Social studies

Social studies courses at Roman Catholic High School give students an academic foundation in history, government, politics and economics, preparing them for academic success and meaningful cultural citizenship.

Students leave Roman steeped in American and global history and policy, ready to be productive members of communities at the city, state, national, and global level.

Social Studies Department Chair

Social studies teachers

Mr. John Corrigan

Mr. James Flannery

Mr. Joseph Sinclair

Ms. Ann Tracey

Mr. Joseph Travaline '11

Mr. Joseph Worstall

Social studies courses

World History

  • This course, designed for outstanding and highly motivated students, is a history of major world civilizations designed to explore the development of the modern global community and the spread of ideologies and cultures. The curriculum employs transnational themes to provide connections that transcend time, space, and disciplines, and which promote the use of critical historical, global, and economic literacy skills to explore global patterns of change over time. Acquiring these skills will enable students to analyze and interpret historical events in depth.

  • This course is designed for motivated college-bound students. A history of major world civilizations designed to explore the development of the modern global community and the spread of ideologies and cultures. The curriculum employs transnational themes to provide connections that transcend time, space, and disciplines and which promote the use of critical historical, global, and economic literacy skills to explore global patterns of change over time. Acquiring these skills will enable students to analyze and interpret historical events in depth.

American Government and Politics

  • Designed for outstanding and highly motivated students, this course is a comprehensive examination of the supreme and fundamental characteristics of the American governmental system. Its study involves the origins, development, principles, organization, powers, functions, and actual workings and processes of American Government. This course utilizes critical civic, economic, and historical literacy skills to explore global patterns of change over time.

  • This course is designed for motivated college-bound students. This course is a comprehensive examination of the supreme and fundamental characteristics of the American governmental system. Its study involves the origins, development, principles, organization, powers, functions, and actual workings and processes of American Government. This course utilizes critical civic, economic, and historical literacy skills to explore global patterns of change over time.

United States History

  • Designed for outstanding and highly motivated students, this course is a survey of political, economic, and social history of the United States from a European colony into a present-day superpower. The material is presented at an accelerated pace, emphasizing critical thinking and writing skills necessary for completion of the national Advanced Placement test.

    Emphasis will be placed on independent reading and research skills necessary for college social studies course work. All students are required to take and pay for the U.S. History Advanced Placement Exam.

  • Designed for outstanding students, this course is a survey of the political, economic, and social history of the United States from the early days of colonization through the Civil War era, ending with the events of the late 1990s. The course encourages critical thinking, discussion, and student research. America’s role in developing a global society is presented through the use of newspapers, magazines, films. and text in an effort to promote a common appreciation of diverse opinions and a deep respect for cultural diversity.

  • This course is a college preparatory social history survey of the United States from colonial days to the present. Reading, writing, and thinking skills are incorporated into the lessons to promote a common appreciation of diverse opinions and a deep understanding of America’s role in the world community. An integrated use of technology incorporating Internet and database research is core to the curriculum.

Comparative Government

  • The AP course in Comparative Government and Politics introduces students to fundamental concepts used by political scientists to study the processes and outcomes of politics in a variety of country settings. The course aims to illustrate the rich diversity of political life, to show available institutional alternatives, to explain differences in processes and policy outcomes, and to communicate to students the importance of global political and economic changes. Comparison assists both in identifying problems and in analyzing policymaking. All students are required to take the Comparative Government Advanced Placement Exam.

  • This reading and writing intensive course builds upon students’ knowledge from freshman and sophomore social studies classes. It challenges each student to develop his understanding of the global community and enables him to see how political structures influence international relations, economic and global policies; as well as the events in the 21st century world driving those systems. Studying the political and economic positions of major countries throughout the world will provide students with the critical information they need to deliberate and make vital decisions regarding public affairs.

Psychology

  • This course introduces students to systematic behavior, scientific behavior, and the mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major sub-fields within psychology. Within the course a special focus will be given to the following topics: history and research methods, physiological psychology, sensation, perception, memory, learning, stress & health, cognition, intelligence, personality, mental illness, treatment methods, emotion/ motivation, and social psychology.

    Emphasis will be placed on independent reading and research skills necessary for college-level social science work. All students are required to take and pay for the AP Psychology Examination.

  • This reading- and writing-intensive course introduce the study of psychology. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major sub-fields within psychology. Methods psychologists employ in their science and practice are also explored. Within the course a special focus will be given to the following topics: history and research methods, physiological psychology, sensation, perception, memory, learning, stress & health, cognition, intelligence, personality, mental illness, treatment methods, emotion/motivation, and social psychology.

Seminar

  • AP Seminar is an interdisciplinary course that encourages students to demonstrate critical thinking, collaboration, and academic research skills on topics of the student’s choosing. Students will develop and practice the skills in research, collaboration, and communication they will need in every academic discipline.

    Students will investigate topics in a variety of subject areas, write research-based essays, and design and give presentations both individually and as part of a team. The AP Seminar assessment has three parts: two performance tasks — which students complete over the course of the year and submit online for scoring through the AP Digital Portfolio — and the end-of-course AP Exam.