Social Studies (Humanities)

WORLD HISTORY 1 – CONFLICT & COOPERATION               Weight 1.00                        (8301)

            HONORS                                                                      Weight 1.05                        (8401)
            One Semester               Credit 0.50       

This course is primarily open to students in Grade 9 and 10. This is a survey course covering the Scientific Revolution to the Industrial Revolution.  The course examines how new ideas have led to the development of political and revolutionary change, and what effects these changes had on societies of the world.  This course helps define how the modern world emerged.

WORLD HISTORY 2 – CONFLICT & COOPERATION               Weight 1.00            (8302)

            HONORS                                                                      Weight 1.05            (8402)

            One Semester               Credit 0.50

This course is primarily open to students in Grade 9 and 10. This is a survey course covering the Rise of Imperialism to the present.  Special emphasis is placed on selected events and their relationship to each other and to our modern world.  The course examines how conflict defined a significant portion of the 20^th century and how that conflict led to cooperation and the creation of our global community.

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES                                          Weight 1.00                  (8319)

HONORS                                                                       Weight 1.05                  (8408)

            One Semester               Credit 0.50                   

This course is intended for students in Grades 11 and 12. The course is designed to give students an understanding of the major problems and issues in contemporary world society.  Topics to be covered include: political instability throughout regions of the world; rights versus threats posed by emerging nations; globalization; climate changes; and current world events.  Students will use several approaches to study contemporary world issues such as Internet research, comparing and contrasting world news organizations, various multimedia mediums, magazines, and news journals.  The Honors-weighted course presents the same basic curriculum as Contemporary World Issues.  The major difference will be the in-depth exploration, analysis of selected topics, and the amount of student participation.

CIVICS                                                                                                                         (8304)

One Semester               Credit 0.50                    Weight 1.00

This course fulfills a graduation requirement for all students.  It is intended to be selected in Grade 12 (Class of 2026 and beyond). Through the study of civics and government, students will gain knowledge of the United States Constitution, how the U.S. system of government works, and how the rule of law and the value of liberty and equality have an impact on individual, local, state, and national decisions.  Students will also come to understand the rights and responsibilities of American citizens through an understanding of political systems and international relations.

MODERN U.S. HISTORY 1 & 2                                     Weight 1.00                  (8305A & 8305B)                      

HONORS                                                                          Weight 1.05                  (8405A & 8405B)          

One Semester each      Credit 0.50 each

These courses fulfill a graduation requirement for all students and are intended to be selected in Grade 10.  Although these courses serve as an introduction to advanced studies in American history at the university level, they also provide a strong background for those who will not elect United States history while at college, but who will be expected to have a good understanding of the discipline.  These are intensive courses that survey the political, economic, and social development of the United States from the Age of Discovery to the present.  The Honors courses present a more in-depth exploration and analysis of selected topics and more student participation is expected. 

Summer work will be assigned for the Honors course.

AMERICAN STUDIES ECE – HISTORY - S1 & S2                                             (8503EA & 8503EB)

AMERICAN STUDIES ECE – ENGLISH - S1 & S2                                             (2504EA & 2504EB)

            University of Connecticut Early College Experience*

            One Semester each      Credit 0.50 each            Weight 1.10

Successful completion of English 9 or 10 is recommended.  Upon successful completion of this course, students will earn one (1) credit for English and one (1) credit for Social Studies (United States History).  American Studies-ECE will be a two successive-block class encompassing an integrated study of American history and literature, enriched by exposure to American art, music, and research from the historian’s as well as the writer’s perspective.  It will develop in students an in-depth understanding of key themes and an overview of the chronological development of history and literature which will be reflected in the humanities approach.  Challenging college-level reading and writing assignments will be required throughout the course.  The English and History sections must be elected at the same time.

American Studies ECE will have summer work that will need to be completed prior to the start of the class.

*The ECE American Studies course is the AMST 1201 Introduction to American Studies course offered at UCONN.  Students earning a grade of C or better in both the History and English components of the course will earn 3 college credits from UCONN.  Students are charged per UCONN credit plus a processing fee per course.  Billing is handled by UCONN.

