Download Course Descriptions - Aberdeen Public Schools

SOCIAL STUDIES COURSES
REQUIRED COURSES:
These must be passed before you will be allowed to graduate.
FRESHMAN YEAR:
Geography (.5 credit, G)
Introduction to Government (.5 credit, G)
Survey of American History (1.0 credit, G)
World History (.5 credit, G or H)
Economics (.5 credit, G or H) (Personal Finance may be counted as Economics credit,
with counselor approval.)
.5 credit Social Studies elective -EITHER Sociology (.5 credit, G)
OR Senior Civics (.5 credit, G)
SOPHOMORE YEAR:
JUNIOR YEAR:
SENIOR YEAR:
The two-credit course, AP European History, may be taken during the junior or senior year.
A second two-credit course, AP English Language & Composition/AP US History, is offered to sophomores, juniors
and seniors.
NOTE: H and AP courses are restricted to students with at least a 3.25 overall GPA.
PSYCHOLOGY: A one-credit Honors Psychology course is offered. It may NOT be counted as a part of the Social
Studies requirement, but will count as an elective for graduation.
SOCIAL STUDIES COURSE SEQUENCE
th
9 grade
Geography
10th grade
American
History
11th grade
World
History
OR
Introduction
to
Government
OR
Debate &
American
Democracy
AP Am Hist
Lang/Comp
12th grade
Sociology
OR
Economics
Senior
Civics
OR
AP
European
History
Economics
AP European
History
(Elective)
Psychology
(Elective)
Course Title: World Geography
Credit: .5
Level: G
Grade: 9
Prerequisites: None
Course Description: World Geography is a one-term course that is required for all ninth grade
students and required for graduation from high school. The course is a general introduction to
geography through the use of the five themes of geography. The focus is on the many different
peoples of the world and the physical and cultural forces that influence their lives. The course
will emphasize the regions of the eastern hemisphere.
Content
9-12.G.1.1A. (Evaluation) Evaluate and select
resources, data services, and geographic tools
that generate and interpret information.
9-12.G.1.2A. (Synthesis) Construct geographic
representations when given information about
places and events.
9-12.G.2.1. (Analysis) Identify and explain the
impact of the natural environment on human
settlement patterns.
9-12.G.2.1A. (Analysis) Students are able to
analyze and articulate the fundamental role
that place characteristics and environments
have played in history.
9-12.G.2.2A. (Evaluation) Evaluate how
humans interact with their environment.
9-12.G.2.3A (Synthesis) Investigate how
human migration impacts local and global
politics, environment, economies, societies,
and regions.
9-12.G.2.4A (Analysis) Compare and contrast
the differing characteristics in developing and
developed countries.
Skills
• Interpreting physical, economic, climate,
and population maps and finding cause
and effect relationships between the four.
• Research demographic information on
countries, organize, graph it in order to
compare and hypothesize about cause
and effect relationships and social
consequences related to the data.
• Compare physical and climate maps with
population maps to determine effects of
climate on human settlement.
• Analyze the effect of water resources on
human settlement throughout history and
draw comparisons between different
civilizations, i.e. Ancient Egypt and the
Nile and Ancient Rome on the Tiber River.
• Justify human needs/wants versus effects
on the natural environment and argue for
or against economic development.
• Research and compare the impact of
Bedouin and Kurd groups in the
Southwest Asia as they migrate from
territory to territory and correlate it to
current events.
• Compare and contrast the economic
aspects of a developed country in the
region and a developing country in the
region.
Course Title: Intro to Government
Credit: .5
Level: G
Grade: 9
Prerequisites: None
Course Description: American Government is a one-term course that focuses on our national
government. The student will discover: the philosophical basis of, the impetus for, and the
creation of our United States Constitution. Students will explore the operation of our national
government today in relation to the principles found in the Constitution. One goal of this required
course is to establish participating citizens in our democratic society.
