Social Studies

American Studies 1898 to the Present-Day

Level 1 (2010), Level 2 (2020), Level 3 (2025)

2010    Grade 9    1 Credit    1 Semester    Weight of 1.2

2020    Grade 9    1 Credit    1 Semester    Weight of 1.1

2025    Grade 9    1 Credit    1 Semester    Weight of 1.0

This course continues an American Studies sequential program presented at the elementary level and grade 8. It is designed to give students a survey of American History from the turn of the 19th Century to the present-day. The course investigates the political, social, economic, and cultural events from the 1890s through the 2000’s. In 9th grade American Studies, we will approach the 20th and 21st Centuries American History thematically.

It is crucial for us to analyze, evaluate and appreciate America’s past so that we can understand our current discussion’s about America’s role in today’s world. This course will introduce the concepts, materials, and tools employed in the discipline history. An emphasis is placed on cause and effect, primary, and secondary sources, and the development of critical thinking and writing skills. The nine historical thinking skills used by historians which include, causation, continuity, & change over time, periodization, comparison, contextualization, argumentation, analyzing evidence, interpretation, and synthesis, will be applied to key concepts throughout the course.

The basic difference between levels one, two, and three are largely the depth of the material covered, discussion, the difficulty of the assessment program, scaffolding and accommodations provided on learning assignments and assessments, and the weighting system. The amount of reading material and the formal writing required in level one will be greater than level two.

World Cultures

Level 1 (2030), Level 2 (2040), Level 3 (2045)

2030    Grade 10    1 Credit    1 Semester    Weight of 1.2

2040    Grade 10    1 Credit    1 Semester    Weight of 1.1

2045    Grade 10    1 Credit    1 Semester    Weight of 1.0

This is a required course that provides students with geographical, historical, political, cultural, and economic information relating to various world regions. The course contains five major units of study, Introduction to Culture, Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and East Asia. There is a strong emphasis on contemporary issues and problems of each world region. The distinguishing criteria between levels 1, 2 and 3 are depth and detail of discussion. Level 3 will use course content to enhance students’ reading and writing skills. Assessments also vary according to the level of the class.

Advanced Placement U.S. Government & Politics

2050  Grades 11-12  1 Credit   1 Semester  Weight of 1.3

The AP Government & Politics course, students learn about the core principles of American government and the U.S Constitution, the structure and processes of the three branches of government, and the impact that political parties, public opinion polls, and interest groups have on the creation of public policy. In this course, students examine many of the documents that were instrumental in the shaping of government that we use today. They also learn about historic decisions made by past presidents and Congress, as well as some of the most consequential rulings of the U.S Supreme Court.

This course will prepare students for the Advanced Placement exam that is offered by the College Board in May. Students are encouraged (but not required) to take the AP exam, which can be used to earn college credit. 

Successful completion of Advanced Placement United States Government and politics will fulfill the required Government credit needed in Social Studies.

Government & Economics

Level 1 (2055), Level 2 (2065), Level 3 (2066)

2055    Grade 11    1 Credit    1 Semester    Weight of 1.2

2065    Grade 11    1 Credit    1 Semester    Weight of 1.1

2066    Grade 11    1 Credit    1 Semester    Weight of 1.0

The Government and Economics consists of one marking period of American Government followed by one marking period of Economics. The two marking periods are averaged together to formulate the overall course grade. In the American Government portion of the course, students learn about the three branches of government, the rights and protection provided by the U.S. Constitution, and the political process (including political parties, campaigns, and elections and voting). 

The distinguishing criteria between levels 1, 2 and 3 are depth and detail of discussion. Level 3 will use course content to enhance students’ reading and writing skills. Assessments also vary according to the level of the class.

Sociology

Level 1 (2080), Level 2 (2090)

2080  Grades 11-12   1 Credit   1 Semester  Weight of 1.2

2090  Grades 11-12  1 Credit   1 Semester  Weight of 1.1

Although introductory in nature, this course offers students an opportunity to explore the origin, development, organization, and functioning of human society. Since we are living in an age of rapid social change, this course seeks to reflect in its basic structure the evolution of our society and the problems facing it. Major areas include crime and delinquency, family problems, population explosion, minority groups, religious and ethical ideals, psychological factors involved in group behavior, group organization and function, gerontology and demography, and major health programs and problems. The distinguishing criteria between levels 1 and 2 are depth and detail of discussion. Test construction also varies according to the level of the class. Some topics may be added or deleted dependent upon the needs and interest of the class and the individual student.

