SOCIAL STUDIES ELECTIVES

SOCIOLOGY (8793) (9732) Grades 9-12 5 Credits

Sociology is the study of the ways people interact with one another within social groups. Sociologists study relationships within groups, between groups and in social institutions. They study the organization/structure of societies, such as our own and other interesting societies around the world. Sociologists also deal with current issues and social problems, such as violence in schools and poverty in America. The course uses various media to present the subject, such as culture grams, videos, films, and simulation games.

PSYCHOLOGY (9734) Grades 11-12 5 Credits

The course is a challenging and fascinating study of human behavior and mental processes. Discover what psychologists have learned about why people do what they do. At the same time, students will make some discoveries about their own lives and behavior. Some activities of interest will include: monthly field trips to the senior center, visiting with older adults to have an exchange of dialogue, viewing interesting, insightful films for analyzing and understanding, and group sharing of experiences, observations, and ideas about illusions, hypnosis, dream interpretation, and psychological disorders to better understand self and others.

AP PSYCHOLOGY (9735) Grades 11-12 5 Credits (AP)

Prerequisite:

  • Students must achieve a minimum of a B in their previous year’s honors/AP history course or

  • an A- in their previous year’s CP history course or

  • Students must achieve a minimum of an A in Psychology

Advanced Placement Psychology is an elective which will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement test in May. This college level course will provide an overview of the psychology program. It is the challenging and fascinating study of human behavior. This course is for the academically serious student whose goal is to achieve high scores on the Advanced Placement test in May and looking to pursue psychology as part of their post-secondary plans. This course is part of the Middlesex College Dual Enrollment Program, which can potentially award students college credits upon completion of the course.

AP EUROPEAN HISTORY (9738) Grade 10-12 5 Credits (AP)

Prerequisite:

  • Students must achieve a minimum of a B in their previous year’s honors history course (Global Studies Honors, United States History I or II Honors) or an A in their previous year’s CP history course (World History, United States History I or II CP)

Advanced Placement European History is an elective that covers the period of history from approximately 1500 until the modern era. This course is geared toward the serious history student looking to successfully prepare for the Advanced Placement Test in May. This course provides an opportunity for students to explore an additional period of history within the development of Western Civilization. This course is part of the Middlesex College Dual Enrollment Program, which can potentially award students college credits upon completion of the course.

ECONOMICS HONORS (9742) Grades 11- 12 5 credits (Honors)

Prerequisite:

  • Minimum grade of B- in AP US History, B in US History I Honors, or an A in US History I CP or

  • Grade 12 Students only - Successful completion of US History II CP or US History II Honors

  • Grade 11 students only - Must enroll concurrently in AP US Government and Politics and either US History II CP or US History II Honors.

  • Students who have completed AP US History do not need to complete US History II as a prerequisite.

  • In order for a student to receive honors quality points for completing Economic Honors in their GPA, the student must receive a passing grade in US History II CP or US History II Honor. Without a passing grade in US History II CP or Honors, the weighting of the final grade in this course will be calculated into the student’s GPA with the standard (non-weighted) factor.

Honors Economics is an upper-level elective course. The curriculum involves an introduction to both macroeconomics and microeconomics and is of great value to a student who may take any economics or business course in college. High-level math skills are not required. The student is expected to have excellent reading skills, be self-motivated and work well independently, have a keen interest in social sciences and wish to explore the role of economics, and demonstrate these qualities by reading relevant books, periodicals, and newspapers that pertain to the subject and/or involve themselves in co-curricular activities related to economics.

CONSCIENCE OF HUMANITY (9736) Grade 12 5 Credits

Prerequisite:

  • Successful completion of World Cultures or Global Studies Honors, U.S. History I, and U.S. History II.

  • Students may successfully complete AP US History in lieu of US History I and US History II.

This course is designed as a 12th grade elective. It is open only to the mature student who has successfully completed all OBHS Social Studies Department requirements. At the conclusion of the first semester, students should be able to understand that genocide is rooted in individual bigotry and that genocide is the ultimate terrible conclusion to prejudice. By studying historical examples, students will develop an understanding of the end of prejudice and be able to apply a positive attitude towards people they encounter in their daily lives. During the first semester, students will explore the courses of genocide and the roots of prejudice and bigotry. During the second semester students will be introduced to various forms of prejudice, such as racial, religious, gender, sexual, age, etc. It is our hope that the students in this course will become people who will work to foster tolerance. Students will be asked to complete multiple readings and a successful research project.  

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES HONORS (9740) Grades 11-12 5 Credits (Honors)

Prerequisite:

  • Minimum grade of B- in AP US History, B in US History I Honors, or an A in US History I CP or

  • Grade 12 Students only - Successful completion of US History II CP or US History II Honors.

  • Grade 11 students only – Students must have successfully completed AP US History. Must enroll concurrently in AP US Government and Politics and either US History II CP or US History II Honors.

  • Students who have completed AP US History do not need to complete US History II as a prerequisite.

  • In order for a student to receive honors quality points for completing International Studies Honors in the his/her GPA, the student must receive a passing grade in US History II CP or US History II Honor. Without a passing grade in US History II CP or Honors, the weighting of the final grade in this course will be calculated into the student’s GPA with the standard (non-weighted) factor.

The post-World War II eras brought the United States to center stage in world affairs. This course will enable students to gain insights into the basic factors and concepts of international relations regarding the political system of the United Nations, national interest and security, wars, nationalism, economic development, and international law. The curriculum is structured primarily to strengthen students’ analytical skills and provide a strong background in international affairs. Topics will include the history and function of the United Nations, the Cold War, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and international crises in the Third World, particularly nuclear and biological threats. Students will research and analyze a country of global interest and prepare a portfolio based on their research.

AP GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS (9744) Grade 11-12 5 Credits (AP)

Prerequisite:

  • Minimum grade of B- in AP US History, or B in US History II Honors, or an A in US History II CP

  • Grade 11 students only - Must enroll concurrently in AP Government and Politics and either US History II CP or US History II Honors.

  • Students who have completed AP US History do not need to complete US History II as a prerequisite.

  • In order for a student to receive Advanced Placement quality points for completing AP Government and Politics in the student’s GPA, the student must receive a passing grade in US History II CP or US History II Honors. Without a passing grade in US History II CP or Honors, the weighting of the final grade in this course will be calculated into the student’s GPA with the standard (non-weighted) factor.

Twelfth graders who were denied entrance to this course due to scheduling conflicts in their junior year are eligible to enroll. The purpose of this course is to prepare students to take the College Board examinations in United States Government and Politics and Comparative Government and Politics. Successful scores for these tests will indicate the equivalent of 6 college credits. Each college or university determines actual credit or advanced placement. The student is expected to have excellent reading skills, be self-motivated and work well independently, have a keen interest in government and politics, and demonstrate these qualities by reading relevant books, periodicals, and newspapers that pertain to the subject and/or involve themselves in co-curricular activities related to government and politics. This course is part of the Middlesex College Dual Enrollment Program, which can potentially award students college credits upon completion of the course.