Social Science

World History is a one-year social science course for ninth graders at CATS Academy Boston. Over two semesters, it examines cultural and historical issues that are relevant in the world today. This course emphasizes academic skills, especially reading, writing, and note-taking.  Students use statistics, maps, primary sources, images, and reference materials. Content includes an introduction to Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and the history of the Middle East. Activities include visits to local churches, mosques, and temples. This course helps students see how individuals like themselves shape history and community. Prerequisites: ESL Level 2 or higher; placement test results

World History Honors is a one-year social science course for ninth graders at CATS Academy Boston. Over two semesters, it examines cultural and historical issues that are relevant in the world today. This course emphasizes academic skills, especially reading, writing, and note-taking. Students explore the relationship between themes and details, relevance, sequence, and investigation. They use statistics, maps, primary sources, images, and reference materials. In addition, World History Honors students do more advanced reading and writing assignments. Content includes an introduction to Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and the history of the Middle East. Activities include visits to local churches, mosques, and temples. This course helps students see how individuals like themselves shape history and community. Prerequisites: ESL Level 3 or higher; placement test results

United States History Survey is a one-year social science course for tenth graders or new eleventh or twelfth graders.  This course is required for all CATS Academy Boston students as part of their three-year social science requirement for graduation. It helps students be successful in college-level social science courses or AP United States History. US History Survey takes a thematic approach to US history, surveying topics like immigration, reform, civil rights, national government, race, and gender in United States history. Events are studied for relevance to today’s issues. Excerpts from films, books, and primary sources present different perspectives on the past. United States History Survey students develop skills of note-taking, analytical reading, writing, and research. Prerequisites: ESL Level 3 or higher

United States History Survey Honors is a one-year honors social science course that meets the US history graduation requirement from CATS. It is open to qualified tenth graders and new eleventh or twelfth graders.  This course helps students be successful in college-level social science courses or AP United States History. United States History Survey Honors takes a thematic approach to US history, examining topics like immigration, race, gender, reform, civil rights, national government, imperialism, and overseas commitments in US history.  Events are studied for relevance to today’s issues. Excerpts from films, books, and primary sources present different perspectives on the past.  Students develop skills of note-taking, analytical reading, writing, and research. In addition, United States History Survey Honors students read more primary and secondary sources and make more presentations. Prerequisites: ESL Level 3 or higher; History and Human Behavior Honors with a grade of B or above; History and Human Behavior CP with a grade of A- or above; recommendation of instructor and Social Science department chair. New students must have these grades in history courses at previous school and recommendation of instructor and Social Science department chair.

This course provides an introduction to the issues that dominate the news through the year.  The focus is on current events and related debates in the United States and around the world.  By studying social, political, and economic issues, students gain insight into their own place in history and the relevance of today’s events to historical themes. In addition to raising students’ awareness of world history, the course develops their skills of analysis, reading, writing, and speaking. Prerequisite: one year of U.S. History Survey CP or Honors

Events throughout the history of humanity have shown us that there lies a dark side to human nature. This course examines specific case studies of events in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe during the 20th Century. An examination of social and political history and geography provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the events that occurred in the regions of Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Students view events through a multicultural lens in an attempt to understand the unfolding of events through a multiplicity of cultural identities involved in those events. The skills of interpreting charts, primary sources, political cartoons, and other historical documents are also developed. World History II Honors covers the same topics as the CP course but requires more academically rigorous assignments and readings. Prerequisites for CP: ESL Level 3 or higher; US History ESL, CP, or Honors. Prerequisites for Honors: ESL Level 4 or higher; US History ESL, CP, or Honors

The legal profession is practiced worldwide, and attorneys are valued for their ability to analyze and solve complex problems.  This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn and practice problem solving skills and legal analysis. Students utilize case studies, mock trial, projects, and activities to gain an understanding of the legal process, how attorneys analyze and litigate cases as well as how courts determine outcomes.  Students practice what they learn by working with a team to prepare and present a legal case in a mock trial.  In this course, students sharpen their critical thinking and oral presentation skills as well as gain an understanding about what it is like to practice law or work with lawyers in a corporate setting or law firm. Prerequisites: ESl Level 3 or higher; US History

