Course Descriptions
Social Studies Department
Title: World History
Grade: 9
Credits: 2.0
World History, a two-semester required course for first year students, includes a comprehensive review of the political, social, economic, cultural development of both western and non-western civilizations. Students will explore Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, China, Japan, Europe, India, and Southwest Asia in this survey course.
Title: World History Honors
Grade: 9
Credits: 2.0
This course offers an overall study of the development of mankind and civilization, including a study of modern political systems and ideas. It is a multimedia inquiry into those forces, which contributed to present-day civilization beginning with pre-history and ending with modern times. Special emphasis is placed on the relationships of different cultures and their contributions in shaping our own present-day civilization. In addition to the text, the student is required to read and evaluate various authors and historical works from different cultures and ages.
Title: United States History
Grade: 11
Credits: 2.0
United States History, a required two-semester course for third year students, introduces a detailed survey study of the history and government of the United Stares. The first semester explores the colonial development of the United States with special emphasis on the founding of the Republic and the Civil War. The second semester emphasizes the development of the United States as a world power in the twentieth century and its subsequent leadership role in the world today. A comprehensive study of American political institutions completes the course.
Title: United States History Honors
Grade: 11
Credits: 2.0
This two-semester course for third year students introduces a detailed study of the history and government of the United States. The course tracks the history of America from its Native American beginnings to the establishment of the United States as a major global influence in the 21st Century. In addition to the textbook, students are given additional outside readings. Each semester a substantial novel is read and discussed as part of the class.
Title: Modern United States History - Post-World War II - 21st Century
Grade: 11
Credits: 1.0
This course will examine the both the foreign and domestic policies of the United States following World War II. Emphasis on domestic matters will be placed upon the civil rights movement, the counterculture, feminism, Watergate, the nuclear and space ages, and the economic developments during that time. The course will also appraise the role of the United States as a world power in lieu of the Cold War, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the Middle East, as well as the global economy.
Title: Contemporary Problems
Grade: 12
Credits: 2.0
Contemporary Problems is a two-semester required course for fourth year students. A detailed study
of American political institutions is introduced with emphasis on the Constitution and the federal system. In addition, this course includes a review of contemporary history (WWII - present) as well as an analysis of current developments.
Title: Civil War
Grade: 11, 12
Credits: 1.0
Taking an in depth approach, this course will analyze the American Civil War as well as many aspects associated with the War. The course begins with an overview of the United States in the early 1800s. The course will then look at the issues leading up to the War, and will continue with an examination of the election of 1860 and other issues that led to the secession of the Southern states. As the course moves into the study of actual conflict, the focus of the class will continue to be broad. The course will break the War into the five years of conflict: 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864 and 1865. We will compare the various ideas for reconstruction, the ultimate course taken by the government and the impact reconstruction had on the North, the South and all the people of both regions, western expansion to include Indian Wars and present day terrorist and civil war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The course will conclude with an examination of the lasting impact of the Civil War.
Title: Government and Economics
Grade: 11, 12
Credits: 2.0
This two-semester course is designed to give the student a better understanding of how government affects our lives. The Government portion of the course is designed to introduce the student to the purpose, structure, and operation of the American federal, state and local governments. Students will be immersed in the American political process. The economic portion of the class is designed to introduce the students to the elements that make up the American economy. They will study aspects of the American economy as it impacts both the government’s finance and also personal finance.