Warwick School District

Course Description

This course provides students with a strong foundation in the historical, geographical, political, socio-cultural, and economic development of the United States, from the beginning of American Imperialism to the Present. Students will examine both historic and current issues, and achievements and challenges faced by our country and its leadership. This course will also look at the causes and outcomes of significant events, conflicts, government policies, and court decisions, defining America's role as a nation, and its growing role in world affairs.

Core Curriculum Content Standards

PA Common Core: History and Social Studies (2012)

• Reading Informational Text: Students read, understand, and respond to informational text – with emphasis on comprehension, making connections among ideas and between texts with focus on textual evidence.

• GRADES 9-10

• Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, attending to such features as the date and origin of the information.(8.5.9-10.A)
• Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of how key events or ideas develop over the course of the text.(8.5.9-10.B)
• Analyze in detail a series of events described in a text; determine whether earlier events caused later ones or simply preceded them.(8.5.9-10.C)
• Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary describing political, social, or economic aspects of history/social science.(8.5.9-10.D)
• Assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the author’s claims.(8.5.9-10.H)
• Compare and contrast treatments of the same topic in several primary and secondary sources.(8.5.9-10.I)

• Writing: Students write for different purposes and audiences. Students write clear and focused text to convey a well-defined perspective and appropriate content.

• GRADES 9-10

• Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology’s capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically.(8.6.9-10.E)
• Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.(8.6.9-10.F)
• Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in answering the research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.(8.6.9-10.G)
• Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.(8.6.9-10.H)

Civics and Government (2009-2012)

• Principles and Documents of Government

• GRADE 9

• Apply examples of the rule of law as related to individual rights and the common good.(5.1.9.A)
• Analyze the principles and ideals that shape United States government. -Liberty / Freedom -Democracy -Justice -Equality(5.1.9.C)
• Analyze the role political symbols play in civil disobedience and patriotic activites.(5.1.9.F)

• GRADE 12

• Evaluate the role of nationalism in uniting and dividing citizens.(5.1.12.F)

• Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship

• GRADE 9

• Contrast the rights and responsibilities of a citizen in a democracy with a citizen in an authoritarian system.(5.2.9.A)
• Analyze strategies used to resolve conflicts in society and government.(5.2.9.B)
• Examine political leadership and public service in a republican form of government.(5.2.9.C)

• US HISTORY 1850-PRESENT

• Evaluate and demonstrate what makes competent and responsible citizens.(5.2.U.D)

• How Government Works

• GRADE 9

• Analyze the influence of interest groups in the political process.(5.3.9.G)
• Evaluate the importance of freedom of the press and the political influence of mass media.(5.3.9.H)
• Compare and contrast various systems of government.(5.3.9.J)

• US HISTORY 1850-PRESENT

• Evaluate the roles of political parties, interest groups, and mass media in politics and public policy.(5.3.U.D)

• How International Relationships Function

• GRADE 9

• Explain how United States foreign policy is developed.(5.4.9.A)
• Explain why and how different foreign policy tools are used to advance a nation’s self interest (e.g., diplomacy, economic aid, military aid, sanctions, treaties).(5.4.9.B)
• Analyze the various mass media outlets and their influence on global issues.(5.4.9.D)
• Identify the politics of interest groups (e.g. business and labor organizations, ethnic and religious organizations) on foreign policy.(5.4.9.E)

• GRADE 12

• Compare and contrast the politics of various interest groups and evaluate their impact on foreign policy.(5.4.12.E)

• CIVICS & GOVERNMENT

• Explain why and how different foreign policy tools are used to advance a nation’s self interest (e.g., diplomacy, economic aid, military aid, sanctions, treaties).(5.4.C.B)

Economics (2009-2012)

• Scarcity and Choice

• GRADE 9

• Analyze how choices are made because of scarcity.(6.1.9.A)
• Identify the origin of resources and analyze the impact on the production of goods and services. Analyze how unlimited wants and limited resources affect decision making.(6.1.9.B)
• Explain the opportunity cost associated with government policies.(6.1.9.C)
• Explain how incentives cause people to change their behavior in predictable ways.(6.1.9.D)

