Social Studies
Courses Offered
World History – 1600 to Present (Required)
1.00 Credit Prerequisite: None
5 Periods/week Grade 9
2 Semesters Fee: None
World Studies pursues the chronological approach to the study of history from the Enlightenment to the Present Day. Emphasis is placed upon the effects of the past on the present and on the future. The course helps students gain a better understanding to the world and of their roles as citizens of an important democratic nation in world events.
World History Honors
1.00 Credit Prerequisite: Enrichment Social Studies 8 OR Selection based on Grades/Standardized Test Scores/Administrative Approval
5 Periods/week Grade 9
2 Semesters Fee: None
World History Honors pursues the chronological approach to, and the in-depth study of, world events from the Enlightenment to the Present Day. Emphasis is placed upon the effects of the past on both the present and future, and challenges the highly motivated student to explore those effects from multiple perspectives and sources. The course helps students interpret their roles as citizens of an important democratic nation in world history.
American History – 1877 to Present (Required)
1.00 Credit Prerequisite: World History
5 Periods/week Grade 10
2 Semesters Fee: None
U.S. Studies is structured to provide an in-depth study of our nation’s history from Post-reconstruction through Contemporary times. Special emphasis is placed on the struggles, successes and failures which have had an impact upon the growth of America into one of the world’s most important and powerful countries. Well-developed skills in reading, writing, critical thinking and research methods are needed for success in this course.
American History Honors
1.00 Credit Prerequisite: World History Honors OR Selection based on Grades/Standardized Test Scores/Administrative Approval
5 Periods/week Grade 10
2 Semesters Fee: none
American History Honors pursues the chronological approach to, and in-depth study of, American events from the Reconstruction Era to the Present Day. Emphasis is placed upon the effects of the past on both the present and future, and challenges the highly motivated student to explore those effects from multiple perspectives and sources. The course helps students interpret their roles as citizens of the most influential nation in the world and how it came to be that way.
American Government (Required)
.50 Credit Prerequisite: American History
5 Periods/week Grade 11
1 Semester Fee: None
Political and Economic Decisions provides an opportunity for students to study governmental and economic systems, specifically the democratic system and free market. Students study how our democracy was formed and how, through time, it has altered or changed. By taking a close look at the various principles contained in the representative democratic systems and obtaining financial literacy, students will better understand how the levels of U.S. Government are intended to work, the part we as individuals play in our republic, and the U.S. relationship to other countries of the world. Students will have an opportunity to participate in community service, which will help them better understand these principles on a local level.
American Government AP
1.00 Credit Prerequisite: Successful Completion of American History Honors or Administrative Approval
5 Periods/week Grades 11 (Administrative Approval), 12
2 Semesters Fee: AP Exam Cost ($89.00 subject to change based on College Board)
AP U.S. Government & Politics is designed to provide students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret political institutions and the analysis of specific case studies. Students will acquire knowledge about various U.S. political institutions, organizations, beliefs and ideas that constitute U.S. political theory and their practical applications. The course requires critical thinking and analytical skills relative to political concepts. The course involves extensive outside class readings, in-class lectures, out-of-class essay assignments and various assessments. Possible summer reading assignments and assignments over winter and spring breaks should be expected by students. The course follows the curriculum outlined by the AP College Board for U.S. Government and Politics, and therefore prepares students for the AP exam in May. Students are expected to take the AP exam in May. Students will have the opportunity to earn college credit by taking the AP exam.
Current Events (Elective)
.50 Credit Prerequisite: Successful Completion of World History
5 Periods/week Grades 10, 11, 12
1 Semester Fee: $10.00
*Repeatable course up to two times (or with instructor approval) for credit, not in the same semester.
Students will use various forms of the media as a starting point to discuss what is occurring in the nation and world news. Topics will include government, business, sports and entertainment. Students will write short papers and take quizzes on topics presented through the media and in class.
Historical Connections (Elective)
.50 Credit Prerequisite: Successful Completion of World History
5 Periods/week Grades 10, 11, 12
1 Semester Fee: None
Students will look at history in a different perspective. In this course, students will dive deeper and examine various daunting histories of the world. All topics that will be covered have a direct connection to history courses students have taken throughout their educational career. The course will span from 1200-2000. Some topics that would be included are various plagues and epidemics (plagues in Medieval Europe, Yellow Fever and HIV-AIDS in contemporary South Africa), different conquerors and rebellions (Genghis Khan and his tactics, Taiping Rebellion), war time trauma and post effects (diseases, "shell shock," medical issues) and different forms of attempted genocide (Holocaust, Cambodian, Rwandan) and many other unspoken historical topics. Students will gain a better understanding of the history of the world in more ways than an average textbook.
History, Culture, and Rock and Roll (Elective)
.50 Credit Prerequisite: Successful completion of World History
5 Periods/week Grades 10, 11, 12
1 Semester Fee: None
Discover history through music, movies, literature, sports, fads and fashions! In this course, students will examine America’s social history and culture from the early 1900’s through the present day. Students will gain a better understanding of the evolution of America’s modern culture with emphasis on the important people, issues and events and the impacts of those on Modern American Culture.
Psychology (Elective)
.50 Credit Prerequisite: Successful Completion of World History and American History
5 Periods/week Grades 10 (if currently taking American History Honors), 11, 12
1 Semester Fee: None
Psychology is an introductory course where students gain a basic understanding of the brain's parts and functions, learning and memory, conditioning, reasoning, intelligence, development and personality. It is a foundation for students curious as to how our brains work and the types of topics psychology involves, serving as a basis for students to use in further study of this social science.
Sociology (Elective)
.50 Credit Prerequisite: Successful Completion of World History and American History
5 Periods/week Grades 10 (if currently taking American History Honors), 11, 12
1 Semester Fee: None
This semester course introduces the basic concepts, methods and findings of Sociology. We will be exploring groups and group interactions. Throughout this course we will examine various societies, including our own, to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and those around us.