History/Social Sciences

History/Social Studies

Members of the History/Social Studies Department at Hill Regional Career High School endeavor to instill in their students a number of important skills that will serve the students well, including an appreciation of the diversity of cultures and their contributions both around the world and in this country; the ability to research and interpret events as they relate to the students’ understanding of the world; an awareness of the relevance of understanding historical events and social science concepts to solving present-day problems; an awareness of career opportunities through the natural integration into the curriculum of guest speakers and field trips, the development of strategies for life success in the areas of Constitutional studies, positive self-image and citizenship; the development of cognitive skills such as the reading of maps, charts, and graphs, and the presentation of ideas in well-constructed form both orally and in writing; the development of skills in thinking and analysis as they relate to historical and current-day problems; an appreciation of and training in the use of the resources available within the students’ own community, such as the library, the Internet, outside agencies, and personal interviews; and an understanding of how the curriculum offered within the department relates to classes offered in other departments.

#311 HONORS WORLD CIVILIZATION GRADE 9

Level 1 Credit 1.0 FULL YEAR

Prerequisites: None

Course Description: Honors World Civilization follows the development of civilizations around the world in greater detail than World Civilization 315. Topics incorporated into the curriculum include politics, economics, geography and its influence, technology, art, and religion. Upon their completion of World Civilization, students will have a better understanding of the world around them. Students in Honors World Civilization will be expected to read at an advanced level and to hand in a significant number of written assignments. (The curriculum of this course is aligned with that of Honors English I. For example, the study of mythology in English classes will complement the study of world cultures in this course.)

Course Assessment: Homework/class assignment – 25%; class participation – 25%, Tests/quizzes – 25%. Through arrangements with the teacher, special projects will be assigned and will be worth 25%.

#315 WORLD CIVILIZATION GRADE 9

Level 2 Credit 1.0 FULL YEAR

Prerequisites: None

Course Description: World Civilization follows the development of civilizations around the world. Topics incorporated into the curriculum include politics, economics, geography and its influence, technology, art, and religion. Upon their completion of World Civilization, students will have a better understanding of the world around them. (The curriculum of this course is aligned with that of English I. For example, the study of mythology in English classes will complement the study of world cultures in this course.)

Course Assessment: Homework/class assignment/ class participation – 33%, Tests/quizzes – 33%. Through arrangements with the teacher, special projects will be assigned and will be worth 33%.

#321 HONORS U.S. HISTORY I GRADE 10

Level 1 Credit 1.0 FULL YEAR

Prerequisites: Recommendation from previous year’s history teacher

Course Description: Honors U.S. History I is a survey course which examines the major themes and issues involving the social, political, economic and cultural development of the United States from the Age of Exploration and Colonization to the Civil War and Reconstruction period. In this course, emphasis is placed on improving reading, writing, and critical thinking. Skills are reinforced through the use of timelines, charts, graphs, and essay writing.

#323 U.S. HISTORY I GRADE 10

Level 2 Credit 1.0 FULL YEAR

Prerequisites: World Civilization

Course Description: U.S. History I is a survey course which examines the major themes and issues involving the social, political, economic and cultural development of the United States from the Age of Exploration and Colonization to the Civil War and Reconstruction period. In this course, emphasis is placed on improving reading, writing, and critical thinking. Skills are reinforced through the use of timelines, charts, graphs, and essay writing.

Course Assessment: Homework/class assignment /class participation – 33%, Tests/quizzes – 33%. Through arrangements with the teacher, special projects will be assigned and will be worth 33%.

#331 HONORS U.S. HISTORY II GRADE 11

Level 1 Credit 1.0 FULL YEAR

Prerequisites: Honors US History I and/or recommendation of previous year’s history teacher.

Course Description: Honors U.S. History II is a survey class on American history from Reconstruction to the present. Class will explore issues in greater depth than in College U.S. History II. (The curriculum of this course is aligned with that of English III.)

# 332 AFRICAN AMERICAN / HISPANIC AMERICAN HISTORY GRADE 11, 12

Level 2 Credit 0. 5 HALF YEAR

Prerequisites: None

Course Description: African American/ Hispanic American History is a college level class that covers the history of African Americans and Hispanic Americans from the 1400s to present. This course will provide students with a sound humanities education as well as assist in developing reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. The main objective of the course is to understand, analyze events, trends, and movements that shaped the history of Africa, Latin America, Caribbean Islands, and the United States. Students are expected to write frequently and participate in class discussions.

#333 U.S. HISTORY II GRADE 11

Level 2 Credit 1.0 FULL YEAR

Prerequisites: U.S. History I

Course Description: U.S. History II is a survey class on American history from Reconstruction to the present. (The curriculum of this course is aligned with that of English III.)

#334 IS COOPERATIVE INTERNATIONAL STUDIES PROGRAM GRADE 9-12

Level 1 Credit .5/1 FULL YEAR

Prerequisites: Recommendation by Teacher/Guidance and personal interview

Course Description: Career High School students in cooperation with students from Amity, Ansonia, East Haven, New Haven and Seymour explore issues of global importance. CISP meets twice per month on Thursdays between 3PM and 6PM at various locations to see presentations, visit interesting places and research topics for a final semester gathering. Students will collaborate in inter-district teams and have the opportunity to work with and develop positive relationships with those of differing backgrounds.

Course Assessment: Attendance at all events is required. Students will research projects for presentation and work harmoniously with other school districts. Participants will be involved in student exchanges and field trips.