Content
9-12 U.S. 1.2 Time periods
9-12 U.S. 2.1. Interactions between U.S.
government and Native Americans
Skills
• Discover the demand for natural rights
from the time of the drafting of the Magna
Carta to colonization independence and
Constitution
• Analyze and compare tribal governments
with those of the federal and state
governments
9-12 U.S. 1.1.A. Relate causes and
consequences of historical events
•
Assess changes in the U.S. Constitution
over time that resulted from decisions in
landmark Supreme Court decisions
9-12 C.1.1. Explain the characteristics of the
various forms of government
•
Examine the various democratic forms of
government versus other forms
9-12 C.1.2. Influence of major historical
documents and ideals on the formation of the
U.S. government
•
Interpret the impact of the Constitution and
Declaration of Independence to the
citizens of the United States
9-12 C.1.3. Identify the principles of the
American Constitution
•
Explain the principles of the Constitution
9-12 C.1.4. Explain the principles of American
democracy
•
Discuss citizens rights and impact on the
general welfare
9-12 C.2.1. Describe the means of influencing
and/or participating in a republic
•
Prepare students for the prospect of voting
and serving on juries
9-12 C.2.2. Interpret the meaning of basic
constitutional rights guaranteed by citizens
•
Summarize the Bill of Rights and
guarantees it brings to citizens
9-12 C.2.1.A. Enumerate the basic
constitutional rights guaranteed to citizens
•
9-12 C.2.3.A. Identify various issues involving
individual rights and responsibilities in relation
to the general welfare
•
Connect individual rights laid forth in the
Bill of Rights to day-to-day
activities/occurrences enjoyed in the
United States
Examine the Bill of Rights and connect
these rights to 21st century issues such as
privacy, “protected speech”, racial
profiling, gun laws, separation of church
and state, intelligent design, etc
Course Title: Debate & American Democracy
Credit: 1.0
Level: G
Grade: 9
Prerequisites: 3.00 GPA or above (2.0 and higher may petition for admittance)
Course Description: This course is both the entry-level debate course and the American
government requirement for freshmen. It introduces students to the fundamentals and principles
of academic debate through intense study of American government. The students will discover:
the philosophical basis of, the impetus for, and the creation of our United States Constitution.
The students will study advanced research and argumentation theories and practices as they
relate to the national debate topic. The students will explore the operation and function of our
national government today in relation to the principles found in the Constitution. Through intense
study of the function and practice of debate in a democratic society, this course is designed to
promote active citizenship and participation in the democratic process. Participation in two cocurricular debates is required to receive a grade above a ‘D”.
** This course would be taken in the place of both Speech 9 and Survey of American Government.
Content
9-12 U.S. 1.2 Time periods
9-12 U.S. 2.1. Interactions between U.S.
government and Native Americans
9-12 U.S. 1.1.A. Relate causes and
consequences of historical events
Skills
• Discover the demand for natural rights from the
time of the drafting of the Magna Carta to
colonization independence and Constitution
• Analyze and compare tribal governments with
those of the federal and state governments
• Assess changes in the U.S. Constitution over
time that resulted from decisions in landmark
Supreme Court decisions
9-12 C.1.1. Explain the characteristics of
the various forms of government
9-12 C.1.2. Influence of major historical
documents and ideals on the formation of
the U.S. government
•
•
Examine the various democratic forms of
government versus other forms
Interpret the impact of the Constitution and
Declaration of Independence to the citizens of
the United States
9-12 C.1.3. Identify the principles of the
American Constitution
9-12 C.1.4. Explain the principles of
American democracy
•
Explain the principles of the Constitution
•
Discuss citizens rights and impact on the
general welfare
9-12 C.2.1. Describe the means of
influencing and/or participating in a
republic
9-12 C.2.2. Interpret the meaning of basic
constitutional rights guaranteed by
citizens
9-12 C.1.1.A. Compare the U.S. political
systems with those of major democratic
and authoritarian nations structures and
powers
9-12 C.2.1.A. Enumerate the basic
constitutional rights guaranteed to
citizens
9-12 C.2.3.A. Identify various issues
involving individual rights and
responsibilities in relation to the general
welfare
•
Prepare students for the prospect of voting and
serving on juries
•
Summarize the Bill of Rights and guarantees it
brings to citizens
•
Rate the various political systems of major
democratic and authoritarian nations as they
relate to protection of Natural Rights
•
Connect individual rights laid forth in the Bill of
Rights to day-to-day activities/occurrences
enjoyed in the United States
Examine the Bill of Rights and connect these
rights to 21st century issues such as privacy,
“protected speech”, racial profiling, gun laws,
separation of church and state, intelligent
design, etc
•
Course Title: Survey of American History
Credit: 1.0
Level: G
Grade: 10
Prerequisites: World Geography & American Government
Course Description: Survey of American History is structured so that students become
knowledgeable about our nation’s past. The course includes a study of those individuals and
issues which shaped our society in the past, and who continue to shape it today. The course will
span events from the Industrial Revolution through the present day.
