The core of the social studies curriculum is human history.  Studying the choices made by earlier generations can help us understand the present and, perhaps, the future.

(2240) U.S. HISTORY 1

0.5 credit

Students enrolled in this semester long course will be studying early American History, from the Revolution to 1900.  Topics will include the Jefferson and Jackson Administrations, the War of 1812, the Texas War for Independence, the Mexican Ware and the American Civil War.  Students will choose the topics that are of primary interest to examine in more depth.  Students will take a comprehensive Final Exam at the end of the Semester.

(2230) U.S. HISTORY 2

0.5 credit

U.S. History 2 is a Semester Long survey course of 20^th century United States history.  This course will consist of 10 Units beginning in 1898 and ending in 2007.  The following topics will be examined:  The Spanish-American War and Progressivism; WW I and The Roaring 20’s; The Great Depression and New Deal; WW II Home and Abroad; Early Cold War and 1950’s; The Turbulent 60’s; Crisis and Change the 70’s; 80’s and the End of the Cold War; Emergence of Modern America.

(2220) WORLD CULTURES

0.5 credit

This semester long course will cover World Cultures, both Western & Non-Western, which will allow the students to look at the broad spheres of human activity including the social, political, scientific, technological, economic, and cultural areas.  Studying the history and inquiring into the families, communities, states, nations, and various people of the world engages the student in the lives, aspirations, struggles, accomplishments and failures of real people.  An appreciation for the diversity of many cultures is just one of the lessons that will be learned in this course.

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(2210) UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

0.5 credit

This semester long course includes the study of government theory, federalism in the United States, the structure of the American political system, local taxation, and voting.  Students will also be given the opportunity to register to vote.  An overview of Pennsylvania’s government will also be covered.  This course involves extensive use of the U.S. Constitution and other primary and secondary documents.

(210) AP US GOVERNMENT & POLITICS

1.0 credit         (1.07 weight)

Prerequisite:  12^th grade status

Note:  An application process is required for this course.  Students are required to complete a summer assignment.                 Successful completion of this course would fulfill the 12^th grade social studies credit requirement

Teacher:  Mr. Fitzgerald

This year long college level course utilizes extensive primary & secondary sources.  Extensive reading and writing will be imbedded throughout the course.  Topics to be covered include:  The Constitutional underpinnings of democracy in the U.S., political beliefs and behaviors of individuals in the U.S., political parties and interest groups, the Executive, Legislative & Judicial branches, the bureaucracy, the media and civil liberties and civil rights.  Students are expected to take the AP Government exam.  Students who achieve a designated level on this test may receive college credit.

Year Long Social Study Electives

(220) AP US HISTORY

1.0 credit         (1.07 weight)

Prerequisites:  11^th or 12^th grade status

Note:  An application process is required for this course.  Students are required to complete a summer assignment.  Teacher:  Mr. Lyle

AP U.S. History is a year long college level course for students who have excelled in previous U.S. History 1 and U.S. History 2 survey courses.  This course will utilize primary and secondary source reading materials in conjunction with a college level textbook.  Students will be required to present persuasive oral arguments to the class through daily discussions and oral presentations, as well as demonstrate their abilities to conduct research and writing through papers and essays.  The following topics will be covered:  Pre-Columbian America; Colonial North America; The American Revolution; The Early Republic; Antebellum America; Territorial Expansion and Manifest Destiny; Civil War and Reconstruction; Westward Expansion; Industrial America; Populism and Progressivism; Emergence as a World Power; Roaring 20’s; Great Depression and New Deal; WW II Home and Abroad; Early Cold War and 1950’s; The Turbulent 60’s; Crisis and Change the 70’s; 80’s and the End of the Cold War; Emergence of Modern America.  Students in AP courses are expected to take the national AP exam.  Students who achieve a designated level on this test may receive college credit.

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(240) AP PSYCHOLOGY

1.0 credit         (1.07 weight)

Prerequisites:  12^th grade status.   An application process is required for this course.  Students are required to complete a summer assignment.

