Social Studies

• Students must successfully complete Global History 1, Global History 2, US History, Participation in Government, and Economics  as well as earn passing grades on the Global Regents or US History Regents to graduate.
• Additionally, Academy students must complete the sequence in Freshman & Sophomore American History, Law, and Senior Thesis

Global Studies 1 (HGN21) Eligibility:  9th Graders Course fulfillment: This course satisfies two NYS Social Studies credits towards graduation.

Global Studies I:  This is the first year of a two year survey course that will lead into the global studies regents at the end of 10th grade. The class will begin its journey with the Neolithic Revolution, moving through early and classical civilizations, then onto the rise of Europe, and lastly, closing the year off with the Age of Exploration. Aside from historical content, the class will strive to improve writing and communication that will foster critical thinking capabilities among each student.

Global Studies 2 (HGN22) Eligibility:  10th Graders Course fulfillment:  This course satisfies two NYS Social Studies credits towards graduation.

Global Studies II:  This course begins with a brief review of the Age of Exploration and concludes with a look at our contemporary world. We will analyze the economic, social and political motives behind the last four centuries of world history, through the use of primary documents. At the end of this course, all students will be prepared for the Global Regents, given in June.

Freshman American History (HRN21, HRN21Q1) Eligibility:  9th Graders Course fulfillment:  This course satisfies 2 NYS Social Studies elective credits towards graduation.

Freshman American History:  This is the first of three years of American history offered at the Academy of American Studies.  The chronological focus of the course will begin with the Events Leading Up To the American Revolution (1760s) through the Reform Period of the 19th Century (1850s); including the following topics: the American Revolution, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Slavery, Abolition, Women’s Rights Movement, and Temperance Reform.  Some of the highlights of the course include: Thomas Jefferson Debate, Research Writing, Philadelphia and Boston Trips.  One major emphasis of the course will be writing; and the objective of the course will be to introduce students to the skills necessary to be good social studies students, and more importantly good writers.  The course will showcase the documents of America’s past: including the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Thomas Paine’s Common Sense.

Sophomore American History (HRN22) Eligibility:  10th Graders Course fulfillment:  This course satisfies 2 NYS Social Studies elective credits towards graduation.

Sophomore American History:  This course will examine the political, social, and economic evolution of the American Republic from the era of Westward Expansion (Manifest Destiny) through the nation's transformation during the Civil War and Reconstruction, ultimately ending with the socio-economic transformation of America into the Industrial Age.

Junior American History (HUN11) Eligibility:  11th Graders Course fulfillment:  This course satisfies 2 NYS Social Studies credits towards graduation.

Junior American History  This course is for junior level students. It explores the history of the United States from approximately the turn of the 20th century to the present day. Subjects of study include American Expansion and Imperialism, World War One, the Roaring 20s, the Great Depression and the New Deal, World War Two, the Cold War, the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, the 1960s and the Conservative Revolution of the 1980s.  At the end of this course, all students will be prepared for the US History Regents, given in June.

Participation in Government (HVS11) Law (HLS11) Participation in Government/Senior Thesis (HVS11QST) Eligibility:  12th Graders Course fulfillment:  This course satisfies 1 NYS Social Studies credits and 1 elective credit towards graduation.

Participation in Government and Law is a course designed to give students an in-depth knowledge of our government and laws.  We trace the origins of our government, studying events and precedents set by our founders.   We then focus on the workings of our Congress, the Executive, the Bureaucracy and our Judiciary.   In the spring the focus is set on studying U.S. Supreme Court cases that have impacted our society.   The course also targets other tangential topics such as criminal law and the operation of New York City’s government.

Economics (HES11) Eligibility:  12th graders Course fulfillment:  Economics is a NYS required course.

Economics:  Students will gain a sense of the impact of economics on their lives through everyday decision-making. They will gain an understanding of major economic concepts and systems that affect the decision-making process. Students will have the opportunity to develop and apply the skills needed to make informed and well-reasoned economic decisions. This will be emphasized using fundamental micro-economic concepts that students may use on a practical, individual level, but also within the framework of the U.S. and global economies.

AP Macroeconomics (HEN11X) Eligibility:  12th graders Note:  This course is weighted as 1.1 on a student's transcript average.  Course fulfillment:  AP Macroeconomics satisfied the NYS requirement for economics.

AP Macroeconomics:  Students will gain exposure to the basic economic principles that govern their behavior in a free enterprise system and understand the choices that are made and the impact those choices have on an aggregate basis. Through this study of macroeconomics students will master a variety of topics exclusive to this discipline such as economic growth & productivity, unemployment, inflation, the business cycle, the financial sector, as well as the ability to measure the performance of the economy based on these many factors. This, including learning about the basic concepts of supply & demand, will prepare students to master the material needed to take the A.P. Exam in May.

AP US History (HUN11X) Eligibility:  11th Graders Note:  This course is weighted as 1.1 on a student's transcript average.  Course fulfillment:  This course satisfies 2 NYS Social Studies credits towards graduation.  

AP US History is a challenging course designed for student’s equivalent to that of a freshman college survey course and if completed successfully, may earn you college credits. This course is offered to Juniors and covers the colonial period through modern day. The course concludes with preparation and review for the A.P. Exam in U.S. History, which is given in early May.

AP US Government & Politics (HVN11X) Eligibility:  12th Graders Note:  This course is weighted as 1.1 on a student's transcript average.  Course fulfillment:  This course satisfies 2 NYS Social Studies elective credits towards graduation.