Global Perspectives

2115  Grades 10-12  1 Credit    1 Semester  Weight of 1.1

This course is designed to explore a wide variety of international issues that face the United States and the world today. Topics include overpopulation and national population policies, energy use and production, environmental issues, and global hunger. As these issues are explored, the national and international organizations, both governmental and non- governmental, and efforts that address these issues will also be examined. The goal of the course is to provide a globally oriented perspective of the challenges of the 21st century, and how the United States has and will play a part in those dynamics. This course will require out of class reading assignments and research-based projects.

American Law

2120  Grades 10-12    1 Credit   1 Semester  Weight of 1.2

In this course, students learn about criminal law, civil law, and the role that judges, jurors, and attorneys play in the American legal system. Students explore different types of crimes and lawsuits and learn about the process used to determine the outcome of cases at trial. Students also learn about the appellate process, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the impact that Supreme Court rulings have on our freedoms and daily lives. Any student who is interested in continuing education in the fields of law, criminal justice, or political science should be encouraged to take this course. 

Advanced Placement United States American History

2130  Grades 11-12    1 Credit    1 Semester  Weight of 1.3

Advanced Placement U.S. American History is an accredited College Board course that culminates in the Advanced Placement American History Examination. Students will have the opportunity to earn college credit based on their scores from this examination.

The study of American History since 1491 introduces students to significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in nine historical periods.

• Period 1: c.1491 to 1607
• Period 2: 1607 to 1754
• Period 3: 1754 to 1800
• Period 4: 1800 to 1848
• Period 5: 1848 to 1877
• Period 6: 1877 to 1898
• Period 7: 1898 to 1945
• Period 8: 1945 to 1980
• Period 9: 1980 to the present

The course is designed to provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and topics in American History. In addition to providing a basic narrative of historical developments, the course seeks to apprentice students to the practice of history by explicitly stressing the development of historical thinking skills. The nine historical thinking skills used by historians include, causation, continuity & change over time, periodization, comparison, contextualization, argumentation, analyzing evidence, interpretation (primary and secondary sources, point-of-view, and historiography), and synthesis, and will be applied to key concepts throughout the course.

Successful completion of Advanced Placement American History will fulfill the American History Social Studies requirement.

Advanced Placement Psychology

2140  Grades 11-12    1 Credit   1 Semester  Weight of 1.3

The core goals of Advanced Placement Psychology are to provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to critically evaluate and apply concepts of the study of psychology. This various facets of this course prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses, by making demands upon them that are equal to those of full year introductory courses. In this course, students will learn to assess current psychological research, as it relates to interpretive problems, and to weigh the evidence and interpretations presented by various psychology scholars. This approach will allow students to develop the necessary skills to arrive at conclusions by utilizing informed judgements. It will also allow them to formulate and present reasoned arguments, and allow them to evaluate clearly and persuasively in an essay-based format. Additionally, the course will require a significant level of reading of primary research documents, and grades will focus heavily on tests research-based projects and various writing assignments.

Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement test offered by the College Board in May, with the goal of earning college credit.

Psychology

Level 1 (2150), Level 2 (2155)

2150  Grades 10-12    1 Credit   1 Semester  Weight of 1.2

2155  Grades 10-12    1 Credit   1 Semester  Weight of 1.1

This course is an introduction to the study of psychology. The primary scope of the course will include the following: principles of learning, the study of human behavior, memory, personality development, the brain and its functions, emotions, mental health and lifespan development. The course also provides students with useful and practical knowledge of the human mind and its functions that will add meaning and understanding to their lives. The distinguishing criteria between levels 1 and 2 are expectations for writing and assessments. 

Modern American Conflict Since 1945

2170  Grades 10-12    1 Credit   1 Semester  Weight of 1.1

The Modern American Conflict course is designed as a military history course with a focus on our involvement in foreign conflicts since the end of the Second World War, including the conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, the Middle East, and Afghanistan. A key element of the course is a survey of the branches of the United States Armed Forces. 

