AP/Honors Course Descriptions 

Modern World History Honors(Ninth Grade)

This required course represents the foundation of the Social Studies program at the High School. The design of the course will encourage students to examine topics in greater depth with an emphasis on the evaluation of how historical events shaped the global community.  Students will apply their understanding to assess political, social, cultural, and economic development within an international framework. Independent reading, informative class discussion, and research-based assignments facilitate student interaction with course themes and contemporary issues.  Through a thematic organization, this course enables students to trace important developments that influence human interaction across time periods. This approach allows students to assess the historical impact of each of these themes on our modern world and develop global citizenship competencies, including cultural competence, empathy, and interdisciplinary problem solving.

United States History I Honors(Tenth Grade)

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Modern World History.

Completion of a summer assignment is required for this course.

This course is designed to prepare students for the United States History II Advanced Placement course.  Students will be introduced to a rigorous academic curriculum and AP-caliber assignments and assessments that will include multiple choice and open-ended questions. Students are expected to independently read and take notes on the same textbook that is used in AP USII.  Students selecting this course should also demonstrate a strong aptitude for writing.  This course will provide students with a strong factual and analytical experience with selected themes in early American history.  Students will not only evaluate the historic forces that shaped the development of the United States from pre-Columbian societies continuing through the end of the 19th century, but also will analyze various interpretations of the past and develop new interpretations that address current trends in historiography.

United States History II Honors(Eleventh Grade)

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of US History 1.

This course is designed to give students insight into the historical forces that shaped—and continue to shape—New Jersey and the United States. Students will analyze the complex political, social, cultural, and economic foundations of the United States from the Progressive Era to the present, and make connections to current local and national events. The design of the course will encourage students to examine topics in greater depth with an emphasis on the evaluation of how events shaped modern American culture. Frequent and lengthy assignments will be used to analyze the impact of historical themes on contemporary issues. These assignments will include the independent reading of a historical novel and completion of an analytical research paper.   

AP World History: Modern(Grades 10-12)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Modern World History and AP World History application is required.

AP World History: Modern follows the National College Board Advanced Placement curricula, this course is designed to develop students’ abilities to think conceptually about world history from 1200CE to the present. Students will apply historical thinking & writing 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. It is expected that all students take the AP World History exam in May.

AP Comparative Government and Politics(Grades 10-12)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Modern World History and AP Comparative Government and Politics application is required. 

Comparative Government and Politics follows a rigorous curriculum, set by the national College Board Advanced Placement, designed to introduce 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 the AP Comparative Politics exam in May.

AP Human Geography(Grades 10-12)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Modern World History and AP Human Geography application is required.

Completion of a summer assignment is required for this course.

AP Human Geography is an introductory college-level human geography course. Students cultivate their understanding of human geography through data and geographic analyses as they explore topics like patterns and spatial organization, human impacts and interactions with their environment, and spatial processes and societal changes. This course follows the curriculum from the most recent course and exam description by the College Board. Students looking to apply their classroom work to the real world have the opportunity to enroll in AP Human Geography WE Service.  In the AP with WE Service program, students engage in service learning activities to strengthen their understanding of AP course content and skills, using what they’re learning to tackle real-life social issues. There is an opportunity for students to earn college credit by taking the AP Human Geography exam in May.

AP Seminar(Grades 10-11) 

Prerequisite: AP Seminar application

Completion of a summer assignment may be required for this course.  Please check with the instructor for further details.

Students must apply and be selected for this two-year AP Capstone program. 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. The second course needed to complete the AP Capstone program is AP Research.

AP Research(Grades 11-12)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP Seminar.

Completion of a summer assignment may be required for this course.  Please check with the instructor for further details.

This full-year elective course will be the second 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 US Government and Politics(Grades 11-12) 

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of US History 1 and AP US Government and Politics application is required.

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 to assess the causes and consequences of political events, and interpret data to develop evidence-based arguments.  It is expected that all students take the AP US Government and Politics exam in May.

Modern European History Honors(Twelfth Grade)

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of US History 2.

Completion of a summer assignment is required for this course.

This full-year course is designed to give students insight into the historical forces that continue to define Europe. Students will analyze the complex political, social, cultural, and economic foundations of Europe from the 14th century to the present, with particular emphasis on events in the 20th century. Frequent and lengthy assignments will be used to analyze the impact of historical themes on contemporary issues.  This course is designed for students with above-average critical thinking, reading, writing, and oral communication skills.

AP European History

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of US History 2 and AP European History application is required.

Completion of a summer assignment is required for this course.

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.