Content
9-12 U.S. 1.1. Explain cause and effect
relationships of significant historical periods
from Reconstruction to the present
9-12 U.S. 1.2. Relate previously learned
information of these time periods to the context
of succeeding time periods
Skills
• Compare how the military’s role ?? World
War I and II was different from the Korean
War and Vietnam War
• Relate how the United States prepared for
World War II based on preparations done
before World War I
9-12 U.S. 2.1. Relationship between U.S.
government and Native American culture
•
9-12 U.S. 2.2. Describe the causes and effects
of cultural, economic, religious, political, and
social reform movements on the development
of the United States
9-12 U.S. 2.3. Identify the influence of local
groups on the settlement patterns of South
Dakota and the Great Plains Region
•
Research the interactions and effects of
white settlement upon Native American
culture as a result of U.S. government
policy
Characterize why Nisei were placed into
internment camps in the United States
while Germans roamed freely
•
Find evidence that supports movement of
Native Americans to reservations on the
plains of South Dakota
9-12 U.S. 1.1.A. Relate the causes and
consequences of historical events
•
9-12 C.1.6. Elements of foreign policy
•
Justify why the United States entered the
Korean War when we stayed out of World
War I and World War II for significant
periods of time
Show the steps the American government
took to develop foreign policies such as
the Roosevelt Corollary
Course Title: AP English Language & Composition / AP American History
Credit: 1.0 in Language Arts & 1.0 in Social Studies
Level: AP
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: World Geography, American Government & American History w/3.25 GPA
Course Description: This interdisciplinary course will combine a study of US History from 1492 to the present with
appropriate fiction, drama, poetry, and non-fiction to illustrate the major trends, ideas, and periods. The composition
component will demand intensive writing of narration, description, exposition, and argumentation. The course will
focus upon analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with history and literature. A portion of
the block will be used for cooperative learning groups, conferences, and individual research projects. Included in the
assignments and projects will be videos, debates, primary document research, simulations, and map assignments.
Cooperative groups will be used for composition, analysis of writing style, and testing series assignments.
Content
Skills
9-12 U.S. 1.1. Explain cause and effect
relationships of significant historical
periods from Reconstruction to the
present
•
•
•
•
•
•
9-12 U.S. 1.2. Relate previously learned
information of these time periods to the
context of succeeding time periods
•
9-12 U.S. 2.1. Relationship between U.S.
