Social Studies

GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: All students are required to pass a minimum of three credits of Social Studies to graduate.

one credit of World History 1 & 2
one credit of World History 3 & American Government
one credit of United States History

Course Descriptions

World History 1

Grade: 9 Credit: 0.5 Social Studies Length: Semester

Prerequisite: none

Course Description: World History 1 will encompass first civilizations through the Middle Ages. Students will gain an appreciation of the early civilizations and cultural traditions. Understanding the past will assist students in comprehending their own times.

World History 2

Grade: 9 Credit: 0.5 Social Studies Length: Semester

Prerequisite: World History 1

Course Description: World History 2 encompasses the early American civilizations through the era of 20th Century Imperialism. Students will appreciate the role of new ideas, the impact of science and technology, and the importance of cultural development in the modern world.

Honors World History 1

Grade: 9 Credit: 0.5 Social Studies Length: Semester

Prerequisite: A "B-" or better in 8th grade Social Studies or a "B" or better on the 8th grade assessments or teacher recommendation

Course Description: Honors World History 1 will encompass first civilizations through the Middle Ages. Emphasis will be placed on the development of critical thinking skills. Additional outside reading, research, creative projects, free response, and document-based writing are required.

Honors World History 2

Grade: 9 Credit: 0.5 Social Studies Length: Semester

Prerequisite: A "B-" or better in Honors World History 1 or teacher recommendation

Course Description: Honors World History 2 encompasses the early American civilizations through the era of 20th Century Imperialism. Students will appreciate the role of new ideas, the impact of science and technology, and the importance of cultural development in the modern world. Emphasis is placed on the development of critical thinking skills. Additional outside reading, research, creative projects, free response, and document-based writing are required.

World History 3

Grade: 10 Credit: 0.5 Social Studies Length: Semester

Prerequisite: World History 1 & 2

Course Description: World History 3 takes a thorough look at the wars of the 20th Century and the challenges of contemporary society. Students will examine the cause and effect of the World Wars, post-war changes, and the challenges of global issues.

American Government

Grade: 10 Credit: 0.5 Social Studies Length: Semester

Prerequisite: World History 1, 2, & 3

Course Description: In American Government, students will gain a practical understanding of the principles of democracy and republicanism. Civil liberties, legal rights and responsibilities, and the workings of the American judicial system are studied. This course contrasts our capitalistic economy to other economic systems and examines the theory of supply and demand. Students will also examine the framework of the State of Missouri Government and other documents that shape the United States Government. This course prepares students for the US and Missouri Constitution as well as End-of-Course assessments.

Honors World History 3

Grade: 10 Credit: 0.5 Social Studies Length: Semester

Prerequisite: A "B-" or better in Honors World History 1 & 2 or teacher recommendation

Course Description: Honors World History 3 takes a thorough look at the wars of the 20th Century and the challenges of contemporary society. Students will examine the cause and effect of the World Wars, post-war changes, and challenges of global issues. Emphasis is placed on the development of critical thinking skills. Additional outside reading, research, creative projects, free response, and document-based writing are required.

Honors American Government

Grade: 10 Credit: 0.5 Social Studies Length: Semester

Prerequisite: A "B-" or better in Honors World History 1, 2, & 3 or teacher recommendation

Course Description: In Honors American Government, students will investigate the foundations of American democracy principles, constitutional principles, economic systems, and the operation of the national, state, and local governments. The students will also examine the framework of the State of Missouri Government and other documents that shape the United States Government. The focus will be on defining, discussing, and analyzing the concept of participatory citizenship to help the student develop critical thinking skills. Additional outside reading, research, creative projects, free response, document-based writing, and completion of the End-Of-Course exam are required.

United States History

Grade: 11 Credit: 1.0 Social Studies Length: Year

Prerequisite: World History 1, 2, & 3 and American Government or teacher recommendation

Course Description: U.S. History examines the major events in American history. We will analyze the causes and effects of history, including its effect on us today, and be able to judge historical events and decisions against the 5 Founding Ideals to determine how well the U.S. upholds the ideals. Students will use various tools of historical study, work actively, effectively, and collaboratively on activities and projects, become critical thinkers, readers, and writers. In studying the political, economic, social, and cultural development of the nation, students can develop an appreciation of American heritage.

