Social Studies Department
The Social Studies Department offers a wide variety of subjects to meet the needs and interests of all Lakewood High students. Students are required to take three (3) years of Social Studies including one year of United States History, one year of World History (the two-year Advanced Placement U.S. History course satisfies this requirement), and a semester of Government. Beginning with the Class of 2025, students will be required to take 3 ½ credits of Social Studies. Students have the option of choosing semester electives from a list that includes many popular courses like Psychology, Sociology, Human Rights and Conflict, Trending Now, Street Law and Pop Culture. In addition to the two-year Advanced Placement U.S. History course, the Social Studies Department offers full-year Advanced Placement courses in European History and U.S. Government, as well as College Credit Plus Courses in Psychology and Social Psychology.
World History
2140 Full Year - 1 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Grade 9 No prerequisite
In this one-year course students study global political, diplomatic, economic and intellectual change from 1775 into the 21st Century. Students use a range of social studies skills and methods to evaluate the impact of key global events on the human experience within the context of world events.
US History
2240 Full Year - 1 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Grade 10 No prerequisite
This one-year course covers United States History from 1877 to the present. The purpose of the course is for students to examine the key political, diplomatic, intellectual and economic changes that have shaped the American experience over time. Students use social studies skills and methods to better understand contemporary American society, politics, and economics. Also includes a financial literacy component. This course requires students to take a State of Ohio end-of-course assessment.
Government
2571 Semester - 1/2 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Grade 11 No prerequisite
Government is a one-semester junior year course required for graduation. The course will introduce the student to the fundamental principles and processes of our government and to the inner working of our American political system. Government is activity-oriented and will attempt to prepare students to be voting participants in our democracy. This course requires students to take a State of Ohio end-of-course assessment.
AP US History 9
2190 Full Year - 1 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Grade 9
Prerequisite: Enrollment in Adv. English and application; see requirements for AP courses in this catalog.
Is a challenging two-year sequence designed to give ninth grade high school students an introduction to college-level studies from the colonial period through 1900. Instructional experiences include critical thinking skills, lectures, student presentations, essay writing, and oral participation. Students selected for this course will continue by taking Advanced Placement US History 10 in 10th grade.
*This course satisfies the World History credit requirement.
AP US History 10
2930 Full Year - 1 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Grade 10
Prerequisite: Recommendation of the 9th Grade AP US History teacher
Is the second year of the two-year sequence of Advanced Placement US History and will focus on the time period of 1900 to the present day. There will be extensive exam preparation in this course as well as work on writing DBQ essays and essay writing. Students are expected to take the AP exam in the spring.
AP Government
2960 Full Year - 1 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Grade 12
Prerequisite: By application; see requirements for AP courses in this catalog.
AP Government and Politics is a year-long senior-year course designed to be a detailed and inclusive study of political science, which focuses on the national community as a product of human interaction and compromise. In addition, students complete a politi cal science research or applied civics project. This course takes the place of the requirement of Government. Students are expected to take the AP exam in the spring. Students are required to purchase AMSCO Advanced Placement Government and Politics book from the Book Room ($21).
Full-Year Electives
AP European History
2940 Full Year - 1 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: By application; see requirements for AP courses in this catalog.
Is designed for advanced students capable of doing college-level work. It provides an in-depth study of the social, political, artistic, intellectual, and economic movements of European History from the High Renaissance to modern times. It is an excellent preparation for the various “Western Civilization” courses required at many universities. Students are expected to take the AP exam in the spring.
AP Art History
7710 Full Year - 1 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all English courses in order to apply for AP Art History.
The AP Art History course involves critical thinking and fosters an understanding and knowledge of diverse historical and cultural contexts of architecture, sculpture, painting, and other media. Students examine and critically analyze major forms of artistic expression from the past and the present from a variety of cultures. Students view many beautiful artworks and take field trips to the museum. Research papers are required. Students are expected to take the AP exam in the spring.
*Art History credit cannot be used as history credit toward an honors diploma.
AP African American Studies
Full Year - 1 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: By application; see requirements for AP courses in this catalog.
Is designed for advanced students capable of doing college-level work. It provides an in-depth study of the social, political, artistic, intellectual, and economic movements of African American History from the pre-Civil War era to modern times. Students are expected to take the AP exam in the spring.
Semester Electives
Trending Now
2510 One Semester - 1/2 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Grades 9-12 No Prerequisite
The purpose of this class is for students to discuss and analyze relevant social, political, and economic issues faced by the U.S. in global context. Topics are presented as in-depth case studies that require students to use a variety of news sources and media to gain a broad understanding of what is happening in the world today. Weekly quizzes, research assignments, and group presentations are used to assess student understanding of course content.
