*Students in any grade can access all courses. The grades listed are recommended age ranges, so students below this range should consult with their counselor prior to enrollment. ** = Courses with no prerequisite requirements 

United States History and Geography **

Recommended for Grade 9 * Year Course * 62251/62252 * 1 Credit 

All freshmen are required to take this year-long course for graduation credit. This class continues the study of American History begun in the eighth grade. The course will focus on American economic, political, and social life from the 1870’s to the present. 

World History and Geography 

Recommended for Grade 10 * Year Course * Semester 1 - 62051; Semester 2 - 62052 * 1 Credit 

World History and Geography is a full-year course required for graduation. The course focuses on eras of human history from 1500 to the present. The course requires the use and application of the following skills: critical thinking, essay writing, group participation and cooperation, listening skills, art appreciation, music and video interpretation. 

Civics 

Recommended for Grade 11 * Semester Course * Semester 1 – 62451; Semester 2 – 62452 * 1/2 Credit 

Civics is a one-semester course required for high school graduation. This course examines government at the federal, state and local levels. Throughout the course, students will consider the ways in which government in this country is organized, the ways in which people participate, the many things the government does and the way it does them.

Economics 

Recommended for Grade 11 * Semester Course * Semester 1 – 62453; Semester 2 – 62454 * 1/2 Credit

Economics is a one-semester course required for high school graduation. The focus of the course includes economic principles at the macro and micro level, as well as personal financial literacy. The overarching problem of scarcity is an integral part of the course. Students deepen their prior knowledge of basic economic concepts and apply them to national and international economic systems. Students study how interactions of buyers and sellers impact prices as well as the role of trade-offs and incentives in consumer and business decisions. Students use their economic knowledge to make informed decisions as consumers and to participate as citizens in deciding matters of economic policy. 

Psychology 

Recommended for Grades 10 – 12 * Semester Course * Semester – 62255; Semester 2 – 62256 * 1/2 Credit

This semester course introduces students to the psychology of human behavior with group experiments, sample surveys, tests, interviews and role-playing. Among the topics covered will be learning and thinking, perception, emotion, adjustment, personality and intelligence. 

Sociology 

Recommended for Grades 11 – 12 * Semester Course * Semester 1– 62265; Semester 2 - 62266 * 1/2 Credit

This semester course will introduce students to sociology - the scientific study of human society and social behavior. The overarching goal of the course is to help students understand how individual human development is a group experience from infancy to old age, how the social world impacts their lives, and how they, in turn, affect the lives of others in this social world. All areas of social life will be examined including culture, religion, schools, family, gender, race, class, stratification/inequality, and crime/defiance. The main focus of the course will be on the ways in which our behavior is influenced by groups, the nature and functions of the social institutions which we have created, and the relationship that exists between the individual and society (Formerly known as History of Social Behavior).

Close-up Government/Economics 

Recommended for Grades 11 – 12 * Year Course * Semester 1 - 62461; Semester 2 - 62462 * 1 Credit 

Close-Up is a yearlong course, which provides an in-depth alternative to the Civics & Econ classes that students are required to take. Close-Up is not an Advanced Placement class, but students will earn one full Social Studies credit (half credit for Civics, half credit for Econ). Students who have selected Close-Up are required to participate in a weeklong government studies program in Washington, D.C. This is a graded part of the course curriculum. Our week in Washington, D.C. is action packed. Close-Up students attend seminars with members of Congress; meet representatives of the media and members of the Judicial and Executive branches of government. Brighton students will meet and interact with students from across the country and world and together they will explore our government, using the city as their classroom. We will also be taking a closer look at our local and state governments as well! The cost of this program is approximately $1,950 and is the responsibility of the student. Partial fellowships are available for students who qualify for financial aid. Students should be committed to the program when they request the class. A $525 nonrefundable trip deposit is required at registration. 

Current Events 

Recommended for Grades 10 – 12 * Semester Course; Semester 1 – 62465 ; Semester 2 – 62466 *1/2 Credit

Prerequisite: Passing grade in U.S. History. 

Current Events is a seminar course that explores some of the most compelling issues facing the United States and the World today. Students will become critical users of all forms of media as they learn about a variety of regional, national and international issues. The Current Events course has an online component where students interact with a classroom website to access information, participate in discussion forums and blogs, and submit assignments in an online format. Students may take this course more than once for elective Social Studies credit.

