Social Studies
Students must complete the following: Government 9, U.S. History, one semester of Economics or a full year of AP Economics, and either World History or European History. The State geography requirement will be satisfied by students that complete a year of U.S. History, the government requirement, the economics requirement, and either a year of World History or European History.
Click here for the Social Studies Department Curriculum Night Presentation
Click here for the Scope and Sequence when planning for 9th Grade Courses
US Government
SS4X10S1 and SS4X10S2 Preview Video for US Government US Government
PREREQUISITE: NoneGRADE: 9LENGTH: Full Year, S1 and S2MEETS REQUIREMENT FOR: GovernmentOUT OF CLASS WORK: OftenFEE: None This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive analysis of the authority, structure and procedure of American government. Major topics include the constitutional foundation, the politics of democracy and roles of the executive, legislative and judicial branches in the federal system. Emphasis is placed on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in a democracy. In addition, students should develop the skills of inquiry and research necessary to interpret and make judgments regarding government actions in a complex society and world. Contemporary events, as they relate to course topics, are discussed through the year.
AP US Government
SS4X83S1 and SS4X83S2 Preview Video for AP US Government AP US Government
PREREQUISITE: NoneGRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12LENGTH: Full Year, S1 and S2MEETS REQUIREMENT FOR: GovernmentOUT OF CLASS WORK: DailyFEE: None
This course involves the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics. It familiarizes the student with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. political reality. The course focuses on the following topics and questions: the Constitutional underpinnings of the United States government, political beliefs and behaviors, political parties and interest groups, institutions and activities of the national government, civil rights and civil liberties, and America's role in the world. This course is designed to prepare students for the American Government and Politics AP examination given each spring.
World History
SS4X19S1 and SS4X19S2 Preview Video for World History World History
PREREQUISITE: NoneGRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12LENGTH: Full Year, S1 and S2MEETS REQUIREMENT FOR: World HistoryOUT OF CLASS WORK: OftenFEE: None This year-long course will have a global focus using geographic themes, especially migration of people, ideas, trade etc. Other themes may include regional comparison and human environment/interaction. Students will learn through lecture and traditional work, cooperative work and research. Assessments will include tests, essays and projects. This course is a part of the sequence of Social Studies courses that will meet the geography standards.
AP World History
SS4X80S1 and SS4X80S2 Preview Video for AP World History AP World History
PREREQUISITE: NoneGRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12LENGTH: Full Year, S1 and S2MEETS REQUIREMENT FOR: World HistoryOUT OF CLASS WORK: DailyFEE: None The AP World History course, designed for the highly motivated student who is ready for college level work, develops a greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts in interactions with different types of human societies. The course is built around six overarching themes: patterns and impacts of interactions among major societies, change and continuity across world history, impact of technology and demography, systems of social structure and gender structure, cultural and intellectual developments, and changes in functions and structures of states. Periodization, explicitly discussed, forms another organizing principle for dealing with change and continuity throughout the course. This is a truly global history, with practice for the AP test. Although content knowledge is important, stress will also be placed on writing an analytical and document-based essay. This course is intended to prepare students for taking the National Advanced Placement test in the spring. This course is a part of the sequence of Social Studies courses that will meet the geography standards.
US History
SS4X11S1 and SS4X11S2 Preview Video for US History US History
PREREQUISITE: NoneGRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12LENGTH: Full Year, S1 and S2MEETS REQUIREMENT FOR: US HistoryOUT OF CLASS WORK: OftenFEE: None
In this course the student will study the development of political, social, economic and diplomatic history of the United States, with emphasis on the years 1877 to the present. Programs of various presidential administrations and major economic and political ideas that have influenced the development of our American system will be studied. The fourth quarter will be devoted to the study of the United States in a world setting. Emphasis will be placed on how other countries relate to the United States in terms of current economic, political, environmental and social issues. A study of how decisions made in the United States affect other nations and cultures will also be investigated. The contributions of many different groups of people to the development of the United States will be examined. This course is a part of the sequence of Social Studies courses that will meet the geography standards.
AP US History
SS4X81S1 and SS4X81S2 Preview Video for AP US History AP US History
PREREQUISITE: NoneGRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12LENGTH: Full Year, S1 and S2MEETS REQUIREMENT FOR: US HistoryOUT OF CLASS WORK: DailyFEE: None This course is an intensive analysis of American history for the college-bound student. Topics will be studied chronologically with special emphasis on major interpretive questions that derive from the study of selected themes. Students will develop the skills necessary to arrive at conclusions on the basis of informed judgments, and to present reasons and evidence clearly and persuasively. Materials will include a basic college text, collections of selected documents, and a variety of interpretive works. This course is intended to prepare students for taking the National Advanced Placement test in the spring. This course is a part of the sequence of Social Studies courses that will meet the geography standards.
