Social Studies

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SEAL OF CIVIC READINESS

The Seal of Civic Readiness is a New York State diploma distinction for high school graduates who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in civic knowledge and participation. It can be affixed to a student's high school diploma and transcript. 

The Seal serves as a recognized signal to colleges and future employers that a student is prepared for engaged citizenship. It can also fulfill the "plus one" pathway requirement for a Regents diploma. 

Requirements to earn the seal

To earn the Seal of Civic Readiness, students must meet all diploma requirements and earn a total of six points through a flexible, tiered system. These six points must include a minimum of two points from the Civic Knowledge category and two points from the Civic Participation category. 

Civic Knowledge (minimum 2 points)

Points in this category are earned through academic achievements such as: 

• Social Studies credits or high scores on Social Studies Regents Exams.
• Completing advanced Social Studies courses or a research project. 

Civic Participation (minimum 2 points)

Points in this category are earned through experiential learning and community involvement, which can include: 

• Completing Civics Capstone or High School Civics projects.
• Participating in service-learning projects, extracurricular activities, or work-based learning experiences.
• Taking elective courses focused on civic engagement. 

Benefits of the seal

The Seal of Civic Readiness offers several benefits, including:

• Demonstrating college and career readiness in civic skills.
• Potentially fulfilling the "plus one" pathway requirement for a Regents diploma.
• Empowering students by allowing them to apply civic knowledge to real-world issues.
• Formally recognizing civic engagement and scholarship. 

2025-2026 SEAL SEQUENCE

MIDWOOD HIGH SCHOOL AT BROOKLYN COLLEGE

SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT

Dr. Robert Quinlan Beth Vershleiser

Principal Assistant Principal, S.S.

Elective Offerings for Social Studies

JUSTICE AND LAW SEQUENCE- Open to Humanities and LASI students

Introduction to Law 

This is a one term survey course that introduces the basic concepts of the legal system in the United States.  This is a prerequisite course that must be taken before all other law electives.  Fall course.

Criminal Law

Should a fifteen –year old accused of murder be tried as an adult and sent to adult prison? Should a person with long criminal records be allowed to plea bargain and escape punishment? Do people accused of crimes have too many rights?  These questions will be debated along with many others when looking at  criminal law and the criminal justice system.  This is a one term course, second course in the sequence.  Spring course.

Prerequisite Intro to Law

Civil Law

Should cigarette manufacturers who placed a warning on packages be required to pay damages to a smoker who develops cancer?  Should a building pay damages to a tenant whose apartment flooded as a result of a broken pipe?  These are the types of cases that are decided in civil court. The primary goal of civil law is to protect people by helping them avoid problems and resolve conflicts.  Students will look at tort law as well as family law.  This is a one term course and is the 3rd course in the sequence.  Fall course.

Prerequisites Intro to Law and Criminal Law

Constitutional Law 

This one-term course includes a behavioral study of the role of the United States Supreme Court. The class examines philosophies of activism and judicial restraint. Judicial review and important court decisions in such fields as integration, reapportionment and freedom of religion are analyzed.  Legal reasoning and research skills are also emphasized.  This is an excellent course for students who might wish to pursue law as a career.  This is the 4th course in the sequence.  Spring course

Prerequisite Intro to Law, Criminal Law and Civil Law

Holocaust and Genocide

Explores the history of the Holocaust both as an event in itself and as the indispensable example for those seeking to comprehend the modern problems of genocide and mass killing in general. Investigates the origins and history of Hitler’s war against the Jews and other targeted groups, including the experiences of victims, the motives of perpetrators, and the ethical and moral problems the events present. Follows these same concerns through other examples of genocide into the twenty-first century, paying particular attention to how the history of the Holocaust can shed light on the continuing problems of large-scale racial and ethnic violence.  College credit can be earned  through SUNY.  5th course in sequence but can be taken independently.

Open to all grade 12 students

Human Rights in the Modern World  2

This course will explore the historical and philosophical roots of the concept of human rights.  It will examine the ways in which human rights are contested in contemporary societies, particularly those outside the United States.  It will expose students to the ways in which international institutions and organizations attempt to protect human rights and prosecute human rights violations.  Students will also examine issues such as the universality of human rights, cultural relativism, individual and group rights, economic and political rights.  It will also examine issues at the forefront of human rights today including the status of women, children, and refugees, LGBTQ rights, and the use of torture.  6th course in sequence. 

