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The Social Studies program at Cathedral High School represents a very diverse and comprehensive course of study from the freshman to the senior year.
Students in Grades 9 will have a choice between World History 1 and Honors World History 1. Within the realm of the Honors World History 1 course, students elect a more intensive study on the African, Asian, European and American continents through the medium of analyzing primary documents and pertinent research projects.
Students in Grade 11 may elect to take Advanced Placement American History where students will immerse themeselves the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal with the problems and event of American Histroy. Through the medium of extensive research and essay writing, students will acquire the skills of informed decision-making.
A very comprehensive program of historical studies is made available to juniors and seniors through the Honors program, a two-year commitment. Juniors may elect to take Honors United States History I where they will become immersed with historical documents interspersed throughout the study of American History. Historical mock trials and simulations of the Constitutional Convention and a study of Parliamentary Procedure become the springboard to the Honors United States History II course where the knowledge and experience achieved during junior year may be applied to understanding the role of a Senator in Cathedral High School's Model Senate held each year. Students will also continue their very detailed study of the 19th and 20th century of American History and Government with numerous debates and discussions pertinent to history and politics during their senior year.
In the junior year, students may elect to study American History with a very strong emphasis upon politics and presidential administrations in a course entitled United States Political History or a chronological survey of American History through the course United States History Survey. A study of the Constitution is undertaken in both classes in order for students to receive civics training. In addition to the Constitutional unit, students will study Pre-Civil War America up to the 20th century in each of these two courses.
The elective offerings of the Social Studies Department are rich and encompass a variety of courses. Diversity and tolerance have become the mainstay of the courses: African-American History and Holocaust and Human Rights both electives open to students where they will become exposed to some of the injustices directed toward individuals, both nationally and internationally.
Sociological research techniques and theories are continually applied in the Introduction to Sociology course, which is available for junior and seniors to take. Scientific research via the method of polls relating to social issues such as television viewing amongst the teen population presents yet another dimension of our Social Studies Department.
As an elective for seniors, the 21st Century/United States History course proposes opportunities for more historical research on current American issues and a comprehensive study of the major problems and concerns, which have shaped the 20th and 21st centuries in the United States.
The skills of historical research, problem-solving, conflict resolution and critical thinking based upon historical knowledge have been and continue to be highly valued and utilized by all members of the Social Studies Department and continue to serve as a foundation for further inquiry into the discipline of history.