Social Studies
R = Fulfills graduation requirement at grade level
E = Elective and the year student is eligible for the course
United States History
Course #: 200 & 201 Length: 2 Trimesters Grade Level: 9 Credit: 1.0
Recommended Course: None
United States history explores U.S. growth to a world economic/military power and its interaction and impact in the international world of the 20th century. Americas changing domestic, political, and social structure during the 1900’s is also a focus of the class. Current events are included in this study of America to tie the past and present together.
World History - The Ancient World
Course #: 209 Length: 1 Trimester Grade Level: 10 Credit: 0.5
Recommended Course: None
This course is a survey of world history from prehistoric times to the beginnings of the modern era. The goal of this course is to understand how the past has created the modern world. The course will trace human development beginning with prehistoric man through ancient civilizations including Ancient Greece and Rome.
World History - The Modern World in the West
Course #: 210 Length: 1 Trimester Grade Level: 10 Credit: 0.5
Recommended Course: None
This course focuses on the development of western civilization during the Middle Ages and beyond. The course will stress the changes but also the continuity of the human experience. Major themes of the course include the relationship between history and geography, the important political, economic, social, religious and cultural institutions, the importance of diversity, the impact of the individual and the growth of global interaction throughout history.
World Cultures and Geography
Course #: 211 Length: 1 Trimester Grade Level: 10 Credit: 0.5
Recommended Course: None
World Cultures and Geography will be a survey of Human geography of the different regions of the world. This course will follow the 5 themes of geography and ask you to make connections to see how cultures developed, what influenced those cultures and vice versa. This course will use a variety of mediums: textbook, video, technology, interactive projects, etc. This class will also require students to research some current events that pertain to the cultures we are studying at the time.
American Government
Course #: 204 Length: 1 Trimester Grade Level: 11 Credit: 0.5
Recommended Course: None
American Government engages students in a semester-long simulation of the legislative process. Students develop a political identity and learn how laws are developed by investigating, writing, and voting on bills. This course builds foundational knowledge about American government and politics through discussion of current public issues. By the end of the semester students will have developed skills in written and verbal communication, critical thinking, and will better understand their role as citizens in a democracy.
Consumer Economics
Course #: 205 Length: 1 Trimester Grade Level: 11-12 Credit: 0.5
Recommended Course: None
The focus of the course is the student as a present/future consumer in our economic system. Units in basic economics, career research, money, money management, savings and checking accounts, credit, investments, automobile purchasing, and finding shelter are included. Practical application and decision-making are emphasized. Satisfactory completion of this course will meet the graduation requirement for financial literacy. THIS COURSE MAY NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE CREDIT BY SOME COLLEGES OR THE NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE.
History of World Religions
Course #: 206 Length: 1 Trimester Grade Level: 11-12 Credit: 0.5
Recommended Course: None
Students will explore the major religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and the major sects closely associated with them. They will explore the basic atheistic arguments against religion and the responses to these. Students will research an area of their choice that ties in with religion and present their findings to the class. Students will visit and comment on two religious services that they are unfamiliar with. The primary goal is to gain an understanding of the worldviews and teachings of these various faiths by comparing and contrasting themes (e.g. concept of Supreme Being/s, afterlife, morality, rituals…etc.). We will not emphasize or favor one religion over the others. Students will gain knowledge and appreciation for the impact religion has on individual lives and societies throughout history, and continues to have today.
Sociology
Course #: 207 Length: 1 Trimester Grade Level: 11-12 Credit: 0.5
Recommended Course: None
This course is the study of humans in group relationships—how people behave in groups and how groups shape our behavior. At the personal level, sociology investigates the causes and consequence of love, violence, conformity, deviance, and interpersonal power. At the societal level, it examines and explains poverty, crime rates, educational reform, religious affiliation, divorce rates, racism and political power. At the global level, sociology covers war, conflict and cultural variation.
Psychology
Course #: 208 Length: 1 Trimester Grade Level: 11-12 Credit: 0.5
Recommended Course: None
This course studies how individual behavior is a result of biological and environmental factors. Topics include learning, memory, the brain, optical illusions, sleep, hypnosis, human development, personality and abnormal behavior. This class combines lectures/discussions with experiments, demonstrations, readings, guest speakers, and films.
Wisconsin and Local History
Course #: 213 Length: 1 Trimester Grade Level: 11-12 Credit: 0.5
Recommended Course: None
Wisconsin and local history is the study of our state and our Sauk Prairie community from its early exploration and settlement to the present day. Through this course, the student will gain a broad understanding of their state and communities geography, history, triumphs and tragedies, and contributions to the American nation. Much of this course will be project based to show the answer to historical questions and inquiries about our state and community.
Advanced Placement Psychology
Course #: 230 & 231 Length: 2 Trimesters Grade Level: 11-12 Credit: 1.0
Recommended Course: None
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with the major subfields in psychology such as sensation and perception, consciousness, learning, motivation and emotion, human development, personality, individual differences and abnormal psychology. Students also learn about and participate in research projects.
Advanced Placement European History
(offered in odd graduation years, next offered in 2020-2021)
Course #: 232 & 233 Length: 2 Trimesters Grade Level: 10-12 Credit: 1.0
Recommended Course: None
This class provides basic exposure to the factual narrative history of Europe from the late Middle Ages to the 1990’s. It also develops an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European history. Areas covered are the Renaissance, Reformation, French and Russian Revolutions, Europe politically, socially and economically in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, the world wars and post war Europe into the 1990’s.
Advanced Placement United States History
(offered in even graduation years)
Course #: 234 & 235 Length: 2 Trimesters Grade Level: 10-12 Credit: 1.0
Recommended Course: None
The course is a survey of U.S. history from the colonial period to the present. Studies will center on the political, diplomatic, military, cultural, intellectual, economic, and social history of this nation. Students are required to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate primary and secondary sources, in addition to memorizing, comprehending and applying the facts. The course will follow a chronological path, but some topics or issues extend beyond any one time-period or unit of study. The objective of Advanced Placement United States History is to increase the student’s understanding of U.S. history with the goal of preparing students to pass the AP Examination in May.
Advanced Placement United States Government & Politics
Course #: 236 & 237 Length: 2 Trimesters Grade Level: 12 Credit: 1.0
Recommended Course: American Government
AP U.S. Government and Politics provides a college-level, nonpartisan introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. Students study U.S. foundational documents, Supreme Court decisions, and other texts and visuals to gain an understanding of the relationships and interactions among political institutions, processes, and behavior. They also engage in disciplinary practices that require them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments. In addition, they complete a political science research or applied civics project.