government and Native American culture
•
•
•
9-12 U.S. 2.2. Describe the causes and
effects of cultural, economic, religious,
political, and social reform movements on
the development of the United States
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Analyze the social, political, and economic effects of the Civil
War in the North, South, and West
Compare and contrast the Presidential & Radical
Reconstruction Plans and how they have influenced/impacted
history
Characterize the effects of the Industrialization Revolution in
the late 19th century on American life
Assess the reasons for urbanization and the problems that
resulted from it
Discuss the reasons for America emerging as a world power at
the turn of the 20th century
Debate whether or not the Treaty of Versailles planted the
seeds for WW II
Discuss the impact of the Cold War on American society, then
and now
Appraise how contemporary issues are shaped by the past
Outline the history of White/Native American relationships from
early settlement to present day and predict how history may
have been with different government policies
Summarize various legislation passed such as the Dawes Act,
Indian Reorganization Act, Termination Act
Probe the effects of the Enlightenment and the Great
Awakening on America
Appraise the effects of various political parties throughout
American History
Discuss how industrialization helped to change social and
class structures
Hypothesize how various religious groups throughout history
have effected American society
Explain how the battle of states rights vs. federal rights have
influenced history
Summarize the pro and antislavery arguments and conflicts
leading up to the Civil War
Review the reconfiguration of southern agriculture following the
Civil War
Appraise how the problems of industrialization and
urbanization instigated the Progressive Movement of the early
20th century
Assess the reasons for the emergence of the modern civil
rights movement of the 1950s
Discuss a variety of reform issues including education, labor,
temperance, women’s rights, minority rights
9-12 U.S. 2.3. Identify the influence of
local groups on the settlement patterns of
South Dakota and the Great Plains
Region
•
•
•
9-12 U.S. 1.1.A. Relate the causes and
consequences of historical events
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
9-12 C.1.6. Elements of foreign policy
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Find evidence that supports movement of Native Americans to
reservations on the plains of South Dakota
Show the influence of the effects of the railroads in the
settlement of the Great Plains
Reconstruct the competition in the frontier between the miners,
ranchers, homesteaders, and American Indians
Analyze the political, economic, and social ramifications of
World War I
Examine the origins of American involvement in WW II, with an
emphasis on the events leading up to Pearl Harbor
Assess the pros and cons of the decision to drop the atomic
bombs on Japan ending WW II
Analyze the effect of massive aid given to Western Europe
after WW II and the importance of a rebuilt Europe to the U.S.
economy
Trace the declining role of Great Britain and the expanding role
of the United States in world affairs after World War II
Justify why the United States entered the Korean War when
we stayed out of World War I and World War II for significant
periods of time
Analyze primary source documents to identify bias and
prejudice in historical interpretations
Compose coherent essays addressing the prompt with a
strong thesis and supporting arguments
Construct and test hypotheses; collect and evaluate primary
and secondary sources; and apply to oral, written, or
technology based presentations in a National History Day
project
Describe the Spanish-American War and U.S. expansion in the
south Pacific
Explain Theodore Roosevelt’s Big Stick diplomacy, William
Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy, and Woodrow Wilson’s Moral
Diplomacy
List the purpose and the effects of the Open Door policy
Understand the role of military alliances in deterring communist
aggression and maintaining security during the Cold War
Trace the origins and consequences of the Cold War and
containment policy, including: Truman Doctrine, Berlin
Blockade, Cuban Missile Crisis, atomic bomb testing, &
Vietnam War
The effects of foreign policy on domestic policies and vice
versa
Describe U.S. Middle East policy and its strategic, political, and
economic interests
Analyze the reasons for the nation’s changing immigration
policy over time
Examine Post-Cold War issues such as globalization,
terrorism, and environmental issues
Course Title: World History
Credit: .5
Level: G
Grade: 11
Prerequisites: World Geography, American Government & American History
Course Description: The history of the world encompasses a broad spectrum of content.
Therefore, the subject matter is of necessity highly selective. There will be a particular emphasis
the development of mankind from the earliest times to the 14th century.
Content
9-12.W.1.1. (Analysis) Explain the cause and
effect relationships and legacy that distinguish
significant historical periods from the
Renaissance to the present.
9-12.W.2.1. (Comprehension) Define the key
distinguishing features of significant cultural,
economic, and political philosophies in relation
to the other.
9-12.W.1.1.A. (Evaluation) Relate the causes
and consequences of historical event to
subsequent events and their legacy in current
conditions
9-12.W.2.1A. (Analysis) Describe the
emergence, rise, impact, and role of significant
cultural, economic, and political events and
philosophies.
Skills
• Analyze the cultural, economic,
theological, and political differences
between the Middle Ages and the
Renaissance.
• Interpret Marx's Communist Manifesto and
discuss the economic ramifications of the
text.
•
Interpret how the theological and historical
division of Islam correlates to current
conditions in the Muslim world today
•
Diagram similarities and differences
between the early revolutions of the
England, the United States, France.
Course Title: Honors World History
Credit: .5
Level: H
Grade: 11
Prerequisites: World Geography, American Government & American History w/3.25 GPA
Course Description: This course is designed for the student who is academically motivated.
