Social Studies (SS)

American History - SS123

Grade Level:          9

Course Length:      Year, 1 Period

Credits:                   1.00

American History begins with an overview of the foundational historical documents of this nation, and then examines the history - including the political, economic and social events - of the United States of America from the 1800s to the present. Historical thinking introduced in earlier grades continues with students locating and analyzing primary and secondary sources from multiple perspectives to draw conclusions. Students will understand how these perspectives and events came to pass and their meaning, application, and relevance for today's citizens.

Honors American History - SS113

Grade Level: 9

Course Length: Year, 1 Period

Credits: 1.00

 1.125 Weighted Grade

Honors American History begins with an overview of the foundational historical documents of this nation, and then examines the history - including the political, economic and social events - of the United States of America from the 1800s to the present. Historical thinking introduced in earlier grades continues with students locating and analyzing primary and secondary sources from multiple perspectives to draw conclusions. Students will understand how these perspectives and events came to pass and their meaning, application, and relevance for today's citizens.

Honors American History is designed for students that have a high interest in understanding, analyzing, and critically thinking about historical events. Students should demonstrate advanced and independent reading and writing skills, and also be willing to engage in critical discussions inside and outside the classroom. All Honors American History students will complete a course project that will integrate research, primary and secondary source analysis, authentic learning, and presentation skills. Enrollment is self-selected.

Modern World History - SS205

Grade Levels: 10

Course Length: Year, 1 Period

Credits: 1.00

Recommended: American History

Modern World History examines world events from 1600 to the present day. It explores the impact of the democratic and industrial revolutions, the forces that led to world domination by European powers, the wars that changed empires, the ideas that led to independence movements and the effects of global interdependence. Historical thinking introduced in earlier grades continues with students locating and analyzing primary and secondary sources from multiple perspectives to draw conclusions.

Financial Literacy - FL101

Grade Levels:             10*, 11, 12

Course Length:           Semester, 1 Period

Credit:                         0.50

This introductory course will expose students to the major segments of the financial environment. Students will take on the role of consumers and engage in a wide array of personal finance and business experiences such as understanding income, checking and saving accounts, buying wisely, perils related to credit, and investing and establishing a financial plan to accomplish goals.

* Only students that are planning on attending a Career Center in grades 11 or 12 or those wishing to obtain an IB Diploma should enroll in Financial Literacy in grade 10

American Government - SS303

Grade Level:          10, 11, 12

Course Length:       Year, 1 Period

Credits:                   1.00

Recommended:       American History and Modern World History

The Federal Government will provide an in-depth study of the American Government system. Students will study the historical roots of the American federal system, how the system has changed over time, and how it compares to other forms of government, as well as the institutions of the US Government including the Presidency, Congress, and the Supreme Court. Students develop an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Other integral course concepts include: political parties, voting, interest groups, and the impact of media on government.

Comparative Government, Financial Literacy, and Economics will build on the student’s prior knowledge from United States and Global History 1-4 and United States Government 1. It includes an in-depth study of state and local governments and their relationship to the national government, as well as compares and contrasts the different levels of government in the federal system. Students also study the basic concepts of the economic system of the United States by researching, examining, discussing, and evaluating the economic interactions among individuals, governments, businesses, and communities within domestic and international contexts.

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Students may earn college credit or advancement in college coursework with qualifying scores on AP exams.

AP World History - SS204

Grade Levels:          10, 11, 12

Course Length:       Year, 1 Period

Credits:                     1.00

                                   1.25 Weighted grade

Recommended:     Honors American History

Approximate cost:   $97 for the AP test (optional)

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are designed to parallel the rigor of an introductory college course. The course provides balanced global coverage, with Africa, the Americas, Asia, Oceania and Australia, and Europe all represented. Critical analysis, in-depth writing, and reading skills are emphasized. AP World History provides unique opportunities for students to recognize how the study of history has been shaped by the findings and methods of other disciplines such as anthropology, archaeology, visual arts, literature, economics, geography and political science. Course enrollment is self-selected.

AP U.S. Government and Politics - SS304

Grade Levels: 10, 11, 12

Course Length: Year, 1 Period

Credits: 1.00

          1.25 Weighted grade

Approximate cost: $97 for the AP test (optional)

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are designed to parallel the rigor of an introductory college course. AP U.S. Government and Politics introduces students to key political ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the political culture of the United States. The course examines politically significant concepts and themes, through which students learn to apply disciplinary reasoning, assess the causes and consequences of political events, and interpret data to develop evidence-based arguments. Critical analysis, writing and research skills are emphasized. Course enrollment is self-selected. Credit in this course may replace required credit in U.S. Government 1 and 2.