MODERN EUROPEAN HISTORY – ECE - S1 & S2                                            (8502EA & 8502EB)

            University of Connecticut Early College Experience*

            One Semester each      Credit 0.50 each            Weight 1.10

This course is open to students in Grades 11 and 12.  Prior successful completion of United States History-Honors, American Studies-ECE is suggested.  The Modern European History course is an in-depth survey course offered on the university level.  The course will emphasize the development of analytical thinking, factual knowledge, and reading and writing skills.  Content will include major European events from the Renaissance to the present day.  Students will interpret primary sources, work with maps and graphs, analyze different historical viewpoints, and make their own conclusions about historical events.

*The ECE Modern European History course is the HIST 1400 Modern Western Traditions course offered at the University of Connecticut.  Students earning a grade of C or better in ECE Modern European History course will earn 3 college credits from the University of Connecticut.  Students are charged per UCONN credit plus a processing fee per course.  Billing is handled by UCONN.

ECONOMICS                                                                                                    (8307)

One Semester               Credit 0.50                    Weight 1.00

This course is open to students in Grades 11 and 12.  Economics is the study of values and social goals.  It includes such areas as the market, sales, stock market, surpluses, the supply and demand theories, and the function of government.  Economics examines the gross domestic product, money, banking, and the national debt.  The students are exposed to comparative economics systems, the role of business, labor unions, international trade, and the problems of population and underdeveloped countries.

SOCIOLOGY-CULTURE & THE MEDIA                                                            (8320)

One Semester               Credit 0.50                    Weight 1.00

This course is open to students in Grades 11 and 12.  Through a study of sociological perspectives, culture, and socialization, students will gain a better understanding of their role and impact on our ever-changing world.  It is recommended that students have an interest in topics related to culture, social justice, and the media’s impact on their lives.

SOCIOLOGY-DEVIANCE AND INEQUALITY                                                    (8321)

            One Semester               Credit 0.50                    Weight 1.00

This course is open to students in Grades 11 and 12.  Students will look at their society in new ways as they study deviance, social inequality, and social change.  In addition, issues of race, gender, and ethnicity will be discussed.

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY                                                                  (8322)

One Semester               Credit 0.50                    Weight 1.00

This course is open to students in Grades 11 and 12.  This is a survey course introducing modern psychology by presenting scientific and humanistic interpretations of the human mind and behavior.  Topics to be covered are biological bases of behavior, perception, learning, personality, and social influences.

APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY                                                                                 (8323)

            One Semester               Credit 0.50                    Weight 1.00

This course is open to all students in Grade 11 and 12.  This course covers the scientific study of psychology including an analysis of the connection between the body and the mind.  The course examines how biology affects people’s behavior and mental processes and how people experience the world around them, along with identifying categories of and behaviors associated with various psychological disorders as well as the appropriate treatments for people struggling with mental disorders.

WORLD WAR II                                                            Weight 1.00                  (8313)

HONORS                                                          Weight 1.05                  (8409)

            One Semester               Credit 0.50       

This course is open to students in Grades 11 and 12.  It is an in-depth study of one of history’s most devastating conflicts. It will cover the social, political, economic, and cultural history of the major countries involved in World War II. Specific issues addressed in this course will be the causes and effects of World War II, the rise of dictators, diplomatic relations, major military operations, the human experience of those who were involved in World War II, the Women’s Rights movement, minority involvement (African American, Hispanic, Native American) in the war, racism and the Holocaust, the use of atomic weapons, the Cold War, citizenship and values of “the Greatest Generation,” urbanization, and the role of a wartime economy. Students will be required to read several historical books, write research papers, and be able to analyze and think critically using a variety of primary source documents.  The option for Honors-level credit is available with teacher recommendation.

INTRODUCTION TO LAW                                                                                 (8310)

One Semester               Credit 0.50                    Weight 1.00

This course is open to students in Grades 11 and 12. The purpose of this course is to provide the students with a basic knowledge of civil, criminal, consumer and family law. The philosophy of law and law enforcement procedures will be discussed and analyzed. A considerable amount of reading will be required and a vocabulary of legal terms will be stressed throughout the course.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE                                                                                         (8311)

One Semester               Credit 0.50                    Weight 1.00

This course is open to students in Grade 11 and 12. This course is designed to give students a better understanding of law enforcement as it relates to the average citizen. The course will be team taught at Rockville High School with an officer from the Vernon Police Department. Students will be expected to complete rigorous reading, writing, and research assignments.