There will be an intensive focus on proper writing skills that demonstrate the factual knowledge
necessary to analyze historical themes. Important themes analyzed include origins of religion
and government, philosophy, imperialism, and economy from the development of mankind to
the 14th Century. This course will require assignments, primary document readings, and
projects that evaluate and investigate the various course topics.
Content
9-12.W.1.1.A. (Evaluation) Relate the causes
and consequences of historical event to
subsequent events and their legacy in current
conditions
9-12.W.2.1A. (Analysis) Describe the
emergence, rise, impact, and role of significant
cultural, economic, and political events and
philosophies.
Skills
• Assess the impact of ten years of political
instability in France on the subsequent
rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.
•
Diagram similarities between Italian and
German Unification and predict the impact
the formation of these new countries had
on the balance of power throughout
Europe.
Course Title: Economics
Credit: .5
Level: G
Grade: 11
Prerequisites: World Geography, American Government, American History & World History
Course Description: A study of the American economic system with particular emphasis placed on the
flow of resources and their allocation. Topics will include: Factors of Production, Opportunity Cost,
Scarcity, Money and Banking, Personal Finance, Role of Investment, Business Cycles, Federal Monetary
& Fiscal Policies, International Trade and Monetary relations. The course includes the fundamentals of
Capitalism with weekly reports on current discussions.
Content
Skills
9-12 E. 1.1 Characteristics of traditional,
command, market and mixed economics
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
9-12 E.1.2 Explain how scarcity and
surplus affect the basic questions of what,
how, how much, and for whom to produce
9-12.E.1.3 Explain the role of money and
the structure of the U.S. banking system
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
9-12.E.1.4 Explain the impact of labor and
governmental policies of the U.S.
economy
•
•
•
***Hard to get covered in 9 weeks – but this would be one way
to cover it. Could be covered in Senior Civics.
•
9-12.E.1.5 Use graphs to illustrate
changes in economic trends
•
•
•
•
•
9-12.E.1.6 Explain the basic elements of
trade and its impact on the U.S. Economy
•
•
***Hard to get covered in 9 weeks – but this would be one way
to cover it. Could be covered in Senior Civics.
9-12.E.1.2A Analyze graphs to determine
changes in supply and demand and their
effects on price and quantity
9-12.E.1.3A Compare and contrast the
economic systems of foreign countries
with the market system of the U.S.
9-12.E.1.4A Describe methods used to
measure domestic output, national
income, and price level
•
•
•
•
•
•
Distinguish, compare, contrast, and characterize different systems
Diagram the circular flow model of a market economy and a mixed economy
Examine the costs and benefits of entrepreneurial decisions
Compare methods of business ownership
Specify the functions of financial markets
Analyze the structure of financial markets
Analyze/probe the transition of former Soviet bloc nations (and China) to
market economics
Characterize the philosophies of modern economists
Relate how scarcity and surplus affect the four basic economic questions
Distinguish between wants and needs
Differentiate positive and negative factors of economic growth
Analyze information found on a production possibilities graph
Differentiate between opportunity costs and trade-offs
Draw conclusions on how scarcity and surplus influence decisions between
wants and needs
Evaluate the theory of guns vs. butter in current governmental policy
Examine the influence of the Federal Reserve System on the U.S. economy
Evaluate the effectiveness of various U.S. economic stabilization policies
Draw conclusions about the effectiveness of the Federal Reserve’s interest
rate manipulations on stabilizing the U.S. economy
Debate the qualities of supply-side economic theory for economic
stabilization (Reagonomics)
Debate the effectiveness of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
in regard to economic stabilization
Explain how supply and demand for labor affects wages
Measure the impact of outsourcing on the market economy and labor
Evaluate governmental policies (minimum wage) as to its effect on
employment
Analyze whether or not the U.S. needs to be worried about globalization and
its effects on our economy
Interpret information found on a production possibilities graph to determine
utilization of resources and economic efficiency
Interpret information found on a production possibilities graph to determine
economic trends (i.e. growth)
Illustrate the information from a supply schedule and a demand schedule on
a supply and demand chart to identify equilibrium price
Interpret a business cycle chart to identify recessions, times of prosperity,
times of recovery, periods of contraction and expansion
Interpret a chart listing prices over a period of time to identify periods of
inflation and deflation
Explain the impact of the U.S. trade deficit on the economy
Describe components involved in each of the economic alliances: OPEC,
NAFTA, EU
Interpret the information from a supply and demand curve to identify
equilibrium price
Analyze the effects of a surplus or a shortage on a supply and demand curve
Compare the characteristics between traditional, command, market and
mixed economies
Critique the advantages between market and mixed economies
Critique the disadvantages between market and mixed economies
Examine the differences between domestic output in industrialized nations
and developing nations
Course Title: Honors Economics
Credit: .5
Level: H
Grade: 11
Prerequisites: World Geography, American Government, American History & World History w/3.25 GPA
Course Description: The Honors version of Economics shall have a higher expectation of student achievement. The
pace will increase. Emphasis will be placed on the United States’ influence in the world economy. A term paper will
be expected.
