Social Studies

SS World History H4043 (1 credit) NCAA Approved

This is a one-year course which surveys the entire course of human history from prehistory down to the present day.  Areas of special emphasis include the Classical civilizations, the Renaissance and Reformation, Age of Discovery, and the 19th and 20th centuries.  The diversity of cultures will be stressed and attention paid to political and social change over time.  Attention will be given to western and non-western cultures with the focus being to understand the background of the conflicts, which trouble our world today.  The class will involve reading and lecture, guided use of internet sites, film, and discussion.  

SS Honors World History H4044  (1 credit) Grade 9 NCAA Approved

Prerequisite- grade of B o r better in social studies class.

The entire range of history and culture will be dealt with over the course of the year.  Reading assignments will be on a daily basis and will include both text and supplemental materials.  Students will be required to read 1 book per quarter from an assigned list.  In addition, a short research paper will be required for the 2nd semester.  The class will involve a heavy amount of discussion and lecture.  

SS US History H4045 ( 1 credit) Grade 10 NCAA Approved

This course will survey US history from 1877 to the modern day.  Specific themes that will be dealt with include the role of the US as a world power beginning with the First World War, the impact of the Great Depression, the experience of World War II, the Cold War, and the Civil Rights Movement.  Instruction will involve lecture, projects, web-based materials, and film.  The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will focus instruction and assessment towards preparing students to successfully complete the end-of-course exam in U.S. History as specified.

SS Honors US History H4042 (1 credit) Grade 10 NCAA Approved

Prerequisite- grade of B or better in social studies class or teacher approval.

This course will provide an in-depth survey of US History from 1877 to the modern era.  Specific themes of the course will include the role of the US as a world power beginning with World War I, the impact of the Great Depression, the World War II experience, the Cold War, the CIvil Rights movement, and the challenges of the 21st century, instruction will utilize lecture, research, and film.  Strong reading skills are a must as additional reading outside of the assigned text will be part of the course.  There will be a short research project for each semester.  In addition, special emphasis will be given to preparation for the state end-of-course exam given in the spring.

SS Civics H4011 (1 credit) Grade 11 NCAA Approved

Civics is the study of what it takes to be a member of our society and the role of a citizen.  It focuses on the origin and development of a variety of governments.  It also emphasizes the development of democracy and constitutional principles in the US constitution.  Throughout the year many areas of Civics are studied including the way we interact with our legal system, our economy, and our local government.  This course uses a layered curriculum for differentiating instruction in the classroom.  In accordance with  state law the Missouri and U.S. constitution tests are given during the course, which must be passed in order to graduate.

SS Honors Civics H4012 (1 credit) Grade 11 NCAA Approved

Prerequisite- grade of B or better in all social studies classes or teacher approval

This is a one-year course designed for the student that desires a more challenging and in depth view of American Civics.  The first semester focuses on the “We the people” program and the culminating simulated congressional hearing.  Students study 6 different units and are then teamed with peers to present an argument on something they have studied.  The second semester is a study of our interaction with our society and the way we interact with our legal system, our economy, and our local government.  In accordance with state law of the Missouri and United States constitution tests are given during the course.  

The following Social Studies courses are offered for both high school and college credit:

SS College US History 117 H4064 (Development of the US I) (.5 credit/3 college credit) Grade 11, 12 (1st semester)  Prerequisite- GPA of 3.0 and consent of the instructor. NCAA Approved

This course is a one-semester survey of US History from settlement to the end of Reconstruction in 1877.  Topics include: basic institutions (family, religion, politics, and economics); the causes of the American revolution; the U.S. Constitution; expansion of democracy; development of political parties; the causes of the Civil War; and the changing status of African-American.  Remember, all 2 and 4 year colleges and u universities in Missouri require at least 3 credit hours in civics instruction.  This is a result of legislation passed by the Missouri General Assembly.  This course fulfills the state requirement for civics instruction in a college degree program.  This course is offered in the fall semester.  This course is also recommended for students majoring in social sciences and/or social science education.

SS College US History 118 H4065 (Development of the US II) (.5 credit/3 college credit) Grade 11, 12 (2nd Semester)  Prerequisite- GPA of 3.0 and consent of the instructor. NCAA Approved

This course is a one-semester survey of US history from Reconstruction to the present.  Topics include: basic institutions (family, religion, education, politics, and economics): the transition from an isolationistic regional power to a world power; the decline of laissez-faire economy and the rise of the corporation; recent constitutional changes, the development of American popular culture; and the changing status of the African-American.  Remember, all 2 and 4 colleges and universities in Missouri require at least 3 credit hours in civics instruction.  This is a result of legislation passed by the Missouri General Assembly.  This course fulfills the state requirement for civics instruction in a college degree program.  This course is offered in the spring semester. This course is also recommended for students majoring in the social sciences and/or social science education.