• Markets and Economic Systems

• GRADE 9

• Analyze the flow of goods and services in the national economy.(6.2.9.A)
• Explain how competition between buyers and sellers affects price.(6.2.9.B)
• Analyze how media affects economic decisions.(6.2.9.C)
• Explain the laws of supply and demand and how these affect the prices of goods and services.(6.2.9.D)
• Analyze the characteristics of economic expansion, recession, and depression.(6.2.9.E)
• Analyze the functions of private economic functions the national economy.(6.2.9.F)
• Compare and contrast various economic systems.(6.2.9.G)

• Functions of Government

• GRADE 9

• Analyze the process through which government provides public goods and services.(6.3.9.A)
• Examine how and why the government acts to regulate and stabilize the state and national economy.(6.3.9.B)
• Compare and contrast the taxation policies of the local, state, and national governments.(6.3.9.C)
• Explain why governments limit or promote international trade.(6.3.9.D)

• US HISTORY 1850-PRESENT

• Analyze how conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations have impacted the growth and development of the U.S. - Ethnicity and Race - Working conditions - Immigration - Military conflict - Economic Stability (Reference History Standards 8.3.9.D.)(6.3.U.B)

• Income, Profit, and Wealth

• GRADE 9

• Define wages and explain how wages are determined in terms of supply and demand.(6.5.9.A)
• Describe how productivity is measured and identify ways in which a person can improve his or her productivity.(6.5.9.B)
• Identify and explain the characteristics of sole proprietorship, partnership, and corporation.(6.5.9.C)
• Analyze how risks influence business decision-making.(6.5.9.D)
• Define wealth and describe its distribution within and among the political divisions of the United States.(6.5.9.E)
• Examine leading entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania and the United States in terms of the risks they took and the rewards they received.(6.5.9.F)
• Compare and contrast the various financial tools available to savers.(6.5.9.G)
• Explain the impact of higher or lower interest rates for savers, borrowers, consumers, and producers.(6.5.9.H)

Geography (2009-2012)

• Basic Geographic Literacy

• GRADE 9

• Explain and illustrate how geographic tools are used to organize and interpret information about people, places, and environments.(7.1.9.A)
• Explain and locate regions and their shared connections as defined by physical and human features.(7.1.9.B)

• GRADE 12

• Use geographic tools to analyze information about the interaction between people, places, and the environment.(7.1.12.A)
• Assess how physical changes to a region may have global impact.(7.1.12.B)

• US HISTORY 1850-PRESENT

• Use geographic tools to analyze information about the interaction between people, places, and the environment.(7.1.U.A)

• Physical Characteristics of Places and Regions

• GRADE 9

• Explain the physical characteristics of places and regions, including spatial patterns of Earth’s physical systems.(7.2.9.A)

• Human Characteristics of Places and Regions

• GRADE 9

• Explain the human characteristics of places and regions using the following criteria: -Population -Culture -Settlement -Economic activities -Political activities(7.3.9.A)

• Interactions Between People and the Environment

• US HISTORY 1850-PRESENT

• Analyze the effects of human activity on the physical systems.(7.4.U.B)

History (2009-2012)

• Historical Analysis and Skills Development

• GRADE 9

• Compare patterns of continuity and change over time, applying context of events.(8.1.9.A)
• Compare the interpretation of historical events and sources, considering the use of fact versus opinion, multiple perspectives, and cause and effect relationships.(8.1.9.B)
• Construct research on a historical topic using a thesis statement and demonstrate use of appropriate primary and secondary sources. (Reference RWSL Standard 1.8.8 Research)(8.1.9.C)

• CIVICS & GOVERNMENT

• Analyze the major arguments advanced for different systems of government. (Reference Civics and Government Standard 5.1.9.B.)(8.1.C.B)

• US HISTORY 1850-PRESENT

• Evaluate patterns of continuity and change over time, applying context of events.(8.1.U.A)
• Evaluate the interpretation of historical events and sources, considering the use of fact versus opinion, multiple perspectives, and cause and effect relationships.(8.1.U.B)
• Analyze, synthesize and integrate historical data, creating a product that supports and appropriately illustrates inferences and conclusions drawn from research. (Reference RWSL Standard 1.8.11 Research)(8.1.U.C)

• WORLD HISTORY 1450-PRESENT

• Construct research on a historical topic using a thesis statement and demonstrate use of appropriate primary and secondary sources. (Reference RWSL Standard 1.8.8 Research)(8.1.W.C)