Content
Skills
9-12 E. 1.1 Characteristics of
traditional, command, market and
mixed economics
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
9-12 E.1.2 Explain how scarcity and
surplus affect the basic questions of
what, how, how much, and for whom to
produce
9-12.E.1.3 Explain the role of money
and the structure of the U.S. banking
system
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
9-12.E.1.4 Explain the impact of labor
and governmental policies of the U.S.
economy
•
•
•
***Hard to get covered in 9 weeks – but
this would be one way to cover it. Could
be covered in Senior Civics.
9-12.E.1.5 Use graphs to illustrate
changes in economic trends
•
•
•
•
•
•
9-12.E.1.6 Explain the basic elements
of trade and its impact on the U.S.
Economy
•
•
Distinguish, compare, contrast, and characterize different systems
Diagram the circular flow model of a market economy and a mixed economy
Examine the costs and benefits of entrepreneurial decisions
Compare methods of business ownership
Specify the functions of financial markets
Analyze the structure of financial markets
Analyze/probe the transition of former Soviet bloc nations (and China) to
market economics
Characterize the philosophies of modern economists
Relate how scarcity and surplus affect the four basic economic questions
Distinguish between wants and needs
Differentiate positive and negative factors of economic growth
Analyze information found on a production possibilities graph
Differentiate between opportunity costs and trade-offs
Draw conclusions on how scarcity and surplus influence decisions between
wants and needs
Evaluate the theory of guns vs. butter in current governmental policy
Differentiate between positive and negative aspects of economic growth
Examine the influence of the Federal Reserve System on the U.S. economy
Evaluate the effectiveness of various U.S. economic stabilization policies
Draw conclusions about the effectiveness of the Federal Reserve’s interest
rate manipulations on stabilizing the U.S. economy
Debate the qualities of supply-side economic theory for economic
stabilization (Reagonomics)
Debate the effectiveness of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
in regard to economic stabilization
Explain how supply and demand for labor affects wages
Measure the impact of outsourcing on the market economy and labor
Evaluate governmental policies (minimum wage) as to its effect on
employment
Analyze whether or not the U.S. needs to be worried about globalization and
its effects on our economy
Interpret information found on a production possibilities graph to determine
utilization of resources and economic efficiency
Interpret information found on a production possibilities graph to determine
economic trends (i.e. growth)
Illustrate the information from a supply schedule and a demand schedule on
a supply and demand chart to identify equilibrium price
Interpret a business cycle chart to identify recessions, times of prosperity,
times of recovery, periods of contraction and expansion
Interpret a chart listing prices over a period of time to identify periods of
inflation and deflation
Explain the impact of the U.S. trade deficit on the economy
Describe components involved in each of the economic alliances: OPEC,
NAFTA, EU
***Hard to get covered in 9 weeks – but this would be one
way to cover it. Could be covered in Senior Civics.
9-12.E.1.2A Analyze graphs to
determine changes in supply and
demand and their effects on price and
quantity
9-12.E.1.3A Compare and contrast the
economic systems of foreign countries
with the market system of the U.S.
