Program of Studies - Hunterdon Central Regional High School

#142 – HONORS ECONOMICS - 2.5 CREDITS (SOC 142 HON ECONOMICS)
Grades: 11-12
Prerequisite: Completion of 10 credits in U.S. History
Recommendation: We encourage students to challenge themselves and recognize that “academic rigor” is one of the key
determinants to learning. Students are also encouraged to evaluate the demands of their entire schedule when considering
this course. Students should contemplate the challenge involved when choosing courses that build upon previous
courses and recognize that prior performance impacts the ability to achieve at the same level in subsequent courses. Data
from prior student performance in this class indicates that students scoring less than an average grade of 90 in their 10
credit U. S. History requirement generally receive a “C” or below in this course. In addition, please understand that
once a student has selected this course, his/her ability to make a subsequent level change is dependant upon seat
availability.
This course introduces students to the study of economics and principles of financial investment. Fundamental microeconomic
principles of scarcity, opportunity costs, comparative advantage, supply and demand, elasticity, and price controls are discussed.
Macroeconomic principles include issues of national output, unemployment, inflation, and the Federal Reserve’s use of monetary
policy for stabilization of the economy. The personal finance component consists of researching taxes, debt, budgeting, insurance,
and the securities market.
#143 – ADVANCED PLACEMENT ECONOMICS – 5 CREDITS (SOC 143 AP ECONOMICS)
Grades: 11-12
Prerequisite: (1) #142 Honors Economics or (2) completion of 10 credits in U.S. History
Recommendation: We encourage students to challenge themselves and recognize that “academic rigor” is one of the key
determinants to learning. Students are also encouraged to evaluate the demands of their entire schedule when considering
this course. Students should contemplate the challenge involved when choosing courses that build upon previous
courses and recognize that prior performance impacts the ability to achieve at the same level in subsequent courses. Data
from prior student performance in this class indicates that students scoring less than a grade of 90 in Honors
Economics (Course 142) or an average grade of 90 in their 10 credit U. S. History requirement generally receive a
“C” or below in this course. In addition, please understand that once a student has selected this course, his/her ability to
make a subsequent level change is dependant upon seat availability.
This course is intended for students seeking an in-depth background in microeconomic and macroeconomic principles. It prepares
students for the Advanced Placement Tests in Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. Basic concepts discussed include scarcity,
opportunity costs, specialization and comparative advantage. Microeconomic concepts include market structures, the nature and
functions of product markets including elasticity, marginal product, long run costs and economies of scale. Macroeconomic
principles discussed include measurements of economic performance such as gross domestic product, inflation and
unemployment; national income, aggregate supply and demand analysis, Classical and Keynesian viewpoints, monetary and fiscal
policy; and international economics and growth as well as topics related to exchange rates and balance of payments. This course
is available for college credit in the FDU Middle College Program.
#146 - HONORS PSYCHOLOGY 2 - 2.5 CREDITS (SOC 146 HON PSYCHOLOGY 2)
Grades: 11-12
Prerequisite: #136 Introductory Psychology
Honors Psychology 2 emphasizes the intensive study of lifespan and development, learning, memory, cognition and language,
intelligence and personality. Honors Psychology 2 requires greater depth of investigation than does #136 Psychology as students
become more introspective and further refine their observation and communication skills. Students conduct and interpret research
studies and participate in a field trip experience within this course.
#147 – HONORS SOCIOLOGY - 2.5 CREDITS (SOC 147 HON SOCIOLOGY)
Grades: 11-12
Prerequisite: #137 Introductory Sociology
This course emphasizes the in-depth study of selected social problems from a sociological perspective. The course invites
students to explore how social problems are interpreted by various social theorists from the functionalist, symbolic interactionist,
conflict, post-modern and feminist perspectives. Course topics include socialization processes, gender relations, juvenile crime,
analysis of social institutions (family, education, work, religion, the mass media and others) and case studies in racial/ethnic
relations. A research study is completed by each student that includes collection, interpretation and analysis of data using methods
employed by practicing sociologists. This course contains a community service requirement and a required field trip to the
National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC. This course is available for college credit in the FDU Middle
College Program.
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