SOCIAL STUDIES

Required Courses

World History (2109310 – 1.0 credit)

Grade Level: 10

Course Description:

This course consists of the following content area strands: World History, Geography and Humanities. Students will continue an in-depth study of the history of civilizations and societies from the middle school course including the history of civilizations and societies of North and South America. Students will be exposed to historical periods leading up to the beginning of the 21st Century. Prerequisite: None.

World History Honors

Grade Level: 10

Course Description:

(2109320 – 1.0 credit)

In this course, students are empowered to perform at higher levels as they engage in the following: analyzing historical documents and supplementary readings, working in the context of thematically categorized information, becoming proficient in notetaking, participating in Socratic seminars/discussions, emphasizing free-response and document-based writing, contrasting opposing viewpoints, and solving problems. Students will develop and demonstrate their skills through participation in a capstone and/or extended research-based paper/project (e.g., history fair, participatory citizenship project, mock congressional hearing, projects for competitive evaluation, investment portfolio contests). Prerequisite: Students must have earned an A- or better in English 1 or a B- or better in English 1 Honors.

Advanced Placement World History

Grade Level: 10

Course Description:

(2109420 – 1.0 credit)

World History AP course content is structured around the investigation of five course themes and 19 key concepts in six different chronological periods, from approximately 8000 B.C.E. to the present. Content is specified by the College Board Advanced Placement Program. Students are expected to take the national AP exam. Prerequisite: Students must have earned an A- or better in English 1 Honors or a B- or better in English 1 Pre-AP.

United States History (2100310 – 1.0 credit)

Grade Level: 11

Course Description:

This course consists of the following content area strands: United States History, Geography, and Humanities. The primary content pertains to the study of United States history from reconstruction to present day. Students will be exposed to the historical, geographic, political, economic, and sociological events which influenced the development of the United States and the resulting impact on world history.

Prerequisite: None.

United States History Honors (2100320 – 1.0 credit)

Grade Level: 11

Course Description:

This course empowers students to perform at a higher level as they engage in the following: analyzing historical documents and supplementary readings, working in the context of thematically categorized information, becoming proficient in notetaking, participating in Socratic seminars/discussions, free-response and document-based writing, contrasting opposing viewpoints, and problem-solving. Students will develop and demonstrate their skills through participation in a capstone and/or extended research-based paper/ project (e.g., history fair, participatory citizenship project, mock congressional hearing, projects for competitive evaluation, investment portfolio contests). Prerequisite: Students must have earned an A- or better in World History or B- or better in World History Honors.

Advanced Placement United States History (2100330 – 1.0 credit)

Grade Level: 11

Course Description:

In this course, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in nine historical periods from approximately 1491 to present day. Students develop and use the same skills and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change. Students also explore the following themes to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: American and national identity; work, exchange, and technology; geography and the environment; migration and settlement; politics and power; America in the world; American and regional culture; and social structures. Content is specified by the College Board Advanced Placement Program. Students are expected to take the national AP exam. Prerequisite: Students must have earned an A- or better in World History Honors or a B- or better in AP World History.

United States Government (2106310 – 0.5 credit)

Grade Level: 12

Course Description:

This course consists of the following content area strands: Geography, Civics and Government. The primary content for the course pertains to the study of government institutions and political processes and their historical impact on American society. Content includes, but is not limited to, the functions and purpose of government, the function of the state, the constitutional framework, federalism, separation of powers, functions of the three branches of government at the local, state, and national level, and the political decision-making process. Prerequisite: None.

United States Government Honors (2106320 – 0.5 credit)

Grade Level: 12

Course Description:

This honors course is a semester-long course that provides students with the political knowledge and reasoning processes to participate in meaningful and thoughtful discussions and debates that are currently shaping American politics and society. It is important to note that this course is not a history course; it is a political science course that studies the interconnectedness of the different parts of the American political system and the behaviors and attitudes that shape this system and are the byproduct of this system.

Prerequisite: Students must have earned an A- or better in United States History or a B- or better in United States History Honors.

Advanced Placement United States Government (2106420 – 0.5 credit)

Grade Level: 12

Course Description:

This course is a college-level, semester-long course that not only seeks to prepare students for success on the AP exam in May, but also provides students with the political knowledge and reasoning processes to participate in meaningful and thoughtful discussions that are currently shaping American politics and society. It is important to note that this course is not a history course; it is a political science course that studies the interconnectedness of the different parts of the American political system and the behaviors and attitudes that shape this system and are the byproduct of this system. Content is specified by the College Board Advanced Placement Program. Students are expected to take the national AP exam. Prerequisite: Students must have earned an A- or better in United States History Honors or B- or better in United States History AP.

Economics with Financial Literacy (2102310 – 0.5 credit)

Grade Level: 12

Course Description:

This course consists of the following content area strands: Economics and Geography. The primary content emphasis for this course pertains to the study of the concepts and processes of the national and international economic systems. Content includes, but is not limited to, currency, banking and monetary policy, the fundamental concepts relevant to the major economic systems, the global market and economy, major economic theories and economists, the role and influence of the government and fiscal policies, economic measurements, tools, and methodology, financial and investment markets, and the business cycle.

Prerequisite: None.

Economics with Financial Literacy Honors (2102320 – 0.5 credit)

Grade Level: 12

Course Description:

The goal of this course is to provide students with a broad overview of the macroeconomy. This overview will include highlights from macroeconomics, economic challenges, international economics, and personal economics. Prerequisite: Students must have earned an A- or better in United States History or B- or better in United States History Honors.

Advanced Placement Macroeconomics (2102370 – 0.5 credit)

Grade Level: 12

Course Description:

This course is designed to replicate the introductory macroeconomics course taught in a university setting. The goal of the course is to introduce students to the field of Economics, to teach basic macroeconomic concepts and analytical skills, and to enable students to score well on the AP Macroeconomics test in May. Content is specified by the College Board Advanced Placement Program. Students are expected to take the national AP exam. Prerequisite: Students must have earned an A- or better in United States History Honors or B- or better in United States History AP. Co-requisite: Pre-Calculus Honors.