Social Studies

Course Description: TThis course offers a study of our natural surroundings, the resources and needs of the world’s nations.  It also explores the relationship between people and the land they live in.  It includes elements of both the physical and cultural characteristics of the major geographic regions of the world and how they influence the way we live, i.e., Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Russia and Eurasia, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Middle and South America, United States and Canada.  Incorporated throughout the course is a study of different map projections and their use.

Text Provided: My World Geography Survey

Course Description: This course offers an in-depth study of our natural surroundings, the resources and needs of the world’s nations, extensive understanding of maps and their interpretations.  It also explores the relationship between people and the land they live in.  It includes critical analysis of both the physical and cultural characteristics of the major geographic regions of the world and how they influence the way we live.  The following regions are covered extensively in detail: Europe, Russia, Eurasia, the Middle East, Africa, The Pacific, Middle and South America, United States, and Canada.  Solid reading and writing skills along with a willingness to devote considerable time to homework and study are necessary to succeed.  Emphasis is placed on critical and evaluative thinking skills, essay writing, and map interpretation.  The methodology of a geographer involves skills that are highly transferable, the ability to formulate generalizations, interpret and use data and to analyze and weigh evidence applicable to many other academic and practical disciplines. 

Course Description: T

Course Description: TThis survey course begins with prehistoric man and follows development historically through the evolution of his civilization, culture and governmental structures. The areas which are particularly emphasized include: the civilization of Egypt and the Fertile Crescent; our heritage from the Greek, Roman, and Early Christian cultures, the Dark Ages, the Middle Ages in Europe; the Renaissance; the Age of Exploration; the rise of national states; the rise of autocratic powers and absolutism in Europe; the American and French Revolutions; the rise of nationalism in Germany and Italy; imperialism and world tensions leading up to World War I and World War II.

Text Provided: My World History

Course Description: This survey course begins with prehistoric man and follows development historically through the evolution of his civilization, culture and governmental structures. These areas are more deeply explored in the honors curriculum: the civilization of Egypt and the Fertile Crescent; our heritage from the Greek, Roman, and Early Christian cultures, the Dark Ages, the Middle Ages in Europe; the Renaissance; the Age of Exploration; the rise of national states; the rise of autocratic powers and absolutism in Europe; the American and French Revolutions; the rise of nationalism in Germany and Italy; imperialism and world tensions leading up to World War I and World War II. Additional projects/research required.
 

Text Provided: American Anthem: Modern American History

Course Description: This course endeavors to recount and explain U.S. history from European colonization to the United States entering the 21st Century. IT stresses not only events, but the people and forces that mold them. The course includes: exploration and colonization; the American Indians; growth of democratic ideas; the Revolution; the Confederation; a detailed study of the U.S. Constitution; expansion of the country; growth of political parties; the westward movement; the transition from agricultural to industrial economy; the growth of big business; and the expansion of U.S. interest as a result of the Spanish American War, World War I, and World War II. Outside readings are required. 

Text Provided: America A Native History & Class Fee

Course Description: Advanced Placement U.S. History is a challenging course that is designed to be the equivalent of a freshman college course in a high school setting. It is a two semester survey of American history from the age of exploration to the present. Solid reading and writing skills, along with a willingness to devote considerable time to homework and study, are necessary to succeed. Emphasis is placed on critical and evaluative thinking skills, essay writing, interpretation of original documents, and historiography. The student will be required to apply the effort necessary to act as a historian and develop the ability to analyze historical evidence to determine its validity and relevance, identify point of view and the nature of bias, and recognize the necessity of objectivity and substantiation. The methodology of a historian involves skills that are highly transferable; the ability to formulate generalizations, interpret and use data, and to analyze and weigh evidence from conflicting sources of information are applicable to many other academic and practical disciplines.
An Advanced Placement course is mandated to have a limited number of students. Therefore, final placement is based highly upon student grades, student scores, and teacher recommendation. Students placed in AP courses will not have the option of dropping the course(s) after the August deadline. Advanced Placement courses merit additional quality points toward the student’s GPA, just as honors courses do. Students may take the Advanced Placement Examination offered by the College Board and may receive college credit depending upon the score received and the university’s policy. Students are responsible for the cost of taking the AP exam.
 

Text Provided: American Government

Course Description: This course is designed to make the student aware of the foundations of American government, government by the people, the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches of the government, comparative political and economic systems, how to participate in state and local governments, emphasis will be placed on the structure of the Federal government, and the rights, responsibilities, and duties the individual has under the Federal government as well as emphasis on how state and local governments work independently and cooperatively.

Text Provided: American Government + Class Fee

Course Description: Advanced Placement Civics is a college level course. It is a two semester course in political science. The scope of instruction will go far beyond that of a mere civics or government class. The students will learn the structure and function of American government as well as the dynamic interactions of its components within the context of the American political culture. Throughout the course, the student will examine and evaluate our institutions of government, those who run these institutions, the public policies made by these institutions and the influences of the electorate on policies. There will be emphasis on the obtainment and critical analysis of political data. Emphasis will be placed on critical and evaluative thinking skills, essay writing, and interpretation of original documents.

Text Provided:  Economics, Principles and Practice
Supplemental Material:  Student purchase- Economics, Principles and Practice Workbook
Course Description: This course deals with the theories, practice, development, and financial institutions associated with the American economy. Considerable attention is given to the concept of supply and demand and the process through which limited resources are used to satisfy human wants. Also included is a study of world economic practices and alternative theories such as socialism, communism, and fascism.
 

Text Provided: Psychology: An Introduction

Course Description: This Behavioral Science course is designed to introduce the students to the study of Psychology, i.e., the study of human behavior as it pertains to the individual. It includes such topics as theories of human development, heredity and environment, biological influences on behavior, personality, intellectual ability, motivation, learning and thinking, emotions, conflicts, and psychological disturbances, and social behavior.