Social Studies

WORLD HISTORY

Credit 1                                 

This course provides students the opportunity to acquire an understanding of the chronological development of civilization by examining the political, economic, social, religious, military, dynastic, scientific, and cultural events that have affected humanity. Specific content to be covered will include, but not be limited to, an understanding of geographic, historic and time-space relationships, a review of pre-history, the rise of civilization and cultural universals, the development of religion and the impact of religious thought, the evolution of political systems and philosophies, the development of nationalism as a global phenomenon, the origin and course of economic systems and philosophies. One credit of world history is required for graduation.

WORLD HISTORY HONORS      

Credit 1                                 

This course provides students the opportunity to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the past in terms of what has been interpreted about change or process as it related to the development of humanity. This is done by analyzing the political, economic, social, religious, military, dynastic, scientific, and cultural events that have shaped and molded humanity. Implicit in this is an understanding of the historical method, the inquiry process, historical reasoning and interpretation. One credit of World History is required for graduation.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT WORLD HISTORY

Credit 1                                 

The purpose of the AP World History course is to develop greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts in different types of human societies. This understanding is advanced through a combination of selective factual knowledge and appropriate analytical skills. The course highlights the nature of changes in global frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. It emphasizes relevant factual knowledge, leading interpretive issues, and skills in analyzing types of historical evidence. Periodization, explicitly discussed, forms an organizing principle to address change and continuity throughout the course. Specific themes provide further organization to the course, along with consistent attention to contacts among societies that form the core of world history as a field of study. 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

Credit 1                                

This course provides a systematic study of human geography, the use of spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human organization of space, spatial relationships at different scales ranging from the local to global and teaches students how to use and interpret maps, data sets and geographic models, GIS, aerial photographs and satellite images.

AMERICAN HISTORY      

Credit 1                                 

American History will provide students with the opportunity to acquire an understanding of the chronological development of the American people by examining the political economic, social, religious, military, scientific, and cultural events that have affected the rise and growth of the nation. Content to be covered will include, but not be limited to, an understanding of geographic-historic and time-space relationships, the synthesizing of American culture through the centuries, the origin of the American colonial experience, the American Revolution and the Federal System, the Civil War as the solution to the secession issue, the technological and urban transformation of the country, and American foreign policy development. One credit of American history is required for graduation. 

AMERICAN HISTORY HONORS            

Credit 1                                

American History Honors will provide students with the opportunity to acquire an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the chronological development of the American people by examining the political, economic, social, religious, military, scientific, and cultural events that have affected the nation. Implicit in this is an understanding of the historical method, the inquiry process, historical reasoning and interpretation, and the issues of external and internal validity. One credit of American history is required for graduation.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT AMERICAN HISTORY     

Credit 1                                  

Advanced Placement American History will provide students with the opportunity to develop the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems, content, and materials of American historic development. This is done by focusing on persistent themes and change in history and by applying historical reasoning to seek solutions to contemporary problems. Integral components of this course will include, but not be limited to, the formation of generalizations from  primary sources in history, the synthesis and evaluation of information, the development of a set of criteria for judging proposed courses of action in terms of actual and projected consequences, the comparison of eras with similar trends, and analysis of the impact of major historical figures and groups on American and world events, the detection of bias in making conclusions, and the emergence of patterns in historical development. Reference will be made to the current advanced placement course description for American History published annually by the College Board. This course will prepare students for possible college credit. Students enrolled must take the AP exam. One credit of American history is required for graduation. 

PREREQUISITE: Department Guidelines 

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Credit .50                           

This course develops an understanding of American government and political behavior. Content  to be covered will include, but not be limited to, an analysis of documents which  shape political traditions, a comparison of the roles of the three branches of government at the local, state, and national levels, an understanding of the evolving role of political parties and interest groups in determining government policy, how the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democratic state evolved and have been interpreted, and the importance of civic participation in the democratic political process. One-half credit of American government is required for graduation.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT HONORS 

Credit .50                           

Students will acquire a comprehensive understanding of American government and political behavior. Appropriate concepts and skills will be developed through an evaluation of the Declaration of Independence the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, an analysis of the roles of the three branches of government at the local, state, and  national levels, a comparative view of the changing roles of the three branches of government at the local, state, and national levels, a comparative view of the changing nature of political parties and interest groups in determining government policy, an evaluation of citizen rights and responsibilities in a democratic state, and the importance of civic participation in democratic political processes. One-half credit of American government is required for graduation.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT AMERICAN GOVERNMENT                

Course .50

This course will give students a critical perspective on politics and government in the United States. It requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that make up the American political reality.  Specific content to be covered will include, but not be limited to, an understanding of federalism and the separation of powers, the development of the constitution, the process of politics, the nature of public opinion, the role of political parties and interest groups, the major formal and informal institutional arrangement of powers, and the development of civil liberties and civil rights. Course outline will adhere to guidelines of The College Board. Completion of this course may qualify student for college credit. Students enrolled must take the AP Exam. One-half credit of American government is required for graduation.

PREREQUISITE: Department guidelines  

ECONOMICS AND FINANCIAL LITERACY                  

Credit .50      

Economics course that 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 should include, 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.                

One-half credit of economics is required for graduation.