Postwar America Courses 

Recommended for Grades 11 -12 * Semester Course - 62457/62458 * 1/2 Credit 

Prerequisite: Passing grade in U.S. History. 

Examines the issues and trends that have captured the attention of Americans in the decades following World War II. The course will focus on the following topics: The Red Scare, Fear and Popular Culture of the 1950s, The Development of the Suburbs and the Interstate Highway System, The Civil Rights Movement, the Assassinations of the 1960s, the Vietnam War and the Anti-War Movement, Nixon and Watergate, Serial Killers, Crime, Globalization, Domestic Terrorism, 9/11 and other International Terrorists incidents, and Post 9/11 America. This is a media and document based class in which the students will receive a grade based on daily work, homework, projects, and quizzes. 

Military History: Civilization and Conflict 

Recommended for Grades 10 - 12 * Semester Course * Semester 1-62271; Semester 2 - 62272 * 1/2 Credit 

*Prerequisite: Passing grade in U.S. and World History. 

Military History: Civilization and Conflict is a semester long course that examines one of the most dynamic elements of history. From ancient times to the modern day, military conflict and the threat of military conflict has shaped the course of history. Conflict is as important in determining the course of mankind as political, social, and economic issues. Conflict has dethroned kings, toppled mighty empires, dictated foreign policy, and pitted civilizations against one another. This course will examine the history of military conflict around the world with special emphasis placed on the cause and effect military affairs, the teachings of Sun-Tzu, Clausewitz, and Patton, the role of the soldier in society, the political and technological innovations which determine the outcomes of military action, black/special operations and small unit tactics, military disasters and blunders, David v. Goliath match-ups, 20th Century Warfare, the future of war, and the development of military institutions in civilization. This class will appeal to a wide variety of students with a variety of learning styles. The instructor will incorporate research-based papers, interpretation of primary and secondary sources, hands-on projects, simulations, analysis of visual media, online research, guest speakers offering first-hand accounts, and class discussions. 

Advanced Placement Psychology 

Recommended for Grades 11 - 12 * Year Course * Semester 1 - 62721; Semester 2 - 62722 * 1 Credit 

Prerequisite: Passing grade in U.S. and World History. Strong interest in academic performance and in the study of human behavior and mental processes; ability to read, write and study independently is required. 

A one year course that is designed to study the scientific approach of mental processes and behavior of humans and other animals. Students will be immersed into psychological research, studies, experiments, and other aspects that help explain why humans operate the way they do at both the behavioral and mental levels. All psychological approaches are used - for example, the cognitive, biological, and social approaches, to create a diverse understanding of how the human thought processes affect our actions. Students will also learn and practice ethics and methods that psychologists perform within their practice. The course is designed to be student-centered. This course prepares students for the College Board Advanced Placement Examination, which takes place in May. 

Advanced Placement World History 

Recommended for Grades 10 - 12 * Year Course * Semester 1 - 62053; Semester 2 - 62054 * 1 Credit

*Prerequisite: Must have taken US History. 

A one-year course designed to study the major trends and events in World History. The course can be taken to fulfill the Michigan Merit Curriculum World History requirement. The history is broken down into six main chronological time periods ending at present-day and covers all Michigan high school World History standards. In addition to providing exposure to the factual narrative, the goals of the Advanced Placement World History program are to develop: (a) an understanding of some of the principal themes in World History; (b) an ability to analyze historical evidence, and (c) an ability to express that understanding. Students will learn essential concepts and develop historical thinking skills. Students who consider this course should be self-motivated and must be able to read at an accelerated rate. There is also a significant writing proponent to this class. The course is designed to be student-centered. Students must be willing to communicate via discussions, debates, and simulations. This course prepares students for the College Board Advanced Placement Examination, which takes place in May of every school year.

Advanced Placement United States History 

Recommended for Grades 10 – 12 * Year Course – Semester 1-62701; Semester 2-62702 * 1 Credit ** Runs every other year.

