Social Studies

220 - GOVERNMENT & CITIZENSHIP: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grade 9 [Watch Course Video] [Additional Course Information]

Teacher: Tyler Trimberger and Andre Junker

This course places emphasis on the study of U.S. citizenship. Students are encouraged to develop a personal perspective through the investigation of historical and current events. Learning activities include reading for information, problem-solving, critical thinking, writing, debate, and discussion. Students will gain authentic experiences through trial, election, and additional simulations.

221 - HONORS GOVERNMENT AND CITIZENSHIP: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grade 9 / [Watch Course Video] [Additional Course Information]

Teacher: Elizabeth Hansen

This class is designed for highly-motivated students who choose to pursue an accelerated, in-depth study of U.S. citizenship. Students are encouraged to develop a personal perspective through the investigation of historical and current events. Special emphasis will be placed on writing, problem-solving, critical thinking, debate, and discussion. Students will be able to learn and apply these skills in a mock trial, election, legislature, and other simulations. Students must be able to manage their time and be able to handle a 12th-grade reading level with short and extended due dates that may include an average of 1 – 2 hours of homework a night. Homework may include assigned readings, research, or working on projects. The learning activities and skill development in this course will help prepare students for further study in AP social studies course work.

224 - WORLD HISTORY: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grade 10 [Watch Course Video] [Review Options for 10th Grade Social Studies]

Teacher: Russell Peterson

In this course, students will explore the eras of world history in order to provide students with a better understanding of our human past and our world today. Students will explore these eras through chronological, global, and thematic perspectives. Students will also work to increase respect for human diversity through understanding; broadening perspectives; learning from both the mistakes and the successes of the past; increasing awareness of global interdependence; understand the significant events that have shaped world history. As students progress through this course, they will develop reading, writing, research, study, and verbal communication skills which will prepare them for college and career readiness.

225 - ADVANCED PLACEMENT WORLD HISTORY: 3 Terms / 3 Credits, Grade 10 [Watch Course Video] [Review Options for 10th Grade Social Studies]

Teacher: Tim Masters

This course is an examination of World History, from pre-history and the earliest civilizations to the present, with particular focus given to events since 1200 CE. This course will use both a thematic and chronological approach to dive into the patterns and events of world history. We will examine how cooperation, conflict, trade, technology, and cultural exchange created the world we have today. To fully understand the world today, we go back to the beginning of human societies. AP World students will “travel” through space and time, examining civilizations around the globe from Africa, the Americas, South and East Asia, Europe, and the Mediterranean. Students will develop the analytical writing and thinking skills required to be successful on the AP World History: Modern Exam. AP World History helps students develop a deep knowledge of what it means to be human and the characteristics that all humans share.

233 - ADVANCED PLACEMENT EUROPEAN HISTORY: 3 Terms / 3 Credits, Grade 10 [Watch Course Video] [Review Options for 10th Grade Social Studies]

Teacher: Aaron Berndt

This course focuses on developing students’ understanding of Modern History and its influences from Western interactions with the world from approximately 1450 to the present. This course has students investigate the content of modern history for significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in four historical periods, and develop and use the same thinking skills and methods employed by historians when they study both the past and current trends in everyday life. This course does not merely focus on European history but its interaction with the rest of the world and the impact it has made on modern intellectual movements, culture, political institutions, social relationships, and economic history from the Renaissance to the present.

US History vs AP US History Video

208 - UNITED STATES HISTORY: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grade 11 [Additional Course Information] [Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Esther Hutchinson

This course is designed to help students develop a more sophisticated understanding of American history. In the process of chronologically examining US history from colonization to the present, students will analyze and interpret important historical themes and events amidst social, political, and economic changes. This course incorporates daily reading assignments, extension project activities, and a process-based research-writing component.

211 - ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY: 3 Terms / 3 Credits, Grade 11[Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Erin O'Neill

This course provides a chronological examination of American history from pre-Columbian time to the present, with an emphasis on social history. Reading assignments are long and the reading level is advanced. Substantial emphasis is placed on higher-level learning skills and reading comprehension. Students will be expected to complete readings prior to the start of this course. More information is available on the WHS website.

251 - ECONOMICS, AN APPLIED PUBLIC POLICY, AND SOCIAL SCIENCE ANALYSIS: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grade 12 [Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Steven Porter

This course is designed to provide students with opportunities to think deeply about current social issues and public policy actions; it serves as a culmination of a student’s social studies experiences in Wayzata Public Schools. The curriculum will challenge students to forge a deeper understanding of themselves, their community, country and world, and the issues we currently face. This course integrates core understandings of the social sciences, including a focus on economics as well as sociology, and political science, with the skills necessary to succeed in the 21st century: the ability to access relevant information, analyze and evaluate that information, and formulate conclusions in order to develop knowledgeable and active citizens.

