Social Studies Courses

The history and social studies curricula are aligned with Massachusetts State Frameworks and are designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and judgment to become responsible citizens of the nation and to have an understanding of world issues.

Grade 9

4011 - U.S. History I
Grade 9 | 5 Credits | Level 2
This course examines the historical and intellectual origins of the United States during the Revolutionary and Constitutional eras. The basic framework of American democracy and the basic concepts of American government are studied. Students also study America’s westward expansion, the establishment of political parties, economic and social change, the growth of sectional conflict, the Civil War and its consequences, and finally, Reconstruction.
**7601 - A modified curriculum course for students on Individualized Education Programs.

4111 - Honors U.S. History I
Grade 9 | 5 Credits | Level 1
This course examines the historical and intellectual origins of the United States during the Revolutionary and Constitutional eras. The basic framework of American democracy and the basic concepts of American government are studied. Students also study America’s westward expansion, the establishment of political parties, economic and social change, the growth of sectional conflict, the Civil War and its consequences, and finally, Reconstruction. Honors level U. S. History will require students to analyze the important moments in the nation’s development. An important goal of this course is to foster the development of the student’s ability to think critically and read and write proficiently.
*Prerequisite: Passing score on placement exam required for this course. All honors students will be assigned required summer reading.
**Students who are having difficulty with the honors curriculum are subject to removal. They will be placed into a college prep level class. Students will be identified by November 1st. After November 1st, students may not be able to be moved.

Grade 10

4002 - U.S. History II
Grade 10 | 5 Credits | Level 2
Students will examine the political, social, economic, and cultural aspects of the United States beginning in the mid-19th century through 1945. Topics to be covered include industrialization, labor organization, urban growth, American imperialism, progressive reforms, World War I, The Great Depression, and World War II. Social and political trends are also addressed. Students in this course will identify the ways that these important historical themes changed the United States and impacted the development of the nation.
**7602 - A modified curriculum course for students on Individualized Education Programs

4022 - Honors U.S. History II
Grade 10 | 5 Credits | Level 1
This course examines the political, social, economic and cultural aspects of the United States beginning in the mid-19th century through 1945. Topics to be covered include industrialization, labor organization, urban growth, American imperialism, progressive reforms, World War I, The Great Depression, and World War II. Honors level U. S. History will require students to analyze the important moments in the nation’s development. An important goal of this course is to foster the development of the student’s ability to think critically and read and write proficiently. Research reports, oral presentations, essays, projects, and primary and secondary source readings will be assigned.
*Prerequisite: Grade of 80 or above in Honors U.S. History I or
Grade of 90 or above in U.S. History I, teacher recommendation, and passing score on placement exam
**All honors students will be assigned required summer reading.
***Students who are having difficulty with the honors curriculum are subject to removal. They will be placed into a college prep level class. Students will be identified by November 1st. After November 1st, students may not be able to be moved.

Grade 11

4004 - Contemporary U.S. History
Grade 11/12 | 5 Credits | Level 2
This course examines the political, social, economic, and cultural aspects of the United States from the end of World War II to the present. Topics to be covered include America’s role in the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, and key people, places, and events in the 1970’s and 1980’s. The course will primarily focus on key people, places, and events in the United States since the conclusion of World War II and how they have shaped present day America.

4053 - Current Events
Grade 11/12 | 2.5 Credits | Level 2
This course provides students with an increased knowledge of their environment and the vital issues of the day. Values of citizenship and civic concern are stressed. Students also develop a geographic knowledge of the areas under discussion. Students will be urged to develop opinions and rationale for the events occurring around them and to foster a sense of civic responsibility to their local community, the nation, and the world.

4055 - History of Science and Technology
Grade 11/12 | 2.5 Credits | Level 2
This course examines the history of scientific and technological development and their role in culture and society. From the earliest scientific ideas to be found in Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and Ancient China, to Greek Science, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Modern Era, the course examines the progress of scientific thought. The course addresses issues such as societal attitudes toward science and how culture plays a role scientific and technological development. A philosophical analysis of the advances, functions, and implications of science is used to study how scientific and technological advancements have changed over time and how these changes have impacted our world.

4058 - Topics in Government
Grade 11/12 | 2.5 Credits | Level 2
Topics in Government is an elective course for Juniors and Seniors. This course will focus on the form and function of The United States government. The course will explore the powers of the three branches of government, electoral processes and Constitutional checks and balances. The course will also examine the Bill of Rights, other key amendments and important Supreme Court cases that relate to these. The course will also focus on current events, election cycles, and popular political movements, both in the United States and abroad.

