse University credit to receive a Syracuse University transcript. This course receives Honors weighting.
Prerequisite: U.S. History Regents or AP U.S. History
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY Half year - ½ credit, Grade 12
This course deals with the major historical and contemporary issues facing African-Americans both in the past and today. The historical units begin with the Reconstruction and end with the aftermath of WWI and the return of African-American soldiers to the U.S. The course explores a variety of public policy issues that have shaped African-American life in the United States, including such contemporary issues as racism, education, employment, housing and family structure. Those students who take this course in the spring semester will concentrate their studies on the periods from The Great Migration to the present. This course will be offered with an “Honors Option”. This means that throughout the course, students will be able to choose to do more challenging work to earn an Honors designation and a weighted grade for this class. Prerequisite: U. S. History or AP U. S. History
SOCIAL STUDIES 12 HONORS: SERVICE LEARNING Full year - 1 credit, Grade 12
This comprehensive course gives students the opportunity to apply academic knowledge to local and national issues both in and out of the classroom. Social Studies 12 Honors Service Learning focuses on developing student reading, writing, public speaking, and critical thinking and analysis in order to prepare for college and career. The course will complete the NYS required curriculum in Economics and Government & Politics. This course will culminate in a student developed and executed service learning project within our community. This course is open to seniors who have successfully completed the first three years of the Social Studies curriculum and passed the required N.Y. State examinations. Students taking Social Studies 12 Service Learning must also take English 12 Service Learning.
Latin American and Latinx Studies Half year - ½ credit, Grade 12
Latin American and Latinx Studies is a half-year elective course that explores the Latin American (Caribbean, Mesoamerica, and South America) experience from the pre-colonial period to contemporary 21st Century America. A multi-disciplinary analysis of the social sciences will be utilized that will examine various cultural perspectives including class, gender, race as well as the complex relationship that the region has with the U.S. its northern neighbor. The course will also include a comparative study of the Latin American and U.S.’ political institutions. This course will be offered with an “Honors Option”. This means that throughout the course, students will be able to choose to do more challenging work to earn an Honors designation and a weighted grade for this class. Prerequisite: U. S. History or AP U. S. History
SUPA: AFRICIAN AMERICAN HISTORY (Pending budget and BOE approval) Half year—1/2 credit, Grade 12
This course introduces central themes that comprise the interdisciplinary subject of African American Studies. Also referred to a Africana Studies, African Diaspora Studies, or African and African American Studies, the field places the study of North Americans of African descent in a broader context that considers connections to the African continent and to other people of the African Diaspora. This framework enables students to explore common and divergent experiences and identities among varied Black populations. (SUPA AAS 112 Course Description). This course would follow the state guidelines and meet the requirements for government credit. Students must pay the discounted fee for Syracuse University credit to receive a Syracuse University transcript. This course receives an Honors weighting. Prerequisite: U.S. History Regents, SUPA U.S. History or AP U.S. History with a B or higher.
SOCIAL STUDIES ELECTIVE COURSES
PSYCHOLOGY Half year - ½ credit, Grade 12
This course explores the answer to the question “Why do individuals behave the way they do?” It studies the fascinating world of human behavior, examining such topics as human growth and development, personality, dreams, extra-sensory perception, abnormal psychology, addictive behavior and sex-role stereotyping. The ideas of Freud and other theorists are discussed. Readings, projects and films are used.
Prerequisite: U. S. History or AP U. S. History
AP PSYCHOLOGY Full year - 1 credit, Grades 11, 12
This course will follow the curriculum set by the College Board. The purpose is to introduce students to the systematic study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings. Students are exposed to principles and phenomena associated with major subfields of psychology such as Biological Bases of Behavior, Sensation and Perception, States of Consciousness, Learning and Cognition, Motivation and Emotion, Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Social Psychology. Students are expected to take the Advance Placement Exam in Psychology. Administrative approval is required for juniors. Prerequisite: U. S. History, AP U. S. History, or AP World History