Departments

Social Studies

Welcome to New Town High School’s Social Studies Department

Matthew Sullivan - Department Chair, American Government, POG, Facing History
Jeff O’Connor - U.S. History, AP U.S. History
Joseph Kopec - AP Economics, EPI
Howard Galowitz - U.S. History, Juvenile Justice, Films and History
Adam Marshand - American Government, World History, Psychology
Heidi White - American Government, POG

American Government Grade 9 (1 credit): This course helps students to develop skills and acquire insights essential to an understanding of American political, economic, and social life at the national, state, and local levels. Attention will be on political, economic, and social issue and preparation for responsible citizenship. This course satisfies the grade level requirement for drug education.

Gifted and Talented American Government Grade 9 (1 credit): This course is a study of the American political, economic, and social issues in national, state, and local government. In addition to factual content, the processes, institutions, and values of the American political, economic, and social systems are examined. This course satisfies the grade level requirement for drug education. Note: Participation by selection only.

Principles of Government, Grades 10-12 (1/2 credit)This course is designed as a remediation course for students who have passed the American Government course but have not passed the High School Assessment.

World History Grade 10 (1 credit): Significant episodes from western and non-western history are investigated including the emergence of ancient and classical centers of regional civilization; the development of the hemispheric civilization of Islam; the growth of historical ties of interdependence; the expansion of Europe and its domination of the world in the modern era; the development of Africa and Asia in the modern era; and the development of global networks of political, economic, and social interdependence in the contemporary world. Note: Completion of American Government is recommended.

Gifted and Talented World History Grade 10 (1 credit): This course is an in-depth study of ancient and medieval history; modern and contemporary European history; China as a non-western culture undergoing profound change; and contemporary political, economic, and social examples of global systems. Note: Participation by selection only.

United States History Grade 11 (1 credit): United States History enables students to participate in an in-depth examination of the events, participants, patterns, and relationships of our nation from the end of the Civil War to the present era. Recurring historical themes are presented within a chronological framework. The course provides opportunities for students to master the content while also developing the historical thinking skills required for a deep and sophisticated understanding of the past. Note: Completion of a World History course is recommended.

Gifted and Talented/ Advanced Placement U.S. History Grade 11(1 credit): This is a chronologically organized course addressing political, economic, social, diplomatic, intellectual, and cultural history. Content emphasis is from the American Revolution to the present. This course will be directed toward assisting students to pass the Advanced Placement Examination in American History. Note: Participation by selection only.

Economics and Public Issues (1/2 credit): Economics and Public Issues will prepare students for the economic interactions they will encounter as producers, consumers, and citizens. A primary focus of the course will be the development of an issues analysis model and its application to public policy issues. The course will also provide students with skills they need to conduct personal finances as earners, savers, borrowers, and taxpayers. Completion of this course satisfies the grade level requirement for Drug Education and the graduation requirement for Economics.

Economics: Advanced Placement (1 credit): This course is designed to prepare students to take an advanced placement examination for college credit. Options include micro and macro economics. Course content will be based upon demands of the examination and processes required for success on the examination. Completion of this course satisfies the grade level requirement for Drug Education. Completion of the course satisfies the graduation requirement for Economics.

Psychology (1/2 credit): This is a study of human behavior, examined within the context of the behavioral sciences of psychology and sociology. Fundamental to this course is a focus upon identity development, schools of psychology, normal and abnormal behaviors, and treatment. Note: Grade 12 standing is recommended.

Juvenile Justice (1/2 credit): This course will help students to develop successful patterns of behavior by making them more aware of what triggers conflict and confrontation, by improving their understanding of legal terminology, by providing them with a greater sense of self-awareness and understanding of rules, and by increasing their skills of communication. While examining issues and problems which affect our society, students will develop a sense of citizenship and responsibility.

Facing History: The Holocaust (1/2 credit): This course will help students develop an appreciation for justice, a concern for interpersonal understanding, and sensitivity for those who have been wronged. Students will identify historical patterns of racism in order to connect the past with the present. Students will increase understandings of human behavior in order to recognize different forms of prejudice and discrimination.

Films and History (1/2 credit): For many Americans, movie dramatizations are their primary source of knowledge about many events in the past. But how accurate are they? In this course, students will develop criteria for judging the accuracy of historical films. They will then view and analyze several movie classics that portray various periods of history. Research of life during historical eras and review of movie criticism will be included. Students will assess the results of research to give each film a rating for its historical accuracy. This will enable them to determine if these movies about a historical period can be viewed for educational value, as well as raise questions that they should consider whenever they again watch a film portraying the past. Attention will also be given to the historical development of this cinematic genre.