The Social Studies offerings at Absegami include 3 years of study required for graduation (World History, US History I, and US History II) as well as electives. All of these courses are designed to prepare a student for higher education and professional careers. Concurrent enrollment into an equivalent English course is required as interdisciplinary connections are emphasized.
WORLD HISTORY GRADE 9 5 credits
This courses is designed to give freshman students an opportunity to explore the world from many different viewpoints. A brief review of topics from geography, prehistory, the ancient and classical worlds and the Middle Ages will be conducted. The courses will trace the selected cultures in both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres from the Renaissance through the periods of Revolution, Imperialism, into the Twentieth Century. The role of geography, economics, technology, religion, and history will be considered.
Honors World History GRADE 9 5 credits
Recommendations from the 8th grade teachers of Language Arts, Reading, Social Studies, as well as on standardized testing and overall academic performance. It is strongly recommended that students have an ”A” average in the 7th and 8th grade courses, have demonstrated a desire to excel and an interest in history, and a plan to challenge themselves throughout their high school career. These are students who are self-directed, demonstrating a desire to excel and a true interest in History. Students accepted into Honors courses have been selected to pursue a rigorous academic program simulating a college experience. Students need to be able to take sophisticated reading notes from this text book while working independently. Students will be expected to successfully pass various assessments including: timed objective exams, timed open ended, free response, and DBQ essay tests, and have demonstrated mastery of the use of MLA citations on position papers, research reports, etc. Summer reading and sophisticated research projects are assigned. It is also strongly recommended that students should be concurrently accepted and enrolled in English I Honors. Summer reading and projects are required of students entering both English I Honors and World History Honors. Supplemental readings in world literature may also be assigned.
WORLD HISTORY ACCELERATED GRADE 9 5 credits
This class is recommended for students who possess above average knowledge of study and communications skills. These are students who are expected to handle independent work and research in a mature, scholarly manner, under the direction of the teacher. Learning methods will include film, writing, exploration of primary documents, and the development of college prep skills. Timed essays will be a part of testing. In accelerated classes a greater emphasis is placed on outside reading, research, projects, and student responsibility. A high-school level textbook is used in these courses. Concurrent enrollment in English I Accelerated or administrative approval for upper class transfer students.
WORLD HISTORY CLASSICAL GRADE 9 5 credits
This class is designed for students who are developing their study and communication skills in preparation for SAT testing and higher education. Learning methods will include film, writing, and exposure to primary documents, directed reading lessons, and study skills. A high-school level textbook is used in these courses. Concurrent enrollment in English 1 or administrative approval for upper class transfer students.
UNITED STATES HISTORY I REQUIRED COURSES
These courses include a study of American History from the colonial period to America’s emergence as a world power in the 1890s. The program includes a survey of significant geographic, economic, political, and social events as well as general trends and forces evident in our history. Special emphasis is placed on the study of civics (the Constitution and growth of democracy, on the structure of the U.S. government, and on the responsibilities of an active citizen.) Included is an on-going chronological study of our nation’s cultural diversity. It is hoped that students will develop a respect for the racial, ethnic, and religious differences that have contributed to the development of the American Society.
US HISTORY I HONORS GRADE 10 5 credits
Learning methods will include summer reading assignments, extensive writing, exploration and analysis of primary documents, historiography, and an introduction to Advanced Placement style test questions. A college-level text book is used in this course. These are students who are self-directed, demonstrating a desire to excel and a true interest in History. Students accepted into Honors courses have been selected to pursue a rigorous academic program simulating a college experience. Students need to be able to take sophisticated reading notes from this text book while working independently. Students will be expected to successfully pass various assessments including: timed objective exams, timed open ended, free response, and DBQ essay tests, and have demonstrated mastery of the use of MLA citations on position papers, research reports, etc. Summer reading and projects may be required. Concurrent enrollment in comparable English II course is required.