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Psychology - SS501

Grade Levels: 11, 12

Course Length: Semester, 1 Period

Credits: 0.50

Psychology focuses on understanding, articulation and dissemination of psychology as a science; it infuses perspectives on behavioral issues related to neurobiology, lifespan, cognition and deviation. The course emphasizes active learning and provides a rigorous understanding preparing students for making daily life decisions, and prepares students for an introductory college-level psychology class.

Sociology - SS502

Grade Levels: 11, 12

Course Length: Semester, 1 Period

Credits:                 0.50

Sociology focuses on the systematic understanding of social interaction, social organization, social institutions, and social change. Major themes in sociological thinking include the interplay between the individual and society, how society is both stable and changing, the causes and consequences of social inequality, and the social construction of human life. Understanding sociology helps discover and explain social patterns and see how such patterns change over time and in different settings. By making vivid the social basis of everyday life, sociology also develops critical thinking by revealing the social structures and processes that shape diverse forms of human life.

Contemporary World Issues - SS503

Grade Levels: 11, 12

Course Length: Semester, 1 Period

Credits: 0.50

The dynamics of global interactions among nations and regions present issues that affect all humanity. Contemporary issues have geographic, political, economic, social, and historical components. Through the use of social studies skills and methods, students will explore how current global dynamics are impacted by our physical environment, human geography, 21st century communication, and globalization. Students can expect a variety of different instructional approaches, including the use of various types of texts, primary and secondary source documents, the use of 21st century technology, projects, and class discussion.

Race and Ethnic Studies - SS410

Grade Level: 11,12

Course Length: Semester, 1 Period

Credits: 0.50

Race and Ethnic Studies:  The Quest for Justice in the US  is the study of the historical development and current state of systems of oppression and their impacts. Per Ohio’s Historical Thinking Skills for High School, this course draws upon skills found in Advanced Placement U.S. History, Advanced Placement World History, Advanced Placement European History courses, Sociology, and Ethnic Studies. However, the structure of the course allows student choice to dictate the means by which each student will demonstrate their mastery of these skills while allowing for differentiation. Additionally, student inquiry projects add depth to students’ shared understanding of key concepts. The course culminates with a Justice Advocacy Project in which students will learn how to challenge discrimination in their world.

African American History from 1895 - SS520

Grade Levels: 12

Course Length: Year, 1 Period

Credits: 1.00

This 12th Grade Social Studies elective course, designed to be taken in tandem with African American Literature, presents students with opportunities to examine African American history based on a foundation of skill and content standards provided by the Ohio Department of Education and the College Board. Building on primary source analysis, historical argumentation, and synthesis skills, the course framework centers on developing a sophisticated understanding of the African American community in the United States. Per Ohio’s Historical Thinking Skills for High School, this course draws upon skills found in Advanced Placement U.S. History, Advanced Placement World History, and Advanced Placement European History courses. However, the structure of the course allows student choice to dictate the means by which each student will demonstrate their mastery of these skills while allowing for differentiation. Additionally, student inquiry projects add depth to students’ shared understanding of African American history. 

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Students may earn college credit or advancement in college coursework with qualifying scores on AP and/or IB exams.

AP Comparative Government and Politics - SS305

Grade Level: 12

Course Length: Year, 1 Period

Credits: 1.00

 1.25 Weighted grade

Approximate cost: $97 for the AP test (optional)

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are designed to parallel the rigor of an introductory college course. AP Comparative Government and Politics introduces students to fundamental concepts used by political scientists to study the processes and outcomes of politics in a variety of country settings. The course aims to illustrate the rich diversity of political life, to show available institutional alternatives, to explain differences in processes and policy outcomes, and to communicate to students the importance of global political and economic changes. In addition to covering the major concepts that are used to organize and interpret what is known about political phenomena and relationships, the course will cover specific countries and their governments including China, Great Britain, Mexico, Nigeria, Iran, and Russia.