This course is a survey of Philosophy that challenges students to see how philosophy has been used in history as a way for humans to understand themselves and the nature of reality. It looks at both Eastern and Western philosophical traditions. Students also have the opportunity to examine their own philosophy and goals. This is a course that develops students’ powers of analysis, reading, writing, and speaking. Prerequisite: ESL Level 3 or higher; one year of U.S. History Survey CP or Honors

This one-semester Social Science elective (fall only) is paired with one semester of Microeconomics CP to make a one-year college prep course in Economics. These courses are part of the CATS Innovation Program and prepare students to succeed in college-level or AP Economics.  In Macroeconomics CP, students learn how economic decisions are made at the national and international level. They examine economic systems around the world and economic policy-making in the United States. Students learn about markets, industries, trade, banking, finance, economic indicators, economic policy, and the Federal Reserve. Students also learn about the new economy, management, and entrepreneurship. Prerequisite: ESL Level 3 or higher; grades 11 and 12

This one-semester Social Science elective (spring only) is paired with one semester of Macroeconomics CP to make a one-year college prep course in Economics. These courses are part of the CATS Innovation Program and prepare students to succeed in college-level or AP Economics. Microeconomics CP focuses on industries and companies at the local and regional level. Students learn about start-ups and Boston’s high-tech and R-and-D (research and development) fields. Each student presents a term project about a company from these or traditional New England industries like defense, paper and logging, fishing, food processing, farming, retail sales, wholesale distribution, transportation, tourism, education, and telecommunications. Students may also choose a company from the financial sector: banking, real estate, venture capital, investment banking, consulting, insurance, securities, and mutual funds. As part of Microeconomics CP, students visit companies and meet professionals from business and government.  Prerequisite: ESL Level 3 or higher; grades 11 and 12 

This is a one-year Social Science elective that prepares students for the AP United States History exam. Students have usually had at least one year of American history before taking this course.  AP United States History is a college-level course with potential for college credit. AP United States History helps prepare students for social science courses in college. Students examine historical documents and argue about social, political, and economic history from 1600 to the present. In order to manage the large number of facts, students must have a good grounding in the themes of American history. This class helps students understand evidence, relevance, cause and effect, and points of view.  After the AP exam, students present an American history research project on a topic of their choice. Prerequisites: ESL Level 4 (ESL Level 5 preferred); A or above in CP or A- or higher in Honors, and recommendation of instructor and Social Science department chair.

AP Human Geography course is an introductory college-level course in Human Geography.  As history is a study of time and events, human geography is a study of place and events. Students in this course focus on economic development and introduction to social science.  The course includes topics like the environment, health care, religion, and education around the world and in history.  Knowledge of geographers’ methods and tools is also part of the course. AP Human Geography emphasizes acquisition of college-level vocabulary and concepts. Students are required to take the AP Human Geography exam. Prerequisite: ESL Level 4 (ESL Level 5 preferred); A or above in CP or A- or higher in Honors, and recommendation of instructor and Social Science department chair.

This is a one-year Social Science elective that prepares students for the AP World History exam. Students study ancient civilizations, world religions, the Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution, global imperialism, and world conflicts. AP World History is a college-level course with potential for college credit. AP World History helps prepare students for social science courses in college. Students are assessed through rigorous quizzes and tests, oral presentations, and midterm and final examinations.  In addition, students write a ten-page research paper and present their findings in a public setting.  The course requires seven hours of homework per week and is open to juniors and seniors. Prerequisites: ESL Level 4 (ESL Level 5 preferred); A or above in CP or A- or higher in Honors, and recommendation of instructor and Social Science department chair.