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, researching, writing, discussing, and analyzing of the major political, military, economic, social, literary, religious, and technological events and trends in the U. S. from the Civil War to the present.

• World History (21409310)
  Grade 10
  
  Themes survey the origin and evolution of 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 every day life in a new way.

• Philosophy (2105340)
  Grades 10-12; ½ credit
  
  What's the best form of society? What is reality? Are we biological machines? Where did we come from? Why be good? Philosophy deals with what the great thinkers from Socrates to Sartre—and students—say about these and other big questions.

• 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.

• 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 documents from American History and write comprehensive essays.

• 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.

• AP U. S. Government & Politics (2106420)
  Grades 11-12; 1/2 credit; Application and Teacher recommendation required.
  
  In the first semester, students will take U. S. Government Honors and complete two research projects. After successfully completing the research projects, students will continue with the AP U.S. Government & Politics course in the second semester. AP U.S. Government & Politics provides an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific case studies. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. political reality.