Vital to the course is an analysis and developing opinion of geopolitics (e.g., Mahan & Mackinder), the impact of domestic politics on America's wars, and realist/idealist ideologies, which govern our worldviews. This focus on military history will be a blend of military arts and science at the strategic and tactical level of war (e.g., Sun Tzu & Clausewitz) as well as an infusion of active duty and veterans' testimony, including guest speakers who have been deployed to various conflict zones.

Officers currently enrolled in the United States Army War College also visit our classroom to discuss global events and America’s role in an ever-changing world. Over the years, past speakers have covered the conflicts in the Middle East; the rising tensions with China due to the development of artificial islands in the South China Sea; Russia's continued aggression in the Baltics and Ukraine; ISIS and irregular warfare; and the effects of cybersecurity on international relations, etc.

Throughout the semester, students are expected to read manageable pieces of text, write regularly, collaborate with their peers as part of instruction, and submit work on time.

Advanced Placement European History

2180  Grades 11-12    1 Credit   1 Semester  Weight of 1.3

Advanced Placement European History is an accredited College Board course that culminates in the Advanced Placement European History Examination. Students have the potential to earn college credit based on their scores from this examination. 

The study of European History since 1450 introduces students to significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in four historical periods.

• Period 1: c.1450 to c.1648
• Period 2: c.1648 to c. 1815
• Period 3: c.1815 to 1914
• Period 4: c.1914 to the present

The course provides 5 themes (interaction of Europe & the world; poverty & prosperity; objective knowledge & subjective visions; states and other institutions of power; and individual & society) that students explore throughout the course in order to create connections among historical connections developments in different times and places.

In addition to providing a basic narrative of historical developments, the course seeks to apprentice students to the practice of history by explicitly stressing the development of historical thinking skills. The nine historical thinking skills used by historians include, causation, continuity & change over time, periodization, comparison, contextualization, argumentation, analyzing evidence, interpretation, (primary and secondary sources, point of view, and historiography) and the synthesis, and will be applied to key concepts throughout the course.

Students will:

• Learn to analyze historical evidence and write analytical and interpretive essays as they explore the major themes of European History.
• Research the past by exploring the vibrant and engaging pieces of historical evidence such as paintings, photographs, letters and cartoons.

Deepen their understanding of reading and concepts through regular class discussions.

Advanced Placement Human Geography

2185  Grade 10    1 Credit   1 Semester  Weight of 1.3

Advanced Placement Human Geography is a semester long college level course geared for 10th grade students who are looking to be academically challenged and learn more about the interaction between people and geography. The course will focus on a variety of topics including geographic thinking, population migration, culture, political geography, agriculture, urbanization and development.



Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement test offered by the College Board in May, with the goal of earning college credit. Students interested in this course are required to obtain the recommendation of their current Social Studies teacher.

Successful completion of Advanced Placement Human Geography will meet the non-western Social Studies requirement.

Civil Rights Legacy

2200  Grades 10-12    .25 Credit   1 Semester ( 1X per Cycle, Day 6)

In this course, students will explore the Civil Rights movement and its legacy in America. Students will first consider the origins of Black History through the study of topics in Colonial America, the Revolutionary War, the Antebellum Era, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. Through research, debate, and classroom discussion, students will continue their walk through American history by analyzing the methods used by Civil Rights leaders to fight for desegregation and voting rights. Finally, the course will conclude with an examination of the continuing legacy of the African-American struggle for equality. Active classroom participation and discussion will be the primary methods of acquiring information and assessment in this course.

Genocide & Human Rights

2210  Grades 10-12    .25 Credit   1X per Cycle Day 6 (Period 5 or 6)

In Grade 9, students explore American Studies, and in Grade 10, they examine World Cultures—both of which introduce the study of genocide in historical and global contexts. This course provides an opportunity to deepen that learning by critically examining the causes, consequences, and responses to genocide throughout history. Through case studies, primary sources, and ethical discussions, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of one of humanity’s most challenging and significant issues. This course fosters historical awareness, critical thinking, and global citizenship, empowering students to recognize patterns of injustice and consider the role of individuals and societies in preventing future atrocities.