The class is divided into teams for a ten week competition with teams from other regional and state-wide schools in building investment portfolios. Outside experts make presentations to the class, and students have opportunities to take field trips. All students must complete a major project on a topic of their own choice. This course uses Buffalo as a prototype in order to explore the factors that influence the development of an urban area. Topics cover Buffalo from the turn of the century until present day, and the course includes field trips to many areas of the city.
Students have the opportunity to meet with guest speakers from throughout the community.
Since 1945 is a chronological examination of select world events since the Second World War through the present. Centering primarily on the adversarial relationship of the United States and the Soviet Union, the course examines the origins of the Cold War and resulting progression of global crisis and confrontation. On this background the course introduces the geographic, economic, political, social and cultural forces that have influenced conditions in Europe, East Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Students are expected to stay informed of current news of international importance.