Scope and Sequence

Ninth Grade:

Human Geography

At the heart of the course, is the belief that students should understand the organization of their world, and its effects, as well as their role in the sustainability of the future. Content is presented thematically rather than regionally and is organized around the discipline’s main subfields: economic, cultural, political, and developmental geography. The approach is spatial and problem oriented. Case studies are drawn from all world regions, with an emphasis on understanding the world in which we live today. Students look at the impacts of phenomena such as globalization and human–environment relationships on places, regions, and cultural landscapes. Students enrolled in this course will investigate problems of economic development and cultural change, population change and growth, the impacts of technology, as well as struggles over political power and control of territory. In addition, students will study the inequalities between developed and developing economies and the role of humans in shaping Earth’s landscapes.

Advanced Placement Human Geography

The AP Human Geography course presents high school students with the curricular equivalent of an introductory college-level course in human geography or cultural geography. Content is presented and is organized around the following themes: economic geography, cultural geography, political geography, and urban geography. Students are encouraged to participate in assignments and activities involving critical thinking and problem-solving. Case studies are drawn from all world regions, with an emphasis on understanding the world in which we live today. Historical information serves to enrich the analysis and impact of globalization, colonialism, and human–environment relationships on places, regions, cultural landscapes, and patterns of interaction.  Students enrolled in this course will investigate problems of economic development and cultural change, population change and growth, the impacts of technology, as well as struggles over political power and control of territory.  In addition, students will study the inequalities between developed and developing economies and the role of humans in shaping Earth’s landscapes.

Tenth Grade:

Global Studies:

Course Description: This course is an inquiry into Global studies through a historical lens (1750 -1945) that includes American perspective. In this course, students will be examining different developments politically, socially, and economically. Some of the topics will  include Revolutions, the Industrial Age, Reconstruction,  Imperialism, Nationalism, World War I, the Great Depression and World War II.  The students will engage in an examination of primary source documents, debates, simulations, Socratic circles, internet based assignments, and research projects.  The attempt is to critically analyze past events and developments in order to think and act as a responsible and productive global citizen. Skills to be stressed: geography skills, reading comprehension, research and writing, effective use of technology, expanding cultural awareness, and sharpening critical thinking skills and habits of mind.

Advanced Placement World History: Modern

The AP World History Modern course focuses on developing students’ understanding of world history from approximately 1200 C.E. to the present. The course has students investigate the content of world history for significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in six historical periods, and develop and use the same thinking skills and methods employed by historians when they study the past. There is a focus on analyzing primary and secondary resources, making historical comparisons, chronological reasoning and understanding different points of view. The course focuses on Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. The course is based on the following five themes: 1) interaction between humans and the environment; 2) development and interaction of cultures; 3) state building, expansion and conflict; 4) creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems; 5)development and transformation of social structures.

Eleventh Grade:

 United States in a Global Society

This course is an inquiry into American studies through a historical lens (1945 - Present) that includes a global perspective.  In this course, students will be examining different developments politically, socially, and economically. Some of the topics will  include the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movements, the Vietnam Era, Conservative Movements, Economic Globalization and other events of the 21st century.  Students will engage in an examination of primary source documents, debates and simulations, Socratic circles, internet based assignments, and research projects will be incorporated into the course.  Students will be prepared to think critically and to analyze historical and current events and developments in order to think and act as a responsible and productive global citizen.

Advanced Placement United States History

This year-long introductory college-level course in United States history prepares students for success on the optional advanced placement national exam.  Students study the social, political,and economic history of the United States chronologically from the period just prior to European contact through the present.  Students develop their analytical history skills through extensive reading and writing assignments. Assessments will include the different components of the AP exam,  class discussions, and research projects. This course is taught as a college-level course; consequently, students should expect reading and writing homework almost every night. A score of three (3) or higher on the A.P. exam can earn a student advanced credit at some colleges and universities.

