Poughkeepsie High School

Advanced Placement World History 1.0 unit (W.F. 1.04)

Prerequisite: Sophomore class status and successful completion of the Global I course. Students enrolled in this class must have earned an average of 85 or better in the Global I Honors class or 90 or better in the Global I Regents class along with teacher recommendation. 

This course serves as the equivalent to an introductory college level course in World History. Students will examine the history of the world from 1250 to present day. There is a heavy emphasis on interpretation and analysis with a wide variety of primary and secondary sources used. Students will explore history in depth, while working with their peers to analyze events from multiple perspectives. Successful students become eligible for college credit with an Advanced Placement examination qualifying score. This course is recommended for students who wish to enroll in the AP United States History course as juniors. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement Examination in May and the Global History Regents Exam in June. ♦ Course does not meet NCAA eligibility standards 

Advanced Placement United States History 1 unit (W.F. 1.04)

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Global History 1 Honors and AP European History with an average of 80 or better AND successful completion of the Global History and Geography Regents Exam with a 80 or better.  Students in 10R are enrolled through teacher recommendation and must also have a score of 80 or higher on the Global History and Geography Regents Exam.

This course is a chronological study of United States History with an emphasis on  interpretation and analysis.  Primary and secondary sources are extensively used.  Strong attention is paid to the development of deductive and  inductive thinking skills and analytical writing.  Successful students become eligible for college credit with an Advanced Placement examination qualifying score.  This course is the honors level course for Grade 11.  Students are required to take the Advanced Placement Examination in May and the United States History and Government Regents Examination in June.  Students must pass this course independent of the Regents Examination.  Scores on the Examination are not calculated into the final grade.

Black Studies .5 unit (W.F. 1.01)

Prerequisite:  Junior or Senior class status.  Sophomore students with an average of 85 or higher in Global History I may enroll in this course.  

Students are involved in the study of major issues and major personalities in the arena of African-American consciousness, Pan-Africanism and black power.  A final examination or project is required of this course.  Text readings, primary sources and other supplementary readings are assigned.  Oral reports and research paper are required. This course is open to all students in grades 11-12.

Criminal Justice .5 unit (W.F. 1.01)

Prerequisite: Junior or Senior class status. Sophomore students with an average of 85 or higher in Global History I may enroll in this course.  

This course is offered to Juniors and Seniors and is designed to explore the criminal justice system in the United States.  Students are exposed to topics dealing with the problems of crime, the judicial system and prisons.  Analysis of cause, effect and the possible solutions to the causes of crime is stressed.  Regular reading and writing assignments, research projects and a final examination are part of this course.

Current Events .5 unit (W.F. 1.01)

Prerequisite: Sophomore, Junior, or Senior class status.

In a dynamic world, this course is designed to sharpen the analytical skills of students in confronting various types of news media.  Print, broadcast, and Internet media will be examined with a goal of understanding how international, national, and local news is gathered and interpreted.  Students will be assigned to “bureaus” and “beats” which will culminate in the accumulation of case studies of current news events and the coverage of them.  This course is open to all students in grades 11 and 12 without prerequisites.  However, an interest in current affairs is essential.

DCC Participation in Government .5 unit (W.F. 1.04)

Prerequisite:  Senior class status and successful completion of United States History and Government or American History, Advanced Placement.  All students must have received a score of 85 or better on the US History and Government Exam and English 11 Exam.

This course allows students to simultaneously complete NYS requirements for high school and earn DCC credit.  The purpose of this course is for students to go beyond a study of the formal components of our political system in order to analyze political behavior, processes, and policy-making.  Current political policies, local, state and federal, will be looked at in depth.  

Economics .5 unit (W.F. 1.02)

Prerequisite: Senior class status.

This course covers the basic concepts and principles of economics, the major elements of economic systems and the roles of various components of those systems.  Included are topics concerning the consumer, business, labor, agriculture, international trade and government.  The major focus is on the economy of the United States but attention is also given to the world economy and the economies of developing nations.  Textbook and supplemental readings are included in this course.  There are also library and research assignments, class discussion, and debates.

