Social Studies

The Social Studies Department is committed to the goal of providing our students with a solid foundation in history and social sciences. The State of Pennsylvania requires three-years of Social Studies. The Social Studies Department at Oakland Catholic High School requires four- years. The members of the Social Studies Department feel that it is essential that students have the fourth year to pursue academic challenges that will help prepare them for the transition to college.

The focus of our curriculum in 9th and 10th grades is to present students with a global perspective as they study history. Our department is committed to teaching our students history/social sciences from multiple cultural perspectives. It is paramount that our students pursue learning by thinking critically, speaking intelligently, and writing credibly. These are the goals of every member of this department.

World History I

Level: CP

World History I traces the prehistoric and historic achievements of western and eastern civilizations from the Stone Age to 1500 A.D. The course explores the impact of geography, the evolution of government, the development of culture, and the reality of conflict and change. Attention is paid to the accomplishments of leaders and prominent figures, as well as the importance of social history. Units of study include: Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, India, China, Japan, and Europe & the Middle East during the Middle Ages.

Honors World History I

Level: Honors

Note: Students in Honors World History I will be required to work more independently, complete more in-depth reading assignments, and demonstrate argumentation skills in more debates and writing assignments.

Sophomore Year

World History II
Honors World History II

World History II

Honors World History II

Level: Honors

Sophomore year will complete the study of World History started in Freshman World History I. Beginning with 1500 A.D., this course will examine both western and non-western history up to and including the present. This course will place heavy emphasis on research, critical thinking and writing, especially essay testing. Summer reading is an important component in establishing the foundational concepts for the course.

Prerequisites: A 90% average for the year in Honors World History I, is required and your Honors World History I Teacher must recommend you.

Junior Year

American History

Honors American History

Level: Honors

This course is a comprehensive and chronological study of American History. Students will examine the inter-relationship between the political, economic, social, intellectual and diplomatic forces that have shaped America. Critical thinking skills will be emphasized, requiring students to summarize, and also analyze, synthesize and interpret information. Students will also practice correct research skills. A formal research paper will be required.

Prerequisites: A 90% average in Honors World History II over four quarters and approval with a Teacher signature by the Social Studies Department are required.

AP United States History

Level: AP

This accelerated course is designed to examine themes in the development of American culture from the first settlement to present day. The student will analyze the inter- relationships between political, social, intellectual, economic, and diplomatic forces in shaping America. Using both primary and secondary sources, the student will investigate historical questions in order to develop arguments and support their validity. All students enrolled in this course MUST take the AP exam in May according to the schedule set by the College Board.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Honors World History II with a 93% average over four quarters and the recommendation of Honors World History II teacher are required.

Senior Year

Economics and American Government

Level: CP

Economics: One of the purposes of this course is to create an understanding of Economics in general and to more specifically learn about the American economy in both an academic and practical way. Some of the information presented will seem very logical.

Other information will only make sense if learned within the framework of defined economic concepts. The point is, not to take anything for granted. Be attentive to the concepts presented. Think about the questions being asked and try to give thoughtful responses during class discussion. It is important to be informed. Read a newspaper daily. Identify stories, events, etc. which impact on the American economy and/or the global economy. Concepts such as supply and demand, trade deficits, currency values, tariffs, and absolute and comparative advantage will be covered in this course

U.S. Government: The purpose of this class is to develop an awareness of, and a responsibility toward, the American system of government. It is important to note that this course will not center on civic responsibility and problems of democracy. Rather, we will study issues that relate to the origins of government, how those origins may have impacted on the formation of the American system of government, and how our Constitution has evolved from the intentions of the Founders to the modern interpretations of constitutional guarantees. We will use the Magruder’s American Government text as a supplement. Students must be conscious about note-taking, daily review and active class participation. The concepts presented in government will be abstract, and depending on the topic, debatable.

Honors Introduction to Economics and Political Science

Level: Honors

Economics: The text that will be used is Economics, by John B. Taylor and Akila Weerapana.

This is a college-level text. This course is designed for the self-motivated student who wishes to acquire an in-depth knowledge of how the economy functions from the point of view of the market system. Some of the topics that will be covered are: scarcity and choice, the characteristics of a market economy, the dynamics of supply and demand, price elasticity, consumerism, labor markets, investments, and taxation. Students who take this course must be willing to do extensive reading and writing. Critical thinking skills are essential for success in this course.

Political Science: This course is designed for the self-motivated student who wishes to explore the topic of politics beyond the usual scope of a high school course. Understanding Politics, Ideas, Institutions and Issues by Thomas Magstadt, is a college text that will be used in this course. This text introduces students to the topic of global politics by identifying and defining different types of government systems. The text then explores the role of politics within the context of a defined system of government. Political philosophy is a large component of this course. Different political models will be explored and discussion of these models will be done using the American political system as context.

AP United States Government and Politics

Level: AP

The purpose of this course is to increase the understanding of the self-motivated student in analyzing and synthesizing information on the structure and function of American government. The framework, traditions and values of the American governmental structure will be studied. This course will also cover the main processes and institutions of the American political system. The following themes will be explored: The foundations of government (the historical framework within which the constitution originated, federalism, civil rights and liberties), the institutions of government (a study of Congress, the Presidency and the Federal courts), the politics of government (public opinion, elections, political parties, interest groups, the media), the governance of government (public policy, the economy, foreign policy and world politics, the state of the union). All students enrolled in this course MUST take the AP exam in May according to the schedule set by the College Board.

