Social Studies/ Government courses
This is a semester course offered both semesters.
The materials and instruction will be geared to meet individual needs. Enrollment will be limited. Those who qualify on the basis of teacher-counselor recommendation and past social studies grades will be considered candidates . Students should see their counselor before registering for this course. Students will benefit from smaller classes and more discussion.
The course encompasses all levels of government and will cover the same topics as U. S. Government (851-852). This course will fill the one semester requirement in government and should be scheduled in conjunction with Applied Economics or Ecotech.
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This course encompasses all levels of government in our federal system: national, state, and local. Emphasis is placed on the organization and functions of the branches of government at each level. Major consideration is given to the role of political parties and the responsibilities of the student-citizen in the area of politics. A major unit on voter registration, voting procedures and citizenship responsibilities is required.
The method of instruction is traditional in scope with lectures, class discussions, group and individual activities. Evaluation is by objective and essay examination and teacher assessment of student participation in class discussion and activities.
This course fulfills the one-semester requirement of government education and should be scheduled in conjunction with Applied Economics, Ecotech., or Principles or Technology.
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Recommendation: Be able to read and comprehend information on the senior high school level and above, and have an interest in politics and government too.
This is a new course and will be taught as a year-long course, i.e. two semesters.
A.P. United States Government and Politics covers the following major content areas: constitutional underpinnings of democracy; political beliefs and behaviors of individuals; political parties and interest groups; mechanisms that facilitate the communication of interests and preferences by like-minded citizens; the Congress, the presidency, the bureaucracy, and the federal courts; institutions and policy processes; and civil liberties and civil rights.
The A.P. test must be taken to receive the A.P. credit. If the A.P. test is not taken, student transcript will list Honors Government.
Social Studies/ History offerings
United States History (831) 1.0 Unit (grade 9)
This is a year course.
This course follows a chronological approach to the development of U.S. History. It is a survey overview beginning with the age of Jackson (1824) to the present. The teaching methods are traditional is scope with lecture, class discussion and group/individual projects. Evaluations are based on subjective and objective examinations and teacher assessment of student participation in class discussions and projects.
Modern U.S. History (831) .5 Unit (grades:10, 11, 12)
Modern U.S. History-Team taught (1091)
This is a semester course offered both semesters.
This course will use a topical approach, that is, it will study a series of concepts, taking each from its beginning to the present. It will look at major historical events in their proper places and see how they affect each of our concepts. Each unit will be based on one chapter in the textbook, but much of the material will come from outside sources.
The course will cover the years from he end of World War II to the present, that is 1945-1997. Taking a semester to look at a period of only 50 years, the years can be looked at in depth. This is NOT a repeat of the last 1/2 of freshman history and will not be taught in the same way. Students will be expected to show improvement in skills and be able to put to use the knowledge they gained as freshmen.
U.S. Foreign Policy (835) .5 unit (grades 10,11,12) (NOT CURRENTLY OFFERED)
This course is offered both semesters.
This course traces the development of U.S. history through U.S. involvement with other nations of the world. The explanation and reason for U.S. foreign policy development is the major theme. Emphasis is placed on the following: Entangling Alliances of 1778, the Monroe Doctrine, Manifest Destiny, the Open Door Policy, Dollar Diplomacy, Neutrality, the League of Nations, Isolationism, World Leadership, the Cold War, Containment, and the Nuclear Age.
It is recommended that students enrolling in this course have an interest in American history. The method of instruction is primarily inquiry. Seminar classes are used to expand the problems of units, but the majority of effort is spent in research and independent study. A multi-text approach is used for problem solving.
International Relations (837) .5 unit (grades 10,11,12)
Recommendation: Completion of U.S. Foreign Policy
This is a semester course offered both semesters.
This course involves a study of world affairs to combine social, economic, psychological and historical principles. Students will study how nations interact with each other resulting in effects upon current events in the world. Topics include" Religion in World Politics; Israel and the Middle East; The United Nations; Nationalism and Eastern Europe; World Health Problems; Arms Control; World Terrorism. Teaching strategies are designed to promote increased student involvement leading to ownership education including library research and simulation activities.
