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Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public Schools

Programs - High School
2008 - 2009

Social Studies


The Social Studies Program in our high school is designed to provide students with:

  • an awareness of our nation's political, economic and cultural heritage,
  • an appreciation of the cultural diversity of our nation,
  • the historical evolution of the major cultural regions of the world,
  • an understanding of economic trends in history and their relationship to global interdependence.
  • an opportunity to explore basic core values in the area of respect and concern for the individual, others, and the environment, and
  • guidance to help students become informed, active, and concerned citizens;

In an effort to build life-long skills, the Social Studies program fosters:

  • extensive research opportunities with emphasis on the analysis of ideas,
  • development of good written and oral communication,
  • numerous supplemental literary and primary source readings,
  • the participatory nature of our system through active involvement in our political process and with community concerns.

Three years of history are required for graduation:

ONE year of World History/World Cultures
TWO years of United States History

The United States History requirement covers a two-year sequence and is offered at three levels of instruction.
The program also includes a range of electives and Advanced Placement courses that can be elected beginning in Grade 10.


United States History I

Grade: 9

Year: 5X

Credits: 5

#491 - Accelerated

#492 - Academic

#493 - Standard

United States History is ninth graders', introduction to the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Social Studies program. It explores the cultural, economic, geographic, historical, political, and social systems, ideas, and leaders from the period of the American Civil War through the Great Depression. One goal is for students to learn and apply concepts in civics, economics, and geography to historical events and phenomena. While our nation's history is the core focus, parallel units in New Jersey history and world history provide local and global connections for students. Students refine verbal and written skills in this course to express their ideas and interpretations of primary and secondary source documents.


This is the first installment of a revised "scope and sequence" plan developed through the district's cyclical review process in Social Studies. Ninth grade students taking this course advance to United States History II in tenth grade and World History in eleventh grade if credit is earned for United States
History I.

United States History II

Grade: 10 

Year: 5X

Credits: 5

#481 - Accelerated

#482 - Academic

#483 - Standard

United States History II is the second year of the survey course sequence. It explores the cultural, economic, geographic, historical, political, and social systems, ideas, and leaders from the period of World War II through the present. One goal is for students to learn and apply concepts in civics, economics, and geography to historical events and phenomena. While our nation's history is the core focus, parallel units in New Jersey and world history provide local and global connections for students. Students refine verbal and written skills in this course to express their ideas and interpretations of primary and secondary source options.

This is the second installment of a revised "scope and sequence" plan developed through the district's cyclical review process in social studies. Tenth grade students taking this course advance to World History/Cultures in eleventh grade if credit is earned for United States History II.

United States History II

Grade: 11

Year: 5X

Credits: 5

#421 - Accelerated

#422 - Academic

#423 - Standard

The U.S. History II course begins with the emergence of the United States as a world power and the advent of the progressive and reform movements at the turn of the 20th century and ends with an examination of the political, economic, social, and cultural conditions that have shaped the United States through the start of the 21st Century. The focus of this 11th grade course involves an examination of our nation's role in three key areas: foreign policy, key economic issues and important domestic social issues of the previous century. Research papers, critical analysis of primary and secondary sources, and examination of current issues are a major part of this course.

#430 - African/American
Experiences in
Literature and History



Grades: 11-12



Level: 0



Year: 5X



Credits: 5

This course will focus on the unique contributions of African-Americans to American culture and history in society. It will trace these contributions from both a historical and literary perspective. This experience will be viewed from historical Africa to the present. Special emphasis will be placed on the musical, artistic, and literary achievements of African-Americans. The students will be expected to analyze contemporary social, economic, and political issues of African-Americans in the United States and the world.

#446 - Modern, Early
Modern, and
Classical Philosophy



Grades: 11-12



Level: 0



Year: 5X



Credits: 5

This course exposes students to some of the great thinkers of the world. Students will explore the ideas of philosophers and thinkers, such as Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, Kant, Marx, Freund, and Sarte, all of which have had a profound influence on the cultural, economic, intellectual, political, and social history of Western Civilization. Through in-depth analysis and discussion of a selection of their writings, students will gain an understanding of the nature of philosophical questions and ideas, and - in the process - learn to develop, organize and articulate their own ideas. 20th century philosophers and contributions of Eastern philosophies are introduced as a comparative and relevant experience for students to critically examine.

