The Social Studies Department at Babylon Jr.-Sr. High School is committed to encouraging and enabling students to function as good citizens, and to develop within them an appreciation of, and respect for cultures unlike their own. To this end, students learn the historical background and contemporary situation of the United States, Europe, and non-Western societies, how to understand and interpret a wide range of historical and contemporary documents, and the values involved in being a good citizen. Multicultural perspectives infuse the entire curriculum. Beyond the acquisition of this knowledge and these skills, students are also taught to think and express themselves clearly, both orally and in writing, in preparation for career and college readiness.
 
Upon completion of the K-12 Social Studies program, the student will be able to: 

• Gather, analyze, and decipher data and information from a variety of library, internet, and media sources, and synthesize it in an original document.
• Demonstrate conceptual understanding in an essay that includes generalizations, supporting details and appropriate terminology.
• Demonstrate understanding of geographic location, global interdependence, interactions and linkages between regions and nations. 
• Describe how past events have had impacts on present social, political, and economic conditions.
• Hypothesize how present social, political, and economic situations may impact future events.
• Propose solutions to U.S. and global problems and appraise the value of each.
• Demonstrate social responsibility when engaged in a cooperative effort to achieve a common goal.
   

Students will:

• Show pride in their work as they decipher and analyze information and present their ideas in oral and written form.
• Engage in more verbal exchanges and present their perspectives more frequently. This will be done in class discussions, cooperative groups, student-to-student questions, and paired learning activities.
• Demonstrate high self-esteem and a willingness to participate as they examine and allow for multiple perspectives and consider more than one solution/answer to problems and situations.
• Exhibit patience as they listen to the ideas of others, appropriately engage in group activities, and respond to individuals in their classrooms.

Seal of Civic Readiness
The Seal of Civic Readiness is a formal recognition that a student has attained a high level of proficiency in terms of civic knowledge, civic shills, civic mindset, and civic experiences. The Seal of Civic Readiness is a distinction on both a high school transcript and diploma that: 

• Shows the student’s understanding of a commitment to participatory government, civic responsibility, and civic values.
• Demonstrates to universities, college, and future employers that the student has completed an action project in civics or social justice; and,
• Recognizes the value of civic engagement and scholarship.
• Elective courses that meet the criteria for the NYS Seal of Civic Readiness will be noted with #

The New York State Education Departments Seal of Civic Readiness

The New York State Seal of Civic Readiness (NYSSCR) is a formal recognition that a student has attained a high level of proficiency in their Social Studies coursework and demonstrated civic engagement. Having this special designation on a transcript and diploma signifies the following demonstrated domains: civic knowledge, skills and actions, mindsets, and experiences. The Seal of Civic Readiness distinction on a high school transcript and diploma:

• Shows the student’s understanding of and commitment to participatory government, civic responsibility, and civic values.
• Provides universities and colleges with a method to recognize and provide credit for attainment of higher level of understanding and skills in Social Studies.
• Demonstrates to universities, colleges, and future employers that students have earned recognition for their civic knowledge, skills, mindset and experiences.
• Recognizes the value of civic engagement and scholarship to school communities and society at large.

Criteria for the Seal of Civic Readiness

In order to obtain the Seal of Civic Readiness, a student must complete all requirements for a New York State local or Regents diploma and earn a total of six points with at least two points in Civic Knowledge and at least two points in Civic Participation. Students may also earn points by completing a middle school Capstone project or a high school Capstone project.

*Students may receive these points more than once. 

Testing accommodations recommended in an individualized education program or section 504 Accommodations Plan must be provided for all State and districtwide assessments administered to students with disabilities, as consistent with State policy.

Learn more about the New York State Education Department's Seal of Civic Readiness on the Department's Civic Readiness Initiative Webpage.

Social Studies 7
Grade 7
This course is a chronological study of United States history beginning with the last Ice Age and culminating with the American Civil War. It should be noted that essential aspects of New York State history are infused into the subject matter, in accordance with the New York State Social Studies Standards. While a traditional historical approach is emphasized, the course also incorporates other social studies disciplines such as geography, economics, sociology and political science into the curriculum. There is an emphasis on critical thinking, writing, reading, formal research, map and graph analysis and the interpretation of historical documents. The course concludes with a cumulative final examination that is consistent with NYSED Regents Standards. 