US HISTORY I ACCELERATED GRADE 10 5 Credits
This class is recommended for students who possess above average knowledge of study and communications skills. These are students who are expected to handle independent work and research in a mature, scholarly manner, under the direction of the teacher. Learning methods will include film, writing, exploration of primary documents, and the development of college prep skills. Timed essays will be a part of testing. In accelerated classes a greater emphasis is placed on outside reading, research, projects, and student responsibility. A high-school level textbook is used in these courses. Concurrent enrollment in English I Accelerated or administrative approval for upper class transfer students.
US HISTORY I CLASSICAL GRADE 10 5 Credits
This class is designed for students who are developing their study and communication skills in preparation for SAT testing and higher education. Learning methods will include film, writing, and exposure to primary documents, directed reading lessons, and study skills. A high-school level textbook is used in these courses. Concurrent enrollment in English 1 or administrative approval for upper class transfer students.
UNITED STATES HISTORY II REQUIRED COURSES
These courses include a study of American History from the period of America’s emergence as a world power in the 1890s to the current times. The program includes a survey of significant geographic, economic, political, and social events as well as general trends and forces that provide an understanding of the past and present and give a sense of direction to the future for a free and democratic society. Emphasis is placed on the development of the USA as a world power, the dilemma of isolationism v world involvement, our role in major military events in the 20th and 21st Centuries, as well as domestic issues (civil rights, economics, etc.) Included is an on-going chronological study of our nation’s cultural diversity. It is hoped that students will develop a respect for the racial, ethnic, and religious differences that have contributed to the development of the American Society.
US HISTORY II ADVANCED PLACEMENT GRADE 11 5 credits
Learning methods will include summer reading assignments, extensive writing, exploration and analysis of primary documents, historiography, and Advanced Placement style test questions. A college-level text book is used in this course. These are students who are self-directed, demonstrating a desire to excel and a true interest in History. Students accepted into AP courses have been selected to pursue a rigorous academic program simulating a college experience. Students need to be able to take sophisticated reading notes from this text book while working independently. Students will be expected to successfully pass various assessments including: timed objective exams, timed open ended, free response, and DBQ essay tests, and have demonstrated mastery of the use of MLA citations on position papers, research reports, etc.
Summer reading and projects may be required. Concurrent enrollment in comparable AP English III course is required. Students are expected to take the end of course Advanced Placement Exam in May.
US HISTORY II ACCELERATED &n bsp; GRADE 11 5 Credits
This class is recommended for students who possess above average knowledge of study and communications skills. These are students who are expected to handle independent work and research in a mature, scholarly manner, under the direction of the teacher. Learning methods will include film, writing, exploration of primary documents, and the development of college prep skills. Timed essays will be a part of testing. In accelerated classes a greater emphasis is placed on outside reading, research, projects, and student responsibility. A high-school level textbook is used in these courses. Concurrent enrollment in English I Accelerated or administrative approval for upper class transfer students.
US HISTORY II CLASSICAL | GRADE 11 | 5 Credits
This class is designed for students who are developing their study and communication skills in preparation for SAT testing and higher education. Learning methods will include film, writing, and exposure to primary documents, directed reading lessons, and study skills. A high-school level textbook is used in these courses. Concurrent enrollment in English 1 or administrative approval for upper class transfer students.
AP EUROPEAN HISTORY | GRADES 11-12 | 5 CREDITS
This course will aim to heighten student understanding of various historical figures including Martin Luther, Henry VIII, and Oliver Cromwell, Peter the Great, Napoleon, Robespierre, Marx, and Lenin. Additionally, pupils will identify relationships and distinctions in European political, social, economic and intellectual history. Works of significance will be analyzed in an effort to interpret evidence in a historic perspective. Additionally, the course will help to develop critical skills that will serve students in college and as lifelong learners. This course is part of the Advanced Placement program and students will be expected to take the AP European exam.
