HS Course Selection Guide - SOCIAL STUDIES

  • All students must successfully complete a minimum of four (4) credits of social studies courses in order to graduate.

    Cyber Course  - this course is offered in the WC Cyber Program

    African-Asian Cultures Career & College Prep/Honors/Accelerated Honors (9) 1 credit Cyber Course

    Students trace the development of mankind from its prehistoric beginnings through the creation of the first civilizations in Egypt and Mesopotamia. Using a variety of resources, the cultures of Asia, Africa and the Middle East are studied through the present.

    Advanced Placement Human Geography  (9) 1 credit Cyber Course

    This is a college-level introductory course in Human Geography. Topics will focus on population, demographics, and migration; cultural patterns and process such as religion and cultural identity; the political organization of space, including the challenges to inherited political-territorial arrangements; land use issues, such as urbanization, settlement patterns, and modern agriculture; and industrial and economic development.

    European & Latin American Studies Career & College Prep/Honors (10) 1 credit Cyber Course

    Students will explore the people and history of both Europe and Latin America through a thematic study to better understand these modern societies.

    Advanced Placement European History (10) 1 credit Cyber Course

    The course is organized into four historical periods that run from c. 1450 to the present. Students will learn European History through a range of historical thinking skills to investigate the thematic learning objectives. The key concepts, supporting concepts and historical developments that are required knowledge for each period will be presented. 
    Students can also take this course as an elective in grades 11 and 12.

    United States History - WWI - Today Career & College Prep/Honors (11) 1 credit Cyber Course

    Students continue the study of United States History begun in middle school. This course studies the story of America from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. In addition to examining the political history of modern America, students also consider social, economic and cultural developments.

    Advanced Placement United States History (11) 1 credit Cyber Course

    This course is organized into historical periods that run from the precolonial era to the present and the key concepts, supporting concepts, and historical developments that are required knowledge for each period. Students will learn American History through thematic learning objectives and use historical thinking skills to analyze the material.
    Prerequisite: Recommendation of their current Social Studies teacher.

    United States Government & Economics Career & College Prep/Honors (12) 1 credit Cyber Course

    This course is a study of the American political and economic systems, and the examination of the workings of federal, state, and local governments. The United States Constitution is analyzed in terms of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Students also study economic concepts and acquire an understanding of the American economy.

    Advanced Placement United States Government & Politics (12) 1 credit Cyber Course

    The course addresses the constitutional underpinnings of government, political behavior, the branches and functions of the government, and the major areas of national public policy. Those areas include economic and regulatory policy, social welfare policy, civil liberties and civil rights policy, foreign and national security policy, and other areas dictated by current events.

     

SOCIAL STUDIES ELECTIVES

  • The following courses may be used for Arts/Humanities or elective credit.

    American Military History 1 .5 credit/semester course Cyber Course

    Neutrally Weighted 
    This course explores all military aspects of United States involvement in combat (with an emphasis on the late 18th and 19th centuries), including logistical movement, strategy, military parlance, the study of weaponry and the impact upon society of war.

    American Military History 2 .5 credit/semester course Cyber Course

    Neutrally Weighted 
    With an emphasis on the 20th century, this course covers detailed military aspects of United States involvement in combat including logistical movement, strategy, military parlance, the study of weaponry, and the impact upon society of war.

    Advanced Placement Economics (11, 12) 1 credit

    This full-year, college-level course is an extensive examination of both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. In Microeconomics, the students will gain a thorough understanding of the principles of economics as they apply to individuals and the firm (producers). The Macroeconomic portion gives the student an understanding of the principles of economics that apply to economic systems as a whole (aggregate). 
    Students taking this course will have the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement exam in both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics in May.

    The Holocaust .5 credit/semester course

    Neutrally Weighted
    Students examine the holocaust in a historical context in order to better recognize what it means to be a responsible citizen in a democracy. The course begins with a study of anti-Semitism and of the Nazis before concluding with a study of the Holocaust. Some background in European history is recommended.
    NOTE: Some topics may require a level of student maturity. Ninth grade students should have a strong interest in the subject.

    Psychology .5 credit/semester course

    Neutrally Weighted
    An introduction to the methods and concepts of contemporary psychology, course topics include learning, personality, social adjust-ment and abnormality.
    NOTE: Some topics may require a level of student maturity. Ninth grade students should have a strong interest in the subject.

    Advanced Placement Psychology (10, 11, 12) 1 credit Cyber Course

    This course introduces the study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major sub fields within psychology. This course is highly interactive and reliant on independent effort, initiative, and critical thinking. 
    NOTE: Some topics may require a level of student maturity. This course is offered to 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students only.

    Race & Ethnicity in Early America  (10,11,12) .5 credit/semester course

    Neutrally Weighted

    In this course, we will consider how race and ethnicity impact who gets what, when, and how. It will begin by surveying the historical issues of racial and ethnic minority politics in the United States up to the Civil War.

    Race & Ethnicity in Modern America (10,11,12) .5 credit/semester course

    Neutrally Weighted

    Students will explore how American politics are strongly influenced by historical issues surrounding race and ethnicity.

    Sociology .5 credit/semester course

    Neutrally Weighted
    This course provides students with an introduction to the methods and concepts of modern sociology, and an understanding of the society of which he/she is a part. Topics include childhood and adolescence, the adjustment to adulthood, prejudice and discrimination, love and marriage, and the problems of poverty in an affluent society.
    NOTE: Some topics may require a level of student maturity. Ninth grade students should have a strong interest in the subject.

    Stocks & Investment .5 credit/semester course Cyber Course

    Neutrally Weighted
    Blended learning class - 4 days in-class/ 1 day online learning
    In this introductory course, students “purchase” stocks and create investment portfolios through individual and team research, and by using simulation activities.

    Understanding Law .5 credit/semester course Cyber Course

    Neutrally Weighted
    This course begins with an overview of constitutional and civil law, and then proceeds to study all aspects of the criminal justice system including arrest, trial and the penal system.