For Grade 9

This course is a survey course tracing the development of civilization from the Neolithic Revolution to the emergence of the modern world around 1500 CE. Emphasis is placed on an examination of the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, China, Greece, Rome & the medieval Mediterranean. A strong emphasis is also placed on the development of key skills through a multifaceted program of instruction. Instruction emphasizes technology and media skills and fosters development of critical thinking and reading. Special attention is also paid to analyzing and interpreting primary sources as a key to understanding history. Finally, connections to contemporary world issues is a critical aspect of this course, promoting historical understanding as well as global awareness.

The Advanced section signifies additional coursework. 

In this course, students build foundational historical thinking and writing skills through the examination of major themes in world history from the time of early civilizations to the 18th century. Throughout this course, students will learn about societies from six continents, numerous cultural, religious, and ideological traditions, patterns of trade and interaction, and trace the early origins of the world we live in today. Through the examination of these important historical themes, students will learn how historians make sense of the past through the examination of documents, artifacts, and art, and use the skills they develop to craft their own ideas about our shared past. All students will complete a research project in this course. The advanced class moves at a faster pace, requires students to engage with the material at a greater level of depth, and involves more independent work. Placement in the Advanced section is determined by the History department.

For Grade 9

This course is a survey course tracing the development of civilization from the Neolithic Revolution to the emergence of the modern world around 1500 CE. Emphasis is placed on an examination of the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, China, Greece, Rome & the medieval Mediterranean. A strong emphasis is also placed on the development of key skills through a multifaceted program of instruction. Instruction emphasizes technology and media skills and fosters development of critical thinking and reading. Special attention is also paid to analyzing and interpreting primary sources as a key to understanding history. Finally, connections to contemporary world issues is a critical aspect of this course, promoting historical understanding as well as global awareness.

“AP African American Studies is an interdisciplinary course that examines the diversity of African American experiences through direct encounters with authentic and varied sources. Students explore key topics that extend from early African kingdoms to the ongoing challenges and achievements of the contemporary moment. Given the interdisciplinary character of African American studies, students in the course will develop skills across multiple fields, with an emphasis on developing historical, literary, visual, and data analysis skills. This course foregrounds a study of the diversity of Black communities in the United States within the broader context of Africa and the African diaspora” (AP Central). Placement in AP African American Studies is determined by the History department.

This course is a study of the major concepts of Economics, using the AP curriculum as a guide. The course begins with a focus on the basic concepts of economics, providing a foundation for the rest of the course. The course examines basic economic principles and macroeconomics. The purpose of this half of the course is to give students a thorough understanding of the principles of Economics that apply to an economic system. There is an emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination, while developing students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics. Through an examination of macroeconomic perspectives and ideas, students have a better understanding of Economics on the national and international level and relate them to everyday examples and applications in the classroom. This class will primarily focus on Macroeconomics and will prepare students for the AP Macroeconomics Exam. If time allows, the course will delve into Microeconomics, which will examine the principles of Economics that apply to the functions of individual decision-makers, both consumers and producers, within the economic system. An emphasis is placed on the nature and functions of product markets, including the study of factor markets and of the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. Students in this course are required to take the AP Macroeconomics exam in May. Students interested in taking the AP Microeconomics exam may be required to do extra work as time necessitates. Placement in AP Economics is determined by the History department.

“In AP European History, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes from approximately 1450 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change over time. The course also provides seven themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: interaction of Europe and the world, economic and commercial development, cultural and intellectual development, states and other institutions of power, social organization and development, national and European identity, and technological and scientific innovations” (AP Central). Placement in AP European History is determined by the History department.

