Social Studies Department Courses

Advance Placement American Government and Politics / Grade 12  (One-semester course)

This course involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret American politics and the analysis of specific case studies. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that make up the topics and some questions a student might choose to explore, such as: 1) Constitutional underpinnings of American government, 2) Political beliefs and behavior, 3) Political parties and interest groups, 4) Institutions and policy processes of the national government, and 5) Civil rights and civil liberties. Advanced Placement classes require extra time on the part of the teacher as well as the student. Therefore, a variety of themes and approaches to American Politics and Government will be used. Essay examinations, note taking from both printed material and lectures, research projects are required.

Prerequisites: 
Approval by teacher
Required reading: 
Textbook and supplement readings
Expected homework: 
3–4 hours per week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Essay writing, oral presentations, current events, research projects, and preparation for the AP Exam
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities

Advanced Placement American History / Grade 11

This is a college level equivalent course. it emphasizes a variety of themes and approaches to U.S. History. Essay examinations, note taking from both printed material and lectures, and research papers are required. Students will learn to evaluate historical evidence and make extensive use of historical materials.

Prerequisites: 
Approval by teacher
Required reading: 
Textbook and supplemental readings
Expected homework: 
3–4 hours per week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Essay writing, map work, oral presentations current events, research project. Preparation for the advanced placement exam
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities; . preparation for the advanced placement exam

Advanced Placement Economics / Grade 12  (One-semester course)

The curriculum is college preparatory, and basic math concepts are essential for many of the lessons covered. The course provides the basic groundwork for further study in preparation for the economics advanced placement test. Units covered include: 1) Economics history and thought, 2) The theory of the firm, 3) Forces of supply and demand in the market system, 4) The role of the government, 5) Inter-national trade, 6) Labor economics, and 7) Consumer rights and responsibilities. The class does require more study time than other economics courses offered here at school and students must have the ability to take notes and to prepare papers and essay questions.

Prerequisites: 
Department recommendation
Required reading: 
Textbook and supplemental materials
Expected homework: 
3–4 hours per week
Other aspects/requirements: 
College level performance and a research paper (cooperative learning assignment)
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities

Advanced Placement European History AB / Grade 10–12

This is a college level equivalent course. It is an in-depth study of European history from 1450 to the 1980s, with three major themes: (1)Political and Diplomatic History, (2)Intellectual and Cultural History, (3) Social and Economic History. Essay tests, note taking and research papers will help students to understand the nature of history and its interpretations. College course credit or advanced placement for students who qualify on the CEEB AP EXAM in European History.

Prerequisites: 
Teacher approval
Required reading: 
Textbook and supplemental reading
Expected homework: 
3–4 hours per week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Essay writing, map work, oral presentation, current events, research projects
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities.

Advanced Placement Human Geography AB / Grade 10–12

This course is concerned with the patterns in the spatial distribution of human and natural phenomena. You will study how landscapes are formed, how river channels are shaped and why some regions support a greater diversity of life than others. You will also focus on how people live, where they live, what kinds of towns and cities they build, and how they modify the environment in which we all live. The pressing issues of the ways in which human societies create, alter, and interact with their social and physical environments will be explored.

Prerequisites: 
Teacher approval
Required reading: 
Textbook and supplemental reading
Expected homework: 
3–4 per week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Essay writing, map work, oral presentation and research projects

Advanced Placement Psychology / Grade 11–12  (One-semester course)

This course covers the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, learning cognition, motivation and emotion, developmental psychology, personality, testing and individual differences, abnormal psychology, treatment of psychological disorders, and social psychology.

Prerequisites: 
Approval by teacher
Required reading: 
College textbook and supplemental reading
Expected homework: 
3–4 hours per week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Oral presentation, note taking, notebook, research project
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities

Advanced Placement World History AB / Grade 10

This is a full-year college level equivalent course in world history from about 1000 C.E. to the present. The course and AP exam highlight six overarching themes: impact of societal interactions, change and continuity across world history periods, impact of technology and demography, social and gender structures, cultural and intellectual developments, and functions and structures of the states. Essay tests, note taking, constructing and evaluating arguments, using primary documents and data, assessing change and continuity over time and handling diversity of interpretations will help students to understand comparison within and among societies and understand ideas and values.