Social Studies 8
Grade 8
This course represents the second half of a two-year chronological study of American History. It begins with the Reconstruction period and sequentially progresses to the present day. It should be noted that essential aspects of New York State history are infused into the subject matter, in accordance with the New York State Social Studies Standards. While a traditional historical approach is emphasized, the course also incorporates other social studies disciplines such as geography, economics, sociology and political science into the curriculum. There is an emphasis on critical thinking, writing, reading, formal research, map and graph analysis and the interpretation of historical documents. The course concludes with a cumulative final examination that is consistent with NYSED Regents Standards.

Global History I
Grade 9, 1 Credit 
This course is the first year of a two-year chronologically organized study of the history of the world. The course begins with a study of ancient civilizations and concludes with the Age of Discovery. While a traditional historical approach is emphasized, the course also incorporates other social studies disciplines such as geography, economics, sociology, and political science into the curriculum. There is an emphasis on critical thinking, writing, reading, formal research, map and graph analysis and the interpretation of historical documents. The course concludes with a cumulative final examination that is consistent with NYSED Regents Standards. *NCAA Approved 
 

Global History II
Grade 10, 1 Credit
This course concludes a two-year chronologically organized study of the history of the world. It commences with a brief review of the Age of Reason and then progresses into an analysis of historical material, culminating with a unit on contemporary world issues. Emphasis will be placed on the Age of Revolutions, major wars, development of modern political and economic systems, and the crises of the twentieth century. While a traditional historical approach is emphasized, the course also incorporates other social studies disciplines such as geography, economics, sociology, and political science into the curriculum. There is an emphasis on critical thinking, writing, reading, formal research, map and graph analysis and the interpretation of historical documents. The course concludes with a cumulative final examination that is consistent with NYSED Regents Standards. A comprehensive Regents exam will be administered at the conclusion of Global History II. *NCAA Approved 
  
Pre AP World History 9
Grade 9, 1 Credit
This course is designed to increase the student’s knowledge and understanding of World History from the Paleolithic Era to circa 1200 C.E., with the focus of this course placed on major civilizations in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. The areas of concentration include political, social, and economic institutions, as well as cultural and intellectual development. All assignments and assessments reflect college programs in terms of subject matter and approach. Students are expected to achieve a minimum average of 85 to remain in the course. If a student’s average drops below 85%, a conference will be held to discuss the student’s placement. *NCAA Approved  

Prerequisites: Have a minimum of 90%average in Social Studies or 85% in AP Social Studies. Social Studies teacher recommendation. 

Advanced Placement World History: Modern
Grade 10, 1 Credit
In AP World History: Modern, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes from 1200 C.E. to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change over time. The course provides six themes that students explore throughout the course to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: humans and the environment, cultural developments and interactions, governance, economic systems, social interactions and organization, and technology and innovation. All assignments and assessments reflect college programs in terms of subject matter and approach. Students must take the AP exam to receive weighted course credit: If a student doesn’t take the exam, it’s not possible to tell if he/she learned the content one would expect of an AP course. Requiring a student to take the exam ensures that the grade in the class is aligned with the student’s mastery of the course content knowledge. Students are expected to pay the associated College Board fee for the exam. Students will be required to take the New York State Global Regents Examination at the conclusion of the second year. Students are expected to achieve a minimum average of 85% to remain in the course. If a student’s average drops below an 85%, a conference will be held to discuss the student’s placement. AP Courses offer students an opportunity to take a course taught on a college level. Both enrichment and college credit are available to the dedicated student. Intensive classroom work, independent study and research are an integral part of the classroom. *NCAA Approved 

Prerequisites: Have a minimum of 90% average in Social Studies or 85% average in AP Social Studies, Social Studies teacher recommendation. 

United States History and Government
Grade 11, 1 Credit
This course emphasizes the need for students to acquire knowledge of the structure and functions of our government so that they can become actively engaged citizens. Students will study the U.S. Constitution, including the principles of federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances. The students will then begin a chronological study of American History from the early Republic to the present day. While a traditional historical approach is emphasized, the course also incorporates other social studies disciplines such as geography, economics, sociology and political science into the curriculum. There is an emphasis on critical thinking, writing, reading, formal research, map and graph analysis and the interpretation of historical documents. The course concludes with a cumulative final examination that is consistent with NYSED Regents Standards. This course will culminate with the New York State United States History and Government Regents Examination. *NCAA Approved 

