Social Studies Department Course Descriptions

Course No. 213, 214 and 210, 211and 235, 236
(Looping: Social Studies 9 and Social Studies 10)
Global History and Geography (Social Studies 9, Social Studies 10)

Full Year
Credit: 1 unit each (Two Credits Total)--Mandated Courses
Target Audience: Freshman and Sophomore students
Prerequisites:  SS10 requires SS9 Credit 
This curriculum provides students with the opportunity to explore what is happening in various regions and civilizations.  In addition, it enables students to investigate issues and themes from multiple perspectives and make global connections and linkages that lead to in-depth understanding.  As students explore the five social studies standards, they will have multiple opportunities to explore the content and intellectual skills of history and the social science disciplines.
 
The primary regions of study in Global History and Geography 9 are Africa; South and Southeast Asia; East Asia; and Latin America.  The primary regions of study in Global History and Geography 10 are Southwest Asia (Middle East); Europe; and the World Today. Looping (taking Social Studies 9 and Social Studies 10 from the same social studies teacher for the 2-year sequence) also is available on a first-come, first-served basis.  
Culminating Activity: NYS Regents Exam in Global istory and Geography 10.

Course No. 207
United States History and Government (Social Studies 11)

Full Year
Credit 1 imot -- Mandated Course
Target Audience: Junior students
Prerequisites:  SS11 requires SS9 & SS10 Credits  
United States history is the history of a great experiment in representative democracy.  Students will learn about the structure and function of government and will learn how to take on their roles as citizens.  Students should understand those basic principles and the cultural and historic heritage that support our democracy so that they can become informed, committed participants in our democracy.  As students explore the five social studies standards, they will have multiple opportunities to explore the content and intellectual skills of history and the social science disciplines.  
Culminating Activity: NYS Regents Exam.

Course No. 205
Economics

Semester Course
Credit 1/2 unit--Mandated Course
Target Audience: Senior studentsa
Prerequisites:  Senior Priority, Junior with teacher recommendation  
Economics emphasizes the basic concepts in which an economy operates.  Underlying principles include scarcity, opportunity cost, decision-making, economic analysis and markets.  The theme of the course uses methods of interactive opportunity centering to facilitate identification of economic questions, problems and models. 
Culminating Activity: Final project or exam.

Course No. 204
Participation in Government

Semester Course 
Credit: 1/2 unit
Target Audience: Senior students
Prerequisites:  Senior Priority, Junior with teacher recommendation  
Participation in Government offers an introduction to government as a distinct discipline of study and examines the processes of American local, state and national politics.  Political theory will be studied and analyzed integrated with actual field experiences required to provide practical knowledge and application.  This course aims to enhance self-government, through the development of knowledgeable, committed, capable and active citizens.  
Culminating Activity: Final project or exam.

Elective Half-Year Courses:

We welcome you to the Plattsburgh High School Social Studies elective course offerings! These courses provide a rich and varied array of meaningful experiences to interest PHS students in the social sciences and to gain specific knowledge, hone skills and develop attitudes that will benefit their lives and future careers, as well as increase their success at a college or university. These courses may be completed at any time or over a student’s high school career. Come aboard and enjoy the experience! As all PHS courses, electives culminate with a final project or exam.

Course No. 222
America in the 1960s

Semester Course
Credit: 1/2 unit
Target Audience: Open to all students
Prerequisites:  None 
America in the 1960's is an historical examination of this turbulent and confusing decade with emphasis on political and social topics. The learner will examine and focus on the major events and issues of this time period including presidents, war, counterculture, civil rights, political swings and temperament.  
Culminating Activity: Final project or exam.

Course No. 206
Anthropology

Semester Course
Credit: 1/2 unit
Target Audience: Open to all students
Prerequisites:  None 
Anthropology is designed to survey cultural heritage; primitive and contemporary cultures will be assessed.  Students will understand how cultural characteristics vary from one people to another and help define a society’s attributes.  Field experiences enhance the practical application of anthropologic studies. 
Culminating Activity: Final project or exam.

