Social Studies

Psychology (semester course)

In Psychology the student begins with a brief history of psychologists and their experimental methods. Next they examine personality theories. Then human development from the infant stage through adult stage is explored. Finally, the last part of the course is about consciousness: sleep, dreams, and conscious-altering substances. Students are encouraged to increase their own self-awareness as they move through the course

Alaska Studies  (semester course)

Alaska Studies is an in-depth exploration of the rich geographic and cultural background of the state and its people from the early native peoples to the Russian era through statehood to the present. This course includes an examination of the geography, history, and political and economic forces that have shaped contemporary Alaska. Content is organized around the five themes of, population, land, resource, governance, and cultural landscape. The course seeks to ensure that students have a strong foundation in the historic and cultural contexts of issues facing the state so they will develop a broad sense of community and strengthen skills that will encourage thoughtful consideration of issues and choices facing Alaska.

World History

World History begins with a focus on the skills needed to read, understand, and analyze history, also demonstrating how historians and social scientists arrive at their conclusions about human history.  Semester A covers the history of civilization from hunter-gatherer societies through the characteristics of the earliest civilizations to the Enlightenment period in Western Europe. The second half of Semester A explores early intellectual, spiritual, and political movements and their impact on interactions among world cultures. 

US History

This course covers the discovery, development, and growth of the United States. Major topics include; American Indian cultures, European colonization of the Americas, and the causes and effects of the American Revolution. Geographical, economic, and political factors are explored as the key factors in the growth of the United States of America. American History I is a survey of the struggle to build the United States of America from the colonial period to the beginning of the twentieth century. By means of reading, analyzing, and applying historical data, students come to appreciate the forces that shaped our history and character as an American people. Not only are the topics of American history discussed, but students also explore research methods and determine accurate sources of data from the past. Knowing the facts and dates of history are just the beginning: each student must understand how history affects him or her. 

Economics (semester course)

This course introduces the principles and the applications of economics in everyday life. Students develop an understanding of limited resources and compare it with unlimited wants and needs. Students learn how individual and national economic decisions are made to allocate goods and services among competing users and how economic institutions and policies to explore the history, organization, and functions of the U.S. government in controlling our economy.  Students are encouraged to use their knowledge of the policies and institutions of economics to develop their own views on current economic and monetary issues. The course looks closely at the economic knowledge and values of the country and gives students a look into the problems faced by presidents and congressional representatives. It also covers the roles of political activists, political parties, interest groups, and the media in shaping the U. S. economy. The Supreme Court is presented as the voice of reason in the balance of powers. Students are encouraged to perform at higher levels as they are presented with historical documents and additional readings.

Global Geography (semester course)

The student will be taught to use the basic skills of map reading and development, geographic technology, and the recognition of geographic themes to make sense of the world. The course examines world regions including the nations, people, and cultures of the Americas and Western Europe, Central Europe and Northern Eurasia, Central and Southwest Asia, South Asia, Africa, East Asia, and the Pacific.

.US Government (semester course)  

This course will guide students through an in-depth study of the history, structure, and guiding principles of American government. The first unit will review the origins of government in general and American government in particular—from the earliest models for democracy to the founding documents that created a federalist system of government in the U.S. Several units will help students explore the roles and responsibilities of each branch of government as well as the impact that the Constitution has had and continues to have on the way government works and on the lives of individual Americans. The course’s final unit will guide students through a series of projects that require them to apply what they have learned about American government to an issue that interests them.