Course Offerings in
SOCIAL STUDIES

The goal of the Social Studies Program at UMHS is to develop citizens who will be able to participate in a culturally diverse, democratic, global society.  The Social Studies Program provides an integrated study of history, geography, civics, economics, and related social science disciplines.   The program emphasizes active learning strategies, research and inquiry skills, as well as critical thinking, reading, and writing.  A wide variety of electives is offered so that students may explore areas of interest in the various social studies. 

Students who are interested in pursuing studies in the humanities after high school are strongly encouraged to consider selecting an elective path that consists of related elective courses geared towards specific fields in the social sciences.  All Social Studies electives are open to all students who meet the grade level and academic pre-requisites.

Required Social Studies Course Sequence

To satisfy graduation requirements, students must earn three credits in the core courses, which consist of one course in modern World History, and two courses in post Civil War United States History.  These credits must be earned in an established three year sequence of the core courses.

 
* Advanced Placement United States History is offered as a two year sequential course that may be taken in lieu of U.S.Histroy I and U.S. History II. Any student who elects this option must complete the sequence to receive the mandatory two credits in American History.

Electives - All electives are open to the students in the indicated grade level.

Interest Pathways   - All electives are open to the students in the indicated grade level.  If a student has a special interest in Behavioral Science, Public Administration, or History, he/she can select electives from a pathway that will provide courses that focus on his/her interest.

WORLD HISTORY-Industrialization to the Present (Grade 9, Academic)             Credit: 1.0
This course focuses on world history from circa 1770 to the present.  Topics covered in this course will include Industrialization, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Totalitarianism.  Connections will be made between events of this time period and the present.  The role of geography, economic development, and governmental systems will be integrated.  Students will be able to provide defendable explanations for past events and attempt to identify historical cause and effect relationships.

WORLD HISTORY- Industrialization to the Present (Grade 9, College Preparatory) Credit: 1.0
This course focuses on world history from circa 1770 to the present.  Topics covered in this course will include Industrialization, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Totalitarianism.  Connections will be made between the events of this time period to present events.  The role of geography, economic development, and governmental systems will be integrated.  Students will be able to analyze social studies information presented, identify cause and effect relationships, and provide defendable explanations for modern events based on past experiences

WORLD HISTORY – Industrialization to the Present (Grade 9, Honors)               Credit: 1.0
This course focuses on world history from circa 1770 to the present.  Topics covered in this course will include Industrialization, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Totalitarianism.  Connections will be made between events of this time period and the present.  The role of geography, economic development, and governmental systems will be integrated.  Students will be expected to analyze social studies information presented, identify cause and effect relationships, and provide explanations for modern events based on past experiences.  Students will be able to synthesize the information into defendable positions regarding past and present events, and to formulate plausible predictions

U. S.  HISTORY I - Industrialization to the End of World War II (Grade 10, Academic) Credit: 1.0|
This course focuses on the history of the United States from 1877 to 1945. Topics covered in this course include American industrialization, Interventionism vs Isolationism, new citizens, the changing role of government, and the transformation of American culture.  Connections will be made between the events of this time period and the present. The role of geography, economic development, and governmental systems will be integrated.  Students will  be able to provide defendable explanations for past events and attempt to identify historical cause and effect relationships

U. S. HISTORY I - Industrialization to the End of World War II (Grade 10, College Preparatory) 
Credit: 1.0
This course focuses on the history of the United States from 1877 to 1945.  Topics covered in this course include American industrialization, Interventionism vs Isolationism, new citizens, the changing role of government, and the transformation of American culture.  Connections will be made between the events of this time period and the present.  The role of geography, economic development, and governmental systems will be integrated.  Students will be able to analyze social studies information presented, identify cause and effect relationships, and provide explanations for modern events based on past experiences.

U.S. HISTORY I - Industrialization through World War II (Grade 10, Honors)     Credit: 1.0
This course focuses on the history of the United States from 1877 to 1945.  Topics covered in this course will include American industrialization, Interventionism vs Isolationism, new citizens, the changing role of government, and the transformation of American culture. Connections will be made between the events of this time period and the present.  The role of geography, economic development, and governmental systems will be integrated. Students will be able to analyze social studies information presented, identify cause and effect relationships, and provide explanations for modern events based on past experiences. Students will be able to synthesize historical information into defendable positions regarding past and present events, and to formulate plausible predictions.
NOTE:  AP US History I can be taken in lieu of the honors level course to meet the 10th grade requirement in Social Studies.

U.S. HISTORY II - American Issues in the Post War Era (Grade 11, Academic)     Credit 1.0
This course focuses on the critical issues that have confronted the American people since the end of World War II. Topics covered in this course include; America as a world power, ideals to disillusionment, movements for change, and ongoing challenges. Connections will be made between the events of this time period and the present. The role of geography, economic development, and governmental systems will be integrated.  Students will be able to identify cause and effect relationships and to provide defendable explanations for the current issues facing the United States today.

