Social Studies Courses

World History & Geography
World History is a year-long survey of the record of the human experience from the development of early civilizations to the major crises and accomplishments of the Twentieth Century. World geography and current events are included in the curriculum of this class. All sophomores write a research paper on the World History topic of their choice. This is done in conjunction with their English class as part of the History Day competition.
Grade Level: 10

U.S. History
U.S. History is a year-long survey course beginning with the Revolutionary period and ending with the Vietnam War era. The student will explore the forces and individuals that played key roles in the development of the U.S. and examine the causes of the main events in American history. All juniors participate in the History Day competition using a U.S. History topic of their choice.
Grade Level: 11

Advanced Placement U.S. History
This course is a college-level survey of U.S. history. Students will combine secondary texts and primary sources to analyze the cause and effect relationships between people, events, and circumstances from the era of exploration to the present. All juniors participate in the History Day competition using a U.S. History topic of their choice.
Prerequisite: 3.4 GPA and sophomore instructor's approval
Grade Level: 11

American Studies: History
The history component of the American Studies course is designed to place the history of the United States into a cultural context. The major events and people will be examined in terms of their cultural significance during the time, as well as in terms of their lasting impact. Primary source materials including music, literature, and art will be blended with textbooks and supplemental readings to provide a wide range of opinions on historical events. All juniors participate in the History Day competition using a U.S. History topic of their choice.
Prerequisite: Students must also register for American Studies: English and American Studies: Art
Grade Level: 11

Economics & Government
One semester of this course is devoted to the fundamentals of microeconomics and macroeconomics. The other semester introduces students to American government, law, politics, and civics.
Grade Level: 12

Advanced Placement Economics
Students must register for both Micro and Macro Economics

Advanced Placement Microeconomics
First Semester only: This course is a college-level introduction to microeconomics. Topics include supply and demand, production and market structure, and factor markets. Students should be comfortable working with graphs.
Prerequisite: 3.25 GPA, department approval
Grade Level: 12

Advanced Placement Macroeconomics
Second Semester only: This course is a college-level introduction to macroeconomics. Topics include inflation, unemployment, taxation, and money supply. Students should be comfortable working with graphs.
Prerequisite: 3.25 GPA, department approval
Grade Level: 12

Advanced Placement American Government
This course provides a college-level introduction to political theory and political science. Topics include branches of government, interest groups, elections, parties, and bureaucracy. Special projects focus on lawmaking, major court cases, and political action. Slightly over one semester is devoted to American government and the remainder of the year to comparative (international) government. Students completing the course will be prepared for both AP government exams.
Prerequisite: 3.25 GPA and instructor's approval
Grade Level: 12

ELECTIVE
Psychology
This course is an in-depth study of the processes involved in the operation of the human mind and emotions.  The areas of study include the development of cognitive processes, theories of personalities and human development, sensation and perception, emotions and motivation, and psychological disorders.
Grade Levels: 11, 12