Social Studies

Course Grade Level Difficulty Level Credit Prerequisite

World History I Honors 9 Honors 1 See course description Modern World Studies I CP 9 College Prep 1 Modern World Studies II CP 10 College Prep 1 Modern World Studies I AP European History 10 Honors 1 See course description United States History CP 11 College Prep 1 Modern World Studies II AP United States History 11 Honors 1 See course description American Government CP 12 College Prep 1 United States History AP Government and Politics: U.S. 12 Honors 1 See course description Law and Criminal Justice* 10,11,12 College Prep ½ Sociology* 10,11,12 College Prep ½ Introduction to Psychology* 11,12 College Prep ½ Philosophy* 10,11,12 College Prep ½ AP Psychology* 11,12 Honors ½ See course description

* These courses do not satisfy graduation requirement.

Mariemont High School requires three credits of social studies for graduation. It is recommended, however, that college-bound students complete one social studies credit each year for a total of four social studies credits:

Freshman year: Modern World Studies I (highly recommended) or World History I Honors

Sophomore year: (one credit is required) Modern World Studies II or AP European History

Junior year: (one credit is required) United States History CP or AP United States History

Senior year: (one credit is required) American Government or AP Government and Politics

WORLD HISTORY I HONORS

Grade Level: 9 Course Credit: 1 credit, 5 periods/week, full year

Description: The World History I Honors course develops students’ capacities and abilities to think and reason in a deeper, more systematic way, better preparing them for subsequent college level (AP) courses. The content covers a broad range of history: from approximately 8000 B.C.E. until approximately 1800 C.E. The four historical thinking skills emphasized during the course – Crafting Historical Arguments from Historical Evidence, Chronological Reasoning, Comparison and Contextualization, and Historical Interpretation and Synthesis – provide an essential structure for learning to think historically. These skills not only apply to World History I Honors; they also represent the types of skills required in all college-level historical scholarship. Expectations for student work ethic are exceptionally high. Students will be utilizing AP level textbook and materials.

Prerequisites: JH Social Studies and English teacher recommendations Fees: $25 and $97 for students taking the World History AP exam at the end of their sophomore year

MODERN WORLD STUDIES I CP

Grade Level: 9 Course Credit: 1 credit, 5 periods/week, full year

Description: This course will emphasize a survey of Western history including major units on the Renaissance, Reformation, the Development of Islamic Empires, Exploration and Colonization, the Age of Absolutism, the establishment of modern cultures in Africa and Asia, the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, the Age of Napoleon, the Industrial Revolution, the Rise of Imperialism up to the beginning of World War I. Students will attain social studies skills focusing on critical thinking, analysis, and an understanding of primary source documents as they study the emerging modern World. The students will look at all regions of the world as they see an increasingly connected world. They will examine the social, political, geographical, cultural economic issues facing the world from the time period of roughly 1400-1918 C.E.

Prerequisite: None Fees: None

MODERN WORLD STUDIES II CP

Grade level: 10 Course Credit: 1 credit, 5 periods/week, full year

Description: Building and expanding upon the framework of World Studies I, the World Studies II course is an in-depth study of the 20th Century. Students will become globally competent by recognizing and understanding how human societies and cultures have changed and developed in the twentieth century. This course is unique in its emphasis on the world of the twentieth century, beginning with the Versailles Treaty at the end of World War I, the course covers the Russian Revolution, nationalist movements, the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, independence of colonies, and movement towards democracy. In addition, during the second semester, a special emphasis will be placed on current events, focusing on Nationalism vs. Multi-nationalism vs. Supra-nationalism vs. Micro-nationalism, global institutions, the environment, terrorism, and economic development/globalization.

Prerequisite: Modern World Studies I Fees: None

ADVANCED PLACEMENT EUROPEAN HISTORY

Grade Level: 10 Course Credit: 1 credit, 5 periods/week, full year, weighted grade

Description: Advanced Placement European History prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those of an introductory college European history course. To participate in the program, students should be highly motivated and develop the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal with the requirements of a stimulating and demanding course. The national AP examination is given at the end of the year, which may allow students to receive college credit based on their performance.

Prerequisite: World History I Honors (recommended) or Modern World Studies I and recommendation of previous social studies teacher Fees: $25.00 and $97.00 for the Advanced Placement European History exam. 55

UNITED STATES HISTORY CP

Grade Level: 11 Course Credit: 1 credit, 5 periods/week, full year

Description: This is a required course for all juniors. It deals with the leading aspects of US history from the Civil War to the present. Attention is given to political issues, institutions, political parties, leadership, and diplomatic and constitutional questions; as well as economic, social, and intellectual trends. This course also focuses on what is unique in the American historical experience and relates US history to the broader global context. This course also requires a major research paper in the 4th quarter.

