The course is designed to follow the academic standards for civics and government established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It includes standards in the following areas: principles and documents of government, the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, how government works, and how international relationships function. 

After an introduction to the need for government and an examination of the origins and development of our American ideals, the structure and functions of the three branches of our federal and state government are studied in some detail.  Our system of national politics is considered in terms of its effect on the government and the legal nature of a citizen’s constitutional rights, duties, and responsibilities.  An objective of the study of civics is to provide a basis for understanding current political, economic and social problems and to inspire the students to contribute toward their solution.  Current programs dealing with such problems as crime, health, world peace, conservation, constitutional issues and government finances are treated.  In each lesson the student is encouraged to investigate ideas to cooperate with his neighbors in community, state, nation, and world to bring about the freedom that are integral parts of our democratic ideals.

The World Cultures course is designed to enable students to develop more of an understanding of their world through an examination of a variety of cultures throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. The students will achieve this understanding through comparing events, people and their accomplishments, as well as the effects of the geographical, political, and economic factors on the development of each distinctive culture. This approach will be based on the interdependence on the world community, and the need to build understandings that bridge cultural and ethnic differences. 

American History II course will examine the history of the United States from the Reconstruction era culminating with United States involvement in World War II.  This course will include a historical review of political, military, scientific, social developments and connection to current events.

Prerequisite: World Cultures or Civics & meets Honors Criteria

Honors American History II course will examine the history of the United States from the Reconstruction era culminating with United States involvement in World War II.  This course will include a historical review of political, military, scientific, social developments and connection to current events. Advanced coursework will include emphasis on critical and analytical thinking through reading of primary and secondary source documents. Coursework will include a research paper.

Prerequisite: Completion of America History II  

This course is designed to include the study of the United States from WWII to Present Day.  This course will include a historical review of political, military, scientific, and social developments and connections to current events. The area of study will include the following: World War II, The Cold War, The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, The Kennedy Assassination, Watergate Crisis and The Gulf War to the Present.

This course is designed to include an introduction to our American Law and Legal System; emphasis will be placed on Criminal Law and the Juvenile Justice System.  The course will also include Civil Wrongs, Consumer and Housing Laws and Family Laws. 

The primary purpose of this course is to develop a systematic understanding of the relevant tools of economic analysis and  their application to issues of public policy. This course is designed to be a survey of economic concepts including aspects of both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. The topics addressed are world economic systems, supply and demand of goods and services, price systems, business organizations, labor institutions and personal finance. Students will gain a better understanding of the financial world and its implications on their lives. 

Psychology is the science which contributes to an understanding of human behavior and mental processes.  Using text materials, reference sources and case studies, students will gain insight into the following areas: sensation and perception, consciousness, learning, memory, intelligence, personality, psychological disorders, infancy, childhood, and adolescence.  A variety of psychologists, as well as their theories in relation to the above topics, will be reviewed and discussed. 

This course includes the study of human society and social behavior.  Students will understand their importance within society in relation to cultural diversity, conformity, and adaptation, social structure, deviance, and social control, as well as social stratification.  This course will also highlight the challenges facing adolescents in today’s society.  The students will gain a better understanding not only of themselves, but of their personal and social relationships within the various social institutions in which they belong. 

POD emphasizes the current problems facing the American people.  Students will study the different social and political problems in the world today. Specific topics to be studied are but not limited to capital punishment, civil rights issues, gun control, economic issues, immigration and the political process. Part B focuses on contemporary U. S. issues, pertaining to world events and terrorism, including the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. This course can be taken up to two times in subsequent semesters or years. 

Prerequisite or Corequisite: Honors American History II & meets AP/Honors Criteria

A.P. United States Government and Politics is a year-long elective course offered to juniors and seniors.  It is for students who would like to take the AP exam and wish to be academically challenged.  The course will thoroughly examine the American system of government. Topics covered in the course include:  the Constitution of the United States, the three branches of the government and its bureaucracy, federalism, civil liberties and civil rights, women's rights, political parties, interest groups and public opinion, government financing, political campaigns, media analysis, Supreme Court case analysis, and state and local government. 

This course includes the study of our country with a review of major events and student selected topics from the 1960’s to present. This course will help students obtain an understanding of the themes of the historical period, as well as unifying concepts which identify the historical events. It will help enrich the student’s comprehension and awareness of the many patterns that have shaped the progress of our nation.  This course will also encourage student understanding of the great challenges our nation has faced and how these challenges have been met now, and possibly, in the future. Students will have the opportunity to develop necessary critical thinking, communication, writing and researching skills as they navigate through contemporary history.