Social Studies Course Descriptions
World Geography
In World Geography Studies, students examine people, places, and environments at local, regional, national, and international scales. Students describe the influence of geography on events of the past and present. A significant portion of the course centers around the physical processes that shape patterns in the physical environment; the political, economic, and social processes that shape cultural patterns of regions; patterns of settlement; and relationships among people, places, and environments. Students analyze how location affects economic activities and identify the processes that influence political divisions of the planet. Students compare how culture shapes the characteristics of regions and analyze the impact of technology and human modifications on the physical environment. Students use problem-solving and decision-making skills to ask and answer geographic questions.
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World Geography Honors
The curriculum focuses on the world’s people, places, and environments. Knowledge, skills, and perspectives of the course are centered on the world’s population and cultural characteristics, its countries and regions, landforms and climates, natural resources and natural hazards, economic and political systems, and migration and settlement patterns. Spatial concepts of geography will be linked to chronological concepts of history to set a framework for studying human interactions. The course will emphasize how people in various cultures influence and are influenced by their physical and ecological environments. Using primary and secondary sources in the form of texts, maps, globes, graphs, pictures, stories, diagrams, charts, current news, a variety of geographic inquiry/research skills, and technology skills, students consider the relationships between people and places while asking and answering geographic questions. In this rigorous course students will begin to develop the reading, writing and thinking skills necessary to succeed in high school AP courses. Higher level thinking skills and essay writing techniques will be extensively practiced.
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AP Human Geography
The purpose of the AP Human Geography course is to introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students learn to employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications. In May, students enrolled in the course are encouraged to take the College Board AP Examination.
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World History
World History Studies is a survey of the history of humankind. The major emphasis is on the study of significant people, events, and issues from the earliest times to the present. Students identify and analyze important events and issues in western civilization as well as in civilizations in other parts of the world. Students evaluate the causes and effects of major political revolutions since the 17th century. Students examine the impact of geographic factors on major historic events and identify the historic origins of contemporary economic systems. Students analyze the process by which constitutional governments evolved as well as the ideas from historic documents that influenced that process. Students trace the historical development of important legal and political concepts. Students examine the history and impact of major religious and philosophical traditions, and analyze the connections between major developments in science and technology and the growth of industrial economies, using the process of historical inquiry to research, interpret, and use multiple sources of evidence.
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AP World History
The World History AP course is designed to develop a greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts and to analyze the interaction between different types of human societies. The course emphasizes the nature of change, its causes and consequences, as well as comparisons of major societies. The class will cover all societies and cultures with no special emphasis of one over another. Extensive outside reading and research is required. Outside papers are assigned and essay tests are given. Students are expected to engage in college-level work. In May, students enrolled in the course are encouraged to take the College Board AP Examination.
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United States History
In United States History Studies Since 1877, students study the history of the United States from 1877 to the present. The course content is based on the founding documents of the U.S. government, which provide a framework for its heritage. Historical content focuses on the political, economic, and social events and issues related to industrialization and urbanization, major wars, domestic and foreign policies, and reform movements, including civil rights. Students examine the impact of geographic factors on major events and eras and analyze their causes and effects. Students examine the impact of constitutional issues on American society, evaluate the dynamic relationship of the three branches of the federal government, and analyze efforts to expand the democratic process. Students describe the relationship between the arts and popular culture and the times during which they were created. Students analyze the impact of technological innovations on American life. Students use critical-thinking skills and a variety of primary and secondary source material to explain and apply different methods that historians use to understand and interpret the past, including multiple points of view and historical context.
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AP United States History
The U.S. History AP course prepares students to take the AP exam for college credit. It covers American history in its entirety. The course will contain an extensive outside reading and research component. Students will be working with original sources and examining controversial issues in American history. They will be expected to become familiar with the work of prominent historians and a variety of historical perspectives. They may be expected to produce History Fair projects. Coursework includes outside papers and essay based exams. Students will be engaged in college-level coursework. In May, students enrolled in the course are encouraged to take the College Board AP Examination.
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AP United States History
Have you ever wondered how events during the Renaissance impact your life today? Or how Napoleon changed politics forever? In AP European History, you’ll study the rich history of countries such as France, England, Spain, and many others from c. 1450 to the present. You’ll cover key events and uncover the political, social, economic, cultural, and intellectual developments that shaped Europe and subsequently the world.
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HIST 1301/1302 Dual Credit
This course is offered in conjunction with College of the Mainland. It may be taught at the DHS campus and offers students the opportunity to get college and high school credit for the same course. COM entrance requirements must be met. An informational meeting will be held for all potential dual credit students and parents.
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SOCI 1301 Dual Credit
This course is offered in conjunction with College of the Mainland. It may be taught at the DHS campus and offers students the opportunity to get college and high school credit for the same course. COM entrance requirements must be met. An informational meeting will be held for all potential dual credit students and parents.
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AP United States Government
U.S. Government AP covers every major element of a college course in American government. This course is designed to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to pass the AP Exam. Solid reading and writing skills are required along with a willingness to be challenged. Emphasis is placed on critical and evaluative thinking skills in the interpretation of both governmental policy making and how government functions in the political arena. In May, students enrolled in the course are encouraged to take the College Board AP Examination. Students should be willing to attend Saturday and lunch reviews.
