Social Science

AP Macroeconomics is an introductory college-level macroeconomics course. Students cultivate their understanding of the principles that apply to an economic system as a whole by using principles and models to describe economic situations and predict and explain outcomes with graphs, charts, and data as they explore concepts like economic measurements, markets, macroeconomic models, and macroeconomic policies. 

To take this elective, students must have achieved ESL Level 4 (ESL Level 5 preferred) and have the recommendation of the teacher and department chair. 

AP Microeconomics is an introductory college-level microeconomics course. Students cultivate their understanding of the principles that apply to the functions of individual economic decision-makers by using principles and models to describe economic situations and predict and explain outcomes with graphs, charts, and data as they explore concepts like scarcity and markets; costs, benefits, and marginal analysis; production choices and behavior; and market inefficiency and public policy. 

To take this elective, students must have achieved ESL Level 4 (ESL Level 5 preferred) and have the recommendation of the teacher and department chair. 

AP United States History is a one-year college-level course with potential for college credit. Students examine historical documents and argue about social, political, and economic history from 1600 to the present. In order to manage the large number of facts, students must have a good grounding in the themes of American history, therefore students have usually had at least one year of American history before taking this course.  

This class helps students understand evidence, relevance, cause and effect, and points of view.  After the AP exam, students present an American history research project on a topic of their choice. AP United States History helps prepare students for Social Science courses in college. 

To take this elective, students require ESL Level 4 (ESL Level 5 preferred), an A or above in CP or A- or higher in Honors, and the recommendation of their teacher and Social Science department chair. 

The AP Human Geography course is an introductory college-level course in Human Geography.  As history is a study of time and events, human geography is a study of place and events. Students in this course focus on economic development and introduction to social science.  The course includes topics like the environment, health care, religion, and education around the world and in history.  Knowledge of geographers’ methods and tools is also part of the course. AP Human Geography emphasizes acquisition of college-level vocabulary and concepts. Students are required to take the AP Human Geography exam.  

To take this elective, students require ESL Level 4 (ESL Level 5 preferred), an A or above in CP or A- or higher in Honors, and the recommendation of their teacher and Social Science department chair. 

This is a one-year Social Science elective that prepares students for the AP World History exam. Students study ancient civilizations, world religions, the Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution, global imperialism, and world conflicts. AP World History is a college-level course with potential for college credit. AP World History helps prepare students for social science courses in college. Students are assessed through rigorous quizzes and tests, oral presentations, and midterm and final examinations.  In addition, students write a ten-page research paper and present their findings in a public setting.   

To take this elective, students require ESL Level 4 (ESL Level 5 preferred), an A or above in CP or A- or higher in Honors, and the recommendation of their teacher and Social Science department chair. 

Study the key concepts and institutions of the political system and culture of the United States. You will read, analyze, and discuss the U.S Constitution and other documents as well as complete a research or applied civics project. 

 To take this elective, students must have achieved ESL Level 4 (ESL Level 5 preferred) and have the recommendation of the teacher and department chair. 

Honors World History is a one-year Social Science course. Over two semesters, it examines cultural and historical issues that are relevant in the world today. Students explore the relationship between themes and details, relevance, sequence, and investigation. They use statistics, maps, primary sources, images, and reference materials. In addition, Honors World History students do more advanced reading and writing assignments. Content includes an introduction to Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and the history of the Middle East. Activities include visits to local churches, mosques, and temples. This course helps students see how individuals like themselves shape history and community.  

To take this elective, students require ESL Level 3 or higher and new students must have suitable placement test results. 

Events throughout the history of humanity have shown us that there lies a dark side to human nature. An examination of social and political history and geography through specific case studies provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the events that occurred in the regions of Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe during the 20th Century. 

Students view events through a multicultural lens to understand the unfolding of events through a multiplicity of cultural identities involved in those events. The skills of interpreting charts, primary sources, political cartoons, and other historical documents are also developed.  

Honors World History covers the same topics as the College Prep course but requires more academically rigorous assignments and readings.  

To take this elective, students require ESL Level 4 or higher; as well as the successful completion of U.S History CP, or Honors. 

Honors United States History Survey is a one-year Social Science course that meets the US history graduation requirement from CATS Boston. This course helps students to be successful in college-level social science courses or AP United States History.  

Honors United States History Survey takes a thematic approach to US history, examining topics like immigration, race, gender, reform, civil rights, national government, imperialism, and overseas commitments in US history.  Events are studied for relevance to today’s issues. Excerpts from films, books, and primary sources present different perspectives on the past.  There isa focus on the development of key academic skills such as note-taking, analytical reading, concise writing, and detailed research. 

To take this elective, students require ESL Level 3 or higher, either the successful completion of History and Human Behavior Honors with a grade of B or above or the completion of History and Human Behavior CP with a grade of A- or above. Returning students also need the recommendation of their teacher and Social Science department chair. New students must have these grades in history courses at previous school and the recommendation of the teacher and Social Science department chair. 

