History & Social Studies Course Offerings

This is a survey course that gives students the opportunity to explore recurring themes of human experience common to civilizations around the globe from ancient to contemporary times. An historical approach will be at the center of the course. The application of the themes of geography and an analysis of the cultural traits of civilizations will help students understand how people shape their world and how their world shapes them. Students broaden their historical perspectives as they explore ways societies have dealt with continuity and change, exemplified by issues such as war and peace, internal stability and strife, and the development of institutions. 

Honors World History follows the same course of study as the corresponding standard World History course; however, the material is taught with greater complexity, acceleration, and reflects a differentiated curriculum. Honors World History provides the opportunity for advanced work, rigorous academic study, and the practical application of the major ideas and concepts. The course is challenging and requires students to take greater responsibility for their learning by participating in problem-seeking and problem-solving, scholarly and creative processes, critical analysis and application, reflective thinking, and the expression and defense of ideas generated through the study of the content. 

In this course students will examine the historical and intellectual origins of the US from the European exploration and colonial settlement to the Revolutionary and Constitutional eras. Students will learn about the important political and economic factors that contributed to the development of colonial America and the outbreak of the American Revolution, as well as the consequences of the Revolution, including the writing and key ideas of the US Constitution. This course will guide students as they study the establishment of political parties, America’s westward expansion, the growth of sectional conflict, how that sectional conflict led to the Civil War, and the consequences of the Civil War, including Reconstruction. 

This course is designed to challenge students. In this course students will examine the historical and intellectual origins of the US from the European exploration and colonial settlement to the Revolutionary and Constitutional eras. Students will learn about the important political and economic factors that contributed to the development of colonial America and the outbreak of the American Revolution, as well as the consequences of the Revolution, including the writing and key ideas of the US Constitution. This course will guide students as they study the establishment of political parties, America’s westward expansion, the growth of sectional conflict, how that sectional conflict led to the Civil War, and the consequences of the Civil War, including Reconstruction. 

In this course students will examine the political, economic, social, and cultural development of the US from the end of the Reconstruction era to the present times. Students will explore the change in the ethnic composition of American society, the movement toward equal rights for racial minorities and women, and the role of the US as a major world power. An emphasis will be placed on the expanding role of the federal government and the federal courts, as well as the continuing tension between the individual and the state. The desired outcome of this course is for students to develop an understanding of the cause and effect relationship between past and present events, recognize patterns of the interactions, and understand the impact of events on the US in an interconnected world. 

This honors course is designed to challenge students. In this course students will examine the political, economic, social, and cultural development of the US from the end of the Reconstruction era to the present times. Students will explore the change in the ethnic composition of American society, the movement toward equal rights for racial minorities and women, and the role of the US as a major world power. An emphasis will be placed on the expanding role of the federal government and the federal courts, as well as the continuing tension between the individual and the state. The desired outcome of this course is for students to develop an understanding of the cause and effect relationship between past and present events, recognize patterns of the interactions, and understand the impact of events on the US in an interconnected world. 

This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of the political, legal, and economic system of the United States. Concentrated areas include the U.S. Constitution, the organization and operation of the federal, state, and local levels of government.  

Honors Civics and Economics follows the same course of study as the corresponding standard course; however, the material is taught with greater complexity, acceleration, and reflects a differentiated curriculum. This course is designed to provide the student with an in-depth overview of the political, legal, and economic system of the United States. Concentrated areas include the U.S. Constitution, the organization and operation of the federal, state, and local levels of government. 

The Economics and Personal Finance (EPF) course is intended to be a study of economics, personal finance, income and education, money management, critical consumerism, and financial planning. This course expects students to enter possessing a fundamental knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of economics and money management. When opportunities can be provided, this course can be augmented by related learning experiences, both in and out of school, that enable students to apply their knowledge and understanding of how to participate in their own financial literacy. Mastery of the standards and objectives of this course will inform and nurture responsible, participatory citizens who are competent and committed to responsible money management and financial literacy. 

This course covers core standards concepts of government, power, authority, rights, and the principles for which the  United States was founded, as an independent nation, understanding of the institutions of a constitutional democracy and the skills that are necessary to effectively participate as responsible citizens. Students will be able to explore how to participate politically, socially, and economically. It will provide students with an understanding of the decision making process, the ability to reason logically about key issues, and the knowledge and  skills to participate in  deliberative dialogue. *At select schools the course is taught in a blended learning environment with collaborative instruction delivered by an online highly-qualified science teacher as well as a face-to-face OCS teacher.

This course covers core standards and objectives which will provide students the opportunity to engage in intensive  application of the skills, concepts, processes, and knowledge gained in previous social studies courses and prepare them to be college,  career, and civic ready. Students will understand economies, markets, and the role economic factors play in making economic decisions as well as the rights and responsibilities of buyers and sellers under consumer protection laws. Students will understand  the concepts and factors  that enable individuals to make informed financial decisions for effective resource planning and money management including processes associated with saving and investing. *At select schools the course is taught in a blended learning environment with collaborative instruction delivered by an online highly-qualified science teacher as well as a face-to-face OCS teacher.