Niskayuna Central School District > Academics > Niskayuna High School Program of Studies 2025-26 > NHS Program of Studies: Social Studies

NHS Program of Studies: Social Studies

Objectives

The Social Studies program has as its prime objective the development of informed, responsible and active citizens. Citizens such as these must understand the interconnected world in which they live, and be able to apply knowledge and skills learned in the program to new and divergent problems and possibilities.

In order to accomplish this task, a four-year sequence is required of all students.

Content and Skills

These courses reflect state and district learning standards, the content of the state scope and sequence, and additional curriculum and assessment material developed at the local level.

They have been designed to provide students with an understanding of the history and culture of the United States and the world around them, employing knowledge from the social sciences and the humanities. Emphasis is placed on developing a variety of research, communication and collaborative skills.

Social Studies Courses

11161 GLOBAL HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY I

1 year, 1 credit, Grade 9

Global History 1 begins a two-year study of the major ideas, eras, themes, developments and turning points in world history. Students employ the methods of the social sciences to examine the broad sweep of history from multiple perspectives. Historical eras from the Ancient World (from 4000 B.C.) to the First Global Age (to 1770) are studied.

11221 GLOBAL HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY I HONORS

1 year, 1 credit, Grade 9

The content of this course is similar to that of the regular program, but students will be expected to read more extensively, do more individual study and go into topics in greater depth. Strong independent reading and writing skills are expected.

12171 GLOBAL HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY II

1 year, 1 credit, Grade 10

This course completes a two-year study of the major ideas, eras, themes, developments and turning points in world history. Students employ the methods of the social sciences to examine the broad sweep of history from multiple perspectives. Historical eras from the Age of Revolutions (1750-1914) to the 20th century since 1945 are studied.

12201 GLOBAL HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY II HONORS

1 year, 1 credit, Grade 10

The content of this course is similar to that of the regular program, but students will be expected to read more extensively, do more individual study and go into topics in greater depth. Strong independent reading and writing skills are expected.

12300 AP WORLD HISTORY

1 year, 1 credit, Grades 10-12

This course will make demands on students that are equivalent to those of an introductory college course. Course content focuses primarily on the past thousand years of the global experience from about 1000 C.E. to the present, highlighting changes in international frameworks and comparisons especially among major non-European societies. This Advanced Placement course prepares students for the AP World History examination. Students enrolled in this course will be expected to complete a summer reading program prior to attending this course.

13151 UNITED STATES HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT

1 year, 1 credit, Grade 11

This course is a chronological survey of American history from the late 18th century to the present, as well as an examination of the origin, structure and principles of the government of the United States.

13241 UNITED STATES HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT H

1 year, 1 credit, Grade 11

The content of this course is similar to that of the regular program, but students will be expected to read more extensively, do more individual study, and go into topics in greater depth.

13251 AP UNITED STATES HISTORY

1 year, 1 credit, Grades 11-12

This course will make demands on students that are equivalent to those of an introductory college course. Students will be required to learn how to read historical material analytically and critically, to weigh historical evidence, and evaluate various interpretations of history. This Advanced Placement course places heavy emphasis on reading and the writing of short research papers and prepares students for the AP American History examination. Students enrolled in this course will be expected to complete a summer reading program prior to attending this course.

The Economics Requirement

14200 ECONOMICS

1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grade 12

The Board of Regents has mandated a one-semester Economics requirement for graduation from secondary schools in the State of New York. This course examines the following topics: supply and demand, market structures, government oversight of the economy and topics relating to entrepreneurship and consumer economics.

14260 AP MICROECONOMICS

1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grade 12

This course examines the fundamental concepts underlying business, consumer and worker decision-making. It will make demands on students that are equivalent to those of an introductory college course. The course prepares students to take the AP Microeconomics examination. Students will be expected to complete a summer reading program prior to attending this course.

14270 AP MACROECONOMICS

1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grade 12

This course examines the fundamental concepts underlying the functioning of the entire economic system including international trade. It will make demands on students that are equivalent to those of an introductory college course. The course prepares students to take the AP Macroeconomics examination. Students enrolled in this course will be expected to complete a summer reading program prior to attending this course.

Students considering advanced study in economics may wish to take both AP courses. Together they provide the equivalent of a full-year college introductory course in the subject.

The Participation in Government Requirement

14300 LAW AND GOVERNMENT

1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grade 12

The Board of Regents has mandated Participation in Government as a requirement for high school graduation in New York State. This course meets that requirement and focuses on how government and law affects our daily lives and communities. Students will play an active role in investigating public policy as it relates to the consumer, family, criminal justice system and civil liberties.