Teacher:  Mrs. Morris

This year long course is designed to acquaint students with the field of psychology, promote critical thinking skills, develop scientific writing skills and prepare students for the AP Psychology Exam which is administered in May.  We will cover the structure of psychology (what it is), the purpose of psychology (what it does), and the benefits and challenges of psychology in everyday life (how it is applied).  Students are expected to take the AP Psychology exam.  Students who achieve a designated level on this test may receive college credit.

(991) ACADEMIC DECATHLON

1.0 credit

Prerequisite:  9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mrs. Nastase

Students in this year long course learn competitive communication skills.  A nine member team is selected to compete in a nationwide competition that tests student’s abilities in the following areas:  math, economics, fine arts, science, language, literature, social science, interview, and speech.  Students encompassing all ability levels are encouraged to take this elective.  Since the course of study for this class changes from year to year, students may take Academic Decathlon more than once and receive elective credit each year.  Additionally, all students participate in a variety of contests including “on line” contests offered by Knowledge Masters, Quiz Bowl, Quiz Mart and others.

(2264) RECONNECTING YOUTH

0.5 credit

Prerequisite:  By recommendation only

Teacher:  Mr. Maney

This course includes skills training in a positive peer group, monitoring tools designed to measure progress toward course goals, group building behaviors, and life skills training.  Enrollment is based upon administrative recommendation.

Required Mini-Course Offerings

A ROAD MAP TO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

(2211) 3^rd Marking Period

(2238) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisite:  9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  New

This course is concerned primarily with the revolutionary origins of American government.  Topics covered include:  English and American backgrounds of the Revolution; issues and arguments in the Anglo-American conflict; colonial resistance and the beginnings of republicanism; the Revolutionary War; constitution writing for the states and nation; and effects of the American Revolution.

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WILD WILD WEST

(2212) 3^rd Marking Period

(2239) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  New

Students enrolled in this course will engage in a detailed examination of the American West from 1865 – 1900.  Students will examine the confrontation between the culture of Native Americans on the Great Plains, and U.S. government policies encouraging pioneers to move West.  In addition, students will attempt to separate fact from fiction and investigate the true stories of outlaws and legends such as Jesse James, Billy the Kid, The Dalton Gang, Wild Bill Hickok and others.

FROM BOOM TO BUST

(2213) 3^rd Marking Period

(2241) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  New

Students enrolled in this course will analyze the boom times of the 1920’s to the bust times of the 1930’s.  Students will be engaged to the historical events surrounding these decades along with the governments handling of them.

CIVIL RIGHTS.  WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

(2214) 3^rd Marking Period

(2242) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisite:  9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mr. Fitzgerald

This course will analyze civil rights from a variety of angles.  Topics include:  1) the debate as to whether or not to even create a bill of rights, 2) through the use of court cases an analysis of how civil rights have been advanced or retracted.  Various interpretations of these rights, throughout our history and the current debates on these issues, will be explored. 

LET’S CHANGE THE GOVERNMENT

(2215) 3^rd Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisite:  12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mr. Fitzgerald

Students in this course will analyze the different ways that we, as Americans, can influence and change the American government.  Topics to be explored include elections, the media, political parties (both major & minor), and interest groups.  In the end, the students will be able to synthesize the different ways to shape the American government and its policies.

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SAVING & INVESTING

(2243) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisite:  12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mr. Fitzgerald

Students in this course will learn to be prudent managers of financial resources, enabling them to achieve long-term and short-term financial and career goals and security.  Students will also explore both personal and societal consequences for financial decisions.  An examination of both governmental and nongovernmental agencies, that affect these decisions, will also be explored.

