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Social Studies

Subject Overview

The Hershey High School Social Studies Department guides students in developing historical thinking skills, geographic and cultural experience and knowledge, a critical engagement with American political systems, and an understanding of the decisive role of critical thought and tolerance as 21st century global citizens.​​​​​​​​​

9th Grade

9th Grade Social Studies

AMERICAN HISTORY

  • Course: 631

  • Credit: 1

  • Grade: 9

  • NCAA Accepted

  • This course covers American History from the Industrial Revolution to the present day.

  • Prerequisites: Social Studies grades 7-8 

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HONORS AMERICAN HISTORY

  • Course: 632

  • Credit: 1

  • Grade: 9

  • ​NCAA Accepted

  • This course covers American History from the Industrial Revolution to the present day. Analytical and social studies skills will be developed in this course for students who have exhibited high levels of achievement in social studies. Research, writing, reading, and analysis skills will also be emphasized in this honors course.

  • Prerequisites: 80% grade or better in American Cultures I (8th grade Social Studies)

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WORLD HISTORY

  • Course: 633

  • Credit: 1

  • Grade: 10

  • ​NCAA Accepted

  • A study of the cultural, economic, political, and social developments that have shaped the world.

  • Prerequisites: American History

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​HONORS WORLD HISTORY 

  • Course: 634

  • Credit: 1

  • Grade: 10

  • NCAA Accepted

  • A study of the cultural, economic, political, and social developments that have shaped the world. Understanding of others and the interdependence of societies, as well as additional reading and writing, will be required in this course for high achievers.

  • Prerequisites: 80% grade or better in American History. 

 

Please Note: Students in 10th grade who meet the requirements may take AP Human Geography concurrently with World History Honors. See the Electives page for more information.

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ADVANCED PLACEMENT  WORLD HISTORY 

  • Course: 614

  • Credit: 1

  • Weight: .05

  • Grade: 10

  • NCAA Accepted

  • In this college-level course students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in world history from 1200 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change over time.

  • Prerequisites: AP Social Studies Placement Policy  - AP courses are taught at the freshman college level, requiring advanced writing skills, critical and analytical thinking, and content knowledge gained through the successful completion of the required social studies curriculum. Students who wish to take AP social studies courses must meet all of the following requirements:

    • 90% or higher grade average in previous honors-level social studies classes or 95% or higher in previous non honors-level social studies classes

    • Demonstrated proficiency in writing and critical/analytical thinking skills

    • Social studies teacher recommendation

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Please Note: For students who meet the requirements, AP World History may be taken in place of World History in the 10th grade. AP World History is also available for all students who meet the requirements in grades 11 and 12.​

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​​​CIVICS

  • Course: 631

  • Credit:  1

  • Grade:  11

  • ​NCAA Accepted

  • Students learn how responsible citizens productively engage in political systems.

  • Prerequisites: World History

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HONORS CIVICS

  • Course: 632

  • Credit:  1

  • Grade:  11

  • ​NCAA Accepted

  • Students learn how responsible citizens productively engage in political systems. This course is designed for the high achieving student.  Additional writing, reading, and critical thinking will be required for all honors students.​

  • Prerequisites: 80% grade or better in World History.

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​LAW AND SOCIETY

  • Course: 612

  • Credit: 1

  • Grade: 10, 11, 12

  • ​NCAA Accepted

  • This course is designed as a basic introduction to law and the legal system. Concepts include the study of the Bill of Rights, Supreme Court cases, the court system, civil and criminal law, bailments, legal issues in connection with contracts and warranties, banking, wills and inheritances, and employer-employee relations. Learning is reinforced by outside activities and guest speakers. Emphasis is placed on the practical aspects of the law and its relationship to society.

  • Prerequisites: None

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PSYCHOLOGY

  • Course: 607

  • Credit: 1

  • Grade: 11, 12

  • ​NCAA Accepted

  • This course is designed as an introduction to the study of the mind and human behavior. The primary focus of the course will be the study of the human brain, and how human behaviors are shaped by the brain and our environment. Memory, Learning, Sensation and Perception, Human Development, Mental Health, and Social Psychology will all be explored.

  • Prerequisites: None

 

MONEY AND POWER

  • Course: 608

  • Credit: 1

  • Grade: 10, 11, 12

  • ​NCAA Accepted

  • Money and power shape our world and our lives. This course will investigate both the politics of power, including American government at all levels, and the concept of money, through the study of economics. Critical thinking is required.

  • Prerequisites: None

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY

  • Course: 609

  • Credit: 1

  • Weight: .05

  • Grade: 11, 12

  • ​NCAA Accepted

  • This course focuses on Psychology as a science, and the extent to which our brains and our environment dictate our behaviors. Students taking this course are expected to do extensive outside reading, which will prepare them for the AP Exam in May. Specific areas of focus are: Neuroscience, Sensation and Perception, Learning and Memory, Personality, Mental Health, and Social Psychology. This course covers more content than General Psych and at a more rigorous pace.

  • Prerequisites: See AP Policy below

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY

  • Course: 610

  • Credit: 1

  • Weight: .05

  • Grade: 11,12

  • ​NCAA Accepted

  • This college-level course covers all of American history from the pre-colonial period to today. Higher-level thinking and critical analysis will be addressed in this college-level course. Substantial additional reading and writing is required. This course emphasizes the College Board AP test curriculum guidelines and students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement test in May.

  • ​Prerequisites: See AP policy below

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ADVANCED PLACEMENT  WORLD HISTORY 

  • Course: 614

  • Credit: 1

  • Weight: .05

  • Grade: 10, 11, 12

  • NCAA Accepted

  • In this college-level course students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in world history from 1200 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change over time.

  • Prerequisites: AP Social Studies Placement Policy  - AP courses are taught at the freshman college level, requiring advanced writing skills, critical and analytical thinking, and content knowledge gained through the successful completion of the required social studies curriculum. Students who wish to take AP social studies courses must meet all of the following requirements:

    • 90% or higher grade average in previous honors-level social studies classes or 95% or higher in previous non honors-level social studies classes

    • Demonstrated proficiency in writing and critical/analytical thinking skills

    • Social studies teacher recommendation

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Please Note: For students who meet the requirements, AP World History may be taken in place of World History in the 10th grade. AP World History is also available for all students who meet the requirements in grades 11 and 12.

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

  • Course: 613

  • Credit: 1

  • ​WEIGHT: .05

  • Grade: 10, 11, 12

  • ​NCAA Accepted

  • This course is an extensive study of ever-changing human inhabitation of the planet, with an emphasis on the organization of spaces and societies. Higher-level skills will be used to analyze selected topics, data, and maps. Substantial additional reading and writing is required. This course emphasizes the College Board AP test curriculum guidelines and students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement test in May.

  • Prerequisites: See AP Policy below

 

 

AP Social Studies Placement Policy

AP courses are taught at the freshman college level, requiring advanced writing skills, critical and analytical thinking, and content knowledge gained through the successful completion of the required social studies curriculum. Students who wish to take AP Social Studies courses must meet the following requirements:

  • 90% or higher grade average in previous honors-level social studies classes, or 95% or higher in previous non honors-level social studies classes

  • Demonstrated proficiency in writing and critical/analytical thinking skills

  • Social Studies teacher recommendation

10th Grade

10th Grade Social Studies

11th Grade Social Studies

11th Grade

Social Studies Electives

Electives
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