| Social Studies Dept Course Offerings
Honors World Studies
The objective of this introductory survey course is to help students understand how the world has arrived at its present condition through studies of past developments. The themes of civilization-building, cultural, social, and political development, cross-cultural interaction, and the rise, fall and reorganization of states are addressed through a chronological and thematic global approach. Mastery of this content helps students learn to view the world through various social sciences - as geographers, historians, political scientists, economists, anthropologists, and sociologists.
Honors Modern World History
Modern World History is a continuation of both Early World History and World Studies for second-year students of Social Studies. Modern World History approaches global history from a chronological approach, covering 1500 C.E. to the present. Themes of global encounters and interactions are emphasized throughout the course as intellectual and social movements, the role of world religions, empire-building, colonization, independence movements, and the impact of wars are discussed throughout various geographic areas and over different chronological periods. Analysis of primary sources, use of the historical method, and writing for the Social Sciences are skills emphasized in this course.
Advanced Placement World History
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. The course emphasizes relevant factual knowledge deployed in conjunction with leading interpretive issues and types of historical evidence. It also builds on an understanding of cultural, institutional, and technological precedents that, along with geography, set the human stage. Periodization, explicitly discussed, forms an organizing principle for dealing with change and continuity throughout the course. Specific themes provide further organization to the course, along with the consistent attention to contacts among societies that form the core of world history as a field of study.
(apcentral.collegeboard.com)
AP recommendation required for sophomores and seniors
Honors U.S. History
U. S. History offers students a survey of the major social, political, cultural, and economic movements from colonial times to the modern day. While the course is a survey course, recurring themes and ideologies resonate throughout the course, including diversity, identity, expansion, (in) tolerance, and alternative histories. Students will also fulfill state requirements for the Constitution test as part of the class.
Advanced Placement U.S. History
AP U. S. History is a demanding introduction to American History and culture that assumes a high level of interest and competence on the part of the student. Because this course is similar to a first-year college course, students should expect a heavier workload than most regular high school history courses. The analytical thinking, writing, and reading skills that students develop in AP US History will equip them for college and life-long learning.
Advanced Placement Government and Politics
AP Government and Politics is a combination of two separate courses. The first course, AP US Government and Politics, is a semester long examination of the United States Government. The course focuses on the philosophical underpinnings of the Constitution. Units on The Constitution, Federalism, Public Participation in Politics, Public Policy, Institutions and various other units of study prepare students for the Advanced Placement exam. This semester long course is meant to be the equivalent of a semester long introductory college course in U.S. Government and Politics.
The 2nd Semester of AP Government and Politics is devoted to a separate course in Comparative Government and Politics. This course examines the major institutions and policy issues of Britain, France, Russia, China and Mexico. The course is organized around a six-core theme that serves as the backdrop for the study of each country. The themes are history and political culture, social divisions, the formal structures of government, forms of participation, leadership groups and policy issues. This course is similarly meant to serve as the equivalent of a semester long introductory course in Comparative Government and Politics.
AP Recommendation required
Advanced Placement European History
The AP course in European History is intended for qualified students who wish to complete studies in secondary school equivalent to college introductory courses in European history. The study of European history since 1450 introduces students to cultural, economic, political, and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live. Without this knowledge, we would lack the context for understanding the development of contemporary institutions, the role of conflict and continuity in present-day society and politics, and the evolution of current forms of artistic expression and intellectual discourse. In addition to providing a basic narrative of events and movements, the goals of the AP program in European History are to develop (a) an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European history, (b) an ability to analyze historical evidence, and (c) an ability to analyze and to express historical understanding in writing. (collegeboad.com/ap)
AP Recommendation required
Honors Afro American History
This course considers the African Diaspora that was created during the periods of exploration and colonization and takes fresh look at old views regarding African American history in the United States.
Honors Twentieth Century Global Conflicts
Twentieth century global conflicts aims to provide the necessary historical background to current conflicts and their historical antecedents. The course is designed to make complex historical phenomenon understandable as well as to demonstrate to students the range of options that existed which could have significantly altered the course of the 20th century. In the end, the course hopes to foster active engagement in global affairs by the student population as well as improve civic judgment. Each quarter will investigate a major problem during the 20th century. Over the course of the quarter the students will research places and events that highlighted that problem. Among the possible problems to be studied are: famine, global capitalism, Marxism, Imperialism, Ecological devastation, Immigration, Science and Mass Destruction, Genocide, etc.
Course requires junior or senior standing
Honors History of Europe
This course presents a chronological and thematic survey of Europe from the Late Middle Ages to the present. The course will include such topics as the Renaissance and Reformation, the French and Industrial Revolutions, the two world wars, the Cold War and their roles in the development of Europe.
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Kristen Benson
Char Ashley
Sam Borde
Katherine Chuu
Jeff Fleming
Valerie Gemskie
Adria Mitchell
Luis Menacho
Kyle Westbrook
COURSES
Honors World Studies
Honors Modern World History
Advanced Placement World History
Honors U.S. History
Advanced Placement U.S. History
Advanced Placement Government and Politics
Advanced Placement European History
Honors Afro American History
Honors Twentieth Century Global Conflicts
Honors History of Europe
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