U.S. HISTORY II - American Issues in the Post War Era  (Grade 11, College Preparatory) Credit: 1.0This course focuses on the critical issues that have confronted the American people since the end of World War II. Topics covered in this course include America as a world power, ideals to disillusionment, movements for change, and ongoing challenges.  Connections will be made between events of this time period and the present.  The role of geography, economic development, and governmental systems will be integrated.  Students will be able to analyze social studies information presented, identify cause and effect relationships, and provide explanations for current issues facing the United States based on past experiences. Students will be able to evaluate policy statements that address the current challenges facing the American people.

U.S. HISTORY II - American Issues in the Post War Era  (Grade 11, Honors) Credit: 1.0
This course focuses on the critical issues that have confronted the American people since the end of World War II. Topics covered in this course include America as a world power, ideals to disillusionment, movements for change, and ongoing challenges.  Connections will be made between events of this time period and the present.  The role of geography, economic development, and governmental systems will be integrated.  Students will be able to analyze social studies information presented, identify cause and effect relationships, and provide explanations for current issues facing the United States based on past experiences.  Students will be able to synthesize the information into defensible positions regarding past and present events, and to formulate plausible predictions.  Students will be able to develop policy statements in response to current challenges facing the American people.
NOTE:  AP US History II can be taken in lieu of the honors level course to meet the 11th grade requirement in Social Studies if the student has successfully completed AP US History I.

SOCIAL STUDIES (LEARNING SUPPORT) 9, 10, 11, 12                                   Credit: 1.0
This course parallels the material and content provided through the academic Social Science program. It follows the scope and sequence of each grade level course 9, 10, 11 while meeting the individual needs of each student as described in his/her IEP.
Prerequisites:  IEP Recommendation

SOCIAL STUDIES (EMOTIONAL SUPPORT) 9, 10, 11, 12                               Credit: 1.0
This course parallels the material and content provided through the academic Social Science program.  It follows the scope and sequence of each grade level course 9, 10, 11 while meeting the individual needs of each student as described in his/her IEP.  It will also provide a behavior management component to address the needs of each student as described in a current IEP.  Prerequisites:  IEP Recommendation

SOCIAL STUDIES (FUNCTIONAL LEARNING SUPPORT)  9,10,11,12         Credit: 1.0
This course will teach functional concepts to be an active citizen within the community in which they live.  This course places an emphasis on geography, laws related to their community, citizenship, government, politics, current events, US History, and World History.  The skills learned and developed in this class will help to create a well rounded individual that will be able to be a helpful, active participant within the world he/she lives in.  Prerequisites: As stipulated in the IEP

Social Studies Electives

In addition to the required Social Science course sequence in grades 9-11, students may choose additional courses from the following electives:

Advanced Placement Electives

Advanced Placement electives offered by the Department of Social Studies are designed to provide students with the information needed to prepare for the Advanced Placement examinations.  The course work – which includes classroom presentation, reading materials, analysis papers, and other projects is intended to give the student academic experiences similar to those that are found at the college level.  Only students who have a sincere interest in the subject matter and who are willing to put in the time and effort that a rigorous academic program requires should consider taking Advanced Placement courses.  All students who take an Advanced Placement course are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement exam.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY I & II                       Credit: 1.0
AP US History is a comprehensive survey of US history from Columbus to the present.  In order to provide for a more in depth examination of the key events and experiences in American history the Advanced Placement U.S. History program is divided into two parts:  A.P. U.S. History I, which will cover the colonization of America to Reconstruction, and A.P. U.S. History II, which will cover the post Reconstruction era to the present.  While students will be exposed to the breadth of US history, they will also be cognizant of the recurring themes of freedom, equality, competing visions of American society, federal versus states rights and change versus continuity. The AP US History course is designed to provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with American History. Students will be able to analyze primary and secondary documents, identify cause and effect relationships and formulate predictions based on past events.  An important component of the class is the critical reading of historical interpretations usually generating lively class discussions.  The A.P. United States History program will prepare the students to take the Advanced Placement United States History Exam.  This course meets the 10th and 11th grade core requirements in U.S. History.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT & POLITICS  Credit: 1.0
This course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the functions and operation of the various layers of government of the United States of America.  The student will develop analytic perspectives for interpreting, understanding, and explaining past and current political events in the United States and, to some extent, the world community.  To accomplish these goals students will examine the following topics:  The Role and Workings of Government Within the Context of Society,  Constitutional Underpinnings of the American Political System,  Political Beliefs and Behaviors, Political Parties and Interest Groups,  The Institutions of the National Government,  The Creation and Implementation of Public Policy, and Civil Rights & Civil Liberties.  The A.P. United States Government and Politics course will prepare the student to take the Advanced Placement exam.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT EUROPEAN HISTORY                                           Credit: 1.0
This course offers an in depth examination of European History from the Renaissance to the modern era.  Topics of study include the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation, the Age of religious wars and Counter Reformation, the rise of absolute monarchies, the Age of Reason and Enlightenment, The French Revolution and Napoleon, the Age of Revolutions, the Industrial Revolution, the rise of European nationalism and expansionism, World War I, the rise of Fascism, World War II, the Cold War, and modern Europe. The role of geographic, social, economic, and political development will be integrated into the topics covered.  The Advanced Placement European History course is designed to provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with European history.  Students will be able to analyze primary and secondary documents, identify cause and effect relationships, and provide explanations for current issues facing European people based on past experiences.  Students will be able to synthesize information into defensible positions regarding past events, and to formulate plausible predictions based on past events.  Students will be able to present reasons and evidence clearly and persuasively in essay format.  Students who complete the Advanced Placement European History course are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement European History exam.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY                                                      Credit: 1.0
The Advanced Placement Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals.  The course content reflects a rigorous college introductory course covering a broad range of topics in psychology as well as specific methods used by psychologists in their science and practice.  Students will be involved in original research using naturalistic observations, experimentation, interview, or survey by random sampling.  The course is designed to give students analytical and interpretive skills with college level journal reading.  Students will be prepared for the Advanced Placement exam given in May.  Prerequisite:  Students must be recommended by core Social Studies teacher.

