Psychology

204 - Psychology Half Year 1/2 credit 

Recommended:  11th and 12th grade

Prerequisite:  World History and Geography (1 credit), US History (1 credit)

Psychology is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings. Students are exposed to 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. Special emphasis in the first half of the year is placed on the physiological processes that influence the human experience. The second half includes the study of how we learn, what factors determine our personalities, what motivates us, the nature of intelligence, emotion and how thought and language frame our reality, concluding with an examination of abnormal psychology, diagnostic procedure, and the various therapeutic options available to therapists.  

AP Psychology

210 - AP Psychology Full Year 1 credit 

Recommended:  11th and 12th grade

Prerequisite: World History and Geography (1 credit), US History (1 credit)

Students must complete all summer work associated with this course or they will be withdrawn.

Advanced Placement Psychology is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings. Students are exposed to 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. Special emphasis in the first half of the year is placed on the physiological processes that influence the human experience. This includes an examination of the nervous and endocrine systems, sensation, perception, and the states of consciousness. Additionally, the major theorists and stages of human development are examined in order to apply these concepts and methods to real world experiences. The second half includes the study of how we learn, what factors determine our personalities, what motivates us, the nature of intelligence, emotion and how thought and language frame our reality, concluding with an examination of abnormal psychology, diagnostic procedure, and the various therapeutic options available to therapists. Critical thinking, reading and writing skills are developed throughout with special emphasis placed on strategies to succeed on the AP Psychology Exam. This course is designed as a college-level class, and as such, the course objectives are geared to prepare students for the required Advanced Placement Test given by the College Board in May. 

205 - AP European History Full Year 1 credit

Prerequisite: U.S. History  (1 credit)

Students must complete all summer work associated with this course or they will be withdrawn.

How can the study of European History help me understand my life and the world today?  This college-level course is an intensive, year-long study of the social, political, and economic changes that have taken place in Europe from 1348 to the present. The course is designed to challenge and develop student’s skills in written and verbal communication, gathering and researching information, analyzing sources, synthesis of new historical interpretation, and retention of content knowledge.  Students must be highly motivated and self-disciplined.  Students will be thoroughly prepared and strongly encouraged to take the AP European Exam in May. Students are also encouraged to take Advanced Placement Literature & Composition in conjunction with this course, as both curriculums will parallel and will support each other throughout the year. 

212 - Criminology Half Year 1/2 credit

Recommended: 10th,11th, and 12th grades

Prerequisite: World History or Honors World History (1 credit)  

Students in this course will examine social deviance and specifically focus on biological, psychological, and sociological theories that can explain why people are driven to commit crime.  We will use behavior analysis (both psychological and sociological) to determine the type of personalities that may be at risk of committing crime.  As the students begin to understand why criminal behavior occurs, they will be able to understand society's responses to criminal activity and the procedures for discouraging criminal behavior.

234 - History of the World Since 1945 Half Year 1/2 credit

Recommended: Grades 10, 11, or 12

History of the World is a course in which students explore the interdependence of the world’s people.  This course is a broad overview of the world since 1945.  The course’s narrow chronological focus allows greater geographic breadth (twentieth century Europe, Asia, and the Middle East in particular) and in-depth examination of events leading to issues currently facing the world.  This course builds and assesses competence in knowledge of content, communication (both verbal and written), gathering and researching information, analyzing a variety of historical sources, and making connections.  Content will include political geography, as well as social, political, and economic developments. 

201 - World Religions Half Year 1/2 credit

Recommended: All grades

The study of world religions is an integral part of understanding individuals, countries, and nations. This course introduces students to the beliefs and practices of the most widely recognized religions in the world today. Despite some commonalities, each religion is unique regarding its history and practice. Students of this course will be asked to learn the basic tenets of each faith in order that they may gain the ability to discuss each religion and its corresponding history, practice, and relationship to other faiths. Being a citizen of the 21st century requires that we learn about the beliefs and practices of religious traditions that continue to guide followers around the world. 

232 - World History Through Film Half Year ½ credit

Recommended: All grades  

This course uses feature films to examine world history through the lens of popular culture. The main objective of this course will be to look at how various aspects of history are portrayed in films and contrast that with what actually happened, as well as evaluate the impact of a filmmaker’s perspective and bias in their creative process. Students will learn to closely analyze a film while being attentive to the cultural implications surrounding its production and reception. Students will use this evaluation and analysis to broaden their understanding of World history.

233 - History of Rock and Roll Half Year ½  credit

Recommended: All grades

Students will explore the history of rock and roll music. Topics will cover the beginnings of rock and roll, how the genre has evolved, and how it changed social history by combating racism and challenging the establishment with alternate lifestyles and fashions. Students will explore the revolutionary artists of rock and roll from early blues to modern 21st century bands. Featured music and artists will be examined from a cultural and societal perspective with a focus on how each genre represented its specific cultural era. 

211 -Sociology Half Year ½  credit

Recommended: Grades 11 and 12

Sociology is the scientific study of the social causes of human behavior.  Sociologists begin with the fact that humans are social creatures and proceed to study the profound consequences sociability has for our lives.  One product of our sociability is the emergence of concrete patterns of social relations that organize and regulate social life; these regular patterns are what sociologists mean when they refer to social structure.  One of the amazing things about social structure is that while it is produced by people interacting with one another, it is often a real constraint on our own individual behavior.  Thus, throughout the course we will explore how social life influences what we do and how we think.