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Program of Studies: History and Social Sciences

Program Mission/Purpose

The Worcester Public Schools History and Social Science Department has high expectations that all students will understand political, social, economic, historical and legal developments throughout human history by guiding them to be critical thinkers, analytical readers, thoughtful communicators and independent learners.

Course Offerings

Act Daily Liv Awareness 7

Course Numbers: 8737 (0.00)(C)
Type: MS
Area: Social Studies
Counted In GPA: checkbox
Count In Honor Roll: checkmark

Activities of Daily Living Awareness 7:


Africa Amer St Pt 1A

Course Numbers: 3472 (0.25)(H)
Type: HS
Area: Social Studies
Counted In GPA: checkmark
Count In Honor Roll: checkbox

African American Studies Pt 1A: In this course, students will uncover and explore over 400 years of the history of Africans in America. Students will explore the central role that African Americans have played in the development of the United States by engaging with primary source documents and researching topics in depth. Students will also examine the continuing struggle of African-Americans to achieve the political, social, and economic equality guaranteed them by our founding documents. As an honors level course, content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.


African Amer St Pt 1A

Course Numbers: 3473 (0.25)(C)
Type: HS
Area: Social Studies
Counted In GPA: checkmark
Count In Honor Roll: checkbox

African American Studies Part 1A: In this course, students will uncover and explore over 400 years of the history of Africans in America. Students will explore the central role that African Americans have played in the development of the United States by engaging with primary source documents and researching topics in depth. Students will also examine the continuing struggle of African-Americans to achieve the political, social, and economic equality guaranteed them by our founding documents.


African American Studies

Course Numbers: 3262 (1.00)(H)
Type: HS
Area: Social Studies
Counted In GPA: checkmark
Count In Honor Roll: checkmark

African American Studies: In this course, students will uncover and explore over 400 years of the history of Africans in America. Students will explore the central role that African Americans have played in the development of the United States by engaging with primary source documents and researching topics in depth. Students will also examine the continuing struggle of African-Americans to achieve the political, social, and economic equality guaranteed them by our founding documents. As an honors level course, content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.


Ancient Civ 7

Course Numbers: 3712 (0.00)(H) | 3719 (0.00)(H) | 3762 (0.00)(H) | 3713 (0.00)(C) | 3714 (0.00)(C) | 3715 (0.00)(C) | 3716 (0.00)(C) | 3717 (0.00)(C) | 3718 (0.00)(C) | 3710 (0.00)(C)
Type: MS
Area: Social Studies
Counted In GPA: checkbox
Count In Honor Roll: checkmark

Ancient Civilizations 7: In this course, students will study the origins of human beings in Africa and the ancient and classical civilizations that flourished in the Mediterranean area. They study the religions, governments, trade, philosophies, and art of these civilizations, as well as the powerful ideas that arose in the ancient world and profoundly shaped the course of world history.


AP Economics

Course Numbers: 3051 (1.00)(A)
Type: HS
Area: Social Studies
Counted In GPA: checkmark
Count In Honor Roll: checkmark

Advanced Placement Economics: In this class, students will examine the principles of micro and macro economics. They will also study the differences between the functions of individuals within the economic system and the economic system as a whole. Student will also explore the development of analytical skills to emphasize the nature and function of product markets; the role of government v. the national income and price level determination; economic growth; and international economies. As an Advanced Placement course, college level content will be covered. Students will take the Advanced Placement Examination.


AP Govt and Politics

Course Numbers: 3061 (1.00)(A)
Type: HS
Area: Social Studies
Counted In GPA: checkmark
Count In Honor Roll: checkmark

Advanced Placement in United States Government & Politics: In this course, students will know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U.S. government and politics, study the general concepts used to interpret U.S. government and politics and be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U.S. government and politics (including data presented in charts, tables, and other formats). Students will become familiar with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. government and politics. As an Advanced Placement course college level content will be covered. Students will take the Advanced Placement Examination.