AP European History
SS4X82S1 and SS4X82S2 Preview Video for AP European History AP European History
PREREQUISITE: NoneGRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12LENGTH: Full Year, S1 and S2MEETS REQUIREMENT FOR: World HistoryOUT OF CLASS WORK: DailyFEE: None This is an intensive course in European history for the college-bound student surveying the social, intellectual, political and diplomatic history of Europe from the Renaissance to the 1990s. Emphasis in this class is placed on historical interpretation, note taking, and essay writing and is similar to a college level history class. The student will also do extensive reading using a basic college text. Frequent essay writing will demand that students use critical analysis, defend an interpretation, and properly organize and construct a clear thesis. This course is intended to prepare students for taking the National Advanced Placement test in the spring. This course is a part of the sequence of Social Studies courses that will meet the geography standards.
AP Human Geography
SS4X86S1 or SS4X86S2 Preview Video for AP Human Geography AP Human Geography
PREREQUISITE: NoneGRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12LENGTH: 1 Semester, S1 or S2MEETS REQUIREMENT FOR: Social Studies ElectiveOUT OF CLASS WORK: DailyFEE: None
This course requires students to compare how components of culture shape the characteristics of regions and analyze the impact of technology and human modifications on the physical environment. On completion of this course students must demonstrate how to use and think about maps and spatial data, understand and interpret the implications of associations among phenomena in place, recognize and interpret at different scales the relationships among patterns and processes, define regions and evaluate the regionalization process, and characterize and analyze the interconnections among places. This course is intended to prepare students for taking the National Advanced Placement test in the spring.
Contemporary Issues
SS4X14S1 or SS4X14S2 Preview Video for Contemporary Issues Contemporary Issues
PREREQUISITE: NoneGRADE: 10, 11, 12LENGTH: S1 or S2MEETS REQUIREMENT FOR: Social Studies Elective; Government with additional studyOUT OF CLASS WORK: PeriodicallyFEE: None
This course is designed to provide students an opportunity to analyze and evaluate selected United States and global social issues by applying critical thinking skills. Students will be expected to respectfully participate in open discussions of controversial issues, read critically and explore alternative views from a variety of sources of information including guest speakers. Discussion and analysis will occur in an interdisciplinary setting that incorporates concepts from all of the social studies.
Economics
SS4X21S1 or SS4X21S2 Preview Video for Economics Economics
PREREQUISITE: NoneGRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12LENGTH: 1 Semester, S1 or S2MEETS REQUIREMENT FOR: EconomicsOUT OF CLASS WORK: OftenFEE: None
In this course, students will analyze the systematic ways in which people address the problem of allocating scarce resources to satisfy unlimited wants, with particular emphasis on the American capitalistic system. Students will be introduced to the basic principles of micro and macroeconomics, and will be expected to apply these principles to problems concerning the individual firm, and the national and international economies. This course is a part of the sequence of Social Studies courses that will meet the geography standards.
AP Economics
SS4X84S1 and SS4X84S2 Preview Video for AP Economics AP Economics
PREREQUISITE: NoneGRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12LENGTH: Full Year, S1 and S2MEETS REQUIREMENT FOR: Economics (with completion of full year)OUT OF CLASS WORK: DailyFEE: None
This course satisfies the Economics requirement. This course, which may be taught in a blended format, prepares students for two advance placement tests: Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. The microeconomics portion of the course seeks to evaluate the efficiency of the market system by examining supply and demand, various business structures in the product and resource markets, market failures, and the role of government. In the macroeconomics section, students will analyze the business cycle, indicators of economic performance (such as unemployment and inflation), money and money creation, monetary and fiscal policies, international trade, and currency exchange. The course places special emphasis on the analysis of current economic problems and presents several different economic schools of thought. This course is intended to prepare students for taking the National Advanced Placement test in the spring. This course is a part of the sequence of Social Studies courses that will meet the geography standards.
Topics in African American History
SS4X15S1 or SS4X15S2 Preview Video for Topics in African American History Topics in African American History
PREREQUISITE: NoneGRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12LENGTH: 1 Semester, S1 or S2MEETS REQUIREMENT FOR: Social Studies ElectiveOUT OF CLASS WORK: PeriodicallyFEE: None
This semester-long class is a chronological survey of African American History. By studying the roots of African American history, this course will give students an understanding of and a sense of pride in the record of accomplishments in spite of injustice, prejudice, and discrimination.
Sociology
SS4X32S1 or SS4X32S2 Preview Video for Sociology Sociology
PREREQUISITE: NoneGRADE: 10, 11, 12LENGTH: 1 Semester, S1 or S2MEETS REQUIREMENT FOR: Social Studies ElectiveOUT OF CLASS WORK: PeriodicallyFEE: None
Sociology is a semester-long course that introduces and raises awareness of sociological concepts, theories and issues. Following an introduction to the major (functionalist, conflict, and interactionist perspectives) the focus of the course turns to an examination of culture, society, socialization, groups and organizations, deviance, social and global stratification, class, race and ethnicity, gender studies, social movement, and the environment. Classroom activities include lectures, films, readings, debates, presentations, criminal procedure background, mock trial and discussion. The course culminates with a group project that analyzes a current social issue/problem of the group’s choice.
