American Government
American Government provides an overview of government through the study of the U.S. Constitution and the federal system of government. As students come to understand the law- making and modifying process and the interpretative nature of the Constitution, they gain insight into the ability of our system to adjust to changing times. The structure of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches and the relationships between the national, state, county, and city governments are studied in depth. Students examine social legislation, the United States in world affairs, federal and states’ rights, and the role and function of political parties. The growth of government, the philosophy of the democratic process, and the obligations of citizens are thoroughly explored.
Citizenship
Citizenship provides the student with an opportunity to better understand her/his rights, responsibilities, and role in a democratic society. The course focuses primarily on American government, but also looks at other American social institutions. Typical units include the role of the citizen in a democracy; the federal, state, and local government; the United States in the international arena, the American family, and the American education and economic systems.
Economics
Economics is the study of the production, consumption, and distribution of goods as related to the individual and the state. A study of the role of the individual and of government in economics enlightens the student about the productive process involving land, labor, capital, management, and technology. Consumer economics, the business world, budgeting, conservation of resources, money and banking, credit, inflation, national and international trade, and economic development are representative units of study. Comparative economic systems are studied. Emphasis is placed upon analysis and interpretation of economic data leading to the development of sound concepts of economics.
Psychology (Semester 1)
Psychology provides a broad overview of the study of behavior and mental processes. Topics include: methods of research; social psychology, physiological psychology; child, adolescent and adult development; altered states of consciousness; motivation and emotion; stress and adjustment; sensation and perception; learning; memory; language development; personality theories; abnormal behavior; and therapy. Students in Psychology are expected to do experiments as well as research projects.
Sociology (Semester 1)
Sociology introduces students to the scientific study of human groups and the social environment they create. Since citizens in a democratic society should contribute to the decision-making process, this course is designed to develop the skill needed in problem analysis. Specifically, facets of the scientific method (data collection, collation, hypothesis formation, and experimental testing of hypotheses) and their application to social problems will be stressed. Typical units include: types of groups, the structure of groups, the functions of groups, the culture concept and related social institutions (familial, education, economic, political and religious), social processes and change, and contemporary social problems.
U.S. History (Semester 1)
United States History builds upon the skills, concepts, and historical perspectives achieved by students in grades 5 through 8. It is a study of the emergence of the American society and culture. This includes an examination of the establishment of this nation as a geographic and political entry, development and interplay of the nation’s social institutions, and the approaches Americans have used to face both domestic and international problems. Since a multiethnic/multicultural/nonsexist approach is used throughout this course, students will better understand and appreciate the pluralistic nature of American society. United States History 1 emphasizes the Colonial period, the American Revolution, the Constitution and the development and launching of the federal system of government, sectionalism, manifest destiny, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.
U.S. History (Semester 2)
United States History 2 includes the emergence of modern industrial America, the involvement of the United States on the world scene in 1898, the Progressive Era, World War I and the aftermath, the Great Depression of the 1930s and the New Deal, World War II, the Cold War, Korea and Vietnam, the Civil Rights movements, and other recent developments at home and abroad. The ultimate goal is to help the students better appreciate the role of the United States in a changing world. Current affairs are related where appropriate to important issues in United States history.
World History (Semesters 1 and 2)
World History is a survey course which enables students to better understand the emergence of western and nonwestern civilizations. Content is selected to demonstrate people’s struggle to improve themselves, their standard of living, government, and total culture. The appreciation of past achievements and the continuing need for international understanding are basic aims of the course. Representative units of study are selected from the ancient, medieval, and modern periods of world history. They typically include the earliest civilizations; ancient Greece and Rome; the Middle Ages; the rise of national states; the Industrial Revolution; modern European History; Indian America; Latin America from Columbus to the present; the rise and achievements of Islamic civilization; Africa south of the Sahara; colonialism India and southeast Asia; China from ancient roots to the present; the story of Japan; and the world today.
