Social Studies

Human geography is the spatial analysis of human populations, their cultures, their activities and behaviors, and their relationship with, and impact on, the physical landscapes they occupy. Human Geography is presented through five major themes: Place, Region, Scale, Space, and Diffusion. Unit topics that will be covered include: Populations, Migration, Political Geography, and Resource Issues. Students will use the tools of the historian and geographer as sources, data, and analytical reading and writing take center stage in the classroom.

This class is designed to parallel college-level Human Geography courses. This class introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped how humans understand, use, and alter the earth's surface. Students use spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences and also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science practice. 

This course is a study of the forces, which have shaped the Western World since approximately 1450. Course emphasis is on the political, economic, social, religious, and scientific ideas that have changed people’s thoughts about themselves, their institutions, and their world. Major events may include the Age of Exploration, Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment, Revolutions (democratic and communist), Colonization, Industrial Revolution, Imperialism, WWI, WWII, the Cold War, and Independence movements. Geography, reading, writing and critical thinking, and analysis of primary and secondary sources will be emphasized in this course.

This course is a study of the forces, which have shaped the Western World since approximately 1450. Course emphasis is on the political, economic, social, religious, and scientific ideas that have changed people’s thoughts about themselves, their institutions, and their world. Major events may include the Age of Exploration, Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment, Revolutions (democratic and communist), Colonization, Industrial Revolution, Imperialism, WWI, WWII, the Cold War, and Independence movements. Geography, reading, writing and critical thinking, and analysis of primary and secondary sources will be emphasized in this course.

World Geography courses provide students with an overview of world geography, but may vary widely in the topics they cover. Topics typically include the physical environment; the political landscape; the relationship between people and the land; economic production and development; and the movement of people, goods, and ideas.

This course is a survey of American Civics and History from the Civil War era to the present with a focus on the emergence and development of America as a global power. The course begins with a review of the political foundations of our country, the Constitution, and the structure of our government. It then jumps to the Reconstruction Period of the late 1800s and continues forward to the present as students explore themes such as liberalism vs conservatism, reform movements, war, immigration, and foreign policy. Special emphasis is placed on the political, social, and economic forces that have shaped America and its citizens. Developing skills in reading, writing, critical thinking, and analyzing primary and secondary sources will be emphasized in this course.

This course examines the history of the United States from the colonial period to the Civil War or Reconstruction era (1865). This course includes a historical overview of political, military, cientif, and social developments. 

This course examines the history of the United States from the colonial period to the Civil War or Reconstruction era (1865). This course includes a historical overview of political, military, cientif, and social developments. 

U.S. history from Reconstruction (1865) to the present. Themes include Imperialism, Progressivism, World War I, Great Depression, World War II, the Civil Rights and Women’s Movements, the Vietnam War, recent U.S. foreign policy and political movements. 
 

U.S. history from Reconstruction (1865) to the present. Themes include Imperialism, Progressivism, World War I, Great Depression, World War II, the Civil Rights and Women’s Movements, the Vietnam War, recent U.S. foreign policy and political movements. 
 

U.S. history from Reconstruction (1865) to the present. Themes include Imperialism, Progressivism, World War I, Great Depression, World War II, the Civil Rights and Women’s Movements, the Vietnam War, recent U.S. foreign policy and political movements. 
 

This course is an introduction to the principles of Economics with a focus on issues at a personal, local, national, and global level. Major topics may include the role of government in the economy, economic systems, specialization and trade, markets and pricing, competition and market structure, economic indicators, and economic fluctuations. Emphasis is placed on application, economic decision-making, and personal finance.

Civics courses examine the general structure and functions of the three levels of government as well as compare the American government system to those of other countries. Civics focuses on the roles and responsibilities of citizens to participate in the political process, focusing on the relationship of the individual to the law and legal system, and individual rights. Students will take the Naturalization Test, register to vote, examine contemporary electoral and public policy issues at each level of government, and participate in debate and discussion. Students will address local public policy challenges by working with practitioners in the community.

Course explores contemporary world problems, economic concepts, and civic topics. 

A general introduction to psychology as the scientific study of behavior and thought; an overview of the areas of psychology and their development; methods in psychology; biological, sensory and developmental influences on behavior; physiological and cognitive components of behavior; theories of learning; a survey of theories of normal and abnormal behavior; principles of psychotherapy; personality theory and testing; and social influences.