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Student Expectations
Students will
develop and demonstrate:
#3 – critical and creative thinking
and problem solving skills
#4 – the skills
needed to communicate: read, write, speak, and listen effectively
#5 – the skills
requisite for productive research
#10–knowledge of
processes and an awareness of rules and responsibilities of citizens
in a democratic society
#11–a knowledge and appreciation of various cultures
#14–an understanding
of the issues that affect the quality of life on our planet
Required
courses: 9th grade Global Studies is a required course; 10th
grade Global Studies is a required course; 11th grade U.S. History
is a required course. Civics and American Government is a required
course for the Class of 2004 and beyond.
Global Studies 9
Level 1 Grade 9
Credits: 1.00
Full Year
The regions of India, China, Japan and Africa and their role in world interdependence are explored in this course by utilizing several skills, i.e., in-depth document-based reading assignments, extensive outlining and note taking exercises, data retrieval charts, critical thinking questions/responses as well as cooperative assignments. Following the Japan unit, each student will be required to prepare an inquiry-based research paper on a given topic. Students will also write one CAPT format essay in each unit of study in preparation for the Interdisciplinary Section of the 10th grade CAPT test. Students will be evaluated by utilization of the CAPT rubric, tests, quizzes, research paper assessment, oral presentations and class work assignments.
Global Studies 9 Level 2 Grade 9
Credits: 1.00
Full Year
This course is
designed to explore cultural diversity and to introduce social
science concepts and skills. Each unit focuses on a region’s
geography, its historical development, and current political,
economic, and social conditions. Major themes include traditional
society, modernization, industrialization, and reactions to
imperialism. Emphasized skills include reading comprehension,
methods of data collection, and various forms of presentation,
especially the essay. The regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America
are studied in Global Studies 9. The student’s grade is based on
performance on homework, projects, quizzes, tests, and essays.
Global Studies
10 Level 1 Grade 10
Credits: 1.00
Full Year
The
study of world regions continues in the Middle East and Europe. All
skills development pursued in the 9th grade course will continue
with each topic culminating in a CAPT format essay. Important
contemporary issues and
conflicts will be explored in the Middle East unit. A thematic
approach in the Europe unit will trace the development of democracy,
the scientific revolution, the industrial revolution, nationalism
and the rise and decline of
communism as forces creating the first modern societies of the
world. The course will culminate in
a Model United Nations with students
researching and representing the positions of member nations on
contemporary global issues. Student grades are based on performance
on objective and essay exams, oral presentations, cooperative
projects, research projects, and homework assignments. It is
recommended that the student receive approval from the 9th Grade
Global Studies teacher and the Social Studies Coordinator for
inclusion in this course.
Global Studies 10
Level 2 Grade 10
Credits: 1.00
Full Year
This
course is designed as a continuation of Global Studies 9. Skills and
knowledge in the regions of the Middle East and Europe are the
focus. Students will continue to develop skills in organizing
information from primary source materials. Various forms of student
presentation are emphasized, especially the persuasive argument as
needed by the Interdisciplinary Task of the Connecticut Academic
Performance Test. The content of
the course centers on the cultural conditions of the Arab world and
its current regional problems and the social, political, and
economic development of Europe. Geographic conditions,
modernization, and international relations are central themes. The
course culminates in a Model United Nations program involving all
Global Studies students in the sophomore year. The student’s grade
is based on performance on homework, cooperative projects, quizzes,
and tests.
U.S. History
Level 1 Grade 11
Credits: 1.00
Full Year
Prerequisite: 10th
Grade Global Studies
This course is the
sequel to the ninth and tenth grade Global Studies courses of study.
The students study the basic foundations and institutions of the
developing nations during the first semester and concentrate on
events of the twentieth century during the second semester. Homework
will be assigned on a daily basis including weekend assignments. An
essay will be written during each unit. The reading, geography,
history and Social Studies skills emphasized will be the skills
needed by students who may be retaking the CAPT interdisciplinary
task in their junior year. Some essays from past Advanced Placement
U. S. History exams will be used in the course. Approval of the
tenth grade Global Studies teacher will be required for admission to
this course. Evaluation will be based on tests, quizzes, essays, and
homework assignments.
U.S. History
Level 2 Grade 11
Credits: 1.00
Full Year
Prerequisite: 10th
Grade Global Studies
This course is the
sequel to ninth and tenth grade Global Studies. In the first
semester the students study
U. S. History from
the founding of the colonies to the twentieth century. Homework will
be assigned on a daily basis. An essay will be written during most
units. A year-long project will also be part of the course work. The
reading, writing, geography and Social Studies assignments will
emphasize those skills required for successful performance on the
CAPT interdisciplinary task by students retaking the CAPT
interdisciplinary test in their junior year. Approval of the tenth
grade Global Studies teacher will be required for admission to this
class. Evaluation will be based on tests, quizzes, projects, essays,
and homework assignments.
Advanced Placement U.S.