A one-year course designed to study and assess American history from exploration and colonization through the present. Students will identify political history, foreign affairs, economic and social development, and literary and cultural history in conjunction with the course. Students are expected to analyze and interpret primary sources including documentary material, maps, statistical tables, pictorial and graphic evidence of historical events. The student will be expected to develop a chronological view of U.S. History through major interpretive questions derived from the study of selected themes and to draw upon a reservoir of systematic factual knowledge in order to exercise analytical skills intelligently. The student must develop skills necessary to arrive at conclusions on the basis of an informed judgment and to present ideas clearly and persuasively in essay format. This course prepares the student for the college-bound Advanced Placement Examination, paid for at student expense. It is recommended that students have a strong interest in U.S. history and demonstrate strong performance in previous Social Studies classes. The ability to read and write well is imperative to success in the course. **Runs every other year.

Advanced Placement European History 

Recommended for Grades 10 - 12 * Year Course – Semester 1-62711; Semester 2- 62712 * 1 Credit 

*Prerequisite: Passing grade in US and World History.

A one-year course designed to study the major trends and events in European History that occurred from approximately 1450 to the present day. In addition to providing exposure to the factual narrative, the goals of the Advanced Placement European History program are to develop: (a) an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European history; (b) an ability to analyze historical evidence, and (c) an ability to express that understanding. Students who consider this course should be self-motivated and willing to read at an accelerated rate The course is designed to be student-centered. Students must be willing and able to communicate via discussions, and simulations. This course prepares students for the College Board Advanced Placement Examination. 

Advanced Placement United States Government & Politics 

Recommended for Grades 11 - 12 * Year Course * Semester 1 - 62741; Semester 2 - 62742 * 1 Credit 

Prerequisite: Strong interest in academic performance and in the study of U.S. Government and Politics; ability to read, write and study independently is required. 

This year-long class is being offered as a combination civics and Advanced Government course in preparation for the AP United States Government Exam. Students taking Advanced Government will earn their required semester credit for civics in addition to credit for Advanced Government (with a weighted grade). 

Advanced Placement Comparative Government & Politics 

Recommended for Grades 10 - 12 * Semester Course * Semester 1 - 62743; Semester 2 - 62744 * 1/2 Credit 

This course is an introductory college-level course in comparative government and politics. The course uses a comparative approach to examine the political structures; policies; and political, economic, and social challenges of six selected countries: China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Students cultivate their understanding of comparative government and politics through analysis of data and text-based sources as they explore topics like power and authority, legitimacy and stability, democratization, internal and external forces, and methods of political analysis. Students are encouraged to build their knowledge of the course countries through current and recent historical events to inform how governments solve complex domestic and international problems. *Does not replace Civics credit requirement.

Advanced Placement Macroeconomics 

Recommended for Grades 11 - 12 * Semester Course * Semester 1 - 67234 * 1/2 Credit 

Students will gain a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to an economic system as a whole. AP Macroeconomics will place a heavy emphasis on macroeconomics which includes the study of national income and price-level determination, and also develop students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics. Students will be trained to analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources including documentary materials, statistical tables, and graphic evidence of the principles of economics. They will be proficient at reading and creating graphs and tables directly related to the core principles of economics. They will learn to create and analyze economic models and use these models to answer various economic problems. *This course meets the graduation requirement for economics.

Advanced Placement Microeconomics 

Recommended for Grades 11 - 12 * Semester Course * Semester 2 - 67231 * 1/2 Credit 

AP Microeconomics is an introductory college-level microeconomics course. Students cultivate their understanding of the principles that apply to the functions of individual economic decision-makers by using principles and models to describe economic situations and predict and explain outcomes with graphs, charts, and data as they explore concepts like scarcity and markets; costs, benefits, and marginal analysis; production choices and behavior; and market inefficiency and public policy. The course focuses on the principles of individual economic decision-making and the interaction between buyers and sellers in various market structures. It delves into the analysis of consumer behavior, firm behavior, and market structures, emphasizing the allocation of resources and the distribution of income. They will learn to create and analyze economic models and use these models to answer various economic problems. *This course meets the graduation requirement for economics.

Performing Arts **

Recommended for Grades 9 - 12 • Semester Course • Semester 1 - 61077; Semester 2 - 61078 • 1/2 Credit 

This is the follow-up class to Drama, which takes all the same elements of the class and builds upon them. There will be a focus on characterization, memorizing, improvisation, individual and group presentations, as well as daily participation. Each quarter will have a performance-based project. The element of film may also be incorporated into our projects. Those students in the high school play or musical will have a chance to practice their craft and lines during the hour. Drama class is encouraged, but not required, to take this course. Please note: This class may be used towards Visual/Performing Arts credit.