4064 - Sociology
Grade 11/12 | 2.5 Credits | Level 2
This course provides students with knowledge of the function of the basic units of society and the institutions which aid these units. Students in this course study the concepts, principles, theories, and methods used by sociologists in the examination of social life. The utilities of sociological inquiry are applied to contemporary social issues and events to make sociology meaningful for the student.

4066 - Local History
Grade 11/12 | 2.5 Credits | Level 2
This course explores the history of the settlement, native population, conflict, and industrial and cultural growth of the Greater Fall River Area. It will focus upon the contributions of key individuals to local industry and history.

4113 - Introduction to Psychology
Grade 11/12 | 2.5 Credits | Level 2
This course is designed to help students develop an insight into their own psychological processes and those of others. Members of this course will be provided with an introduction to the content and scope of psychology as a behavioral science and will study of such topics as development, adjustment, learning, intelligence, motivation, emotion, and personality.

4114 - 20th Century History through Music and Culture
Grade 11/12 | 2.5 Credits | Level 2
A study of the political, social, economic, and cultural history of the United States in the 20th century through the lens of music and culture. Emphasis will be placed on how musical trends have been impacted by reform, war, social injustice and prosperity in the post-WWII era.

4124 - World History
Grade 11/12 | 5 Credits | Level 2
This course examines the origins and consequences of the Industrial Revolution, political and social reform in 19th century Europe, as well as imperialism in Africa, Asia, and South America. Also studied are the military and economic events of the 19th and 20th centuries, including the rise of nationalism, World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, the Russian and Chinese Revolutions, the Cold War and its aftermath.

4224 - Honors World History
Grade 11/12 | 5 Credits | Level 1
This course covers a wide range of topics from the enlightenment in Europe to the Cold War Era. A focus will be placed on the student’s ability to research and compose college level essays pertaining to history and political matters. This course will examine the varied history of countries from different continents. The intention is to understand the current world climate by examining past events. A critical goal of this course is to foster the development of the student’s ability to read and proficiently. Research reports, oral presentations, essays, projects, and primary and secondary reading will be assigned.
*Prerequisite: Grade of 80 or above in previous honors level history course or
Grade of 90 or above in previous college prep level history course, teacher recommendation, and passing score on placement exam
**All honors students will be assigned required summer reading.
***Students who are having difficulty with the honors curriculum are subject to removal. They will be placed into a college prep level class. Students will be identified by November 1st. After November 1st, students may not be able to be moved.

4300 - AP United States Government and Politics
Grade 11/12 | 5 Credits | Level 5
AP United States Government and Politics provides a college level, nonpartisan introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, roles and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. Students cultivate their understanding of U.S. government and politics through analysis of data and text-based sources as they explore topics like constitutionalism, liberty and order, civic participation in a representative democracy, competing policy making interests, and methods of political analysis. (AP Central, Collegeboard.org)
*Weighted course towards GPA
**All students enrolled in AP classes will sit for the national AP Exam in May.

4444 - Topics in Personal Finance
Grade 11/12 | 2.5 Credits | Level 2
Students will develop an understanding of the important financial responsibilities of individuals in a global economy. Personal banking, mortgages, credit, loans, savings, stocks and bonds, and more will be introduced. Major economic principles and theories will be presented. Students will explore the relationship between individual citizens, capitalist principles, and government involvement in the financial markets. Emphasis will be placed on having young adults make sound and responsible financial decisions.

Grade 12

4004 - Contemporary U.S. History
Grade 11/12 | 5 Credits | Level 2
This course examines the political, social, economic, and cultural aspects of the United States from the end of World War II to the present. Topics to be covered include America’s role in the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, and key people, places, and events in the 1970’s and 1980’s. The course will primarily focus on key people, places, and events in the United States since the conclusion of World War II and how they have shaped present day America.

4053 - Current Events
Grade 11/12 | 2.5 Credits | Level 2
This course provides students with an increased knowledge of their environment and the vital issues of the day. Values of citizenship and civic concern are stressed. Students also develop a geographic knowledge of the areas under discussion. Students will be urged to develop opinions and rationale for the events occurring around them and to foster a sense of civic responsibility to their local community, the nation, and the world.