• United States History

• GRADE 9

• Compare the role groups and individuals played in the social, political, cultural, and economic development of the U.S.(8.3.9.A)
• Compare the impact of historical documents, artifacts, and places which are critical to the U.S.(8.3.9.B)
• Analyze how continuity and change have impacted the United States. -Belief systems and religions -Commerce and industry -Technology -Politics and government -Physical and human geography -Social organizations(8.3.9.C)
• Interpret how conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations have impacted the growth and development of the U.S. -Ethnicity and race -Working conditions -Immigration -Military conflict -Economic stability(8.3.9.D)

• CIVICS & GOVERNMENT

• Compare and contrast the politics of various interest groups and evaluate their impact on foreign policy. (Reference Civics and Government Standard 5.4.12.E.)(8.3.C.A)
• Compare and contrast the basic principles and ideals found in significant documents: -Declaration of Independence -United States Constitution -Bill of Rights (Reference Civics and Government Standard 5.1.9.D.)(8.3.C.B)
• Analyze the principles and ideals that shape United States government. -Liberty / Freedom -Democracy - Justice -Equality (Reference Civics and Government Standard 5.1.9.C.)(8.3.C.C)
• Analyze the role political symbols play in civil disobedience and patriotic activites. (Reference Civics and Government standard 5.1.9.F.)(8.3.C.D)

• US HISTORY 1850-PRESENT

• Evaluate how continuity and change have impacted the United States. -Belief systems and religions -Commerce and industry -Technology -Politics and government -Physical and human geography -Social organizations(8.3.U.C)
• Evaluate how conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations have influenced the growth and development of the U.S. -Ethnicity and race -Working conditions -Immigration -Military conflict -Economic stability(8.3.U.D)

• World History

• GRADE 9

• Compare the role groups and individuals played in the social, political, cultural, and economic development throughout world history.(8.4.9.A)
• Contrast the importance of historical documents, artifacts, and sites which are critical to world history.(8.4.9.B)
• Analyze how continuity and change have impacted world history.-Belief systems and religions -Commerce and industry -Technology - Politics and government -Physical and human geography -Social organization(8.4.9.C)
• Analyze how conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations have influenced the history and development of the world.(8.4.9.D)

• CIVICS & GOVERNMENT

• Analyze strategies used to resolve conflicts in society and government. (Reference Civics and Government Standards 5.2.9.B.) Evaluate the role of nationalism in uniting and dividing citizens. (Reference Civics and Government Standards: 5.1.12.F.)(8.4.C.D)

Economics (2026)

• Fundamentals of Economics

• Grades 9 to 12

• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of traditional, command, and market economies.(6.1.9-12.A)
• Analyze the impact of traditional, command, and market economies on the United States economy.(6.1.9-12.B)
• Analyze actions taken as a result of scarcity in decision-making.(6.1.9-12.C)
• Analyze how choices made by individuals, firms, or government officials are constrained by available resources.(6.1.9-12.D)
• Analyze the relationships between trade, competition, and productivity.(6.1.9-12.J)
• Evaluate how a country might benefit by lowering or removing trade barriers.(6.1.9-12.K)

• Microeconomics

• Grades 9 to 12

• Predict how changes in supply and demand affect equilibrium price and quantity sold.(6.2.9-12.D)
• Analyze the factors influencing wages, including demand for goods and services produced, productivity of labor, labor unions, and education and skills.(6.2.9-12.F)

• Macroeconomics

• Grades 9 to 12

• Compare current and historical examples of expansion, recession, and depression.(6.3.9-12.B)
• Explain how deficit spending by the federal government increases the national debt and the impact it has on the economy.(6.3.9-12.D)

• Money & Economic Institutions

• Grades 9 to 12

• Evaluate the role of banks in promoting economic growth in the economy.(6.4.9-12.D)

Units

Unit #1 - American Imperialism

Unit #2 - Progressive Era

Unit #3 - World War I Era

Unit #4 - 1920s and 1930s

Unit #5 - World War II and The Holocaust

Unit #6 - Post War America and the Cold War

Unit #7 - Vietnam War Era

Unit #8 - Extreme Decades

Unit #9 - Modern America

Unit #10 - Economics

Unit #11 - Library Science

Unit #12 - Geography

Unit #13 - Incorporating 4 C's