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Social Studies Course Descriptions
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COURSE TITLE GEOGRAPHY

COURSE NUMBER 2221

COURSE DESCRIPTION This course will involve the study of both physical and human geography. Human geography is a discipline in which the concepts, generalizations, and facts derived from both the social and physical sciences converge in the study of specific places and the people who inhabit them. Geography, therefore, functions as a kind of bridge linking the social and physical science. Geographers study the interrelations of humans and their environment, patterns of location of human activities, human beings themselves and their cultures and patterns of human variation: regional, national, and global, as well as variations among cultures. Physical geography is the descriptive science dealing with the surface of the earth including continents and countries, and the climate, plants, animals, and natural resources of the various earth divisions.

COURSE TITLE WORLD CIVILIZATION

COURSE NUMBER 2246

COURSE DESCRIPTION World Civilization is designed to give students an overview of ancient civilizations. The course should allow students to relate knowledge learned about the past to contemporary world themes. The course will focus on Eastern Hemisphere Civilization. Each unit will analyze the economic, geographic, political, cultural, and historical importance of each civilization or time period.

COURSE TITLE WORLD CIVILIZATION - ACCELERATED

COURSE NUMBER 2246

This course is strongly recommended for those students who are considering an AP social studies course in either their junior and/or senior year. The students will be expected to conduct in-depth research into historical subjects, and have strong research and writing skills. Students will also be introduced to historical essay skills as well as data based questions (DBQ).

COURSE TITLE UNITED STATES HISTORY

COURSE NUMBER 2243

COURSE DESCRIPTION American History concentrates on American society, politics, and culture. Beginning in the 1840's, the course provides the student with an understanding of circumstances surrounding the Civil War. By evaluating and examining various influential Americans, students will be able to formulate educated opinions about American culture, society, and politics. As the course moves through the Civil War and Reconstruction Periods, historical characteristics help students comprehend how the 19th century shaped its future. Students are challenged with the essay tests, quizzes, and quarter projects to develop writing skills as well as study habits. With these assignments, American History embarks upon the 20th century. The course attempts to cover important events from Theodore Roosevelt to George Bush. From the Spanish American War to the Persian Gulf lectures are designed to provide historical backgrounds behind the 20th century's major events.

COURSE TITLE AP UNITED STATES HISTORY

COURSE NUMBER 2244

COURSE DESCRIPTION This course will concentrate on the politics and economics of the United States, as well as the areas of military conflict, technology, popular culture, and geography. Some of the major units to be studied are: Exploration and Colonialization; Constitutional history; Jeffersonian and Jacksonian democracy; the Antebellum south and Slavery; the Civil War and Reconstruction; Industrialization and Immigration; the Progressive Era and World War I; the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression; World War II; the Cold War; domestic policies of Twentieth century presidents; and Twentieth century Civil Rights movements. Various individual leaders and their personalities will also be discussed. Students are challenged with essays, tests, weekly homework assignments, projects, and outside reading and viewing assignments. These assignments are necessary to develop and maintain the critical thinking skills needed to perform successfully on the AP exam as well as any future college social studies course.

COURSE TITLE (AP) EUROPEAN HISTORY

COURSE NUMBER 2247

COURSE DESCRIPTION The history of modern Europe enhances the student's perception and understanding of world affairs. Through the historical investigation of European governments from the renaissance to present time, students begin to formulate and organize theories about historical events. Concentrating on the great European powers of Great Britain, France, Germany, and Russia, the course follows the extension of European influence throughout the world. As the modern world encounters complex problems, Modern European History connects the past with the present. The challenging and prolonging questions confront students to construct an objective conclusion. By examining the primary and secondary sources, students improve their skills in writing and communication. The critical histories of the European countries in the 20th century altered the course of the Middle East, Africa, and the United States. As a result, students will be exposed to historical aspects from the Romantic Age to the Era of High Technology.

COURSE TITLE GOVERNMENT

COURSE NUMBER 2271

COURSE DESCRIPTION The objective of this course is to familiarize students with the basic structures of government and institutions. The relationship of power and decision-making are examined through the study of the Constitution of the United States and the amendments, other historical documents, the State Constitution, and local governing bodies. Students will also make comparisons between the structure of the United States government and those of foreign countries. Democratic values and citizen participation are stressed throughout the course. Student participation in the community is encouraged.

COURSE TITLE ECONOMICS

COURSE NUMBER 2271

COURSE DESCRIPTION An understanding of how people and society use resources to produce and distribute items for consumption in the American system is developed and applied. Simulations will be used to provide practical experience in the study of the history of and current state of economic policy. Content includes economic systems, supply and demand influences in a free market economy, the factors of production, personal finance and investments, competition and monopoly, government regulations, service and taxation, stock market, national and international economy, and cause and effect of inflation and recession.

COURSE TITLE AP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

COURSE NUMBER 2272

COURSE DESCRIPTION Students will study Advanced Placement United States government and politics on an advanced level culminating with the AP test in May. Students will study, but will not be limited to, economics and government in the context of the US system. Topics will include the following: constitutional underpinnings of the United States government, political beliefs and behaviors of individuals, the role of political parties, interest groups, and mass media, the Institutions of National Government – Congress, Courts, Presidency, and bureaucracy, public policy development and implementation, civil liberties and civil rights. The course will be somewhat multidisciplinary in that economics, international relations and diplomacy, and American history will all be covered. Senior class status is required as well as a strong background in history and English. Teacher recommendation is required.

COURSE TITLE SPECIAL TOPICS IN HISTORY

COURSE DESCRIPTION The object of this course is to give the students an in-depth analysis of a selected topic in history. The purpose of the class is to prepare students for similar detailed history courses that they will encounter in college. The selected topic could be a specific event, (i.e. World War II or the Suffrage Movement), or it may be a detailed study of a particular country over a selected period of time (i.e. Russian history in the 20^th century). The department will announce the specific topic prior to registration for each upcoming school year.

COURSE TITLE PSYCHOLOGY

COURSE NUMBER 2207

COURSE DESCRIPTION Psychology is the study of behavior and mental processes. This course will give the students insight and practical information about his/her own behavior and help to develop strategies enabling him/her to cope with everyday life. This class involves various hands on applications with activities/experiments and demonstrations. Some chapters that are covered include Introduction/History, Memory (strategies on how to improve memory), States of Consciousness (sleep, dreams, hypnosis), Biological Bases (the brain), Learning, Abnormal Behavior, Therapy, and a special emphasis is given to Life Span Development. The students will be required to care for a "RealCare Baby".

COURSE TITLE AP PSYCHOLOGY

COURSE NUMBER 2207

COURSE DESCRIPTION The purpose of this advanced placement course in psychology is to provide the student with a learning experience equal to that obtained in most college introductory psychology courses. The course outline includes methods, approaches, and statistics. It will also cover biological bases of behavior, states of consciousness, sensations, and perceptions. The course will also expand upon social psychology, developmental psychology, learning, personality, and individual differences. Finally, AP Psychology will discuss abnormal behaviors and the treatments of these psychological disorders.