Behavioral Science Electives

CRIMINOLOGY AND THE AMERICAN JUSTICE SYSTEM (CollegePreparatory Credit: 1.0
This course has as its focal point the study of crime and deviant behavior in society.  Topics covered in this course include: deviance, types of crime, (violent, white collar, victimless, etc.) criminal psychology, the criminal justice system, issues in juvenile justice, the prison system, and crime scene investigation.  Connections will be made between the material being studied in class and the students’ everyday lives.  Students will be able to analyze primary source information presented, identify cause and effect relationships, and provide explanations for current criminal justice issues facing the United States.   
GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY  (College Preparatory)                                              Credit: 1.0
During the first half of the course the students study how human society relates to social groups (family, peers, social, etc.)  The second half of the course deals with the social aspects of the individual and how the group affects the behavior of the individual. This will be an introductory course in which major fields/aspects of this subject will be viewed.  Improving observation skills will be emphasized.  Students will be kept abreast of current research and theory.  Students are able to directly apply knowledge gained from this class to their daily lives.  The development of a portfolio on self concept is a component of the course. 

RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY (Honors)                                             Credit: 1.0
The course is designed in two parts:  First, students will be assisting researchers at a major university in Philadelphia in their quest to measure the ability levels of those with normal brains so the data can be compared to those with abnormal brains.  This course provides a unique opportunity for both institutions.  High school students will be involved in conducting research, analyzing data, and presenting their findings.  Second, this course focuses on the theoretical and practical experience with original research.  Students will actively participate in every aspect of the research process including:  problem recognition, research methodology and execution, thesis composition, theoretical/practical application, professional presentation and defense.  This course will include the ethical implications in research.  This course parallels college courses in research.  Prerequisite:  Currently is enrolled in Advanced Placement Psychology or has completed Advanced Placement Psychology.  It is also suggested that students consider taking general statistics or Advanced Placement Statistics. 

Public Administration Electives

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN SOCIETY (College Preparatory)                     Credit: 0.5
The focus of this course is an in-depth study of issues in today’s society. Topics covered in this course include political and social controversies such as immigration policy, the role of the United States in world affairs, terrorism, and the election cycle.  Students will be able to analyze information presented, identify cause and effect relationships, and provide explanations for current issues facing the United States and the world. Students will be able to research and debate the headlines of the day.  Students will be able to develop policy statements in response to current challenges facing the American people.

THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM (College Preparatory)                      Credit: 0.5
In this course the students will study the political system of the United States through an in depth examination of the Constitution.  Topics will include:  the philosophical backgrounds of the American political system, the Constitutional Convention, the structure of the American government:  Articles I – III, American federalism, the workings of the three branches of government, and civil rights and responsibilities.

MACROECONOMICS AND FINANCE (College Preparatory)                        Credit: 1.0
In this course, students will examine the basic economic principles that go into the formation of economic policy including taxation, fiscal policy, monetary policy, and economic indicators.  The students will examine the basic tools of finance, such as the banking system, the stock market, real estate, and other investment tools.  The goal of the course is to provide the students with an understanding of how the government develops economic policies, where their money will go as they enter the world of work, and how to develop strategies to prepare for their economic future.

History Electives

HISTORY THROUGH THE MEDIA (College Preparatory)                              Credit: 0.5
In this course, students will examine selected events and people from current American and world history by looking at films, music, literature, and other media productions.  The students will study the historical settings and mind sets of the time frame for each media selection, and will be able to identify cause and effect relationships and draw conclusions about the production based on the attitudes of the day and of the present. 

CONFLICT & SOCIETY (College Preparatory)                                                    Credit: 0.5
In this course, students will examine the causes of conflict and the effect conflict has on society. The students will study different types of conflict, including war, class, racial and political. Students will be able to identify the various motivating forces that result in conflict.  The students will discuss various alternative strategies to conflict, and debate alternative methods of problem-solving and conflict resolution.  The course will emphasize current conflicts and examine the potential effects on the American and world-wide society and various ideas as to how these conflicts might be resolved.