Advanced Placement United States History
Grades 11-12, 1 Credit
This course is designed to prepare for intermediate and advanced history courses in college by making demands equivalent to those of introductory college courses. The course itself is an in-depth study of American history in which students will learn to assess historical materials, their relevance to a given interpretive problem, their reliability and their importance, and to weigh the evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship. Students will also be required to take the New York State Regents Examination in United States History and Government. Students are expected to achieve a minimum average of 85 to remain in the course. If a student’s average drops below 85, a conference will be held to discuss the student’s placement. AP Courses offer students an opportunity to take a course taught on a college level. Both enrichment and college credit are available to the dedicated student. Intensive classroom work, independent study and research are an integral part of the classroom. Students must take the AP exam to receive weighted course credit: If a student doesn’t take the exam, it’s not possible to tell if he/she learned the content one would expect of an AP course. Requiring a student to take the exam ensures that the grade in the class is aligned with the student’s mastery of the course content knowledge. Students are expected to pay the associated College Board fee for the exam. 

Prerequisites: Have a minimum of 90% average in Social Studies or 85% average in AP Social Studies, Social 
Studies teacher recommendation. *NCAA Approved  


Government/Economics
Grade 12, 1 Credit
This course is a full year course that covers economics and participation in government. Students will gain basic understandings which all persons will need to function effectively as participants in the economy of the United States and the world. This course will also encourage students to understand and participate in the democratic process. Emphasis will be placed on social responsibility and key civic values. Periodic independent research projects will be assigned throughout the course that requires student analysis of supplemental materials. *NCAA Approved 

Advanced Placement Macroeconomics
Grades 12, 1 credit
The purpose of the AP course in Macroeconomics is to give students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to an economic system as-a-whole. The course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price determination and, also develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economies. AP courses offer students an opportunity to take a course taught on a college level. Both enrichment and college credit are available to the dedicated student. Intensive classroom work, independent study and research are an integral part of the classroom. Students must take the AP exam to receive weighted course credit. If a student doesn’t take the exam, it’s not possible to tell if he/she learned the content one would expect of an AP course. Requiring a student to take the exam ensures that the grade in the class is aligned with the student’s mastery of the course content knowledge. Students are expected to pay the associated College Board fee for the exam. Students are expected to achieve a minimum average of 85% to remain in the course. If a student’s average drops below an 85%d, a conference will be held to discuss the student’s placement.

Pre-requisite: Have a minimum of 90% average in Social Studies or 85% average in AP Social Studies.  Social Studies teacher recommendation.

Advanced Placement United States Government
Grade 12, 1 Credit 
This course is designed to prepare students for intermediate and advanced government courses in college by making demands equivalent to those of introductory college courses. The course itself is an in-depth study of American government in which students will examine the constitutional underpinnings of United States government, political beliefs and behaviors, political parties and interest groups, institutions and policy processes of national government, and civil rights and civil liberties. This course involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific case studies. AP Courses offer students an opportunity to take a course taught on a college level. Both enrichment and college credit are available to the dedicated student. Intensive classroom work, independent study and research are an integral part of the classroom. Students must take the AP exam to receive weighted course credit: If a student doesn’t take the exam, it’s not possible to tell if he/she learned the content one would expect of an AP course. Requiring a student to take the exam ensures that the grade in the class is aligned with the student’s mastery of the course content knowledge. Students are expected to pay the associated College Board a fee for the exam. Students are expected to achieve a minimum average of 85 to remain in the course. If a student’s average drops below an 85, a conference will be held to discuss the student’s placement. *NCAA Approved 

Prerequisites: Have a minimum of 90% average in Social Studies or 85% average in AP Social Studies, Social  Studies teacher recommendation, an interview with the teacher, mandatory summer assignment. 

Advanced Placement Psychology
Grades 10-12, 1 Credit
The field of psychology studies the behavior of organism’s internal conditions, as well as in relationship to others and to their environments. This course introduces the student to the various theories and approaches that psychological research has adopted during the years of its existence and provides the student with some of the results of that research. Upon completion of this course, students should better be able to understand, explain and predict human behavior. Students are expected to achieve a minimum average of 85 to remain in the course. If a student’s average drops below an 85, a conference will be held to discuss the student’s placement. AP Courses offer students an opportunity to take a course taught on a college level. Both enrichment and college credit are available to the dedicated student. Intensive classroom work, independent study and research are an integral part of the classroom. Students must take the AP exam to receive weighted course credit: If a student doesn’t take the exam, it’s not possible to tell if he/she learned the content one would expect of an AP course. Requiring a student to take the exam ensures that the grade in the class is aligned with the student’s mastery of the course content knowledge. Students are expected to pay the associated College Board for fee for the exam. *NCAA Approved

Prerequisites: Have a minimum of 90% average in Social Studies or 85% average in AP Social Studies, 
Social Studies teacher recommendation. 
 