AP United States Government:  This course is designed to teach students how people behave politically when interacting with the various institutions and levels of government within our federal system. Students will learn how these interactions shape public policy within our representative democracy. This extensive understanding of American political behavior, civil liberties, governmental structure, and constitutional principles will eventually prepare the students to take the Advanced Placement United States Government Exam in May.

AP World Modern History (HGN21X) Eligibility:  9th Graders Note:  This course is weighted as 1.1 on a student's transcript average.  Course fulfillment:  This course satisfies 2 NYS Social Studies credits towards graduation.

AP World Modern History:  This course covers 1200 to the present.  We will start with a look at the Global Tapestry and establishment of the Networks of Exchange; finalizing the force with a look at Global Conflict and Globalization.  This course will replace your 9th Grade Global History class and will be your first introduction to Advanced Placement courses.  The course concludes with preparation and review for the AP exam, which is given in early May.  

AP European History (HGN22X) Eligibility:  10th Graders Note:  This course is weighted as 1.1 on a student's transcript average.  Course fulfillment:  This course satisfies 2 NYS Social Studies credits towards graduation.

AP European History:  This course is specifically designed to cover a very extensive time period, starting with 1450 and concluding with the present day. The course is divided into two semesters: in the fall, we will cover the Renaissance through the French Revolution while, in the spring, we will cover the Industrial Revolution through the growth of European Unity. This course is taught on a college level, which necessitates that it be writing intensive; however, it is also built upon class discussions.  The course concludes with preparation and review for the AP exam, which is given in early May.  

AP Human Geography (HPN11X) Eligibility:  12th Graders Note:  This course is weighted as 1.1 on a student's transcript average.  Course fulfillment:  This course satisfies 2 NYS Social Studies elective credits towards graduation.  

AP Human Geography is designed to be a college introductory geography class. It aims to introduce students to the basic concepts of human geography and provide a geographic framework for the analysis of current world problems.  The course develops students’ ability to ask geographic questions; acquire, organize, and analyze geographic information; and answer geographic questions.  This class helps us understand the most basic but yet very complex human geography questions: how and why people live and work where they do?  The major focus of the class is on the standards established by the College Board for AP Human Geography.

AP African American Studies (HGN11X) Eligibility: 12th Graders Note: This is a pilot course for the 2023-2024 school year.This course is weighted as 1.1 on a student's transcript average.  Course fulfillment: This course satisfies 2 NYS Social Studies elective credits towards graduation.

AP African American Studies traces the experiences of African Americans and people of the African Diaspora from the early African Kingdoms to the 21st century. The course begins with an in-depth look at ancestral Africa to provide an understanding of history, politics, culture and economics as essential to the vibrancy of Black communities in the US today. As we move through history, we will examine the diversity of African American experiences through varied primary and secondary sources. We will engage in difficult topics from the Transatlantic Slave Trade to chattel slavery in America and the violence and fear used to oppress African Americans throughout history. You will take an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the resilience and vibrancy of Black culture. We will look beyond historical events to uncover stories of survival, resistance, and the creation of community and culture. You will develop skills across multiple fields, with an emphasis on developing historical, literary, visual, and data analysis skills. We will analyze poetry, sociology, geography, fine & decorative arts, performing arts, as well as policy (government action, public activism) in order to form a deeper understanding of both the African American and African diasporic experiences. Students will be expected to write a 1200 to 1500 word research project relating to any aspect of the course before taking the AP Exam in May.

Research Project in American History (HQN11QJ) Eligibility:  10th Graders Course fulfillment:  This course satisfies 2 NYS Social Studies elective credits towards graduation.

Research Project in American History is a project-based history class following the National History Day model.  National History Day makes history come alive for students by engaging them in the discovery of the historical, cultural and social experiences of the past through hands-on experiences and presentations.  Following a class history fair, students will participate in the New York City History Day contest where they will share their research in an effort to advance to the New York State contest.  Following the completion of the History Day curriculum, the class will follow an abbreviated sophomore US curriculum examining the political, social, and economic evolution of the American Republic from the era of Westward Expansion (Manifest Destiny) through the nation's transformation during the Civil War and Reconstruction, ultimately ending with the socio-economic transformation of America into the Industrial Age.

Senior Thesis Through the Civics Lens (HQS11)  Eligibility:  12th graders Course fulfillment:  This elective course is required to receive Academy honors certification on your diploma.  At Academy of American Studies, seniors are required to complete a Senior Thesis as part of the American history program.  This course is designed to promote academic growth, independent learning, and enhance college ready skills.  The Senior Thesis topic revolves around Civics and includes a research paper, a portfolio, and a presentation with an audio/visual component to a panel of judges.  This course is specifically designed to engage students in matters that are Civics related and that they feel strongly about.  Students are working towards complaining the Seal of Civic Readiness for an additional endorsement on their Diploma.

History of Athletics Across the World (HQS11QAD)  Course fulfillment:  This course satisfies an elective credit.

 In the course, "History of Athletics Across the World", students will study the development of sports through many historical viewpoints. There will be rigorous content on helping students develop a better understanding of the personal relationship that sport has on social, economic, cultural, and political powers. We will study these topics from domestic and international perspectives. Students will learn the earliest to modern history on athletics and the importance of race, gender, social class, ethnicity through readings, audio/video, and class discussions.