The Eastchester Schools Online Classroom: Courses

Today’s students live in a rapidly changing world, confronted by a multiplicity of competing ideas, arguments and information. They need to be able to deal with information and ideas critically and constructively if they are to be successful.

Global Perspectives encourages the ability to follow and deconstruct arguments and assertions, to separate fact from opinion, and to assess and evaluate the truth of claims. Related skills involve knowing where to look for information, how to construct arguments, and how to assemble and handle evidence. This seminar-based course takes key themes of global relevance that are of interest to young people, and encourages students to explore them in an open, critical, disciplined way. The course at EastchesterHigh School will focus on the themes of Economics and Politics and Culture.

Cambridge Pre-U prepares students with the skills and knowledge they need to make a success of their subsequent studies in college.

This advanced course for highly motivated students focuses on the history of civilization in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Important historic, geographic, political and economic characteristics of the societies that developed in each region are studied. The six themes of Global History and Geography cultural diffusion, trade, migrations, belief systems, conflict, and the establishment of multi-regional empires are analyzed through textbook, primary source and secondary source document readings. This course is both reading and writing-intensive, requiring sophisticated abilities in these areas. Critical reading skills are developed through nightly readings, class discussions and assessments. Writing thematic essays and document based questions (DBQ) complement the higher order thinking skills that are emphasized in this course. Students will compile a portfolio of coursework designed to aid in assessing the individual's ability to challenge the AP World History Course in the tenth grade.

Students study the development and evolution of the U.S. Constitution and its application throughout US history. The course emphasizes the following periods: 1800-1860, the Civil War, the Industrial Age, the Progressive Era, World War I, the 1920’s and the Great Depression, World War II and the US as a global leader during and following the Cold War. Emphasis is placed on interpretive reading and writing skills by using primary documents, secondary sources and many research-oriented assignments. Thematic essay writing and document based question essay writing are also emphasized. This course culminates in the New York State Regents exam in US History.

Sociology involves the systematic study of social life and culture in order to understand the causes and consequences of human action. Sociologists study the structure and processes of traditional cultures and modern, industrial societies in both Western and non-Western cultures. They examine how culture, social structures (groups, organizations and communities) and social institutions (family, education, religion, etc.) affect human attitudes, actions and life-chances.

Sociology combines scientific and humanistic perspectives in the study of society. Drawing upon various theoretical perspectives, sociologists study such areas as culture, socialization, deviance, inequality, health and illness, family patterns, social change and race and ethnic relations. Combining theoretical perspectives with empirical research allows students an opportunity to develop new insights and a different perspective on their lives and to understand everyday social life as a combination of both stable patterns of interaction and ubiquitous sources of social change.