AP U.S. History - SS404

Grade Levels: 11, 12

Course Length: Year, 1 Period

Credits: 1.00

1.25 Weighted grade

Approximate cost: $97 for the AP test (optional)

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are designed to parallel the rigor of an introductory college course. AP U.S. History builds on students’ previous knowledge of significant historical events, individuals, developments, and processes from 1491 to the present. Students analyze primary and secondary sources, make historical comparisons and use reasoning about contextualization, causation, continuity and change over time in developing historical arguments. Critical analysis, writing and reading skills are emphasized. Course enrollment is self-selected. Credit in this course may replace required credit in American History 1 & 2.

AP European History - SS414

Grade Levels:          11, 12

Course Length:      Year, 1 Period

Credits:                   1.00

                                1.25 Weighted grade

Approximate Cost:  $97 for the AP test (optional)

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are designed to parallel the rigor of an introductory college course. AP European History introduces students to investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in four historical periods from approximately 1450 to the present. Emphasis is on understanding some of the principal themes in modern European history, analyzing historical evidence and historical interpretation, and expressing historical understanding in writing. Students analyze primary and secondary sources, make historical comparisons and use reasoning about contextualization, causation, continuity and change over time in developing historical arguments. Critical analysis, writing and reading skills are emphasized. Course enrollment is self-selected.

AP Psychology - SS704

Grade Levels: 11, 12

Course Length: Year, 1 Period

Credits: 1.00

 1.25 Weighted grade

Approximate cost: $97 for the AP test (optional)

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are designed to parallel the rigor of an introductory college course. AP Psychology is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology, as well as the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice.

IB History of the Americas HL - IB311H (1st Year) / IB312H (2nd Year)

Grade Levels: 11 and 12

Course Length: 2 Years, 1 Period

Credits: 1.00 per year

1.25 Weighted grade

Recommended: Successful completion of all Ohio State Tests through the end of sophomore year

Approximate cost: $119 for IB test (required)

Location: Westerville South only

IB History of the Americas is a two year course that requires students to make comparisons between similar and dissimilar solutions to common social, economic and political conflicts as well as make comparisons between, but not judgments of, different cultures, political systems and national traditions. Students will evaluate the relative successes and failures of diplomatic efforts throughout the Western world as well as increase their knowledge of and empathy for people living in different regions and contexts.

During the first year of the course, students learn the discipline of historical investigation through the practice of both the selection and interpretation of data and its critical analysis. Students also analyze the causes, practices and effects of war with specific focus on the U.S. Independence movement, the United States Civil War, World War I and World War II. Additionally, the origins of authoritarian and single party states in Cuba, Germany, Egypt and the USSR are studied.

In the second year, students evaluate case studies in diplomacy, including the Versailles Conference, the creation of Israel and US- China relations from 1976 to 1989. The course also evaluates independence movements in Central America, the growth of Populist governments in Argentina and Brazil after World War II, the origins of the Cold War, Civil Rights and Social Movements during the 20th century as well as a study of the impacts of domestic policies in the region from 1949 to 2000.

Students will complete an individual historical investigation during the first and second year of the course.

Students who successfully complete both years of this course meet the Ohio requirements of the one year Government course.

IB Psychology SL - IB331S

Grade Levels:         11, 12

Course Length:      Year, 1 Period

Credits:                  1.00

                                1.125 Weighted grade

Recommended:     Successful completion of all Ohio State Tests

                                through the end of sophomore year

Approximate cost: $119 for IB test (required)

Location:                  Westerville South only

IB Psychology SL has three main components: (1) four areas of study including the learning perspective, the cognitive perspective, the biological perspective and the dysfunctional perspective of psychology; (2) research methodology and how it fits into experimental studies done around the world; and (3) completion of a simple experimental study (replicating a psychological experiment already done by professionals while applying overall knowledge acquired throughout the course).

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College Credit Plus courses allow students to earn credit from both Westerville City Schools and Columbus State Community College while attending class on the high school campus.

CCP POLS 1100 Introduction to American Government - SS930

Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12

Course Length:       Semester, 1 Period

Credit:                     1.00 and 3 semester college hours

                                1.25 weighted grade

Prerequisites: Must have an intent form on file and meet CSCC course placement requirements 

This course introduces students to the nature, purpose and structure of the American political system. Attention is given to the institutions and processes that create public policy. The strengths and weaknesses of the American political system are discussed, along with the role of citizens in a democracy. Course reading and writing assignments may be thematically organized by the instructor. Students will be required to attend class five days each week as they would with a traditional Social Studies class. Students will need to enroll in Columbus State Community College (CSCC) to participate. Dual credit will be provided for POLS 1100 offered at CSCC.

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