Social Studies Department
The Social Studies Department is focused on creating the leaders of tomorrow. We empower our students for a life of civic engagement that features the knowledge to succeed with the moral and ethical compass to lead effectively.
An introduction TO SOCIAL STUDIES
The course curriculum offers a global myriad of opportunities at both the college preparatory and advanced placement levels. Students study history from our ancient origins to courses focused on global current events.
Courses are modeled on what students will experience in college, focused on expanding students’ abilities to synthesize and interact with material. Through case studies, discussion and debate, our students learn how to problem-solve in modern and relevant scenarios.
Outside the classroom, our award-winning Model United Nations program is an extension of our focus on civic responsibility and leadership, while our Youth and Government delegation allows students to work within New Jersey politics and grassroots issues, illustrating how to be a force of change within local communities.
Did You Know?
Explore how the Social Studies Department prepares students for college, their careers, and life.
Perfect Score
In 2019, Class of 2019 graduate John Hoban received one of 113 perfect scores on the AP US Government and Politics test, placing him in the top 0.03%.
Model UN
The Saint Joe’s Model UN Delegation is the school’s largest academic team. The delegation competes in the state’s top programs and are consistently recognized as an “Outstanding Delegation” each year at the national Hershey Conference.
AP Courses
Our Social Studies Department offers four AP courses: U.S. Government & Politics, U.S. History, Psychology and World History. Each course’s average AP Test grade exceeded the Average Global Score.
Immersions in Social Studies
In addition to the core social studies courses, Saint Joe's offers multiple electives in the field, such as Constitutional Law and Economics. Some of these courses are even taught by a Partner in Mission with a doctorate in law.
World History
Our Social Studies program offers the only AP Course available to Freshman: AP World History. In 2022, more than half the class received a 3 or better on the AP test.
Social Studies Partners in Mission
Meet the Partners in Mission who teach our social studies courses.
Courses Offered
Browse our course catalog to explore what Saint Joe's has to offer.
20th Century History of the Middle East - 0973
Students will explore the 20th century history of the Middle East, with an overview of the three Abrahamic religions and concentrating on the Fertile Crescent, Egypt, Turkey, the Arabian Peninsula, and Iran. The curriculum will examine the role, policies, and cultures of the various nations throughout contemporary history, starting with the demise of the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War I through 9/11 and the Arab Spring.
- College Prep
Constitutional Law - 0994
Students will be introduced to the world of Constitutional interpretation and debate. The curriculum emphasizes the tension between civil order and individual rights, and how these issues have defined Constitutional law throughout history. Students will learn to examine law and meaning, often through a case study approach that focuses upon the role of the three branches of government and the role of responsible citizens.
- College Prep
Economics - 0997
Throughout this survey course, students will explore basic economic concepts and institutions, as well as the underlying theories behind them. The course will emphasize a macroeconomics perspective as students examine how classical and neoclassical theories have developed our modern monetary and fiscal policies in contemporary America.
- College Prep
European History Advanced Placement - 0975
Students will investigate European History from 1450 to the present. The curriculum highlights five themes of equal importance: interaction of Europe and the world, poverty and prosperity, objective knowledge and subjective visions, states and other institutions of power, and individual and society. Students will learn to reason historically about continuity and change over time and make comparisons among various historical developments in different times and places. The curriculum and student focus will be to prepare for the required Advanced Placement European History exam.
Receives greater weighting in student’s G.P.A.
- AP
Global Issues - 0947
This survey course will introduce students to current global issues and events. Students will examine the causes and developments of contemporary events and their impact on the United States and the global community, in a class discussion-based setting to gain a better understanding of global events and conditions.
- College Prep
Psychology - 0985
Students will systematically cover the content areas identified by the American Psychological Association’s task force on National Standards for High School Psychology Curricula and the College Board. These topics include research methods, biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, learning, cognition, motivation and emotion, lifespan development, personality, intelligence, psychological disorders and treatment, and social psychology.
