3.0 credits are required for graduation.
Per state guidelines, American Government and Economics are required for graduation.
All Advanced Placement courses require B average in Semester 1 and 2 in subject areas.
World Cultures 1 and 2
9
World Cultures uses the Big History Project curriculum. Big History is the study of the history of the universe and humanity, from the Big Bang through the future. The course focuses on key “turning point” moments in the evolution of the universe and human history to help students better understand the world and their place in it, as well as emphasizing skills including disciplinary and interdisciplinary thinking, claims testing, informational reading, and analytical writing.
(REQUIRED of all FRESHMEN)
United States History 1 and 2
10
Students will study the history of the United States from the 1870's to the turn of the 21st century. A rapid review of the Civil War and Reconstruction periods is followed by an examination of the Gilded Age, the Populist Movement, Imperialism and Progressivism. Students will then examine the First World War, the roaring 20's, the Great Depression, the Second World War, and the tremendous political and social transformations of the Cold War era.
(An American history class is required for graduation)
American Government
11
This is a basic survey American Government course. This is an American Government course, which is designed to introduce to you the major concepts of the US government and how it functions. The development and evolution of the American Constitution and form of government consequently will be the ultimate focus of this course. Throughout the balance of this course, students will learn how to engage in informed decision making as a citizen. This class will first focus on the foundations and roots of the government, and then we will discover how the government is structured and functions.
(A government course is required for graduation)
(ONE SEMESTER CLASS)
Online Summer American Government
11
This is a basic survey American Government course. This is an American Government course, which is designed to introduce to you the major concepts of the US government and how it functions. The development and evolution of the American Constitution and form of government consequently will be the ultimate focus of this course. Throughout the balance of this course, students will learn how to engage in informed decision making as a citizen. This class will first focus on the foundations and roots of the government, and then we will discover how the government is structured and functions.
This course will be conducted on a PowerSchool Learning page, email, and periodic class meetings.
(This course fulfills the government requirement and is GPA calculated)
(There is a $200 non-refundable fee for this summer class.)
Economics
10 11 12
Economics introduces students to the basic principles of both macroeconomics and microeconomics. Areas studied will include basic economic principles, measures of economic performance, supply and demand, fiscal and monetary policy. Students will make use of both concepts and graphical analysis to explain economic concepts.
(ALL STUDENTS are REQUIRED to take one Semester of Economics.)
(ONE SEMESTER CLASS)
Online Summer Economics
10 11 12
Economics provides the tools necessary to understand the impact of our economic choices. This course provides an overview of both macroeconomics and microeconomics. You will learn about the law of supply and demand, economics of business, industry structure, international trade, exchange rates, inflation, unemployment, and fiscal and monetary policy. In addition, you will be able to analyze the effects of choices made on the individual, local, state, national, and global levels as they relate to the marketplace and the allocation of scarce resources.
This is a self-paced online course, all assignments are due by the indicated due date, you may turn assignments in early. The syllabus will show weekly lecture topics, assignments, and discussions. Please plan to spend at least 3-4 hours per week on this course. While you may be able to turn many assignments in early, some discussions require commenting or responding to other students’ posts.
One Note Notebooks will be utilized for course and assignment organization. Note taking, homework, essay’s, etc., will be completed in One Note. Each student will have a One Note Notebook which will be checked weekly for progress and completion per the course calendar.
(This course fulfills the economics requirement and is GPA calculated)
(There is a $200 non-refundable fee for this summer class.)
Psychology
10 11 12
This course provides content relating to relevant practical uses of psychology in everyday life. It will provide students with opportunities to develop critical thinking skills as they explore topics such as adolescence, testing, stress, abnormal behavior, memory and thought, and human interaction.
(ONE SEMESTER CLASS)
Law
11 12
This course will emphasize the purpose, function, and activity of the American courts. Lecture, discussion, case briefs, and mock trials will be included in each section of material. Students will study units covering general law, criminal procedure, crimes against persons, property, and torts.
(ONE SEMESTER CLASS)
IB Economics SL
11 12
IB Economics is a college level course which explores the functioning of the national and worldwide economy. Students will learn the various measurements of national income, operation of the circular flow, the causes of inflation and unemployment, the operation of the Federal Reserve, and the importance of international trade. Special emphasis is placed on the importance of monetary and fiscal policy on the national and international economy. This course stresses graphical analysis and other problem- solving techniques.
(PREREQUISITE: "B" in both semesters of AP US HISTORY OR "A" in both semesters of AMERICAN HISTORY)
(The IB Economics exam is REQUIRED)
(This course fulfills the Economics requirement for graduation)
AP Macroeconomics
11 12
AP Macroeconomics is a year-long college course that will explore the functioning of the national and international economy. Topics will include the measures of macroeconomic performance, the Aggregate Supply/Aggregate Demand Model, fiscal and monetary policies, international trade, and currency exchange rates. Throughout the course, students will be expected to demonstrate high level critical thinking and graphing skills.
