Humanities Department

 

Humanities Department Mission Statement

Course Descriptions

                English

                Social Studies

                Language Other Than English (Spanish)

Resources

 

 

Mission Statement

 

Our students are actively engaged in the study and practice of literature, reading, creative and expository writing, analytical thinking, and the arts of historical analysis.  By doing this, we serve students of all levels and offer them a wide variety of growth opportunities.  Our expectations of our students mirror their expectations of us – absolute excellence through effort.

 

Course Descriptions

 

English

®      English I

 

®      English II

 

®      English III

 

®      English IV

 

®      English V

 

®      English VI

 

®      English VII

 

®      English VIII

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Social Studies

®      Global History I

The one term course will trace history from Neolithic times to the crusades – from 4,000 BC to 500 AD. Global History 1 will prepare students for the study of history with an introduction to social science methods.  Social science methods will provide students with the tools for critical thinking and to analyze primary source documents.  Teachers will draw parallels between ancient civilizations.  The Global History I Curriculum covers Units One and Two from the Social Studies Resource Guide/Core Curriculum published by the New York State Department of Education.

®      Global History II

Global History II, a one-semester course, is a chronological approach to global history from 1200 to 1750 AD.  In this course, some of the major themes students will study include: feudalism, Renaissance, Protestant Reformation, exploration, and the growth of nation states.  Students will learn how events and concepts link different areas of the world.  The Global History II Curriculum covers Units Three and Four from the Social Studies Resource Guide/Core Curriculum published by the New York State Department of Education.

 

®      Global History III

Global History III, a one-semester course, is a chronological approach to global history from 1750 AD to 1945 AD.  In this course, some of the major themes students will study include: scientific revolution, Enlightenment, revolution, Industrial Revolution, imperialism, nationalism, World War I and World War II.  The Global History III Curriculum covers Units Five and Six from the Social Studies Resource Guide/Core Curriculum published by the New York State Department of Education.

 

®      Global History IV

Global History IV, a one semester course, is a chronological approach to global history from 1945 to the present.  In this course, some of the major themes students will study include: The Cold War, Korean War, Chinese Communist Revolution, collapse of European Imperialism, conflict in the Middle East, and modern issues and problems.  The Global History IV Curriculum covers Unit Seven and Unit Eight from the Social Studies Resource Guide/Core Curriculum published by the New York State Department of Education.  Upon completion of this course, students will take a NYS Regents Examination on Global Studies.

 

®      American History I

American History I, the first of a two semester course of study in American history, emphasizes the Constitutional principles that are the basis for American life and the application of those principles to American history in the 18th and 19th centuries.  Major U.S. Supreme Court decisions are an important part of this curriculum.   The American History I Curriculum covers Units One, Two and Three from the Social Studies Resource Guide/Core Curriculum published by the New York State Department of Education.

®      American History II

This second semester of a one-year course of study is designed to provide students with a culminating survey of major domestic and foreign forces that shaped the nation’s history.  Many significant developments changed American life in the 20th century.  Technological advances, the growing involvement of the US abroad, legal challenges and changing social mores all impacted the American scene.  Students will study these changes as they prepare to take the required Regents Examination in American History at the conclusion of this term.

 

®      Participation in Government

This one semester course in Participation in Government is designed primarily to encourage the development of civic-minded individuals, i.e. those who are capable of analyzing contemporary governmental problems and actively participating in their solutions.  The course focuses on five major themes: (1) Philosophical Foundations for Government and the Law, (2) Citizenship, (3) The Electoral Process, (4) Legal Rights and Responsibilities, and (5) Public Policy.  These themes and all information that follows are geared toward the New York State Department of Education Participation in Government Core Curriculum.

 

®      Economics

The study of economics, perhaps more than any other social science, will have a significant and long-term impact on the lives of students.  Throughout their lives, students will encounter various economic concepts, principles, and issues.  From personal income and property taxes to automobile loans to retirement investments, students will need to apply the basic economic concepts, understandings, and skills included in this core curriculum.  An understanding of basic economics concepts such as supply and demand, opportunity costs, recession, the business cycle, resources, scarcity, and economic growth will enable students to analyze local, state, national, and international economic questions and issues.  In addition, as Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan has noted, “Improving basic financial education at the elementary and secondary level is essential to providing a foundation for financial literacy that can help prevent younger people from making poor financial decisions that can take years to overcome. (NYS Department of Education. “Economics, the Enterprise System, and Finance” Curriculum.  2002.)

 

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Language Other Than English

 

®      Spanish I

®      Spanish II

®      Spanish III

®      Spanish IV

®      Spanish V

®      Spanish VI

 

Resources

See the “Resources” Page (the link is on the left) for links to a great variety of academic resources

 

 

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