No prerequisites and open to grades 10-12 in any program.

HUMANITIES TRACK SOCIAL SCIENCE SEQUENCE

Social Studies Research

This is a year long course that has students investigate real world issues from multiple perspectives. Students learn how to synthesize information from different sources, develop their own perspectives from research-based written essays, and conduct their own research projects.Selected projects will be entered into a citywide contest with the chance to earn college scholarships. Students who successfully complete this course can continue to in the social science sequence to earn college credit. Open only to Humanities students. 

Civics Seal Project Class

Sociology

This is a course outline for a full-year, elective course in sociology. In this course, students will engage with themes in sociological inquiry applied within relevant and engaging contexts, both historical and contemporary. The course will deal with issues including, but not limited to group behavior and dynamics, socialization, critical theory, socioeconomics, and the interaction between various groups of people and the institutions they are subject to. The course will make use of technology to support student research, writing, collaboration, and collection of assignments. Students will engage with materials in a project-based format. In most units, students will create a product designed to address or bring attention to an issue of current sociological interest. Students can earn college credit through SUNY.  Priority to continuing Social Science Track students.

Also open to 11th grade students with 80 average or higher.

Classism/ Racism and Sexism

Analyzes the connections between and among classism, racism, sexism, and heterosexism and homophobia, their mutually reinforcing nature, and the tensions arising from their interrelations. Particular attention will be given to the ideological and personal aspects of these phenomena, and to their institutional guises in American society.  Offered term 1 in 12th grade.  College credit can be earned through SUNY.  Priority to continuing Social Science Track students.

Also open to all 12th grade students with 80 average or higher.

Civic Agency and the Pursuit of Democracy

Civic Agency and the Pursuit of Democracy explores how choice and power operate within

our society and how civic institutions can be harnessed to make that society more just and

equitable. Through this course, you will help students examine the choices people make as

individuals, how people magnify the impact of their choices through collective action, and

how people can wield even greater power by engaging with civil society.

Also open to all  12th students with priority to research track. 

Civic Seal Project Class

OTHER ELECTIVES

A.P. Human Geography

A one year, single period Advanced Placement course designed to introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students learn to employ spatial concepts and landscape  analysis to examine human socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications. 

For 11th and 12th grade students by application.

Music and History In America

The purpose of the course is to take a topic the students are genuinely interested in, music, and use that to show the impact of music on the history of the United States. After the course students will be much more aware of how music can be and is impactful of the world around them.

The course engages students in a Semester Based Elective that studies the origins of popular music, and the social and historical context that gave birth to it. Through listening, analysis, discussion, music, and film, students will explore the musical and social trends of the 1960s, including the influence of the British Invasion and the rock explosion and social upheaval of the late 1960’s. The course also explores the changes in Rock and Roll Music during the Seventies, Eighties, and Ninetles and ways in which those changes reflected and impacted American Culture. The course culminates in a project through which students explore musical trends and icons, and the rich musical history of the town or city where they live.

For 11th and 12th grade students

HISTORIOGRAPHY: CHANGING PERSPECTIVES IN AMERICAN HISTORY   Term 2

This one term course is presented to primarily senior students in the Gilder Lehrman Scholars Program finishing a four-course sequence.  It will also be open to other Midwood students interested in taking an elective to broaden their historical knowledge.  This course centers on examining issues concerning such figures as Christopher Columbus, Thomas Jefferson, Bill Clinton and Malcolm X, and such topics as the legacy of the Alamo, the flying of the Confederate flag and the exploration of outer space.

No prerequisites- open to grades 11 and 12

Human Rights in the Modern World 1 and  2

This course will explore the historical and philosophical roots of the concept of human rights.  It will examine the ways in which human rights are contested in contemporary societies, particularly those outside the United States.  It will expose students to the ways in which international institutions and organizations attempt to protect human rights and prosecute human rights violations. Students in term 1 will study modern examples of genocide since WW2.  Students will also examine issues such as the universality of human rights, cultural relativism, individual and group rights, economic and political rights. In term 2,  students will also examine issues at the forefront of human rights today including the status of women, children, and refugees, LGBTQ rights, and the use of torture.  Students in the Justice and Law sequence will take term 2 only. 

No prerequisites and open to grades 10-12 in any program.

All classes are subject to budgetary and programming needs.