| Core Course | Electives | Instructor Biographies |
| The goals of the Social Studies program are to develop an understanding of the political, social, economic and cultural development of today's society and to prepare students for membership in society as intelligent decision-makers. |
| Required Courses |
| World History |
| The World History (Academic) course usually covers the period of time from the beginnings of civilization up to the Age of Imperialism in the 1890's. Specifically the course covers such topics as: Early Christianity, India's and China's Civilizations for marking period 1. Marking period 2 covers: The Byzantines, Islamic Civilization, The Flowering of African Civilization, The Rise of Medieval Europe, and Medieval Europe at its Height, East and South Asia. The course then has a Midterm on the general aspects of the first two marking period topics. Marking period 3 opens with The Americas, Renaissance and Reformation, Expanding Horizons (exploration), Royal Power and Conflict (Europe), Scientific Revolution and the French Revolution. Marking period 4 begins with Reaction to Nationalism (Europe) and the Age of Imperialism. The final part of the fourth marking period is devoted to current event issues in regions of the world such as: Asia and the Pacific, Africa, The Middle East and Latin America. In the end the course has a final exam that covers the topics broached in marking periods 3 and 4. |
| World History AP |
| The AP World History course is organized around a limited number of key concepts instead of a precieived list of facts, events and dates make teaching each historical period more managable. The three or four key concepts per period define what is most essential to know about each period based upon the most current historical research in in world history. This approach enables students to spend less time on factual recall, more time on learning essential and gloabal processes involved in the study of AP World History The themes and key concepts are intended to provide foundational knowledge for future college-level course work in history. Command of these courses themes and key concepts requires suffcient knowledge of detailed and specific relevant historical developments and processes- includes names, chronology, facts, and events- to exemplify the themes and key concepts. The AP World History course content is structured around the investigation of five course themes and 19 key concepts in six different chronological periods, from approximately 8000 B.C.E. to the present. |
| United States History 1 |
| Primarily taken by students in the 10th grade, the course covers the developments in American History up to the 20th Century. Topics of study include: The Age of Exploration, Colonial America, Independence, The Constitution, Sectionalism, The Civil War, Reconstruction, Industrialization, Urbanization and Immigration. A variety of activities, projects and presentations as well as lecture, discussion and note taking are employed. Students are also required to submit Current Issue papers on a weekly basis in the effort to connect past with present.
Students can access the textbook, American Nation, online at:
http://my.hrw.com Please ask your teacher for your username and password. |
| United States History 2 |
| Primarily taken by students in the 11th grade, the course covers developments in American History since the beginning of the 20th century. Topics of study include: The Progressive Era, Imperialism, World War I, The 1920's, Great Depression, World War II, TheCold War, Civil Rights, Vietnam, Watergate, The Carter and Reagan Years, The Gulf War and the September 11, 2001 attacks and events since. A variety of activities, projects and presentations as well as lecture, discussion and note taking are employed. Students are also required to submit weekly Current Issue papers in an effort to connect past with present. Students are also required to submit a written summary/opinion after attending a local government or municipal court session.
Students can access the textbook, American Nation, online at:
http://my.hrw.com Please ask your teacher for your username and password |
| Elective Courses |
| Sociology |
| Sociology is an elective designed for the college bound student who is interested in the study of people, culture and society. Topics include: the history of Sociology, psychology and the individual, cultures, and human rights. There is a strong emphasis on the institutions of all societies: family, religion, political science and power, economics and education. Throughout the year, guest speakers along with media presentations will be used to illustrate the topic. Students are invited to participate in the annual Holocaust and Genocide Conference in an effort to develop empathy for others in society. |
| You and the Law |
| This elective course provides an overview of our criminal and civil justice system. Emphasis is placed on providing students with first hand experiences of men and women involved in all facets of the legal system. Guest speakers from the world of local, state and federal law enforcement along with attorney's, correction officers and even K-9 units provide our students with insights that go beyond the classroom walls. Additionally, field experiences, including visits to the Keogh-Dwyer Criminal Justice Complex, Sussex County Sheriff's Department, Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility and the Edna Mahon Correctional Facility for Women are an integral part of the course. Also included are lectures, discussion and projects that emphasize both the rights and responsibilities of citizens. |
| Civics |
| The focus of this course is to build studends' citizenship skills through the analysis and evaluation of civil rights and resposibilities, the function of the American government and the democratic process. Topics included are citizenship, town planning, the political process, economics, and foreign policy. This is an interactive course that includes guest speakers, community service projects, and local field trips. The goal of this course is to build positive and productive citizenship skills. |
| Instructor Biographies |
| Michael Harris |
| Social Studies Chairman |
| Mr. Harris has been at Wallkill since the 1986-87 school year. A graduate of Kenyon College in Gambier Ohio in 1982, he earned his bachelors degree in Religion and earned a Masters degree in Education from Seton Hall University in 1993. Mr. Harris became department head in 1995. Currently he is also the varsity boy's and girl's golf coach. Mr. Harris can be reached at: mharris@wallkill.k12.nj.us |
| Stephanie Bonaparte |
| Mrs. Bonaparte currently lives in Pompton Lakes with her husband. She has been teaching Social Studies at Wallkill since 2004. After graduating from William Paterson University, she taught for two years at Kearny High School. Mrs. Bonaparte is also the Mock Trial advisor here at Wallkill.Mrs. Bonaparte can be reached at: sbonaparte@wallkill.k12.nj.us |
| Lynn Hayn |
| Mrs. Hayn, a staff member since 1996, is a graduate of Montclair State College where she earned a degree in social studies education with a concentration in Russian studies and European history. She received a Master's in Education from The College of New Jersey. Mrs. Hayn divides her day between the Media Center and the classroom. She is the advisor for both the Freshman class and Academic Bowl. Mrs.Hayn can be reached at: booklover49@yahoo.com |
| Lori Parrott |
| Lori Parrott has been teaching at Wallkill Valley since 1992. Ms. Parrott has BA degree in political science with minors in history and education. A graduate of Montclair State University, she has completed graduate credits at Montclair, East Stroudsburg and Saint Peters University. Prior to Wallkill Valley, Ms. Parrott taught at Vernon Township High School. Ms. Parrott teaches the elective, Sociology and American History. She has advised the Mock Trial team, assists with the prom and is responsible for the annual Holocaust and Genocide field trip. |
| Scott Parsons |
| Mr. Parsons is from Livingston, New Jersey. He has been a teacher at Wallkill since 1995. He attended the University of Miami (Fla.) and received his bachelors degree from Montclair State. He earned a masters degree from Seton Hall University. |
| John Steiger |
| Mr. Steiger graduated from Sparta High School in 1980 and from Moravian College with a BA in history in 1984. Mr. Steiger began teaching at Wallkill Valley in 1985. He earned a Master's degree in Education from Seton Hall University in 1995, and a Master's degree in Administration and Leadership in 2004. Mr. Steiger is currently an assistant coach for the spring track and field hockey teams. |
| Andrew Van Der Plaats |
| Mr. Van Der Plaats joined the faculty here at Wallkill Valley Regional High School in September of 2001. Prior to coming here he taught Social Studies in the Newark, N.J. school district for 3 years. Mr. Van Der Plaats attended Ramapo College of New Jersey where he majored in American Studies with a minor in Political Science. Mr. Van Der Plaats can be reached at: avplaats@yahoo.com |