AP GOVERNMENT & POLITICS | GRADES 11-12 | 5 CREDITS
Emphasis is placed on a broad knowledge of U.S. History and U.S. Politics and Government. A primary purpose of the course is to prepare the student for the Advanced Placement test in which they may receive college credit if they receive an adequate score. This course is targeted for the highly motivated academic student who is interested in pursuing college level study. Content includes the formation of the American government, political beliefs and behaviors, political parties, mass media and public policy. Students will be expected to evaluate public policy, compare and contrast political philosophies, and critically evaluate landmark cases of the Supreme Court. This course is a part of the Advanced Placement program and students will be expected to take the Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics exam.
AP PSYCHOLOGY | GRADES 11-12 | 5 CREDITS
Emphasis will be placed on developing an eclectic philosophy by studying the theories of Freud, Jung, Horney, Adler, Fromm, Watson, Skinner, Bandura, Rogers and Maslow. In addition to these theorists, students will be exposed to the works of other contemporary psychologists and their contributions to psychological thought. Also included is an examination of the methods psychologists use in their science and practice as well as how the world is perceived by the brain and what effect those perceptions have on both normal and abnormal personality behaviors. A unit on abnormal psychology will expose students to the study of mental illnesses as well as treatment strategies used in both normal and abnormal psychology. The student population that this course will serve shall be those junior/senior year students that fulfill the academic qualification and elect to take the course. This course is an elective that is offered to Junior and Senior level students who choose to develop their understanding of the content on the advanced level. This course is part of the Advanced Placement program and students will be expected to take the Advanced Placement Psychology exam.
HISTORY IN 20th CENTURY AMERICAN POP CULTURE | GRADES 11-12 | 5 CREDITS
–year, elective course that will review and develop student understanding of major historic events, trends and innovations that have had a profound impact on the evolution of American popular culture. These include the evolution of television, motion pictures, radio, the role of professional sports, and popular music. Content examples include the Super Bowl, Woodstock, Punk Rock, and classic television series. The course will also explore ways in which changes in pop culture have had significant political, economic and social implications. Course assignments address the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for the Social Studies. Artifacts, movies, and interviews will be used to enhance student understanding.
PSYCHOLOGY | GRADES 11-12 | 5 CREDITS
Why do we do what we do? Why are we who we are? Psychology intends to introduce students to a systematic scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are introduced to the psychological facts, principals and phenomena associated with the major sub fields within the discipline. Also included is an examination of the methods psychologists use in their science and their practice. Emphasis is placed on how the world is perceived by the brain and what effect those perceptions have on both normal and abnormal personality behaviors.
SOCIOLOGY-CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY | GRADES 11-12 | 5 CREDITS
Cultural Anthropology is a full – year, elective course that establishes the student’s foundation of knowledge in both Sociology and Cultural Anthropology while developing student understanding of the relationship that exists between these fields of study. The purpose of the section of the course featuring Sociology is to allow the student of Sociology the opportunity to view the world from the sociological perspective. The sociological perspective provides students with a broad lens to recognize how people relate to one another and influence each other’s behavior. The base of study is inherently multicultural and focus is placed on the group as well as the individual. This will allow students to gain insights into how the social environment shapes us and how we in turn shape our social environment. The coresponding section of the course featuring Cultural Anthropology is intended to introduce the student to a holistic study of the many aspects of the human experience. The material covered will provide students with a broad focus on humanity which will prepare them for being an informed citizen in the global society. Students will develop an understanding of societies other than their own which will foster the viewpoint of cultural relativism and tolerance through understanding. Anthropology inherently draws from many fields of study, including but not limited to psychology, biology, economics, philosophy, and religious studies. Through this lens the course will focus on the sub-discipline of Cultural Anthropology/Ehtnology as well as investigating its counterparts; Physical Anthroplogy, Linguistics, and Archeology. Course assignments address the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for the Social Studies. Primary source materials will be incorporated into units of study and assignments will promote pupil development of research and writing skills.