Global History and Geography I 1 units (W.F. 1.02)

Global History and Geography 1 Regents is a required course of study mandated by the NYS Education Department. It is a chronological history of the world exclusive of the United States of America, covering the prehistoric period to present.  The course stresses a document approach to historical investigation, in preparation for the Regents Assessment at the end of the year.  Writing, graphing and map skills are also stressed throughout the year.  Students must pass this course and the examination in order to qualify for a high school diploma in New York State.  Scores on the examination are not calculated into the final grade.  There are also extensive reading and writing assignments in addition to the regular use of primary sources as a tool for historical research.

Global History and Geography I Honors 1 units (W.F. 1.03)

Prerequisite:  Students must have completed Social Studies 8 Honors with an average of 85 or better.  Students not enrolled in Social Studies 8 Honors must have achieved a grade of 90 or better in Social Studies 8.  In addition, student must have a score of 3 or 4 on the NYS 8th grade ELA exam.

This course includes all the information addressed in Global History and Geography 1.  The course differs on the level of presentation, volume of assignments, and the depth of analysis and synthesis expected from students.  Analytical and critical thinking skills are emphasized.

Global History and Geography II 1 units (W.F. 1.02)

Global History and Geography 2 Regents is a required course of study mandated by the NYS Education Department. It is a chronological history of the world exclusive of the United States of America, covering the prehistoric period to present.  The course stresses a document approach to historical investigation, in preparation for the Regents Assessment at the end of the year.  Writing, graphing and map skills are also stressed throughout the year.  Students must pass this course and the examination in order to qualify for a high school diploma in New York State.  Scores on the examination are not calculated into the final grade.  There are also extensive reading and writing assignments in addition to the regular use of primary sources as a tool for historical research.

Participation in Government .5 unit (W.F. 1.02)

Prerequisite:  Senior class status.

This course emphasizes the interaction between citizens and government at federal, state, and local levels.  The course encourages students to understand and participate in the democratic process.  Included in the course are topics concerning public policy issues and public decision making.  Sequenced activities will be presented, using case studies to create awareness and sensitivity to key public issues.  Course readings, outside research presentations, and participation in the public policy arena are required of all students.

Psychology .5 unit (W.F. 1.01)

Prerequisite:  Junior or Senior class status and successful completion of United States History and Geography class and exam. 

This course is designed to gain insight and knowledge into the principles, concepts and theories of psychology.  Topics covered include human perception, interaction, personality and motivation.  Textbook, supplemental readings, observations, surveys and final examination are required.  This course is open to all students in grades 11 and 12.  Priority will be given to those students who are seeking a Regents sequence in Social Studies.

Sociology .5 unit (W.F. 1.01)

Prerequisite:  Junior or Senior class status and successful completion of United History and Geography class and exam.

This course is designed for students who want to learn more about the society in which they live.  This course examines the basic principles of sociology, the family, minority groups, demographics, urbanization and the institutions that societies create in order to address needs and wants.  This course is open to all students in grades 11 and 12.  A final examination and/or project is required in addition to regular reading and writing assignments.

United States History and Government Regents 1 unit (W.F. 1.02)

Prerequisite:  Junior class status

This is a survey course in the History of the United States from the colonial period with an emphasis on the development of the United States after the Civil War.  The Constitution and the government of the United States are also analyzed in detail.  The desired outcome is an active citizen/student who understands the contexts of American civilization.  Students must pass this course and the Regents Examination in United States History and Government.  Scores on the examination are not calculated into the final grade.  As in the Global History program, there are also extensive reading and writing assignments in addition to regular use of primary sources as a tool for historical research.

United States History Through Film .5 unit (W.F. 1.01)

Prerequisite:  Junior or Senior class status. Priority given to students who are enrolled in Issues in United States History AIS and have been unsuccessful in completing the United States History and Government  Regents examination.

This course will offer students a unique and exciting way to examine major events in United State History through the use of feature films and other media.  Students will be required to contribute their knowledge of time periods, events, and historical figures in classroom discussions, as well as essays.  Students will analyze the validity of said film and characters using primary and secondary source materials and their knowledge of United States History.    

World History Through Film .5 unit (W.F. 1.01)

Prerequisite: Sophomore, Junior, or Senior class status. Priority given to students who are enrolled in Issues in Global History AIS and have been unsuccessful in completing the Global History Regents examination.

This course will offer students a unique and exciting way to examine major events in World History through the use of feature films and other media.  Students will be required to contribute their knowledge of time periods, events, and historical figures in classroom discussions, as well as essays.  Students will analyze the validity of said film and characters using primary and secondary source materials and their knowledge of World History.