 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Course #142
2.5 Credits
Welcome to the Social Studies electives page. Click the picture below to learn more about the electives available.
Prerequisite: Open to all students in Grades 11 and 12.
This course presents a framework of understanding today's society. This course begins with an analysis of man in the environment of his culture and his society. Particular emphasis is given to the culture concepts. Further study is given on the effect of culture in shaping the personality. This concept is the key to understanding not only other people but also ourselves. This course gives attention to particular institutions and social problems---dating, family, marriage, divorce, and juvenile deliquency.
Prerequisite: Open to all students in Grade 11 or 12 who have maintained at least an 80 in a previous honors history course or a 90 in a previous college prep history course. (For special circumstances a teacher recommendation will be required.)
This course is open to all seniors who desire to be come prepared an d informed citizens capable of obtaining and acting upon civic understanding and information. this course is strongly recommended to those students seeking careers in law, law enforcement, political science, public administration, and journalism.
Prerequisite: Open to all students in grade 11 and 12.
Students will examine the history of the United States by viewing a variety of motion pictures and documentaries. Beginning with the French and Indian War (Last of the Mohicans) and continuing through some of the United States most intriguing moments, students will be exposed to history through a medium in which they are comfortable. Students will also be exposed to a variety of different styles of filmmaking and will be asked to judge the historical accuracy of the films and to look for biases in the films.
Prerequisite: Open to all students in Grads 11 and 12. Economics II is not required but is highly recommended.
This course in Microeconomics emphasizes the role economics plays to improve the student's decision making process and to help them appreciate the importance of economics in their personal life. Making economic decisions examines the choices in the marketplace and the voting booth. This course examines the allocation of scarce resources and the economic reasoning used by government agencies and by people as consumers, producers, savers, investors, workers, and voters. Key elements include the study of scarcity, supply and demand, market structures, the role of government, national income determination, money and the role of financial institutions, economic stabilization, and trade. Taken with Economics II, this course introduces the economic standards identified in the Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework.
Prerequisite: Open to all students in Grades 11 and 12. Economics I is not required but is highly recommended.
This course in Macroeconomics explores GNP, unemployment, inflation, money supply, the banking system and fiscal policies. Students will develop an understanding of the Stock Market, federal and state tax preparation, interest and banking policies, and other areas of consumer interest. students will have access to the Wall Street journal and the "Stock Market Game". Taken with Economics I, this course introduces the economic standards identified in the Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework.
Prerequisite: Open to all students in Grade 11 or 12 who have maintained at least an 80 average in a previous honors history course or a 90 in a previous college prep history course. (For special circumstances a teacher recommendation will be required.)
This course provides the student with a sampling of the law such as contracts, torts, domestic relations, criminal law, and constitutional law. Whenever possible, the case law method of teaching is used, as it would be in a law school. In addition, students may take part in the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. statewide mock trial competition.
Prerequisite: Open to highly motivated students in Grade 10, 11, or 12. This is a prerequisite for students interested in AP Psychology in Grade 11 or 12. An average of 88 must be maintained to qualify for AP Psychology.
This course is an introduction to the human mind and behavior. Students learn the language and methodology of psychology. They will discuss the history and development of modern psychological thought and theories; human physiology, particularly of the brain; conditioning and the learning process; stages of development, including the ideas of Freud and other key figures; what happens during sleep and other states of consciousness; familial and social relationships, including the long-term effects of child abuse; abnormal and aberrant behavior including alcoholism and drug addiction and personalities; psychology and the law; and a variety of related topics.
Prerequisite: Open to all students in grade 10, 11, and 12. Certain classes will be invited to work in the New Beginnings program.
After a brief prologue on the history and methods of modern psychology, students study early childhood development through the works of the masters in the field, from Jean Piaget to Jerome Kagan of Harvard. The course will emphasize practical applications of child psychology by studying the different stages of child development. Students will read about and discuss best practices in childcare, and how and why they work. Students will define and examine child abuse, its consequences, and how to prevent it. Course materials will draw from books, scholarly journals and newspapers; movies and television shows; and whenever possible, practical experiences.
Prerequisite: Open to all students in grade 11 and 12.
After a brief prologue on the history and methods of modern psychology, students will examine what happens when our brains malfunction from emotional and/or physical causes. Students will cover topics ranging from depression to schizophrenia, and a wide variety of treatments ranging from psychotherapy to pharmaceuticals. Students will investigate important issues like the controversy over genetic vs. environment causes of psychiatric disorders. They will debate and discuss drug and alcohol misuse, the short- and long-term effects of child abuse, mental illness among the homeless, and other important issues of our times. Course materials will be drawn from books, scholarly journals and newspapers; movies and television shows; and whenever possible, personal experiences.
Prerequisite: Open to students who have maintained an average of 88 in Introduction to Psychology Honors. Teacher recommendation is a requirement. A course in Statistics is highly recommended.
The AP course in Psychology is the equivalent of a freshman college preparatory course and introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to psychological facts, principles, phenomena associated with each of the major sub fields within psychology. They also learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice. This course is open to highly motivated students who are willing to meet the level of effort and performance necessary to be prepared for the AP examination, which will be given in the spring.
Back To Social Studies Courses
Back To Courses Homepage
Back To The Saugus High Homepage