SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT

WORLD HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY   G04H10               1 credit                                             Open to 9, 10, 11, 12

 Students will study the rise of the nation state in Europe, the French Revolution, and the economic and political roots of the modern world. They will examine the origins and consequences of the Industrial Revolution, nineteenth century political reform in Western Europe, and imperialism in Africa, Asia, and South America. They will explain the causes and consequences of the great military and economic events of the past century, including the World Wars, the Great Depression, the Cold War, and the Russian and Chinese Revolutions. Finally, students will study the rise of nationalism and the continuing persistence of political, ethnic, and religious conflict in many parts of the world. Relevant Tennessee connections will be part of the curriculum, as well as appropriate primary source documents. Students will explore geographic influences on history, with attention given to political boundaries that developed with the evolution of nations from 1750 to the present and the subsequent human geographic issues that dominate the global community. Additionally, students will study aspects of technical geography such as GPS and GIS, and how these innovations continuously impact geopolitics in the contemporary world.

WORLD HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY/ HONORS                                        1 credit                                 Open to 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

Honors World  History and Geography is based upon the same general description as World History and Geography.  Every honors course expands upon the standard course.

PERSONAL FINANCE   G04H36                                  0.5 credit                                                     Open to 10, 11, 12

This course is designed to address the basics of money and income management.  Students will learn how individual choices directly influence occupational goals and future earnings potential.  Real world topics covered will include income, money management, spending, credit, saving, and investing.  Students will design personal and household budgets; simulate use of checking and savings accounts; demonstrate knowledge of finance, debt, and credit management; and evaluate and understand insurance and taxes.  The course provides a foundational understanding for making informed personal financial decisions.

UNITED STATES HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY G04H11         1 credit                                                   Open to 11

 Students will examine the causes and consequences of the Industrial Revolution and America’s growing role in world diplomatic relations, including the Spanish-American War and World War I. Students will study the goals and accomplishments of the Progressive movement and the New Deal. Students will also learn about the various factors that led to America’s entry into World War II, as well as its consequences for American life. Students will explore the causes and course of the Cold War. Students will study the important social, cultural, economic, and political changes resulting from the Civil Rights Movement, the Cold War, and recent events and trends that have shaped modern-day America. Additionally, students will learn the causes and consequences of contemporary issues impacting their world today. Students will continue to use skills for historical and geographical analysis as they examine American history since Reconstruction with special attention to Tennessee connections in history, geography, politics, and people. Students will continue to learn fundamental concepts in civics, economics, and geography within the context of United States history. The reading of primary source documents is a key feature of United States history standards. Finally, students will focus on current human and physical geographic issues important in contemporary America and the global society.

A state end-of-course exam is required at the end of the second semester.

UNITED STATES HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY/ HONORS   G04H11HN           1 credit                            Open to 11

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

Honors U.S. History and Geography is based upon the same general description as U.S. History and Geography.  Every honors course expands upon the standard course.

ECONOMICS G04H13                                                   0.5 credit                                                            Open to 12

 Students will examine the allocation of scarce resources and the economic reasoning used by government agencies and by people as consumers, producers, savers, investors, workers, and voters. Key elements of the course include the study of scarcity, supply and demand, market structures, the role of government, national income determination, money and the role of financial institutions, economic stabilization, and trade. Students will examine the key economic philosophies and economists who have influenced the economies around the world in the past and present. Informational text and primary sources will play an instrumental part of the study of economics where it is appropriate.

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT & CIVICS  G04H12   0.5 credit                                             Open to 10, 11, 12

 Students will study the purposes, principles, and practices of American government as established by the Constitution. Students are expected to understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens and how to exercise these rights and responsibilities in local, state, and national government. Students will learn the structure and processes of the government of the state of Tennessee and various local governments. The reading of primary source documents is a key feature of United States Government and Civics standards.

TN HISTORY   G04H01                                                         1.0 credit                                                 Open to  9, 10, 11, 12

Students will examine the history of Tennessee, including the cultural, geographic, economic, and political influences upon that history. Students will discuss Tennessee’s indigenous peoples as well as the arrival of Euro-American settlers and the rise of a manufacturing economy. Students will analyze and describe the foundation of the state of Tennessee. Students will identify and explain the origins and course of the Civil War and its impact on Tennessee. Students will study the aftermath of the Civil War and the Reconstruction period in Tennessee. Finally, students will examine and discuss the Civil Rights Movement and Tennessee’s modern economy and society

SOCIOLOGY   G04H14                                                 0.5  credit                                                    Open to 11, 12

 Students will explore the ways sociologists view society, and also how they study the social world. In addition, students will examine culture, socialization, deviance and the structure and impact of institutions and organizations. Also, students will study selected social problems and how change impacts individuals and societies.

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES   G04H17                         0.5 credit                                                           Open to 11, 12

 Students will use inquiry skills to examine the issues that impact the contemporary world. Included in the course will be analysis of the historical, cultural, economic, and geographic factors that have raised certain issues to levels of concern in our nation and around the globe. Students will engage in research and problem solving in order to better understand and assess significant current issues.

PSYCHOLOGY   G04H15                                               0.5 credit                                                         Open to 11, 12

 Students will study the development of scientific attitudes and skills, including critical thinking, problem solving, and scientific methodology. Students will also examine the structure and function of the nervous system in human and non-human animals, the processes of sensation and perception, and life span development. Students will study social cognition, influence, and relations. Students will examine social and cultural diversity and diversity among individuals. Students will study memory, including encoding, storage, and retrieval of memory. Students will also study perspectives of abnormal behavior and categories of psychological disorders, including treatment thereof. Students will elaborate on the importance of drawing evidence-based conclusions about psychological phenomena and gain knowledge on a wide array of issues on both individual and global levels. Throughout the course, students will examine connections between content areas within psychology and relate psychological knowledge to everyday life. Students will explore the variety of careers available to those who study psychology.