This course will study the American political system, taking a look at the constitutional and federal context of the national government as well as the cultural and ideological backdrop against which this system operates. It will provide students with an analytical perspective on government and politics in the U.S. including both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. government and politics and the analysis of specific examples. The course will also provide familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs and ideas that constitute U.S. government and politics. Students will also explore the following topics: the concept of sovereignty, political institutions, the relationship between citizenship, state and society, political and economic change, as well as public policy. This course requires an extensive commitment from students if they want to be successful. Daily preparation, attention to detail, refinement of written work, and a commitment to work in class is vital to all students in this course. There will be periodic tests and quizzes as well as two exams, one at mid-year and another at the end of the year. Students in this course are required to take the AP exam in U.S. Government and Politics in May. Placement in AP Government & Politics is determined by the History department.

History Elective for Grade 12

This course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. Major topics include history and approaches, research methods, biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, learning, cognition, motivation and emotion, developmental psychology, personality, testing and individual differences, abnormal psychology, treatment of psychological disorders, and social psychology. 

Prerequisite: Recommendation from the department. This course concludes with the expectation that all students will take the AP exam given in May. 

AP U.S. History is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester introductory college or university U.S. history course. In AP U.S. History students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in nine historical periods from approximately 1491 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; making historical comparisons; utilizing reasoning about contextualization, causation, and continuity and change over time; and developing historical arguments. The course also provides seven themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: American and national identity; migration and settlement; politics and power; work, exchange, and technology; America in the world; geography and the environment; and culture and society. Placement in AP US History is determined by the History department.

Building on the foundation set in Advanced World History I, AP World History focuses on developing students’ abilities to think conceptually about world history from approximately 1200 CE to the present and apply historical thinking skills about the past. This course involves substantial review of the material covered in Advanced World History I, and provides in-depth instruction on world history from 1750-present. Five themes prevail in this course, focusing on the environment, cultures, state-building, economic systems, and social structures. This course encompasses the history of five geographic regions of the globe: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, with special focus on historical developments and processes that cross multiple regions. Students will continue building the historical reading and writing skills necessary to succeed on the AP exam and in future history courses. Placement in AP World History is determined by the History department.

This course provides an introduction to macroeconomics through an examination of basic economic principles, national income and price-level determination, economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics. This class will follow a similar sequence to AP economics, but students are not required to take the AP exam at the end of the course. Available for dual enrollment.

Entrepreneurial Studies is a project-based course where students work in teams to analyze and address various business challenges. The year begins with students learning and understanding key business terms, which they will then apply to their two main projects. Students will work on developing and understanding the concepts of value propositions and customer segments by asking “what problem are you trying to solve” and “who cares about this problem” in various contexts. In the fall, students will work on the Nichols Bookstore Project, where they will develop and design a “limited edition” product to be sold to the Nichols community. Building on the skills gained in the fall, students will then take on the Pitch Competition Project, where they explore the steps needed to create a new startup. Collaborating with a mentor from the WNY business community, students will develop their own business concepts. The course blends theoretical and experiential learning, preparing students to turn knowledge into practice. During the course, students develop presentation skills as they build and refine their pitches in weekly presentations. Students benefit by learning to think critically, make informed decisions, innovate, and communicate effectively in today’s fast-paced, high-tech world.

This course introduces students to the American political system, and follows a similar curriculum to AP United States Government and Politics. Students in this course are not required to take the AP exam in May, but will be expected to take a final exam.

This course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. Major topics include history and approaches, research methods, biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, learning, cognition, motivation and emotion, developmental psychology, personality, testing and individual differences, abnormal psychology, treatment of psychological disorders, and social psychology. Available for dual enrollment.

For Grade 10

This course is framed as a continuation of our 9th grade course in Ancient World History. The course begins with the end of the Middle Ages in Europe, and continues to the present. Topics include the rise of nation-states, the era of colonization, the Atlantic slave trade, social and intellectual developments, the 20th century (World Wars, dictatorships, and the Cold War), and the Age of Terrorism. This course encompasses the history of five geographic regions of the globe: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, with special focus on historical developments and processes that cross multiple regions. Critical reading is expected and analytical writing is developed. Students learn to work with primary documents and refine research skills.  

