Social Science Courses

Grade Level: 9

A - History/Social Science

In this semester-long course, students will learn about historical and contemporary issues around race, ethnicity, culture, and power. We will begin by defining culture and exploring the concept of identity. Students will explore the critical connections between themselves, their communities, the larger world, and the systemic institutional structures used to organize society. We will examine the relationship between race and power at various periods in US History. We will look at the role that different forms of migration have played in shaping contemporary society. Students will analyze problems that various communities have faced and the social movements they initiated to address those problems. Students will explore how people throughout this country’s history have fought for freedom, inclusion, justice, and democracy.

 

Grade Level: 10

A - History/Social Science

Students will examine the major turning points in the shaping of the modern world from the late 18th century to the present. Students will employee the tools of history to analyze both current and historical information to build and interpret the ever expanding and challenging field of study called history.

 

Grade Level 10-12

A - History/Social Science

In AP World History students study the important themes and concepts from ancient history to the present. This course covers themes like interaction between people and their environment, development and interaction of cultures and economic systems, state-building, expansion, and conflict.

 

Grade Level: 11

A - History/Social Science

Students examine major turning points in American history by studying events, people, and concepts from the end of the 19th century to the present, emphasizing continuity and change based on these themes: American government, politics, economics, culture, technology, ethnicity and civil rights.

 

Grade Level: 12

A - History/Social Science

Government introduces students to the basic elements of American government, emphasizing the Constitution, and the qualities of good citizenship and political participation. There is a Civil Action Project requirement in this course. In Economics students study how societies use the limited resources available to them to satisfy the unlimited wants of their citizens. Students will examine the different kinds of economic institutions and systems that operate to bring resources and consumers together, the relationship of supply and demand, 10 pricing, competition, and market structures. Students will complete an in-depth study of the stock market.

 

Grade Level: 12

A - History/Social Science

This course serves as a college level introduction to the US national government. It is taught with the conviction that students want to know not only who governs but also what difference it makes who governs. Explaining both who governs and to what end cannot be done without investigating the politics of policymaking. We will examine the government institutions which make these types of policies and the impact they have on people throughout the US. This course is designed to enable students to develop a critical perspective towards government and politics in the United States. Students will examine general political concepts as well as specific case studies as they investigate our constitution and the institutions that govern the nation. Students will receive the curriculum for Economics woven throughout the AP Government course. All Economic standards will be covered but not as a concentrated one semester course.

 

Grade Level: 11-12

A - History/Social Science

AP U.S. History is a reading, writing, and discussion course designed to be the equivalent of a freshman college course and can earn students college credit. This class will prepare students to pass the College Board AP U.S. History test, which all students will be encouraged to take. This elective class is designed specifically for students desiring a college-level survey history course. It requires seriously committed students who are willing to work far above the level required in a “regular” high school history class.

 

Grade Level: 11-12

G - College Preparatory Elective

This is an elective course intended to introduce students to the most fundamental, fascinating, and controversial philosophical issues and questions that have faced humankind throughout history. Emphasis will be placed on critical thinking, logical analysis and argumentation, effective problem solving, public speaking and debate, and the building of self-esteem. Students are expected to engage in conversation supported by reasons and clear explanations. Students will read a wide variety of literature, analyze a variety of films and lyrics, and grapple, both orally and in writing, with numerous critical thinking questions. Ultimately, the course is designed to help students discover, reflect upon, and clearly formulate their personal beliefs and convictions – and to defend them logically in preparation for successful university study and/or wise career decision-making in order to become good citizens.

 

Grade Level: 11-12

G - College Preparatory Elective

This course provides a survey of two interrelated social sciences—psychology and sociology. The first semester of this course provides an overview of the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. Students will be introduced to basic psychological terms and theories. The second semester focuses on the scientific study of human social behavior, with an emphasis on social groups and institutions. Within each unit, students will be able to investigate the connections between psychology/sociology and their personal lives. There is a high expectation for attendance and participation.

 

Grade Level: 11-12

G - College Preparatory Elective

Women constitute 51% of the world’s population, yet in the high school curriculum there isn’t much time devoted to women’s issues and perspectives. This course enhances existing curriculum by introducing the subject of women into serious academic inquiry. We will examine international women’s issues, American women’s history, educational issues, feminism, women working, and all of the “ugly stuff” (abuse, objectification, slavery, etc.). This is a rigorous course, which requires a lot of reading and writing, but is mostly discussion based.

 

Grade Level: 11-12

G - College Preparatory Elective

Advanced Placement Psychology is designed to introduce students to the scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings. Students will be exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. This is an intensive course that is designed to be the equivalent of a college level introductory course in Psychology.