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Social Studies

Social studies is the part of the school program which teaches the skills, attitudes, and content knowledge that promote responsible citizenship. Social studies is an interdisciplinary field which includes history, geography, economics, political science, anthropology, psychology, sociology, and the humanities. Students are expected to use these disciplines to develop a variety of perspectives to enhance their ability to think critically about the events and issues that shape their community, their nation, and their world.

In addition to the required courses, students are able to select from a variety of social studies electives offered at each high school. Three levels of social studies courses are offered to meet student needs and achievement levels.

  • Advanced Placement (AP) courses are provided for the student who has demonstrated the ability to move beyond enrichment level content and skills acquisition based on achievement and interest. Independent study and extensive outside reading and research are required.
  • Honors courses are provided for the student who has demonstrated the ability to move to an enrichment level in content and skill acquisition based on achievement and interest. Independent study, outside reading, and research are required.
  • A Level courses are provided for the student who reads or writes at or below grade level. Opportunities for the further development of skills and understanding of concepts will be provided. Supplementary research projects and reading are required.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES
021710          1 credit          Grades 11, 12         Code: W*

This course is an interdisciplinary examination of the diversity of African American experiences through direct encounters with authentic and varied sources. Students explore key topics that extend from early African kingdoms to the challenges and achievements of the contemporary moment. Students in this course will develop skills across multiple fields, with an emphasis on developing historical, literary, visual, and data analysis skills. Extensive independent reading and research are required, and may include summer assignments.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
021030                                      1 credit             Grades 11, 12                           Code: W*

This course introduces students to the process and outcomes of politics in a variety of country settings. This course illustrates the diversity of political life, explains differences in policies and policy outcomes, and communicates to students the importance of global political and economic changes. The course prepares students for the national examination given by the College Board. Extensive independent reading and research are required, and may include summer assignments.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT EUROPEAN HISTORY
027120                                      1 credit             Grades 11, 12                           Code: W*

This course is designed to challenge students who have demonstrated the highest level of achievement and who wish to prepare for the Advanced Placement examination in European History. The scope of study is Europe from the Renaissance to the present using college-level texts and readings. Extensive outside reading and research are required, and may include summer assignments. This course is an elective and will not satisfy the requirement for World History.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
022560                                      1 credit             Grades 10, 11, 12                     Code: W*

This course provides students with an introduction to the broad discipline of geography. The basis of this study is “What is where, why there, and why care?”  Students will study the processes and patterns that shape how humans understand, use, and change the earth’s surface. They will also study how the earth influences human interactions. The methods and tools of geographers are essential to the course. Extensive reading and research are required, and may include summer assignments.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT MACROECONOMICS
026020                                      1 credit             Grades 11, 12                           Codes: CTP, W*

This course gives students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to an economic system as a whole. It places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination, and also develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics. The course prepares students for the national examination given by the College Board. Extensive independent reading and research are required, and may include summer assignments.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT MICROECONOMICS
026010                                      1 credit             Grades 11, 12                           Codes: CTP, W*

This course gives students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the economic system. It places primary emphasis on the nature and functions of product markets, and includes the study of factor markets and of the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. Extensive independent reading and research are required, and may include summer assignments.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY
022020                                      1 credit             Grades 10, 11, 12                     Code: W*

This course prepares students to take the Advanced Placement Examination. Content includes biological basis of behavior, personality theory, cognition, and abnormal and social psychology. Extensive independent reading and research are required, and may include summer assignments.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
021020                                      1 credit             Grades 10, 11, 12                           Code: W*

This course gives students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course includes the study of both the general concepts used to interpret U.S. government and politics and the analysis of specific examples regarding various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas. The course prepares students for the national examination given by the College Board. Extensive independent reading and research are required, and may include summer assignments. Students enrolled in this course will take an End Of Course (EOC) state exam that will comprise 20 percent of the student’s final grade in the course. This course fulfills the LSN Government requirement.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY
027020                                      1 credit             Grades 9, 10, 11, 12                 Code: W*

This course challenges students who have demonstrated the highest level of achievement and interest in social studies and are willing to prepare to take the Advanced Placement Examination. The course of study surveys the history of the United States from its origin to the present. This course involves extensive reading of primary source documents and intensive preparation for writing document based essays, and may include summer assignments. This course fulfills the United States history requirement.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT WORLD HISTORY
027220                                      1 credit             Grades 11, 12                           Code: W*

This course challenges students who have demonstrated the highest level of achievement and who wish to prepare for the Advanced Placement examination. The course covers the period from early man to the present and follows several themes making cultural connections through time. Extensive outside reading and research are required, and may include summer assignments. This course fulfills the world history requirement.

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
02171T or U                             ½ credit            Grades 10, 11, 12

This course provides students with an in-depth study of the history and culture of African Americans. The major units in African American History include Slavery and Slave Culture, Resistance to Enslavement, African American Contribution to the Civil War, Reconstruction and Disfranchisement, The Civil Rights Movement and the Black Power Movement, and Challenges of African Americans Today. Students in African American History engage in critical thinking and analytical discourse through the exploration of history, political science, economics, sociology, and culture of the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

AFRICAN HISTORY
02161T or U                             ½ credit            Grades 10, 11, 12

This course provides students with an in-depth study of the history and culture of Africa and African people. The major units in African History include Myths about Africa and Africans, Ancient and Medieval African Civilizations, African Empires and Kingdoms, The Slave Trade, Colonialism and Imperialism in Africa, Independence Movements, and Challenges of Contemporary Africa. Students in African History engage in critical thinking and analytical discourse through the exploration of anthropology, history, international relations, government, economics, philosophy, and culture of a world region.

