Social Studies

World History II, 5.00 cr.
220 – honors
222 – college prep

World History II continues the study of world events from the seventh-grade curriculum. World Cultures, geography, and major political events will be studied from the Renaissance to the present day. The program will focus on major events occurring over the past 200 years in Asia, Africa, South America, and Europe. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the historical significance of each topic and its impact on today’s world, practice and master specific study skills, complete a research project, and demonstrate competence in primary source analysis in order to foster the skills needed to be an active citizen.

Economics, 2.5 cr.
287 – honors
288 – college prep 

This semester long course begins with an introduction to economic concepts and a comparison of different types of economic systems throughout the world. Students will learn the foundations of both microeconomics and macroeconomics, with units focusing on the laws of demand and supply, market structures, labor, business organization, financial markets, the role of government, and the international economy. The course places an emphasis on individual decision-making and students will engage in simulations that reflect markets and trade, entrepreneurship, and investment through the Stock Market Game. Discussions and projects will be woven throughout the course, as well as a study of the current state of the economy. Economics will also provide students with the practical knowledge and skills that will help them to prepare for a possible career in business or economics.

U.S. History I, 5.00 cr.
230 – honors

United States History I honors is designed to introduce students to the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems in United States History. Students will learn to assess historical evidence and interpret historical scholarship. This course is meant to prepare students for their role as U.S. citizens and for possible placement into AP US History in their junior year. Students are expected to complete a research paper. The course will begin with the American Revolution and continue through the Progressive Era. Students may choose to move on to the AP United States History or honors US History II in their junior year.

U.S. History I, 5.00 cr.
232 – college prep

The United States History I content and the experience will be the same as that for U.S. History I Honors. Some units or parts of units will be approached using different methods depending on the skills which need to be addressed. There is significant emphasis placed on the skills needed to be an active citizen, such as the research and writing process, media literacy, primary source analysis, and document-based questions.

Advanced Placement World History, 5.00 cr.
245
There is a college board exam fee associated with this course.

AP World History Modern is an introductory college-level course that focuses on World History since 1200.  This class will be offered to highly qualified students in preparation for the Advanced Placement College Board exam in World History, which they must take to earn AP credit. Students deepen their understanding of world history and global connections by analyzing historical events and sources.  Students will work to build the factual knowledge and historical thinking skills needed to understand the global past, considering World History in multiple regions and contexts. This course will engage in high-level analytical historical analysis; such as comparison, causation, and continuity over time.   The course provides six themes that students explore throughout the course to make connections among historical developments across place and time: humans and the environment, cultural developments and interactions, governance, economic systems, social interactions and organization, and technology and innovation.  Sophomores who achieve the AP prerequisites in World History II may enroll in this class concurrently with US History I. All students enrolled in the course are required to take the Advanced Placement exam in May. Students are expected to complete an additional unit of study after the AP examination.

Economics, 2.5 cr.
287 – honors
288 – college prep

This one semester course begins with an introduction to financial literacy, economic concepts and a comparison of different types of economic systems throughout the world. Students will learn the foundations of both microeconomics and macroeconomics, with units focusing on the laws of demand and supply, market structures, business organization, financial markets, and the role of government.  The course places an emphasis on individual decision-making and students will engage in simulations that reflect markets and trade, entrepreneurship, and investing.  Discussions and games will be woven throughout the course, as well as a study of the current state of the economy. Economics will also provide students with the practical knowledge and skills that will help them to prepare for a possible career in business or economics.

Leadership Seminar, 2.5 cr.
293 – honors

This one semester course exposes the student to various leadership styles and strategies.  In the Leadership Seminar, students will learn the principles and vocabulary essential to developing students own leadership style.  Students will study how others lead, as well as, play games and participate in activities to identify their own leadership strengths and areas for growth.  A particular focus of this course is letting students take the lead.  Students will lead class discussions, activities and workshops for their peers.  The culminating activity for the course will be to create a leadership project that demonstrates the students’ mastery of leadership principles.  Having taken this course, students will be a leading resource within the school community and for their personal and professional lives beyond Norwell High School.