 AP UNITED STATES HISTORY   G04H21                     1 credit                                                                      Open to 11

This course is designed to provide students with the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in U.S. history. The program prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those made by full-year introductory college courses. Students should learn to assess historical materials—their relevance to a given interpretive problem, reliability, and importance—and to weigh the evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship. An AP U.S. History course should thus develop the skills necessary to arrive at conclusions on the basis of an informed judgment and to present reasons and evidence clearly and persuasively in essay format.  Each student will be required to take the AP assessment created by the College Entrance Examination Board. The cost of the exam is determined by the College Board.

All AP courses are based upon a common foundation of information from the College Board’s AP program itself, the State of Tennessee, and the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System.

AP WORLD HISTORY   G04H29                                1 credit                                                     Open to 9, 10, 11, 12

This course provides a clear framework of six chronological periods viewed through the lens of related key concepts and course themes, accompanied by a set of skills that clearly define what it means to think historically. This approach enables students to spend less time on factual recall, more time on learning essential concepts, and helps them develop historical thinking skills necessary to explore the broad trends and global processes involved in their study of AP World History.  Each student will be required to take the AP assessment created by the College Entrance Examination Board. The cost of the exam is determined by the College Board.

All AP courses are based upon a common foundation of information from the College Board’s AP program itself, the State of Tennessee, and the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System.

AP GOVERNMENT & POLITICS   G04H26               1 credit                                                          Open to 10, 11, 12

This course will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. government and politics and the analysis of specific examples. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. government and politics. Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U.S. government and politics

• understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences (including the components of political behavior, the principles used to explain or justify various government structures and procedures, and the political effects of these structures and procedures)

• analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U.S. government and politics (including data presented in charts, tables, and other formats)

• critically analyze relevant theories and concepts, apply them appropriately, and develop their connections across the curriculum.

Each student will be required to take the AP assessment created by the College Entrance Examination Board. The cost of the exam is determined by the College Board.

All AP courses are based upon a common foundation of information from the College Board’s AP program itself, the State of Tennessee, and the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System.

AP EUROPEAN HISTORY SINCE 1450  G04H22           1 credit                                                    Open to 9, 10, 11, 12

This course introduces students to cultural, economic, political, and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live. Without this knowledge, we would lack the context for understanding the development of contemporary institutions, the role of continuity and change in present-day society and politics, and the evolution of current forms of artistic expression and intellectual discourse. In addition to providing a basic narrative of events and movements, the goals of AP European History are to develop (a) an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European history (b) an ability to analyze historical evidence and historical interpretation (c) an ability to express historical understanding in writing.  Each student will be required to take the AP assessment created by the College Entrance Examination Board. The cost of the exam is determined by the College Board.

All AP courses are based upon a common foundation of information from the College Board’s AP program itself, the State of Tennessee, and the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System.

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY   G04H30                          1 credit                                                          Open to 10, 11, 12

This course introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice.  Each student will be required to take the AP assessment created by the College Entrance Examination Board. The cost of the exam is determined by the College Board.

All AP courses are based upon a common foundation of information from the College Board’s AP program itself, the State of Tennessee, and the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System.

AP PSYCHOLOGY

This course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. While considering the psychologists and studies that have shaped the field, students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts, and phenomena associated with such topics as the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatments of psychological disorders, and social psychology. Throughout the course, students employ psychological research methods, including ethical considerations, as they use the scientific method, evaluate claims and evidence, and effectively communicate ideas.  Each student will be required to take the AP assessment created by the College Entrance Examination Board. The cost of the exam is determined by the College Board.

All AP courses are based upon a common foundation of information from the College Board’s AP program itself, the State of Tennessee, and the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System.

MILITARY HISTORY _                                                      1 credit                                                                       Open to 10, 11, 12

Students will examine the history of warfare; military tactics; and strategy and how it affected the economics, political, social, and cultural aspects of people from ancient times to the present.  Students will study the basic theories of war, such as those of Sun Tzu and Clausewitz.  Primary and secondary sources will be emphasized and analyzed throughout the course.  Change and continuity over time will be illustrated by using the following themes within each era of military history studied: 1) the attitudes of toward warfare; 2) how war influenced society; 3) the impact of technology on warfare; 4) the nature of armies their structure, organization, and makeup; 5) the experience of soldiers over time through letters and diaries.  Case studies of the most important battles, engagements, and wars will provide concrete examples of the above themes.

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY

Students will examine the life and contributions of African Americans from the early 1600s through the contemporary United States. Students will explore the influence of geography on slavery and the growth of slavery in the U.S. Students will consider urban and rural African American communities and institutions in the North and South leading up to and during the Civil War. Students will investigate the rise of Jim Crow and the subsequent effects of the laws and trace the impact of African American migration through the early 20th century. Students will explore the impact of the Harlem Renaissance as well as the contributions of African Americans during the Great Depression and World War II. Students will examine the successes and failures of the Civil Rights Movement and consider the contemporary issues confronting African Americans.

ANCIENT HISTORY

This course focuses on the history of times long past.  Students will be with the beginnings of human society.  They will examine early civilizations and the emergence of Pastoral Peoples. Students will then look at classical traditions, major religions, and giant empires between the years of 1000 BCE-300 AD.  The focus will then be the expanding zones of Exchange and Encounter in the time between 300 AD-1000 AD.  In each of the focus areas students will look at the culture, economics, geography, government & civics, and history.