# 339 CIVICS GRADES 10, 11,12

Level 2 Credit 0.5 HALF YEAR

Prerequisite: None

CT State Requirement for graduation

Course Description: Civics is a unique course designed for students to learn how the Legislative, Executive and Judicial Branches of the U.S. Government function and how their decisions affect our daily lives. Constitutional law and civil liberties will also be explored through research, analysis, discussion and debate of the Bill of Rights.

#340 ADVANCED PLACEMENT U.S. HISTORY GRADES 12

Level AP Credit 1.0 FULL YEAR

Prerequisites: U.S. History II Honors and recommendation of previous year’s history teacher.

Course Description: Advanced Placement U.S. History is a college level class that covers the entire spectrum of U.S. History from pre-Columbian times to the present, with heavy emphasis on the analysis of historical and social trends. Students are expected to write frequently and participate in class discussions. Students take the nationally standardized AP U.S. History Exam in early May and may receive college credit for the course. Enrollment is limited.

#341 PSYCHOLOGY GRADES 10, 11, 12

Level 2 Credit 0.5 HALF YEAR

Prerequisites: U.S. History I and U.S. History II

Course Description: An introduction to Psychology as a survey course, which examines the major theories attempting to explain human behavior. Students explore the science of human nature through the practical applications of questions, theories, and experiments developed by key figures in the field of psychology.

Course Assessment: Homework/class assignments - 20%; class participation – 30%;

tests/quizzes – 50%

#342 ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY GRADES 11, 12

Level AP Credit 1.0 FULL YEAR

Prerequisites: Recommendation of previous year’s history teacher

Course Description: Advanced Placement Psychology is a college level class that addresses the major theories of modern psychology and their real world applications. Students take the nationally standardized AP Psychology Exam in early May and may receive college credit for the course. The course is open to seniors and juniors on a limited basis.

Course Assessment: Homework/class assignments – 20%; class participation – 20%; tests/quizzes – 60%

#351 LEGAL SYSTEMS/ MOCK TRIAL GRADES 11, 12

Level 1 *Credit 1.0 FULL YEAR

*May be applied as a Social Studies credit or a Business credit.

Note: There are only 24 seats available.

Course Description: Legal Systems/ Mock Trial introduces students to the legal profession and offers them a unique opportunity to be active participants in the legal system. This course is an intense study of the US Constitution and the fundamentals of our legal system. Case studies will be conducted to determine how legal decisions are made. Students will participate as part of a Mock Trial Team in late March. The remainder of the course will cover various career options within the legal system as well as independent projects and writing assignments.

Assessment: homework/class work assignments – 20%, exams – 15%, in-class participation – 20%, quizzes – 25%, mock trial presentation – 20%

#377 NEW HAVEN YALE SATURDAY SEMINAR GRADES 9-12

Level 1 Credit: .5 FULL YEAR

Prerequisites: Personal interview with the ISSP teacher/facilitator.

Course Description: Students can enroll in one of numerous seminars provided, which presently include AP Calculus Tutorial, Architecture I and II, Creative Writing, College Prep-English as a Second Language, Ethnic Dance, Future Problem Solving, and Law & Criminal Justice. Classes are held on Saturday mornings from approximately the end of September through mid-May.

Course Assessment: To be determined by goals set by the instructor at the beginning of the course.

#399 TEACHER’S AIDE GRADE 12

Level: None HALF/FULL YEAR*

Prerequisites: Teacher approval/placement by Guidance

Student must have completed all junior requirements.

Course Description: The students who is enrolled as a teacher’s aide will be required to be an advocate for success and demonstrate a desire to go beyond the basics. This course is suited for the student who expresses an interest in the teaching field. Students will be given assignments to assist teachers or classes according to their particular abilities or talents. Some examples of assignments include: acting as a mentor, role model, tutor to other students, or assisting the teacher in preparing for lessons or organizing classroom activities and creating bulletin boards.

Students will sign a contract that states their expected role as a teacher’s aide. Students may earn work credit for service as teacher’s aide.

*Dependent on the length of the course.

Course Assessment: Students are assessed based on their attendance, performance, and productivity as stated in their teacher’s aide contract. This is a pass/fail course.

#352 INTERDISCIPLINARY WRITING -- GRADE 10 GRADE 10

Level: 2 Credit: 0.5 HALF YEAR—Fall Semester

Course Description: The 10^th grade students who are enrolled in this course will receive thorough instruction, opportunity to practice, and constant feedback in order to improve their writing skills. Working with the teacher and student tutors, sophomores can expect to read source materials, write persuasive papers and revise these papers.

Course Assessment: Sophomores: 4 formal writings assessments a marking period= 50%. Homework assignments and informal writing assignments= 25%. Class Participation and Assignments= 25%.

#353 INTERDISCIPLINARY WRITING – PEER TUTOR GRADE 12

PASS/FAIL HALF YEAR—Fall Semester

Prerequisite: Seniors who have met goal or advanced on the writing section of the Interdisciplinary Writing Assessment of the Connecticut Academic Proficiency Test (C.A.P.T.).

Sophomores who have been referred by their freshman teachers, guidance counselors or administrators as needing additional support in order to achieve proficiency on the Interdisciplinary Writing Assessment of the CAPT.

Course Description: The 12^th grade students who are enrolled in this course will provide constant feedback to the 10^th grade students in preparation for the Interdisciplinary Writing Assessment. These students will receive training on how to score these writing assessments. There should be 1 senior to every 2-3 sophomores in the class. Seniors may also be assigned to teach/ present to the class on various writing skills.