Social Studies

Learn more about Social Studies courses!

grade 9

*Students must take one Civics course AND one Geography course.

Civics 9

Intended Audience: Grade 9

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Major Outcomes:

Provide students with a practical knowledge and understanding of American government
Connect with the democratic process as citizens of the United States
Apply knowledge of early founding documents including the US Constitution
Demonstrate an understanding of how the American system of government functions
Demonstrate an understanding that US citizens have both rights and responsibilities in order for government to maintain order in society
Understand the election process in the United States
Differentiate views on the political spectrum

Honors Civics

Prerequisite/Selection Process: Middle school social studies grades may be considered

Intended Audience: Grade 9

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Major Outcomes:

Purpose and principles of government
Creation of U.S. government institutions and processes
Rights and responsibilities of citizens
Principles of the U.S. Constitution

Instructional Focus: This honors course requires students to apply higher-order thinking and communication skills, study primary source documents and complete independent and/or group research projects

Course Syllabus

Geography 9

Intended Audience: Grade 9

Credit: One Trimester = 0.5 credits

Major Outcomes:

Review locations of physical features, climatic regions and cultural icons
Practice reading maps and charts
Types of maps, when to use and how to analyze
Effects of migration and population countries and cultures
Types of boundaries and governments
Global climate changes
Human effects on the environment

Projects, Activities, etc.: Creating Maps, develop the where the next should be located [e.g. determine where the next supermarket should be located in your city]

Instructional Focus: Use of maps, charts, Geographic Information Systems, population pyramids

AP Human Geography

[AP exam is in May each year]

Prerequisite/Selection Process: Previous social studies grades may be considered or recommendation of counselor or teacher

Intended Audience: Grade 9

Credit: Two trimesters = 1.0 credit

Major Outcomes:

Introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface
Employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences
Learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications
Interpret maps and analyze geospatial data
Understand and explain the implications of associations and networks among phenomena in places
Recognize and interpret the relationships among patterns and processes at different scales of analysis
Define regions and evaluate the regionalization process
Characterize and analyze changing interconnections among places
Approach the AP exam with confidence

Instructional Focus: College-level concepts through small and large group lecture and activities; college text is used.

College credit may be earned based on AP test score and institution.

Course Syllabus

grade 10

US History 10

Prerequisite/Selection Process: Civics or Honors Civics and Geography or AP Human Geography

Intended Audience: Grade 10

Credit: Two Trimesters = 1.0 credit

Major Outcomes:

Use historical skills and methods of inquiry which includes students asking questions about context, identifying diverse points of view

Investigating evidence from multiple historical sources

Using historical methods of inquiry, students will explore the history of the United States from early indigenous history through today

Projects, Activities, etc.: Historical Inquiry

Instructional Focus: Students will engage diverse perspectives through primary and secondary sources, identify absent voices and create and support reasoned historical arguments. Teachers will support students in developing their historical skills with the end goal of creating an actionable plan.

AP US History

[AP exam is in May each year]

Prerequisite/Selection Process: Civics or Honors Civics and Geography

Intended Audience: Grades 10, 11, and 12

Credit: Two trimesters = 1.0 credit

Prerequisite/Selection Process: Previous social studies grades may be considered or recommendation of counselor or teacher

Major Outcomes:

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
Approach the AP exam with confidence

Instructional Focus: College-level concepts through small and large group lecture and activities; college text is used. College credit may be earned based on AP test score and institution.

Course Syllabus

US History Seminar

Prerequisite/Selection Process: AP US History

Intended Audience: Grades 10, 11, and 12

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Major Outcomes:

The study of major events in U.S. history
Knowledge necessary to analyze problems, concepts and primary documents in U.S. History

Instructional Focus: Preparation to take National Advanced Placement exam

grade 11

World History 11

Prerequisite/Selection Process: US History or AP US History

Intended Audience: Grade 11

Credit: Two trimesters = 1.0 credit

Major Outcomes:

World History 11 is an investigation of global history from the beginning of humanity to the present and includes significant events, people, and traditions from various regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
This course equips students with a broad understanding of the past and historical thinking skills that they can use to analyze the roots of contemporary issues.
Skills this course focuses on include asking historical questions, analyzing primary and secondary sources, evaluating dominant and non-dominant narratives, and making arguments based on available historical evidence.