World Civilizations (843) 1.0 unit (grade 9)
This is a year long survey course of world civilizations taught at the freshmen level. This course provides a general overview of world history from the beginning of human civilizations to the rise of the modern era. The course explores the differing cultural/historical backgrounds of various geographic centers of the world.
The teaching methods are traditional in scope with lecture, class discussions and individual projects. Guest speakers and films are used to give students more information in areas covered. Evaluation is based on subjective and objective examinations and teacher assessment of student participation in class discussions and projects.
World History (845) .5 unit (10,11,12)
This is a semester course offered both semesters.
This course will attempt to develop the student's ability to deal with the history of humans in various parts of the world. Students will study humans with differing cultural-historical backgrounds distributed over a diversified physical earth. This course will deal with race, physical environment and cultural forces. This force is based on the conviction that an understanding of relatively few underlying principles and processes will enable the student to find meaning in the vast historical past of our earth.
The teaching methods are traditional in scope, using a workbook, maps, lectures and class discussion. Evaluation is based on weekly tests, workbook and class discussions.
A.P. European History (895) 1.0 unit (grades 10,11,12)
Recommendation: World History
This is a year course. The intent of this history course is to: (1) provide an advanced history course to those students interested in social studies at the college level; (2) provide students with an interest in other disciplines the opportunity to receive college credit prior to college enrollment in order that they may concentrate on their respective fields. college board test may be submitted to the college of their choice for evaluation.
The course will cover: 1. First Semester-Modern Europe to 1815 from the Renaissance in Italy tot he period of Napoleon, which will include the Protestant Reformation and the French Revolution.
2. Second Semester-Modern Europe since 1815 from the Industrial Revolution to the World War II which includes the formation of Italy and Germany and the Russian Revolution.
The A.P. Test must be taken to receive A.P. credit. It A.P. test is not taken, transcript will list Honors European History.
Psychology (895) .5 unit (grades 10,11,12)
Recommendation: Subject materials and class procedures may be most attractive to the average 11th and 12th grade student and the above average 10th grade student.
This is a semester course offered both semesters.
Psychology studies the behavior of both humans and animals. It is the study of individual behavior and how this behavior affects other individuals and groups.
Areas of major concentration are personality development, abnormal behavior, dating and marriage relationships (groups of two), causes of aggression, social psychology (group psychology) and sources of stress-defense behavior. Areas of lesser concentration will be death, parent-child relations, changing roles, child abuse, spousal abuse, and self-evaluation.
Class procedure is primarily lecture-oriented with class experiments and activities being an integral part. There will be textbook readings as well as supplemental readings. Grades are based upon tests, reports, on readings, and class participation.
Sociology (821) .5 UNIT : grades 10, 11,12
Recommendation: Subject materials and class procedures may be most attractive tot he average 11th and 12th grade student and the above average 10th grade student.
This is a course offered both semesters.
Sociology is the study of groups and how they affect human behavior. This course is introductory and reviews basic sociological concepts such as culture, society, group interaction, and personality development. As the course progresses, sociological principals are applied to social problems.
Class procedure is primarily lecture oriented, to be supplemented with small group projects and regular textbook assignments. Tests are administered approximately every two weeks, combining both essay and objective questions. A semester long writing project is included to allow for development of writing skills with respect to application of sociological concepts.
World Geography (801) .5 UNIT 10,11,12
This is a semester course covering both semesters.
The course will be a regional study of the world of today in relation to physical geographical influences such as climate, soil, natural resources, etc., as well as the human geographical influences such as language, religion, and customs. Units will cover South America, Africa, Russia, the Middle East, and Asia.
Latin American History (847) .5 UNIT 10,11,12
This is a semester course offered both semesters.
This class will study the history of various regions of Latin America from pre-conquest to the modern era. Regions will include Mexico, Central America, brazil, and the Southern cone ("Argentina and Chile) Andean Region.
There will be extensive outside reading and research and an inquiry approach will be the primary method of teaching.
Evaluation will be by written and oral assignments, with emphasis on essays and critical analysis; by written examinations, both objective and essay; and by written research work. Reading, writing and oral participation will be required.