Social Studies

World Geography

World Geography emphasizes how people in various cultures influence and are influenced by their physical and ecological environments. Topics of special interest include population characteristics, countries, regions, landforms, climates and natural resources. Using the text, maps, graphs, diagrams, charts, and a variety of geographic inquiry/research and technology skills, students will consider the relationship between people and places.

World History

World History emphasizes the relationship between human beings, the environment, and the development of civilization. Students will understand that the times and places people lived influenced their beliefs, values, and relationships as well as their successes and failures. The use of maps and geographical skills will are important elements in this course.

World History Honors

World History Honors is designed to cover the material as described in regular World History at a faster pace, to greater depth, and with more emphasis on critical thinking, problem solving, and cause and effect relationships. Independent work using a supplemental reader is an aspect of this course.

World History AP

The purpose of the AP World History course is to develop greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts, in interaction with different types of human societies. This understanding is advanced through a combination of selective factual knowledge and appropriate analytical skills. The course highlights the nature of changes in international frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. Using chronological and thematic approaches will expose students to a variety of primary and secondary sources and the different interpretations of historians. The course builds on an understanding of cultural, institutional, and technological precedents that, along with geography, set the human stage. This is a rigorous course for students that will dedicate time to participation in this class. There will be an emphasis on analyzing historical documents, graphs, and maps and essay writing to help prepare for the AP exam in May.

US History

American History is designed to cover the transformation of the United States from a haven for European freedom seekers and adventurers to the modern world power it is today. This course w examines the changes and challenges experienced as America developed through the 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Considerable geography and map work will be an important aspect of this course. Current and past American events are addressed from an historical viewpoint.

US History Honors

American History Honors is designed to cover the material as described in regular American History at a faster pace and to greater depth. The honors course examines historical events from a cause and effect, problem solving, and critical thinking point of view. Independent work using a supplemental reader is an aspect of this course.

US History AP

American History AP emphasizes the use of critical reading and writing skills. Students read extensively and analyze primary source documents in preparation for the Document-Based Questions on the AP exam. Test questions are more analytical than those in the honors course with an emphasis on critical and independent thinking skills. Students are required to complete various independent study projects and outside reading assignments using multiple supplemental readers. A willingness to devote considerable time and rigorous scholarly work and study are necessary to succeed in this course. Students in this course are required to take the Advanced Placement examination given in May.

Civics

Civics focuses on the study of the American system of government from its beginnings of the colonial governments to the present day. Foundations of the American political system, participation in the American political system as well as the American economy will be studied in depth. Continued development of critical thinking skills with emphasis on essay writing will be the focus of the performance aspect of this course.

Civics Honors

Civics Honors is designed to cover the material as described in regular Civics at a faster pace and to greater depth. Continued development of critical thinking skills with emphasis on essay writing as well as analysis of current events will be the focus of the performance aspects of this course. Students are required to complete various independent study projects and outside reading assignments using multiple supplemental books.

Civics/U.S. Government AP

The AP US Government course is a rigorous course that includes an examination and analysis of basic governmental institutions and of political processes. This course will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the U.S. This course requires students to familiarize themselves with the various groups, institutions, ideas and beliefs that constitute the U.S. Political System. Sources of study include a textbook, a reader, the media and current events. Students are expected to complete various independent study projects, numerous readings, and research papers. Students in this course are required to take the Advanced Placement examination given in May.

Law Studies

Law Studies is a semester course offered to juniors and seniors that provides legal information that is of practical use for everyday life in our law-saturated society. The course is designed to give students an understanding of their legal rights and responsibilities, knowledge of everyday legal problems in the areas of torts, criminal and juvenile justice, and consumer, family, housing, and constitutional law.

Psychology

Psychology is a semester course offered to juniors and seniors as an introductory survey of psychology. Work in the first part of the course includes topics such as sensation, perception, states of consciousness, learning/memory, personality and psychological disorder. The second half of the course includes development through the life cycle (infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and the aging process).

Psychology Honors

Psychology Honors is a one-year credit course offered to juniors and seniors as an introductory, honors level of psychology. In addition to the basics of psychology, this course emphasizes critical thinking skills involving case studies and active learning situations. In the first semester, the topics of history, research methods, behavior, perception, consciousness, learning, and cognition will be covered. The second semester includes topics such as motivation, life-span approach, personalities, individual differences, abnormality, treatments of disorders, and group dynamics. Student research is an integral part of this course as well as daily analysis of the various topics and situations.

Psychology AP

This is a one-year introductory course, designed to provide students with a learning experience equivalent to that of a college level Psychology course, and to prepare students for the A.P. Psychology exam. This course is designed to allow students to experience an in-depth exploration of human thought processes and behavior through various psychological perspectives, including the psychoanalytic, biological, cognitive, behavioral, sociocultural, and humanistic schools of thought. Key terms, concepts, leaders, and principles of psychology are introduced, as well as contradicting viewpoints as to how these basic factors can be interpreted. Topics such as history of the study, research methods, behavior, psychobiology, consciousness, sensation, perception, motivation, emotion, learning, memory, language, personality, intelligence, psychological disorders, and psychological treatments are studied through lecture, discussion, research, observation, case studies, books, movies, introspection, journal-writing, a variety of assessments, and an A.P. text.