Social Studies

World Studies is an integrated class, designed for sophomore students, which incorporates World History and a foundation level English course into a two‐period block class. World History from the French Revolution to the present day is the context in which the class operates. It uses appropriate literature from the major continents and civilizations of the world to integrate into the study of world history. A major emphasis is placed on writing, including essays, term papers, and short theses. A determined effort is made to insure that diverse cultural perspectives are incorporated in all units of study.

In this course, students, through thematic units, will primarily focus on the history of the United States in the 20^th Century. After a brief review unit that covers the Colonization of North America to the Civil War, the class will examine the “origin stories” from the diverse group of people that would become “Americans.” The course also looks at the rise of industrialism and the response to it. In the second semester the course will feature units on “The American Dream” (the struggle for equal rights) and “American Empire” (the U.S. at war and in peace). 

Recommendation: Students should have earned a “B” or better in their previous history class and have strong writing skills.

This survey course gives students a thorough grounding in facts, and goes on to examine the significance of facts, their contexts, as well as their causes and results. This course is designed to provide students with the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and material in United States history. Students learn how to read historical material analytically and critically, to weigh historical evidence and interpretations and to arrive at conclusions on the basis of facts. Students should expect a steady and heavy load of reading from the text book, in addition to Document Based and Free Response essays that put particular demands on historical knowledge and the ability to make and prove a historical argument. Unlike the mainstream US History course, where there is single focus on the US in the 20th Century, AP US History covers the entire scope of our history, from the Amerindian settlements to contemporary American issues. The course makes demands similar to those found in introductory college courses and prepares students for success on the AP US History test held in early May.

Economics

The course covers economic principles such as production, supply and demand, profits, distribution of goods, competition, money and banking, government monetary and fiscal policies, credit insurance, securities market and comparative economic systems.

US Government

The goals of this course are to give an understanding of democratic processes and an awareness of the values and social framework that support them. Major units in the course are federal government, state government, political parties and elections and selected issues of government in the United States.

Recommendation: Students should have earned a “B” or better in their previous history class and have strong writing skills.

The advanced placement course in government parallels an introductory college course in political science. The course is designed to give students a thorough understanding of and critical perspective on the system of US government politics, policy, and practices. Instruction emphasizes understanding course content by way of in‐depth research and analysis. Furthermore, students will apply their understanding of the subject matter to both historical and current political events and analyze their impact on American society. AP US Government and Politics is a tightly structured, highly demanding, fast‐paced college‐level course in which students study a year’s amount of curriculum in only one semester. Students will be required to read the college‐level textbook and supplemental readings. Expository writing will be required. Ideally, this course is really for those students who are specifically interested in government and politics.

Recommendation: Students should have earned a “B” or better in their previous history class and have strong writing skills.

The purpose of the Advanced Placement course in Economics is to give students a thorough and advanced understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the larger mixed market economic system. It places primary emphasis on the nature and functions of decision‐making by households and firms.