9-12.E.1.4A Describe methods used to
measure domestic output, national
income, and price level
•
•
•
•
•
•
Interpret the information from a supply and demand curve to identify
equilibrium price
Analyze the effects of a surplus or a shortage on a supply and demand curve
Compare the characteristics between traditional, command, market and
mixed economies
Critique the advantages between market and mixed economies
Critique the disadvantages between market and mixed economies
Examine the differences between domestic output in industrialized nations
and developing nations
Course Title: AP European History
Credit: 2.0
Level: AP
Grade: 11, 12
Prerequisites: World Geography, American Government & American History w/3.25 GPA
Course Description: This is a two-credit course designed for the college-bound student who has demonstrated
academic motivation, excellent reading ability, critical thinking skills, and who is capable of producing work of
exemplary quality. The course will consider 16 historical epochs beginning with the European “Renaissance,”
“Reformation,” and ”Wars of Religion,” and ending with “The New World Order” and “The Post Industrial Age.” This
course shall satisfy the requirements for World History and Social Studies elective.
Content
Skills
9-12.W.1.1. (Analysis) Explain the cause and
effect relationships and legacy that distinguish
significant historical periods from the
Renaissance to the present.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
9-12.W.2.1. (Comprehension) Define the key
distinguishing features of significant cultural,
economic, and political philosophies in relation
to the other.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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9-12.W.1.1.A. (Evaluation) Relate the causes
and consequences of historical events to
subsequent events and their legacy in current
conditions
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9-12.W.2.1A. (Analysis) Describe the
emergence, rise, impact, and role of significant
cultural, economic, and political events and
philosophies.
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Analyze the cultural, economic, theological, and political differences
between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Evaluate Martin Luther and the Reformation and the Catholic response with
the Counter-Reformation
Examine how the Scientific Revolution changed thought & culture in Europe
through new technology
Interpret the effects of the Industrial Revolution
Analyze intellectual and cultural developments and their relationship to
social values and political events
Debate whether or not the Treaty of Versailles planted the seeds for WW II
Research the role of alliances as a cause for WW II; discuss other causes
Examine the Cold War from a European standpoint and how it has effected
the rest of the world then and now
Interpret Marx's Communist Manifesto and discuss the economic
ramifications of the text.
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Differentiate the developments in 19 century social, economic, and
political thought, including ideologies characterized as “isms,” such as
socialism, liberalism, nationalism and their effects on the future.
Discuss how changes in elite and popular culture, such as the development
of new attitudes toward religion, the family, work, and ritual effects society
Summarize the role of urbanization in transforming cultural values and
social relationships
Discuss the influence of sanitation and health care practices on society:
food supply, diet, famine, disease, and their impact throughout history
Review gender roles and their influence on work, social structure, family
structure, and interest group formation
Summarize the changing definitions of and attitudes toward social groups,
classes, races, and ethnicities within and outside Europe
Report the growth of competition and interdependence in national and
world markets
Assess the relations between Europe and other parts of the world regarding
colonialism, imperialism, decolonization, and global interdependence
Evaluate the impact of the French Revolution
Appraise the character of and changes in agricultural production and how it
has effected current conditions
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Compare and contrast the rise of nation-states in Europe in the 19 century
Compare the relationship between domestic and foreign policies and how
they may effect the future
Interpret various European wars and civil conflicts giving origins,
developments, technology, and their consequences
Assess efforts to restrain conflict: treaties, balance-of-power diplomacy,
and international organizations
Analyze primary source documents to identify bias in historical
interpretations
Compose coherent essays addressing the prompt with a strong thesis and
supporting arguments
Construct and test hypotheses: collect and evaluate primary and secondary
sources; and apply to oral, written, or technology based presentations in a
National History Day project
Diagram similarities and differences between the early revolutions of the
England, the United States, and France
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Analyze why England and France in the 17 century took different political
paths, constitutionalism & absolutism.
