509/513 - World
Geography Studies
This course in cultural geography initiates the high school student’s
exploration of the various regions of the global community. The student will
identify various countries’ locations and topographies in an effort
to see how a nation’s physical geography will affect its culture. The
student then will be exposed to the various aspects of culture: social organization,
customs, history, language, the arts and literature, religion, forms of government,
and economic systems.
One semester involves the study of south Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia,
and Pacifica, while the other semester involves the study of Africa, the Middle
East, and Latin America (with Canada). The nations of Europe and of the former
Soviet Union are considered in World History (sophomore year), and the United
States of America is considered in United States History (junior year).
Grade: 9 All Year
Prerequisite: None Credit: 1
510 - World History
This course surveys world history from prehistoric times to the present. Students
will examine how
societies developed; civilizations formed and people prospered by successfully
building on the work of those before. In addition to events, inventions, art,
conflicts and culture, students will also look at the development of the world’s
great ideas and how these have come to affect the lives of people today. Since
geography has an impact on the development of all cultures socially, economically
and politically, this area will be addressed.
Grade: 10 All Year
Prerequisite: None Credit: 1
511 – World
History Honors
This course is a survey of European history emphasizing the humanities. In
examining events, art, conflicts, and culture, students will investigate the
development of the world’s great ideas and how they have come to affect
the lives of people today. The course also addresses the impact of geography
on the social, economic, and political development of cultures. World History
Honors is for the highly motivated college bound student.
Grade: 10 All Year
Prerequisite: Minimum cumulative Credit: 1
numeric average of 90% and
Departmental Approval
515 - U.S. History
This survey course examines American development from colonial times to the
present. Emphasized are the basic principles of societal and political systems,
basic qualities of individual rights, representative government, and equality
of opportunities included in the system of free enterprise. All of these qualities
are manifested in societal development and are stressed throughout the course.
The course fosters appreciation for American history and provides insights
to relationships among the people, ideology, and events that have shaped our
present-day society. Social and economic factors, sectionalism, and differing
ideologies are studied in various methodologies. This course aids students
in relating the past to the present and projecting events for the future.
Grade: 11 All Year
Prerequisite: None Credit: 1
516 - U. S. History
- Advanced Placement
The advanced placement course in American History is designed to provide students
with knowledge and analytic skills to deal critically with problems and materials
in American history. The course explores various dimensions of American societal
development with emphasis placed upon
the causes and effects of such major events as the American Revolution, the
Civil War and the Great Depression. U.S. History AP is for the motivated,
college bound student and includes a considerable amount of lecture material.
Students learn to assess historical material and determine its importance,
reliability, and relevance to an interpretive problem. Course work assists
the student in developing the skills necessary to arrive at conclusions based
upon an informed judgment and to present those reasons and evidence clearly
and persuasively in an essay format. Students are expected to take AP examination
in May.
Grade: 11 All Year
Prerequisite: Minimum cumulative Credit: 1
average of 90% and Departmental Approval
520 - United
States Government
The course emphasizes an understanding of the U.S. CONSTITUTION and the workings
of the Federal Government; however, other specific principles are taught.
These include Foundations of Capitalism and Socialism. The necessity of informed
and involved citizens in the continuation and enhancement of our democratic
system permeates the course. Required for Graduation.
Grade: 12 One Semester
Prerequisite: U. S. History Credit: .5
525 – Criminal
Justice
This course will provide the student with an overview of the criminal justice
system. It will focus on crime and the law, roles and functions of local,
state, and federal law enforcement. It will also examine the court system
and the role of jails and prisons. Special attention will be devoted to exploring
careers in the criminal justice system.
Grade: 11- 12 One Semester
Prerequisite: None Credit: .5
535 - Economics
The goal of this one-semester course is to understand the organization and
operation of the American free enterprise economy such that the student is
able not only to participate knowledgeably in a market system but also to
assess the economic ramifications of political initiatives. Primary focus
will be on the principles of economics that apply to an economic system as
a whole. The course places particular emphasis on the study of national income
and price determination, measures of economic performance, economic growth
with emphasis on the impacts of monetary and fiscal policies, and international
economics. Required for Graduation.
Grade: 12 One Semester
Prerequisite: U. S. History Credit: .5
530 - Psychology
This course is a broad survey of psychology as a social science and is divided
into three parts. In the first part, the history and the "major schools"
of psychology are considered. Important background knowledge of human development
is studied in the second. Finally, this foundation is used to examine such
topics as personality, learning and motivation social psychology, abnormalcy
and treatment, and growth towards personal fulfillment. The course focuses
on the student's cognitive understanding and on the student's ability to apply
this to his/her experience.
Grade: 11-12 One Semester
Prerequisite: None Credit: .5
531 – Psychology
– Advanced Placement
The Advanced Placement course in Psychology introduces students to the systematic,
scientific study of behavior and mental processes in humans and other animals.
Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena
associated with each of the major sub fields within psychology. Students learn
methods used by psychologists in their science and practice. Major areas of
study include biological bases of behavior, motivation, emotions, developmental
psychology, personality, abnormal behavior, treatment, and learning.
Grade: 11-12 All Year
Prerequisite: Minimum cumulative Credit: 1
average of 85% and
Departmental Approval
540 - Sociology
This course will help students to gain a new perspective for looking at themselves
in the world. By adopting a sociological view, students are able to look beyond
commonly held beliefs to the hidden meanings behind human actions. This perspective
will give students insight into how our social environment shapes them and
how they in turn can shape their social environment.
Grade: 10-12 One Semester
Prerequisite: None Credit: .5
