| Course | Course Description | Resource Links |
| Global History and | This particular class is the first phase of a two-year course focusing on world history and geography. Students explore a chronology from Ancient Times to the First Global Era (ending about 1750CE). Course instruction begins with: early civilizations in Egypt and Mesopotamia; belief systems; and Classical Civilizations (Greece and Rome). When studying the Early Common Era, students gain an understanding of early empires and other civilizations around the globe. Students also examine issues such as the African Slave Trade, cultural interactions among varied peoples, and global trends. Remember: There is no Regents exam at the end of the 9th grade class (student take the Global History and Geography Regents at the conclusion of 10th grade; the test reflects the content from both the 9th and 10th grade classes). However, in Global 9 there are final and midterm exams, research papers, and various projects throughout the year to assess understanding of the course content. For this class, students will be responsible for the following units:
- Prehistoric/Early Civilizations
- Ancient Era (1000BCE - 300CE)
- Early Common Era (300CE -1450CE)
- First Global Era (1450CE-1750CE) |
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| Global History and | Global 9 300 is the first half of the two-year course sequence in Global History and Geography as outlined by the New York State Department of Education. This college preparatory course is designed to develop critical thinking, analytical, and writing skills by exploring the scope and depth of the human experience over several thousand millennia. Honors students will develop the cultural literacy and historical understanding essential for success in a globalized world.
Upon completion, students may register for either the Advanced Placement World History or the 10th grade Honors Global History and Geography courses offered at Bay Shore Senior High School. Advanced Placement students will have the opportunity to earn college credit by achieving a satisfactory score on the AP World History assessment administered in May of their sophomore year. Honors students are also expected to achieve mastery on the Global History and Geography Regents Examination in June of their sophomore year. It is important to note that a strong work ethic, effective time management and organizational skills are essential for success at the honors level.
Honors students will also develop historical research skills by learning how to analyze information for its reliability and accuracy. In-depth examination of primary and secondary historical sources are essential in the completion of essay and research assignments at the honors level.
Honors assessments consist of Advanced Placement World History and modified Advanced Placement World History level essay topics and multiple-choice questions. Exams are designed to enhance comprehension of course material as well as assisting in the preparation for the SAT and ACT. Students will complete a unit assessments and well as a midterm exam and final examination. | |
| Humanities 9 | Humanities 9 is the first of a three-year social science sequence, which will engage students in the study of world history through the lenses of literature and art. Through the images and structures that they study, students will be able to see how cultures influence one another and why certain traditions and customs are expressed through a myriad of mediums. This class will challenge their willingness to relearn and rethink the world around them. This course takes students on a tour throughout the world; it begins with an exploration of Ancient River Valley Civilizations and continues with the classical world, focusing on India, China, Greece, and Rome. Toward the middle of the year, the Byzantine Empire, Islamic Empires, and Sub-Saharan Africa are examined, followed by a journey back to Asia to investigate Medieval China, feudal Japan, and the Mongol Empire. The year concludes with the analysis of Medieval and Renaissance Europe. |
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| Global History and
| This course will complete the second phase of the two-year Global History and Geography sequence. The focus of the course begins with the political systems of 17th century Europe known as the Age of Absolutism. The course concludes with a focus on current events, which draws connections to events of the past. Global History and Geography focuses on the continents of Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. Students will take the Global History and Geography Regents exam in June, which reflects content from both the 9th and 10th grade courses. |
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| Global History and
| This course examines the development of Global History from 1750 to the present period. An in-depth study of the content is provided at this level. Teachers emphasize higher level skills such as critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, and application. Students demonstrate these skills through learning activities such as research projects, debate, discussion, and document analysis. The goal of this course is to provide students with honors level instruction in Global History, which culminates in a New York State Regents exam in June.
Students of the 300 level of instruction are challenged with difficult reading and writing; the instructional materials used by the teachers are rich and the instruction is designed to cover the course content and concepts on a deep level. The objective is to hone the skill of the 300 level students to insure a high degree of success. Teachers emphasize critical thinking, independent research, and the development of analytical skills. Students will be expected to provide extensive written response and analysis throughout the course.