CULTURAL HISTORY AND SPORT
021814                                      1 credit             Grades 10, 11, 12

This course examines the connection between society and sport from Pre-Classical civilizations through the modern day. The connections between athletic competition, their impact on societal trends throughout history, and the extent to which sports reflect and influence the larger culture are analyzed and evaluated. The approach to studying these relationships focuses on high quality research, examination of primary and secondary sources, historical analysis and conclusions, and the development of literacy skills based upon writing prompts about sports-relevant issues.

DOMESTIC AND GLOBAL ISSUES
022634                                      1 credit             Grades 10, 11, 12

This course is designed to develop geographic, economic, political, and cultural understandings that affect the relationships among nations in the world. Students will engage in research, discussions, role-playing, and simulations as they explore the issues currently facing the United States and nations around the world.

HUMAN GEOGRAPHY: THE STUDY OF PEOPLE AND PLACES
02255T or U                             ½ credit            Grades 10, 11, 12

This course is designed to enhance students understanding of the relationships between people and their physical environment. The course will address geographic concepts to include location, relationships within environments, the movement of humans, and physical and cultural characteristics of regions. A variety of print and non-print resources will be used to enrich students' understanding of human interactions within physical environments.

INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
02352T                                     ½ credit            Grades 10, 11, 12

This course is designed to develop students understanding of individual human behavior. Work in this course uses a variety of print and non-print materials, class discussions, demonstrations, projects, and community resources. Topics include personality theory, individual behavior, behavior in groups, motivation and emotion, memory and thought, stress and conflict, psychotherapy, psychological testing, and how psychologists conduct research.

INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
02353U                                     ½ credit            Grades 10, 11, 12

This course is designed to develop understanding of how humans function in groups and societies. Work in this course will be based on print and non-print materials, class discussions, projects, demonstrations, and student evaluations of the environment. Topics include examination of self-concept, establishing and maintaining value systems, peer relationships, gender roles, and the role of family, education, government, religion, and economics in our society.

LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL GOVERNMENT (HONORS)
022510                                      1 credit             Grades 10, 11, 12                     Codes: EOC, W

This course challenges students who have demonstrated the highest level of achievement and interest in social studies. Students will study the foundations and institutions of the United States system of government at the national, state, and local levels. Students will apply their knowledge of foundations to contemporary issues facing the local, state, and national governments. Students enrolled in this course will be provided an opportunity to complete their Student Service Learning requirement as part of the course of study. Students enrolled in this course will take an End Of Course (EOC) state exam that will comprise 20 percent of the student’s final grade in the course.

LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL GOVERNMENT (A LEVEL)
022511                                      1 credit             Grades 10, 11, 12                     Code: EOC

This course engages students in basic understanding of government and citizenship. Students will study the function, operation, and challenges that face government at the local, state, and national levels. Second semester students will examine contemporary issues facing local, state, and national government. Students will be provided an opportunity to complete Student Service Learning as part of the course of study.

LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL GOVERNMENT (INDIVIDUALIZED)
02981V or W                            1 credit             Grades 10, 11, 12                     Code: EOC

This course is designed to develop students understanding of government at the local, state, and national levels. Students will study the issues that relate to their lives as citizens living in a democratic society. This course is available to students upon the recommendation of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Committee and development of an IEP. Students will be provided an opportunity to receive credit for Student Service Learning as part of the course of study.

UNITED STATES HISTORY (HONORS)
021010                                      1 credit             Grades 9, 10                            Code: W

This course is designed to challenge motivated students who have demonstrated a high level of achievement and interest in social studies. Course content will focus on the geographic, economic, social, and political factors that continue to influence the development of the United States from the post-Civil War period to the present. Classroom requirements include extensive outside reading and research, as well as the completion of a historical investigation project.

UNITED STATES HISTORY (A LEVEL)
021011                                      1 credit             Grades 9, 10                           

This course is designed for students who have demonstrated an aptitude and interest in social studies. The content of the course will focus on the geographic, economic, social, and political factors that influenced the development of the United States from the post-Civil War era to the present. Classroom requirements include extensive outside reading and research as well as the completion of a historical investigation project.

UNITED STATES HISTORY (INDIVIDUALIZED)
02983V or W                            1 credit             Grades 9, 10                           

This course is designed for students to develop students understanding of the events and personalities that have shaped life in the United States in the twentieth century. This course is available to students upon the recommendation of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Committee and the development of an IEP.

WORLD HISTORY (HONORS)
021510                                      1 credit             Grade 11                                  Code: W

This course is designed to challenge motivated students who have demonstrated a high level of achievement and interest in social studies. Students will link their prior knowledge of world history as they continue to expand their understanding of the personalities and events that have shaped the modern world. Geographic, economic, political, and social factors will be explored from 1450 to the present. Classroom requirements include extensive outside reading and research, as well as the completion of a historical investigation project.

WORLD HISTORY (A LEVEL)
021511                                      1 credit             Grade 11                                 

This course is designed for students who have demonstrated an interest and aptitude in social studies. Students will focus on events and personalities that have shaped the modern world since 1450. Concepts from geography, economics, and politics will be examined. Some outside reading and research are required. Classroom requirements include extensive outside reading and research, as well as the completion of an historical investigation project.

WORLD HISTORY (INDIVIDUALIZED)
02985V or W                            1 credit             Grade 11                                 

This course is designed to develop students understanding of the events and personalities that have shaped the modern world since 1450. This course is available to students upon the recommendation of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Committee and the development of an IEP.

YOU AND THE LAW
02254T or U                             ½ credit            Grades 10, 11, 12

This course is designed to develop an understanding among teenagers of their rights and responsibilities as citizens under the local, state, and federal systems of law. Work in this course will be based on a variety of print and non-print materials, discussions, projects, and the use of community resources. Possible topics may include individual rights, civic responsibilities, laws and the legal system, criminal law, domestic law, and juvenile courts.