Social Studies

Classes offered at various grade levels may require a prerequisite. Refer to the course catalog for detailed information. (*) Requires approval to take before recommended grade level.

Introduction

The social studies curriculum has been developed to provide students with the opportunity to learn more about themselves, their nation, and the world. Certain courses have been designated as core courses and must be taken to satisfy graduation requirements.  These core courses occur in a logical sequence and are as follows:  American History, American Government and Economic Systems, and World History.

These courses are leveled to meet the educational needs of students.  Students selecting college prep courses should expect college preparatory-type requirements.  Students should also expect to do more work at a higher degree of difficulty with the course content being examined in greater depth.  The specific requirements will be given by the individual instructors of these classes.

Students selecting comprehensive courses can expect a more general examination of the content material.  This general examination will still provide a good background for post high school training or employment.  Specific requirements will be provided by the class instructor.

During their senior year, students schedule elective courses.  

SS120 COMPREHENSIVE AMERICAN HISTORY (Grade 9)  

Weight 1.0 Credit 1/year

American History is a course which will be taught thematically.  Themes such as government, geography, multi-culturalism, economics, the industrialization of America, technology, conflict, violence, and politics will be taught.

SS130 COLLEGE PREP AMERICAN HISTORY (Grade 9)   

Weight 1.1 Credit 1/year

American History is a course which will be taught thematically.  Themes such as government, geography, multi-culturalism, economics, the industrialization of America, technology, conflict, violence, and politics will be taught.

SS140 HONORS AMERICAN HISTORY (Grade 9) 

Weight 1.2 Credit 1/year

In addition to the thematic instruction of the college preparatory and comprehensive level coursework, the advanced level students will be introduced to expository writing, and exposed to higher-order thinking strategies.  

SS210 COMPREHENSIVE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS (Grade 10) 

Weight 1.0 Credit 1/year

American Government and Economic Systems provide and analysis of issues with an emphasis on how each impacts the contemporary fabric of the nation.  Topics include the rights and responsibilities of citizens, all levels of government, elections, political parties, and the role economics plays in the development of the nation.

SS220 COLLEGE PREP AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS (Grade 10)   

Weight 1.1 Credit 1/year

American Government and Economic Systems provide an analysis of issues with an emphasis on how each impacts the contemporary fabric of the nation.  Topics include the rights and responsibilities of citizens, all levels of government, elections, political parties, and the role economics plays in the development of the nation.

SS230 HONORS AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS (Grade 10)  

Weight 1.2 Credit 1/year

In addition to the instruction of the college preparatory and comprehensive level coursework, the honors level students will be introduced to higher-order thinking skills and more rigorous academic pursuits.

SS310 COMPREHENSIVE WORLD HISTORY (Grade 11) 

Weight 1.0 Credit 1/year

World History is a survey course outlining the highlights of human achievement.  The course emphasizes a thematic and cultural approach to the study of human history from the beginning of recorded time to the present.  The following themes will be presented:  government, geography, culture, economics, technological advancement, and conflict.

SS320 COLLEGE PREP WORLD HISTORY (Grade 11)

Weight 1.1 Credit 1/year

World History is a survey course outlining the highlights of human achievement.  The course emphasizes a thematic and cultural approach to the study of human history from the beginning of recorded time to the present.  The following themes will be presented:  government, geography, culture, economics, technological advancement, and conflict.

SS330 HONORS WORLD HISTORY (Grade 11)   

Weight 1.2 Credit 1/year

In addition to the instruction of the college preparatory and comprehensive level coursework, the honors level students will be introduced to higher-order thinking skills and more rigorous academic pursuits.

SOCIAL STUDIES ELECTIVES:

SS910 ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY (Grades 10-12)   

Weight 1.3 Credit 1/year

AP United States History is designed to study the history of the United States chronologically from 1491 to present day.  The course focuses on the development of historical thinking skills (chronological reasoning, comparing and contextualizing, crafting historical arguments using historical evidence, and interpreting and synthesizing historical narrative).  In addition to preparing students for the rigor of a college-level class, the course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Test in U.S. History given by the College Board.  AP United States History may be taken in lieu of American Government and Economic Systems.

