Social Science

Social Science Department Courses

AP Human Geography | SS221H | Grade 9 | Year
This class is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific 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 the human socioeconomic organization and its environment consequences.  They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications.  Students who take this course are expected to take the College Board AP Human Geography exam at an approximate cost of $100. For students eligible for fee waiver the cost of the test is $10.00.

World History
Required of all 10th-grade students.
This class will emphasize major historical events from the French Revolution to the 20th century. Students will examine major turning points and conflicts in the shaping of the modern world.

AP World History | SS203H | Grade 10 |Year
Prerequisite: "C" or better in AP Human Geography or recommendation from English department.  All students are require teacher recommendation before consideration.  
This course is designed for college-bound sophomores. This course will prepare students for the Advanced Placement examination in World History, emphasizing writing and synthesizing skills. Students who take this course are expected to take the College Board AP World History exam at an approximate cost of $100. For students eligible for fee waiver the cost of the test is $10.00.

U.S. History |SS203 | Grade 10 | Year | SS203P
Required of all 11th-grade students.
This course will survey the major events in U.S. History from Industrialism to Modern Times. In depth investigation of topics such as military involvement, reform movements, twentieth century foreign policy and economic influences will be included. Students will learn about contemporary economic, social, and global conditions affecting the United States and the world into the twenty-first century.

AP U.S. History | SS211H  |Grade 11 | Year
Prerequisite: “B” in World History or “C” in AP World History and All students are require teacher recommendation before consideration. 
In this course, students will examine major turning points in American history in the twentieth century. Emphasis will be on the expansion of the Federal Government, growing tensions between the individual and the government, civil rights and women’s rights. America’s role as a world power will also be scrutinized in its historical role as it pertains to today’s world. This course will prepare students for the Advanced Placement examination in U.S. History, emphasizing writing and synthesizing skills. Students who take this course are expected to take the College Board AP U.S. History exam at an approximate cost of $100. For students eligible for fee waiver the cost of the test is $10.00. 

U.S. Government | SS214 | Grade 12 | Semester
Required of all 12th-grade students.
This course is designed to inform the student of the U.S. Government’s organization, structure, institutions, citizen’s responsibilities and rights, political practices, and government responsibilities and programs. This course covers all three levels of government (i.e., state, local, and national). Students will explore critical issues facing the U.S.A. and the world today. This course entails a community service unit.

AP U.S. Government | SS216H | Grade 12 | Year
Prerequisite: “C” or better in AP U.S. History. All students require teacher recommendation before consideration.
This course covers principles of American government and politics, fulfilling the district graduation requirement in government. Emphasis is given to skills, which will lead to success in college, and on the Advanced Placement test on American government and politics. This course entails a community service unit.  Students who take this course are expected to take the College Board AP U.S. Government exam at an approximate cost of $100. For students eligible for fee waiver the cost of the test is $10.00. 

Economics | SS218 | Grade 12 | Semester
Required of all 12th-grade students.
This course will provide the student with an overview of how the individual and government function within the American economy. The law of supply and demand, money, banking and credit, competition vs. conglomeration, and comparative economic systems will be studied. Students will be able to understand the roles of labor and big business in the development of the American economic system. This course satisfies the Economics graduation requirement.

AP Psychology | SS217H | Grades 11-12 | Year
Prerequisites: Algebra II and Chemistry with a grade of “C” or better. All students require teacher recommendation before consideration.
The purpose of this course is to introduce the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Included is a consideration of the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology and the methods psychologists use in their science and practice. The aim of this course is to provide a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in most college introductory psychology courses. Students who take this course are expected to take the College Board AP Psychology exam at an approximate cost of $100. For students eligible for fee waiver the cost of the test is $10.00. 

Latino Studies | SS835 | Grades 11-12 | Year
This college-preparatory course presents an in-depth interdisciplinary study of the major developments in the distinct historical and cultural processes and lived-experiences of Chicanas/os-Latinas/os within the greater context of the “Americas”, with a particular emphasis of the Chicana/o-Latina/o within the United States. In this interdisciplinary course, students will investigate how intersections of the constructs of race, class, gender, and power have influenced the Chicana/o-Latina/o community’s struggle towards self-determination and social justice.