Hudson High School

9th Grade	10th Grade	11th Grade	12th Grade
U.S. History Honors U.S. History AP U.S. History AP European History	World History Honors World History AP U.S. History AP European History	Social Psychology Sociology Eastern Civilizations Economics AP U. S. History AP European History AP Psychology AP U. S. Government AP Economics (Micro   & Macro) Examining Race: An American Study	Social Psychology Sociology Eastern Civilizations U. S. Government AP European History AP Psychology AP U. S. Government Service Learning New Dimensions AP Economics (Micro &   Macro) Examining Race: An American Study

 

 

 U.S. HISTORY
(Full year, 1 credit, Grade 9)

U. S. History emphasizes the development of the U. S. from 1877 to the present. Students investigate the effects of modernization on the political process. The social history of 20th Century America, World War II, the Cold War, Vietnam and the post-communist world and its challenges complete the course of study.

WORLD HISTORY
(Full year, 1 credit, Grade 10)
Students enrolled concentrate on the period of global history from 17th century to the present. The course focuses on the impact of the democratic and industrial revolutions, how Europe became dominant on the world stage, the wars that changed empires and the ideas that led to independence movements throughout the world. In addition to this western focus, the course will examine non-western societies, including those in Central and South America, Africa and Asia. Current events are used as a bridge between the students’ world and the past.
HONORS WORLD HISTORY
(Full year, 1 credit, Grade 10)

Honors World History will concentrate on the period of history from the 17th century to the present. Through extensive chronological coverage, students will develop skills in primary source analysis, interpretive historical reading and essay writing. It is recommended that the sophomores who take this course be highly motivated and interested in studying world history in depth. Students should plan to continue in the honors and advanced placement course sequence.

HONORS U.S. HISTORY
(Full year, 1 credit, Grade 9)

Honors U.S. History concentrates on the social, political, cultural, and economic development of the United States from 1877 to the present. Through extensive chronological coverage, students will develop skills in primary source analysis, interpretive historical reading and essay writing. It is recommended that the freshmen who take this course be highly motivated and interested in studying U.S. history in depth. Students should plan to continue in the honors and advanced placement course sequence.

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
(1 semester, .5 credit, Grades 11, 12)

Social Psychology is an introductory course in the field of psychology. Many areas within the field will be studied to provide a general background to psychology. The course will offer outside speakers, videos, lectures, and guided discussions.
The primary goal of the course is to enable students to deal more fully with various aspects of their own lives, by instilling in them some degree of understanding as to why people are the way they are. This course will study topics such as research methods, ethics, personality, intelligence, child development, adult development, and abnormal psychology.

SOCIOLOGY
(1 semester, .5 credit, Grades 11, 12)

Emphasis is placed on understanding of the social as well as the psychological forces at work in the field of human relations and human behavior. Elements of Sociology are investigated through discussions, debates and class activities on such topics as: groups and the interaction of groups, social organizations, family, culture, deviance, class, race and gender.

EASTERN CIVILIZATIONS
(1 semester, ½ credit, Grade 11, 12)

Eastern Civilizations explores non-European traditions with a focus on regional histories, religions, and cultures (including art and cuisine). Over the semester, students will focus on examinations of China, Russia, the Middle East, India and modern Africa. With a focus apart from the West, we will also explore political issues that have defined our times and which will prepare the students for the world beyond Hudson.

U. S. GOVERNMENT
(1 semester, .5 credit, Grade 12)

The course is designed to fit within the confines of a one-semester government course. We move from the development of theories of government, and then to a careful analysis of national, state, and city government. The major focus of the course is to prepare students to be contributing members of society. Special emphasis is placed on current government.
AP U. S. HISTORY
(Full year, 1 AP credit, Grades 9-12)

AP U.S. History will concentrate on the social, political, cultural, and economic development of the United States from pre-Colonial America to the present. Students who choose to take this course must be self-motivated and highly interested in studying U.S. history in depth. The body of knowledge covered in the course is vast and will enable the AP students to challenge themselves in a college-level atmosphere. AP students will learn to read and evaluate college-level texts, interpret primary source materials, assess the context in which historians write, and hone their writing and critical thinking skills. This analysis, coupled with class discussion and debate, will enable the AP students to understand the ambiguities inherent in the study of history, which leads to an increased tolerance for varying viewpoints.

Optional: AMSCO AP U.S. History prep book for ~$15.00
AP Exam: $89.00

AP EUROPEAN HISTORY
(Full year, 1 AP credit, Grades 9-12)

AP European History will concentrate on the social, political, cultural, and economic development of the Western world from 1450 to the present. Students who choose to take this course must be self motivated and highly interested in studying history in depth. The body of knowledge covered in the course is vast and will enable the AP students to challenge themselves in a college-level atmosphere. AP students will learn to read and evaluate college-level texts, interpret primary source materials, assess the context in which historians write, and hone their writing and critical thinking skills.

At the end of the year, the course culminates with a required AP test in May, for which a fee is charged. All students enrolled in this course are required to take the AP test. The test gives “high school students opportunities to demonstrate college-level achievement.” By qualifying on the test, students may be awarded some college credit hours.