14311 US GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC POLICY AND WORLD ISSUES

1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grade 12

This a course aimed at introducing you to the events, trends, and problems facing United States citizens in an increasingly interdependent and globalized world. The course is designed to inform, to provoke, and most especially to inspire students to think seriously about pressing political, economic, and social concerns. Upon completion of the course, all students will emerge with a more sophisticated understanding of important core concepts (e.g., governance, citizenship, security, etc.) to our nation. Students will also discover and develop a greater awareness of alternative perspectives to interpreting and resolving global dilemmas (e.g., population growth, terrorism, etc.) with an enhanced confidence in their ability to question and articulate informed positions on important issues. This course is fully project based, with group presentations as a required form of assessment.

14320 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE HONORS (University in the High School Program)

1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grade 12

This college course is offered through the University in High School Program at SUNY Albany. The course focuses on examining critical national, state and local issues through classroom discussions and independent research. Students have the option of cross-registration with SUNY Albany and receiving three college credits that can be applied at any college or university within the SUNY system. An overall average of B+ or better in previous social studies courses is required by UHS in order to be eligible for UHS enrollment. NHS students may still enroll in the course and choose not to participate in the UHS option.

THE PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT and ECONOMICS REQUIREMENT

14421 AP GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS: UNITED STATES

1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grade 12

This class provides a college-level, nonpartisan introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and culture of the United States. Students study U.S. foundational documents, Supreme Court decisions, and other texts and visuals to gain an understanding of the relationships and interactions among political institutions, process, and behavior.

14440 ECONOMICS & LAW AND GOVERNMENT – INTEGRATED

1 year, 1 credit, Grade 12

Students will receive one grade for this course. Course topics will include those covered in the above-described Economics and Law and Government courses, including the understanding of current issues in government and economics. The integrated course approach provides enhanced insight into how political and economic forces and decisions are interconnected. There will be considerable opportunity for small group and whole-class discussions, group-based assignments, case study investigations, as well as more traditional learning approaches. This is an integrated course in which the class is taught either by one teacher in a section of traditional size or co-taught by two teachers in a section double the size of a traditional class. The class meets every other day for a year.

Elective Courses for Students

The following courses are intended to supplement the social studies program and may be elected in addition to grade-level courses but may not be elected in lieu of such courses. These courses do not satisfy state social studies requirements.

17120 THE HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS

1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grades 10-12

This is a survey course exploring African-American contributions to the culture, politics and history of the United States. The course will begin with a look at the history and culture of African civilization prior to slavery. Students will then explore slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, segregation and disenfranchisement, civil rights and current issues. Much of the course material will be taught through literature, artifacts, music and plays.

17140 HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES

1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grades 11-12

The Holocaust and Genocide Studies course will be a challenging, interdisciplinary, in-depth examination into the Holocaust and genocide. Students will analyze historical forces to assist in their understanding of the roles of victims, survivors, perpetrators, and collaborators. Students will engage in extensive reading, analyzing and evaluating of a wide range of texts in a study of the voices and perspectives of the Holocaust and other genocides. There will be a focus on understanding underrepresented and often overlooked voices and perspectives. Historical context will also be constructed with a heavy emphasis on analysis of perspective and bias.  Students will be challenged to actively participate and explore how to exert their leverage and take responsibility for preventing genocide in the future through civic action, education, and advocacy for democratic institutions.

17200 SOCIOLOGY

1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grades 11-12

Sociology is the scientific study of the origins and effects of human group behavior. Semester-long themes of study include race, gender, ethnicity, social class crime and social deviance. Topics include conformity, herd mentality and “groupthink,” the bystander effect, cults, hate groups, the civil rights movement, mass incarceration, and current events. Students will complete an original research project at the end of the semester. The course is open to students of all interests and ability levels.

17300 PSYCHOLOGY

1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grades 11-12

This is an introductory course that provides students with a basic understanding of the field of psychology; the study of the mind and behavior. Topics include the human brain, Freud and the Neo-Freudians, Behavioral Psychology and the work of Pavlov & Skinner, Developmental Psychology, Humanistic Psychology, Abnormal Psychology and Experimental design. Mental health awareness is emphasized. The course is open to students of all interests and ability levels.

17500 AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grades 11-12

This course will make demands on students that are equivalent to those of an introductory college course. The purpose of the AP course in Human Geography is to introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of the Earth’s surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization, economic and environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice. This Advanced Placement course prepares students for the optional AP Human Geography examination.

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