Class debate using primary sources of Hobbes and Locke, comparing and
contrasting their political philosophies
Hypothesize how the evolution of political elites and the development of
political parties, ideologies, and forms of mass politics impacts various
countries in Europe
Examine how the Age of Enlightenment influenced all aspects of society by
enabling students to participate in an Enlightenment Salon
Distinguish major trends in literature and the arts in modern European
History
Course Title: Honors Psychology
Credit: 1.0
Level: H
Grade: 11, 12
Prerequisites: 3.25 GPA
Course Description: This is an academic class which requires a high level of reading, written
communication, and statistical evaluation skills. The area of study will include the biological
basis of behavior, maturation and development, environmental effect, learning human
motivation, emotion, conflict and frustration, and adjustment. The first section of the second
term is dedicated to the study of the mental disorders such as anxiety, psychotic, chronic
brain syndromes, and personality and investigating the types of therapies, hospitals, and
techniques used in acquiring or maintaining mental health. The course also investigates and
evaluates how society shapes and changes individual attitudes, opinions, beliefs, and the likes
and dislikes of personal choice.
Content
(Synthesis) Understand the scientific method
that psychologists use to study people
(Synthesis) Understand how the senses are
related
(Analysis) Understand theories of sleep
(Analysis) Understand the characteristics
psychological disorders
(Analysis) Understand the cognitive
development of humans from infancy to
adulthood
(Analysis) Understand what motivates people
to behave and act out
(Synthesis) Understand the theories of the
schools of psychology
(Analysis) Understand how a message travels
along the central nervous system
Skills
• Predict attitudes and do a survey of
students in school
• Design a taste test to examine the
tendencies of the senses
• Compare theories with one’s own sleep
habits
• Compare and contrast the symptoms of
each
• Research the theory of Erik Erikson
• Research the life and achievements of a
famous person and apply Maslow’s
Theory of Motivation
• Create a poster that compares and
contrasts humanism, psychamalysm,
behavioralism, structuralism, etc
• Diagram a neuron, the brain, the
peripheral nervous system, and the central
nervous system
Course Title: Sociology
Credit: .5
Level: G
Grade: 12
Prerequisites: World Geography, American Government & American History
Course Description: The study of society through the exploration of human groups. Emphasis
will be on comparative cultures and institutional order including the family, religion, education,
politics, and the economic system. The study also includes an examination of contemporary
social issues nationally and around the world--poverty, crime, race relations, population, human
and natural resources.
Content
Examine the five societal institutions: Family,
Education, Government, Religion, and
Economy.
Understand research methods and their
application in the field of sociology.
Determine the methods by which humans are
socialized to learn culture.
Examine social stratification in society based
on income, race, gender and age.
Be able to associate the theories of sociology
with the sociologist who developed them.
Skills
• Create a graphic organizer that identifies a
societal need and describes the
corresponding social institution that meets
that need and the means by which it is
met.
• Formulate a research plan of a
sociological topic and examine the
feasibility of the experiment.
• Differentiate between "nature vs. nurture"
beliefs and present an argument for one
side or the other.
• Compare the median incomes, HS
graduation rates, and college graduation
rates of United States' ethnic groups and
draw conclusions regarding their
correlation.
• Create a "Wanted" poster that features a
sociologist and their contributions to the
field of sociology.
Course Title:
Senior Civics
Credit: .5
Level: G
Grade: 12
Prerequisites: World Geography, American Government, American History, World History
Course Description: This course is designed to be an extension of the initial American Government
course taken in the freshman year. The course includes a study of contemporary political issues, civic
participation and political parties with an emphasis on the role that parties play in the political process.
This course is designed to promote active citizenship and participation in the democratic process.
Content
9-12 C.1.6. Foreign policy creation
Skills
• Construct a flow chart to show the steps of
how diplomacy leads to foreign policy
9-12 C.2.1. Participating in a republic
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Discover the method of registering to vote
and the selective service
9-12 C.2.3. Process of naturalization
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Illustrate and discuss ways one can
become a naturalized citizen
9-12 C.1.1.A. Compare major democratic and
authoritarian nations
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Rate the various political systems as a
major democratic and authoritarian
nations as they relate to protection of
natural rights
9-12 C.2.2.A. Purpose of politics and
implications for U.S. citizens
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Characterize how the results of an election
will impact U.S. citizens
9-12 C.2.3.A. Rights and responsibilities of
individual rights and general welfare
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Examine the importance of voting and the
responsibility of serving society
9-12 C.2.4.A. Running for political office,
campaign funding, political opinion
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Research and compare how dollars
spent/raised will impact the outcome of an
election