American Studies combines AP US History and English III AP Language and Composition to create a daily two hour cultural experience enabling students to simultaneously explore the connections between literature and history. Students will explore the history of the United States with special emphasis placed on the study of rhetorical styles and structures of important historical documents and readings. This course will also have focused emphasis on the cultural accomplishments as manifested in art, architecture, literature, music, and other visual media. Students will learn and practice the craft of writing through various products, specifically focused on the essay formats necessary for success on both the AP US History and AP English Language and Composition exams. US Literature of all genres will be incorporated into the curriculum within the structure of the historical study, and used as a method of enhancing the depiction of historical time periods. At the culmination of the class, students can take both the AP US History and the AP English Language and Composition exams to possibly earn college credit.

Prerequisite: G/T Identification or AP World History recommended

What's next?  The Human Experience: Culture, Media and Perception

This elective course will emphasize the present and future world. It will be as relevant as today's events. As issues emerge, the historical, geological, political, and economic context of the area and issue involved will be studied. Thus, this course should provide an excellent vehicle for further development and application of geographic knowledge and skills. Also, through reading and reference skills, students will be required to understand how a country such as the US is organized to respond to world issues and events, making citizenship in an interdependent world a major focus.

Prerequisite: None

This course is designed to help students gain knowledge of the world's diverse political structures and practices. It encompasses the study of both specific countries and of general concepts used to interpret the key political relationships found in almost all-national politics. This course will NOT fulfill the U. S. Government requirement for graduation. This course prepares the student to take the Advanced Placement exam. This course may not be offered on all campuses.

Prerequisite: None

Economics is the study of how people and countries deal with the problem of scarcity--not enough goods and services to satisfy everyone's wants and needs. To understand this problem, students will study the market system, American business organizations, supply and demand, money and banking system, the national economy, international trade, and other economic systems.

Prerequisite: U.S. History or concurrent enrollment in U.S. History

AP Macroeconomics: This course is designed to give students an understanding of the principles of economics that apply to an economic system. The content will include analysis of economic concepts; measurement of economic performance; national income and price level determination; financial sector; inflation; unemployment and stabilization policies; economic growth and productivity; and international trade and finance. Students will have the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement examination at the conclusion of the course. This course may fulfill the graduation requirement for Economics.

AP Microeconomics: This course is designed to give students an understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision-makers, both consumers and producers, within the economic system. The content will include analysis of economic concepts; nature and function of product markets; factor markets, market failure and the role of government. Students will have the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement examination at the conclusion of the course. This course may fulfill the graduation requirement for Economics.

Prerequisite: U.S. History or concurrent enrollment in U.S. History

The course is for social studies students who demonstrate the ability and interest to study a college-level European history course. The content will include a study of the history of Europe from 1500 to the present. Analytical and research skills will be used to study primary sources and scholarly works. The student will have the opportunity to receive college credit for this course by demonstrating knowledge on an Advanced Placement examination. This course prepares the student to take the Advanced Placement exam.

Prerequisite: None

The Advanced Placement course in American Government is designed to give students a critical perspective on politics and government in the United States. This course involves both the studies of general concepts used to interpret American politics and the analysis of specific case studies. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that make up the American political reality. The student will have the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement examination at the conclusion of the course. This course may be used to fulfill the US Government requirement for graduation. This course prepares the student to take the Advanced Placement exam.

Prerequisite: U.S. History or concurrent enrollment in U.S. History

This course will introduce the student to the science of psychology with emphasis on human behavior. Content of the course will include the study of the facts involved in learning and thinking, intelligence, human development, personality theories, defense mechanisms, abnormal behavior and treatment, and careers in psychology.

Prerequisite: None

Psychology AP is designed to meet the requirements of a college level course in psychology. Many topics explored in the regular course will be developed to a higher level. This course prepares the student for the Advanced Placement exam which they will be given the opportunity to take in May. Students may take Psychology and Psychology AP and be awarded state elective credit for each course.

Prerequisite: None

Sociology presents a comparative look at group behavior in many cultures, social classes, and communities. It introduces the student to the ways sociologists investigate, describe, and analyze social life. The process of socialization, showing how both males and females learn cultural patterns and social norms as children, adolescents, and adults, is a major focus. The topics of race, ethnicity, poverty, and the role of change are also discussed.

Prerequisite: None

Honors Sociology will extensively explore the nature of social life and human interaction. While studying comparative group behaviors in various cultures, social classes, and communities, students will be researching, interpreting, and analyzing a variety of primary sources and case studies. Students in Honors Sociology will be expected to complete an honors level project in this class.

Prerequisite: None

United States Government will assist students in acquiring knowledge of the structure, functions, and development of our system of government. The course will analyze the political institutions, processes, and civic values inherent in our political system and provide students the opportunity to develop and apply the participatory skills needed to carry out civic responsibilities and exercise their rights as citizens. It will also provide students the opportunity to analyze and compare political institutions, processes, and civic values of the United States with those of other political systems as well as opportunities to develop appropriate democratic values and support for the American free enterprise system.

Prerequisite: U.S. History or concurrent enrollment in U.S. History

Content of this required course in United States History includes significant events, issues, and problems after the period of Reconstruction, emphasizing present-day issues which have their roots in the past. This course builds upon knowledge and concepts, acquired in the first course (8th grade). The course includes historical concepts, citizenship principles and skills necessary for the study of US History.

Prerequisite: Cannot be taken until after 10th grade

The AP US History course is a college-level course that explores US history from the Colonial Era through the present. Cultural diversity, the role of minorities, and the impact of women on the development of American history will be a major focus. In addition to the independent reading of the survey text, this course requires analytical reading and analysis of primary source documents, scholarly works, and historical research. Students will be required to synthesize the information in both document-based essays and standard essay formats. Students who enroll in AP US History will have the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement examination at the conclusion of the course and earn college credit for their work. The student may take this course for the required US History credit.

Prerequisite: Cannot be taken until after 10th grade

This course introduces students to the physical and human world around them and helps them develop the means to examine that world. Facts and information on physical, cultural, political, and economic geography as well as abundant opportunity to refine the content through the exercise of map and globe skills, reading skills, and thinking skills will be provided to the student.

Prerequisite: None

What's next? World History Studies, World History H/PreAP, World History AP

This course includes a survey of ancient, medieval and modern times with an emphasis placed upon modern times. A background of world events will be presented to the student to help understand current events and world problems. Both Western and Non-Western areas of the world will be studied.

Prerequisite: None