Course Catalog

Graduation Requirement of 6 credits/3 UP
9th Grade	10th Grade	11th Grade	12th Grade
World History (2 credits)	Early US History (2 credits)	Modern US History (2 credits)	Elective (Student Choice)

 

 

Freshman Social Studies REQUIRED

 

Honors World History

Course Number:  2214

Prerequisites:   Recommendation of Grade 8 Teacher

Credit:   2 Social Studies Credits, full year / 1 UP

Grade 9

World History takes on the questions “How do ecosystems shape human societies? “How have humans organized themselves over time and space?” and “How have humans understood, used, and distributed resources throughout history?” This course gives students a framework to tell the human story. World History helps students see the overall picture of human history and make sense of the pieces: it looks at the past from the Big Bang to the Industrial Revolution, seeking out common themes and patterns that can help us better understand people, civilizations, and the world we live in. Students will explore these connections, and learn to effectively question, analyze and postulate. World History provides a foundation for thinking not only about the past, but also about future changes that will reshape our world. In this course students will be supported and coached through analyzing texts, primary source documents, graphs, charts and videos. Students will write a research paper with extensive support from the teacher. This course requires in-depth analysis of texts, primary source documents, graphs, charts and videos on a regular basis to make well-crafted and carefully supported written and oral arguments.  Students are expected to complete homework assignments on a nightly basis and to write a research paper with some support from the teacher. 

 

College Prep World History

Course Number:  2215

Prerequisites:   Recommendation of Grade 8 Teacher 

Credit:    2 Social Studies Credits, full year / 1 UP

Grade 9

World History takes on the questions “How do ecosystems shape human societies? “How have humans organized themselves over time and space?” and “How have humans understood, used, and distributed resources throughout history?” This course gives students a framework to tell the human story. World History helps students see the overall picture of human history and make sense of the pieces: it looks at the past from the Big Bang to the Industrial Revolution, seeking out common themes and patterns that can help us better understand people, civilizations, and the world we live in. Students will explore these connections, and learn to effectively question, analyze and postulate. World History provides a foundation for thinking not only about the past, but also about future changes that will reshape our world. In this course students will be supported and coached through analyzing texts, primary source documents, graphs, charts and videos. Students will write a research paper with extensive support from the teacher.

 

Sophomore Social Studies REQUIRED

 

Honors Advanced United States History (Advanced Placement Part 1)

Course Number:  2220

Prerequisites:   Successful completion of Grade 9 History

Credit:   2 Honors credits, full year / 1 UP

Grade 10

This is the first part of a two-year course.  Advanced Placement US History is an accelerated survey course, equivalent to an introductory course in college.  The curriculum covers the period from the first English Settlements to the Gilded Age. Students will be trained to analyze and interpret primary sources, write document based essays, analytical essays, and master the factual knowledge necessary to succeed in more advanced history courses. At the end of the two-year course, students can take the National AP U.S. History Exam, for which they may receive college credit.

 

Honors Early U.S. History

Course Number:  2221

Prerequisites:   Successful completion of Grade 9 History

Credit:   2 Social Studies Credits, full year / 1 UP

Grade 10

This course includes the study of the creation of the American state including the American Revolution, the U.S. Constitution, Nation Building, Westward Expansion, the Civil War and Reconstruction. Students will practice working with primary and secondary sources, selecting, analyzing, and corroborating evidence, in order to answer historical questions and to construct research-based historical essays. This course is writing intensive and is designed for students with high academic skills and a commitment to scholarship in the subject. Students will routinely be expected to work independently, and will be required to complete homework regularly. 

 

College Prep Early U.S. History

Course Number:  2222

Prerequisites:   Successful completion of 9th Grade History

Credit:   2 Social Studies Credits, full year / 1 UP

Grade 10

This course includes the study of the creation of the American state includingAmerican Revolution, the U.S. Constitution, Nation Building, Westward Expansion, the Civil War and Reconstruction. Students will practice working with primary and secondary sources, selecting, analyzing, and corroborating evidence, in order to answer historical questions. Students will write research-based historical essays with support from the teacher.

 

College Prep Early U.S. History (Co-Taught)

Course Number:  2223

Prerequisite:  Teacher recommendation

Credit:  2 Social Studies Credits, full year/ 1 UP

Grade 10

Early U. S. History is designed for students who are currently reading below grade level and require additional support.  This course is more individualized and focuses on skill development to meet the Social Studies content standards. Students will learn the skills that will enable them to analyze and summarize primary and secondary sources. Students in Early U.S. History are encouraged to take an academic support, or other intervention program. Continued placement in this course will be determined by test scores and/or teacher recommendation.

