Social Studies

Grade Level

Required Course Work

AP Course Offerings

9

World History

AP Human Geography

Elective Offerings

None 10

20th Century American History AP European History (typically taken in the sophomore year) *AP US History (with teacher recommendation) AP Psychology AP Human Geography 11 12

No Specific Required Course P.A.D and Economics

AP European History *AP US History *AP Microeconomics *AP Macroeconomics *AP Government AP Psychology AP Human Geography

Modern Society Current Issues Crime, Society, & the Law International Relations Abnormal Psychology Psychology *These AP Courses can be taken in place of required course similar content (example: AP U.S. History for 20th Century). 20th Century is typically taken in the sophomore year, but can be fulfilled in the junior or senior year.

Class: 20th Century American History Course Number: 2202A & 2202B Credit: 1.0 Grade Level: 10 Recommended Prerequisite(s): None Weighted: No Beginning with an analysis of significant events of the 19th Century, 20th Century American History asks students to examine and understand the importance of the emergence of the United States as a world power, and track the political, social, and economic changes of each decade through the end of the century. Students will demonstrate knowledge of major historical figures, dates and events of each decade. Throughout the decades, students will identify strengths and weaknesses of American foreign policy, analyze the economic impact of various changes, and evaluate public policy and compare/contrast a variety of reform movements. Class: Abnormal Psychology Course Number: 2210 Credit: 0.5 Grade Level: 10-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): None Weighted: No Abnormal Psychology investigates the experience and expression of psychological disorders, what it means to be abnormal, and its effect on people’s lives. Students are encouraged to think analytically and challenge their beliefs regarding abnormal behavior while learning the biological/scientific/socio-cultural basis for mental illnesses. Students will learn about the subjective experience, causal factors, clinical presentation, and methods of assessment and treatment of different types of psychological disorders.

Class: Crime, Society and Law Course Number: 2211 Credit: 0.5 Grade Level: 10-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): None Weighted: No This course will introduce students to the US legal system, including the federal and state court systems, and constitutional and criminal law. Additionally, students will become familiar with criminology, corrections, deviance, and profiling. Students will gain an understanding of the careers associated with the legal and justice system and rehabilitation/corrections.

Class: Economics Course Number: 2204 Credit: 0.5 Grade Level: 12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): None Weighted: No Economics will introduce the student to microeconomic and macroeconomic theories and problems. This is an introductory overview of economics. The emphasis on this course is on decisionmaking. The course equips each student with the ability to become a better decision maker regarding economic events and problems so they will become a more informed citizen. The students will study the foundations of economic analysis, demand and supply mechanics, competitive and noncompetitive markets, the role of profit, labor economics, money and banking economics, income distribution and poverty, government spending and taxing decisions, investing, measuring economic performance of our nation, inflation, unemployment, debts and deficits, and international economics. Students will engage in critical thinking activities, discussions, debates, and term projects to gain an understanding of these economic concepts in addition to traditional testing issues. Class: Foundations of Child Development Course Number: 1501 Credit: 0.5 Grade Level: 9-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): None Weighted: No This course is a systematic study of child growth and development from conception through the teenage years. Emphasis is on principles underlying physical, intellectual, emotional and social development, and methods of child study and practical implications. This course begins by analyzing the various roles of families and parents in society. Students will understand the rewards and responsibilities of parenthood. Upon completion, students will understand concepts needed for a career related to working with children. Students will have a foundation that will help build their knowledge of self, family, future family as well as children they may work with now and in the future. The learning experiences in this course will be enhanced with the help of community professionals in careers related to child development. Class: Current Issues Course Number: 2203 Credit: 0.5 Grade Level: 10-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): None Weighted: No Current Issues is directed toward teaching high school students to conduct an in-depth study and analysis of important social, economic, and political concerns. Current issues is a dynamic, changing course which meets the students needs for structure and direction, yet allows them the time and freedom to develop research and analysis skills, and to apply them in the formation of intelligent opinions on any issue. Students assist in choosing some of the topics to be analyzed. Some issues selected will provide opportunities for class investigation, while other topics will provide impetus for independent research. Students will use printed, electronic, and visual media to keep current on important news events.

Class: AP European History Course Number: 2260A & 2260B Credit: 1.0 Grade Level: 10-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): World History Weighted: Yes The AP European History course focuses on developing students’ understanding of European history from approximately 1450 to the present. The course has students investigate the content of European history for significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in four historical periods, and develop and use the same thinking skills and methods (analyzing primary and secondary sources, making historical comparisons, chronological reasoning, and argumentation) employed by historians when they study the past. The course also provides seven themes (interaction of Europe and the world, poverty and prosperity, cultural and intellectual developments, states and other institutions of power, individual and society, national and European identity, and technological and scientific innovation) that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places.

Class: AP Human Geography Course Number: 2273A & 2273B Credit: 1.0 Grade Level: 9-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): None Weighted: Yes The AP Human Geography course is equivalent to an introductory college-level course in human geography. The course introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications.