• Advanced Placement World History, 5.00 cr.
  245
  There is a college board exam fee associated with this course.

  This is an Advanced Placement course designed to provide college-level work to highly qualified senior students. The course is a concentrated study of European History and its impact on the rest of the world from the Renaissance to the 2000s. AP European History explores various social, political, economic, religious, intellectual, and cultural themes. Students will work from a college-level textbook, supplementary reading materials, documents, and scholarly articles. Throughout the year, students will be responsible for presentations discussing the humanities (art, literature, and music) of different periods such as: Renaissance, Baroque, and Gothic. A chief goal of this course is to prepare the students for the Advanced Placement College Board exam in European History, which they must take in order to earn AP credit on their transcripts.  Due to the various connections between the World History II Honors course and the AP European History course, sophomores who achieve the Advanced Placement prerequisites in World History II may enroll in this class concurrently with US History I.

   

  Advanced Placement Psychology, 5.00 cr.
  255
  There is a college board exam fee associated with this course.

  Students will partake in a rigorous course of study in psychological content and concepts to prepare them for the College Board Advanced Placement exam. The purpose of this course is to study the history, theories, and contemporary perspectives of psychology. Students will work from a college level text book, supplementary reading materials, and primary documents. Through labs, case studies, and readings students will explore a diverse list of topics including, the body and mind, human development, learning and cognition, personality, emotion and health. The goal of the curriculum is for students to understand their own motivations, the behavior of others, and to think critically about popular psychological trends. Students must take the Advanced Placement Exam to earn AP credit on their transcripts.

  Advanced Placement US Government and Politics, 5.00 cr.
  265
  There is a college board exam fee associated with this course.

  This is an Advanced Placement course designed to provide rigorous college-level work to highly qualified senior students. AP US Government and Politics emphasizes concentrated study on the foundations, historical development and current workings of American political system. Students will work from a college-level textbook, supplementary reading materials, and primary documents. Unit exams and detailed projects compose much of the grade. This course is designed to give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. It will include both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific examples. Topics that may be included are constitutional underpinnings of the United States government, political beliefs and behaviors, political parties, interest groups and mass media, institutions of national government, public policy, civil rights and civil liberties. Although there is no prerequisite for this course, students should familiarize themselves with the various institutions, groups, beliefs and ideas that constitute U.S. politics. A chief goal of this course is to prepare the students for the Advanced Placement College Board exam in United States Government and Politics. Students must take the Advanced Placement Exam to earn AP credit on their transcripts. 

  International Relations, 5.00 cr.
  275 – honors
  276 – college prep

  This course will emphasize US relations with China, the Middle East, Mexico, Russia, other nations and international organizations starting from the 20th century but with an emphasis on current events. Through quest speakers, films, documentaries, and readings, students will gain an understanding of the social, political, and economic factors that influence international relations. Students will engage in simulations, research, debate, and discussion to enhance their academic skills, and they will also be provided opportunities to explore careers and college programs in fields such a government and politics. Students will be assessed on the basis of written reflection, group projects, research assignments, presentations, and class participation.

  International Relations, 2.5 cr.
  275 – honors
  276 – college prep

  This course will emphasize US relations with China, the Middle East, Mexico, Russia, other nations and international organizations starting from the 20th century but with an emphasis on current events. Through quest speakers, films, documentaries, and readings, students will gain an understanding of the social, political, and economic factors that influence international relations. Students will engage in simulations, research, debate, and discussion to enhance their academic skills, and they will also be provided opportunities to explore careers and college programs in fields such a government and politics. Students will be assessed on the basis of written reflection, group projects, research assignments, presentations, and class participation.

