WORLD GEOGRAPHY (584000)

Length: Year Available for: 9

This course is a study of people, places and environment from a physical and cultural perspective. Through a variety of classroom activities, students will gain an appreciation and understanding of the interdependent world in which they live. Students will analyze and evaluate the connection between their local and global communities.

WORLD GEOGRAPHY HONORS (584100)

Length: Year Available for: 9

This course fills the requirement for graduation. This year long course expects students to be willing to go beyond the expectations of a core class. This course involves homework, class interaction, class discussion, and group and individual projects. It is suggested that Honors English is also taken, if you choose to take this course.

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY (584200)

Length: Year Available for: 9 - 12

AP Human Geography is the study of human understanding, use, and alteration of the Earth’s surface through analysis of patterns and processes. Students will learn the impact humans have not only on the Earth, but also on each other. Emphasis is placed upon human social organization and the methods/tools geographers use. Students will take the AP test at the end of the year to receive college credit. This is a Certificate of Completion course.

WORLD HISTORY (584410)

Length: Year Available for: 10

Tenth grade students must register for a World Studies program which provides an introductory background in world history and culture. Course materials will be drawn from ancient civilizations, non-Western history, the development of the modern world, and from the international, economic, political, and social issues of the 20th century.

WORLD HISTORY HONORS (584500)

Length: Year Available for: 10

This course gives an overview of world culture from 10,000 BC to present. Special attention paid to eastern cultures in addition to Judeo-Christian west and the differing ideologies of the world's great religions; additionally, designed to prepare students for advanced placement courses and college work. It is suggested that Honors English also be taken.

AP WORLD HISTORY (584600)

Length: Year Available for: 10 - 12

AP World Civilization is a rigorous, college-level course designed to explore human history from 8000 B.C.E. to the present. We will emphasize the development of analytical and writing skills necessary for success on a collegiate level. To this end, the course devotes considerable time to the critical evaluation of primary and secondary sources, analysis of historiography (The principles, theories, or methodology of scholarly historical research and presentation) and inquiry into global connections that have shaped our present world. A special emphasis will be given to preparation for the National AP Exam, including historical writing through essay and document-based questions (DBQ) as well as objective evaluations. This is a Certificate of Completion course.

U.S. HISTORY (584800)

Length: Year Available for: 11

United States History II addresses the making of modern America, highlighting the events and issues in United States history from the late Industrial Revolution to modern times. Topics include, but are not limited to, the Industrial Revolution, the Progressive movement, imperialism and foreign affairs, the World Wars, the Great Depression, the Cold War, the civil rights movements, the rise of terrorism, and modern social and political history. Of particular importance in this United States history course is developing the reading, thinking, and writing skills of historians.

U.S. HISTORY HONORS (584800)

Length: Year Available for: 11

This is a discussion-oriented course. Activity, group, lecture, historical document, and discussions for students who are a "B" or better student in their history classes. Do you want to gain a great appreciation of the United States of America? The teacher methods in this course are intended to involve students at a very high level. This course surveys American History from colonial America to the modern presidencies.

AMERICAN CIVILIZATIONS CE (708800)

Length: Year Available for: 11

This course covers American History from the Pre-Columbian period to the present. It provides a thorough examination of the major social, political, and economic events, issues, and themes of the period. Certain sections are taught using service-learning.

AP U.S. HISTORY (584970)

Length: Year Available for: 11 - 12

AP U.S. History is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester introductory college or university U.S. history course. In AP U.S. History, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in nine historical periods from approximately 1491 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; making historical comparisons; utilizing reasoning about contextualization, causation, and continuity and change over time; and developing historical arguments. At the conclusion of this course, students will have the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement exam to receive college/university credit. This is a Certificate of Completion course.

U.S. GOVERNMENT (585201)

Length: Semester Available for: 12

The goal of this course is to foster informed, responsible participation in public life. Knowing how to be a good citizen is essential to the preservation and improvement of United States democracy. Upon completion of this course the student will understand the major ideas, protections, privileges, structures, and economic systems that affect the life of a citizen in the United States political system. This course is required for seniors due to their proximity to voting and draft age.

