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Social Studies

PHILOSOPHY

     The Social Studies Department offers students a "people perspective" on the changing world.  While the focus of the courses ranges from a broad survey of people solving problems in the past (history) to a very precise search for the sources of the mind (psychology), the unifying theme is always the human person. Since curiosity about others seems to be almost universal today, the Social or "people" Studies attempt to capture students' interest and ultimately lead them toward an active exploration of our past and present ideas and institutions.

LEVELS OF CLASSES

Department Grading Policy

     Grades consist of tests, homework, class work, class participation, individual projects, group projects.  Each teacher has the freedom to use the techniques and methods he or she considers most appropriate for his or her class.

Classes

World History

Course Description:

World History gives a general overview of the major civilizations of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.  Geographic, political, social, religious, and economic themes are examined.  Topics are discussed with the goal of studying the past to understand the present 

Course Objective: 

The purpose of the course is to enable students to understand the past to prepare for their future as participating members of global communities.  Students should have an understanding of the world; the geography, the civilizations; the religions; the Middle ages; the rise of nation states; the Renaissance, Enlightenment, World Wars, and Communism. The course seeks to have students  understand the present by understanding the past.

Skills to be Mastered:

• How to use a variety of maps

• Understand the influence of the physical and cultural geography on the development of civilizations and nation states

• Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of significant people, ideas, and events on the development of values, traditions and social, economic, and political institutions of civilizations and nation states

• To read and understand maps

• To read and understand charts

• To compare and understand different civilization, religions, and cultures

Honors World History

Course Description:

Honors World History gives a overview of the major civilizations of Europe, Africa. Asia, and the Americas. Geographic, political, social, religious, and, economic themes are examined.  Topics are discussed with the goal of studying the past to understand the present.   

Course Objectives: 

The objective of the course is to enabler students to understand the past to prepare for their future as participating members of a global community.  Students should have an understanding of the world; the geography, the civilizations;; the religions; the Middle Ages; the rise of nation states; the Renaissance, Enlightenment, World Wars, and communism. Students should understand the present by understanding the past

Skills to be Mastered:

• To understand how modern civilizations depend upon contributions of past civilizations.

• To explain the significance of geography on the development of civilizations and nation states.

• To compare major individuals, events, and characteristics of historical periods.

• To understand current and historic events from the perspective of diverse cultural and national groups

• To compare the major world cultures, past and present, based on their political and economic systems, religious and moral beliefs, and socialization processes.

• To interpret changes that have occurred in historical development by analyzing the causes and effects of that change.

American History

Course Description:

United States History traces the roots of the American people from medieval Europe to modern day world power. It illustrates the manner in which our nation grew from thirteen separate colonies to a united industrial giant. Discovering our heritage and acquainting the students with the influences that spawned our nation is the core of the United States History course.

Course Objective:

To enable students to understand the development of the United States within the content of world history. Using knowledge of history, geography, economics, politics, religion, ethnic diversity, and cultural backgrounds to solve problems in today's intricate society.

Skills to be mastered/Topics to be Covered:

• Students to have a clear understanding of the significant events and trends in the development of United States culture.

• Impact of expansion on the United States and its people

• Origin of United States documents, ideals, and characteristics

• Role of the United States Constitution in changing society

• Conflicts and revolutions in political / social arena

• Lifestyle changes in citizenship

• Immigrants influence on the growth of the industrial base

• Foreign policy changes

• Contemporary domestic foreign issues in a global community

Advanced Placement United States History

Course Description:

Students will study the development of the United States within the context of History by examining connections to the past to prepare for the future as participating members of a democratic society. Students will use knowledge pertaining to history, geography, economics, political processes, religion, ethics, diverse cultures and humanities to solve problems in academic, civic, social, and employment settings.

Course Objectives:

To enable students to develop a clear understanding of United States History by using their knowledge of history, geography, economics, politics, religion, and cultural influences to solve problems in academic and social setting today.

Skills to be Mastered/Topics to be Covered:

§         Formulate generalizations about past events to develop theories on

§         Contemporary and future society

§         Use critical and creative thinking to evaluate historical facts about people ideas, and events

§         Formulate hypotheses on historical events in United States history

§         Apply research skills and critical thinking to interpret history and

§         Relationships, to modern problems in our modern society

U.S. Government and Economics

Course Description:

This course is taught in a semester-sequence format. The study of government is incorporated in the who year. Constitutional knowledge is highlighted along with a comparative approach to various systems and political ideologies found in the world today.