(PREREQUISITE: “B+” IN REGULAR ECONOMICS IF TAKEN BUT THIS CLASS FULFILLS THE ECONOMICS REQUIREMENT).
(The College Board Advanced Placement exam is REQUIRED.)
*AP testing fee required by the Advanced Placement College Board
AP United States History 1 and 2
10
This advanced level course follows the College Board’s Advanced Placement curriculum framework to teach historical thinking skills and major U.S. History topics from 1491 to present.
The course will make use of a variety of primary and secondary texts. Students will build a
base of historical knowledge as well as develop interpretation, analytical, and historical writing skills.
(PREREQUISITES: Grade of "B+" in both semesters of World Cultures, grade of "A-" in
Composition or "B" Honors Composition, OR approval of History instructor)
(The College Board Advanced Placement exam is REQUIRED.)
(FULFILLS the SOPHOMORE U.S. History requirement.)
*AP testing fee required by the Advanced Placement College Board
IB History HL 1 and 2
11
This course is the first year of a two-year course that will explore the impact of historical development at national, regional and international levels. Students will further understand the present upon reflection of the past and will comprehend history as a discipline through the critical evaluation of historical data, information, and opinions. This course will promote the intercultural awareness and understanding that are necessary for global citizens. History HL is a world history course but will concentrate on the 20th century history of Europe.
(PREREQUISITES: "B" in both semesters in A.P. U.S. History and / or recommendation of Department)
IB History HL 3 and 4
12
This course is a continuation of IB History HL 1 and 2 and will explore the impact of historical development at national, regional and international levels. Students will further understand the present upon reflection of the past and will comprehend history as a discipline through the critical evaluation of historical data, information, and opinions. This course will promote the intercultural awareness and understanding that are necessary for global citizens. History HL is a world history course but will concentrate on the causes and effects of the 2nd World War as well as the People Republic of China from 1949-1976. All students in IB History are required to take the May IB History exam.
(PREREQUISITE: "B" in IB History HL 1
*IB testing fee charged to non-diploma program students
AP European History 1 and 2
11 12
This is a college level course for students with interest in an introductory background in European History. Students will examine major European political, economic, intellectual, social, and religious movements from the Renaissance to modern times. Students will use a college text, interpret documents, and write analytical and evaluative essays.
(PREREQUISITES: "B" in both semesters of US History or AP US History)
(The College Board Advanced Placement exam is REQUIRED.)
*AP testing fee required by the Advanced Placement College Board
AP Psychology 1 and 2
11 12
This course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings. Students will be exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology.
(PREREQUISITES: "B" in both semesters of US History or AP US History)
(The College Board Advanced Placement exam is REQUIRED.)
*AP testing fee required by the Advanced Placement College Board
IB SL Psychology
11 12
The SL IB Diploma Programme psychology course is designed to allow for in-depth analysis, evaluation and consolidation of learning. The overall aim of the course is to give students a deeper understanding of the nature and scope of psychology. Teachers are encouraged to find ways of delivering the course that are most relevant to their students’ interests and to the school’s resources. This course should be taught in an integrated way, as the different parts of the syllabus complement each other. This will allow students to make comparisons and evaluate different psychological theories and arguments. The class will be divided into 5 sections: Biological perspective, Cognitive perspective, Social Cultural perspective, Abnormal psychology and the Internal Evaluation.
(The IB SL Psychology exam is Required)
(PREREQUISITES: "B" in both semesters of US History or AP US History)
*IB testing fee is required by the International Baccalaureate.
Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
11 12
TOK is a course that examines the origins, methods, and validity of various Areas of
Knowledge and Ways of Knowing: How do we know? How do we know what we know is true? It is a thoughtful reflection on what students claim to know and believe and what others profess as knowledge.
There is not a single prescribed TOK curriculum, but there is a Subject Guide with suggested questions for each part of the course. Because TOK is inquiry-based, information is not conveyed as it might be in other courses, but new terms may be introduced such as deduction, paradigm, correlation, objectivity, etc. The teacher develops the course with reference to the Subject Guide, and ideally, after attendance at one or more TOK workshops and consultation with other teachers in the school.
There is an externally assessed essay written on one of ten Prescribed Topics (PT) and an internally assessed component currently called a Presentation (on a knowledge issue). The PT's are sent to the teacher at the start of the year. The Presentation component is meant to allow students to express their understanding of problems of knowledge in ways other than the written essay. Ideally, the topic of a presentation should feature "knowledge at work in the world".
When students reflect on their learning in the other subjects, they are not necessarily faultfinding or challenging their teachers. The spirit of inquiry is meant to carry over into more appreciative ways of looking at other subjects around the IB hexagon. In TOK, there may not be right or wrong answers, but there are standards for judgment in the defense of knowledge claims. Critical thinking can only take place where there is a substantive core of ideas to explore and criteria for the evaluation of their expression.