ATHLETES IN ACTION:  THE UNTOLD STORY

(2216) 3^rd Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mr. Walker

This mini course will focus on the feel good stories that are often untold or unnoticed.  The off-season contributions of professional and amateur athletes’ will be told.  Individual athletes such as Lance Armstrong’s battle with cancer and Pat Tillman’s decision to leave millions of dollars on the table to defend his country will be explored and discussed in detail.  Questions such as, “How do athletes reach us beyond their playing arena’s”, will be answered?  Historically there have been sport’s teams that have touched us all during very difficult times.  The cold war in the early 1980’s and the significance of the Gold Victory of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team over Russia had significant impacts to both cultures.

ATHLETES IN ACTION:  BEYOND THE GLORY

 (2244) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mr. Walker

This nine week mini-course will go in-depth to some of the most controversial and the most influential sports figures of our time.  How the greatest boxer of all time, Muhammad Ali, influenced the political scene worldwide.  We will also link the Chicago Black Sox scandal in the 1920’s to Pete Rose’s admission to betting on his own team and the present NBA allegations of game fixing.  How did Jackie Robinson pave the way for African Americans in baseball?  Does anyone know who the second African American Baseball player was?  Did Hank Aaron receive death threats when he was chasing the homerun record?

CONTEMPORARY GLOBAL ISSUES

(2217) 3^rd Marking Period

(2245) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mr. Martin

Students enrolled in this course will explore current events at the World, National, State, and Local levels.  Students will examine the larger issues behind the breaking news around the world and examine the impact that these events have on their own lives.  Students will choose an issue as a research topic to write about and present to the class.  This course is primarily based around class discussions and student research/presentations.

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THE SECOND WORLD WAR

(2218) 3^rd Marking Period

(2246) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mr. Martin

Students enrolled in this course will be taking a closer look at World War II.  Focus will include the Soviet’s war in the Eastern Front along with the Allied assault on Europe and America’s war in the Pacific.  Students will read Chapters from several different historical narratives that will go into more depth about various Military Campaigns.  Students will also research a Battle, General or Politician from the time period.  This course offers a more in-depth look at World War II.  Students interested in Military History are encouraged to sign up.

ORGANIZED CRIME IN AMERICA

(2219) 3^rd Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mr. Martin

Students enrolled in this course will be studying the History of Organized Crime in the United States.  The course will begin with the study of early American Gangs and examine the evolution of these gangs into an organized National Crime Syndicate that continues to plaque the Nation to this day.  Students will also look at the depiction of Organized Crime in American Cinema and compare it to the real story lines with which these films are based.  Students will also examine the evolution of American Law Enforcement as it combats Organized Crime.

THE CIVIL WAR & RECONSTRUCTION

(2247) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mr. Martin

Students enrolled in this course will be studying the American Civil War in more depth and detail.  The course will focus on long-term and short-term causes of the war and the political and military leaders of the time period.  From this point, the course will focus on the various battles that were pivotal in the War’s outcome.  Students will study maps and strategies of these battles and critique the strategies imposed by both sides.  The course will wind down with the Reconstruction Period, examining the aftermath of the Civil War.  Students interested in Military History are encouraged to sign up.

CIVIL WAR BATTLES

(2221) 3^rd Marking Period

(2248) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mr. Packer

In this class, students will have in-depth studies of the major Civil War battles.  It is a nine-week course, which will require an independent reading project.  The students will investigate and analyze battle strategies and how each side countered the other.  The requirement for the course is the passing of US History 1.

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MAPS

(2222) 3^rd Marking Period

(2249) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mr. Packer

Students enrolled in this class will interpret maps and be able to locate places around the world.  Upon completion of the course, students will be able to identify at least 100 countries and capitals of the world.

THE HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN LABOR MOVEMENT

(2223) 3^rd Marking Period

(2250) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mr. Packer

Students enrolled in this class will study the American labor movement from the hatters union to present day topics.  This class will focus on how laws and the shift in the political climate affect the American working family.  The class will explore the ways unions are positive and which ways unions negativity affect our economy.

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

(2224) 3^rd Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mrs. Morris

Students in this course will further examine human behavior in society.  Students will discuss how society has treated mental illness.  Students will also be exposed to the principles of learning, memory, motivation and emotion, social psychology and lifespan development.

