The Social Studies department encourages students to become responsible, participating members of our society and to develop in our students a continuing interest in current, domestic and world affairs. We also aim to enable students to understand the news and analyze it in a critical manner, sifting truth from propaganda. Another objective is to inspire the students to understand and to coexist peacefully with different ideologies and cultures. Finally, we attempt to cultivate the need for tolerance, to appreciate the struggle for human rights, and to provide the student with academic skills and training in the use of resources and sufficient content.
Course Descriptions
World History (required freshman year)
This is an in-depth course spanning from the foundations of civilizations to our present day. The first semester covers the Ancient Middle East and Egypt, India, China, Greece, Rome, and the rise of Christianity. Other points of interest include the Middle Ages, Muslim Civilizations, the Renaissance and Reformation, the Enlightenment and the American Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, and the growth of western democracies. Emphasis is placed on cause and effect of historical data as well as a comparative analysis between the various periods of history. Students are also required to present both written and oral reports. Students will also focus on current events today and their relationships to events of the past. Geography and map skills are also an important part of the curriculum.
United States History (AP)
AP US History is a challenging course that is meant to be the equivalent of a freshman college course and can earn students college credit. It is a full year survey of American history from American Independence to the 21st Century. 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 interpretation of primary and secondary source documents. Students will also be required to develop arguments for class debates and other class activities. A Research paper linking American literature and history is required.
United States History 1(sophomore year)
This is a chronological survey and analysis of United States history from the Age of Discoveries to Reconstruction. Emphasis is placed on the major periods in United States history: American Colonization, the Revolution, the Constitution, Westward migration, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. Through a rational analysis, not just memorization of facts, students will become more educated about how America has developed over time and become better at critically evaluating information. Students will be expected to develop ideas which give meaning and relevance to the material of America’s recorded past. Further enhancement in specialized areas comes through a mandatory research paper which will be developed in English II. Communication skills both written and oral, as well as interpersonal skills through group collaboration, will be developed. Geography and map skills are also an integral part of this course.
United States History 2(junior year)
This is a chronological survey and analysis of United States history from the Gilded Age to Twentieth Century issues. Emphasis is placed on the major periods in United States history: the Gilded Age, the Age of Industrialization, Imperialism and emergence as a world power, World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II. Through a rational analysis, not just memorization of facts, students will become more educated about how America has developed over time and become better at critically evaluating information. Students will be expected to develop ideas which give meaning and relevance to the material of America’s recorded past. Further enhancement in specialized areas comes through a mandatory research paper which will be developed in English II. Communication skills both written and oral, as well as interpersonal skills through group collaboration, will be developed. Geography and map skills are also an integral part of this course.
American Government (AP)
This survey course provides a coherent portrait of how the American political system works. The emphasis will be placed not only on federal government but also on state and local government. The course will also address the important goal of why American politics and policies take their particular shape. Students will also be exposed to effective citizen participation in the political process and motivated toward positive citizenship. Students will be required to complete two major projects.
American Government (required senior year)
The American Government course is designed to investigate, analyze, and evaluate the American political system. The three branches of government; legislative, executive, and judicial, are examined thoroughly. Specifically, students will be taught the role and powers of each, as well as the relationships between the three. They will also be exposed to important relationships between the various levels of government; federal, state and local. The main thrust of the course is to teach critical thinking skills in the context of American government. Such skills as asking questions, analyzing fact from opinion, evaluating the strength of arguments, use of evidence, and evaluation of sources are all taught. As a result, the students will be exposed to a variety of opinions and sources. They will be required to express their ideas often. Besides use of the textbook and a multitude of outside sources, the students will be engaged in several simulations, such as; creating a class Constitution, writing bills, Mock Congress, Executive Decisions, and formal debates. The overall goals of this course include helping students become more active, self-directed, and self-motivated learners.
ELECTIVES
IB History of the Americas
History of the Americas is a higher-level two year course taken during junior and senior year. This course is a systematic and critical study of the human experience, including social, economic, political and cultural events-providing historical explanations from an international perspective. Students will study the histories of a selection of countries and themes within the chosen region. For example: we will analyze colonial governments in the Americas.
Elective-Online: AP African American Studies
This Advanced Placement course is equivalent to an introductory college or university course in African American Studies and related courses, including Africana Studies, African Diaspora Studies and Black Studies. The rigor of this course is consistent with colleges and universities and will prepare students for the AP exam in May. Upon successful completion of the exam, students may receive college credit and will be well prepared for the advanced coursework.
AP Economics - Macro and Micro
Economics is a social science which addresses how society allocates(distributes) limited resources (e.g. - goods and services). It is a “science” because it is governed by quantifiable laws designed to predict likely outcomes. It is a “social” science, as opposed to a natural science, because its laws are based upon social, as opposed to natural occurrences. This course will prepare the student for both the AP Micro and Macroeconomics exams. Each exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions and three free-response essay questions. Students taking this AP course are required to the AP exam in May. This is a full year, on-line course.