Course Objective:

The course enables students to gain an understanding of American government and political behavior that is essential for effective citizenship and active involvement in a democratic American society.

Skills to be Mastered:

§         Know the functions of the three branches of government at the local, state,and national levels

§         To familiarize the student with the historical background of our government and economic system

§         Understand the structure and functions of government and how it operates collectively with our economic system

§         To become aware of current issues and be prepared to take his/her place among the active citizens in our community

§         Understand the interrelationship between American government and the American economic system

§         Understand the documents that shape our political traditions, including the

§         Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Federalist Know the evolving role of political parties and interest groups in

§         Determining government policy

§         Understand how rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democratic state have evolved and been interpreted

§         Understand the importance of civic participation in the democratic political process

§         Know the role of women and diverse cultural groups in the development of our political system

Advanced pLacement Government/Honors Economics

Course Description:

This course is designed to give students a critical perspective on government and politics in the United States. It involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret American politics and the analysis of specific case studies. Students will become familiar with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that make up the American political system.

Topics include Constitutional underpinnings, political beliefs and behavior, parties and interest groups, institutions and policies and civil rights and civil liberties required.

Course Objectives:

To instruct and prepare the student to pass the AP exam and thus receive college credit for the course. The student will be taught a combination of U.S. Government and economics.   The emphasis will be placed on government, discussing current issues and events and applying them within the context of the U.S. Constitution, and to their relevance in national, state, and local government. The student will be consistently challenged during class discussions and expected to defend their premises with logical, well thought out arguments. The topics for discussion will be presented from textbook material, supreme and State court Cases, and current events. They will be able to analyze, evaluate, express, and apply this information to the circumstances they face daily. It is the functional approach to government and economics.

Skills to be Mastered:

§         Apply research, study, and critical-thinking to the topics in the course

§         Enhance essay writing ability

§         Incorporate decision making and debate skills into class

§         Demonstrate the use of new and emerging technology in problem solving

Advanced placement European History

Course Description:

The purpose of this course is for students to develop a detailed knowledge and understanding of the history of Europe from the late Middle Ages to the present.   This will include a thorough foundation in the facts of European history, as well as a careful analysis of the development of ideas in politics, literature, and art.

Course Objectives:

• To prepare students to pass the A.P. Exam in European History

• To familiarize students with the major events, figures, and themes of European History.

• To cultivate critical awareness of the major concepts in the development of modern political thought.

• To develop an understanding of the major cultural and artistic trends of European history since the late Middle Ages.

• To cultivate an awareness of the relationship among economic, cultural and political developments.

• To foster a clear understanding of the nature of historical arguments.

Skills to be Mastered:

• Recognition of the countries, regions, and major geographic features of Europe.

• Reading comprehension of historical documents from a variety of time periods.

• Identification of major dates, persons, events, and trends from a variety of time

• periods.

• Critical thinking

• The writing of well crafted historical essays

• The analysis of historical arguments

• The recognition of bias in sources.

• Awareness of the distinction between primary and secondary historical sources.

HONORS Psychology  (Dual Enrollment)  -    (3 credit hours)  

Course Description:         

This introductory course will provide students with an overview of the current body of knowledge and methods of the science of psychology. Topics will include the historical foundations of psychology, cognition, emotions, learning, human development, biological bases of behavior, personality, psychological disorders, psychotherapy and behavior change, and social behavior. Emphasis also will be placed on the application of psychology to diverse human endeavors.

Course Objectives:

An overriding course goal is to provide access to the way psychologists conduct science, communicate research findings, and apply psychological knowledge. Toward this goal, our objectives are that each student will:

§         become familiar with current scientific theory and research in the major topic areas of psychology

§         discover the personal relevance of course material, including an understanding of the role of psychological forces in their lives and the lives of others, and an appreciation of the practical value of psychology

§         develop skills necessary to evaluate and think critically about information concerning psychological phenomena obtained from research, the general public, and the media

§         be well prepared for advanced study in psychology

§         understand the complex relationship between the physical body and human behavior

§         recognize various states of consciousness and how they impact human behavior

§         apply research, study, critical-thinking and decision making skills and demonstrate the use of new and emerging technology in problem solving

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