WORLD HISTORY AND CIVILIZATION
World History and Civilization emphasizes events and developments in the past that greatly affected large numbers of people across broad areas and that significantly influenced peoples and places in subsequent eras. Key events related to people and places as well as trans-cultural interaction and exchanges are examined in this course. 45 Students are expected to compare and contrast events and developments involving diverse peoples and civilizations in different regions of the world. They will examine examples of continuity and change, universality and particularity, and unity and diversity among various peoples and cultures from the past to the present. Students are also expected to practice skills and process of historical thinking and research and apply content knowledge to the practice of thinking and inquiry skills and processes. There will be continuous and pervasive interactions of processes and content, skills and substance, in the teaching and learning of history.
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TOPICS IN HISTORY
Topics in History provides students the opportunity to study specific historical eras, events, or concepts. Development of historical research skills using primary and secondary sources is emphasized. The course focuses on one or more topics or themes related to United States or world history. Examples of topics might include: twentieth-century conflict, the American West, the history of the United States Constitution, and democracy in history.
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CURRENT PROBLEMS, ISSUES, AND EVENTS
Current Problems, Issues, and Events gives students the opportunity to apply investigative and inquiry techniques to the study of significant problems or issues. Students develop competence in recognizing cause and effect relationships, recognizing fallacies in reasoning and propaganda devices, synthesizing knowledge into useful patterns, stating and testing hypotheses, and generalizing based on evidence. Problems or issues selected will have contemporary historical significance and will be studies from the viewpoint of the social science disciplines.
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UNITED STATES HISTORY
United States History builds upon concepts developed in previous studies of US History. Students are expected to identify and review significant events, persons, and movements in the early development of the nation. The course then gives major emphasis to the interaction of key events, people, and political, economic, social, and cultural influences in national developments from the late nineteenth century through the present. Students are expected to trace and analyze chronological periods and examine the significant themes and concepts in US History. They will develop historical thinking and research skills and use primary and secondary sources to explore topical issues and to understand the cause for changes in the nation over time.
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AP UNITED STATES HISTORYWeighted Course
AP United States History is a course based on the content established by the College Board. The course has a chronological frame from 1492 to the present and focuses on multiple causation and change in US history over time. A variety of historical themes are examined in order to place the history of the United States into larger 6 analytical contexts. Students are expected to analyze and interpret primary sources and develop awareness of multiple interpretations of historical issues in secondary sources. Historical events and issues in US history are to be examined from multiple perspectives. Students must take the AP Exam in May to use this course to fulfill a requirement of the Academic Honors and Technical Honors Diplomas.
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PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology is the scientific study of mental processes and behavior. The course is divided into six content areas and uses the scientific method to explore research methods and ethical considerations. Developmental psychology takes a life span approach to physical, cognitive, language, emotional, social, and moral development. Cognitive aspects of the course focus on learning, memory, information processing, and language. Personality, assessment, and mental health topics include psychological disorders, treatment, personality, and assessment. Socio-cultural dimensions of behavior deal with topics such as conformity, obedience, perceptions, attitudes, and the influence of the group on the individual. The biological basis focuses on the way the brain and nervous system function including sensation, perception, motivation, and emotion.
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SOCIOLOGY
Sociology allows students to study human social behavior from a group perspective. The sociological perspective is a method of studying recurring patterns in people’s attitudes and actions and how these patterns vary across time, cultures, and in social settings and groups. Students will describe the development of sociology as a social science and identify methods of research. Through research methods such as scientific inquiry, students will examine society, group behavior, and social structures. The influence of culture on group behavior is addressed through institutions such as the family, religion, education, economics, community organizations, government, and political and social groups. The impact of social groups and institutions on group and individual behavior and the changing nature of society will be examined. Influences on group behavior and social problems are included in the course. Students will also analyze the role of individuals in the community and social problems in today’s world.
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ECONOMICS
Economics examines the allocation of resources and their uses for satisfying human needs and wants. The course analyzes economic reasoning used by consumers, producers, savers, investors, workers, voters, and government in making decisions. Key elements of the course include the study of scarcity and economic reasoning, supply and demand, market structures, the role of government, national income determination, the role of financial institutions, economic stabilization, and trade. Students will explain that, because resources are limited, people must make choices and understand the role that supply, demand, prices, and profits play in a market economy. The functions of government in a market economy and market structures will be examined. Students will understand economic performance, money, 7 stabilization policies, and trade of the United States. The behavior of people, societies, and institutions and economic thinking are integral to this course. This course qualifies as a quantitative reasoning course.
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AP MACROECONOMICSWeighted Course
AP Macroeconomics is a course based on the content established by the College Board. The course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determinations and also develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics. Topics include: basic economic concepts, measurement of economic performance, national income and price determination, economic growth, and international finance, exchange rates, and balance of payments. This course qualifies as a quantitative reasoning course. Students must take the AP Exam in May to use this course to fulfill a requirement of the Academic Honors and Technical Honors Diplomas.
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UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
United States Government provides a framework for understanding the purposes, principles, and practices of constitutional representative democracy in the United States. Responsible and effective participation of citizens is stressed. Students will understand the nature of citizenship, politics, and governments and understand the rights and responsibilities of citizens and how these are part of local, state, and national government. Students will examine how the US Constitution protects rights and provides the structure and functions of various levels of government. How the US interacts with other nations and the government’s role in world affairs will be examined. Using primary and secondary resources, students will articulate, evaluate, and defend positions on political issues. As a result, they will be able to explain the role of individuals and groups in governmental, political, and civic activities and the need for civic and political engagement of citizens in the United States.
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