AFRICAN AMERICAN/BLACK & PUERTO RICAN/LATINO STUDIES               (8328)

            One Semester               Credit 0.50                    Weight 1.00

This course is open to students in Grades 11 and 12.  It is recommended that students have completed or be currently enrolled in World History and United States History.  The course is an opportunity for students to explore accomplishments, struggles, intersections, perspectives, and collaborations of African American/Black and Puerto Rican/Latino people in the United States.  Studies may examine how historical movements, legislation, and wars affected the citizenship rights of these groups and how they, both separately and together, worked to build U.S. cultural and economic wealth and create more just societies in local, national and international contexts.  Coursework will provide students with tools to identify historic and contemporary tensions around race and difference and map economic and racial disparities over time, strengthen their own identity development, and address bias in their communities.

INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RIGHTS ECE                                                                  (8504E)

University of Connecticut Early College Experience*

            One Semester                           Credit 0.50                    Weight 1.10

This course is open to students who have successfully completed American Studies ECE or United States History.  In this course, students will examine the causes and results of prejudice and study the roles of propaganda and censorship through a complementary mix of literary and historical works.  Students will engage in an exploration of central human rights institutions, selected human rights themes, and key political challenges of contemporary human rights advocacy.

* Students who successfully meet the expectations of the Early College Experience requirement will earn 3 college credits (HRTS 1007 Introduction to Human Rights) from the University of Connecticut.  Students are charged per UCONN credit plus a processing fee per course.  Billing is handled by UCONN.

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN SPORT ECE                                                                  (8505E)

University of Connecticut Early College Experience*

            One Semester                           Credit 0.50                    Weight 1.10

This course is open to students in grades 11 and 12. This course examines issues, challenges, opportunities and constraints within the domain of sport. The course will explore socio-cultural, economic, political and other related issues in sport. Students will locate sport as a social institution, and as such, examine the impact of sport in American culture and how American culture impacts sport. The course will cover sport at the youth, intercollegiate, professional and international level, considering how sport at these levels is differently experienced by individuals, communities, organizations, and broadly by society. Students will also engage in discussion of issues in sport relative to gender, race (ethnicity), differing physical and intellectual ability, sexual identity, and gender identity.

* Students who successfully meet the expectations of the Early College Experience requirement will earn 3 college credits (EDLR 2001 Contemporary Issues in Sport) from the University of Connecticut.  Students are charged per UCONN credit plus a processing fee per course.  Billing is handled by UCONN.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT/POLITICS ECE                                                                  (8506E)

Eastern Connecticut State University Early College Experience* **

            One Semester                           Credit 0.50                    Weight 1.10

This course is open to students in grade 12. This course provides an introduction to the principles, structure, and process of American government. Students will explore the foundations of the U.S. political system, including the Constitution, federalism, and the roles of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The course also examines the influence of citizens, public opinion, and interest groups on policy making. By the end of the course, students will gain a deeper understanding of the functions and challenges of American democracy.

* Students who successfully meet the expectations of the Early College Experience requirement will earn 3 college credits (PSC 110 American Government/Politics) from Eastern Connecticut State University.  Students are charged a fee per ECSU credit. This fee will be collected at Rockville High School in September.

**This course has been proposed by the Social Studies department for the 2025-2026 school year and in pending approval by the Vernon Board of Education and Eastern Connecticut State University.

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY ECE                                                                  (8506E)

Eastern Connecticut State University Early College Experience* **

            One Semester                           Credit 0.50                    Weight 1.10

This course is open to students in grades 11or 12 who have successfully completed Applied Psychology or Developmental Psychology.  This course is designed to examine theories and research in social psychology.  A major theme explored is the scientific study of how people influence each other's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.  This will bring together ideas of social thinking, social influence, and social behavior to explain our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.  The course will explore topics such as attitudes, social perception, interpersonal attraction, aggression, social behavior, social influence and behavior in groups.

* Students who successfully meet the expectations of the Early College Experience requirement will earn 3 college credits (PSY 202 Social Psychology) from Eastern Connecticut State University.  Students are charged a fee per ECSU credit. This fee will be collected at Rockville High School in September.

**This course has been proposed by the Social Studies department for the 2026-2027 school year and in pending approval by the Vernon Board of Education and Eastern Connecticut State University.