History Elective for Grade 12

Do you feel called to serve others? Is the idea of making a difference important to you? Are you interested in social change? Are you bothered by injustice? Do you suspect that there is more to a good education and a good life than only individualistic or selfcentered pursuits? If you answer “yes” or “maybe” to any of the above questions, Service and Social Justice (SSJ) is for you.

SSJ is a course that will be at turns experiential, academic, and personal. The experiential part of this course centers on hands-on service learning experiences both here at school and out in our Western New York community, where we will often find ourselves off campus partnering with local nonprofit organizations. The academic part of SSJ will, through reading, writing, film, guest speakers, and class participation, encourage students to participate in the ongoing discussions and debates surrounding service and social justice. Finally, the personal aspect of this course will ask students to reflect on their experiences in the classroom and out in the community, to keep a service journal, and to arrive at a personal ethic of service that might help to shape, enrich, and give meaning to their lives after Nichols.

Through all of this work, students will gain practical skills while also arriving at a deeper understanding of injustices such as homelessness, the ongoing refugee crisis, economic, racial, and gender inequities, environmental degradation and pollution, poverty, unequal access to healthcare, and hunger. At its heart, then, SSJ aims to fulfill our shared Nichols commitment to “train minds, bodies, and hearts for the work of life.” 

Reflect for a moment on the world you are about to enter when you leave Nichols. There is so much to bring us joy and hope. But there are also many difficult issues facing all of us – your generation in particular. Hunger and poverty are persistent problems. We struggle to address troubling environmental issues that are likely to get much worse during your lifetimes. The warfare and violence we see on the news has created the largest refugee and migrant crisis since World War II. And here in America, we seem to be increasingly divided along lines of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, age, political opinions, and geography. Too often, arguing, shouting, judging, and condemning have replaced genuine thought, understanding, and dialogue. All of this can be confusing and intimidating. When it comes to difficult issues, it can be very hard to figure out what to believe, think, and feel. The purpose of “The Art of the Encounter: Living a Thoughtful Life in Challenging Times” is to explore current events and difficult issues, and to give students the time, the support, and the space to figure out what they believe, think, and feel. Significantly, we will also learn how to thoughtfully engage with people who are different from us. This means that we will be called to reflect deeply and learn more about ourselves, to thoughtfully engage with and learn from one another, and to learn more about the world that we all share. Above all, we will try to address this essential question: how can each of us lead a good, engaged, and thoughtful life during our challenging times?

Students take a course with two major components. The first is a chronological coverage of American history from the Colonial period to the present. In the second component, students examine in depth critical themes of American history. Critical writing and analytical skills are emphasized. So, too, is historiography, the analysis of how historians have viewed controversial events, trends, or people in history. In the second semester, a research project is required. Topics are introduced in the spring at the teacher’s discretion, and the process of completing a major research paper becomes the focus of the third quarter. Available for dual enrollment.

In this course, students build foundational historical thinking and writing skills through the examination of major themes in world history from the time of early civilizations to the 18th century. Throughout this course, students will learn about societies from six continents, numerous cultural, religious, and ideological traditions, patterns of trade and interaction, and trace the early origins of the world we live in today. Through the examination of these important historical themes, students will learn how historians make sense of the past through the examination of documents, artifacts, and art, and use the skills they develop to craft their own ideas about our shared past. All students will complete a research project in this course.

This course covers world history from 1750 to present and is a continuation of World History I. Major topics include 18th and 19th century revolutions, the Industrial Revolution, European imperialism and resistance, nationalism and nation-building, 20th century revolutions, the World Wars, the Cold War, anti-colonial movements, globalization, and current events. This course encompasses the history of five geographic regions of the globe: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, with special focus on historical developments and processes that cross multiple regions. Students continue to build their analytical reading skills through engaging with both primary and secondary sources and refine their historical writing and argument development. All students will complete a research project in this course.