2006-07 Social Studies Courses

Social Studies Courses: The BH-BL High School expects to offer the following courses in 2006-07.
	GLOBAL HISTORY 1 Grade 9 - 1 year - 1 credit The course is a comprehensive study of global history up to 1770. The course will be taught in a chrono-topical manner and will include such themes as diversity, interdependence, scarcity, geography, and economic and political systems. Major emphasis is on concepts, key trends, attitudes, and skills. Students take a departmental exam, but earn credit toward a Regents diploma.
	GLOBAL HISTORY 2 Grade 10 - 1 year - 1 credit The globe is studied in chrono-topical fashion. Students will begin with the Enlightenment and the French Revolution, study global trends in the 19th Century, and explore developments in the 20th Century. Students will develop a deeper understanding of and appreciation for Western and Eastern heritages and their impact on their lives, while improving their learning skills.
	AP WORLD HISTORY Grade 10 - 1 year - 1 credit This course is designed to develop greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts through interaction with different types of human societies. This understanding is advanced through a combination of selective factual knowledge and appropriate analytical skills. The course highlights the nature of changes in international frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. The course is presented in a chrono-topical manner. Work is required in the summer before 10th grade. There is a fee for taking the AP examination, which is a required part of the course. Upon successful completion of the AP examination, students will be eligible for college credit and/or placement. The Global History and Geography Regents exam is the final exam for the course. To enroll in AP history courses, students must meet department selection criteria.
	UNITED STATES HISTORY Grade 11 - 1 year - 1 credit U.S. History deals with fundamental political, economic, social and cultural concepts and understandings within a chronological framework, with special emphasis on modern America. This organization allows students to explore interrelationships among peoples, events, ideas, etc., as well as learn the valuable lessons of history and the social sciences. The Regents exam is the final exam.
	AP AMERICAN HISTORY Grade 11 - 1 year - 1 credit This is a traditional course in American History, but with a greater emphasis on historical interpretation and development of individual writing skills and research. Upon successful completion of the Advanced Placement examination, students will be eligible for college credit and/or placement. There is a fee for taking the AP examination, which is a required part of the course. The Regents exam is the final exam for the course.
	PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT Grade 12 - 1/2 year - 1/2 credit This one-semester course emphasizes the interactions among citizens and government at all levels. The knowledge, understanding, and skills needed for effective citizenship will be developed and enhanced through reading, discussions, speakers, videos, field trips, and research based on current issues.
	ECONOMICS Grade 12 - 1/2 year - 1/2 credit This is a one-semester course in which students learn basic economic concepts and skills to equip them for economic decision-making. The course focuses upon concepts affecting the development of the United States economy. It involves acquainting students with other economic systems as well as with the domestic and international challenges to today's global economy. Through a variety of activities, students learn to apply economic analysis tools to personal, community, and national economic issues they face today. The final examination will be a local departmental exam.
	AP Macroeconomics Grade 12 - 1/2 year - 1/2 credit This in-depth, one semester, college-level introductory course is reading, writing and graph-creation intensive. Students will study the economy as a whole functioning unit, as opposed to looking at individual entrepreneurs and their decision-making (micro-economics). Topics covered include: measuring economic performance, national income and price determination, the financial sector of the economy, inflation, unemployment, government stabilization policies, economic growth, productivity, and international trade. There is a possibility for college credit depending on your score on the AP Macroeconomics exam, for which a fee is charged. This course also fulfills the Economics graduation requirement.
Social Studies Electives
	EXAMINING CURRENT EVENTS 1/2 year - 1/2 credit This half-year course will focus on current events and issues. Students will examine topics with local/state, national, and international significance on a daily basis. In addition, the course will focus on a yearly theme, allowing for more in-depth research, analysis, and study. Coursework will include extensive discussion, student-centered debate, and a variety of writing opportunities. Students will use a variety of formats and media outlets to access current events, including magazines, newspapers, television and internet news sites.
	CRIMINOLOGY 1/2 year - 1/2 credit Criminology is an introduction to criminal justice. Topics covered include: the nature of crime, law and criminal justice, police and law enforcement, courts and adjudication, corrections, and the nature of the juvenile justice system. Relevant topics for today will be stressed through the use of current materials, guest speakers, and field trips. A career unit will also be explored. Planning Note: Criminology is also a pre-requisite for a new full-year laboratory science course in Forensic Science that the high school will offer for the first time in 2007-08.
	THE FABULOUS SIXTIES 1/2 year - 1/2 credit This course takes an objective look at a very special time in American history. Important historical and social events are examined and studied to determine their significance, then and now. Events such as the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, the Youth Revolution, Woodstock, etc., are some of the highlights to be analyzed. Students will work with videos, a textbook, original sources, and speakers.
	EAST ASIAN CULTURE & SOCIETY 1/2 year - 1/2 credit This course will provide an in-depth examination of the cultures of China, Korea, and Japan. Units on philosophy, language, religion, history, customs and traditions will explore a variety of issues and themes to help students develop a cross-cultural perspective. In addition, students will have the option to earn three college credits and a college transcript from the SUNY in the Classroom program through Schenectady County Community College.
	PSYCHOLOGY 1/2 year - 1/2 credit This course will explore human behavior using scientific techniques developed by social scientists. We will study learning, motivation, and intelligence, as well as the development of the human personality. Readings, discussion and research will be stressed.
	SOCIOLOGY 1/2 year - 1/2 credit Sociology is the study of how human groups interact. Sociologists attempt to analyze problems and offer suggestions. The class will study societal issues such as youth gangs, marriage and divorce, overpopulation, the criminal justice system, and utopian life-styles.
	THE WILD, WILD WEST: DESTINY MANIFESTED 1/2 year - 1/2 credit The West has continually provided a means of escape and discovery for Americans. This course will offer a unique opportunity to study the evolution of the American definition. You will explore the lives and impact of Native Americans, early explorers, pioneers, sod busters, miners, slaves, railroad workers, immigrants, and cowboys -- who all provide insight into the defining character of America. By studying archeologists and anthropologists, film critics and song writers, you will learn the realities of the Wild, Wild West.
	AP EUROPEAN HISTORY Grade 12 - 1 year - 1 credit In this course students will study European chronology, major events and trends from approximately 1450 to the present. They will develop an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European history, as well as the ability to analyze historical evidence and express historical understanding in writing. Major themes to be addressed include intellectual, cultural, political, diplomatic, social, and economic history. Students will take the AP European History exam, for which a fee is charged.