SOCIAL STUDIES Philosophy Archbishop Carroll High School's Social Studies program is directed toward equipping the citizens of tomorrow with the ability to make responsible and fair decisions on a wide spectrum of issues in a multicultural society. The department provides a foundation for the development of individual Christian values. Goals The goals of the Department are to teach each student: To think for himself or herself To be familiar with the concepts, methods of investigation, and terminology in the social sciences To trace chronologically the development of civilization throughout the world To understand the United States Constitution, the American political process, and the structure of government To be acquainted with major issues, processes, events and historical figures which shaped the course and character of African American history The Social Studies Department: Offers courses at levels to meet students' individual needs with honors courses offered in World History, U.S. History and Government Utilizes a multicultural approach to teaching social studies through a curriculum which teaches World Cultures and African American Studies Utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to teaching social studies through a paired curriculum of U.S. History and American Literature Offers an integrated curriculum between World History and Religion as well as History and Foreign Languages Provides a curriculum which uses up-to-date techniques such as cooperative learning, team teaching, and portfolio assessment Requires student research, which is accomplished through oral reports, projects and papers -------------------------------------------------- COURSES OFFERED: KEY Course number; Duration; Level; Credit hours World Cultures 615, 616; SM; FR 0.5 In surveying the Ancient Civilizations through art, culture, and history, concentration will be placed on developing study skills. This course is designed to give the student basic skills in how to listen, take charge and manage time; additional emphasis will be placed on notetaking, paragraph organization, research techniques, test preparation, and test-taking skills. The honors section will require the reading of two additional books per quarter. -:- World History 620, 621; YR; SO; 1.0 This course surveys world history from ancient to modern times. Students will study historical events, emphasizing ideas and theories which influenced the progress of man. Students will be expected to do outside reading related to the civilizations which are studied. The honors section will require the reading of two books per quarter and the writing of a research paper. Students enrolled in Honors World History must also be enrolled in Honors English II. -:- Honors United States History 630; YR; JR; 1.0 DEPT APPROVAL While this course will examine the political, social, economic and intellectual development of this republic from its origins to a place of world leadership in the twentieth century, there will be particular areas of interest to the advanced student. The emphasis will include the reading and intensive study of great works of Hispanic, African American, and Asian American writers and artists who have contributed to the richness of North American culture and society. This course provides an integrated curriculum with the Honors American Literature course; students enrolled in this course must also be enrolled in Honors English III. -:- United States History 631; YR; JR; 1.0 This course examines the political, social, economic and intellectual development of this republic from its European origins to a place of world leadership in the twentieth century. Emphasis will be placed on topics of interest and concern in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries so that students may understand the role of the United States in world affairs today. The contributions of African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, and Asian-Americans and their involvement in society and culture will be presented and studied. This course provides an integrated curriculum with the American Literature course. -:- Honors United States Government 640; YR; SR; 1.0 DEPT APPROVAL While this course examines the historical basis of our democracy, the organization of our government, and American political life in general, there will be special emphasis placed on current events. Students will be expected to read a daily newspaper, read two books per quarter, and research current government issues. Students enrolled in this course must also be enrolled in Honors English IV or Advanced Placement English. -:- United States Government 641; YR; SR; 1.0 This course is designed to aid the student in understanding the historical basis of our democracy, the organization of our government, and American political life in general. Ultimately, the course attempts to increase the student's knowledge of our political processes and to stimulate personal political involvement and activity. -:- Advanced Placement United States History 650; YR; JR/SR; 1.0 DEPT APPROVAL This course is an elective for students who wish to pursue a more detailed investigation of the history of the United States. The materials to be used will reflect the college level of this class. Students will be expected to do extensive reading and writing as preparation for the Advanced Placement examination, which they will be required to take at the end of the school year. The A.P. examination will be considered the final exam for this course. The school will subsidize half of the examination fee, and it will be the student’s responsibility to pay the balance. There must be an enrollment of at least fifteen (15) students for the school to be able to offer this course. -:- Advanced Placement United States Government 660; YR; SR; 1.0 DEPT APROVAL This course serves as an introduction to the U.S. national government. It attempts to demonstrate how our government institutions and political processes work by giving students an analytical perspective on government and politics. The A.P. Government course will conduct an in-depth study of the Constitution and the three branches of government through examination of primary sources, supplemental readings and the text. All students in the course will be required to take the A.P. examination at the end of the school year. The A.P. examinations will be considered the final exam for this course. The school will subsidize half of the examination fee, and it will be the student’s responsibility to pay the balance. There must be an enrollment of at least fifteen (15) students for the school to be able to offer this course. Students enrolled in this course must also be enrolled in Honors English IV or Advanced Placement English. PREREQUISITE: U.S. History or Honors U.S. History -:- Psychology 645; SM; JR/SR; 0.5 This course focuses on the study of human development from infancy to adulthood with special references to learning, perception, memory and language, thinking, emotional life, and individual differences in intelligence, aptitude, and personality. Emphasis will be on leading researchers in the field and how they have impacted our daily living. Projects include writing essays, participation in the classroom and computer laboratory, and psychological, historical research. Viewing the Discovering Psychology Video Series is an added component to this course. -:- Sociology 646; SM; JR/SR; 0.5 This course focuses on group interaction through key social institutions: economy, family, religion, government, and education; and how these social institutions shape culture, attitudes and behavior. Special topics covered will include class, race and gender inequality, sexuality, poverty and welfare, and crime. Students will be required to develop an hypothesis and use the scientific method to prove or disprove its validity. -:- African American Studies 654; SM; JR/SR; 0.5 This course begins with the examination of African Civilizations of the Nile Valley: Egypt, Ethiopia and Nubia; the Western Sudanic Civilizations: Ghana, Mali and Songhai; and the Moorish Empire. It will explore slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, Civil Rights Movements, Black Politics, Black Economics, racism and discrimination in the context of U.S. history and society. The course consists of lectures, video presentations, class discussions, critiques of special literature, and special projects (family tree and oral tradition). REQUIRED OF ALL JUNIORS.