Prerequisites: 
Approval by teacher
Required reading: 
Textbook and supplemental
Expected homework: 
3–4 hours per week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Essay writing, map work, oral presentation, current events, and research projects
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities

Economics / Grade 12  (One-semester course)

Emphasis of this course is on the basic principles of economics and on helping students to understand the demand-economic-system in which they live. This course will enable the student to gain a better understanding of how and why the U.S. economic system works and how individuals fit into the economy and influence it by their decisions.

Prerequisites: 
Textbook and supplemental reading
Expected homework: 
3–4 hours per week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Current events, note taking, simulations, research projects
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities.

Introduction to Anthropology / Grade 11–12  (One-semester course)

The major purpose of this course is to survey cultural and physical anthropology. The course will include the study of archeology, ethnology, fossil history, linguistics, and the human race. Students will discuss and write essays abut racism, divorce, crime, war, taxes, and education applying the insights of anthropologists.

Required reading: 
Textbook and supplemental reading
Expected homework: 
3–4 hours per week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Oral presentation, note taking, notebook, research project

Introduction to Psychology / Grade 10–12  (One-semester course)

A college-preparatory course that exposes students to major fields of psychological research. Human behavior and the factors which it will be studied. Students will learn and apply the scientific method of psychological experimentation and research.

Required reading: 
Textbook and supplemental reading
Expected homework: 
3–4 hours per week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Oral presentation, note taking, notebook, research project
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities

Introduction to Sociology / Grade 11–12  (One-semester course)

A college preparatory course that studies group behavior, the social problems which arise from that behavior, and the effects of those problems upon group members. Included are units on social structure, societal values, poverty, crime, protest, population, mobility, human ecology, marriage and the family, and mass media.

Required reading: 
Textbook and supplemental reading
Expected homework: 
3–4 hours per week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Oral presentation, note taking, notebook, research project
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities

Principles of American Democracy / Grade 12  (One-semester course)

Examines our system of government, including the economic principals that underline it. The course prepares students for active, informed citizenship. They will learn about the electoral process, banking and taxation the complex interrelationships of the U.S. economic system, the legal rights and obligations of consumers, and the importance of being an informed voting citizen.

Expected homework: 
3–4 hours per week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Current events, simulations, book reviews, oral presentations, note taking
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities

U.S. History 20th Century AB (Regular and AE) / Grade 11

Emphasis is on the political, economic, social and cultural development of the United States from early exploration to the present. The study includes related current events and a view of the U.S. in a global context. American institutions and values are compared and contrasted to those of other nations.

Required reading: 
Textbook and supplemental readings
Expected homework: 
3–4 hours per week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Map work, book reports, research projects, oral presentations, essay writing
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities

World History & Geography : Modern World AB&ndashAE / Grade 9–

Honors World History is a course designed to enhance a student's background in historical and contemporary events of the world. The breadth of the course is from ancient times to the present. A focus will be placed on the geography, philosophy, economics, culture, government, and history of different civilizations. Each student is expected to partake in a weekly current event. In addition, a term paper comparing the League of Nations with the United Nations is assigned in the spring semester. Different types of tests, including essay, will be given throughout the year.

Prerequisites: 
Counselor and/or teacher approval
Expected homework: 
3–4 hours per week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Projects, presentations, map work
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities

World History and Geography: Modern World AB / Grade 10

The focus of this course is on Western civilization from ancient times to the present. Students will learn about historical events, ideas, and forces that have shaped and are shaping our world.

Required reading: 
Textbook and supplemental readings
Expected homework: 
3–4 hours per week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Projects, map work, book reports, oral presentations, group work
Meets requirements for: 
state colleges and universities; State and District requirements for Grade 10
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