SOCIAL  class offerings/descriptions

Course #21  Intro to Social Science & Citizenship    2credits/1st&2nd semester    Grad Stand: Career investigation; Traditions in Society
This class will be the prerequisite for social studies classes offered in grades 10-12.  The following unites will be taught: Critical thinking and study skills;  Introduction to government and the Constitution;  The three branches of government;  The Bill of Rights;  State and local government;  Citizenship and community involvement;  Careers and assessing the future; and Introduction to other social sciences: psychology, sociology, anthropology and economics.
Prerequisite    required        Grade Elig:  9

Course #22  Growth of Democracy in America  1 credit/1st semester    Grad Stand: Themes of US History (task 1,2,3)
This survey class of American History will emphasize the importance of political and economic policy in the United States.  The following units will be covered:  Review of colonial times;  Civil war;  The wild west;  Industrial revolution and its effects;  Progressive era. 
The Grad Standard, Themes of US History, will be met with the Profile Package called Themes Through History.  Four of the six tasks will be completed in this first semester class. Task one is a test to see if the student understands the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution and the US Constitution.  Task two is a Historical Essay in which the student follows a theme in describing migration to America.  Task three has students demonstrating an understanding of Expansion, the Civil War and Reconstruction by writing a story through the eyes of a person living at that time.  Task four of the standard asks students to show understanding of tribal sovereignty and the relationship between American Indian tribal governments and Federal and State governments by doing a news broadcast and analysis of an even, battle or treaty.  This is done w/a partner.
Prerequisite    required        Grade Elig: 10

Course #23    Twentieth Century American History    1 credit/2nd semester    Grad Stand: Themes of US History (task 4,5)
The survey class of American History will emphasize the importance of political and economic policy in the United States.  The following units will be covered:  World War I;  Depression and World War II;  Cold War:  Vietnam War and Civil Rights Movement;  End of the Cold War.  We will finish the last two tasks to meet the Grad Standard, Themes of US History.  Task five will have the student produce a creative timeline (traditional, portfolio video documentary, power point presentation, website, or magazine, etc)  With this task the student will demonstrate an understanding of industrialization, the emergence of modern America, and the Great Depression, World War II to the present.  Task six will have each student create a historical movie poster modeled after a typical Hollywood poster.  A written summary showing how the movie will portray the event will be handed in with the poster.
Prerequisite    Growth & Democracy        Grade Elig: 10

Course #24  Western Civilization    1 credit/1st semester    Grad Stand: Diverse Perspectives
Review of the history of Western Civilizations and how our culture evolved.  Topics include the following:  Early man and ancient civilization;  Greek and Roman empire;  Middle ages, renaissance and reformation;  Three great religions;  Modern times.
Prerequisite                                Grade Elig:  11

Course #25  Regional Studies & Third World Nations     1 credit/2nd semester    Grad Stand: Human geography
This is a survey course reviewing the culture, history and geography of Asia and Africa.  Also, in conjunction w/the counselor's office a two week "careers unit" will deal w/the 'nuts and bolts' of selecting a post-secondary school, the ACT, scholarships, etc.  The major topics explored in this class will include:  Middle Easter history, culture and geography;  Russian history, culture and geography;  Chinese history, culture and geography;  Southeast Asian and Indian history, culture and geography;  Black African history, culture and geography;  Careers;  Computer project-power point presentation.
Prerequisite                                Grade Elig:  11

Course #26    American Government    1 credit/1st&2nd semester        Grad Stand:  US Citizenship/Community Interaction
This class will review the major tenants of the political system of the United States.  The major topics to be covered will include:  Origins of government and functions of democracy;  The US Constitution;  Political parties and voting;  Interest groups and lobbying;  The three branches of government.  There are two Grad Standards we will be working on in American Government.  Community/Interaction involves doing 20 hours of community service.  US Citizenship is divided into three tasks.  In task one students will demonstrate an understanding of documents that brought about our form of government and relate it to rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy.  Task two required students to write a litter to a Congressmen or legislator explaining their position on an issue they have researched and a recommendation for action.  Task three is a group project in which four students form an interest group, thoroughly research an issue and present their findings to a governing body (real or role play).
Prerequisite                                Grade Elig:  11-12

Course #27    Economics    1 credit/1st&2nd semester        Grad Stand:  Economic Systems
This is a survey course exploring both macro and micro economics.  The class will cover the following topics:  Foundations of capitalism and free enterprise;  Entrepreneurship;  Supply and demand, opportunity cost theories;  International trade and federal reserve.
Prerequisite                            Grade Elig:  12

Course #29    Psychology        1 credit/1st&2nd semester        Grad Stand:  none
This is an elective class designed to address the needs of students interested in the study of psychology.  Topics covered in this class include:  Methods used by psychologists; Learning and personality theories;  Stress and conflict resolutions;  Psychological disorders;  Methods of therapy;  Death and dying issues.
Prerequisite       elective        Grade Elig:  11-12