SS920 ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS (Grades 10-12)  

Weight 1.3 Credit 1/year

AP United States Government and Politics will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. The course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. government and politics and the analysis of specific examples. It also develops familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. government and politics. Students will become acquainted with the variety of theoretical perspectives and explanations for various behaviors and outcomes.  In addition to preparing students for the rigor of a college-level class, the course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Test in U.S. Government and Politics given by the College Board.  AP United States Government and Politics may be taken in lieu of American Government and Economic Systems.

SS930 ADVANCED PLACEMENT EUROPEAN HISTORY (Grades 10-12)   

Weight 1.3 Credit 1/year

AP European History is designed to study the history of Europe from 1450 to present day.  The course focuses on the development of historical thinking skills (chronological reasoning, comparing and contextualizing, crafting historical arguments using historical evidence, and interpreting and synthesizing historical narrative).  In addition to preparing students for the rigor of a college-level class, the course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Test in European History given by the College Board. AP European History may be taken in lieu of World History.

SS940 ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY (Grades 11-12)   

Weight 1.3 Credit 1/year

The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals.  Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology.  They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice.

SS510 LOCAL HISTORY (Grades 11-12)   

Weight 1.0 Credit 0.5/semester

The Local History course is a project-oriented course which closely examines the history of the Red Lion area.  The focus of the course will be student exploration of local community stories from both the distant past and recent past which form the fabric of the history of the Red Lion area.  Students will be actively involved with their own learning.

SS521 SOCIOLOGY 1 (Grades 10-12)        

Weight 1.0 Credit 0.5/semester

Sociology is the study of human interaction and social organization.  It is the science which studies patterned, shared human behavior.  The process of acting in awareness of others is observed and analyzed by the sociologist in order to identify and classify the main forces of human society.  The following areas are covered: socialization, social interaction, social organization, and studies of marriage and family.

SS522 SOCIAL PROBLEMS (Grades 11-12)      

Weight 1.0 Credit 0.5/semester

Prerequisite recommendation:  Sociology 1 with a “C” or better or with written approval by the teacher.

Social Problems is a course by which the student will continue to develop an understanding of the individual’s role as a member of society.  Students will analyze drug abuse, alcohol abuse, suicide, physical abuse, and crime as problems of today’s society.  It allows for student centered instruction.  Imperative to the coursework are individual interest goals, book reviews, film reviews, and other course requirements.

SS551 PSYCHOLOGY (Grades 11-12)    

Weight 1.05 Credit 0.5/semester

Psychology is the study of human development and behavior.  This course covers the information students need to learn about psychology, themselves, and others.  This course will present the findings of psychology as they clarify and explain human development and behavior from infancy through maturity, both in its normal and abnormal forms.

SS552 PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES (Grades 11-12)   

Weight 1.1 Credit 0.5/semester

Prerequisite recommendation:  Psychology with a “C” or better or with written approval by the teacher.  

Psychological Perspectives is a course by which the student will continue to develop an understanding of human behavior and the intricate workings of the human mind.  Students will analyze language, intelligence and cognition, development, motivation and emotion, health psychology, social psychology, personality and the causes and treatment of mental disorders.  There is additional in-depth study of selected topics. It allows for student centered instruction.  Imperative to the coursework are individual interest goals, book reviews, and other course requirements.  

SS570 CURRENT ISSUES (Grades 10-12) 

Weight 1.0 Credit 0.5/semester

Current Issues will focus on events taking place in the nation and in the world of the present to include related government, cultural and geography information.

SS590 MILITARY HISTORY (Grades 11-12) 

Weight 1.0 Credit 0.5/semester

Military History is a semester survey course that covers the world history of warfare from ancient times through the modern era.  Students will examine warfare and how it is interconnected with the geographic, political, social, economic, and cultural aspects of society.  The core ideas of change and continuity over time will be illustrated using the following themes: 1) how war influenced society; 2) the impact of technology on warfare; 3) the organization and structure of armies; and 4) the experiences of individual soldiers.  Both primary and secondary sources will be utilized and analyzed as part of the course.