223 - PREP FOR ADVANCED PLACEMENT HISTORY: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9-11 [Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Erin O'Neill

This course is designed to develop the skills needed to succeed in AP European History, AP World History, and AP U.S. History. These college-level courses require students to use historical reasoning skills and create historical arguments using relevant historical evidence. Students in this prep class will be exposed to the skills and content of each of these AP courses. In addition, this course will focus on developing a growth mindset and the “Habits of Mind” (such as critical reading, time-management, and study skills) that will prepare students for success in any of the AP History courses.

240 - ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9-12 [Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Elyssa McIntyre

Beginning with an overview of the development of agriculture and the earliest cities, this course explores the development of complex civilizations across the globe. Students will pay attention to how societies evolved over time and the ways that they developed new technologies (for peace and war), governments, art, and religions. Students will also look into these cultures’ understandings of social class and their treatment of women. Students will have the opportunity to study ancient Egypt, India, Greece, Rome, China, and the Americas before 1500 C.E.

241 - ANTHROPOLOGY: 1 Term /1 Credit, Grade 09-12 [Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Jonathon Zetzman

This course is an introduction to the study of cultural anthropology; it begins with an introduction to the origins of human culture and then focuses on studying cultural patterns from a worldwide variety of societies. An understanding of similarities and differences among human groups will be encouraged through the application of the theories and concepts of cultural anthropology. Students will study different cultural practices regarding marriage, family, kinship, politics, economics, religion and the supernatural, mythology, language, and gender roles.

242 - #TRENDING TOPICS: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 11-12 [Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Erin O'Neill

In this course, students will analyze current events and issues through the lens of various media outlets. Technology is shaping issues and events like never before. Social media, the internet, and TV not only report the news, but they increasingly affect how we understand events and take action. How do social media and YouTube impact what you think, what you know, and what you do? How can you analyze media sources for accuracy and bias? Class discussions and assignments will cover a wide range of political, social, and economic issues depending on what is currently being played out in the world. It is important to note that much of the course activities and their grading in this course are participation-based.

243 - MIDDLE EAST STUDIES: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12 [Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Andrew Hansen

Students enrolled in this class will study and compare the “Middle East” countries of Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Israel/Palestine, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Students will focus on the themes of history, geography, population, religion, culture, political/government makeup, current issues, and US relations while studying these countries, with the goal of understanding the complexities and differences in the countries that comprise the Middle East region.

245 - WORLD RELIGIONS: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12 [Watch Course Video]

For many people, nothing is more important than their religious beliefs, values, and practices. Nearly 30 percent of the world’s population is Christian, more than 15 percent Hindu, and almost 25 percent Muslim. Many other religions, such as Buddhism, are followed, while significant numbers of people are non-believers. This course will explore the major Eastern and Western religions, as well as the primal belief systems of indigenous peoples, giving students an opportunity to learn about the major belief systems that exist in the world while examining their own beliefs and practices in the process.

247 - HUMAN GEOGRAPHY: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9-12 [Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Todd Larsen

In today’s increasingly interconnected world, it is essential that students learn to understand the world around them. Human Geography will introduce students to these key processes that have shaped human understandings and continue to redefine the way we interact with the natural world. Students will focus on global interactions between people while wrestling with important 21st-century topics including population policy, globalization, cultural preservation, and geopolitics. Through this process, students will develop a more sophisticated worldview. Students will be expected to read the college-level text and supplementary readings.

248 - ADVANCED PLACEMENT HUMAN GEOGRAPHY: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9-12

Teacher: Todd Larsen

Prerequisite: Introduction to Human Geography

In this class, students will delve deeply into many of the important forces that are affecting individual countries in the modern world. While gaining a balanced understanding of international relations, economic development, and the ever-evolving urban landscapes, students will learn to make keen observations and ask important questions. Additional attention paid to environmental challenges and solutions reinforces the application-based nature of this course.

250 - UNITED STATES MILITARY HISTORY: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12

Teacher: Aaron Berndt

This course is a survey of American military history and the interaction between society and military instructions, technology, and techniques, from 1763 to the present. Students will focus on such questions as to how changing “styles” of warfare, the composition of the military establishment (militias, citizen armies, paid professionals, mercenaries), and how the transformation in military technology has impacted state and society. This course will not only address such themes as wartime strategy, operational tactics, and combat technology but also the impact of warfare on society and on the remembrances of ordinary men and women in uniform. This course may appeal to students with an interest in furthering their future studies in the armed forces, Reserve Officer Training Corps, or on the United States Military Academies.