Twelfth and Social Studies Electives

IB History of the Americas Year 1 and 2

The History of the Americas course is a two-year course, which will include a study of global history and issues, with an emphasis on Canada, Latin America, and the United States.  Students will study a variety of historical periods and events, including the Great Depression, World War 2, the Cold War, and civil rights and civil liberties. This course is designed to promote and enhance a student’s critical thinking skills, and to allow students to learn history by investigating multiple perspectives and making comparisons over time.

IB/Advanced World Religions

The World Religions course seeks to promote respect for the diversity of religious beliefs, both locally and globally, with the aim of enhancing international and inter-religious understanding. This course will utilize historical and religious facts and experiences in order to engage students in an academic study of world religions. Each year, students will examine five to seven different world religions for the purpose of gaining a greater understanding of diverse religious and cultural perspectives. The course will be organized and structured around three fundamental questions which include: (1) What is the human condition? (2) Where are we going? (3) How do we get there?.

 Advanced Placement Comparative Government 

AP Comparative Government and Politics: college level course which introduces students to the rich diversity of political life outside the United States. The course uses a comparative approach to examine the political structures; policies; and political, economic, and social challenges of six selected countries: China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Students compare the effectiveness of approaches to many global issues by examining how different governments solve similar problems. They will also engage in disciplinary practices that require them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments.

 Advanced Placement Early European History 

This semester-long advanced elective in European history covers the period from the Renaissance through the Napoleonic Wars. Students are expected to take notes, carry out individual and small-group research projects, participate in class discussions and analyses, develop and refine essay-writing skills, and successfully answer both objective and essay-test questions. The course will focus on the following themes: interaction of Europe and the world, poverty and prosperity, objective knowledge and subjective visions, states and institutions of power; and individuals in society. Four categories of historical thinking skills are developed in the course: chronological reasoning; comparison and contextualization; crafting historical arguments from historical evidence; and historical interpretation and synthesis. Students who plan to take the Advanced Placement Exam in May are advised to register for both semester-long courses: Advanced Placement Early European History 1450-1815 and Advanced Placement Recent European History 1815-Present. 

Advanced Placement Recent European History 1815-Present 

This semester-long advanced elective in European history covers the period from the Congress of Vienna to the present. Students are expected to take notes, carry out individual and small-group research projects, participate in class discussions and analyses, develop and refine essay-writing skills, and successfully answer both objective and essay-test questions. The course will focus on the following themes: interaction of Europe and the world, poverty and prosperity, objective knowledge and subjective visions, states and institutions of power; and individuals in society. Four categories of historical thinking skills are developed in the course: chronological reasoning; comparison and contextualization; crafting historical arguments from historical evidence; and historical interpretation and synthesis. Students who plan to take the Advanced Placement Exam in May are advised to register for both semester-long courses: Advanced Placement Early European History 1450-1815 and Advanced Placement Recent European History 1815-Present. 

Advanced Placement Government and Politics (US)

AP U.S. Government and Politics is an introductory college-level course in U.S. government and politics. Students cultivate their understanding of U.S. government and politics through an analysis of data and text-based sources as they explore topics like constitutionalism, liberty and order, civic participation in a representative democracy, competing policy-making interests, and methods of political analysis.

AP Psychology 

The course is designed for Seniors and Juniors who desire an academically challenging course of study in psychology.  This course helps to prepare a student for the College Board Advanced Placement Psychology Exam in the spring semester of this academic year. AP Psychology meets a single semester social studies elective requirement for seniors. The Advanced Placement Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavioral and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Students participate in a variety of activities that may include homework, classwork, discussions, large and small group projects, individual projects, vocabulary development, lectures, and case study analysis. Reading comprehension and writing skills are stressed. Particular attention is given to the development of research organizations and the application of the principles of psychology.

African American Studies

This semester-long social studies course is designed to further student knowledge of the African American experience taught from a different lens than typical survey history courses.  Students will be introduced to various thematic topics that focus on a non-traditional approach covering the journey of a slave from capture, to servitude, to emancipation, to struggles for understanding the complex meaning of freedom.  The course will also look at present-day issues, including controversial subjects that African Americans face as a legacy of slavery. At the same time, the course will emphasize that African American history is quintessentially American history. Students will be assessed on inquiry-based projects, discussions, and self-reflection.