SS AP Psychology H4051 (1 credit) Grade 11, 12 

Students taking this course should have a strong background in reading and writing skills; they should have developed skills in areas of self-motivation, time management, research, and analytical abilities.  Course Description: Students will be performing an in-depth study of psychology.  This will enable students to discuss the various biological, psychological, and social aspects why humans think and act the way they do.  This course will also emphasize development of analytical skills necessary to perform well on the AP exam.  Taking the AP exam is an important part of all AP courses.  Scoring well on an AP exam can often earn students college credit for their high school class.  There is a fee for the AP exam.

The following courses are Social Studies Elective (EL) credits:

EL Sports and American Society H4041 (0.5 or 1 credit) Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

This class focuses on the role of sports in American life through various social science approaches.  Topics will range from college to professional and Olympic athletes.  The main focus will be the history of major sports in American and how they affected society.  Students will learn how sports have reflected and even changed major trends in American history as well as how sports relate to modern social and political issues.  Sample topics include Native American mascots, athletes fighting racial/gender segregation, the impacts of college athletics and  sports and poverty.  

EL Contemporary Issues-Modern Day History  H4049  (.5 credit) Grade 9,10,11, 12

Prerequisite- grade of B- or better in all social studies classes NCAA Approved

This class is designed to provide students with the opportunity to discuss, understand, and explore local, national, international, political, economic and social issues in a respectful, meaningful, and active way. Throughout the year, students will look at issues around the world in the past 20 years.  Topics include 9/11, Stock Market Crash, War on Terrorism, and current issues happening around the World. Students will be challenged to defend their opinions on many different issues that arise throughout the semester.   This course will be more project based.   

EL Sociology H4053 (.5 credit) Grade 11, 12 (2nd semester) NCAA Approved

Prerequisite-grade of C or better in all social studies classes

Sociology is the study of how people behave in groups and how those groups and societies relate to each other.  This course is a one-semester survey of  the main themes in modern society.  The class is designed to give the college-bound student the background necessary to prepare that student for a college sociology course which is often a requirement in 2 or 4-year degree programs.  Major topics will include the development of culture, social inequalities such as racism and discrimination, institutions such as families, government, and education, and the level of change in the modern world.  Instruction will include lecture, film, and reading assignments.

EL General Psychology  H4054 (.5 credit) Grade 11,12

This class is designed to give students the background necessary to strengthen student's sense of self and understanding of their surroundings.  Some of the topics covered will be brain structure, sensation and perception, learning theory, personality theory, and abnormal psychology.  Instruction will involve lecture, film and technology based activities.  

EL The Vietnam Era H4071 (.5 credit) Grade 11, 12 NCAA Approved

The current era in our history is one of social stress and international turmoil. Potential conflict with other superpowers is once again a possibility. Internally, the US finds itself faced with powerful, divisive forces. To gain some insight, it is worthwhile to examine a previous era that was equally stressful. In this course, students will examine the period from 1950 to 1975 which saw dramatic political, international, social and cultural change. Using the Vietnam conflict as a major theme, the course will examine the root causes, conduct, and result of that war. Overlaying that theme will be the Cold War, the struggle for civil rights, and the powerful changes in our culture that occurred from feminism, a new anti-establishment youth culture, and the internal political forces which divided us from McCarthyism to Watergate. Students will utilize readings, film, music, art, and interviews with participants to understand the events of that era.

EL World War II Seminar H4072 (1 credit) Grade 11, 12 NCAA Approved

Prerequisite- completion of both US and World History

This course will examine one of the most brutal times in world history. World War II saw an immediate threat to the world on the brink of dictatorship control. This course will examine the causes and effects of World War II. It will also dig deep into the Holocaust and discuss how World War II was a prelude to modern-day events.

EL The Civil War H4047  (.5 credit) Grade 10,11,12

This class is a one semester upper-level social studies elective.  The class will survey the conflict from its beginnings in the sectional problems of the 1820’s and will carry through to the problems of the Reconstruction in the 1870’s.  Special emphasis will be placed on the events in the state of Missouri and the impact of the war on the future development of the state.