- College Prep
Psychology Advanced Placement - 0986
Prerequisite: “B+” average or higher in American History Honors or American History Advanced Placement; a 3.5 cumulative grade point average or higher; departmental approval. Students will be introduced to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. The curriculum and focus will be to prepare for the required Psychology Advanced Placement exam.
- AP
United States Government and Politics Advanced Placement - 0945
Students will be introduced to key political ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the political culture of the United States. The course examines politically significant concepts and themes, through which students learn to apply disciplinary reasoning to assess causes and consequences of political events, and interpret data to develop evidence-based arguments. The curriculum and student focus will be to prepare for the required Government & Politics Advanced Placement exam.
- AP
United States History I - 0920
Throughout this survey course, students will examine the exploration and colonization of America during the era of imperialism. The curriculum emphasizes the development of American culture, government, politics, economics, and foreign diplomacy and relations from our nation’s beginnings through the culmination of the Civil War in 1865 by examining historical persons, events, movements, and conflicts.
- College Prep
United States History I Honors - 0922
Students will complete a curriculum preparing them for enrollment in Advanced Placement United States History. Students will examine historical figures and events that contributed to the development of the American landscape, politics, economics, foreign policy, and culture. The curriculum will emphasize original works and themes beginning with the development of the nation and movement towards independence, the development of regionalism and conflict, and the culmination of conflict with the Civil War.
- Honors
United States History II - 0921
Students will reengage in the study of American History beginning with the Reconstruction period following the Civil War. The curriculum emphasizes the process of rebuilding and reunifying our nation in the post-war era, navigating the nation through the turbulence of the 1890’s and establishing America as a world power through the Great Wars. Students will learn how America rose to become one of the remaining superpowers in the contemporary era, and the cultural, political, social, and economic changes that resulted from the evolution of the nation.
- College Prep
United States History II Advanced Placement - 0940
Students will investigate the origins of our nation beginning in 1491 through the modern day. The curriculum will emphasize the study of the content of U.S. History for significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in nine historical periods, and allow students to examine seven themes: American and national identity, migration and settlement, politics and power, work, exchange, and technology, America in the world, geography and the environment, and culture and society. Focus will be to prepare students to complete the required Advanced Placement United States History exam.
- AP
United States History II Honors – 0923
Students will reengage in the study of American History beginning with the Reconstruction period following the Civil War. The curriculum emphasizes the analysis of the legacy of the post-war era, the foundations of racial division and civil rights, and the political turbulence through the Gilded Age. Through the investigation of primary and secondary sources documents, students will examine the synthesis of the nation through the Great Wars, and the establishment of the United States of America as a global superpower in the contemporary era, with special emphasis on the societal and political changes that accompanied our evolution as a nation.
- Honors
World History - 0912
This course provides students with a chronological framework for studying the history of the world by focusing on important concepts and themes beginning with Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian culture, with special emphasis placed upon Western Civilization. Through this broad understanding of world history, students learn social and civic skills by examining general trends and global processes that shape history and culture. Students will investigate the origins and evolution of several major civilizations.
- College Prep
World History Advanced Placement - 0911
Students will investigate the significant events, individuals, developments, and processes that shaped world history in six periods, ranging from 8000 B.C. to the present. The curriculum will emphasize five themes and five geographical regions, which have contributed to the development of humankind. The curriculum and student focus will be to prepare the students for the required World History Advanced Placement exam.
- AP
World History Honors - 0913
Students will cover the World History curriculum with increased emphasis on historical literature and primary source documents. Students will be introduced to works of literature and art created by past civilizations and cultures. They will study the transition from one civilization to the next in the overall development of global culture. This course will provide students with the academic foundation required for American History Honors.
- Honors
Social Studies Department Clubs
The Social Studies Department offers several clubs that help foster and nurture a love of the field.