AP/1818 United States History

Grade: 11 Credit: 1.0 Social Studies Length: Year

Prerequisite: A "B-" or better in World History 3 and American Government or teacher recommendation

Course Description: This course surveys American history from the Revolutionary War to the present. Students analyze and study in-depth the political, economic, social, and cultural development of the United States. Using a variety of sources, both primary and secondary, students will be challenged to identify issues, develop hypotheses, and draw conclusions based on factual evidence. Emphasis will be placed on increasing the students' critical thinking and writing skills, as well as, their appreciation of the nation's history. Six hours of college credit through Saint Louis University's 1818 program may be earned and/or students may take the Advanced Placement test in May.

Psychology

Grade: 11-12 Credit: 0.5 Social Studies Length: Semester

Prerequisite: none

Course Description: Psychology is the study of human behavior. Topics in this survey course include extra-sensory perception, workings of the brain, controlling aspects of the central nervous system, classical and operant conditioning, neurotic and psychotic states, counseling and therapy, drug states, hypnosis, and workings of the senses, stress and their effect on the brain.

Sociology

Grade: 11-12 Credit: 0.5 Social Studies Length: Semester

Prerequisite: none

Course Description: Sociology is the study of society's controlling aspects over an individual. We will analyze and describe culture, socialization, social institutions, and social issues from the three theoretical perspectives to determine why sociology matters and how to apply it to our lives. We will work actively, effectively, and collaboratively on activities and projects, become critical thinkers, readers, and writers, and understand how various tools of sociological study operate.

Contemporary Issues

Grade: 11-12 Credit: 0.5 Social Studies Length: Semester

Prerequisite: none

Course Description: This course will explore current political, social, and economic developments in the United States and the world. Special emphasis will be placed on world and national crises, global interdependence, minorities, and United States politics. Contemporary Issues is recommended for the college-bound student.

Black Studies

Grade: 11-12 Credit: 0.5 Social Studies Length: Semester

Prerequisite: none

Course Description: This course will explore the Black experience. Students of this course will study the history, culture, art, social relationships, and political, religious, and economic experiences of Black people in the United States and across the world. Students will analyze various Civil Rights movements of the past through today as well as read and analyze works from authors focusing on the counter-narrative to traditional historical accounts. There will be an emphasis on reading, writing, class discussion, and the use of technology. Students will have the option to participate in a summer week-long, out-of-state field trip to historical civil rights landmarks to deepen and enhance student learning and understanding.

AP Psychology

Grade: 11-12 Credit: 1.0 Social Studies Length: Year

Prerequisite: A "B" average in previous Social Studies classes or teacher recommendation

Course Description: This course is designed to introduce the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with psychology. Students also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement test in May. This course is strongly recommended for the college-bound student.

AP/1818 US Government and Politics

Grade: 12 Credit: 1.0 Social Studies Length: Year

Prerequisite: A "B+" average in previous Social Studies classes or teacher recommendation

Course Description: AP U.S. Government and Politics offers students the opportunity to see how individuals and their ideas can shape the world in which they live; it invites them to explore central questions of liberty and justice in practice. Students cultivate their understanding of U.S. government and politics through analysis of data and text- based sources as they explore topics like constitutionalism, liberty and order, civic participation in a representative democracy, competing policy-making interests, and methods of political analysis. The topics of discussion begin at the foundation of our American democracy, define the interactions within our government, give voice to our civil liberties, frame our political ideologies, and culminate in our active participation in our democracy. Students will be required to shadow a state legislature for 1-2 days in Jefferson City to gain insight into the roles and responsibilities of politicians. Six hours of college credit through the University of Missouri-St. Louis may be earned and/or students may take the Advanced Placement test in May

Report abuse