Social Studies

Required Courses

• American History (2100310)
  Grade 11
  
  This course traces American History from the Civil War and Reconstruction through contemporary American History.

• American History Honors (2100320)
  Grade 11
  
  This course involves extensive reading, writing, and speaking about the major political, military, economic, social, literary, religious, and technological events and trends in the U. S. from the Civil War to the present. Students will also learn to interpret historical documents and write comprehensive essays and research projects. They should expect to sharpen their analytical and critical thinking skills.

• World History (21409310)
  Grade 10
  
  This course is a thematic survey of the origin and evolution of civilization through the political, religious, social, military, and scientific ideas that shaped the cultures of the World.

• World History Honors (2109320)
  Grade 10; Teacher recommendation and selection process required.
  
  This course involves much reading, researching, writing, discussing, and analyzing. It covers major political, military, economic, social, literary, religious, and technological events and trends in the world from prehistory to present.

• American Government (2106310)
  Grade 12; ½ credit
  
  Students will gain an understanding of American government and political behavior essential for effective citizenship and active involvement in a democratic American society.

• American Government Honors (2106320)
  Grade 12; ½ credit; Teacher recommendation required
  
  This course includes topics covered in regular American Government with additional emphasis on writing. An outside class project may be required.

• Economics (2102310)
  Grade 12; ½ credit
  
  This course provides the knowledge and decision-making tools necessary for understanding how society organizes its limited resources to satisfy its wants. Students gain an understanding of choices they make as producers, consumers, investors, and taxpayers.

• Economics Honors (2102320)
  Grade 12; ½ credit; Teacher recommendation required
  
  This course includes topics covered in regular Economics; course also includes in-depth unit on securities and personal investments.

Elective Courses

• Law Studies (2106350)
  Grades 10-12; ½ credit
  
  Why do we need laws? Who makes them? What are your rights? What is a crime? When can you be sued? This course surveys the basis of constitutional, juvenile, criminal, and civil law and attempts to answer these questions. Expect many guest speakers, including attorneys, detectives, and FBI agents.

• Psychology I (2107300)
  Grades 11-12; ½ credit
  
  This course covers individual human and animal behavior, explains the influence of heredity and environment, and the interplay of physical, mental, and emotional natures.

• Psychology II (2107310)
  Grades 11-12; ½ credit
  
  This course is a comprehensive study of theory, measurement devices and understanding of normal and abnormal behavior.

• Sociology (2108300)
  Grades 10-12; ½ credit
  
  This academic course is a study of human society and how it is shaped by social forces, attitudes, values, interactions, and patterns that vary across time, culture, and social groups. Its purpose is to help students develop a "sociological imagination" to view everyday life in a new way.

• Philosophy (2105340)
  Grades 10-12; ½ credit
  
  What is the best form of society? What is reality? Are we biological machines? Where did we come from? How do we know what is the right thing to do? What is justice? Philosophy deals with what the great thinkers from Socrates to Sartre say about these and other big questions. Students should come to class with an open mind, prepared to do lots of reading, writing, and taking part in lively discussions.

• Caribbean Studies (2100410)
  Grades 10-12; 1 credit
  
  This course will provide students the opportunity to acquire an understanding of the chronological development of the Caribbean people by examining the history and the culture of the region.

• Contemporary History (2109350)
  Grades 9-12; ½ credit

  Students will learn about world events and trends primarily from the past four decades pertaining to history, geography, economics, political processes, religion, ethics, diverse cultures and humanities.

• AP World History (2109420)
  Grades 10-12; Teacher recommendation, writing sample and interview required.
  
  This is a college-level course requiring highly advanced skills in reading comprehension, expressive/descriptive writing, and trends analysis. Extensive reading and writing are to be expected. Only students with exceptional academic maturity will be considered. Students are required to take the AP World History Exam in May for possible college credit.

• AP United States History (2100330)
  Grades 11-12; Application and Teacher recommendation required.
  
  This course traces American historical development from Columbus until present day. Students will learn to interpret historical documents and write comprehensive essays. Students are required to take the AP US History Exam in May for possible college credit.

• AP Psychology (2107350)
  Grades 11-12; Application and Teacher recommendation required.
  
  This course is a comprehensive study of general psychology, including history, biological basis of behavior, developmental psychology, personality, testing, abnormal psychology, treatment of disorders, and social psychology. Students are required to take the AP Psychology Exam in May for possible college credit.

• AP U. S. Government & Politics (2106420)
  Grades 11-12; 1/2 credit; Application and Teacher recommendation required.
  
  This is a semester course that is taught during the fall semester. The course objective is to gain a better understanding of how the American Government system works. Students will examine government as a process, as well as how the political system is affected by non-governmental agencies. The course content is dictated by the College Board. The class will be broken into the following units: Constitutional Underpinnings of US Government; Political Beliefs and Behaviors Political Parties; Interest Groups and Mass Media; Institutions of National Government; Public Policy; and Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. Students are required to take the AP American Government and Politics Exam in May for possible college credit.

• AP Microeconomics (2102360)
  Grades 11-12; 1/2 credit; Application and Teacher recommendation required.
  
  This is semester course that is taught during the fall semester. Microeconomics is the study of individual economic parts of the economic system. The course content is dictated by the College Board. Topics covered will include, but are not limited to: Basic Economic Concepts; Nature and Function of both Product and Factor Markets; Market Failure; and Government Intervention. Students are required to take the AP Microeconomics Exam in May for possible college credit.

• AP Macroeconomics (2102370)
  Grades 11-12; 1/2 credit; Application and Teacher recommendation required.
  
  This is a semester course that is taught during the spring semester. The course content is dictated by the College Board. Macroeconomics is the study of entire economics systems and topics covered will include, but are not limited to: Basic Economic Concepts; Measuring Economic Performance; National Income and Price Determination; Financial Sectors; Inflation, Unemployment, Stabilization Policies; Economic Growth; and International Trade. Students are required to take the AP Macroeconomics Exam in May for possible college credit.