Optional: AP Review book for ~$15.00. AP Exam: $89.00

AP PSYCHOLOGY
[Full year; 1 credit; Grade 11 & 12]

AP course in Psychology will introduce the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Included is a consideration of the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Students also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. The aim is to provide a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in most college introductory psychology courses. – College Board

At the end of the year, the course culminates with a required AP test in May, for which a fee is charged. All students enrolled in this course are required to take the AP test. The test gives “high school students opportunities to demonstrate college-level achievement.” By qualifying on the test, students may be awarded some college credit hours or advanced standing in Psychology.
AP Exam: $89.00

AP U. S. GOVERNMENT
(Full year, 1 AP credit, Grade 11, 12)
AP U.S. Government is an upper-level course. Students will study the Constitution, political behaviors and beliefs, the institutions and structure of national government, public policy, and civil rights and liberties. Students will develop higher level thinking skills by analyzing important primary source documents, maps, census data, polls, and voting surveys. Evaluation includes multiple choice exams, essay writing, and research papers as preparation for the AP exam. Reflective journals, discussion of current events and Supreme Court case studies, and attendance at public meetings are also class requirements.
At the end of the year, the course culminates with a required AP test in May, for which a fee is charged. All students enrolled in this course are required to take the AP test. The test gives “high school students opportunities to demonstrate college-level achievement.” By qualifying on the test, students may be awarded some college credit hours.

Students are asked to purchase a Summer Reading book for ~$10.00. Optional: AP Review book for ~$15.00. AP Exam: $89.00

AP ECONOMICS (MICRO & MACRO)
(Full year, 1 credit, Grades 11 & 12)

AP Economics is a college level, year-long course designed to provide junior and senior students with a thorough understanding of the principles of Micro (first semester) and Macro (second semester) economics. This course was created to encourage students to think like economists – to question and evaluate costs and benefits, to explore the many ways that one economic action will cause secondary actions. AP Economics will also examine the fundamental principles which govern economic activities of the individual, the business and at the market, national and international economic levels. This course addresses the central topics of AP Economics including: supply and demand, the theory of the firm, perfect and imperfect competition, the role of the factors of production in free and mixed economies, the role of government, measuring the national economy, fiscal and monetary policy and international trade. In addition to preparing a student for the A.P. exams in both Micro and Macroeconomics, a major emphasis of this course will be on the development of critical thinking skills and the application of economic principles and problem solving. Advanced level reading, extensive advanced writing, and active class participation will be required for this course.

Students take both the Micro and the Macro Advanced Placement tests in May, $89.00 each.

EXAMINING RACE: AN AMERICAN STUDY
(Semester, .5 credits, Grades 11-12)
New elective course for next year!

This course will trace the tumultuous history of race in America. From legal designation intended to keep people from full citizenship, to construct of cultural identity, to modern day political lightening rod, race has been and will continue to be a pressing social and legal issue in America. The class will examine race classification in Colonial America, through the Civil War and Reconstruction years, the rise of the KKK, immigration policy, minority identity and the modern Civil Rights era. Special emphasis will be placed on current day race issues that demand historical context to fully understand.


SERVICE LEARNING
(Full Year, 3 credits; 1 English; 1 Social Studies; 1 Service Learning. Grade 12)
Prerequisite: application, teacher recommendation, and interview

Service Learning is a unique course that combines the disciplines of social studies and English with application in service to the community. Three days a week, Service Learning offers students selections from classical and contemporary literature that focus on the nature of humankind and society, the human condition, the philosophical basis of American government, and participatory citizenship. The course additionally focuses on the contemporary issues of diversity, tolerance, and social justice through critical thinking, oral/written presentations, discussions, and debates. The other two days a week students are engaged in meaningful human-centered service at a community agency. It is through this agency that students receive a "hands-on" experience of what the academic component has been focusing on through in-depth research projects and real world experience. Finally, in this class, students have the rare opportunity to develop collegial relationships with diverse professionals that further enhance their personal and educational development.

NEW DIMENSIONS
(Full year, 2 Honors-level Credits; 1 English, 1 Social Studies, Grade 12)
Prerequisite: Application, teacher recommendation and interview.
New Dimensions is a rigorous, interdisciplinary Humanities course that consists of Psychology, Philosophy, Anthropology and Sociology. This selective program, team taught by Social Studies and English faculty, is composed of 30 seniors chosen through application and interview. The intense coursework stresses critical thinking and debate, primary research, and the attendance of cultural events; students earn both a Social Studies and an English credit. One quarter of the school year is dedicated to studying each of the following disciplines: Psychology, Philosophy, Anthropology and Sociology. Corresponding literature and writing components including literary analysis, and multi-genre response complement each discipline. This intense course is student-centered with a strong emphasis on discussion, debate, critical thinking skills and research. The class meets for a double period daily, or 100 minutes. Under the guidance of an advisor, students will complete an extensive, 30-40 page research paper, over a period of four months, on a controversial issues of his/her choice. Students conduct both primary and secondary research. Students are required to attend a minimum of three cultural events per quarter. These cultural events consist of experiences outside of Hudson such as attending plays and lectures or touring museums—a corresponding writing assignment from each of these three events is required each quarter. The culminating cultural event is a week-long educational class trip to New York City. The student is responsible for the cost of the trip.
Students who wish to apply for New Dimensions are evaluated first by the Hudson High School staff members. Students are then evaluated by the New Dimensions team and are selected following an interview process. The faculty feedback and interview help determine the student's maturity, integrity and academic curiosity to participate in a challenging discussion and research-based course. 30 students are selected.

Students are asked to purchase Hamlet, Man’s Search For Meaning, Lord of the Flies and Tuesdays with Morrie for a total of ~$30.00.