253 - INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12 [Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Sarah Ellis

Psychology is the study of human behavior. This course will explore topics related to different psychological perspectives. Topics vary from the biological bases of behavior to human development and learning, sociocultural interactions, memory and cognition, and motivation and personality. By engaging in discussions and activities, students will be able to apply and analyze concepts and relate them to their own lives. This will help better understand a number of behaviors and emotions that influence decisions people make. A course highlight includes creating and conducting a psychological study.

256 - ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY: 2 Term /2 Credit, Grades 11-12 [Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Sarah Ellis

Prerequisite: None

Psychology is the study of human behavior. This class is a college preparatory course that will prepare students for the AP Exam in the spring. The course will serve as a general survey for anyone interested in the subject matter. Some of the behaviors covered during term 1 include research strategies, the brain, child development, adolescence and adulthood, sensation, perception, consciousness, learning, memory, and personality. This will be followed by a study in the areas of thinking, language, intelligence, motivation, emotion, psychological disorders, therapy, stress, health, and social psychology. In their preparation, students will be expected to read the college-level text and supplementary readings.

258 - CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: (formerly Y.E.S.) 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 11-12 [Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Caitlin Serrano

This class is an opportunity for students to develop their ability to meet the needs of others in schools or the community. Students will work in various areas that may include: tutoring/mentoring (preschool, elementary, or middle school), working with senior citizens, and/or other projects. Students will volunteer their time in one of the above areas during a regular class period and will regularly reflect on what has transpired throughout the week. Any hours not school authorized must be made up. Students may sign up for this course once as a Junior and/or once as a Senior. Review the Off-Campus Course guidelines.

259 - LEADERSHIP: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 09-12 [Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Jonathon Zetzman

No matter which path you choose, this class will help prepare you to excel in your career, relationships, and life. Whether you serve in a current leadership position or would like to in the future, this class is designed to help students gain the skills and confidence necessary to be effective organizational members and leaders. Highlights include analyzing leadership qualities, developing presentation proficiency, and building discussion skills. Students will explore leadership content including Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People, Stephen Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, and Daniel Goleman’s Leadership That Gets Result. The research includes past leaders and current best practices.

260 - RACE AND ETHNICITY IN AMERICA: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12 [View Course Video]

Teacher: Peter McKown

This course will examine the role of race and ethnicity in America and its contemporary significance. The race and ethnicity of minority groups will be examined through the social science disciplines of history, sociology, and politics. Because of time constraints, the course cannot provide an in-depth analysis of every ethnic group in America, but rather key aspects of various minority groups in America (e.g., Asian Americans, Native Americans, African Americans, and Latino Americans) will be used to illustrate commonalities and differences among them. Experiences of these groups will serve to illustrate theoretical concepts and themes generally applied to the study of race and ethnicity in America. Throughout the term, students will be given the opportunity to apply the theoretical concepts and themes studied in the course to ANY ethnic group of their choice.

261 - MOCK TRIAL: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9-12 [Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Tyler Trimberger

Students will be introduced to the use of legal reasoning and argument in the context of trial advocacy in the American legal system. Students will have the opportunity to work on legal cases to learn how to write and deliver legal arguments and hone their skills in the areas of critical thinking, rhetoric, persuasion, and the application of legal reasoning. Students will take on the role of witnesses and attorneys to engage in fictional cases as either the defense or plaintiff/prosecution. These enactments will require students to write and deliver opening/closing statements, direct examination questions, and cross-examination questions. Students will also learn about the rules of evidence and how to respond to objections. Students should consider this class if they are interested in the law, persuasion, and/or communication skills.

262 - ADVANCED PLACEMENT U.S. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS: 2 Terms /2 Credits, Grades 10-12 [Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Jonathon Zetzman

AP U.S. Government and Politics will examine the constitutional underpinnings of our democratic system of government and how those principles are incorporated into the division of power between the states and federal government and within our political institutions. In addition, this course will analyze the following topics: Political Beliefs and Political Behaviors, Political Parties, Interest Groups, Mass Media, Public Policy, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. The topics of this course will be examined on a college level.

263 - ADVANCED PLACEMENT COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12 [Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Andrew Hansen

AP Comparative Government and Politics is designed to be an introduction to the different political systems in the world. We will be focusing on several broad concepts throughout this course: globalization, power and authority in states, political institutions, and citizens of states, political and economic change, and public policy. Course content and the application of these concepts will be organized around a country-to-country format, focusing on six countries: Great Britain, Russia, China, Iran, Mexico, and Nigeria. The topics of this course will be examined on a college level.

