Social Studies
Social Studies
All students are required to take 10 credits of Social Studies classes each year. World History is the required class for freshmen. Civics and Business Economics are required for sophomores (one semester each). Juniors and seniors may choose from AP and non-ap options. Expand the bars below for a full description of each Social Studies course and the credit hours.
World History is a required course for freshmen. The course is designed to introduce students to major historical events. Students will analyze important social, political, and economic issues regarding various time periods, while developing their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. This course will incorporate the study of world geography, government, culture, and social movements in an effort to deepen the student’s understanding of our world’s history. Completion of this course will provide students with the skills needed in future history courses.
Full year; 10 credit hours
Civics is a required semester-long course for sophomores. Civics is a course to prepare students to become responsible, active, and informed citizens. This course provides students with a basic understanding of the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens. Emphasis is placed on the foundations of U.S. government, the three branches of U.S. government, structure of state and local government, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. The course will incorporate discussions, research projects, and written essays to help students develop a working knowledge of government and foster participation as active citizens.
1 semester; 5 credit hours
Business Economics is a required semester-long course for sophomores. Business Economics introduces economic concepts as well as the organization and functioning of the American economic system. The class also acquaints students with business organization, management, expansion, and strategy. Business Economics also develops personal economic and life skills in the areas of banking, savings, personal finances, and investments.
1 semester; 5 credit hours
United States History is a year-long course for juniors. The first semester is a survey of North American history from the Indigenous and pre-contact era to the end of the Civil War. The second semester is a general survey of American history since the Civil War, emphasizing social and political change and the emergence of the United States as a global power. The course also provides seven themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: American and national identity; migration and settlement; politics and power; work, exchange, and technology; America in the world; geography and the environment; and culture and society.
Full year; 10 credit hours
AP U.S. History is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester introductory college or university U.S. history course. In AP U.S. History, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in nine historical periods from approximately 1491 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical comparisons; and utilizing reasoning about contextualization, causation, and continuity and change over time.
The course also provides seven themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: American and national identity; migration and settlement; politics and power; work, exchange, and technology; America in the world; geography and the environment; and culture and society. Juniors wishing to enroll in this class are required to apply.
Full year; 10 credit hours
Academic Decathlon is an accelerated and intensive year-long course of study in science, social studies, math, language and literature, art, music, economics, speech (prepared and impromptu), interview, and essay. Most of these subjects will relate to an overall topic that changes every year. The goal of the class is to be prepared for competition against other schools at the regional, state, and national level. All students who take the class will be required to attend two scrimmages in the fall. Based on first semester performance, a team of twelve will be selected for official competitions in the spring.
For more information about Academic Decathlon, including the competition, subject areas, student divisions, and so on, please visit: http://www.usad.org
Full year; 10 credit hours
Psychology is a 5-credit semester course that counts toward the senior social studies requirement. Psychology is an introduction to the basic concepts of human behavior and development. This course will investigate the basic principles and perspectives of psychology, the brain and its functions, sensation and perception, personality, learning and state of consciousness, social psychology, and abnormal psychology.
This is a junior/senior elective course and fulfills the senior social studies requirement if taken during senior year.
1 semester; 5 credit hours
Holocaust Studies is a 5-credit semester course that counts toward the senior social studies requirement. This course looks at the history of genocide; examines the roots of the Holocaust in European antisemitism, racism, and colonialism; analyzes Hitler’s rise to power, Nazi ideology, and Nazi genocide against the Jews and other targeted peoples; considers Jewish responses to persecution and genocide; and examines genocide in modern history. This course is offered every other year.
1 semester; 5 credit hours
AP U.S. Government and Politics is a 10-credit year-long course that counts toward the senior social studies requirement. This course provides students with the political knowledge and reasoning processes to participate meaningfully and thoughtfully in discussions and debates that are currently shaping American politics and society. AP U.S. Government and Politics studies the interconnectedness of the different parts of the American political system and the behaviors and attitudes that shape this system and are the byproduct of this system. Juniors and seniors are required to apply for this class.
Full year; 10 credit hours
Students must apply for this class.
This course is an elective that fulfills a social studies requirement for students in 11th or 12th grade. In this class, students will be introduced to foundational topics in philosophy, including historical background and major approaches to philosophical thought and discussion. Students will learn concepts associated with the study of logic, ethics, social contract theory, and metaphysics. Textbook readings and primary sources will be assigned as students learn to think and discuss as philosophers, along with reflective writing and tests over course content. This course is offered every other year.
Full year; 10 credit hours