SOCIAL STUDIES MISSION
Social studies is the integrated
study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence. Within
the school program, social studies provides coordinated, systematic study
drawing upon such disciplines as anthropology, archaeology, economics,
geography, history, law, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion,
and sociology, as well as appropriate content from the humanities, mathematics,
and natural sciences.
The primary purpose of social studies is to help young
people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the
public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an
interdependent world.” (National Council for Social Studies.) To that end,
social studies instruction is based on content that draws upon appropriate
elements of the human and environmental condition, supports intellectual
integrity, and facilitates the development of skills and processing.
An
effective social studies program ensures the academic development of students
through appropriate balances between domestic and global contexts, between
skills and concepts, between the present and past, and among the disciplines
being employed. Effective social studies instruction is student-centered, relevant,
rigorous, and provides student opportunities to apply the knowledge and skills
required of successful adults.
Standard, honors, and gifted and talented levels
of social studies courses are offered as enrollments justify. In these classes,
the instructional level and materials are modified according to the needs of
the students. Course selections will vary according to the academic level and
occupational goals of students. Course sequences are shown below. Students are
required to earn 3½ credits in social studies. American Government, World
History, United States History, and Economics and Public Issues are required.
Multiple levels of the required courses through Grade 12 are offered in the
schools. In these classes, the instructional level and materials are modified
according to the needs of the students.
American Government GT Credit: 1 Prerequisite:
Participation by selection only. Note: This course provides a Service Learning
component. This course satisfies the grade level requirement for Drug Education
and is a HSA course. This course is a study of American political, economic,
and social issues in national, state, and local government. In addition to
factual content, the processes, institutions, and values of the American
political, economic, and social systems are analyzed. Students apply
understanding of government by completing ongoing issues analysis projects.
American Government Credit: 1 Note: This course
provides a Service Learning component. This course satisfies the grade level
requirement for Drug Education and is a HSA course. This course helps students
develop skills and acquire insights essential to an understanding of American
political, economic, and social life at the national, state, and local levels.
Attention will be on political, economic, and social issues and preparation for
responsible citizenship.
World History Grade Prerequisite: Completion of American
Government is recommended Credit: 1 Significant episodes from global history
are investigated including global and regional development; the growth of
historical ties of interdependence; the expansion of Europe and its domination
of the world in the modern era; the development of Africa and Asia in the
modern era; and the development of global networks of political, economic, and
social inter- dependence in the contemporary world. Historical themes are used
to provide a structure of study. References to a variety of perspectives and
resources help students develop a comprehensive view of global development.
United States History Prerequisite: Completion of
World History is recommended. Credit: 1 A thematic chronological format
beginning with the Reconstruction era provides the structure for this study of
U.S. History that helps students understand the evolution and relevance of
their national heritage. Themes are presented chronologically, emphasizing more
recent U.S. History and development of historical thinking skills.
Opportunities for analysis of historical issues and for research are imbedded
within this course.
Personal Finance and Economic Theory (PFET) Prerequisites:
Completion of American Government, World History, and United States History is
recommended. Credit: ½ Note: This course satisfies the grade level requirement
for Drug Education, the Economics graduation requirement, and Maryland
Financial Literacy Standards. Economics and Public Issues will prepare students
for the economic interactions they will encounter as producers, consumers, and
citizens. A primary focus of the course will be personal financial literacy.
The course will also provide students with skills they need as they assume
roles as consumers, producers, and citizens.
Electives:
Juvenile Justice Prerequisite: None Credit: ½ This course
will help students develop successful patterns of behavior by making them more
aware of what triggers conflict and confrontation. Juvenile Justice will
improve understanding of legal terminology, provide a greater sense of
self-awareness and understanding of rules, and increase skills of
communication. Students will analyze the purposes and consequences of the
distinctions between the juvenile and adult legal systems. While examining
issues and problems which affect our society, students will develop a sense of
citizenship and responsibility.
Psychology Credit: ½ This is a study of human
behavior, examined within the context of the behavioral sciences of psychology
and sociology. Fundamental to this course is a focus on identity development,
schools of psychology, normal and abnormal behaviors, and treatment. Students
are afforded opportunities to consider and apply findings of psychological
research toward understandings of the dynamics of human behavior.
Abnormal Psychology (Honors) Credit: ½ Students define and
analyze abnormal behavior from a variety of perspectives. The major types and
ranges of abnormal behavior are examined in detail, with special emphasis on
causation and symptoms. The course culminates with analysis of treatment
approaches and their respective techniques.
Advanced Placement Courses:
Macro and Micro Economics Prerequisites: Completion of
American Government Grade 9, World History, and United States History is
recommended. Credit: 1 Note: This course satisfies the grade level requirement
for Drug Education, the graduation requirement for Economics, and Maryland
Financial Literacy Standards. This course is designed to prepare students to
take AP exams for college credit, including micro and macro economics. Course
content will be based on demands of the exams and processes required for
success on the exams.
World History Prerequisite: Participation by
selection only. Credit: 1 This course requires students to analyze and
interpret global history through periodization and themes such as interaction,
continuity and change, impacts of technology and demography, social and gender
structures, cultural and intellectual developments, and functions and
structures of states. This course will be directed toward assisting students to
pass the AP exam in World History. Completion of the course satisfies the
graduation requirement for World History.
U.S. History Prerequisite: Participation by
selection only. Credit: 1 This is a chronologically organized course addressing
political, economic, diplomatic, social, intellectual, and cultural history.
Content emphasis is from European colonization to the present.
Psychology AP Prerequisite: Grade 12 standing is
recommended. Credit: 1 This course is designed to prepare students to take an
AP exam for college credit. Students will analyze the approaches, methods, and
applications of psychology. There is a special emphasis on physiological
processes and resulting impacts on human behavior. Course content will be based
on demands of the exam and processes required for success on it.
Human Geography Credit: 1 This course is designed to
prepare students to take an advanced placement examination for college credit.
Students will conduct in-depth analysis of the causes and consequences of human
interactions with their physical surroundings. Course content will be based on
demands of the examination and processes required for success on the
examination.