 

Junior Social Studies – REQUIRED

 

Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. History

Course Number:  2230

Prerequisites:  Completion of 10th grade Honors Advanced U. S. History (AP Pt. 1)

Credit:  2 Social Studies Credits, full year / 1 UP

Grade 11

 

Advanced Placement U.S. History is an accelerated survey course equivalent to an introductory course in college. The junior year curriculum (part II) covers American Imperialism to the present.  Students will be trained to analyze and interpret primary sources, write document based essays, and analytical papers. A summer reading assignment is required for the course. At the end of the two-year course, students can take the National AP U.S. History Exam, for which they may receive college credit.

 

Honors Modern U.S. and World History

Course Number:  2231

Prerequisites: Early US History

Credit:   2 Social Studies Credits, full year / 1UP

Grade 11

This course is a continuation of the study of Early U.S. History. It includes coverage of important issues throughout the 20th century and beyond.  Some of the important themes and topics of this course are Imperialism, Prosperity & Depression, the origins and lasting impacts of World Wars I & II, the world wide struggle for Human Rights (Civil Rights in the U.S.), the Cold War and current world issues of importance. The course is designed for students with high academic skills and a commitment to scholarship in the subject. Students must commit themselves to extensive preparation outside of the class and be willing to work at analyzing and synthesizing while using a wide variety of sources. Independent research papers and projects are required in this course.

 

College Prep Modern U.S. and World History

Course Number:  2232

Prerequisites: Grade 10 History

Credit:   2 Social Studies Credits, full year / 1 UP

Grade 11

This course is a continuation of the study of Early U.S. History. It includes coverage of important issues throughout the 20th century and beyond. Some of the important themes and topics of this course are Imperialism, Prosperity & Depression, the origins and lasting impacts of World Wars I & II, the world wide struggle for Human Rights (Civil Rights in the U.S.), the Cold War and current world issues of importance.  Students should be willing to work outside of the class on developing better analytical skills as they are required to read a variety of primary and secondary historical sources. A research paper or project is required for this class.

 

Modern U.S. and World History

Course Number:  2233

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Grade 10 History

Credit:  2 Social Studies Credits, full year / 1UP

Grade 11

 

Modern U.S. and World History is designed for students who are currently reading below grade level and require additional support.This course focuses on skill development to meet the Social Studies content standards and is a continuation of the study of Early U.S. History. Some of the important  themes and topics in this course are Imperialism, Prosperity & Depression, the origins and lasting impacts of World Wars I and II, the worldwide struggle for human rights (civil rights in the U.S.), the Cold War and current issues of world importance. Students will continue to develop analytical skills to read a variety of primary and secondary sources. 

 

Social Studies Elective Courses

African American Studies

Course Number:  2226

Prerequisites:   None

Credit: 1 Elective Credit, 1 semester

Grades 10, 11, 12

African American Studies is a course that introduces students to the exploration of the rich and diverse history and culture of African Americans. The goal of this course is to broaden the knowledge and understanding of students interested in learning about history, citizenship, culture, economics, science, technology, geography, sociology, psychology, and the political realities of African Americans. This course will also focus on Maine’s visible Black History.  To this end, the  course will chronologically explore the black experience and will provide students with an opportunity to make deep connections across various content areas. The historical content of this course will be taught with relevance to contemporary and current issues.

 

American Government (Capstone Class)

Course Number:  2272

Prerequisites:   None

Credit: 1 Elective Credit, 1 semester

Grades 10, 11, 12

 

The course will review the foundations of American government, structures and processes and then use this knowledge to evaluate state and national governments using criteria such as liberty, security and individual freedoms. Students will analyze the role of modern media, including social networks, in influencing government action and public opinion. Discussions will emphasize the changing political culture of American society and its effect on how the government operates and how people vote. While the foundations of American government are historical, this course will primarily deal with modern issues and how the government attempts to deal with these. Videos, guest speakers, newspapers and journals will be used to help students understand more fully their role in this system and its impact upon them.