Course No. 208
The Civil War

Semester Course
Credit: 1/2 unit
Target Audience: Open to all students
Prerequisites:  None  
The Civil War will explore in detail the major soldiers, events and battles of the United States Civil War, as well as follow the events that led to this war between the states during the 1850's and 1860's and the impact of this era on today's society.  
Culminating Activity: Final project or exam.

Course No. 216
Early Champlain Valley History

Semester Course
Credit: 1/2 unit
Target Audience: Open to all students
Prerequisites:  None           
Early Champlain Valley History connects our very own local history to the strategic role it has played in both American history and international events.  Field experiences provide practical knowledge and opportunities to satisfy the curiosity about the area we inhabit.  Do not wait until you leave the region to see and appreciate its historic significance and what it still has to offer! 
Culminating Activity: Final project or exam.

Course No. 225
College - Fundamental Economics

Semester Course
Credit: 1/2 unit and/or 3 college credits
Target Audience: Senior, Junior with teacher's recommendation.
Prerequisites:  Global Studies  
This course will satisfy your high school economics requirement while at the same time enabling you to earn 3 college credits through the CAP (College Advanced Placement) program, meeting SUNY General Education requirements (Eco100). The course is a rigorous and challenging opportunity for students to study the basic principles of economics at the college level here at our high school. Students will need to register and pay their college tuition at the beginning of the semester. PHS will provide the college textbook on a loan basis, or students may purchase one.  
Culminating Activity: Final project or exam.

Course No. 221
College - Human (Cultural) Georgraphy

Semester Course
Credit: 1/2 unit and or 3 college credits
Target Audience: Senior, Junior with teacher's recommendation.
Prerequisites:  Global Studies 
This course enables you to earn 3 college credits through the CAP (College Advanced Placement) program, meeting SUNY General Education requirements (Geo121), as well as one-half credit as a a high school social studies elective. The course is a rigorous and challenging opportunity for students to study college level cultural geography at the introductory level. You will study world economics,political, social and cultural factors and the impact and significance they have on mankind, geographical space, and national and world affairs. This course will stress the basic principles of human geography. A global geographical perspective will be given to such topics as population and settlement patterns, health and nutrition, technologies, livelihoods, international politics, religions, languages, and art forms. Students will need to register and pay their college tuition at the beginning of the the semester, PHS will provide the college textbook on a loan basis, or student may purchase one.  
Culminating Activity: Final project or exam.

Course No. 220
International Economics

Semester Course
Credit: 1/2 unit
Target Audience: Open to all students
Prerequisites:  None  
International Economics explores world trade.  From the stock market to world hunger to tourism, examples abound of global economic activities.  The course provides a chance for students to acquire advanced knowledge and experiences that will help them succeed in an increasingly competitive and global society.  PHS students interested in college or career fields in economics, law, pre-law, business, politics, finance, marketing, accounting, international politics, and leadership and management would find special significance in studying International Economics.  
Culminating Activity: Final project or exam.

Course No. 212
Inventions and Discoveries

Semester course
Credit: 1/2 unit
Target Audience: Open to all students
Prerequisites: none  
This course combines the disciplines of history and science and studies the influences each had on each other. Students will learn how many scientific discoveries, and a variety of inventions, became the impetus for changing the course of history. Likewise, students will see how history in a given era inspired inventors of the time in their respective pursuits. This course will integrate the disciplines of world history, biology, chemistry, and physics.  
Culminating Activity: Final project or exam.

Course No. 232
College - Major Civilizations (History of the Modern World)

Semester Course
Credit: 1/2 unit and or 3 college credits
Target Audience: Senior, Junior with teacher's recommendation.
Prerequisites:  Global Studies  
This course enables you to earn 3 college credits through the CAP (College Advanced Placement) program, meeting SUNY General Education requirements (His122), as well as one-half credit as a a high school social studies elective. The course is a rigorous and challenging opportunity for students to study college level western civilizations at the introductory level. This course surveys the major civilized traditions during the past five centuries. Principle themes include the evolution of Western dominance, the development of the scientific and cosmopolitan world views, politically revolutions East and West, the rise and fall of colonial empires, the impact of the industrial and democratic revolutions, global conflicts, and nation -building in the Third World.  
Culminating Activity: Final project or exam.

