Social Studies Electives

AP European History

SS520A/B

Grade 11-12, 1 credit, AP/DC weighted GPA The AP European History course focuses on developing students ’ understanding of European history from approximately 1450 to the present. The course has students investigate the content of European history for significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in four historical periods, and develop and use the same thinking skills and methods (analyzing primary and secondary sources, making historical comparisons, chronological reasoning, and argumentation) employed by historians when they study the past. The course also provides five themes (interaction of Europe and the world; poverty and prosperity; objective knowledge and subjective visions; states and other institutions of power; and individual and society) that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places. Prerequisite: None

AP Psychology (Includes Social Studies – Advanced Studies)

PSYAPA/B

Grade 11-12, 1 credit, AP/DC weighted GPA 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. Through the textbook, class discussions, and classroom activities, students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. This is a college level course, designed to replace Introduction to Psychology in a student’ s freshman year of college. Students will prepare for further studies in psychology and life sciences. Prerequisite: None

Influences of the New Testament Bible on History and Literature

SSBIBN

Grade 9-12, 0.5 credit, On-Level weighted GPA The course will teach students basic biblical knowledge about the New Testament that includes religion, literature, culture, art, music, and history. It will provide a basic knowledge of the Bible as a sourcebook and demonstrate the influence that it has on the development of works of culture, on the development of language, and on historical perspective. The Bible is not only considered a sacred text, but is also considered by many scholars to be the “ most influential text in all of Western Culture. ” Knowledge gained from this study will help students understand both classical and contemporary works. In addition, students can use their knowledge as a tool to understand some of the most inspiring rhetoric in American history. Prerequisite: None

Grade 9-12, 0.5 credit, On-Level weighted GPA The course will teach students basic biblical knowledge about the Old Testament that includes religion, literature, culture, art, music, and history. It will provide a basic knowledge of the Bible as a sourcebook and demonstrate the influence it has on the development of works of culture, on the development of language, and on historical perspective. The Bible is not only considered a sacred text, but is also considered by many scholars to be the “ most influential text in all of Western Culture. ” Knowledge gained from this study will help students understand both classical and contemporary works. In addition, students can use their knowledge as a tool to understand some of the most inspiring rhetoric in American history. Prerequisite: None

Personal Financial Literacy

PERFIN

Grade 10-12, 0.5 credit, On-Level weighted GPA This course will teach skills to make sound, informed financial decisions that will allow them to lead financially secure lifestyles and understand personal financial responsibility. Prerequisite: None

Psychology

PSYCH

Grade 10-12, 0.5 credit, On-Level weighted GPA In this elective course, students study the science of behavior and mental processes. Students examine the full scope of the science of psychology such as the historical framework, methodologies, human development, motivation, emotion, sensation, perception, personality development, cognition, learning, intelligence, biological foundations, mental health, and social psychology. Prerequisite: None

Sociology

SOCIO

Grade 10-12, 0.5 credit, On-Level weighted GPA This elective course is an introductory study in social behavior and organization of human society. This course will describe the development of the field as a social science by identifying methods and strategies of research leading to an understanding of how the individual relates to society and the ever changing world. Students will also learn the importance of and role of culture, social structure, socialization, and social change in today ’ s society. Prerequisite: None