264 - SOCIOLOGY: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 11-12 [Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Kelsey Blum

Sociology is a field of study that helps explain social, political, and economic phenomena in terms of social structures, social forces, and group relations. Students will explore sociological concepts and perspectives concerning human groups and will leave the course with a deeper understanding of how human behavior and social relations both create and are created by society.

266 - CRIMINAL LAW: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12 [Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Jeff Prodzinski

Are you addicted to crime scene television? Have you ever thought about pursuing a career in a law-related field? In this course, students will learn about the criminal justice system and explore the practical and ethical applications of law and punishment in society. Course content will include the elements of crimes against persons and property, the gathering and use of evidence, and the rights of the accused in a court of law. Students will participate in both small and large group discussions while wrestling with current legal dilemmas, and real-life applications of law and order.

268SO - ADVANCED PLACEMENT RESEARCH: 4 Terms every-other-day / 2 Credits, Grade 12

Teacher: Pete McKown

Prerequisite: AP Seminar

In AP Research, students will have a lot of autonomy as they further the skills acquired in AP Seminar by learning research methodology, employing ethical research practices, and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information as they design their own research project. Students who complete BOTH AP Seminar and AP Research are eligible to earn an Honors Capstone Diploma from the College Board.

270 - HISTORY OF MONEY, TRADE, AND ECONOMICS: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12 [Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Russell Peterson

Money, trade, and economics are fundamental elements that have led to the creation and destruction of civilizations throughout the course of history. Modern currencies (including Bitcoin), global trade, and economic interactions continue to evolve in the 21st century, influencing our political and social networks. This can be seen in the consolidation of wealth amongst the world’s elite nations and the continued struggle of emerging nations to gain influence. Will the patterns of history continue to play out? Which nations will emerge victoriously and which will be destroyed in the age-old quest for riches?

288 - POST HIGH SCHOOL PLANNING: 1 Term /1 Credit, Grades 11-12 [Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Chris Elrod

This course is delivered through a Project-Based Learning instructional model https://www.pblworks.org/what-is-pbl, to provide students with a comprehensive experience focused on the different educational, vocational and trades, military, and workforce training options available after high school. Students will be provided with this experience in a guided academic setting, to evaluate and analyze their own personal and academic needs and goals and develop a highly unique and personalized postsecondary plan that they can follow upon matriculation from Wayzata High School. Students will:

• Be informed about the importance of planning and preparing for all postsecondary options;

• Analyze personal interests and skills, future goals, academic strengths and needs, EQ strengths and needs, financial strengths and needs;

• Identify and learn about various postsecondary options;

• Research the range of options available relative to individual profiles; and,

• Develop a comprehensive postsecondary plan.

740 - AP MICROECONOMICS: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12 [Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Todd Larsen

Prerequisite: Geometry or Accelerated Geometry

Learn how consumers/producers/governments interact within the larger economy and how the principles of economics apply to those interactions. Equivalent to college-level Introduction to Microeconomics.

Learn through: class discussions, out-of-class readings, AP-style exams/quizzes

Topics: the nature and function of product markets, including price/production decision-makings and wage determinations; government’s role in promoting efficiency and equity; consumer behavior

Skills: analysis of economic behavior by individuals and businesses

Perfect for: students who plan to take the AP Microeconomics Exam.

741 - AP MACROECONOMICS: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12 [Watch Course Video]

Teacher: Todd Larsen

Prerequisite: Geometry or Accelerated Geometry

Learn how the principles of economics apply to economic systems as a whole. Equivalent to college-level Introduction to Macroeconomics.

Learn through: class discussions, out-of-class readings, AP-style exams/quizzes

Topics: GDP, fiscal and monetary policies, inflation, unemployment, economic growth, international economics, national income, economic performance measures, economic growth

Skills: economic systems analysis

Perfect for: students who plan to take the AP Macroeconomics Exam.

276 - AP AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES PILOT: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 10-12

The College Board has been exploring the creation of a new course in the field of African American Studies. Wayzata High School has been selected as one of 50 schools nationwide to run a pilot program for the course during the 2022-23 school year, before formal implementation by the College Board in 2023-2024. Students will earn a weighted grade for enrolling in this course.

Students in this course will explore the historical, political, cultural, and economic developments that have shaped Black experiences and debates within the field of African American studies. Students will learn about the diversity, strength, and complexity of medieval African societies before the emergence of transatlantic slavery and develop a broad understanding of the many strategies African American communities have employed to represent themselves authentically, promote advancement, and combat the effects of inequality locally and abroad. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, students will identify major themes that inform literary and artistic traditions of the African diaspora and understand the contributions of diverse Black communities in the United States.