AP European History
AP European History is a rigorous academic course that furnishes a basic narrative of events and movements in European History from 1450 to the present. It prepares students for the demands of a college education by providing experience in college level reading, writing and responsibility for learning.AP European History is challenging and stimulating, yet requires much more time than other high school courses. Solid reading and writing skills, along with a willingness to devote considerable time to homework and study, are necessary to succeed. This course promotes just the type of effective time management skills and organization that are necessary for success in higher education. Students will investigate the broad themes of intellectual, cultural and political history and will appreciate how those ideas are reflected in trends of philosophy, popular literature and the arts. As events in history can only be understood in terms of their social context, this course will examine demographics and the influences of social classes and gender roles on history. The course will also focus on economic history and the role of industrialization by reviewing the development of commercial practices and changing economic structures to recognize Europe's influence on the world. Students are required to take the AP exam in May.
Throughout the course, students can expect to: watch or listen to traditional history lectures produced by the teacher or offered by colleges and universities online; participate in class discussions of primary documents and events in threaded discussions; debate key issues or role-play historic figures through student audio recordings; exercise essay writing skills designed to meet the requirements outlined by the College Board for Advanced Placement exams; collaborate with other students in research groups using Web 2.0 information tools; supplement traditional textbook reading with historical journals and primary documents. This is a full year, on-line course.
Business and Personal Law
For this course, students should have the ability to participate in discussions regarding the law in a mature manner.Students should have an interest in legal issues and a desire to learn about legal concepts that will impact their lives on a personal level and within the business community. Case studies and debates will be part of this course. Students will need to defend their position and ideas. Self-evaluation will be stressed within the course. Business/Personal Law is designed for students who have a desire to learn more about legal issues that will affect them in the present and in the future. It will acquaint students with basic legal principles common to business and personal issues. Ethics, the origin of law, our court system structure, contracting, buying and selling, employment, organizing a business, real estate, wills, trusts, and marriage and divorce will be explored. Students will leave the course with an understanding of legal issues impacting their lives in today's world. They will leave the course with an understanding and preparedness to face future legal issues. This is a half year, on-line course.
Constitutional Law
This Honors Level class explores the history and development of the UnitedStates Constitutional legal system. The primary focus will be on the basic principles of law, the judicial system and judicial/political behavior in U.S.history. Central themes of the course focus on the U.S. Supreme Court’s interpretation of law, power, and legal precedent. Students will read and listen to condensed versions of selected Supreme Court cases. Contemporary legal issues, including immigration law, and intellectual property law are also examined. You do not need to be a lawyer to understand this class; you just need an interest in legal systems. This class promises to be enjoyable, with individual as well as group projects exploring the U.S. Constitution. This is a half year, on-line course.
Contemporary Issues in American Law and Justice
This course is a 21st Century focus on three major areas of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, courts and corrections. During the course and within these areas we will study current issues relating to crime/justice, punishment and victimization. Issues to discuss include the causes of crime and how we should and do deal with crime are addressed throughout the class. As well, students will participate in a state of the art online mock trial! Furthermore, course participants will study crime in their city/state/national region and become better acquainted with how their local community deals with crime. For students interested in law and justice-related fields this is a must. This course will serve as an introduction to terms and issues and the many facets of the American legal system. This is a half year, on-line course.
Sports & Society (Online)
This course will focus on the evolving role of sports in American Society. Students will examine the history of sports and its relationship with race, gender, economics & politics in the United States. Additional topics will include: pressures of sports from adolescence through college, supplement & drug abuse, violence in sports, and exploring sport-related careers. Students will also develop skills in historical research, analysis, and interpretation. Students will be expected to participate in a variety of activities including: weekly discussions about required reading and current events, online field trips, research projects, and group activities. This is a half year, on-line course. Please note, this course is not approved the NCAA Clearinghouse.
Personal Finance (Online)
What would you do with one million dollars? Spend it? Save it? Buy a Porsche, travel, shop till you drop, give to charity? You will earn over a million dollars in your lifetime and you can choose to do whatever you want with it. Where will it go? In this course, student will learn how to make a budget, the value of one cent, how to purchase an automobile and insurance (auto, home, medical), and how to set short, medium, and long term financial goals. Students will also cover how to pay yourself first, how to shop for a financial institution and the basics of investing. Start now using your allowance or your part-time job and prepare for the future. Learn how to have all the money you need today and tomorrow. This is a half year, on-line course.
Introduction to Law (Online)
This course deals with the application of fundamental legal principals to typical business and consumer situations, illustrated by cases. The nature and source of law, crimes, torts, the courts, contract, real estate, insurance, forensic science and consumer protection law are studied in detail. It is designed to provide you with an understanding of your legal rights and responsibilities, a knowledge of everyday legal problems, and the ability to analyze, evaluate, and, resolve legal disputes.
AP Human Geography (Online)
This Advanced Placement AP Human Geography course is equivalent to a first semester, college-level introductory human geography or cultural ecology course. The rigor of this course is consistent with colleges and universities and will prepare students for the Advanced Placement exam in May. Upon successful completion of the exam, students may receive college credit and will be well-prepared for advanced human geography or cultural geography coursework.