History Level AP Grade 11
Credits: 1.00
Full Year
The Advanced
Placement Program is designed to prepare students who excel in their
academic areas with the opportunity to receive college credit for
their high school endeavors. A college survey of U. S. History from
colonial times to the year 2000 is examined using a college textbook
and specified College Board materials. Summer work will be assigned
at the end of the tenth grade year, prior to the end of school. By
registering for this course, the student must take the
Advanced Placement examination in the spring of his/her junior year.
The materials taught in this course are recommended by the colleges
and universities participating in this program. The student
evaluation is based on homework, essay writing, multiple choice
testing, document analysis, and more. A project is assigned the
final marking period of the school year. Students must be approved
by the tenth grade Global Studies teacher and the Social Studies
Coordinator for inclusion in this course.
Sociology
Level 2 Grades 11,12
Credits: .50
Half Year
Sociology is a
course of study that focuses on human society and social behavior.
Units of study include a look at sociology then and now, using
sociological research methods, components of culture, social
structure,
socialization of the
individual, deviance and social control and systems of social
stratification. In addition to textbook readings, case studies,
interpreting primary source materials, analytical exercises,
project-based assignments and cooperative assignments will be
utilized as assessment tools.
Economics Level
2 Grades 11,12
Credits: .50
Half Year
This course
emphasizes analytical thinking and problem solving. The students are
involved in the study and application of economic theories
pertaining to production possibilities, scarcity, supply and demand
in the market, gross domestic product, inflation, monetary and
fiscal policy, poverty and international trade. Students will
participate in the Stock Market Game sponsored by the Hartford
Courant and will develop a student-operated corporation under the
auspices of the Junior Achievement program. This course will be
primarily for students who intend to go to college. Student grades
are based on performance on objective and essay exams, oral
presentations, cooperative projects, research projects and homework
assignments.
Psychology
Level 2 Grades 11,12
Credits: .50
Half Year
Psychology, the
scientific study of behavior and mental processes, will be examined
in this course. Students will study psychological theory and
research, the brain and its influence on behavior, developmental
psychology, personality theories as well as psychological disorders.
Textbook assignments will be supplemented with various case studies,
project-based assignments, journal writings, position papers,
application exercises/activities and cooperative assignments that
also will be utilized as methods of assessment.
Law Level 2
Grades 11,12
Credits: .50
Half Year
The case study
approach is utilized in this course to examine legal principles and
practices in the areas of constitutional, criminal and civil
justice. Students play roles in a number of simulations depicting
various types of court trials and participate in debates on legal
issues. A field trip enables the student to observe procedures in a
variety of actual courtroom trials. Student grades are based on
performance on objective and essay exams, oral presentations,
cooperative projects, research projects, and homework assignments.
Not recommended for students who have already taken Civics.
Civics and American Government
Level 2 Grades11,12
Credits: .50
Half Year
This required course
is designed to provide our students with a practical knowledge and
understanding of our American Government and its direct connection
to them. Relevance to life is imperative for students to reconnect
with democratic behaviors and institutions as citizens of the United
States. The course will follow the Civics and Government Content
Standards of the State of Connecticut, in that at its conclusion,
students will: apply knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and how the
U.S. system of government works and its impact on individual, local,
state, and national decisions; demonstrate knowledge of their rights
and responsibilities as U.S. citizens; demonstrate an understanding
of political systems and their role in maintaining an orderly
society; and demonstrate how international relations and world
affairs affect their lives and the security and well being of their
community, state, and nation.
Advanced
Placement Modern European History Level AP
Grades 11,12
Credits:
1.00 Full Year
Prerequisite: Completion of or currently enrolled in 11th
grade Advanced Placement United States History Level 1
This college level
course is designed to prepare students who excel in their academic
areas with the opportunity to receive college credit for their high
school experience. A college survey of European History up to the 21st
Century is presented using a college text and College Board
materials. Students are required to sign a contractual agreement
concerning academic expectations and commitment. Parents are also
required to sign the contract. Summer work will be assigned at the
end of the year before beginning this course. All students enrolled
in the course must take the Advanced Placement
Examination in the spring. The student evaluation is based on essay
writing, multiple choice testing, document analysis, and more.
Regular chapter tests ensure that students are keeping up with the
fast pace of the course. A project is assigned in the final marking
period of the year. Not offered in 2006-2007 school year.
Advanced
Placement Psychology Level AP Grades
11,12
Credits:
1.00 Full Year
This college level
course is designed to prepare students who excel in their academic
areas with the opportunity to receive college credit for their high
school experience. A college study of Psychology, the scientific
study of behavior and mental processes, is presented using a college
text and College Board materials. Students and parents are required
to sign a contractual agreement concerning academic expectations and
commitment. Summer work will be assigned at the end of the year
before beginning this course. All students enrolled in the course
must take the Advanced Placement Examination in the spring. The
student evaluation will be based on objective and essay exams, oral
presentations, cooperative projects, and more. This is a fast paced
course, only for the most dedicated in this subject area.
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