#448 - You and the Law

Grades: 10-12

Level: 0

Year: 5X

Credits: 5

This course will study federal, state, and local law. An introduction to both criminal and civil law will be included. Specific cases are studied to help understand the criminal justice process, torts, consumer law, family law and individual rights. Special emphasis is placed on understanding trials and cases through the re-enactments, role plays, and simulations.

Advanced Placement Courses


#450 - European History AP


Grades: 11-12


Level: Accelerated


Year: 5X


Credits: 5

Prerequisite: World History

This course traces the development of European civilization from the high Renaissance of the mid-Fifteenth Century through the present. Political, diplomatic, social, economic, intellectual and cultural trends are emphasized, and the relation of Europe to the wider world is noted. At the end of the course, students should have a working knowledge of the scope of modern European history, be acquainted with the skills of the historian's craft and be able to write an essay that demonstrates interpretive and analytical ability. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Exam in May. There is a mandatory summer reading assignment.


#455 - United States History AP


Grade: 12


Level: Accelerated


Year: 5X


Credits: 5

Prerequisite: United States History I and II

This course retraces the complex ideologies, phenomena, conflicts, relationships, and progress characterizing the history of the United States. Since the required United States History course begins in 1850, this course includes a comprehensive investigation of the pre-Civil War eras. The content focus encapsulates a more sophisticated analysis of the cultural landscape and social conditions of each historical era. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Exam in May.

#460 - History of Art AP

Grades: 11-12

Level: Accelerated

Year: 5X

Credits: 5

The Advanced Placement course in History of Art is designed to provide an introductory college-level course in art history: an understanding and enjoyment of architecture, sculpture, painting, and other art forms within historical and cultural contexts. Students will examine the major forms of artistic expression of the past as well as those of our time and of a variety of cultures. They will learn to look at works of art critically, with intelligence and sensitivity, and to articulate what they see or experience. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Exam in May.

#470 - Economics AP

Grades: 11-12

Level: Accelerated

Year: 5X

Credits: 5

This course is a seminar in economics involving principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics. Designed as a college-level course, students examine economic systems, behavior of firms in private market operations, comparisons between market structures, national and global economic conditions, monetary and fiscal policy decisions/processes, and international economics. Students are expected to take the AP Exam in May.

#480 - Government
& Politics:
United States AP



Grades: 11-12



Level: Accelerated



Year: 5X



Credits: 5

This course is designed to challenge students' thinking and knowledge of the political processes and government systems. Students gain a deep understanding of the historical and conceptual elements of the United States Constitution to evaluate issues involving the role of government. By intensely investigating the Constitution, students learn and apply the political philosophies shaping the government and role of citizens in a democracy. The origin and transformation of political parties, interest groups, and the mass media are emphasized to understand political culture and citizens' participation in government. Extensive research, written, and verbal contributions are essential to succeed in this course. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Exam in May.

Semester Courses


#435 - Economics


Grades: 10-12


Level: 0


Year: 5X


Credits: 2.5

This course combines financial literacy skills and theoretical economic principles. Students will be involved in activities such as the selling of company stock, electing company leadership, creating a marketing campaign, buying and selling products, liquidating of a company, and distributing of profits to share holders. Topics such as supply and demand, inflation, recession, role of government in an economy, the stock market are investigated in the context of simulations, projects, and cooperative activities.

#441 - Sociology:
The American Society


Grades: 10-12


Level: 0


Year: 5X


Credits: 2.5

This course is designed to prepare students entering a college sociology course or considering a career in related fields. Students first learn about sociological perspectives and theorists to better understand agents of socialization (peers, media, family, and school), social group dynamics, social institutions, racial, gender, and ethnic inequality, and other social problems. Research methods are taught and applied to the course's themes.

#447 - Racism, Genocide,
The Holocaust


Grades: 10-12


Level: 0


Year: 5X


Credits: 2.5

This course, comprised of a historical and literal component, investigates the impact that racism, genocide and the Holocaust have had and continue to have on peoples of the world. One of the objectives of this program is to use its content - past as well as present examples - to reduce prejudice by first knowing, then understanding, how racism and genocide victimize peoples and nations. The Holocaust in Nazi Germany is a focus to build a comprehensive foundation of knowledge to better understand and compare historical and modern genocides in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe.


Other Academic Programs

  • Social Studies


Elementary
PreK-4
Elementary
Grade 5
Middle School
Grades 6-8
 


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