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West Ottawa Virtual Academy's Social Studies curriculum is developed by teachers at West Ottawa Public Schools.
West Ottawa Virtual Academy's Social Studies curriculum is developed by teachers at West Ottawa Public Schools.
United States History & Geography
United States History & Geography
9th Grade
Required
Two semesters
United States History and Geography is a Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) graduation requirement. This course focuses on the history of the United States from the late 1800's to our modern era. It is a continuation of the U.S. History course taken in 8th grade. Emphasis is placed on effective reading, writing, and thinking skills that are key to accurate historical analysis and to thinking and problem solving skills important in the workplace. The content of this course will include the development of the industrial United States, the emergence of modern America and World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, post-war United States, and contemporary America. Syllabus
World History & Geography
World History & Geography
10th Grade
Required
2 semesters
World History and Geography is a Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) graduation requirement. Its purpose is to allow students to understand past events, discover connections between these events, and demonstrate how past events have shaped our modern world. Syllabus
World A - Content is organized into units based on time periods. Emphasis is placed on effective reading, writing, and thinking skills that are key to accurate historical analysis and to thinking and problem solving skills important in the workplace. Units start with human civilization foundations and then examining the Byzantines, Middle Eastern, African, Asian and Western European civilizations from the 600 CE to 1450 AD. We end with the study of Central and South American early civilizations to the Global Interactions of the 1600-1700s.
World B - Content is organized into units based on time periods. Emphasis is placed on effective reading, writing, and thinking skills that are key to accurate historical analysis and to thinking and problem solving skills important in the workplace. Topics analyzed start from the Enlightenment and Revolutions eras, through the World Wars from a World History perspective, to the Cold War Era and 20th Century Genocide. We end the course with a study of Globalization.
United States Government
United States Government
10th -12th Grades
Required
One semester
United States Government is a Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) graduation requirement. Students will learn the basic principles of American government, which include the role of government in society, the functions of the three basic branches of government, and the constitutional rights and other political processes, such as voting and elections. Emphasis will be placed on current events.
Economics
Economics
10th – 12th Grades
Required
One Semester
Economics is a Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) graduation requirement. Economics introduces students to both macroeconomic and microeconomic concepts, Students will study the choices and decisions people and businesses make concerning the resources available to them. Many macroeconomic and microeconomic topics will be covered, as well as personal finance and investment fundamentals.
Psychology
Psychology
10th – 12th Grades
Elective
One Semester
This course is designed to promote an understanding of the scientific process and how it is applied to the elements of human behavior and mental processes. Ever wonder why we as humans behave certain ways or think certain things? This course will provide you an opportunity to answer these questions and more. Syllabus
AP United states History
AP United states History
10th – 12th Grades (9th grade by instructor approval only)
Elective OR Core
Two semesters; 3.0 + GPA
Students may take this course instead of U.S. History A and B and still receive MMC credit.*
Advanced Placement United States History is a college level survey course of American History from the first native settlements to the beginning of the 21st century. The course gives students a full picture of the development of American political, social, economic, and cultural history. The course offers students dynamic, rigorous, and engaging opportunities to challenge themselves academically in preparation for college, citizenship, and future careers. The academic expectations of AP U.S. History put special emphasis on critical reading, writing, and analysis skills; crucial skills that translate to any later academic discipline or career path. To enroll in AP U.S. History, a student must have a 3.0 GPA. Highly capable and motivated students may take the AP Exam in May and possibly earn college credit. Students should expect to devote substantial time to course readings and written work every week. *Students can opt out of regular U.S. History to take this course instead with the understanding that it is a significantly more difficult course with added expectations and workload.
AP US History Explanation Video Sample AP US History multiple choice test questions
AP United states Government and politics
AP United states Government and politics
11th – 12th Grades
Elective or substitute for United States Government
Two semesters
3.0 + GPA
Students may take this course instead of U.S. Government and still receive MMC credit.
This college level course is a rigorous study of the design and function of the American political system. Students will demonstrate an understanding of American politics and the processes of government that help shape our public policies. Extensive reading is a major requirement. A student must have a 3.0 GPA in order to enroll in the course. College credit can be earned if a student achieves a qualifying score on the AP Government and Politics test in the spring. This course meets the Civics/Government requirement for graduation so long as the student completes BOTH terms.
This college level course is a rigorous study of the design and function of the American political system. Students will demonstrate an understanding of American politics and the processes of government that help shape our public policies. Extensive reading is a major requirement. A student must have a 3.0 GPA in order to enroll in the course. College credit can be earned if a student achieves a qualifying score on the AP Government and Politics test in the spring. This course meets the Civics/Government requirement for graduation so long as the student completes BOTH terms.
AP Psychology
AP Psychology
10th-12th Grade
Two Semesters
GPA 3.0+
The AP Psychology course 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 . They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. Students enrolled in AP Psychology should expect a college-level workload. Students in this course would be split enrollment with West Ottawa High School.
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