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United States Government
In United States Government, the focus is on the principles and beliefs upon which the United States was founded and on the structure, functions, and powers of government at the national, state, and local levels. A significant focus of the course is on the U.S. Constitution, its underlying principles and ideas, and the form of government it created. Students analyze major concepts of republicanism, federalism, checks and balances, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, and individual rights and compare the U.S. system of government with other political systems. Students identify the role of government in the U.S. free enterprise system and examine the strategic importance of places to the United States. Students analyze the impact of individuals, political parties, interest groups, and the media on the American political system, evaluate the importance of voluntary individual participation in a constitutional republic, and analyze the rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Students examine the relationship between governmental policies and the culture of the United States. Students identify examples of government policies that encourage scientific research and use critical-thinking skills to create a product on a contemporary government issue.
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GOVT 2305 Dual Credit
This course is offered in conjunction with College of the Mainland in order to give students the opportunity to get college and high school credit for the same course. COM entrance requirements must be met. An informational meeting will be held for all potential dual credit students and parents. See Section 4 for more information.
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Economics
Economics focuses on the basic principles concerning production, consumption, and distribution of goods and services (the problem of scarcity) in the U.S. and a comparison with those in other countries around the world. Students analyze the interaction of supply, demand, and price. Students will investigate the concepts of specialization and international trade, economic growth, key economic measurements, and monetary and fiscal policy as well as types of business ownership and market structures. Students will study the roles of the Federal Reserve System and other financial institutions, government, and businesses in a free enterprise system. The course also incorporates instruction in personal financial literacy. Students apply critical-thinking skills using economic concepts to evaluate the costs and benefits of economic issues.
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Personal Financial Literacy and Economics
Students will demonstrate the ability to anticipate and address financial challenges as these challenges occur over their lifetime. Students are introduced to common economic and personal financial planning terms and concepts. Students gain the ability to lead productive and financially self-sufficient lives. The course requires that students demonstrate critical thinking by exploring how to invest in themselves with education and skill development, earn income, and budget for spending, saving, investing, and protecting. Students will examine their individual responsibility for managing their personal finances and understand the impact on standard of living and long-term financial well-being. Students will connect how their financial decision- making impacts the greater economy. Students may not be awarded credit for both this course and the personal financial literacy course.
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AP Macroeconomics
Economics AP is a one-semester course that covers every major element of a college course in macroeconomics and is designed to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to pass the AP Economics Exam in the spring. Emphasis is placed on critical and evaluative thinking skills in the interpretation of economic principles, data and current events. Students are expected to engage in college-level work. In May, students enrolled in the course are encouraged to take the College Board AP Examination.
Required Text: Naked Economics by Wheelan and Naked Money by Wheelan (Purchased by student.)
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Sociology
This elective course serves as an introduction to the study of Sociology. This social science studies various groups of people and the society in which we live. Sociology focuses on how groups create and even define a society. Sociologists generate theories about social issues such as the role of gender, crime, age, racism and culture through three theoretical perspectives: Functionalist, Conflict and Symbolic Interactionist. Over the course of the semester students will learn to view various themes in sociology through these theoretical perspectives as well as develop skills for understanding and navigating our ever changing world.
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Psychology
In Psychology, an 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.
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AP Psychology
The purpose of the Advanced Placement course in Psychology is to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of behavior and mental processes of human beings and animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice. In May, students enrolled in the course are encouraged to take the College Board AP Examination.
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PSYCH 1300/2301 Dual Credit
This course is offered in conjunction with College of the Mainland. It may be taught at the DHS campus and offers students the opportunity to get college and high school credit for the same course. COM entrance requirements must be met. An informational meeting will be held for all potential dual credit students and parents
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African American Studies
African American Studies is a conceptually driven course that introduces students to the exploration of the rich and diverse history and culture of African Americans. The goal of this course is to broaden the knowledge and understanding of students interested in learning about history, citizenship, culture, economics, science, technology, geography, and the political realities of African Americans. This course develops an understanding of the historical roots of African American culture, especially as it pertains to social, economic, and political interactions within the broader context of United States history.
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Mexican American Studies
Mexican American Studies is a conceptually driven course that introduces students to the exploration of the rich and diverse history and culture of Mexican Americans. The goal of this course is to broaden the knowledge and understanding of students interested in learning about history, citizenship, culture, economics, science, technology, geography, and the political realities of Mexican Americans. This course develops an understanding of the history and cultural contributions of Mexican Americans. Students explore history and culture from an interdisciplinary perspective. The course emphasizes events in the 20th and 21st centuries, but students will also engage with events prior to the 20th century.
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History of Sports in the United States (Special Topics in Social Studies)
This elective will allow students to learn about US History through the evolution of a variety of sports starting at the beginning and developing into the major professional leagues of today. Sports eras of 1860 to 1940, 1940-1980, and to present day will be studied. Students will learn about sports heroes, mascots (and the history behind the names), movement of teams, impact of media, change in opportunities for women and minorities in athletics, the role of athletics on the high school and college campus, and the role of the U.S. in the Olympics. Connections will be drawn between the sports event and events that occur congruent in the U.S. during the same time period.
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Personal Financial Literacy
Personal Financial Literacy will develop citizens who have the knowledge and skills to make sound, informed financial decisions that will allow them to lead financially secure lifestyles and understand personal financial responsibility. The economy benefits from the optimal use of resources, increased consumption, and strong local businesses. State and local governments benefit with steady revenue streams and reduced future obligations as our society ages.