Economics
2660 One Semester - 1/2 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Grades 10-12 No Prerequisite
This course will provide an overview of the general principles of micro and macroeconomics with an emphasis on the modern world economy. This class explores economic thinking; economic systems; markets; supply and demand; money; credit; trade; government and the economy; as well as savings and investment. Economics is great for students who want to learn about money, banking, credit, debt, and wealth. A variety of supplemental activities and modules will be used
Human Rights and Conflict
2630 One Semester - 1/2 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Grades 9-12 No Prerequisite
Human Rights examines the social, political, economic, and cultural causes of human rights violations during times of war and conflict. Why do societies turn to violence, hate, and “cleansing” during times of conflict? What factors cause injustice and intolerance? What causes obedience to totalitarian and authoritarian governments? What can be done? The course makes use of materials from “Facing History and Ourselves.”
*Parents/guardians, please be advised that class discussions, as well as reading and viewing materials, may contain mature themes and subjects. Students must display a level of maturity that allows for a serious study of human nature in times of crisis.
Street Law
2620 One Semester - 1/2 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Grades 9-12 No Prerequisite
Street Law is for students who are interested in how the law connects to our everyday lives. Students will study the legal, judicial, and correctional systems of the United States, as well as policing and law enforcement. Through interesting case studies and dilemmas, Street Law will focus on constitutional law, civil and criminal laws, court procedures, and civil rights.
Pop Culture
2640 One Semester - 1/2 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Grades 9-12 No Prerequisite
This is a one-semester elective course, which encourages students to think critically about past and current American culture. The overall objective is to explore how pop culture, in all of its various forms, not only reflects the world around us, but also how it influences the way we perceive the world. Students will examine American culture from 1950 through the present and will be asked to analyze how the various aspects are shaped by events happening at the time. Topics will include, but are not limited to: Advertising, Music, Television, Film, Urban Legends and Conspiracy Theories, and Race and Gender. Class discussions, daily activities, videos, use of the Internet and projects are key components of this class. Students will be required to complete a project for each of the main units of study, along with a final project.
*Parents/guardians, please be advised that some class discussions, materials and film and television viewing may contain mature themes and subjects including language use, violence, sexuality et al. Students will be required to have a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian acknowledging that they are aware of the content studied in this course.
Psychology
2651 One Semester - 1/2 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Grades 9-12 No Prerequisite
Is a one-semester elective that encompasses broad areas of research about human behavior, information that helps high school students understand themselves and their world better. Areas receiving attention include child and adolescent development, motivation and self-esteem, perception, neurotransmission, learning, memory and intelligence, consciousness, addiction, theories of personality and mental illness. Major contributors to the field, significant experiments are blended together with informative films to give the mature college-bound student a solid foundation.
Introduction to Native American Studies
2310 One Semester - 1/2 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Grades 9-12 No Prerequisite
This semester course is a survey course - an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of Native American Studies, exploring both the complexity and diversity of Native American experiences. Students will learn about both historical and contemporary events and issues related to Native American History.
Studies in Black American History
2320 One Semester - 1/2 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Grades 9-12 No Prerequisite
This course will examine the Black American experience in North America. Beginning with a survey of pre-colonial African history, the course will trace the challenges faced by Black Americans up through the early 21st century. Themes covered will include the social construction of race, black cultural identity and resistance, and black social, political and economic contributions to United States history. Readings and resources will allow students to see US history through the lens of black historians and intellectuals.
Sociology
2690 One Semester - 1/2 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Grades 9-12 No Prerequisite
Is the study of human behavior in-groups. Topics considered for discussions during the semester are social research, socialization, minority groups, the contemporary American family, crime and delinquency, alienation, and social class. The student is expected upon entering the course to participate in all aspects of the class activities, which include discussions, reading, simulations, roleplaying, writing, and personal growth. This course is intended for mature students although open to students in grades 9-12.
CCP Intro to College Psychology
2650 1st Semester - 1 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Prerequisite: University of Akron requirements
College Credit Plus Introduction to Psychology is a University of Akron 3-credit class taught at Lakewood High School. Students receive college credit upon completion of class requirements. This is a survey course covering a range of topics, including learning, memory, child development, psychological disorders, perception and more. Contact the Counseling Department for entrance requirements or Dr. Greanoff in the Social Studies Dept. for specific information on the course itself.
CCP Social Psychology
2650 2nd Semester - 1 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Prerequisite: Intro to College Psychology and University of Akron requirements
College Credit Plus Social Psychology is a University of Akron 4-credit class taught at Lakewood High School. The topics covered include the examination of an individual’s response to social environment and social interaction processes, social perception, attitude formation and change, affiliation and attraction, altruism, group processes and nonverbal behavior. Contact the Counseling Department for entrance requirements or Dr. Greanoff in the Social Studies Dept. for specific information on the course itself.