Projects, Activities, etc.: Historical Inquiry

AP World History

[AP exam is in May each year]

Prerequisites/Selection Process: US History or AP US History, Previous social studies grades may be considered or recommendation of counselor or teacher

Intended Audience: Grades 11 and 12

Credit: Two trimesters = 1.0 credit

Major Outcomes:

Interaction Between Humans and the Environment
Development and Interaction of Cultures
State-Building, Expansion, and Conflict
Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems
Development and Transformation of Social Structures
Approach the AP exam with confidence

Instructional Focus:

Crafting Historical Arguments from Historical Evidence, Chronological Reasoning, Comparison and Contextualization, Historical Interpretation and Synthesis
College-level concepts through small and large group lecture and activities; college text is used
College credit may be earned based on AP test score and institution.

Course Syllabus

World History Seminar

Prerequisite/Selection Process: AP World History

Intended Audience: Grades 11 and 12

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Major Outcomes:

Interaction Between Humans, the Environment, and the development of Cultures
Preparation for AP Exam

Instructional Focus: Crafting historical arguments from historical evidence

grade 12

*Students must take one Econ course AND one US Government and Politics course.

Economics 12

Prerequisite/Selection Process: World History or AP World History

Intended Audience: Grade 12

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Major Outcomes:

Concept of scarcity and its impact on choices of individuals, organizations, businesses, and government
Market structures
Supply and demand
Personal Finance
Macroeconomics
Global Economy

Projects, Activities, etc.: Investigation of public issues, identification of problems and proposed solutions

Economics 12 Hybrid

Prerequisite/Selection Process: World History or AP World History

Intended Audience: Grade 12

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Major Outcomes:

Concept of scarcity and its impact on choices of individuals, organizations, businesses, and government
Market structures
Supply and demand
Personal Finance
Macroeconomics
Global Economy

Projects, Activities, etc.:

Investigation of public issues
Identification of problems and proposed solutions

AP Microeconomics

[AP exam is in May each year]

Prerequisite/Selection Process: World History or AP World History, Previous social studies grades may be considered or recommendation of counselor or teacher; College credit may be awarded at the discretion of the post-secondary institution

Intended Audience: Grade 12

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Major Outcomes:

Fundamental economic concepts
Supply and demand
Market structures
Role of the government
Factor markets
Application of economic principles
Approach the AP exam with confidence.

Instructional Focus: College-level concepts through small and large group lecture and activities; college text is used. College credit may be earned based upon AP test score and institution.

Course Syllabus

US Government and Politics 12

Prerequisite/Selection Process: World History or AP World History

Intended Audience: Grade 12

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Major Outcomes:

Examines the political system of the American government
Focuses on the political processes of local, state, and national government, the three branches of government, as well as applying Constitutional principles to the American legal system
Learn how to be active citizens
Debate and analyze public policy issues, including foreign policy
Understand how the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches work together
Understand the importance of the American Legal system including criminal, civil and constitutional law
Analyze public policy issues including foreign policy
Investigate state and local government and politics
Analyze primary sources and court cases to understand the role of government during major periods of social and political change

Instructional Focus: State/Local Public Issue Project [5 Youth Service Hours], Constitutional Law Project

US Government and Politics 12 Hybrid

Prerequisite/Selection Process: World History or AP World History

Intended Audience: Grade 12 Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Major Outcomes:

Examines the political system of the American government
Focuses on the political processes of local, state, and national government, the three branches of government, as well as applying Constitutional principles to the American legal system
Learn how to be active citizens
Debate and analyze public policy issues, including foreign policy
Understand how the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches work together
Understand the importance of the American Legal system including criminal, civil and constitutional law
Analyze public policy issues including foreign policy
Investigate state and local government and politics
Analyze primary sources and court cases to understand the role of government during major periods of social and political change

Instructional Focus: State/Local Public Issue Project [5 Youth Service Hours], Constitutional Law Project

AP US Government and Politics

[AP exam is in May each year]

Prerequisites/Selection Process: World History or AP World History; previous social studies grades may be considered or recommendation of counselor or teacher

Intended Audience: Grades 11 and 12

Credit: One trimester required = 0.5 credit, Optional Trimester = 0.5 credit Non-Honors Credit

Major Outcomes:

Concepts of political science
Analysis of topics such as the U.S. Constitution, political beliefs and behavior, interest groups, mass media, institutions of government, public policy, civil rights and civil liberties
Approach the AP exam with confidence

Instructional Focus:

Examination of Federalist Papers, Research and presentation of public policy topic
College-level concepts through small and large group lecture and activities; college text is used
College credit may be earned based on AP test score and institution.

