Social Studies

Three units of social studies are required for a SC High School Diploma. One unit must be in U.S. History: one unit must be American Government and Economics. The other unit may be any elective from the area of social studies.

Human Geography

Credit: 1 History Elective

Students cultivate their understanding of the topic through data and geographic analyses as they explore topics like patterns and spatial organization, human impacts and interactions with their environment, and spatial processes and societal changes.

AP Human Geography

Credits:1 History Elective / AP Exam

In this college level course, students cultivate their understanding of human geography through data and geographic analyses as they explore topics like patterns and spatial organization, human impacts and interactions with their environment, and spatial processes and societal changes. Students will take the AP exam.

U.S. History

Credit: 1 History unit / EOC

This course covers the chronological development of the American people and government, including the Civil War, the country's technological and urban transformation, and American foreign policy. This is a required course to graduate and culminates with the EOC exam.

AP U.S. History

Credit:1 History unit / AP Exam & EOC

In this college-level course covers the cultural, economic, political, and social developments of the United States from 1491 to the present. Students analyze historical sources, write essays, and evaluate primary and secondary sources. Students will take the AP US History Exam as well as the AP exam and EOC exam.

Modern & World History

Credit: 1 History Elective

Modern & World History Honors

Credit:1 History Elective

Students will explore how the emergence of the modern world was a result of exploration, the development of international trade networks, and regional economic, political, and social systems. These new ideas and understandings of the world led to innovation and change. Students will be engaged in seminars and will be required to compare, analyze, and synthesize historical information. This course is recommended to be taken by those that are self-motivated with strong reading and writing skills.

Government/Economics & Personal Finance

Credit: 1 History unit

Emphasis will be on the application of governmental and economic theories to the world of today. Students will study the role of government in a free market society. They will investigate the role of monetary contributions in our political system and will research the role of the Federal Government and the Federal processes. Emphasis on skills to make informed decisions about real world financial issues. These are required graduation courses.

Government/Economics & Personal Finance Honors

Credit: 1 History unit

This course is designed to encourage responsible and effective civic participation. It emphasizes the use of analytical and interpretive skills so that students are able to evaluate and defend political positions with sound reasoning and evidence. The Economic section of this course is a study of the American free enterprise economic system. It covers microeconomic and macroeconomic theory. This course helps students effectively use economic reasoning as workers, consumers, and citizens. Emphasis is placed on the use of analytical and interpretive skills to make informed decisions based on evaluation of economic data, understanding of economic issues, and knowledge concerning public policy. Emphasis on skills to make informed decisions about real world financial issues. These are required graduation courses.

Current Events

Credit:1 History Elective

In this course students will cover a variety of topics, including local, national, and international news, and how those events affect students' lives. The course may also help students develop critical thinking skills and learn how to analyze and communicate their ideas. In this course students may use a variety of news sources, including newspapers, online media, cartoons, and newscasts Students will also learn how to effectively communicate their ideas and opinions orally and in writing, and connection to daily life and dive into how current events affect their daily lives and what they can learn from them.

Law Education

Credit: 1 History Elective

An introduction to personal and practical law. It is designed to help students understand how the law works in their lives, how the law strives to promote fairness, and how it applies to individual rights.

IB History HL I & II

Credit: 1 History Elective each / IB Exam

Studies in depth selected 20th century world history topics. Emphasis will be placed upon the development and implications of wars, the rise and rule of single party states, and East-West relations after 1945. Students will read extensively. Research, essay writing, and intensive Socratic dialogue will be employed. Students will sit for the IB exam their Senior year.

Theory of Knowledge Honors

Credit: 1 History Elective

Requires critical reflection on the knowledge and experience of students both inside and outside the classroom. Traditional subject areas are evaluated, compared, and integrated. Students will acquire critical awareness of what they know through analyzing concepts and arguments and the bases of value judgements. This is a required course for full IB Diploma Candidates

IB Psychology

Credit: 1 Honor Credit & 1 IB Credit / AP & IB Exam

The IB Diploma Program psychology course is the systematic study of behavior and mental processes. Students undertaking the course can expect to develop an understanding of how psychological knowledge is generated, developed and applied. This will allow them to have a greater understanding of themselves and appreciate the diversity of human behavior. This course is broken into two parts: AP Psychology Seminar in the Fall, and IB Psychology in the Spring. Students will sit for the IB and AP exam in the Spring.