Enriched Sociology
SS4X75S1 or SS4X75S2Enriched Sociology
PREREQUISITE: NoneGRADE: 10, 11, 12LENGTH: 1 Semester, S1 or S2MEETS REQUIREMENT FOR: Social Studies ElectiveOUT OF CLASS WORK: DailyFEE: None Enriched Sociology is a semester-long course that introduces and raises awareness of sociological theories, concepts and issues. Following an introduction to the major functionalist, conflict, and interactionist perspectives, the focus of the course turns to an examination of culture, society, socialization, groups and organizations, deviance, social and global stratification, class, race and ethnicity, gender studies, social movement, and the environment. Classroom activities include lectures, films, readings, debates, presentations, criminal procedure background, mock trial and discussion. In addition, the course will critically examine the sociology of sports, foundations of India’s Sacred Cow, Ju’hoansi society and how subtle sex discrimination works through classic, contemporary, and cross-cultural readings. This course culminates with a comprehensive group project that examines a specific social problem/issue and requires students to prepare an action plan for change through among other things, a service learning component.
AP Comparative Government
SS4X87S1 or SS4X87S2 Preview Video for AP Comparative Government AP Comparative Government
PREREQUISITE: NoneGRADE: 10, 11, 12LENGTH: 1 Semester, S1 or S2MEETS REQUIREMENT FOR: Social Studies Elective; Government with additional studyOUT OF CLASS WORK: DailyFEE: None
This course is interdisciplinary and draws on knowledge from politics, history and economics. The course requires students to compare and contrast the world’s diverse political systems by analyzing different political institutions, public policy processes and outcomes, and marked periods of political and economic change. Students will also examine the effects of globalization and democratization not, only on individual nations, but on the world as a whole. On completion of this course students must: understand major comparative political concepts, themes, and generalizations; have knowledge of important facts pertaining to the governments and politics of China, Great Britain, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, and Russia; understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences; be able to compare and contrast political institutions and processes across countries and to derive generalizations, and be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to comparative government and politics. This course is intended to prepare students for taking the National Advanced Placement test in the spring.
Psychology
SS4X31S1 or SS4X31S2 Preview Video for Psychology Psychology
PREREQUISITE: NoneGRADE: 10, 11, 12LENGTH: 1 Semester, S1 or S2MEETS REQUIREMENT FOR: Social Studies ElectiveOUT OF CLASS WORK: PeriodicallyFEE: None
This course will examine how the various sub-fields of psychology scientifically describe, predict and explain behavior and mental processes. We will survey a broad range of psychology topics and consider the several perspectives, or lenses, through which psychologists study and understand behavior. Course topics include history and methods, bio-psychology, consciousness, learning, development, memory, personality and psychological disorders. Classroom activities will include discussion, direct instruction, videos, and group activities.
AP Psychology
SS4X85S1 or SS4X85S2 Preview Video for AP Psychology AP Psychology
PREREQUISITE: NoneGRADE: 10, 11, 12LENGTH: 1 Semester, S1 or S2MEETS REQUIREMENT FOR: Social Studies ElectiveOUT OF CLASS WORK: DailyFEE: None
This course traces the emergence of scientific psychology from its roots in philosophy and physiology, and examines the development of the major schools of psychology in both applied and research sub-fields. Students will gain an understanding of the principal contemporary approaches to understanding behavior and mental processes. Unit topics include history and methods, bio-psychology, consciousness, sensation, perception, learning, memory, cognition, intelligence, motivation, emotion, personality, psychological disorders and therapy. This course covers material typically covered in an introductory college level psychology course and will prepare students for the Advanced Placement exam in the spring.
Criminal Law
SS4X33S1 or SS4X33S2 Preview Video for Criminal Law Criminal Law
PREREQUISITE: US Government *GRADE: 10, 11, 12LENGTH: 1 Semester, S1 or S2MEETS REQUIREMENT FOR: Social Studies ElectiveOUT OF CLASS WORK: PeriodicallyFEE: None Criminal law, a semester-long course, will introduce students to the fundamentals of criminal law and liability, and to develop the critical analytical skills (written and oral) necessary for the next generation EPS learner. Units of study will include basic requirements of criminal liability, the distribution of criminal liability, mistake and omissions, significance of resulting harm, justification defenses, excuse defenses and responsibility for who we are. The course will rely upon a variety of teaching strategies to supplement the materials in Paul H. Robinson’s (5th edition) Criminal Law Case Studies.
Philosophy
SS4X34S1 or SS4X34S2 Preview Video for Philosophy Philosophy
PREREQUISITE: NoneGRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12LENGTH: 1 Semester, S1 or S2MEETS REQUIREMENT FOR: Social Studies ElectiveOUT OF CLASS WORK: OftenFEE: None
Philosophy is a systematic critical inquiry into the natures of knowledge, ethics, and reality. Over the course of a semester, students will study philosophies throughout history from all over the world, as they arrive at their own conclusions and develop their own personal credos. This course will incorporate discussion, readings, debates, and writing as primary methods of instruction and assessment and serves as an introduction to content frequently central to a collegiate liberal arts education.