AP Human Geography

Course Numbers: 3071 (1.00)(A)
Type: HS
Area: Social Studies
Counted In GPA: checkmark
Count In Honor Roll: checkmark

Advanced Placement Human Geography: In this course, students will interpret maps and analyze geospatial data, understand and explain the implications of associations and networks among phenomena in places, recognize and interpret the relationships among patterns and processes at different scales of analysis, define regions and evaluate the regionalization process, and characterize and analyze changing interconnections among places. As an Advanced Placement course college level content will be covered. Students will take the Advanced Placement Examination.


AP Mod Eur History

Course Numbers: 3081 (1.00)(A)
Type: HS
Area: Social Studies
Counted In GPA:
Count In Honor Roll:

Advanced Placement Modern European History: In this course, students will study the history of Europe since 1450. Students will explore the cultural, economic, political, and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live. Students will develop an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European history; an ability to analyze historical evidence and historical interpretation; and an ability to express historical understanding in writing. As an Advanced Placement course, college level content will be covered. Students will take the Advanced Placement Examination.


AP Mod European History

Course Numbers: 3081 (1.00)(A)
Type: HS
Area: Social Studies
Counted In GPA: checkmark
Count In Honor Roll: checkmark

Advanced Placement Modern European History: In this course, students will study the history of Europe since 1450. Students will explore the cultural, economic, political, and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live. Students will develop an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European history; an ability to analyze historical evidence and historical interpretation; and an ability to express historical understanding in writing. As an Advanced Placement course, college level content will be covered. Students will take the Advanced Placement Examination.


AP Psychology

Course Numbers: 3041 (1.00)(A)
Type: HS
Area: Social Studies
Counted In GPA: checkmark
Count In Honor Roll: checkmark

Advanced Placement Psychology: In this course, students will examine the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students will explore the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields of psychology. Students will also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists implement in their science and practice. As a Advanced Placement course, college level content will be covered. Students will take the Advanced Placement examination.


AP US History

Course Numbers: 3031 (1.00)(A)
Type: HS
Area: Social Studies
Counted In GPA: checkmark
Count In Honor Roll: checkmark

Advanced Placement United States History: In this course, students will develop analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in U.S. history. Students will learn to assess historical materials-their relevance to a given interpretive problem, reliability, and importance-and to weight the evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship. Students will develop the skills necessary to arrive at conclusions on the basis of an informed judgment and to present reasons and evidence clearly and persuasively in essay format. As an Advanced Placement course, college level content will be covered. Students will take the Advanced Placement Examination.


AP World History

Course Numbers: 3011 (1.00)(A)
Type: HS
Area: Social Studies
Counted In GPA: checkmark
Count In Honor Roll: checkmark

Advanced Placement World History: In this course, students will develop greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts in different types of human societies. The course highlights the nature of changes in global frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. AP World History offers an approach that lets students “do history” by guiding them through the steps a historian would take in analyzing historical events and evidence worldwide. It offers balanced global coverage, with Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania all represented. As an Advanced Placement course, college level content will be covered. Students will take the Advanced Placement Examination.


Civic and Government

Course Numbers: 3147 (1.00)(C)
Type: HS
Area: Social Studies
Counted In GPA:
Count In Honor Roll:

Civics and Government: In this course, students will examine the purposes, principles, and practices of American government as established by the United States Constitution. Students will learn their rights and responsibilities as citizens, as well as how to exercise these rights and responsibilities in local, state, and national government.


Cont World Is Pt 1

Course Numbers: 3222 (0.50)(H)
Type: HS
Area: Social Studies
Counted In GPA:
Count In Honor Roll:

Contemporary World Issues - Pt 1: In this course, students will explore many of the questions facing the modern world: Who has power, and who should have power? What rights should people have? How can we share and sustain the world's resources? What are the causes and effects of poverty for people and nations? How can we reduce violence and terror in our world? Students will research these topics in-depth and examine proposed solutions and their potential consequences. As an honors level course, the content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.