Embedded Files
Social Studies Requirements
Social Studies Requirements
Students must complete 3 Social Studies credits to earn a South Carolina diploma. These must include one credit of United States History & Constitution, 1/2 credit of United States Government, 1/2 credit of Economics, and one other Social Studies credit.
Social Studies core courses will be scheduled upon teacher recommendation utilizing school and district criteria. Parents/Guardians who disagree with the recommended course must contact their student's teacher to initiate the override process.
Social Studies Core Courses
Social Studies Core Courses
Modern and World History
Grades 10-12
Credit: 1 credit
World History from 1300: The Making of the Modern World is designed to assist students in understanding how people and countries of the world have become increasingly interconnected. In the last six hundred years, population growth, demand for resources, curiosity, and technology have converged to draw the distant corners of the world closer together. Critical thinking is focal to this course, which emphasizes on why and how people, ideas, and technology have made an impact on diverse groups of people. Covers from the mid 15th century up to the present day.
AP European History
Prerequisite: AP Human Geography or teacher rec.
Grades 10-12
Credit: 1 elective credit (fall) / 1 social studies credit (spring)
This course is taught at the college level and is designed for students willing to make a commitment to the study of history. The objective of the course is to increase students’ understanding and appreciation of European history since 1450, while helping them succeed on the AP European History exam. The class introduces students to cultural, economic, political, and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live. In addition to providing a basic narrative of events and movements, the goals of AP European History are to develop (a) an understanding of the principal themes in modern European history, (b) an ability to analyze historical evidence and historical interpretation, and (c) an ability to express historical understanding in writing. Students take the AP European History exam in May. (2 semester course)
U.S. History and the Constitution EOC
Prerequisite: Modern & World History or AP European History (starting with the Class of 2028)
Grades 11-12
Credit: 1
U.S. History and Constitution credit This survey course covers the social, economic and political developments in the United States from the earliest settlement of North America to the present. This span includes the Native Americans, establishment of colonies, creation of a new nation, the U.S. Constitution, territorial expansion to the West, Civil War and Reconstruction, industrialization and immigration of the late nineteenth century, and our nation’s role in world affairs in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Students will analyze historical documents, understand varying viewpoints, and evaluate the historical interpretation of others. This course is required for graduation. The SC End of Course exam will be given to all students.
U.S. History and the Constitution- Honors EOC
Prerequisite: Modern & World History or AP European History (starting with the Class of 2028)
Grades 11-12
Credit: 1
In this course, students will investigate the full range of American history, from the colonial period to modern times. Emphasis will be placed on developing the factual knowledge and historical reasoning necessary to analyze and interpret a number of historical sources, including primary and secondary documents. The course will also focus heavily on the Constitutional foundations and development of the American government. At the honors level, students are expected to perform at higher levels of understanding and analysis, as the topics in the class are explored in greater depth and the assignments are of a more rigorous nature. The SC End of Course exam will be given to all students.
AP U.S. History EOC
Prerequisite: AP European History or Modern & World History w/ teacher rec. (starting with the Class of 2028)
Grades: 11-12
Credit: 1 elective credit (fall) / 1 US History credit (spring)
This course is designed as a college level course for students willing to commit to the serious study of history. AP U.S. History is an intensive study that requires the utilization of skills and factual knowledge to analyze problems in the history of the US. The course involves research, interpretation, critical analysis, and extensive reading. Specific emphasis will be placed on social, economic and political trends of the United States in foreign and domestic affairs through the year 2003. Analysis and interpretation of documents, maps, statistical data, pictorial and graphic evidence will be required. Students take the AP U.S. History exam in May. The SC End of Course exam will be given to all students. (2 semester course)
U.S. Government
Prerequisite: U.S. History or AP U.S. History
Grades 11-12
Credit: (.5) credit
Government is a rigorous course designed for high school seniors. This nine-week course will deal with the U.S. National Government. Students will primarily examine the operation of major American institutions such as the Presidency, the National courts, and Congress. Civil rights, civil liberties and civic responsibilities will also be discussed. This course is scheduled in partnership with Economics.
Economics with Personal Finance
Prerequisite: U.S. History or AP U.S. History
Grades 11-12
Credit: (.5) credit
This nine-week course will deal with Economics and Personal Finance. The goal is to increase students’ financial literacy and to study the structure of the American economic system. The focus is on economic principles, with an emphasis on the efficient allocation of resources through the market forces of demand and supply. With regard to financial literacy, students are also given instruction in banking and financial institutions, credit card and credit management, and stock and bond markets. This course is scheduled in partnership with US Government.
AP U.S. Government and Politics
Prerequisite: U.S. History or AP U.S. History
Grades 11-12
Credit: 1 Government credit
This course will present an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. Its guiding goals are to help students develop a critical understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the American political system, understand the rights and responsibilities of citizens, while also helping them succeed on the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam. In order to achieve these objectives, the course will include both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics, and the analysis of specific examples. It also requires students to become familiar with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute the U.S. political system. Students take the AP U.S. Government and Politics in May. This course must be taken in conjunction with AP Micro Economics in order to meet the Government / Economics graduation requirement.
AP Microeconomics
Prerequisite: U.S. History or AP U.S. History
Grades 11-12
Credit: 1 credit
The purpose of an AP course in Microeconomics is to provide a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the larger economic system. It places primary emphasis on the nature and functions of product markets, and includes the study of factor markets and of the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. This course must be taken in conjunction with AP Micro Economics in order to meet the Government / Economics graduation requirement.
