History Course Descriptions
WORLD HISTORY: GLOBAL ISSUES AND PATTERNS SINCE 1200
Credit: 1 Unit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 8th grade Social Studies
CA: 9th Grade
World History: This course will focus on Global Issues and Patterns since 1200. The course is designed to be a study of nations, economies, events, and cultures of the many regions of the world, providing historical background for each area and details on language, religion, diplomacy, and economic, political, and social institutions. The course also explores underlying themes of power and authority, change and continuity, human-environment interaction, globalization and cultural diffusion, and individual and group identity. This course seeks to move beyond the rote teaching of World History to the teaching of history in context to the world and global society in which students currently live and need to understand. (NCDPI)
HONORS WORLD HISTORY: GLOBAL ISSUES/PATTERNS
Credit: 1 Unit
Prerequisite: A on 8th Grade Social Studies NC Final Exam OR 90 or > in 8th Grade Social Studies
Previous Course: 8th Grade Social Studies
CA: 9th Grade
Honors World History: The course will focus on Global Issues and Patterns since 1200. The course will provide the opportunity for advanced work, rigorous study and systematic study of nations, economies, events, and cultures of the many regions of the world, providing historical background for each area and details on language, religion, diplomacy, and economic, political, and social institutions.
The course also explores underlying themes of power and authority, change and continuity, human-environment interaction, globalization and cultural diffusion, and individual and group identity. This course seeks to move beyond the rote teaching of World History to the teaching of history in context to the world and global society in which students currently live and need to understand. (NCDPI) The course is challenging and requires students to take greater responsibility for their learning by participating in problem -seeking, scholarly and creative processes, critical analysis and application and reflective thinking.
AMERICAN HISTORY
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of World History
CA: 10th Grade
The American History course begins with the end of the French and Indian War in 1763 and continues through the most recent presidential election. This course will explore the overarching themes, trends, and concepts of our nation’s history, including the development and evolution of the American system of government, the patterns and impact of migration and immigration, cultural development through the arts and technological innovations, relationships with foreign nations, and the role of both the individual and diverse groups in building the American story. (NCDPI)
HONORS AMERICAN HISTORY
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: A on World History Final Exam OR 85 or > in honors World History or 90 or > in World History
Previous Course: World History
CA: 10th Grade
The American History course begins with the end of the French and Indian War in 1763 and continues through the most recent presidential election. This course will explore the overarching themes, trends, and concepts of our nation’s history, including the development and evolution of the American system of government, the patterns and impact of migration and immigration, cultural development through the arts and technological innovations, relationships with foreign nations, and the role of both the individual and diverse groups in building the American story. (NCDPI)
This course provides the opportunity for advanced work, rigorous academic study, and the practical application of the major ideas and concepts found in the study of American History. The course is challenging and requires students to take greater responsibility for their learning by participating in problem-seeking and problem-solving, scholarly and creative processes, critical analysis and application, reflective thinking and the expression and defense of ideas generated through the study of the content.
ECONOMICS AND PERSONAL FINANCE
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
Previous Courses: American History
CA: 11th
“The Economics and Personal Finance (EPF) course is intended to be a study of economics, personal finance, income and education, money management, critical consumerism, and financial planning.” (NCDPI) Students will understand economic indicators, the role of government in the economy, micro and macroeconomics, budgeting, and financial services. Also included is the study of college and career choices, saving, investing, managing credit, and making wise consumer decisions.
HONORS ECONOMICS AND PERSONAL FINANCE
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: A on American History Final Exam OR 85 OR > in Honors American History or 90 or > in American History.
Previous Courses: American History
CA: 11th
“The Economics and Personal Finance (EPF) course is intended to be a study of economics, personal finance, income and education, money management, critical consumerism, and financial planning.” (NCDPI) Students will understand economic indicators, the role of government in the economy, micro and macroeconomics, budgeting, and financial services. Also included is the study of college and career choices, saving, investing, managing credit, and making wise consumer decisions. Honors Economics and Personal Finance is distinguished by a difference in the quality of work expected, not merely an increase in quantity.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY AND
ADVANCED PLACEMENT GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
(credit for American History and Civic Literacy)
Credit: 2 Units (Year Long)
Prerequisite: A on Economics and Personal Finance Final Exam OR 85 or > in Honors Economics and Personal Finance or 90 or > in Economics and Personal Finance
CA: 11th Grade
***Students who chose to drop AP US History and AP GOPO at the semester change may receive an "F" for both courses.
AP US History
This is a college level U.S. History course that prepares students for the AP U.S. History Exam. According to the College Board, “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 and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change. The course also provides eight themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: American and national identity; work, exchange, and technology; geography and the environment; migration and settlement; politics and power; America in the world; American and regional culture; and social structures.” Students enrolled in this course are required to take the AP Exam in May.
AP Government and Politics
This course is also a credit for Civic Literacy. According to the College Board “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 will 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 behaviors. They will also engage in disciplinary practices that require them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments. In addition, they will complete a political science research or applied civics project.” Students enrolled in this course are required to take the AP Government and Politics exam in May.
CIVIC LITERACY
(Founding Principles of the United States of America and North Carolina: Civic Literacy)
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
Previous Course: Economics and Personal Finance
CA: 12th Grade
Founding Principles of the United States of America and North Carolina: Civic Literacy ”This course will allow students to examine the ways in which power and responsibility are both shared and limited by the U.S. Constitution and how the judicial, legal, and political systems of North Carolina and the United States embody the founding principles of government. Students in this course will analyze and evaluate the extent to which the American system of government guarantees, protects, and upholds the rights of citizens. Through the integration of inquiry-based learning, students will also investigate how the American system of government has evolved over time while learning how to analyze topics, issues, and claims in order to communicate ideas and take action to effect change and inform others.” (NCDPI)
CIVIC LITERACY HONORS
(Founding Principles of the United States of America and North Carolina: Civic Literacy)
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: A on Economics and Personal Finance Final Exam OR 85 OR > in Honors Economics and Personal Finance or 90 or > in Economics and Personal Finance.
Previous Courses: Economics and Personal Finance or Honors Economics and Personal Finance
CA: 12th
Founding Principles of the United States of America and North Carolina: Civic Literacy ”This course will allow students to examine the ways in which power and responsibility are both shared and limited by the U.S. Constitution and how the judicial, legal, and political systems of North Carolina and the United States embody the founding principles of government. Students in this course will analyze and evaluate the extent to which the American system of government guarantees, protects, and upholds the rights of citizens. Through the integration of inquiry-based learning, students will also investigate how the American system of government has evolved over time while learning how to analyze topics, issues, and claims in order to communicate ideas and take action to effect change and inform others.” (NCDPI) Honors Civic literacy is distinguished by a difference in the quality of work expected, not merely an increase in quantity.
AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite:
Previous Courses:
CA: 9th-12th
According to the College Board “AP Human Geography introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications. The curriculum reflects the goals of the National Geography Standards (2012). The course is equivalent to an introductory college-level course in human geography.” Students enrolled in this course are required to take the AP Exam in May.