Diversity and Social Justice

This course is designed to engage students in enriching and meaningful conversations regarding diversity, the law and social justice issues.  Through the use of case studies, individual research, group discussion and debate students will examine concepts of justice, conflict and social change.  Students will examine the cultural and historical contributions of different groups to the development of American society.  Additionally, students will explore how economics, media, and political and social institutions create challenges for achieving and addressing social justice issues.  The purpose of the course is to contribute to the development of actively engaged citizens who possess an understanding of the increasingly complex issues of the modern world.

Economics:

This semester-long course for college-bound seniors is designed for students who have an interest in the U.S. economic system and entrepreneurship. This course is a study of both Macroeconomics and Microeconomics with an emphasis placed on the practical application of economic concepts and theories. Students will be introduced to a variety of economic concepts, including economic decision-making, economic institutions, how individuals influence markets, growth and development, monetary and fiscal policy, and income inequality. Students will seek to connect common economic concepts to current events and issues. Students will be assessed through inquiry-based projects, simulations, and discussions.

IB Economics AP Microeconomics/AP Macroeconomics

The IB Economics course is a study in both macroeconomics and microeconomics, with an emphasis on applying economic concepts and theories to real-world issues. Prominent among these issues are fluctuations in economic activity, international trade, economic development and environmental sustainability. Additionally, students will engage in a study of international economies, as well as developing economies. Participants will investigate the ethical dimensions involved in applying economic policies and practices, and attention will be paid to the development of possible solutions to the economic challenges that we face as an increasingly interdependent and global society.

Issues of Modern Society: Controversy and Conversation 

This semester-long course provides students with the opportunity to engage in the critical analysis of social, political and economic issues. The course is inquiry-based and challenges students to investigate current topics or issues from multiple perspectives in an effort to better understand the diversity and complexity of issues in the modern world. Deliberative Democracy is the foundation of the course. Students will seek, through discussion and deliberation, to find common ground and to grow to understand perspectives different from their own. Students participate in a variety of learning experiences. Assessments are project-based and are designed to allow students to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.

Sociology

In this semester-long course, students study the complex relationship between groups and society.  The course focuses on the use of sociological perspectives to examine the components of culture, social inequality, social structure and institutions.  There is an academic exploration of our changing global society and modern-day challenges. 

Psychology

This 12-grade semester-long course is designed to introduce students to the systematic scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals and the biological and theoretical foundations of psychology. Students will examine the ethical practices and responsibilities of psychological inquiry and understand the biological, social, and cultural influences on human behavior.  Students will continue to develop analytical skills, conduct research, investigate the mind-body connection, analyze concepts of consciousness, analyze theories of intelligence, evaluate theories of personality, develop an understanding of psychological disorders, evaluate the role and effectiveness of treatments, and be aware of the importance of cultural diversity for understanding human behavior and interactions. Students will demonstrate their understanding of psychology through various projects, discussions, and assignments.

Business Law 1

Course description: Business Law is a semester course designed to provide students with a solid foundation in understanding the legal issues in both personal and business legal rights and duties. If you like discussing and dissecting laws, this class is for you. Topics of study include our legal system, court procedures, case law, torts, contracts, employment and how our rights line up with our constitution.  Students will conduct a mock trial using correct courtroom procedures. Any student interested in law, law enforcement, protective services, business or political science should consider this course.

Business Law 2

Business Law 2/Ethics is a semester course.  Ethics is defined as moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conduct of an activity. Companies practice or neglect ethical behavior on a daily basis. This course introduces topics such as applying moral philosophies to Business Ethics, politics, culture as a factor within ethics, social responsibility, moral dilemmas, social and media, and ethical standards within the business community. If you like debating, this class is a must. A main consideration of the course is to encourage good decision making by the students as they consider their future careers and decisions they make.