Social Studies

American History
This course is designed to provide students with a brief overview of American history and government by examining key events and ideas that helped shape the American experience. The course begins with an examination of America before the arrival of European settlers and moves chronologically towards the present day. American History emphasizes the nation’s political and geographical development. In addition to becoming familiar with the history of America, a major goal of this course is to start students on a path to higher levels of critical thinking.

World History 9 (Academic and Honors)
This course forms part one of a two-year study of the geography, history, and cultures of the world. The course begins with a unit of prehistory and early humankind, then progresses to the earliest civilizations, with special emphasis on the Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Chinese, and Indus Valley civilizations. By studying classical civilization such as Greece, Rome and China, the course follows major developments of human society.

World History 10 (Academic and Honors)
This course is the second half of World History and covers the geography, history, and culture of the world from around the time of the European Renaissance to the modern day. All areas of the world are covered in this course however special attention is paid to the history of Europe. Specific units of study include the Renaissance, the Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, and Imperialism. The course concludes with students examining the World Wars, the Cold War and contemporary issues.

Psychology (Academic and AP)
This full-year general Psychology course is an introduction to the scientific study of human and other animal behavior and mental processes. Major perspectives such as cognitive, behaviorist, psychodynamic, humanistic, biological will be discussed in an effort to achieve the goals of psychological study: to understand, describe, explain, predict, and control mental processes and behavior - in order to improve the quality of people’s lives. A special effort is made to equip students with a practical knowledge and understanding of their own psyche.

AP Comparative Government and Politics
This fast paced, full-year course is an advanced level introduction to the systematic study of governments around the globe. The first part of the course allows the student to become familiar with general political ideas and theories that will be needed for more specific country studies. Once students become familiar with the basics they will begin to narrow their studies by examining the governments of six countries: Great Britain, Russia, China, Iran, Mexico and Nigeria. Students will become familiar with the constitution, government system, political behavior, and policy issues of each state, thus giving them a basis to compare the merits of various systems of government.

American Government and Economics
This course should be viewed as the culmination of preceding social studies classes. Focus is placed on concepts such as macro and micro economics, and the formation and structure of the American government and its Constitution. Following completion of this course, students will be prepared to become active and involved citizens, able to make reasoned decisions on economic issues as workers, consumers, business owners, and members of civic groups.