The student who has achieved on this level is often recommended for Advanced Placement courses or the International Baccalaureate Program. |
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| Humanities 10 | The 10th grade Humanities course integrates Art, English, and Global History in a manner which fosters deeper understanding of the curriculum. The Global History content of the course mirrors the Regents classes. In the 10th grade, the Global History content starts with the Age of Absolutism and ends with the themes of Global Connections and Interactions in the modern world. The interdisciplinary connections made in the Humanities program help students better understand the historical and cultural development of the regions being studied. There is an increased emphasis on reading, writing, critical thinking, and independent research projects, while developing artistic skills and aesthetic appreciation. A team of three faculty members, one representing each discipline, teach Humanities during a double period of instruction. |
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| AP World History | AP World History is a year-long course designed to help students understand how people and societies throughout the world have developed and interacted with one another over time. This is accomplished by examining world events through a combination of factual knowledge and analytical skills as well as focusing on the six themes outlined in the AP World History Course Description (see below). The course has two major goals: to help students understand the how and why of world development; and to prepare students for success on the AP World History exam. The themes and time periods listed below serve to tie together the course as well as provide ways for students to categorize and compare information from a variety of times and places. Throughout each unit, students will practice essential historical skills such as analyzing and interpreting primary documents, comparing and contrasting major historical events and themes, as well as focusing on how historical processes have both changed and remained constant over time. Assignments to assess those skills will include, but are not limited to: essays; in-class discussions based on readings; simulations; compare/contrast and “change over time” charts; document based inquiries; and Socratic seminars. Students will regularly be analyzing a variety of primary documents in preparation for the Document Based Question (DBQ) essay on the AP exam. An emphasis will be placed on grouping documents, use of evidence to support an argument, and analyzing points of view. All activities assigned in class are designed to help students understand the following major historical themes:
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| United States History and Government 11 Regents | United States History is the story of a great experiment in representative democracy. In this class, students study the structure and function of our government as well as the history of the United States from Colonial America to the present day. The objective of the course is to provide an in-depth understanding of the basic principles and cultural heritage that support US democracy so that students can become informed, dedicated, and committed participants in government. Students are expected to complete a research paper, participate in classroom discussion, examine primary sources, and engage in classroom debates. At the conclusion of the class in June, students are required to take and pass the Regents Exam in United States History and Government. |
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| United States History and Government 11 Honors
| United States History is the story of a great experiment in representative democracy. In this class, students study the structure and function of our government as well as the history of the United States from Colonial America to present day. The objective of the course is to provide an in-depth understanding of the basic principles and cultural heritage that support US democracy so that students can become informed, dedicated, and committed participants in government. Students are expected to complete a research paper, participate in classroom discussion, examine primary sources, and engage in classroom debates. Students on the 300 level are expected to be highly proficient in reading and writing and able to grapple with content and instructional approaches characteristic of college history classes. At the conclusion of the class in June, students are required to take and pass the Regents Exam in United States History and Government. |
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| Humanities 11
| Humanities 11 is a 3 credit course taught collaboratively in a two period block by a Social Studies, English, and Art teacher. The course provides a unique, integrated approach; the focus is making connections between American History, American Literature, and American Art. The NY State curriculum for US History and Government is followed, but is enhanced by the emphasis on art and literature as it relates to history. The students who take this course are required to pass a US History and Government and English Regents at the conclusion of the course. |
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| AP American History | Advanced Placement United States History is a challenging survey course that extensively examines the chronological history of the United States from discovery to present times. The curriculum covers a broad range of topics in fields such as economic history, cultural and social developments, as well as political-constitutional and diplomatic history. The primary goals include developing broad factual knowledge of American history and critical analytical skills. Students are expected to analyze and interpret primary source materials and to write essays and research papers. In addition, students are encouraged to examine, analyze, and debate important issues. A major course objective is to expose students to a variety of viewpoints in order to have them acquire a better understanding of America and its people. An inquisitive mind, an eagerness to learn, and disciplined study habits are important skills for course participation. Success on the AP exam and the acquisition of college work habits are key course outcomes. Above all, the course strives to provide students with a learning experience that will encourage them to reason, pursue continual learning, and become good citizens in a democratic society. |
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| IB History 11 | IB History of the Americas 11HL is the first of a two-year course that is required to complete the IB Diploma. The course focuses on the history of Canada, the United States, and Latin America. Students will also have the opportunity to study three in-depth units within the required curriculum. The course examines the causes and effects as well as the development of North and South America from independence movements through the end of the twentieth century. Students study the history of the Americas through a global perspective and examine competing historical opinions from a variety of sources. |
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| IB History 12 | The senior year of IB History covers topics associated with Papers 1 and 2 of the IB exam. Our prescribed subject for Paper 1 (Communism in Crisis), addresses the major challenges that the leading Communist states faced from 1976-1989. The nature of the regimes and their political, social, and economic responses to the time period are compared. For Paper 2, two 20th century world history topics (Democratic States – Challenges and Responses and Origins and Development of Authoritarian and Single-Party States) are analyzed. Within the Democratic States unit we address the United States from 1953-1973 and Weimar Germany from 1919-1933. Within the Authoritarian and Single-Party States unit, Hitler and Nazi Germany, Stalin and the USSR, and Mao and China are addressed. |
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| Economics | This course will provide students with an understanding of the way in which society organizes its limited resources to satisfy unlimited wants. Students will be introduced to the major characteristics of the mixed market economic system in the U.S. and how basic economic questions are answered. Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
° Develop an economic way of thinking.
