Livingston Public Schools

AP - United States History 2
Completion of a summer assignment is required for this course. This course is a continuation of the two-year sequence in United States History and is one of the most challenging courses offered by the Social Studies Department. Following the national College Board Advanced Placement curriculum, this course is designed to give students a strong analytical experience with selected themes in United States history.  Students will not only evaluate the historic forces that shaped the development of the United States from the end of the 19th century to the post-Cold War world, but also will analyze multiple interpretations of the past and develop new interpretations that address current trends in historiography.  It is expected that all students take the AP United States History exam in May.

AP Seminar - Humanities (Liberal and Fine Arts)
Completion of a summer assignment required for this course. Students interested in exploring topics that relate to the Humanities and the Social Sciences are encouraged to select the Liberal and Fine Arts pathway to complete the AP Capstone requirements. Students selecting this pathway must apply and be selected for the course in their Sophomore or Junior. Students will develop their analytical skills by exploring appropriate themes and topics selected by the teachers and the students. Students will learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in research-based essays, and design oral and visual representations. Students will be expected to complete an individual paper, presentation and end of course exam as well as a team research project. These benchmark assignments will be submitted to the College Board and contribute to the final AP score. Successful completion of this course and AP needed to complete the AP Capstone program is AP Research.

AP  Research - Liberal and Fine Arts
Completion of a summer assignment required for this course. This full-year elective course will be the culminating class needed to complete the two-year AP Capstone program. This course will allow students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of their own choice and interest. Through this investigation, students will cultivate the skills and discipline necessary to conduct independent research. Students will learn to design an effective and ethical plan of investigation which utilizes various academic research methods. The students will demonstrate their understanding by constructing a 5,000-word academic thesis paper as well as present and perform an oral defense of their research methodology.

AP - World History
Completion of a summer assignment is required for this course. This course is among the most challenging courses offered by the Social Studies Department. Following the national College Board Advanced Placement curricula, this course is designed to develop students’ abilities to think conceptually about world history from approximately 8000 BCE to the present. Students will apply historical thinking skills as they explore five themes of human development. AP World History encompasses the history of the five major geographical regions of the globe: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, with special focus on historical developments and processes that cross multiple regions

AP - Human Geography
Completion of a summer assignment is required for this course. This course is among the most challenging courses offered by the Social Studies Department. Following the national College Board Advanced Placement curriculum, this course is designed to give students a strong analytical experience which examines the six themes of Geography. Through these themes, students will investigate the intricate and complicated interactions between human beings and their environment. It is expected that all students take the AP Human Geography exam in May.

AP - Comparative Government and Politics
Completion of a summer assignment is required for this course. This course is among of the most challenging courses offered by the Social Studies Department. Following the national College Board Advanced Placement curricula, AP Comparative Government and Politics introduces students to the rich diversity of political life outside the United States. The course uses a comparative approach to examine the political structures; policies; and the political, economic, and social challenges among six selected countries: Great Britain, Mexico, Russia, Iran, China, and Nigeria. This course is designed to introduce students to fundamental concepts used by political scientists to study the governments and politics. It is expected that all students take AP Comparative Politics exam in May.

AP - United States Government and Politics
Completion of a summer assignment is required for this course. This course is among of the most challenging courses offered by the Social Studies Department. Following the national College Board Advanced Placement curricula, AP United States Government and Politics introduces students to key political ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the political culture of the United States. The course examines politically significant concepts and themes, through which students learn to apply disciplinary reasoning assess causes and consequences of political events, and interpret data to develop evidence-based arguments. It is expected that all students take both the AP US Government and Politics exam in May.

AP - Psychology
Completion of a summer assignment is required for this course. This elective is among the most challenging courses offered by the Social Studies Department.  Following the national College Board Advanced Placement curriculum, this course is designed to provide a rigorous university-level survey of psychology.  Students will examine the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings.  Students will be exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major sub-fields within psychology.  Students will also learn and apply the methodology psychologists employ in their practice. It is expected that all students take the AP Psychology exam in May.

AP - Modern European History
Completion of a summer assignment is required for this course. This course is one of the most challenging courses offered by the Social Studies Department. Following the national College Board Advanced Placement curriculum, this course is designed to give students a strong analytical experience with selected themes in European history.  Students will not only evaluate the historic forces that shaped the development of Europe from 1350 to the present, but also will analyze multiple interpretations of the past and develop new interpretations that address current trends in historiography. It is expected that all students take the AP European History exam in May.