St. Peter's Boys High School
Social Science Department
The main objective is to make the student aware of his role as a citizen in our American Democracy and to give an appreciation of one's responsibility as a citizen of the world. Assigned readings, term papers and book reports are required. The Global History Regents will be administered to all 10th year students. The Regents in American History and Government will be administered to all 11th year students. In addition, the Department offers courses to prepare the serious student for Business Major courses in college.
Required Courses
Global History (9th & 10th Years)
The syllabus for grades 9 and 10 provides students with the opportunity to study the history of other nations within a framework designed to develop a global perspective. This approach aims to cultivate in students the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to function effectively in a world characterized by ethnic diversity, cultural pluralism, international and domestic violence, and increasing interdependence.
The two-year program is predicated on the assumption that competency for citizenship in the next century has two elements. The first is that the role of Western Europe in shaping our own values and institutions must not be neglected.
The second is that citizenship education must now transcend its customary limitations to the institutions and societal patterns that characterize Western civilization to include those of non-Western societies.
Advanced Placement United States History (11th Year Scholars)
The Advanced Placement Program in United States History is designed to provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in United States history. The program prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those made by full year introductory college courses. An AP United States history course should develop the skills necessary to arrive at conculsions on the basis of an informed judgement. There is an examination fee set by the Educational Testing Service.
U.S. History & American Government (11th Year)
The goal of this course is two-fold - (a) to introduce the student to the history of the United States since the Civil War; (b) to familiarize the student with the workings of the United States Government. This course will begin with an overview of our history from 1492 - 1865. Special emphasis and time will then be taken with the Constitution and events from 1865 to the present.
Contemporary American Government & Economics (12th Year)
Contemporary American Government: This portion of the senior course is geared to help the student understand the ideals, traditions, and events which helped shape America's development during the 20th century. It will attempt to help the student realize his role now and in the future as an active participant in government.
Economics: This portion of the course deals with study of production and consumption, business principles in our economy, the role of industry, labor and agriculture in our society, the creation and use of money, private and national wealth and income, and comparative economic systems.
Macroeconomics (12 Year Scholars)
This course is part of the High School Extension program of St. John's University. Students enrolled in this course will, upon successful completion, have three credits awarded by St. John's University. The course is a study of the overall American economy including GDP, supply and demand, inflation, unemployment, productivity, etc. and the interaction of the same. It will also provide a detailed analysis of monetary policy and the function of the Federal Reserve as well as fiscal policy. Contemporary economic data and challenges will be discussed.
Business Law/Investment (12th Year)
This course deals with the study of contracts, insurance, bankruptcy, court procedures, estates, federal and local court systems. The course also includes the study of the functions of the Stock Market, its operations, the types of classes of stocks and bonds and the function of the brokerage house. Federal, State, and City income taxes; the principles of taxation and the preparation of returns for each agency.
Leadership in Business & Life (12th Year)
This course will contain a systematic, analytic approach to understanding, predicting and controlling human behavior in organizations and life. Consideration is given to the individual and the organization. Time will be spent on developing skills of speech communication through public speaking.
Personal Finance (12th Year)
Discussion of the problems involved in handling personal finances: taxes, life insurance, investments and securities, borrowing, savings, annuities, wills, trusts, taxes and budgeting.
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