GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Students are required to complete four credits in Social Studies, as outlined below, in order to graduate:

• 1) Global History 1 (1.0 credit)
• 2) Global History 2  OR  AP European History (1.0 credit)
• 3) U.S. History and Government OR  AP U.S. History (1.0 credit)
• 4) Government (regular OR AP) (0.5 credit)
• 5) Economics (regular OR AP) (0.5 credit).  Students may also fulfill this graduation requirement by completing Personal Finance (BM108)

In addition, students must successfully complete the Global History Regents Exam and the U.S. History Regents Exam in order to graduate.

 

COURSES AT THE SENIOR HIGH	CREDIT	SCHEDULE
Global History 2	1.0	Semestered
AP European History	1.0  (0.5 each semester)	Alternate day all year
U.S. History/Government	1.0	Semestered
AP U. S. History	1.0  (0.5 each semester)	Alternate day all year
Economics	.5	Alternate day half year
Participation in Government	.5	Alternate day half year
AP MacroEconomics	1.0 (0.5 each semester)	Alternate day all year
AP U.S. Government & Politics	1.0 (0.5 each semester)	Alternate day all year
ELECTIVES
Humanitarian Law & War Crimes	.5	Alternate day half year
Psychology	.5	Alternate day half year
AP Psychology (Grades 11 & 12 only)	1.0  (0.5 each semester)	Alternate day all year

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

GLOBAL HISTORY 2
1 unit of credit 

This course is a continuation of Global History from grade 9. Global History 2 begins in the mid-eighteenth century and moves to the end of the twentieth century.  Geography, culture, history, and economic development are focal points of the course. All students take the Global History Regents as their final examination.  

 

AP EUROPEAN HISTORY
1 unit of credit (0.5 each semester)

For more information on the course please visit  http://nhart.schoolwires.net/Page/2516.

This is a college level course in European history usually taken by sophomores in place of Global History 2.  Political, religious, economic, social and cultural influences in Western civilization will be examined.  A significant amount of reading and writing is required. Classes include detailed lecture and discussion.  The AP examination is administered in May.  Successful completion of the AP exam may entitle the student to college credit in an equivalent college course.  The last four weeks of class are devoted to preparation for the Global History Regents exam. 

UNITED STATES HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT
1 unit of credit 

This course is a chronologically organized course in United States History.  The emphasis in this course is on the United States as an industrial nation.  Constitutional and legal issues are developed as well as issues of international involvement.  All students take the Regents exam in U.S. History and Government. 

AP UNITED STATES HISTORY 
1 unit of credit (0.5 each semester)

Students enrolled in this course are required to take the accompanying Advanced Placement exam in May.

This is a college level course in United States History usually taken by juniors in place of U.S. History/Government.  It is offered to a select group of students who are interested in an in-depth study of American History.  A significant amount of reading and writing is required in this course.  The last four weeks of the course prepare juniors for the United States History and Government Regents.  Successful completion of the AP exam may entitle the student to college credit in an equivalent required college course. 

 

ECONOMICS  
½ unit of credit

One half of the grade 12 program is a course in economics, the enterprise system and finance. Students will be actively involved in activities that promote understanding of personal, national and global economic concepts.  Economics provides a unique opportunity for students to combine knowledge of the theoretical with practical, real-life decisions about employment options, consumer choices, and personal finance as well as building a business from scratch and investing in the stock market. 

 

PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT 
½ unit of credit

One half of the grade 12 program is a course in participation in government.  This course emphasizes the interaction between citizens and government at all levels:  local, state and federal.  The development of student participation in the process of government is encouraged.

  

AP MACROECONOMICS
1 unit of credit (0.5 each semester)

Students enrolled in this course are required to take the accompanying Advanced Placement Exam in May.

This is a college level course in economics that follows the curriculum of the College Board's Advanced Placement course. A significant amount of background reading will be required.  Classes include detailed lecture, discussion, and written student reports and essays.  Successful completion of this course satisfies the state requirement in economics.  Successful completion of the AP exam may entitle the student to an equivalent required college course.

 

AP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT & POLITICS 
1 unit of credit (0.5 each semester)

Students enrolled in this course are required to take the accompanying Advanced Placement Exam in May.

This AP course in United States Government and Politics will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U. S. government and politics and the analysis of specific examples.  It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U. S. government and politics.  

HUMANITARIAN LAW & WAR CRIMES 
½ unit of credit

HL&WC introduces students to the basics rules and principles of international humanitarian law otherwise known as the rules of war.  Using both historical and contemporary case studies, students examine violations of the rules of war and learn the importance of protecting life and human dignity during armed conflict.  In addition, students explore justice in the aftermath of war crimes and the lingering effects of war on society. This course is an elective open to JUNIORS AND SENIORS only.

 

PSYCHOLOGY 
½ unit of credit

This is a half credit introduction to the world of psychology.  Its primary focus will be on the major historical schools of thought and their impact on the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.  Another key component of the class is the implementation of Positive Psychology concepts into daily life.  Students will investigate key concepts designed to improve mental wellness. 

 

 AP PSYCHOLOGY 
1 unit of credit (0.5 each semester)

Students enrolled in this course are required to take the accompanying Advanced Placement Exam in May.

This course is an elective open to JUNIORS AND SENIORS only.  This is a college level course in Psychology that will follow the curriculum of the College Board's Advanced Placement course.  The AP exam in Psychology will be administered in May.  An introduction to the fascinating history and development of Psychology will be followed by an in-depth exploration of various theories and theorists.  Students will be required to use APA style research methods to participate in writing and testing hypotheses.