Sport and Society
Grades 9-12, ½ Credit 
This course acquaints students with the discipline of sport sociology. Primary focus will be placed upon the study of the institution of sports in America, its development, and its significant impact on society, past, present, and future. Students will examine the history of sports and examine elements of race, gender, politics, money, and ethics. This course considers what sports can tell us about American culture and society. This is not a history of sports class, but rather sports as a sociological institution within the American culture.

Criminal Justice
Grades 10-12, Credit 1 
This course is an overview of the major components of the criminal justice system as it applies in the United States. These components will include law enforcement, the courts, corrections, probation, parole, and juvenile courts. Also included are units on the theories of crime, major crimes committed, legal definitions, arrest and pretrial, process, rights of accused, due process, exclusionary rulings, the courts, their decisions, correction, and the death penalty. Research and discussion will be generated by a further understanding of the categorization of crimes (felony, misdemeanor, violation) as well as crimes against person, property, and social morality. There will be an in-depth analysis of criminal investigations. Case studies will be interpreted from the perspective of the investigative team. Students will be given an advanced look at the Criminal Justice system with a focus on investigations and trial procedure. Students will be expected to participate actively in all case analysis and performances, as this is a project-based learning course. 
#Meets criteria for Seal of Civic Readiness 

Criminal Psychology
Grades 10-12, ½ Credit 
This pre-college psychology course explores individual behaviors, thoughts and action. Students will study the physical, mental, and social influences on human behavior and relationships as they relate to criminal behavior. Topics include Personality Theories, Abnormal Psychology, and Career Possibilities. Knowledge will be applied to solve individual and societal problems. Although this course is valuable for any student, it is especially beneficial for someone planning to pursue a career in psychology, teaching, or medicine. Students will be expected to participate actively in all case analysis and performances, as this is a project-based learning course. 

News Literacy
Grades 9-12, ½ Credit
This one-semester course in News Literacy is designed to train middle and high school students to become adept in navigating and discriminating amongst the ever enlarging and often confusing mass of news information that appears in print, on radio and television, and electronically through the Internet. In this course students will learn to discern what is real news opposed to advertising, entertainment, propaganda, opinion, and simply raw information. The journalistic process will be emphasized, and students will be placed in a variety of decision-making situations to clarify not only how news and editorial decisions are made, but also some of the ethical issues that responsible journalists must face. The critical thinking requirements of this class will expose students to an experience that is designed to develop skills in listening, speaking, and writing, thus making it a course that is designed to benefit all students, regardless of interest, ability level, or future plans. Students completing this course should consider enrolling in the Journalism elective offered through the English department.
#Meets criteria for Seal of Civic Readiness

History Through Film Studies
Grades 11-12, ½ Credit
In this course, students will study modern contemporary in issues in American society through the medium of film. This will be done through viewing, writing, and discussing both historical and contemporary pieces on topics related to the political, social, economic, and history of the United States. Units will be presented thematically where students will examine the issues and events dealing with racial discrimination and tension, civil liberties and justice, America at war, drugs in America, social upheaval, and unrest. In addition to examining each film’s historical accuracy, the course will also concentrate on the importance of using film as historical evidence.
#Meets criteria for Seal of Civic Readiness

History of Long Island
Grades 9- 12, ½ Credit
This Course will center around the major events, personalities and natural environment that have contributed to the development of Long Island, from its pre-Columbian past to the present. Students will examine the many historical highlights of Long Island while studying local towns, people, and their contributions. Students will gain an appreciation for the rich history of their local surroundings by exploring the many varied and exciting time periods of this unique region. Students will also express their comprehension and interpretations of Long Island history with several writing assignments.
#Meets criteria for Seal of Civic Readiness

History of Rock and Roll
Grades 9-12, ½ Credit 
This is a survey course of rock music from the 1950’s to the present. The course integrates the history of the United States from the 1950’s on with the history of American popular music. In taking the course, students consider how genres such as Rock and Roll, Pop, Folk, Latin, and Hip Hop have both reflected and informed the cultural, social, and political developments that have occurred in the past 7 decades of U.S. History.