In sum, TOK has an aim, i.e., to engage students in reflection on, and in the questioning of, the bases of knowledge. It discusses Natural Sciences, Human Sciences, History, the Arts, Ethics, and Mathematics. There is a central question: How do we know that a given assertion is true, or given judgment is well grounded? It examines the key ways of knowing: Emotion, Reason, Language, and Perception. It examines the nature of knowledge claims, problems of knowledge, knowledge issues and the thinking skills necessary to exercise linkages between areas of knowledge.
(ONLY IB Diploma Programme students may register for TOK.)
AP Comparative Government and Politics
11 12
This course will introduce students to the major comparative political concepts and themes in the world today. Careful analysis and comparison of political systems and policies will help students understand the typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences. The major themes covered include an introduction to Comparative politics, the different types of political regimes, the role of the government in the economy, advantages and drawbacks of different political systems, globalization, citizenship, and social issues. The course focuses on the political changes, ideals, and policies in multiple countries. For more comparative approach, students will be introduced to the basics of the American governmental system as well.
(PREREQUISITES: "B" in both semesters of U.S. History or A.P. U.S. History)
(The College Board Advanced Placement exam is REQUIRED)
(This course fulfills the Government requirement.)
*AP testing fee required by the Advanced Placement College Board
Investigating History: Culture through Myth
11 12
The purpose of this course is to examine universal themes of life such as birth, marriage, death and family through world mythology. Through the study of mythology, students will examine how the ancients viewed their place in the world and how these themes are prevalent today. Topics will include gods and creation myths, heroes, the journey to the underworld, and monsters in Greek, Egyptian and multiple mythologies.
(ONE SEMESTER COURSE)
AP Art History
11 12
This course is designed to provide students the equivalent of an introductory college art history course including the understanding and knowledge of architecture, sculpture, painting, and other art forms within diverse historical and cultural contexts. Students will examine and critically analyze examples of artistic expression from the past and the present and from a variety of cultures. Students will also look at works in the context of their time of creation and in relation to other works of art. Although there are no course prerequisites, the course requires a commitment to academic work and students who have done well in other humanities courses (history, literature) or visual art courses are encouraged to enroll.
(PREREQUISITES: "B" in both semesters in U.S. History or A.P. U.S. History) (The College Board Advanced Placement exam is REQUIRED.)
*AP testing fee required by the Advanced Placement College Board
IB Environmental Science
11 12
The Environmental Systems and Societies course regards the economic, historical, cultural, socio-political, and scientific elements of environmental issues while providing a holistic perspective. The course promotes understanding of environmental processes at a variety of scales from local to global; provides a body of knowledge, methodologies and skills that can be used in the analysis of environmental issues at local and global levels thereby enabling the application of such knowledge; promotes critical awareness of a diversity of cultural perspectives; recognizes the extent to which technology plays a role in both causing and solving environmental problems; appreciates that human society is both directly and indirectly linked to the environment at a number of levels and a variety of scales. This course is considered trans-disciplinary, placed both in the Science department as well as the Social Studies department. Therefore, this course fulfills a credit requirement for either department, but not both. All students are required to take the IB examination at the end of the year. The internal assessment for this course is based on one independent research lab report (approximately 10-12 pages / 10 hours of class time provided).
(This course is open to both Junior/Senior, IB and non-IB students.)
(PREREQUISITE: grade of 73% or better in semesters 1 and 2 of Chemistry or Honors Chemistry or Physics.)
*IB testing fee charged to non-diploma program students
Current Issues
10 11 12
Current Issues examines current world, national, and local events. Students will study the news to understand how and why events happen and how these events affect them. The class will require the students to become critical and analytical thinkers on issues that affect America and America’s place in the world. Major issues may include the news media and bias, politics including local and national elections, global economy, education, and foreign affairs.
(ONE SEMESTER COURSE)
Forensic Psychology
11 12
Forensic psychology addresses the application of psychological research, methods, and expertise to issues that come before the legal system. Some topics include:
Discovering the truth about forensic psychology, exploring the criminal world, providing expert evidence, interviewing witnesses and victims, exploring liars and detecting deception, profiling offenders, understanding victims, preventing crime, measuring, testing and assessing offenders psychologically, diagnosing evil and the criminal mind, giving guidance in legal proceedings, psychological aspects of the legal process, intervening to rehabilitate offenders, dealing with violence, treating sexual offenders, and working with juvenile offenders.
(ONE SEMESTER COURSE)
American Culture
11 12
The American Culture class will focus on 20th and 21st century American culture. The course will focus on the relevant history and how the history influences culture and how culture influences history. The course will focus on the cultural relevance of art, music, sports, movies, literature, fads, media, food, technology, fashion, and a myriad of other topics that will open up the students’ eyes to a time gone by. The class will also discuss how we can compare the culture of America to the culture of other similar and very different cultures in the world.
(ONE SEMESTER COURSE)