Course No. 219
College - Organizations Of American States

Semester Course
Credit: 1/2 unit and or 3 college credits
Target Audience: Senior, Junior with teacher's recommendation.
Prerequisites: Global Studies  
This course enables you to earn 3 college credits through the CAP (College Advanced Placement) program, meeting SUNY General Education requirements (LAS110), as well as one-half credit as a a high school social studies elective. The course is a rigorous and challenging opportunity for students to study a multinational political organization at the college level her at our high school. Students will prepare for a mock O.A.S. held each year in May. Students will do an in-depth study of the geography, culture, economy, history and government of the country we will be assigned to represent. Students will need to register and pay their college tuition at the beginning of the semester. PHS will provide the college textbook on a loan basis, or students may purchase one.  
Culminating Activity: Final project or exam.

Course No. 201
Psychology

Semester Course
Credit: 1/2 unit
Target Audience: Open to all students
Prerequisites:  None  
Psychology offers the student an introductory level of study which includes topics such as early psychologists and their contributions; early childhood development; purpose of dreams and REM sleep; perception and personality; relationships of dating, marriage, family and dysfunction of those; and aberrant behaviors of neurosis, psychosis, addiction and organic brain disorder. Come see the scientific side of the social sciences!  
Culminating Activity: Final project or exam.

Course No. 226
College - Psychology

Semester Course
Credit: 1/2 unit and or 3 college credits
Target Audience: Senior, Junior with teacher's recommendation.
Prerequisites: Global Studies  
This course enables you to earn 3 college credits through the CAP (College Advanced Placement) program, meeting SUNY General Education requirements (Psy100), as well as one-half credit as a a high school social studies elective. This course is a survey of the major areas, theories, and historical developments in psychology, introducing students to the research methods, terminology, and diversity of contemporary psychology. Students will need to register and pay their college tuition at the beginning of the semester. The college textbook will be provide on a loan basis, or students may purchase one.  
Culminating Activity: Final project or exam.

Course No. 202
Sociology

Semester Course 
Credit: 1/2 unit
Target Audience Open to all students
Prerequisites:  None 
Sociology acquaints students with the study of social behavior and the interaction of contemporary peoples.  Particular emphasis is given to age and gender roles, marriage and family, criminology and delinquency, and modern society's problems and social issues. 
Culminating Activity: Final project or exam.

Course No. 223
Student Leadership

Full Year Course
Credit: 1 unit
Target Audience: Senior, Junior with teacher's recommendation.
Prerequisites: Global Studies  
This course focuses on developing one's social self by studying and experiencing real leadership. The purpose is to develop each individual's capacity to positively impact self, school and community. Students will examine and evaluate: various leadership styles and methods and their own style and methods of leadership, the school as an organization comprises of many interactive components and human resources, and the development of sustainable communities, community projects and organizations.  
Culminating Activity: Final project or exam.

Course No. 218
Women in American History

Semester Course 
Credit: 1/2 unit
Target Audience: Open to all students
Prerequisites:  None  
Women in American History explores images of women in American society by examining their roles at work and in love with special emphasis on minority women and women of specific United States regions.  Also studied are women working for equality through abolitionism, suffrage and education and assessing contemporary American women regarding legal status and a look to the future.  Both genders of PHS students are invited to take this course; come see what it is all about!  
Culminating Activity: Final project or exam.

Course No. 217
World War II

Semester Course 
Credit: 1/2 unit
Target Audience: Open to all students
Prerequisites:  None 
World War II traces the events that took place during the general period of World War II.  The events and leaders of this period will be studied through visual and audiovisual means, as well as traditional readings and maps.  It may seem like “ancient” history for high school age students, but much of the world in which PHS students live was largely impacted by the force of that upheaval.  
Culminating Activity: Final project or exam.