  Sociology through World Events, 2.5 cr.
  284 - honors
  286 - college prep

  The course’s major emphasis is an analytical examination of sociology and human behavior through historical and contemporary world events. Major emphasis is placed on a holistic analysis of the events leading up to, including, and following the Holocaust. Students will use contemporary sociological theories to explain discrimination, racism, and genocide as they apply to historical and contemporary world events. By using the Holocaust and other events as case studies, students will be able to contemplate profound ethical questions about the consequences of our actions and our beliefs, which help them make connections between history and the moral choices we make every day. An important aspect of the course is analysis and discussion of issues as they are presented in primary source documents, short stories, films, documentaries, and readings. The course is a seminar; student learning will be assessed through reflective journal writing, small projects, presentations, and class participation.

  Introduction to Law, 2.5 cr.
  240 – honors
  242 – college prep

  This course explores the cases and concepts that are the foundation of the American judicial system. Students will focus on what are considered the basic rights and liberties of American citizens such as the rights of the accused, civil rights, and civil liberties, as well as civil and criminal law. Emphasis is placed on constitutional law, contemporary legal issues, and school law. Students will examine important cases and evaluate these cases in the context of their times. Students are expected to participate in classroom activities, as well as complete projects and reports.

  Psychology, 2.5 cr.
  250 – honors
  252 – college prep

  The purpose of this course is to study the history, theories, and contemporary perspectives of psychology. Through labs, case studies, and readings students will explore a diverse list of topics including, the body and mind, human development, learning and recognition, personality, emotion and health. The goal of the curriculum is to provide students with a knowledge base from which to better understand their own motivations, the behavior of others, and to think critically about popular psychological trends. Readings are assigned from both the course text and current research. Whenever possible, learning is experiential: students construct and administer tests, surveys, and interviews; they conduct both observational and control group experiments; and they create role play situations. Evaluation is based upon unit exams, research, collaborative projects, and multi-dimensional assignments.

  Sports and Society, 2.5 cr.
  253 – honors
  254 – college prep

  This interdisciplinary course explores some of the major themes in modern society through the lens of sports. While much of the course will focus on North American sport, we will take a global perspective when appropriate. It is important to note that the course will not focus on play on the field, but will examine the larger societal trends that develop as a result of these actions. A portion of the class will be seminar-based with students forming opinions and arguments surrounding discussion topics including violence, gender, race, social class, politics and religion. We will also spend time in class in an exploratory setting with students experimenting in a number of fields including broadcasting, journalism, laboratory research, etc. This course will not be lecture intensive, with much of the material being derived from textbook readings, scholarly articles and other media sources. Student learning will be assessed through reflective journal writing, essay and research paper writing, small projects, presentations, and class participation.

   

  Advanced Placement Economics, 5.00 cr.
  290
  There is a college board exam fee associated with this course.

  AP Economics is a full-year course that covers both microeconomics and macroeconomics. Microeconomics gives students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision-makers, both consumers and producers, within the economic system. Primary emphasis is placed on the nature and functions of product markets and includes the study of factor markets and the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. Macroeconomics gives students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to an economic system as a whole. The macro part of the course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination and also develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics. The pace of the course requires a significant amount of independent study. The course will prepare students for analyzing and applying the economic concepts covered and will prepare them for the Advanced Placement Microeconomics and Macroeconomics exams. The course is available to students in Grade 12.

  Pathways to Internship, 2.5 cr.
  295

  Offered during the second semester of a student’s senior year, this course is designed to engage students in career exploration and the personal finance concepts that impact individuals during their career.  Students taking this course are committing to the pursuit of an internship opportunity scheduled for term four of senior year.  The course is broken down into two terms.  During term three students will have lessons on understanding the job market, salaries, and benefits as well as personal finance concepts such as credit, loans, and investment/saving vehicles.  Additionally, during term three students will engage in the internship application process.  During term four, students will participate in a thirty hour per week internship.  The goal of this experience is to enhance the students understanding of career opportunities in a real-world setting.  Each student’s individual schedule and hours are determined by the number of remaining courses on a student’s schedule.  Students must complete daily journal entries and a final presentation of their internship experience.  Students who intend to participate in the internship program are required to complete this course.  Students interested in participating in the internship program who take a social study/history advanced placement course may waive out of this course if they take seven courses in both semesters.