4055 - History of Science and Technology
Grade 11/12 | 2.5 Credits | Level 2
This course examines the history of scientific and technological development and their role in culture and society. From the earliest scientific ideas to be found in Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and Ancient China, to Greek Science, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Modern Era, the course examines the progress of scientific thought. The course addresses issues such as societal attitudes toward science and how culture plays a role scientific and technological development. A philosophical analysis of the advances, functions, and implications of science is used to study how scientific and technological advancements have changed over time and how these changes have impacted our world.

4058 - Topics in Government
Grade 11/12 | 2.5 Credits | Level 2
Topics in Government is an elective course for Juniors and Seniors. This course will focus on the form and function of The United States government. The course will explore the powers of the three branches of government, electoral processes and Constitutional checks and balances. The course will also examine the Bill of Rights, other key amendments and important Supreme Court cases that relate to these. The course will also focus on current events, election cycles, and popular political movements, both in the United States and abroad.

4064 - Sociology
Grade 11/12 | 2.5 Credits | Level 2
This course provides students with knowledge of the function of the basic units of society and the institutions which aid these units. Students in this course study the concepts, principles, theories, and methods used by sociologists in the examination of social life. The utilities of sociological inquiry are applied to contemporary social issues and events to make sociology meaningful for the student.

4066 - Local History
Grade 11/12 | 2.5 Credits | Level 2
This course explores the history of the settlement, native population, conflict, and industrial and cultural growth of the Greater Fall River Area. It will focus upon the contributions of key individuals to local industry and history.

4113 - Introduction to Psychology
Grade 11/12 | 2.5 Credits | Level 2
This course is designed to help students develop an insight into their own psychological processes and those of others. Members of this course will be provided with an introduction to the content and scope of psychology as a behavioral science and will study of such topics as development, adjustment, learning, intelligence, motivation, emotion, and personality.

4114 - 20th Century History through Music and Culture
Grade 11/12 | 2.5 Credits | Level 2
A study of the political, social, economic, and cultural history of the United States in the 20th century through the lens of music and culture. Emphasis will be placed on how musical trends have been impacted by reform, war, social injustice and prosperity in the post-WWII era.

4124 - World History
Grade 11/12 | 5 Credits | Level 2
This course examines the origins and consequences of the Industrial Revolution, political and social reform in 19th century Europe, as well as imperialism in Africa, Asia, and South America. Also studied are the military and economic events of the 19th and 20th centuries, including the rise of nationalism, World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, the Russian and Chinese Revolutions, the Cold War and its aftermath.

4224 - Honors World History
Grade 11/12 | 5 Credits | Level 1
This course covers a wide range of topics from the enlightenment in Europe to the Cold War Era. A focus will be placed on the student’s ability to research and compose college level essays pertaining to history and political matters. This course will examine the varied history of countries from different continents. The intention is to understand the current world climate by examining past events. A critical goal of this course is to foster the development of the student’s ability to read and write proficiently. Research reports, oral presentations, essays, projects, and primary and secondary reading will be assigned.
*Prerequisite: Grade of 80 or above in previous honors level history course or
Grade of 90 or above in previous college prep level history course, teacher recommendation, and passing score on placement exam
**All honors students will be assigned required summer reading.
***Students who are having difficulty with the honors curriculum are subject to removal. They will be placed into a college prep level class. Students will be identified by November 1st. After November 1st, students may not be able to be moved.

4300 - AP United States Government and Politics
Grade 11/12 | 5 Credits | Level 5
AP United States Government and Politics provides a college level, nonpartisan introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, roles and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. Students cultivate their understanding of U.S. government and politics through analysis of data and text-based sources as they explore topics like constitutionalism, liberty and order, civic participation in a representative democracy, competing policy making interests, and methods of political analysis. (AP Central, Collegeboard.org)
*Weighted course towards GPA
**All students enrolled in AP classes will sit for the national AP Exam in May.

4444 - Topics in Personal Finance
Grade 11/12 | 2.5 Credits | Level 2
Students will develop an understanding of the important financial responsibilities of individuals in a global economy. Personal banking, mortgages, credit, loans, savings, stocks and bonds, and more will be introduced. Major economic principles and theories will be presented. Students will explore the relationship between individual citizens, capitalist principles, and government involvement in the financial markets. Emphasis will be placed on having young adults make sound and responsible financial decisions.