The course content is organized around 15 major concepts and ideas identified as fundamental to the social studies program. The concepts are: (1) change, (2) choice, (3) citizenship, (4) culture, (5) diversity, (6) empathy, (7) environment, (8) human rights, (9) identity, (10) interdependence, (11) justice, (12) political system, (13) power, (14) scarcity, and (15) technology. Each component of the course outline delineates the content and coordinates it with a major concept and model activity. This course is expected to cover the years beyond the Civil War. There are reviews of selected areas of U.S. history which is taught in the seventh and eighth grades. The course is divided into six major historical units, the first of which is devoted to the origins and development of the U.S. Constitution. Unit 2 emphasizes the industrialization of the nation after the Civil War. The Progressive Movement is covered in unit 3. The period of post World War I prosperity and the Great Depression (1917-1940) are the subjects of unit 4. Unit 5 presents the United States during World War II and the Post World War II period. Unit 6 covers the events of 1950 to the present. The goals for the social studies program as stated by the New York State Regents and the State Department of Education are provided. In addition, the skills that are necessary to successful study and that are acquired through social studies are included. (SM)