Prerequisite: Modern World Studies II Fees: None NOTE: Students must pass US History to graduate. Students must also pass Ohio’s state American History test in the spring.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY

Grade Level: 11 Course Credit: 1 credit, 5 periods/week, full year, weighted grade

Description: Advanced Placement American History prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those of an introductory college survey of history course. Students should develop the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with problems and materials studied. Students are expected to do extensive reading. The national AP examination is given at the end of the year, which may allow students to receive college credit based on their performance.

Prerequisite: Modern World Studies II/AP European History and recommendation of previous social studies teacher Fees: $25.00 and $97.00 for the Advanced Placement United States History exam.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CP

Grade Level: 12 Course Credit: 1 credit, 5 periods/week, full year

Description: American Government is designed to provide the student with a survey of the American federal, state, and local governments. The emphasis will be on the relationship between these divisions of government and the role of the citizen in upholding each. Research is an integral part of the course work. In addition to government, economics and financial literacy will be taught.

Prerequisite: CP or AP United States History Fees: None NOTE: Students must pass American Government to graduate. Students must also pass Ohio’s state American Government test in the winter and spring if needed.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS: U.S.

Grade Level: 12 Course Credit: 1 credit, 5 periods/week, full year, weighted grade

Description: Advanced Placement Government and Politics prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those of an introductory college political science course. Students should develop the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with problems and materials studied. In addition, students enrolled in this course will gain an understanding of economics and financial literacy. This course requires a summer reading assignment, and students read one extra book during the year. The national AP examination is given at the end of the year, which may allow students to receive college credit based on their performance.

Prerequisite: United States History, Modern World Studies II, and recommendation from previous social studies teacher. Fees: $25.00 and $97.00 for the Advanced Placement American Government exam.

INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

Grade Level: 11,12 Course Credit: ½ credit, 5 periods/week, one semester

Description: This course is designed to provide the student with an introduction to the study of psychology. Topics covered include: influence of biology on behavior, human capacities of thinking, learning and communication, motivation, emotion, and mental health. Students are required to read a number of scholarly articles related to the field of psychology and review them critically. Attempts are made to apply the material covered to specific situations in everyday living and to provide a clearer understanding of our own behavior and the motivations of those around us.

Prerequisite: None Fees: None NOTE: This course may not be substituted for required social studies courses.

AP PSYCHOLOGY

Grade Level: 11,12 Course Credit: ½ credit, 5 periods/week, one semester (Spring only)

Description: The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with the major subfields within psychology such as human development, states of consciousness, abnormal psychology, and social psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Psychology and recommendation of Psychology teacher Fees: $25.00 and $97.00 for the Advanced Placement Psychology exam

SOCIOLOGY

Grade Level: 10,11,12 Course Credit: 1/2 credit, 5 periods/week, one semester

Description: Sociology is the study of our society. If you enjoy talking about life as we know it and why we do some of the things we do, then you might like Sociology. Most of the material we use stems from current events. We examine what Sociology is, then we explore culture, society, your life, how we interact with each other, the groups to which we belong, and we close by taking a look at the role that other factors play in shaping our lives. Typically, we have one assignment per week and a test every few weeks. 57

Prerequisite: None Fees: None NOTE: This course may not be substituted for required social studies courses

PHILOSOPHY

Grade Level: 10,11,12 Course Credit: ½ credit, 5 periods/week, one semester

Description: Philosophy is a class that challenges not only your intuition, critical thinking skills, and understanding of others, but also your own beliefs. In studying such renowned philosophers such as Plato, Socrates, David Hume, and Rene Descartes, students are exposed to an entirely new level of interpretation, problem solving, and verbal debate and discussion skills. With such an incredible class atmosphere, this course makes you think about, and subsequently question, ideas that you had automatically accepted in the past; furthermore, in depth discussions and class debates may even lead you to question some of your more deeply rooted personal 'philosophies.' In essence, Philosophy is not just a class that teaches you how to find a voice in the crowd and accept the perspectives of others, but it is also an exceptional opportunity to learn more about yourself.

Prerequisite: None Fees: None NOTE: This course may not be substituted for required social studies courses.

LAW AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Grade Level: 10,11,12 Course Credit: ½ credit, 5 periods/week, one semester

Description: Are you intrigued by the Criminal Justice system? If you are interested in a career in law enforcement, being a lawyer, or just want to learn more about the topic then this class is for you. We look at the basis of the system and how it operates. We critically examine various elements and aspects of the system such as why does crime happen, what is the role of the police, methods for addressing and categorizing crime. Typically, we as a class, choose some topics for deeper investigation such as the prison system, organized crime, debates, or other current trends of interest.

Prerequisite: None Fees: None NOTE: This course may not be substituted for required social studies courses.