Social Science Courses

COURSE: World Geography

OPEN TO: Grades 9-10

PREREQUISITES: None. This course is not required, but HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

World Geography is a semester course with the major objectives of giving the students a basic understanding of both physical and cultural geography. This class helps students broaden their understanding of social science concepts and terms; develop a program of work study and map skills as well as to extend their reading skills. North America and regional world geography will be the main focus of the course. The course is designed to meet the needs of all students, both those attending college and those going directly into the work force.

COURSE: World History

OPEN TO: Grade 10

PREREQUISITE: Sophomore Standing

THIS COURSE IS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

World History is a required semester class in social studies class for ½ credit. It is a required class for Sophomores and is also required for graduation. World History is the study of early world history from early civilizations of 3000 BC to current day events of the 21st century. It is taught thematically, as opposed to chronologically and includes study of such themes as, Historical Thinking Skills, Geography, Government, Culture, Intellectual Movements, Conflict and Crisis and The World Today

COURSE: American History I and II

OPEN TO: Grade 11

PREREQUISITES: Sophomore World History for American History I

BOTH SEMESTERS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

The two semesters of American History (I and II) will cover our country's history from Colonialism to the present. American History I will begin with a three to four week quick review of our nation’s early history to the Reconstruction period. After the review, the course will cover The Gilded Age through the 1920s. During the study of this time period attention will also be given to the Western Frontier, The Industrial Age, Immigrants & Urbanization, Life at the Turn of the Century, The Progressive Era, American Imperialism, World War I, and The Roaring Twenties Through the study of the aforementioned topics students will also study, where applicable, the domestic, economic, foreign, geographical, political and social ramifications of those topics to American History and Culture.

American History II begins with the cause and effect of The Great Depression and progress as far as possible, to end with the study of the United States in Today’s World. During the study of this time period, attention will also be given to World War II, The Cold War, The Postwar Boom, The New Frontier & Great Society, Civil Rights, The Vietnam War Years, An Era of Social Change, An Age of Limits and The Conservative Tide. Through the study of the aforementioned topics students also study, where applicable, the domestic, economic, foreign, geographical, political and social ramifications of those topics to American History and culture.

COURSE: AP American History (APUSH)

OPEN TO: Grade 11

PREREQUISITES: None

CREDIT: 1

OVERVIEW:

This is a one-year course for juniors in the advanced placement program. It is a college level course taught at the high school level. The class covers American History from the beginnings to the present time, the entire range of American History. It is a weighted course, and is a very rigorous and challenging course. There will be a great deal of reading. Four different books, including a college textbook, as well as numerous readings handed out by the instructor will be read. Students need on average five or six hours of study time per week outside of class. There will also be a great deal of writing, including essay tests. In May, students take the advanced placement exam, and if they receive a high enough mark, will receive college credit at most colleges they chose to attend. While a very challenging class, this course will do a good job of preparing students for college in the social studies area.

COURSE: Sociology

OPEN TO: Grades 11-12

PREREQUISITES: None

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

This is a one-semester course for one-half credit is offered both semesters every other year (trading with psychology). Plan ahead so you don’t miss out on the opportunity to take this class! Sociology is the scientific study of human society and social behavior. The general content of the course is man in his relationship to others. The course begins with a look at the background and development of sociology as a science. Units of study include The Scientific Method, Culture, Socialization through the Life Cycles, Agents of Socialization, Social Control and Deviance, Social Stratification, Social Inequality, and Groups & Collective Behaviors. At this point, our study turns to social interaction: the struggle for social status, social adjustment, social control, and social change. The course concludes with an analysis of as many particular institutions and social problems as time permits.

COURSE: Dual Credit Sociology

OPEN TO: Grades 11-12

PREREQUISITES: Minimum competency

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

A survey of the basic concepts relevant to the study of human social behavior. Topics covered include sociological perspective, group behavior, research methods, culture, socialization, social organization, deviance and social control, social inequiality, institutions, race and ethnicity, gender, age, and population dynamics. 

COURSE: Psychology

OPEN TO: Grades 11-12

PREREQUISITES: None

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

This is a one-semester course for one-half credit is offered both semesters every other year (trading with sociology). Plan ahead so you don’t miss the opportunity to take this class! Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Psychology is usually required in college and this background knowledge will be beneficial for college bound students. Topics will include the history, founders and scientific methodology, as well as these high interest topics: The Theories and Assessment of Personality; Theories of Learning; Sensation & Perception, and the Theories and Treatments of Psychological Disorders. Other topics may include Social Psychology concepts such as attraction, love, helping versus non-helping behaviors, and conformity and obedience.

COURSE: Dual Credit Psychology

OPEN TO: Grades 11-12

PREREQUISITES: Minimum competency

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

A survey of the study of human behavior with emphasis on the scientific nature of contemporary psychological investigation. Topics may include the biology of behavior, sensation and perception, learning, memory, cognition, motivation, emotion, life-span development of behavior, personality, abnormal behavior and its therapies, social behavior and individual differences. Three hours lecture/discussion a week. 

COURSE: Current Events

OPEN TO: Grades 11-12

PREREQUISITES: None

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

This is a one-semester course for one-half credit. The course is generally offered both semesters. Using weekly magazines (Time, Newsweek, and U.S. News and World Report), daily newspapers, and broadcast news programs, the student will examine current United States and world affairs along with significant state and local issues. Emphasis will be placed on current world political geography when dealing with world issues.

COURSE: Government

OPEN TO: Grade 12

PREREQUISITES: Sophomore World History; American History I & II

THIS COURSE REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

A government is the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies. A government is made up of those people who exercise government’s powers, those who have authority and control over other people. The purposes of a government are to form a more perfect union, to establish justice, to insure domestic tranquility, to provide for the common defense, to promote the general welfare and to secure the blessings of liberty. Students learn how a government achieves the previously mentioned purposes and description. Students also learn how to take an active role in local, state and federal governments. Finally, students will learn how local, state and federal governments impact our daily lives.