The legal profession is practiced worldwide, and attorneys are valued for their ability to analyze and solve complex problems. This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn and practice problem solving skills and legal analysis. Students utilize case studies, mock trial, projects, and activities to gain an understanding of the legal process, how attorneys analyze and litigate cases as well as how courts determine outcomes. Students practice what they learn by working with a team to prepare and present a legal case in a mock trial. In this course, students sharpen their critical thinking and oral presentation skills as well as gain an understanding about what it is like to practice law or work with lawyers in a corporate setting or law firm. 

To take this elective, students must have achieved ESL Level 4 or higher, as well as have the recommendation of their teacher and Social Science department chair. 

United States History is a one-year Social Science course and is required for all CATS Academy Boston students as part of their three-year social science requirement for graduation. It helps students be successful in college-level social science courses or AP United States History. US History takes a thematic approach to US history, surveying topics like immigration, reform, civil rights, national government, race, and gender in United States history. Events are studied for relevance to today’s issues. Excerpts from films, books, and primary sources present different perspectives on the past. United States History students develop important academic skills such as note-taking, analytical reading, writing, and research.  

To take this elective, students require ESL Level 3 or higher. 

World History is a one-year Social Science course that examines cultural and historical issues that are relevant in the world today. This course emphasizes academic skills, especially reading, writing, and note-taking.  Students use statistics, maps, primary sources, images, and reference materials. Content includes an introduction to Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and the history of the Middle East. Activities include visits to local churches, mosques, and temples. This course helps students see how individuals like themselves shape history and community.  

To take this elective, students require ESL Level 2 or higher. New students must have suitable placement test results. 

Events throughout the history of humanity have shown us that there lies a dark side to human nature. An examination of social and political history and geography through specific case studies provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the events that occurred in the regions of Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe during the 20th Century. 

Students view events through a multicultural lens in an attempt to understand the unfolding of events through a multiplicity of cultural identities involved in those events. The skills of interpreting charts, primary sources, political cartoons, and other historical documents are also developed.  

World History II Honors covers the same topics as the CP course but requires more academically rigorous assignments and readings.  

To take this elective, students require ESL Level 3 or higher, as well as the successful completion of US History College Prep or Honors.  

The course will cover the history of the Cold War 1945-1993 from a third person international perspective. It will delve into the various ideologies of the two superpowers as well as those of their proxies during this conflict. The students will look at the triumphs of technology, espionage, tragedies, and progress during these turbulent years; and gain a better understanding of international policy. 

To take this elective, students must have achieved  ESL Level 3 or higher. 

This course introduces students to the issues that dominate the news through the year.  The focus is on current events and related debates in the United States and around the world.  By studying social, political, and economic issues, students gain insight into their own place in history and the relevance of today’s events to historical themes. In addition to raising students’ awareness of world history, the course develops their skills of analysis, reading, writing, and speaking.  

To take this elective, students require one year of US History College Prep or Honors. 

This course is a survey of Philosophy that challenges students to see how philosophy has been used in history as a way for humans to understand themselves and the nature of reality. It looks at both Eastern and Western philosophical traditions. Students also have the opportunity to examine their own philosophy and goals. This is a course that develops students’ powers of analysis, reading, writing, and speaking. 

To take this elective, students require ESL Level 3 or higher and one year of US History College Prep or Honors. 

This one-semester Social Science elective is paired with one semester of Microeconomics CP to make a one-year College Prep course in Economics. These courses prepare students to succeed in AP Economics, as well as college-level Economics.  

In Macroeconomics, students learn how economic decisions are made at the national and international level. They examine economic systems around the world and economic policy-making in the United States. Students learn about markets, industries, trade, banking, finance, economic indicators, economic policy, and the Federal Reserve. Students also learn about the new economy, management, and entrepreneurship. 

To take this elective, students require ESL Level 3 or higher and must be in Grades 11 or 12. 

This one-semester Social Science elective is paired with one semester of Macroeconomics to make a one-year college prep course in Economics. These courses prepare students to succeed in AP Economics, as well as college-level Economics.  

Microeconomics focuses on industries and companies at the local and regional level. Students learn about start-ups and Boston’s high-tech and R-and-D (research and development) fields. Each student presents a term project about a company from these or traditional New England industries like defence, paper and logging, fishing, food processing, farming, retail sales, wholesale distribution, transportation, tourism, education, and telecommunications. Students may also choose a company from the financial sector: banking, real estate, venture capital, investment banking, consulting, insurance, securities, and mutual funds. As part of Microeconomics CP, students visit companies and meet professionals from business and government.  

To take this elective, students require ESL Level 3 or higher and must be in Grades 11 or 12.  

This is a one semester course which is meant to give students a general history of American cinema and the Hollywood film industry. It starts in the early 1900s with the Silent Film era and then continues into the “Golden Age” of the studio system in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, followed by the New Wave era of the 1960s and 70s, and finally the Blockbuster from the late 1970s to the present day. Throughout the course we will look at films of various genres and analyze them in terms of style and content. We will also study the evolution of the film industry itself and how that influenced the movies that got made. Although the course focuses on American movies, we will study how they were influenced by films from other countries. 

To take this elective, students require ESL Level 3 or higher.