The History Department provides students with historical thinking skills that will aid them in their understanding of primary and secondary source research. These courses challenge students academically while preparing them for competitive colleges. Encouraging independent research and higher thought processes, teachers incorporate group-centered learning activities to test student knowledge, engage students in the learning process, and encourage creativity among individuals.
(347) World History and Geography I, H (9: Early Human History to 1750)
The first phase of a two-year course, students explore a chronology from Ancient Times to the First Global Era (ending about 1750 CE), organized around several key themes and concepts: Early Civilizations (4,000 BCE – 1,600 CE); Empires of the Ancient World (to 200 CE); and Regional Civilizations (to 1,200 CE). When studying the Early Common Era, students gain an understanding of early empires and other civilizations around the globe. Students also examine issues such as the African slave trade, cultural interactions among varied peoples, and global trends. An understanding of geography, history, economic systems and political institutions as well as social and cultural elements basic to the study of human development will be developed. Over the course of the year, students think critically about these and other issues, and in the process, develop important intellectual and analytical tools from structuring an argument and academic composition to research and oral presentation skills.
(348) World History and Geography II, H (10: 1750 to present-day)
The second phase of the two-year World History and Geography sequence, students will explore major turning points in the shaping of the modern world, from the time period of the Age of Absolutism and the Enlightenment to the modern day.  Emphasis on geography, cultural underpinnings, economics, and political systems on the continents of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas characterize the course experience for the year. Topics of study include: Enlightenment and Revolution, Industrialism and a New Global Age, World Wars and Revolutions, and a focus on current events, which draws connections to events of the past. Prerequisite: World History and Geography I or equivalent 9th grade History class.
(349) United States History and Government, H/Pre-A.P. (355) (11)
United States History and Government is the study of the inception and development of American representative democratic and political traditions. The course focuses on the people, the geography, the development of American cultural values, social institutions, and global relations. Students study the major social, political, and religious developments in United States history, and are required to use a variety of intellectual and critical thinking skills to demonstrate their understanding of major ideas, eras, themes, developments and turning points. Prerequisite: World History and Geography II or equivalent 10th grade History class.
United States Government and Politics (12)
U.S. Government and Politics is a class designed to acquaint students with the origins, concepts, organizations, and policies of the United States government and political system. The U.S. Constitution and its Amendments will be examined and students will investigate the development and sweep of civil rights and liberties. Significant Supreme Court decisions will be analyzed to demonstrate the impact and importance of constitutional rights. Students are guided through the function of government today and the role of citizens in the civic process. They will also engage in disciplinary practices that require them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments. Prerequisite: United States History or equivalent 11th grade History class.
A.P. United States Government and Politics (12)
A.P. U.S. Government and Politics provides an introductory college-level, non-partisan introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. Students will study U.S. foundational documents, Supreme Court decisions, and other texts and visuals to gain an understanding of the relationships and interactions among political institutions, processes, and behavior. They will also engage in disciplinary practices that require them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments.
This course implements the Project Based Learning (PBL) modality, whereby students build knowledge and skills through sustained investigation of complex, real-world problems. Students learn the required A.P. course content and skills through active engagement with five large projects that become the curriculum and pedagogical approach.  One of these projects will satisfy the political science research or applied civics project requirement. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors/pre-A.P. U.S. History and approval from the AP committee.
Honors History Designation (9-12)
Students who are interested in further challenging themselves and in earning Honors/pre-A.P. credit are placed based on their grades and teacher recommendations, with final approval by the Director of Academics. These courses require academic skill, greater commitments of time and effort, and an eagerness to learn. Students must maintain a grade of 85% or above to remain in Honors and pre-A.P.
(332) AP Psychology (11-12) (336 – Intro to Psychology without AP Exam option)
AP Psychology is a social science course recognized by the College Board, and gives students a foundation in the major areas of study in psychology, including, but not limited to: scientific methods, biopsychology, human development, cognition, and individual and group behavior variation. The focus of this course is to help students understand psychology as a scientific discipline, as well as to increase the student’s confidence in discussing and writing about psychological principles in a scientific manner. Prerequisite: Successful completion of World History II and approval from the AP committee.
(370) Economics (10, 11, 12)
This course integrates micro and macro economics and personal finance concepts to help students better understand the implications of economic
events and make informed financial decisions. Students will examine the
basic types of economic systems with an emphasis on the American
capitalistic economic theory and its implementation and development. The
course introduces economic reasoning as well as techniques and
processes of thinking used by economists. The focus is on the
basic principles concerning production, consumption, and distribution of
goods and services (the problem of scarcity). Students analyze the
interaction of supply, demand, and price, the principles guiding household
economics, the economic organization of business, agriculture and labor,
and the national economy. The course also incorporates instruction in
personal financial literacy.
(365) Introduction to Philosophy and Ethics (11, 12)
Students will develop their analytical skills and capacity for communication to more effectively evaluate arguments and develop stronger ideas in a cooperative setting. An in-depth analysis of Crito, Plato’s exploration of Social Contract Theory – a set of ideas about what citizens owe to and are owed by the state – will prepare students for study in the class’ choice of one of three pathways: Philosophy of Mind, Political Philosophy, or Paradoxes and Puzzles. Philosophy of Mind deals with the essential question about whether humans are “embodied” entities. Political Philosophy engages with the ideas motivating various forms of government. Lastly, Paradoxes and Puzzles asks students to use formal logic to consider moral ambiguities and solve riddles.
Honors and pre-A.P. History Designation (9-12)
Students who are interested in further challenging themselves and in earning Honors/pre-A.P. credit are placed based on their grades and teacher recommendations, with final approval by the Director of Academics. These courses require academic skill, greater commitments of time and effort, and an eagerness to learn. Students must maintain a grade of 85% or above to remain in Honors and pre-A.P.
THE KNOX SCHOOL
Long Island, New York
541 Long Beach Road
St. James NY 11780
p: 631.686.1600 I f: 631.686.1650
THE KNOX SCHOOL
Long Island, New York
541 Long Beach Road
St. James NY 11780
ph: (631) 686-1600 I fax: (631) 686-1650