INTRODUCTION TO ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY

(2251) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mrs. Morris

The Introduction to Abnormal Psychology course will provide the student with a working foundation of the concepts surrounding the nature side of Psychology.  Students will be introduced to the study of behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals.  Students will learn about the functions of the brain and the five senses prior to discussing various personality and stage theorists, abnormal disorders and their therapies.

HISTORY OF THE NAZI HOLOCAUST

(2225) 3^rd Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mrs. Morris

Students will explore the rise of Nazism and the establishment of the Nazi dictatorship in Germany from 1933 until 1945.  Emphasis will be placed on the historical conditions that fostered Nazism, the Hitler revolution, the Nazification of many facets of German life, the Second World War, and the Holocaust.

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AMAZING RACE

(2252) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mrs. Morris

Students will study historical places in different geographic areas of the United States.  In a series of four different courses, students will examine events throughout American history by visiting online museums, national parks and historic places listed on the national historic register.  Students will examine the history, geography, social issues and cultures of the specific regions of the United States.

DEATH & DYING

(2226) 3^rd Marking Period

(2253) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mr. Lyle

Students enrolled in this course will engage in discussions and activities related to the phenomenon of death and dying.  Students will explore how different religions and secular groups deal with death and its aftermath, as well as the psychological aspects of grief and therapy.  Students will participate in field trips to local cemeteries and funeral homes to understand the physical nature of death as well as local customs and rituals.  In addition, students will research and debate ethical and moral issues regarding current U.S. laws dealing with physicians assisted suicide, the death penalty, and the terminally ill.  Throughout the course students will maintain a reflective journal that will be the basis of their final project. 

ASSASSINATION IN AMERICA

(2227) 3^rd Marking Period

(2254) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mr. Lyle

Students enrolled in this course will explore and investigate major political and social assassinations that have impacted the U.S.  Major topics include the assassinations of Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, Huey Long, JFK, Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, MLK, RFK, and John Lennon, as well as attempts on Andrew Jackson, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, Harry Truman, George Wallace, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Regan.  Students will investigate and analyze the assassins, their motives, the attempts, and their impact on American society.

THE POLITICS OF ROCK N’ ROLL

(2228) 3^rd Marking Period

(2255) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mr. Wynkoop

This course will examine the relationship between rock n’ roll music and politics in the United States.  Specifically, the course will investigate the origins and evolution of rock n’ roll and its role in the political realm of the 1960’s.  The course will conclude with an analysis of how rock n’ roll music still continues to influence American culture and politics today.

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THE VIETNAM WAR

(2229) 3^rd Marking Period

(2256) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mr. Wynkoop

This course will examine the Vietnam War, often described as America’s longest war, in great detail.  Emphasis will be placed on how the United States became involved, the problems encountered by the military and government leaders in fighting this war, and it effects on the American people.  There will also be a focus on film, literature, and music that was inspired by this controversial conflict.

A WORLD OF GENOCIDE

(2231) 3^rd Marking Period

(2257) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:  Mr. Wynkoop

This course will examine the problem of genocide throughout the world.  Major areas of focus will include Nazi Germany, Bosnia, and Rwanda, though reference will also be made to various other examples throughout history.

TEENAGE TROUBLES IN AMERICA

(2232) 3^rd Marking Period

(2258) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:   Mr. Entz

Contemporary Americans are faced with both enormous opportunities and grave temptations and challenges.  This course explores some of the most important issues faced by our youth today, offering insights into difficulties which plague students, and provides informative solutions developed to combat and overcome them.  Topics to be covered include:  Juvenile Justice and Crime, Bullying, Gang Violence, Kids and Obesity, AIDS in America, Alcoholism, Drugs:  Street and Rx, Hate Crimes and Groups, Mental Health, Teen Suicide, Prime Time Violence & Challenges of Adolescence.