Class: International Relations Course Number: 2215 Credit: 0.5 Grade Level: 10-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): World History Weighted: No International Relations is a course designed to introduce students to the fundamental concepts of International Relations and American Foreign Policy in a post-Cold War world. Students will explore the sharp challenges facing the United States in the international arena, including terrorism, security, nuclear proliferation, and globalizations, with a special focus on diplomacy and public policy.

Class: AP Microeconomics (AP Micro) Course Number: 2262 Credit: 0.5 Grade Level: 11-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): None Weighted: Yes This course prepares the students to pass the Microeconomics Advanced Placement test in May and potentially earn college credit. Students who are considering studying business, education, law, pre-Med, or graduate school should take AP Economics to bolster their analytical skills. The course gives students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the larger economic system. It places primary emphasis on demand and supply theories, and how it influences the prices of goods and services, resources, interest rates, rents and wage levels. Students will gain an in depth understanding of the different types of competitive markets and how decisions are made in each type. The role government plays in regulating and promoting economic efficiency, equity and economic goals is analyzed in great depth. Class: Principles of American Democracy Course Number: 2208 Credit: 0.5 Grade Level: 12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): None Weighted: No Principles of American Democracy provide students with a working knowledge of the structure and function of the federal government. Students will investigate the basic principles of our government, the rights, freedoms, and responsibilities of U.S. citizens, the adaptability of our democratic system to our changing world and society, the role of public opinion and special interests in policy-making, the role of political parties, and basic election procedures. Class: AP Macroeconomics (AP Macro) Course Number: 2261 Credit: 0.5 Grade Level: 11-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): None Weighted: Yes This is the second part of an Advanced Placement Economics course. This course prepares students to pass the Advanced Placement test in May in Macroeconomics and potentially earn college credit. Whereas AP Microeconomics focuses its attention on the small parts that make up the entire economy, Advanced Placement Macroeconomics focuses on analyzing the economy as a whole unit. Students will gain a thorough understanding of the problems, principles, theories, and solutions to our nation’s economy. The emphasis in macroeconomics is on measuring national economic performance, such as unemployment, inflation, and gross domestic product, and analyzing solutions to these economic problems by applying monetary and fiscal policy. The student will explore and analyze the methods the government uses to improve our economy. In addition, the course will develop an understanding of international economic principles and applications. Class: Modern Society Course Number: 2207 Credit: 0.5 Grade Level: 10-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): None Weighted: No Modern Society offers students an introduction to the field of sociology. It provides the students with an understanding of the tools and techniques of sociology. This course is designed for students who want to study human relationships, particularly during adolescence. Students will learn about how sociologists study cultures and their differences. Knowledge of minority groups will be expanded in an attempt to create an awareness of prejudicial attitudes and discriminatory practices. This course will also expose students to how social groups and social classes affect human behavior.

Class: Psychology Course Number: 2209 Credit: 0.5 Grade Level: 10-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): None Weighted: No Psychology explores the fascinating subject of human behavior and the mind. It seeks to explain why people think, feel, and behave the way they do. The subject matter of psychology is the individual. Through a variety of classroom activities and experiments, the student is introduced to basic principles of psychology such as learning, dreams, behavior, psychological disturbance, and human development through the lifespan.

Class: AP Psychology Course Number: 2263A & 2263B Credit: 1.0 Grade Level: 10-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): None Weighted: Yes 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.

Class: AP United States History Course Number: 2265A & 2265B Credit: 1.0 Grade Level: 11-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): World History Weighted: Yes The AP U.S. History course focuses on developing students’ understanding of American history from approximately 1491 to the present. The course has students investigate the content of U.S. history for significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in nine historical periods, and develop and use the same thinking skills and methods (analyzing primary and secondary sources, making historical comparisons, chronological reasoning, and argumentation) employed by historians when they study the past. The course also provides seven themes (American and national identity; migration and settlement; politics and power; work, exchange, and technology; America in the world; geography and the environment; and culture and society) that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places. Class: AP United States Government and Politics Course Number: 2264A & 2264B Credit: 1.0 Grade Level: 11-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): None Weighted: Yes AP U.S. Government and Politics is a survey course that provides an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific case studies. Students will explore the various institutions, groups and beliefs that comprise the American political system. Focus areas will include: the Constitutional foundations of the U.S. government; how mass media, interest groups, and political parties influence the daily functioning of our government; public policy and factors that influence policy agenda; and the development of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties through Supreme Court decisions. Students will be expected to demonstrate critical thinking and analysis in writing that is consistent with the free response questions on the AP Exam. Note: This is a full year class that fulfills the graduation requirement for Government. Any student who

drops the course after one semester has NOT fulfilled the graduation requirements and will need to take Principles of American Democracy to meet the graduation requirements.

Class: World History Course Number: 2201A & 2201B Credit: 1.0 Grade Level: 9 Recommended Prerequisite(s): None Weighted: Yes World History provides students with a working knowledge of world history beginning with the European Renaissance and Reformation through the late 20th century. Students will examine and understand the importance of historical, political, economic, and social changes during this period. Topics to be studied include religious change development of science/technology, imperialism/nationalism, shifts in world power, world wars, revolutions, and the emergence of the Cold War.