SOCIAL SCIENCE

WORLD CULTURE AND GEOGRAPHY
Grade Level: 9
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed to facilitate a sociological, cultural and geographical study of regions and civilizations around the world. The course will focus on issues of geography, culture, behavior, diversity, and tolerance. Students will be expected to demonstrate their mastery of their listening, reading, and writing, researching, studying and communication skills.
Students will begin with an introduction to the physical world, early civilizations, and the meaning of culture. Throughout the course students may explore such issues as: cultures, societies, and the relationships among countries on the seven continents. Regions of the world, which may be covered, include: North America, Latin America, Africa, South America, Pacific Rim and Asia. Topics may include Climates, natural resources, family structure, educational systems, religions, political systems, economic systems, art and literature.

WORLD HISTORY(p)
Grade Level: 10óOne year requirement
Prerequisite: None
The primary goals of the course are to foster a global view of the modern world, to examine the relationship between current issues/crises and their historical, geographic, political, economic and cultural context, and to aid in the development of participation skills, critical thinking skills and basic study skills, as described in the State Framework.

UNITED STATES HISTORY(p)
Grade Level: 11óOne-year requirement
Prerequisite: None
The Course focuses on the history of ideals, traditions and institutions that are uniquely American and on the manner in which they have influenced the role of the United States in the world.  A thematic and a chronological approach is employed to allow students to comprehend the relationship between past and present.  In addition, the impact of geography on patterns of resources and on the development of particular institutions is traced throughout the course.

THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE(p) (U.S. History and American Literary Heritage)
Grade Level: 11óOne-year requirement
Prerequisite: None
This interdisciplinary study American History and American literary masterpieces explores the spirit of the United States through its rich historical past and its great literary influences.  The period from the founding of the American nation to the present day is explored via critical and interpretive writing and historical analysis. Satisfies both requirements for US History and American Literature.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT AMERICAN HISTORY(p)
Grade Level 11
Prerequisites: Grade of A in World History and English II grades of B+ or better: Teacher recommendations and AP Teacher approval
This course is the equivalent of a full-year introductory college level course.  The program stresses a balance between obtaining a command of systematic factual knowledge and analyzing that knowledge critically.  This advanced placement course meets the high school U.S. History graduation requirement.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT(p)
Grade Level: 12óOne Semester Requirement
Prerequisite: None
This course focuses on the study of the foundations of American government, the American political process, and the nature of civil rights and responsibilities.  Students will analyze policies, institutions and issues to reach an understanding of political behavior and to become informed citizens with the ability to make political decisions.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT AMERICAN GOVERNMENT (p)
Grade Level: 12
Prerequisites: U.S. History and English III grades of A- or better: Teacher recommendations and AP Teacher approval
This course focuses on the content of American Government and challenges students to critically analyze political policies, institutions and issues.  It includes an integrated study of economics and meets the high school American Government and Economics requirements.

ECONOMICS (p)
Grade Level: 12óOne Semester Requirement
Prerequisite: None
This course offers an explanation of economics through a balanced treatment of theory, problems and policy.  Students will gain an understanding of how the American economic system operates and will examine their own role in that system.  Their studies will focus on comparing economic systems, on understanding how finite resources are used to satisfy wants, and on learning to make reasoned judgments about economic issues.

SPECIALLY DESIGNED WORLD HISTORY
Grade Level: 10
Prerequisite: ELD Level 4
This full year course offers a similar curriculum to the yearlong World History class, but is designed for English Language Development students.

SPECIALLY DESIGNED UNITED STATES HISTORY
Grade Level: 11
Prerequisite: ELD Level 4
This full-year course offers a similar curriculum to the year-long U.S. History class, but is designed for the English Language Development students.

SPECIALLY DESIGNED GOVT./ECONOMICS
Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: ELD 4
This course offers a similar curriculum to the year-long Government/Economics class , but is designed for the English Language Development student.