 

Camden Conference in the Classroom  

Course Number:  2234Q

Prerequisites: Enrolled in or completed Modern US and World History 

Credit: .5 Elective Credits, 1 quarter (3rd)

Grades 11, 12

This course is intended for students who wish to participate in the Camden Conference in February 2023. The Camden Conference orients students to their complex world through educational programs and partnerships that promote critical thinking, raise awareness, and provide accurate information about important global issues. The 2018 Camden Conference will explore shifts in global power and the ramifications for major players, particularly China, the US and the nations of Europe, in pursuing their national interests. Speakers at the Conference will address the impact of globalization, the rise of nationalism, the challenges to global economies, and the management of a range of future threats including environmental change. Students will prepare for the Conference before attending and then write a policy paper upon returning from the Conference.

 

Criminal Justice

Course Number:  2275

Prerequisites:  None

Credit: 1 Elective Credit, 1 semester

Grades 10, 11, 12

This course studies the American Criminal Justice and Legal Systems focusing on law, the structure of our courts, law enforcement and investigations, and incarceration. Critical issues studied may include gun control, hate crimes, youth and gang violence, drug enforcement, the death penalty, stop and seize laws, and the changing role of the courts and police in our American society. The frequent use of current events about various working parts of the Criminal Justice System, as well as participation in a mock trial, will supplement and enrich the regular readings in this course. This class may have an opportunity to visit the Cumberland County Courthouse and the Portland Police Department to see the criminal justice system in action depending on its placement in the schedule.

 

Current Events

Course Number:  2274

Prerequisites:   None

Credit:   1 Elective Credit, 1 semester

Grades 10, 11, 12

This course will focus on the most current political, military, economic and environmental events in the world. Background information of these events will be studied and discussed. The use of newspapers, magazines, and guest speakers will enable students to get a balanced view of major topics of interest and concern. Students will have an opportunity to debate and give their opinions on the various topics of study.

 

Global Studies Fall and/or Spring (can take either semester or both semesters)     

Course Number:  2286F, 2286S

Prerequisites:   None

Credit:   2 Elective Credits, Full Year

Grades 10, 11, 12

This course studies the history, geography and cultures of the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. The class examines current issues in these regions and their effect on the relationship between the nations and the people of the regions and the United States. The class explores the impact of globalization on these areas of the world, as well as the United States. International organizations are also examined. Videos, films, guest speakers, cultural programs and resources from local groups make the ways of life in these regions come alive for the student.

 

Psychology

Course Number:  2251

Prerequisites:   None

Credit: 1 Elective Credit, 1 semester

Grades 10, 11, 12

The course introduces the student to psychology, which is the study of human behavior. The goal is to develop a better understanding of one’s own behavior, the behavior of others and of the society in which we live. Topics include the brain, how we sense and perceive our world, and how we learn and grow through childhood and adolescence into adulthood. Theories of personality, including abnormal psychology, will be examined as well as how groups and social pressures affect our behavior. The individual student is the focus of the course.

 

Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology (Capstone Class)

Course Number:  2252

Prerequisites:  None

Credit:  4 Elective Credits, Meets daily, Full year

Grades 11, 12

AP Psychology is an accelerated survey course equivalent to an introductory course in college. This course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of humans and other animals. Students are exposed to psychological facts, principles and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. At the end of this course, students can take the National AP Psychology Exam in May. Successful completion of this exam may allow the student to receive 3 college credits or a possible exemption from an Introduction to Psychology course in college.      

 

Sociology

Course Number:  2270

Prerequisites:  None

Credit: 1 Elective Credit, 1 semester

Grades 10, 11, 12

Sociology studies human social relations and the dynamics of group behavior. Students will examine ways in which social structures and institutions such as family, community, schools, workplaces, and social class influence society. Social stratification, sexism, ageism, racism, and many other social issues may be studied. This course will use a variety of resources including text books, films, current event articles, our library, and the Internet as we examine the effect of social structures, practices, and institutions upon the individual in everyday life. Special attention is paid to the aspects of sociology that are relevant to the challenges of teens in our society.

 

World Religions (Offered 2024-25)

Course Number:  2287

Prerequisites:   None

Credit:1 Elective Credit, 1 semester

Grades 10, 11, 12

We will be exploring world cultures through the lens of the three major monotheistic religions and philosophies associated with the Asian World. This course will focus on understanding the basic developments and tenets of these world views. The course will examine the big themes in religion: the existence of God; evil and suffering; justice and truth; death and what happens after death; and the responsibility of the individual to the community and their relationship to God. We will also explore the rituals, beliefs, and important holy days as practiced now and in the distant past, and how world events have changed these belief systems. The final exam is a student-designed project.