Social Studies

Welcome to the Social Studies Department at Cathedral High School in NYC. We’re excited to begin the school year with higher expectations that will result in grander accomplishments for Cathedralites. The Department is pleased to offer classes for different types of learners at various levels with an emphasis on 21st century learning. The modern classroom is a working balance of dynamic instruction, forward thinking lessons, integrated technology and efficiency. With these elements in mind, the Department is proud to offer a unique mix of core state requirements and challenging electives that will serve students as they move forward into college; all the while focusing on the standards set out by the state and creating fresh ways to reach those standards. The Department has expanded access to cutting edge smart boards, and laptops, new tech savvy textbooks, an experienced and motivated faculty, as well as a prime location in the crossroads of the world that is Manhattan.

Standard 1: History of the United States and New York

Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of major ideas, eras, themes, developments, and turning points in the history of the United States and New York.

Standard 2: World History

Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of major ideas, eras, themes, developments, and turning points in world history and examine the broad sweep of history from a variety of perspectives.

Standard 3: Geography

Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of the geography of the interdependent world in which we live—local, national, and global—including the distribution of people, places, and environments over the Earth’s surface.

Standard 4: Economics

Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of how the United States and other societies develop economic systems and associated institutions to allocate scarce resources, how major decision-making units function in the United States and other national economies, and how an economy solves the scarcity problem through market and nonmarket mechanisms.

Standard 5: Civics, Citizenship, and Government

Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of the necessity for establishing governments; the governmental system of the United States and other nations; the United States Constitution; the basic civic values of American constitutional democracy; and the roles, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship, including avenues of participation.

Pre–AP World History

Honors Academy
Grade 9 | Full-Year Course

The focus of the Pre-AP World History course is to prepare students for the in-depth analysis of the major themes that comprise the AP World History curriculum. The course will cover the fundamental facts as well as the Regents based content as required by the state of New York. Students will learn about the important junctures, events, and people who have contributed to the formation of the Modern world. Topics will span from Early River Valley Civilizations, Ancient Empires, Cultural formations & Interactions, Explorations & Encounters, Revolutions, as well as the Road to Modernity. Students will continue their studies by taking the AP World History offering after successful completion.

PREREQUISITE: Demonstrated success on the TACHS exam and 8th grade report card

Global History and Geography I

Grade 9 | Full-Year Course

This course is a chronological survey of world history and geography. It covers the rise of culture from the dawn of civilization to the end of the 19th Century. The course includes an introduction of the following skills: note-taking, outlining, library and computer activities, critical thinking, with an emphasis on historical terms, essay writing, and geography.

PREREQUISITE: None

AP World History

Grade 10 | Full-Year Course

The focus of the AP World History course is on the development of conceptual thinking skills and on the application of these historical thinking skills while learning about the past. The course will delve deeply into the reasons, processes and outcomes of human interaction from basic associations to the complexities of globalization. The curriculum centers around five themes of equal importance. These themes are the environment, cultures, state-building, economic systems, and social structures. These themes serve as the basis for the inquiry and investigation into the history of the five major geographical regions of the globe, which include Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. All students are required to sign contracts regarding class expectations and must take the AP exam in addition to the NYS Regents exam in Global History.

PREREQUISITE: Global history and geography | or pre-ap world history average of 90% or higher and teacher/department chair recommendation/administration approval

Global History and Geography Honors II

Grade 10 | Full-Year Course

A more in depth approach to material covered in Global History and Geography II will be studied through written and oral assignments. These can include outside readings, research, book reports, oral presentations, and projects.

PREREQUISITE: Global History and Geography I average of 90% or higher and teacher/department chair recommendation/administration approval

Global History and Geography II

Grade 10 | Full-Year Course

This course continues the work completed in Global History and Geography I. It covers a chronological survey of world history in the 20th Century. The skills learned in freshman year will be reinforced with emphasis on the components of the New York State Regents examination: multiple-choice questions, thematic essay, and the document-based essay.
At the completion of this course, students will take a State examination. All students will take the Global History and Geography Regents.

PREREQUISITE: Global History and Geography I

United States History and Government Honors

Grade 11 | Full-Year Course

A more in depth approach to material covered in United States History and Government will be studied through written and oral assignments. These can include outside readings, research, book reports, oral presentations, and projects.

PREREQUISITE: Global History and Geography II average of 90% or higher and teacher/department chair recommendation/administration approval

United States History and Government

Grade 11 | Full-Year Course

A history and government of the United States from the perspective of the Constitution encompassing the Colonial Period to the present, with a focus on the period after 1865; continued emphasis on terms, essay skills, and geography.

PREREQUISITE: Global History and Geography I and Global History and Geography II.

Advanced Placement US History and Government

Grade 11 | Full-Year Course

This course is designed to provide students with the analytical skills and knowledge to deal critically with the problems and materials in United States’ history. Students will access historical material, interpret and analyze primary sources, including documentary materials, maps, statistical tables, graphs, and write essays. All students taking this course will take the AP exam in May.

PREREQUISITE: teacher and department chair recommendation/approval of the administration 

fee: approximately $90 for the AP test

Government and Economics

Grade 12 | Full-Year Course

Government by definition is the exercise of authority over a group of people. This course will involve the ACTIVE role of the people, American citizens, as they exercise their rights and carry out their responsibilities in today’s world. Students will be encouraged to analyze problems and see what role citizens have in resolving them.

Economics is defined as the science of production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. The course is intended to enhance each individual’s knowledge of economics, give each one “hands-on” experience with the day to day working of business and make each one a better and more concerned consumer.

PREREQUISITE: Completion of Social Studies 9, 10, 11

Introduction to Psychology

Grade 12 | Half-Year Course

This course is designed to introduce the student to the general principles of psychology. The course will consist of an examination of the contributions made by major theorists in the field of psychology. The course will also attempt to assist the student in the area of personal introspection and self-discovery by studying various behavior patterns and the causes/forces behind them. Several contemporary videos will be viewed to further support and explain specific topics presented in the core subject matter.

PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of U.S. History and Government course
 

Introduction to Sociology

Grade 12 | Half-Year Course

This course examines crucial areas of concern in the world and social theory today. It is an overall view of problems present in society. This general survey includes the following: crime, violence, and discrimination and concerns of the family (aging, death and dying). The general causes of poverty will be included, along with a study of the American social classes. This type of course is helpful to individuals who plan to become teachers, writers, or researchers, administrative nurses, and social workers.

prerequisite: successful completion of u.s. history and government course

AP US Government and Politics

Grade 12 | Full-Year Course

This is a college level introductory political sicence course designed for highly motivated students who are interested in the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that make up the American political reality. It involves the study of general concepts and theory used to interpret American politics. The importance of the Constitution and the American political culture shaping governmental acitivites is evaluated to show the historical evolution of American political practices and institutions. Students need a strong background in US and European History in order to understand/study how other democratic nations manage similar issues.

Students must take the Advanced Placement Exam in May, which can earn them college credit. Any student who fails to take the exam will not be granted credit for the course and will be required to take the course in summer school. Students are required to complete a summer assignment, which will be included in the first quarter grade.

PREREQUISITE: teacher and department chair recommendation/approval of the administration

fee: approximately $90 for the AP test