SS610 ART HISTORY (Grades 11-12) 

Weight 1.0 Credit 0.5/semester

This course will present the works of great artists, to include the contributing social and cultural influences of their time, as well as related geography and political information.

SS620 THE FIRST GENERATION OF ROCK (History and Culture) (Grades 11-12)  

Weight 1.0 Credit 0.5/semester

 This course will investigate the history, cultural roots and development of rock music from the early 20th century to approximately 1980.  Major genres and individuals that contributed to the development of rock music will be explored.  Genres such as folk, blues, rock, soul, funk, rap, country, and metal as well as influential artists and their contributions to history and culture will be touched on in the course.

SS670 MODERN POPULAR MUSIC (Grades 10-12)

Weight 1.0 Credit 0.5/semester

This course will investigate the history and cultural development of late 20th to early 21st century music from approximately 1980 to present day.  Major genres and individuals that contributed to the development of modern popular music will be explored.  Genres such as blues, rock, metal, alternative, techno, dance, R&B, rap, hip-hop as well as influential artists and their contributions to history and culture will be explored in the course.

SS630 WORLD RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS (Grades 11-12)

Weight 1.0 Credit 0.5/semester

This course is designed to explore world’s major religious systems: Christianity; Islam; Judaism; Hinduism; Buddhism; and Eastern thought.  The course will investigate the history, formation, and beliefs of these systems, as well as their impact on past and present culture, politics, and society in general. 

SS640 CULTURAL IMPACT OF SPORTS IN AMERICA (Grades 10-12)

Weight 1.0 Credit 0.5/semester 

Sports are a metaphor for examining cultural values in microcosm.  As an integral component of historical and cultural change in America, sports intersect with race, religion, gender, social class, politics, urbanization, and technology.  The Cultural Impact of Sports in America course will enhance student appreciation of the role sports play as symbols of traditional, social, political, and economic history.  This course offers an opportunity for a constructivist view of diversity in America and builds an increased understanding of Pennsylvania standards.  Students will gain an appreciation of diversity through the sports achievements of members of minority groups and allows a depth of women’s rights and the rights of people of color.  The role of the US in the world will be examined through an in-depth study of the Olympic movement.  World political movements such as the Cold War and modern terrorism will be examined in depth by way of the modern Olympic movement.

SS650 PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY (Grades 11-12)  

Weight 1.0 Credit 0.5/semester

Inscribed upon the mantle in the White House dining room is a quote by President John Adams, “Let none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof.”  Right or wrong, throughout United States history, forty-three men have stood at the epicenter of every major decision. Unlike the wishes of Adams, not every president has been wise, and unfortunately, a few have not always been honest, but, all have been chosen by the people.  To the people’s credit, the United States has elected exceptional men to rescue us in times of despair and push us in times of prosperity.  Presidential History will examine the origins and evolution of presidential power in the United States.  Students will examine presidential selection, decision-making, and the relationship of the presidency with the legislative branch, judicial branch, foreign powers and the media.

SS660 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY (Grades 11-12)   

Weight 1.2 Credit 0.5/semester

This semester course will explore the major themes and concepts of philosophy, including key philosophers throughout the ages.  Topics to be covered will range from metaphysics, epistemology, free will and determinism, evil and the existence of God, personal identity, ethical values and politics, and modern cognitivism.  The course will highlight individual thinkers such as Socrates, Descartes, Locke, Hume, Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, Mill and Marx.  Students will investigate Eastern influences on Western philosophy, including Taoism, Confucianism and Zen Buddhism.

SS680 ANCIENT CULTURES (Grades 10-12)   

Weight 1.05 Credit 0.5/semester

This course examines the birth of human society, starting in Mesopotamia.  It follows the growth of Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, India and China.  It examines the culture, government, religion, industry, and influence these civilizations have had on our world.

SS690 INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY (Grades 11-12)                

Weight 1.05 Credit 0.5/semester

In this course students will analyze three components of Anthropology. The first being physical anthropology which analyzes the development of man from early hominids to modern times. The second component is cultural anthropology which will focus on human societies, their beliefs, values, technology, and economies. The third component of this course will focus on forensic anthropology where students will learn and apply skeletal analysis on criminal case studies.