° Understand different economic systems used throughout the world.
° Understand the nature of, changes in, and elasticity of supply and demand.
° Identify the benefits and limitations of the price system and how prices are managed and determined.
° Explain how markets are competitive, and how they are regulated.
° Identify and differentiate the types of business organizations that exist.
° Understand the role of labor unions, their history, and how they affect the economy.
° Demonstrate knowledge regarding capital and its sources. |
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| Economics Honors | This course will provide students with an understanding of the way in which society organizes its limited resources to satisfy unlimited wants. Students will be introduced to the major characteristics of the mixed market economic system in the U.S. and how basic economic questions are answered. The 300 level course is enriched with advanced content and challenging instructional activities characteristic of college macro and micro economics courses.
Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
· Develop an economic way of thinking.
· Understand different economic systems used throughout the world.
· Understand the nature of, changes in, and elasticity of supply and demand.
· Identify the benefits and limitations of the price system and how prices are managed and determined.
· Explain how markets are competitive, and how they are regulated.
· Identify and differentiate the types of business organizations that exist.
· Understand the role of labor unions, their history, and how they affect the economy.
· Demonstrate knowledge regarding capital and its sources. |
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| Participation in Government | This course will allow students to understand their place in American politics and encourage them to become engaged in our country’s political process. Specifically, students will become more aware of important issues that face our polity at the local, national, and global levels through an independent research project. Each student is also provided with the opportunity to become involved with issues firsthand. Most importantly, students will gain practical knowledge on the complexities of American democracy and how they can assess their own political views in order to participate in a system that guarantees specific political and civil liberties. |
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| AP Government and Politics | Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics is a college level survey of the American political system. It is both theoretical and practical in scope, as we examine the major political theory associated with the founding of the United States, as well as the impact of that theory on the American political landscape. Particular emphasis is placed on the formation of public policy and the critical examination of those policies through the lens of various political thinkers. This course is taught at the college level and is given in preparation for the Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics Examination. As an AP designated course, it follows the rigorous requirements set forth by the College Board. | The US Constitution:
Primary Source documents:
Three Branches of Government:
College Board:
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| AP Comparative Government | Advanced Placement Comparative Government and Politics is a college level survey of the international political system. In this course, students will analyze the similarities and differences between the political institutions, political behavior, and the public policies of different countries. The course will introduce students to the fundamental concepts used by political scientists to study the processes and outcomes of politics in a variety of country settings. These countries include the United Kingdom, Russia, China, Mexico, Iran, and Nigeria. This course is taught at the college level and is given in preparation for the Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics Examination. As an AP designated course, it follows the rigorous requirements set forth by the College Board. | CIA World Factbook:
Constitutions of the world:
Chinese Embassy:
Iranian Embassy (This is the Iranian
Mexican Embassy:
Nigerian Embassy:
Library of Congress Country Studies:
United States Department of State:
Parliament of the United Kingdom:
United Nations:
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| AP Psychology | The Advanced Placement Psychology course is taught in accordance with the suggested curriculum of the College Board. Its purpose is to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavioral and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Course projects, focusing on research techniques, are assigned in the class. Students will take the AP exam and complete a final project at the conclusion of the course. Juniors and Seniors are considered for admittance. |
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| Psychology | Psychology I is an introduction to the importance of studying animal and human behavior. In this course, students examine the various facets of the human condition focusing on the important contributions of renowned psychologists. In the explorations of human behavior, students begin to consider the importance in understanding the purpose and motivation for human functioning. |
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| African American Studies
| Introduction to African American Studies is a half-year elective that focuses on African Americans in American society, from the time of slavery to the present. The course takes a thematic approach that seeks to tackle many themes in African American culture such as the notion of race and its origins, slavery and its effects on African American society and identity, Jim Crow legislation, affirmative action, racial epithets (slurs), as well as music and its influences. We will also attempt to make historical connections to modern day issues in America dealing with race. Students will be required to question and break down stereotypes about people of African descent. Students will gain greater insight about what it means to be African American, a person of color, or a member of a minority group in America. |
