Social Studies

The Social Studies Department at WUHS is designed to create a balance between historical inquiry and analysis. The courses create a flow from the early beginnings of humans to their development into late civilizations. Historical patterns are used to show the relationship between economic, political and social organizations. A full program of courses is available beginning with the required Freshman Social Studies, European History and US History. The department offers a variety of elective seminars at different levels including World Religions, The Holocaust and Art History, to name a few. Course curricula are implemented in student-centered classrooms using a variety of activities and a wide realm of discussion.

 

0366/ WORLD HISTORY
Grade 9 Level III
Prerequisite: none
1 credit

This course covers prehistory, the rise of ancient civilizations (Mideast, Africa, China, Greece, Rome), and the Middle Ages. Students will be involved in a variety of activities including projects, research/reaction papers, tests, quizzes, Internet work, writing and reading assignments, oral presentations, and examining/analyzing documentaries. Students will also be expected to complete a midterm and final exam.

 

0358/ WORLD HISTORY HONORS
Grade 9 Level II
Prerequisite: none
1 credit

This challenging one-year course covers the same material found in Level III World History, but in greater depth and with a stronger emphasis on reading and writing at a high level of cognition. Students will acquire skills to do extensive research on various assigned topics through the semester and be expected to analyze, synthesize and evaluate information at an accelerated level. Students will be expected to take a midterm and final exam.

 

0376/ADVANCED PLACEMENT WORLD
HISTORY
Grade 11 - 12 Level I
Prerequisite: World and European 1 credit
History; teacher consultation is recommended.

This year-long course prepares students for the Advanced Placement examination in World History. The central focus of this course is the larger patterns of change that connect individual societies and civilizations across time. Included in these changes are patterns of trade, migration of peoples, political crises and change, economic and social systems, and other comparative features of world societies. Students will be exposed to world history from ancient times to the modern era. Countries under study include China, India, Africa, the Mideast, Greece, Rome, and the rise of Europe, among others. Students will be evaluated on homework, class participation, and tests. It is expected that all students will complete the AP exam in the spring.

 

0337/ EUROPEAN HISTORY
Grade 10 Level III
Prerequisite: World History
1 credit
This course focuses on the development of Western civilization from the emergence of the modern world (Renaissance and Reformation) throughout the 20th century. Students will be involved in a variety of activities including research papers, oral presentations, projects, and writing and reading assignments. Students will also be expected to complete a midterm and final exam.

 

0355/ EUROPEAN HISTORY HONORS
Grade 10 Level III
Prerequisite: World History
1 credit

This challenging one-year course follows a slightly modified version of the Advanced Placement curriculum, focusing on the development of Western civilization from the emergence of the modern world (Renaissance and Reformation) to the rise of the contemporary world. Throughout the semester, students build on base knowledge presented in the text by high-level analysis and discussion of secondary and primary sources. Writing and research skills are emphasized in the course and several major research papers are required.

 

0342/ADVANCED PLACEMENT EUROPEAN HISTORY
Grades 10-12 Level I
Prerequisite: World History;
teacher consultation recommended
1 credit

This course follows the pattern of a college-level Western civilization course as closely as possible. To achieve success in the class, one must demonstrate mastery of the content and the ability to analyze a variety of pieces of historical evidence. Most of a student’s time is spent reading and discussing primary and secondary sources, exhibiting mastery of factual content and chronology by taking cumulative multiple choice tests, and demonstrating analytical ability by preparing responses to essay questions and document based questions. Students who register in the spring are required to complete a summer reading assignment which will be due the first day of class in the fall. It is strongly recommended that students who enroll in the course take the AP exam in the spring.

 

0326/UNITED STATES HISTORY
Grade 11 Level III
Prerequisite: World History
& European History
1 credit

This course follows a thematic and chronological approach in order for students to learn about the cultural, political, and economic history of the United States. Some units of study include issues of concern today and the future, investigation of documents that have shaped America, presidents and how they have helped to develop America, and similarities drawn between centuries. Students will be involved in a variety of activities including individual and group work, research projects, documentary investigation, and reading assignments. Students will be expected to complete a midterm and final exam.

352/UNITED STATES HISTORY HONORS
Grade 11 Level II
Prerequisite: World History and European History
1 credit

In this course, students will begin by focusing on core American beliefs and then study the themes of the American identity. The instructional approach will be through group work and discussion, lecture, and research as students move into the realm of complex synthesis, analysis and evaluation of the cultural, political and economic history of the United States. Students will use the concept of historical cycles to demonstrate their understanding of the flow of human action. They will investigate the causes and effects of human action and interaction by writing essays and completing a major research project.

