Students enrolled in the Honors History courses will be expected to meet a higher level of expectations. They will focus on critical thinking, analysis of primary sources, and written assignments will be designed to make students understand the importance of historical thinking, reviewing material from many sources, and drawing logical conclusions. Special emphasis will be placed on developing historical skills, especially understanding historical causation, interpretation and synthesis of historic events and artifacts, and patterns of continuity and change over time. At the course’s conclusion, students will have enhanced their knowledge and improved their study skills, and be better able to think critically, evaluate, and draw conclusions.

UNITED STATES HISTORY I/HONORS (5 Credits)

Students examine the historical and intellectual origins of the United States during the Revolutionary and Constitutional eras. They learn about the important political and economic factors that contributed to the outbreak of the Revolution as well as the consequences of the Revolution, including the writing and key ideas of the U.S. Constitution. Students also study the basic framework of American democracy and the concepts of American government such as popular sovereignty, federalism, separation of powers, and individual rights. Students study America’s westward expansion, the establishment of political parties, and economic and social change. Students will learn about the growth of sectional conflict, how sectional conflict led to the Civil War, and the consequences of the Civil War, including Reconstruction. Finally, students will analyze the causes and consequences of the Industrial Revolution and America’s growing role in diplomatic relations. Students will study the goals and accomplishments of the Progressive movement.

UNITED STATES HISTORY II/HONORS (5 Credits)

Students will learn about the various factors that led to America’s entry into World War II as well as the consequences of World War II on American life. Students will also study the causes and course of the Cold War, important economic and political changes during the Cold War, including the Civil Rights movement, and recent events and trends that have shaped modern-day America, such as 9/11 and the Iraq War.

WORLD HISTORY/HONORS (5 Credits)

Students study the rise of the nation state in Europe, the French Revolution, and the economic and political roots of the modern world. They study the origins and consequences of the Industrial Revolution, 19th century political reform in Western Europe, and imperialism in Africa, Asia, and South America. They will explain the causes and consequences of the great military and economic events of the past century, including World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, and the Russian and Chinese revolutions. Finally, students will study the rise of nationalism and the continuing persistence of political, ethnic, and religious conflict in many parts of the world.

GOVERNMENT/HONORS (5 Credits)

This course provides a framework for understanding the purposes, principles, and practices of American Government as established by the United States Constitution. Students are expected to understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens and how to exercise these rights and responsibilities in local, state, and national government. They will also study law and the legal system, economics, forms of government, the Presidential Election, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY® (10 Credits)

Advanced Placement United States History is a survey course designed to provide students with analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in history. The class prepares students for college by making demands upon them equivalent to those made by full-year introductory college courses.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT U.S. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS® (10 Credits)

The Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics course is intended for qualified students who wish to complete studies in secondary school equivalent to a one-semester college introductory course in United States government and politics. The AP course in United States Government will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. government and politics and the analysis of specific examples. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute the U.S. government and political system.

SOCIOLOGY (5 Credits - Elective)

This course is designed to investigate the principles of sociology and human behaviors that relate to the individual in groups, social institutions, social control, and the use of research methods to examine social problems and other social sciences. The course provides practice to students in developing critical thinking, decision-making, and social studies skills concerning human relationships, their causes and effects. Major themes in Sociology include deviance and social control, social constructs, inequalities among social class, gender and age, family and marriage, and social issues surrounding modern sport. Specific thematic topics will include the social construct of race, racism and an exploration of how and why genocide happens. Some emphasis will also be given to a wide range of appropriate academic vocabulary that an educated adult should be expected to know and apply.

PSYCHOLOGY (5 Credits –Elective)

Psychology provides students with a systematic and scientific approach to the study of human behavior and mental processes. This course introduces students to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes of humans and other animals. Topics that may be explored include research methods, biological basis of behavior, psychological disorders and their treatment, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, memory, thinking, language, learning, intelligence, motivation, emotion, personality, human development and social psychology.

EARLY COLLEGE US HISTORY AFTER 1876 HST 122 (10 Credits)

A survey and analysis of the history of the United States and its institutions from the end of Reconstruction into the 21st century. Topics will include industrialization, western expansion, the Great Depression, and the rise of the United States as a world power. This course supports student development of Written and Oral Communications, Critical Thinking, and Multicultural and Global Perspectives.Students earn credit through 3-credits Middlesex Community College. The Middlesex credits qualify for the MassTransfer credit, which guarantees credit transfer to Massachusetts state universities and the University of Massachusetts.

EARLY COLLEGE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT GOV120 (10 Credits)

An analysis of the political and governmental system of the United States, the principles upon which it is founded, and the institutions and systems which comprise and influence it. Selected social and political issues relevant to the American experience will be covered. This course supports student development of Written and Oral Communications, Critical Thinking, and Social Responsibility.Students earn credit through 3-credits Middlesex Community College. The Middlesex credits qualify for the MassTransfer credit, which guarantees credit transfer to Massachusetts state universities and the University of Massachusetts.