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| Criminal Justice
200 & 300 | This elective course is open to 11th and 12th grade students and may fulfill one of the four law course requirements for a sequence in law, earning the student “law designation” on the Bay Shore high school diploma. This class is an introduction to the criminal justice system and the formal justice process from arrest through sentencing. This course will examine the New York penal code, criminal procedure, and criminal defenses. The study of corrections includes a trip to the Riverhead maximum security prison for the Youth Enlightenment Seminar. As a course instructional activity, students role play as attorneys and witnesses in mock-cases. The course will also review current issues in criminal justice such as the death penalty and crime on Long Island. Guest speakers include a Suffolk County Corrections Officer and a Suffolk County police Officer. There is no prerequisite for this course. |
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| Constitutional Law | This elective course is open to 9th & 10th grade students and may fulfill one of the four law course requirements for a sequence in law, earning the student “law designation” on the Bay Shore high school diploma. This introduction to criminal law is grounded in cases involving Bill of Rights issues. Course instructional activities include mock-trials, debates, and case studies. |
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| Civil Law
| This elective course is open to 9th &10th grade students and may fulfill one of the four law course requirements for a sequence in law, earning the student “law designation” on the Bay Shore high school diploma. This course is an introduction to the American civil law system. The course includes a comparison of civil and criminal law, through instructional and mock trial activities. Students will learn tort law and civil procedure by role playing as attorneys and witnesses through mock trials on negligence and contract law. Students will also examine current issues in law such as toxic torts and attempts by governments to regulate the consumption of fast food and sugary drinks. There is no prerequisite for this course. |
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| The Holocaust and Genocides Around the World | Holocaust refers to the systematic persecution and genocide of social, religious, ethnic and political opponents of totalitarian regimes. The course is a study of the human potential for extremes of good and evil and it is designed to help students understand how human nature can affect the course of history. The course investigates the causes and effects of the Nazi persecution of the 1930’s and 1940’s and the tragic experiences of people in Armenia, Cambodia, Rwanda and other areas. The course relies on memoirs of the victims, original film footage and other documented records. |
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| International Relations and UN Honors | This course is designed to provide an in-depth look at the concept of international diplomacy. The idea of diplomacy is certainly not new, as the roots of this method for solving disputes branch throughout time and space. Students begin by examining various historical attempts at diplomacy and then shift focus to more modern examples. This course will place a strong emphasis on the United Nations and its role in international relations. As it is necessary to understand the inner workings of the United Nations, main UN committees are examined with respect to their intended purpose and their limitations.
Throughout the course, students are also engaged in simulations. For these activities, students are divided into teams and asked to represent a country by researching its viewpoint on a simulation topic. Simulations are executed in accordance with the rules set forth by the National High School Model United Nations Conference (which mirror the rules and procedures for the actual United Nations). Within these simulations, students collaborate with the representatives from other countries to reach a resolution for the topic, while remaining faithful to one’s own country’s views and best interests. |
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| Government and Public Policy Honors | Government and Public Policy is an honors-level study of the American political system. In this course, we study the formation of public policy and the impact of those policies on the American political landscape. In addition, we critically examine those policies through the lens of various political thinkers. Students will develop a critical understanding of how the United States government works, the strengths and weaknesses of the American political system, and their rights and responsibilities as citizens of the United States. This course is taught at the college level, and culminates in a major research project that demonstrates the student's ability to perform college-level research assignments. It is a half year half credit course that satisfies the NYS graduation requirement for study in civics and government. |
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| Government and Law Honors | Government and Law is an honors-level study of the American political system. Particular emphasis is placed on the study of rights of individuals and how they have been both protected and limited by all levels of government throughout history. This course is taught at the college level and culminates in a major research project that must demonstrate the student's ability to perform college-level research assignments. It is a half year course that satisfies the NYS graduation requirement for a half year study in civics and government. This elective course is open to 12th grade students and may fulfill one of the four law course requirements for a sequence in law, earning the student “law designation” on the Bay Shore high school diploma. |
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