U.S. GOVERNMENT HONORS (585211)

Length: Semester Available for: 12

An Honors course that will foster informed, responsible participation in public life. This will be accomplished by studying the Republic of the United States and its democracy through the Constitution and major ideas, protections, and privileges, structures and the economic systems that affect us as citizens and the political system of the United States. This course is recommended for seniors who will be 18 soon and of voting age and joining the world as adults ready to make informed decisions regarding their citizenship.

AP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT (585300)

Length: Year Available for: 11 - 12

AP U.S. Government and Politics provides a college-level, nonpartisan introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. Students study U.S. foundational documents, Supreme Court decisions, and other texts and visuals to gain an understanding of the relationships and interactions among political institutions, processes, and behavior. In addition, students will complete a political science research or applied civics project. At the conclusion of this course, students will have the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement exam to receive college/university credit. This is a Certificate of Completion course.

Social Studies Elective Course Descriptions

These courses might not count towards your Social Studies Graduation Requirements.

PSYCHOLOGY (585401)

Length: Semester Available for: 10 - 12

This course introduces the student to the study of the behavior of individuals. It emphasizes the manner in which the individual can apply various psychological theories and concepts to better understand one’s self, one’s motives, and one’s relationship with other people.

ADVANCED PSYCHOLOGY (585431)

Length: Semester Available for: 11 & 12

This existing semester course is designed to focus more on human development and the dynamics of group behavior as it relates to becoming a happy and successful person, whether it be at the level of a college student, entering a career in the world of work, a marriage partner, or a parent and beyond. Hands-on personal inventories, personality type tests and a visit to teh career center will enable you to discover your potential and how to move up and become your best self in a challenging world. Additional topics include; prejudice, scapegoating, media influence and theories on leadership development. An option group dynamics project/report will enable students to apply the concepts in a useful and existing way.

AP PSYCHOLOGY (585460)

Length: Year Available for: 11 & 12

AP Psychology is to introduce the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Included is a consideration of the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Students also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. This is a Certificate of Completion course.

PERFORMANCE & SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY (585491)

Length: Semester Available for: 10 - 12 This class may have a fee

This course provides a practical approach to the primary components of performance and sports psychology. The course details the athlete’s goal of obtaining the optimal performance zone and how motivation and anxiety in practice and competition can cause the athlete to deviate from their peak performance. This course will offer methods and mental exercises that can reduce anxiety and increase motivation to assist athletes to reach their full potential in their chosen athletic arena as well as improve individual and group performance beyond the realm of athletics. (THIS COURSE EARNS ELECTIVE CREDIT)

LAW AND THE COURTS - CRIMINAL JUSTICE (585621)

Length: Semester Available for: 11 & 12

This course is an introduction to law and the legal system. This class will cover crime and justice: types of crime, understanding criminal behavior, the police, the courts, corrections, and the justice system, what we face today in our world, and what we can expect in the future. This class is for any student interested in law related work. i.e. police officers, lawyers, corrections officers, court workers, etc.

INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY (692501)

Length: Semester Available for: 11 & 12

This course will offer an overview of the great thinkers whose ideas have shaped our civilization. It will discuss philosophers in terms of the historical and intellectual environment which influence them and connect their lasting ideas to the public and private choices we face in America today. Points of study will focus on Plat, Desecrates, Hume, Hegel, Marx, and Sartre. Students will increase their knowledge by way of developing critical thinking skills.

AMERICAN HISTORY THROUGH FILM 1 (586231)

Length: Semester Available for: 11 & 12

This course is a look at American History from pre-Columbus through the twenty-first century. History has been a popular topic for filmmakers from the very earliest days of the medium, with movies used for entertainment, information, and propaganda.

AMERICAN HISTORY THROUGH FILM 2 (586241)

Length: Semester Available for: 11 & 12

This course is the 2nd part of American History Through Film and continues the look at American History from pre-Columbus through present day. History has been a popular topic for filmmakers from the very earliest days of the medium, with movies used for entertainment, information, and propaganda.

SOCIOLOGY (586201)

Length: Semester Available for: 11 & 12

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. This class will enhance the student's understanding of the social world and increase their motivation and interest in studying social processes and groups in a scientific manner.