Social Science

U.S. HISTORY

Students are expected to study and demonstrate competency regarding American History from the Nation's beginnings through the 20th Century. Topics will include:  

• Enlightenment and its effect on the foundations of American political thought.
• Industrialization and America's role as a World leader.
• The Great Depression and how it led to the New Deal.
• World War ll and world affairs.
• The political, economical and social impact on domestic issues throughout the 20th Century.
• The Cold War and America's influence as a  World leader.  
• Civil Rights and its impact on all Americans.

Students will study the interrelationships of these many themes while exploring their causes. Students will improve their reading and writing skills while learning to research history. Students will also be able to demonstrate better communication skills while engaging in class discussions.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

This course will lead to a deeper understanding of the institutions of American Government. Students will study several aspects of our political system:

• Foundations of government
• The structure of national and state government
• Political behavior and participation in local government.

Students will explore important issues while understanding their impact on American government. Students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of current events. Students will improve their reading, writing and communication skills as they learn to become responsible citizens.  

MODERN WORLD HISTORY

The purpose of this course is to examine major turning points in the shaping of the modern world with an emphasis on Europe. The course begins with an introduction to the influences on the modern world from different philosophies and cultures. Content includes the expansion of the West spurred on by the Industrial Revolution; Imperialism and Colonization; World War I, World War II, and nationalism vs. regionalism among modern nation-states.  The course will attempt to include all groups affected by the development of the modern world.

Goal: To encourage students to understand the cause and effect in history and the different types of political systems world-wide in order for them to be have a better understanding of current affairs.

ECONOMICS

This course will introduce students to economic problems and institutions of our nation and the world. Students will learn skills that will allow them to investigate a broad range of economic concepts and issues. They will study microeconomics, macroeconomics, and the global economy. Students will understand how economic decisions are made by individuals, businesses, and countries.

Goal: To help students understand how economic decisions are made at the individual level, the local level and at the federal level in order for them to understand current domestic and foreign policy from an economic viewpoint, as well as to help their own individual economic decision making.
Textbook:  Prentice Hall.  Economics.  2001.

CONTEMPORARY WORLD STUDIES

The major purpose of this course is to examine various regions of the world with a focus on the current issues.  For the regions of study, the class will begin with a focus on cultural and historical factors that most influence the current economic, political and social issues.  The regions of study are the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America.  The study of each region will last a six week grading period.

Goal: To develop a depth of understanding of a given region so that students will be able to compare and contrast various regions including our own.