Course Syllabus

US Government and Politics Seminar

Prerequisite/Selection Process: AP Government and Politics

Intended Audience: Grade 12

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Major Outcomes:

Analysis of topics such as the U.S. Constitution, political beliefs and behavior, interest groups, mass media, institutions of government, public policy, civil rights and civil liberties

Instructional Focus: Preparation to take National Advanced Placement exam

electives

FOUNDATIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Globe Trekker

Intended Audience: Grades 10, 11, 12

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credits

Major Outcomes:

Exploring the world around us
Dispel common misconceptions of other regions of the world
Create project of experiences with, pictures, letters, postcards, etc.
Research: History, landmarks, language, traditions, religions, food, etiquette, architecture, art, transportation
Focus on regions of the world that is different/more in depth from other courses

Instructional Focus: Research, discussion, projects, activities, etc

America Through Multimedia

Intended Audience: Grades 10, 11, 12

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Major Outcomes:

Learn the origins and evolution of various types of popular media including: radio, film, social media, and video games
Understand how history has shaped multimedia and how major forms of media have impacted history and culture

Instructional Focus: Class discussions, projects, journaling and film analysis.

Modern Global Issues

Intended Audience: Grades 10, 11, 12

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Major Outcomes:

Students will understand the world from a variety of perspectives
Should all people have access to the same basic rights?
Analyze global human rights such as sex trafficking, child labor, access to clean water, and food security
Understand the history and modern relevance of global and domestic terrorism and extremism
Investigate the impact of the changing global environment
Debate privacy rights in the face of foreign and domestic spying and cyber security
Global response to outbreaks of disease and natural disasters

Instructional Focus: Instruction is presented in a variety of ways: class discussion, individual research, student driven presentations, small and large group activities, simulations, and the use of technology and geographical tools.

Multicultural Perspectives

Intended Audience: Grades 10, 11, and 12

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Major Outcomes:

Students will analyze how the concepts of Power and Privilege impact how we each experience the world differently and will be evaluated through a multicultural lens in the following areas of study: Race, Gender, Ethnicity, LGBTQ, Disability
Students will gain exposure to the cultural richness of the Greater Twin Cities Area
Research how groups have maintained their culture while becoming part of the Minnesota tradition. Examples of groups include: Southeast Asian [Hmong, Vietnamese, etc.], Scandinavian [Norwegian, Swedish, etc.], African [Liberian, Somalian, etc.], Latino, Soviet Bloc, and others.

Instructional Focus: Discussion - Socratic Seminar, Sociological Observation, Research Papers, Group Presentations

Honors African-American History

Intended Audience: Grades 10, 11, 12

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

The African American History course is designed to develop an understanding of the causes, character, and consequences of the African-American experience and its influence on the world, the United States, and the African-American community. Beginning with a historical, geographical, social, political, economic, and cultural understanding from the African continent, the course will provide a descriptive and corrective overview, introducing the student to the study of both the African and African-American experiences.

Major Outcomes:

Study of major events in U.S. History from the perspective of African Americans
Study of diverse peoples who created the American story

Instructional Focus: Journaling, class discussions, projects, lecture, book/article reading, and various other forms of media.

Course Syllabus

HUMAN SERVICES

Youth Issues

Intended Audience: Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Major Outcomes:

Effective communication skills in personal, family, and social situations
Analysis of issues which affect youth

Instructional Focus: Discussion

Sociology

Intended Audience: Grades 11 and 12

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Major Outcomes:

Sociological Perspectives-Introduction to Sociology [contributors, key concepts], research
Culture/Social Structure-culture, socialization, groups/status, and deviance
Social Inequality-racial/ethnic, and gender discrimination
Social Institutions-family: marriage, divorce, domestic violence, sports, religion, or education

Instructional Focus: Discussion, lecture, group activities, simulations, and research

Psychology I

Intended Audience: Grades 11 and 12

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Major Outcomes:

History of psychology
Scientific method
Brain structure and function
Impact of genetics and environment or personality
Mental disorders and treatment

Instructional Focus: Discussion, lecture, group activities, experiments, observations, fields and methods of psychology

Psychology II

Intended Audience: Grades 11 and 12

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Major Outcomes:

Sensation and perception
Motivation and emotion
State of consciousness
Development — child through adulthood
Gender
Intelligence
Social psychology

Instructional Focus: Discussion, lecture, group activities, experiments, observations and fields and methods of psychology

AP Psychology

Intended Audience: Grades 11 and 12

Credit: Two trimesters = 1.0 credit

Major Outcomes:

Research methods
Exploration of self and relationships
Impact of genetics and environment on personality
Theories of learning and memory

Instructional Focus: This course is equivalent to an introductory college [psychology] course.

Course Syllabus

LAW, PUBLIC SAFETY, CORRECTIONS, AND SECURITY

Criminal Justice

Intended Audience: Grades 11 and 12

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Major Outcomes:

Knowledge of crime, criminals and victims, role of police, and court systems and corrections

Instructional Focus: Class activities and guest speakers

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