History
Teacher: Mr. John Langan
Grade 7 : United States History - Prehistory through the Civil War
Grade 8: United States History - Reconstruction through the Modern Era
Grade 9: Advanced Placement United States History - Prehistory through the Modern Era
Grade 10-11: Global History
Over these two years, students will prepare to take their Global History Regents Exam. They can also opt to take their AP Human Geography exam at the end of 11th grade if they so choose since geography is such a large portion of what is studied in this course. Alternatively, students may opt to take the AP exam in Modern Global History if this is of greater interest to them.
Because most students coming from other programs beyond CBA have had limited exposure to true geography lessons during the earlier grades, geography and culture will be heavily studied. Beyond that, topics spanning from the formation of worldwide ancient civilizations to modern international conflicts, alliance, and challenges. Some topics of specific interest include but are not limited to:
Grade 12: AP Comparative Government & Politics
During their final year in our program, students who are not enrolled in OCCC's programming toward an associates will take this AP class, utilizing all that they have learned throughout their years of study and exercising their strong writing skills. This class, which essentially explores civics on a worldwide basis, tracks relevant adult topics like modern political structures, governing policies and bodies, and the interplay between politics and economics. Though a large portion of the course focuses on American civics, six total nations are explored through the course, offering our graduates a wider, more sophisticated worldview than many of their classmates across the country.
- 7th grade begins a two year study of American history, spanning from the time of the Native Americans through the American Civil War
- Students will delve much more deeply into lessons learned in 5th grade and will spend an enormous amount of time working on their cross-curricular writing skills in preparation for the US history Regents exam
- Students will begin working on the formation of DBQ's and thematic essays
- Historical fiction studied during the first quarter of the year in ELA will supplement the curriculum
- US Geography will also be extensively covered to ensure student understanding of the states and our neighboring North American nations
Grade 8: United States History - Reconstruction through the Modern Era
- The two-year course in American history started in grade 7 will continue this year, picking up with the period immediately following the American Civil War, known as the Reconstruction Era, and spanning more modern history through the 1950's
- Students will continue to develop mastery of the necessary writing skills needed to succeed on history Regents exams in high school
- All novels read in ELA during 8th grade will supplement the history curriculum
- Some study of current events will be undertaken
- Students will extensively study the geography of Europe
- Students will take their Regents exam in US History at the end of this school year rather than in 11th grade
Grade 9: Advanced Placement United States History - Prehistory through the Modern Era
- Now that students have taken their US History Regents, they will be given the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement exam (APUSH)
- This also gives students who did not take the Regents in 8th grade the chance to take that, as well, in June of their ninth grade year rather than waiting until 11th grade
- While the curriculum itself is very fresh in students' minds having studied US History during both seventh and eighth grades, this course will require that they delve more deeply into certain topics, such as:
- The formation of the US Constitution
- US Civics
- Minority Studies
- Modern Allies, Wars, and Conflicts
- Technological Advancements
- Women's Studies
- Students will also be exposed, with the help of the English department, to more advanced essay writing techniques
- Students may opt to take the end of the year AP exam or opt out; a score of 4 or greater does usually result in collegiate credits, so this is their first opportunity to gather as many as 6 credits for college
Grade 10-11: Global History
Over these two years, students will prepare to take their Global History Regents Exam. They can also opt to take their AP Human Geography exam at the end of 11th grade if they so choose since geography is such a large portion of what is studied in this course. Alternatively, students may opt to take the AP exam in Modern Global History if this is of greater interest to them.
Because most students coming from other programs beyond CBA have had limited exposure to true geography lessons during the earlier grades, geography and culture will be heavily studied. Beyond that, topics spanning from the formation of worldwide ancient civilizations to modern international conflicts, alliance, and challenges. Some topics of specific interest include but are not limited to:
- Exploration of early humanoids
- The rise and fall of ancient societies
- The Dark Ages and Renaissance
- Impacts of Imperialism
- Birth of New Political Structures
- Impacts of Technological Advances
- Modern Wars
- Ecological Crises
- Genocides
- International Relationships
Grade 12: AP Comparative Government & Politics
During their final year in our program, students who are not enrolled in OCCC's programming toward an associates will take this AP class, utilizing all that they have learned throughout their years of study and exercising their strong writing skills. This class, which essentially explores civics on a worldwide basis, tracks relevant adult topics like modern political structures, governing policies and bodies, and the interplay between politics and economics. Though a large portion of the course focuses on American civics, six total nations are explored through the course, offering our graduates a wider, more sophisticated worldview than many of their classmates across the country.