Course Catalog 2018_w_ CTE draft

SOCIAL STUDIES

SOCIAL STUDIES COURSE SEQUENCES

World History to 1500/World Geography* World History to 1500/World Geog. Honors*

U.S. History*

U.S. Government

World History from 1500 to the Present/World Geog.* AP European History

Advanced Placement U.S. History* U.S. History Dual Enrollment

Advanced Placement U.S. Government

Social Studies electives, Introduction to Philosophy, Psychology, Dual Enrollment Psychology, History of Western Civilization and Service Learning do not count as Social Studies credits but will count as general elective credits. *End of course test required.

U.S. GOVERNMENT ACADEMIC

2440(1 credit) Grade Level: 12 Prerequisite: U.S. History

The basic survey course in U.S. Government will include the development of government. The course will concentrate on the American political system in its entirety. Emphasis will be placed on students acquiring basic skills and knowledge in order to function as productive citizens.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT U.S. GOVERNMENT

2445(1 credit) Grade Level: 12 Prerequisite: U.S. History

Advanced Placement United States Government is offered to seniors who wish to benefit from taking a college-level government course while still in high school. A general focus on the first nine week period is devoted to college-style lecturing and group discussion. The second nine week period will be largely participatory, with much use of critical thinking skills, problem solving, and skills application. The historical evolution of present-day governmental roles and structures is studied with a concentration on the importance of the Constitution and its interpretations in defining the powers of government. Specifically, the course will be divided into five particular areas. First, the constitution underpinnings of the U.S. government will be reviewed, with an emphasis on democratic theory and philosophy as well as a historical background to the Constitutional Convention. Second, political beliefs and behaviors that have shaped or have been shaped by political parties and political leaders will be discussed. Third, the importance of voting and individual political participation will be studied. Next, the civil freedoms guaranteed to all individuals will be presented. Finally, the largest portion of the AP class will be devoted to the institutions of national government – the Congress, the president, the court systems, and the vitally important, yet largely unfamiliar, fourth “branch” (the bureaucracy) – and how each of those branches help create public policy. For more information regarding Advanced Placement courses, see page 2 in this Course Catalog.

U.S. HISTORY

2360(1 credit) Grade Level: 11 Prerequisite: World History to 1500/World Geography EOC Test: Standards of Accreditation require an End of Course Test upon completion of this course.

This basic survey course will trace the American experience from the exploration period to current-day trends and social problems. The chronological study of events in our history will be combined with the study of major concepts such as cause and effect, change continuity, and appreciation of cultural heritage.