Social Studies Elective Courses
Social Studies Elective Courses
Human Geography
Credit: 1 credit
Students study Earth’s human geography beginning with the use of maps and other geographic representations, geospatial technologies and spatial thinking to understand and communicate geographic information. Students will examine patterns and processes of how human characteristics and activities vary across Earth’s surface and how humans understand, use and alter the surface of the Earth. Conceptual in nature rather than place specific, this is course is organized systematically around the topics of population and migration geography, economics geography, cultural geography, political geography, an urban geography. Students will also learn to employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human patterns and processes and their environmental consequences.
AP Human Geography
Prerequisite: English 1 Honors
Credit: 1 elective credit (fall) / 1 AP elective credit (spring)
This course is taught at the college level and is designed for students willing to make a commitment to the study of human geography. The objective of the course is to focus on the distribution, processes, and effects of human populations on the planet. The course provides a systematic study of human geography, including the following topics outlined in the College Board course description: Nature of and Perspectives on Geography, Population, Cultural Patterns and Processes, Political Organization of Space, Agricultural and Rural Land Use, Industrialization and Economic Development, Cities and Urban Land Use. Students take the AP Human Geography exam in May. (2 semester course)
Personal Finance and Civics
Credit: .5 credit Personal Finance/. 5 Civics
Personal Finance is designed to help students develop skills to make informed financial decisions, manage financial resources, and plan for future financial success. Using experiential activities, students will learn the basic principles of personal finance and how to manage their money in a global economy, which include budgeting, banking, insurance, mortgages, savings, investments, inheritance, retirement, tax, and estate planning. Students will also learn about consumer protection laws, internet safety, and cyber security, enabling them to safeguard financial information against technology-based attacks. This course cannot be used as a part of a CTE completer program.
This Personal Finance course fulfills the requirement for graduation credit
Civics is a course that is designed to give students an exploration into various subjects and topics that appear in the Social Studies curriculum. The course will present a narrative of world history from the roots of democracy through the Present. The course traces the development of civilizations throughout the world. Themes include political change, economic development, the growth of science and technology, the effect of contact between culture, and creativity in the arts. The course will also examine the major principles or the American political system. Special emphasis will be placed on helping the student understand their role within the American political system.
Current Event/ Foreign Policy
Prerequisite: Grades: 11-12
Credit: 1 credit
In this course, students will scrutinize current events on the local, state, national, and international levels. Students will examine economic, religious, social, political, and military events. Where applicable, in-depth research will be conducted to determine the historical causes of current situations. Mass communication materials and the Internet will be used for obtaining immediate and historical information pertaining to the curriculum to understand the environments in which students live. Students are expected to participate actively in class discussions.
Sociology
Prerequisite: Grades 10-12
Credit: 1 credit
Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Life is social whenever we interact with others. Over time, patterns of interaction become embedded in the structure of society. Sociologists investigate and seek to understand the structure of groups, organizations, and societies and how people interact within these contexts. Since most human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the internet; from organized crime to religious culture. Because of sociology’s breadth and applicability, it is a topic that is often fascinating for high school students; because of sociology’s strong empirical basis, it can also help introduce students to the rigorous use of scientific data to study the social world.
Psychology
Prerequisite: Grades 10-12
Credit: 1 credit
This course is designed to help students better understand themselves and others in everyday situations. Major areas of emphasis will be personality and behavioral development, intelligence, heredity and environment, marriage and family life, peer groups, mental health and social problems, learning and conditioning, and social and abnormal psychology.
AP Psychology
Prerequisite: Psychology or teacher rec.
Credit: 1 credit
Students will explore the concepts, theories, perspectives, phenomena, and behaviors associated with the sub-fields and research areas of psychology. Students will also analyze the methods psychologists use to study various types of behavior and mental processes and evaluate the validity and significance of their contributions. Students will take the AP exam in May.
Law Education- Street Law
Law Education is an introduction to personal and practical law. It is designed to help students better understand how the law works in their daily lives, how the law strives to promote fairness, and how it applies to their individual rights. Students will examine a number of legal scenarios and simulations throughout this course.
Law Education - Mock Trial
Prerequisite: English 1 Honors and participation in Mock Trial club
Credit: 1 credit
Students will explore the historical and legal basis of the United States legal system. Students will study the U.S. Constitution, landmark Supreme Court cases as well as influential case law. Particular focus will be placed on research, synthesizing legal concepts, and ethics. Students will research various topics relating to the U.S. Constitution focusing on landmark cases and their current impact on society. Students will independently simulate Congressional debate and courtroom procedures. When given current legal controversies, students will research and create original arguments supporting their opinions. This course will particularly focus on developing students’ oratorical skills and critical thinking, while incorporating team work and leadership skills. Students will prepare and conduct a trial with hypothetical cases provided by the South Carolina Bar Association. Local attorneys will serve as mentors and facilitate class discussion and research. Student teams compete in regional, state, and possibly national competitions. Students may have some required meetings outside the traditional school day. This course allows students to explore various career opportunities in the legal profession.
Suggested Sequence for Social Studies Courses
Suggested Sequence for Social Studies Courses
25-26 Social Studies Flow Chart.pdfPage updated
Report abuse