 

0330/ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY
Grades 11-12 Level I
Prerequisite: World History and European History
1 credit

This is a rigorous, college-level survey course in preparation for the AP exam and requires a great deal of student commitment. Students should come to this course with strong writing, reading comprehension, and analytical skills. This course requires students to be fully prepared to participate in discussions, activities and document analysis. The skills students will learn in preparation for the AP exam are writing free response and document-based essays. In class, students will also have the opportunity to participate in simulations like the Chautauqua Meeting and explore areas of their own interests through book reviews and research projects. All students are expected to take the AP exam in May.

 

Social Studies Electives

0335/ PSYCHOLOGY
Grade 11 - 12 Level II
Prerequisite: World History; European History; Psychology teacher approval
1 credit
This course is designed for college preparatory
students who would like a better understanding of
the basic fundamental theories and concepts of
human behavior. Topics include sensation, perception
of learning, language development, memory,
emotion and motivation, abnormal behavior,
human growth and development, personality
development and altered states of consciousness.
The instructional approach is through small group
work, class discussions, lecture, films, field trips and
presentations.

 

0364/ ART HISTORY I
Grades 11-12 Level II
Prerequisite: World History; European History; Art History teacher approval
if taken for an art credit, prior completion of a visual arts credit

½ credit
This is a chronological survey of Art History that begins with Neolithic Cave Paintings and ends with the mid-nineteenth century. There is an emphasis on European and American painting, sculpture and architecture. Periods of study include Greek and Roman, Gothic, Renaissance, the Colonial Period
and the Hudson River School. Students will be introduced to the concepts of analysis and interpretation. This is a challenging class that requires a great deal of memorization, research and writing. At the end of this course, students will
give a presentation on an artist of their choice.
Available for art credit under course #660.

 

0365/ ART HISTORY II
Grades 11-12 Level II
Prerequisite: Art History I and if taken for an art credit, prior completion of a visual arts credit
½ credit
This course is designed for students who have successfully completed Art History I and includes the chronological survey of painting, sculpture and architecture from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The periods presented in this class will include Impressionism, Photography, Modern and Contemporary Art. We will also attempt to answer the question, “What is a masterpiece?” This is a demanding course that requires memorization, analysis and interpretation. Available for art credit under course #661.

 

0398/CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN THE
MODERN WORLD (CURRENT EVENTS)
Grades 11-12 Level III
Prerequisite: World History; European History; teacher approval
½ credit
This course will explore current events with a global erspective. Possible topics of study include politics, government, war, poverty, genocide, racism, the environment, minorities, and human rights. Central questions to contemplate would be: What are the world’s most pressing issues? What are possible solutions? What is the role of the US nationally and internationally in the 21st century? And, what is the role of the individual on the local, state, national and global levels? Throughout the semester, students will be involved in a variety of activities including research papers, oral presentations, projects, and writing and reading assignments.

 

0374/ DEBATE
Grades 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: none
½ credit

Debate focuses on the art of Public Forum and Policy Debate. This course has been designed to teach students systematic strategies that are essential in forming arguments, reacting critically and logically to presented topics, and defending, with documented support, prepared arguments. Reading experiences, writing single issue briefs, interpreting resolutions, developing affirmative and negative case construction, listening to and performing cross-examination, evaluating arguments, and presenting debates will be heavily emphasized in this class. While students will not be required to compete in scholastic competition, they will be afforded the opportunity and encouraged to do so.

 

0351/STREET LAW
Grade 11-12 Level III
Prerequisite: World History I & II
European History I & II
½ credit
This course will acquaint students with the American legal system, and will provide students practical information and problem-solving opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for survival in American society. The curriculum will include case studies, mock trials, role plays, and small group exercises, as well as an invitation to local officials from the community to lead group discussions. Each student will be expected to participate in class discussion and mock trials based on nightly and weekly assignments. Each student will prepare a five- page typed research paper that will focus on his/her chosen aspect of the American legal system.

 

0369/WORLD GENOCIDE Grades 11-12 Level III
Prerequisite: World History, European History
½ credit

This course is designed to teach students about genocide and to acquire a greater awareness, understanding and appreciation of the effects of it. Students will learn about the consequences of hate and intolerance and to do their part to prevent future genocides, hate crimes and the like. This is a powerful teaching opportunity that can translate into increased respect for self and community as well as guiding students to be pro-active citizens in seeking and achieving tolerance.