JAPAN:  FROM THE SAMURAI TO GODZILLA

(2233) 3^rd Marking Period

(2259) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:   Mr. Entz

This course examines the history of Japan from ancient times to the present day.  Students will learn how geography affects life in Japan.  They also find out how the Japanese have adapted elements of Chinese and other cultures to their own traditions.  Students learn about religion, family, and social structure in traditional Japanese society.  The course also examines modern Japanese society with topics such as school, work, and leisure activities.

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SCREENING AMERICA PART I

(2234) 3^rd Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:   Mr. Entz

By combining the study of films with the text-based primary sources, this course gives students clear guidance in studying, interpreting, and understanding the motion picture’s significance as a primary source in investigating U.S. History from 1900 to 1945.  Students will come to understand history as not only the record of what governments did, but also the way in which people lived their lives, experienced the wider world, and engaged in leisure pursuits, from which we can learn much about the society in which they lived.

SCREENING AMERICA PART II

(2260) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:   Mr. Entz

By combining the study of films with the text-based primary sources, this course gives students clear guidance in studying, interpreting, and understanding the motion picture’s significance as a primary source in investigating U.S. History from 1900 to 1945 to the present.  Students will come to understand history as not only the record of what governments did, but also the way in which people lived their lives, experienced the wider world, and engaged in leisure pursuits, from which we can learn much about the society in which they lived.

AMERICA AT WAR PART I

(2235) 3^rd Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:   Mr. Maney

Students enrolled in this class will explore the history of the United States through the chronological event of wars throughout the history of the United States.  The course will begin with the Revolutionary War, and then proceed into the War of 1812.  We will address briefly some of the frontier wars and some other unknown wars (ex.  Quasi Wars).  Next, we will progress into the American Civil War.  Finally, we will finish up with the post-civil wars such as the Spanish-American War and the Philippine War.  During the course of these units, we will look at important events leading up to the war, important people, specific battles within the war, key results of the war and long-term effects of the war which impact our history today.  At the same time, if possible we will make a connection to local history, both in Pennsylvania and Bellefonte history.  Students will have the opportunity to explore aspects of the war which are an interest to them such as medical aspects of the war, strategic plans, transportation, etc.  Course assessments will be through projects, cooperative learning, and unit exams.

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AMERICA AT WAR PART II

(2261) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:   Mr. Maney

Students enrolled in this class will explore the history of the United States through the chronological events of wars throughout the history of the United States.  The course will begin with the World War I.  Next, we will progress into the Second World War.  We will connect future wars with a discussion of the Cold War (even though it wasn’t a war in the physical sense) and proceed into Vietnam and Korean Wars.  Finally, we will finish the course with the post-Cold War era and focus on the Persian Gulf War and the current War on Terrorism.  During the course of these units, we will look at important events leading up to the war, important people, specific battles within the war, key results of the war and long-term effects of the war which impact our history today.  At the same time, if possible, we will make a connection to local history, both Pennsylvania and Bellefonte history.  Students will have the opportunity to explore aspects of the war, which are an interest to them such as medical aspects of the war, strategic plans, transportation, etc.  Course assessments will be through projects, cooperative learning, and unit exams.

WORLD RELIGIONS

(2236) 3^rd Marking Period

(2262) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:   Mrs. Nastase

Students enrolled in this course will be introduced to the history of world religion.  Students will investigate the history and analyze different religious belief systems, including but not limited to Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism.

DEMONS, DICTATORS AND DESPOTISM

(2237) 3^rd Marking Period

(2263) 4^th Marking Period

0.25 credit

Prerequisites:  10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade status

Teacher:   Mrs. Nastase

Students will explore some of the seventy countries around the world where in 2007 dictators rule and conflict thrives.  Emphasis on the factors that contribute to clashes between civilians, political and military forces will occur.  Discussion of factors that lead to conflict, despotism, and the costs in human terms will be analyzed.  Conflicts from the past century in the Middle East, Africa, South America and Asia will be explored.