Social Studies

World History & Geography S1-S2 Grades 10-12 2 Semesters 1 Credit

Through the World History & Geography course, students will develop historical thinking skills that will allow them to become citizens in a globally interconnected world. Students will evaluate causal relationships by analyzing primary source documents to identify the social, political, and economic factors that have shaped the world in which we live. They will be able to construct an argument based on historical themes using primary source evidence and content knowledge obtained through the course. This course will introduce students to broad themes including conflict and resolution, cultural diffusion, economics and innovation, governance, and social interactions. 

AP World History: Modern S1-S2 Grades 10-12 2 Semesters 1 Credit

All except Online

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation 

This course uses the CollegeBoard curriculum to investigate the structures and changes in human societies from ancient times to the present. The instruction of this course provides the students with an in-depth study of World History utilizing a college-level text, primary and secondary sources, and the writing of free-response and document-based essays. Success on this exam may grant credit or advancement placement at many colleges and universities. All students are required to take the CollegeBoard’s examination for this subject.

U. S. & Arizona History S1-S2 Grades 11 2 Semesters 1 Credit

Through the Glendale Union High School District United States/Arizona History course, students will develop opinions on a variety of social, political, and economic issues. Using both historical and contemporary perspectives, students will be able to discuss their attitudes with relevant facts and support. Students will develop a historical point of view and well-rounded perspective through implicit analysis of historical events and primary and secondary sources. Additionally, students will compose an effective narrative that describes and analyzes the history of the United States in response to an analytical question. The course will survey historical events from the founding of the United States through contemporary times.  It will also introduce students to themes including economics and innovation, migrations and settlements, politics and power, social interactions, and America's role in the world. 

AP United States History S1-S2 Grades 11-12 2 Semesters 1 Credit

All except Online

Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP World History : Modern S1-S2 or World History & Geography S1-S2 and teacher recommendation 

This course uses the CollegeBoard curriculum which is a survey of United States history from Colonial America through the Modern Era. The instruction of this course provides students with an in-depth study of United States history utilizing a college-level text, primary and secondary sources, and the writing of free-response and document-based essays. Success on this exam may grant credit or advancement placement at many colleges and universities. All students are required to take the CollegeBoard’s examination for this subject. 

Government Grades 12 1 Semester ½ Credit

The United States/Arizona Government course introduces students to the requirements and demands of democratic citizenship. Study includes the historical backgrounds, Constitutional principles, and institutions of the United States and the state of Arizona. United States/Arizona Government will act as a finishing course to the social studies, preparing students to take their rightful place as full, active, and responsible members of American society while simultaneously instilling in them an appreciation of the past as it relates to the present and preparing them for the possibilities of their futures. 

Economics Grades 12 1 Semester ½ Credit

This microeconomics and macroeconomics survey course focuses on developing an economic way of thinking and problem-solving in order for students to apply basic economic principles such as scarcity, opportunity cost, production, and consumption to decisions they will make as participants in a global marketplace. Students will weigh the costs and benefits and analyze both short-term and long-term effects of their decisions to best meet the challenges of the 21st century. 

Honors Economics Grades 12 1 Semester ½ Credit

AP Government & Politics Grades 12 2 Semesters ½  Credit

All except Online

Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP US History or US & AZ History and teacher recommendation 

This full-year course integrates the CollegeBoard Government & Politics curriculum with the study of Economics; emphasizing concepts relevant to the study of the role of the federal government and the economy. The CollegeBoard curriculum provides students with an in-depth study of United States governmental concepts as well as the principles of political behavior. The instruction of this course utilizes a college-level text, primary and secondary sources, and the writing of free-response essays. Success on this exam may grant credit or advancement placement at many colleges and universities. All students are required to take the CollegeBoard’s examination for this subject. 

Psychology Grades 11-12 1 Semester ½ Credit

Greenway and Online only

Introduction to psychology gives students a scientific basis for understanding behavior and to have more insight into themselves and their environment through learning to better adapt, cope, react, set goals and make decisions. A sampling of areas of exploration would include: learning, motivation, creativity, emotion, personality, behavioral conditioning, and mental illness. 

Sociology Grades 11-12 1 Semester ½ Credit

Greenway only

Sociology is the social study of man, culture and society, cultural and social change, and ethnic groups. It will encourage students to discover the basic structure of human society, identify the main forces that hold groups together or weaken them, and learn the conditions that transform social life.