AP Human Geography

Level: AP

In his book The Power of Place, Harm de Blij observes that “Earth may be a planet of shrinking functional distances, but it remains a world of staggering situational differences”. AP Human Geography addresses these differences (climate, resources, etc.) and the role place plays in the challenges we face in the 21st Century. According to the College Board AP Human Geography course description, “The purpose of the AP Human Geography course is to introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students learn to employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences”. Topics include urbanization, cultural patterns and processes (language, religion, cultural identity/ethnicity), the causes and effects of migration, the human impact on the environment, the political organization of space, industrialization and economic development, and rural land use.

This is a college-level class and students must expect an appropriate level of reading and writing. Summer reading is an important element of the class, as it helps establish the foundational concepts of course.

In addition to writing essays and papers, which analyze and respond to various topics, the students will write a research paper. All students enrolled in this course are required to take the AP exam in May. In addition, all students must purchase the practice book.

Prerequisite: It is strongly recommended that students registering for this class have successfully completed AP American History and/or AP Language and Literature to be prepared for the level of reading, analysis and writing required in this course.

Electives

Women in a Global Context - 0.5 Credits

Level: CP

Women in a Global Context is a new one-semester elective for the 2018-2019 school year. The course is divided into four thematic units exploring issues that have impacted women historically and today. Units include Women and Government, Women and Education, Women and Social Justice, and Women and the Future. Students will use primary sources, both written and visual, to enhance their understanding of these themes. Students will be expected to critically think through frequent class discussions and writing. The course will culminate with an action-oriented research project.

Honors Psychology - 0.5 Credits

Level: Honors

Honors Psychology I is a one-semester introductory course into human behavior and the mind. The course exposes students to the field of psychology with current research, important concepts, and key figures. Topics covered include: History and Approaches to Psychology, Research Methods, the Biology of Behavior, Sensation and Perception, Learning and Conditioning, States of Consciousness, and Human Development. To fully explore these topics, students will be expected to engage in critical thinking and frequent discussion. This Honors-level course will move at a fast pace, requiring independent work. Research and writing skills will be important components of the course.

Prerequisites: For rising juniors; maintaining a 95% average in her CP sophomore history course or maintaining a 90% average in her Honors sophomore history course is required. For rising seniors; maintaining a 95% average in her CP junior history course, maintaining a 90% average in her Honors junior history course, or enrollment in an AP junior history course is required.

Psychology - 0.5 Credits

Level: CP

Psychology I is a one-semester introductory course into human behavior and the mind. The course exposes students to the field of psychology with current research, important concepts, and key figures. Topics covered include: History and Approaches to Psychology, Research Methods, the Biology of Behavior, Sensation and Perception, Learning and Conditioning, States of Consciousness, and Human Development. To fully explore these topics, students will be expected to engage in critical thinking and writing skills, frequent discussion, and research projects.

Note: This course is only available to juniors and seniors.

Sociology - 0.5 Credits

Level: CP

Sociology is the study of society, social behavior, and interaction. In this one-semester course, we will explore various topics, including; culture, socialization, crime, race, and gender, to better understand how we are both products of and influences on our society. This will be done through discussion, observations, experiments, and research. Emphasis will be placed on appreciating the reasons for similarity and difference among the world's many social groups.

Note: This course is only available to juniors and seniors.

Psychology II - 0.5 Credits

Level: CP

This one-semester course offers students the opportunity to continue their study of psychology. Areas of study include Memory, Motivation, Personality, Intelligence, Abnormal Psychology and Treatment, and Social Psychology.

Prerequisite: You must successfully complete Psychology I. This course is only available to seniors (possibly juniors if Psychology I was taken first semester).

AP Psychology

Level: AP

AP Psychology is a rigorous fast-paced course designed to introduce students to the scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings. To accomplish this, the course provides instruction in the following content areas: History and Approaches, Research Methods, Biological Bases of Behavior, Sensation and Perception, State of Consciousness, Learning, Cognition, Motivation and Emotion, Developmental Psychology, Personality, Testing and Individual differences, Abnormal Psychology, Treatment of Psychological disorders, and Social Psychology.

All students enrolled in this course MUST take the AP exam according to the schedule set by the College Board.

Prerequisites: You must achieve a 92% average in Honors Psych I or a 97% average in CP Psych I and recommendation of Psych I teacher are required.

Honors Introduction to Philosophy - 0.5 Credits

Level: Honors

This is a one-semester survey course that will introduce students to the subject of Philosophy. The course content in the first quarter will concentrate on Western philosophy. We will begin the course by studying some of the key figures in Greek philosophy (Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle). The course will also include selected reading on a wide range of topics: religion, morality, knowledge, free will, determinism, and politics. A variety of philosophers will be studied in these topic areas. Students taking this course must be committed to do the required readings and must fully participate in class discussion and projects. Assessment will be done through in-class thesis writing.

Note: This course is only available to juniors and seniors.