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It is the goal of the Social Studies Department of Bishop Kearney High School to instill a pool of knowledge and skills while engendering an appreciation for History and the other Social Sciences as resources and tools for understanding the present, through the past, in hope of a future closer to the Christian ideals of justice and peace. As maturing young people of varying abilities and experiences in a global society, and as citizens of the United States of America, all students follow a four-year required sequence in Social Studies: GLOBAL STUDIES in 9th and 10th grade, AMERICAN HISTORY in 11th grade and GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMICS in 12th grade.
1101 GLOBAL I (Grade 9, Full Year, 1 unit)
GLOBAL I is designed to develop geographical and historical perspectives on Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East as a base for the two-year course of study of our global community. The sociology, economics, and governments of peoples and nations will be discussed across historical time periods from their beginnings to the present. A major research paper is required.
1102 GLOBAL II (Grade 10, Full Year, 1 unit)
GLOBAL II is a continuation of GLOBAL STUDIES I, building on the skills and content of Freshman year. We will continue to explore the Middle East, the Classical Mediterranean World, Western and Eastern Europe. As in GLOBAL I, Geography, History, and the other Social Sciences will be highlighted while studying the growing interdependent global village we call Earth. The New York State exam in GLOBAL STUDIES will be required at the completion of the two-year course of study. A major research paper is required.
1103 UNITED STATES HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT (Grade 11, Full Year, 1 unit)
This course in the HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES includes a chronological survey of U.S. HISTORY, in general, with emphasis on the U.S. as a developing and fully developed industrial nation. Constitutional issues will be explored in depth, as well as the problems of a dynamic and industrial society in an increasingly complex and technology-oriented world. The New York State exam in UNITED STATES HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT will be required for those students who entered grade nine in 1998 and beyond. A major research paper is required.
1105 PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT (Grade 12, Semester, 1/2 unit)
In this one-semester course students will examine the critical documents that are the basis of our political system. In addition, students will study the operations of the Federal Government, namely, the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches. The principle of Federalism will be examined with emphasis on the interaction between citizens and government at all levels. Problem-solving analysis of public issues will also be considered. Essentially this course encourages student to understand and participate in the democratic process. A major research paper/ project is required.
1106 ECONOMICS (Grade 12, Semester, 1/2 unit)
This one-semester course studies economic principles and decision-making. It includes basic economic concepts and understandings that individuals need to function effectively and intelligently as citizens and participants of the economy of the United States. The course will emphasize a rational decision-making process that can be applied to all economic decisions. A major research paper/ project is required.
Electives:
African American History and Literature (1/2 Unit)
This course will present an overview of African and African-American History from African Empires to present day with a major emphasis on the struggle for freedom and equal civil rights. It will also include a history of women's struggles for equal rights, as well as the struggles of other minority and ethnic groups.
Psychology (1/2 Unit)
This course is designed to acquaint students with the scientific study of psychology. Topics include genetic and environmental influences on the development of behavior, perception, learning, motivation, emotion, personality and psychopathology. A major research paper/project is required.
Holocaust (1/2 Unit)
This course includes a background study of Nazism with emphasis on the ideology of Hitler. It will focus on the moral aspects of the Holocaust and the effect it had on specific people of the time. It will include research projects, readings, visuals of relevant materials, and discussion of the Holocaust and its impact on today.
Criminal Justice (1/2 Unit)
This elective, through the use of textbook, films, field trips, speakers and "hands-on" experiences, will attempt to explore the criminal justice system of the United States. It will study the constitutional foundation for the system, how laws are created, applied and enforced. Included will be an in-depth look at the Bill of Rights as it applies to due process. The course will also look at the differences between federal laws, state laws, and local statues. It is hoped that this curriculum will instill in the student a better understanding of and appreciation for the criminal justice system, even though it may not be perfect.
Advanced Placement (AP) United States History (1 Unit)
This course is designed to provide students with analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in US History. Students will learn to assess historical materials-their relevance to a given interpretive problem, their reliability and their importance- and to weigh evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship. All students are required to take the Advanced Placement exam in May. A major research project is required.
Pre-requisite: Recommendation of Instructor.
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