Social Studies Department

Graduation requirements –
3 credits of Social Studies, one of which
must be American History (U.S. &
W.H. II satisfies this requirement)
½ unit of American Government

College expectations –
☞

4 credits of Social Studies
Clayton Summer Program
☞
American Government
☞
St. Louis and Missouri during the Civil
War Era
American Government

Teacher: Debra Wiens or Mark Bayles
Length: Semester

Two Essential Questions are explored:
 Who Governs?
 To What Ends?

How do we learn?
 Socratic Circles, Debates, Role-plays
 Web Searches (for real-world evidence)
 Student Presentations
 Direct Instruction using visuals, and more

American Government is a required course
 You want to learn how our political system works,
 You are willing to think and work,
 You enjoy discussion and exploring new ideas ! ! ! !
Film in American Society

Teacher: Josh Meyers
Length: Semester

A co-taught class (History + English), meets same period,
students can take for English or History credit

Main emphasis is how film both shapes and
reflects American history and society

Students watch films in class and for
homework

Primary assessments are several short writing
assignments and class discussions after viewing films

Students direct their own short film for a final project

If you love movies, this is the class for you!
International Relations

Teacher: Paul Hoelscher
Length: Semester

Students will discuss political and economic relationships between
countries in the modern world

We will follow international events and you will learn what is going on
in the world today

Students will be encouraged to develop a global perspective and read a
variety of periodicals from around the world

There will be thematic units such as the rise of environmental issues, the
growth of the European Union, the role of the U.N., the paradox of
American power, etc.
African American History I
Teacher: Rick Kordenbrock
Length: Semester
In this class you will study African American history from slavery to
emancipation.
There will be required reading of both secondary and primary sources.
There will also be extensive use of movies, image analysis and classroom
discussion to examine the impact of slavery and freedom on American
and African American history.
This class has no prerequisites and does not obligate you to take African
American History II.
African American History II
Teacher: Rick Kordenbrock
Length: Semester
In this class you will study African American history from Reconstruction
to the election of President Obama.
There will be required reading of both secondary and primary sources.
There will also be extensive use of movies, image analysis and classroom
discussion to examine the impact of race relations on American and
African American history since the Civil War.
This class has no prerequisites and may be taken independently of African
American History I.
Philosophy

Teacher: Rick Horas

Length: Semester

Students read articles, keep a journal,
create projects and write essays in order
to better understand how to approach
Life’s Big Questions:

What is right?

What is love?

What is the meaning of life?

Does God exist?
Sociology
Teacher: Rick Kordenbrock
Length: Semester
In this class you will study the relationships between groups in society,
and the influence of groups on individuals, and of individuals on
groups.
There will be required reading of both secondary and primary sources.
There will also be extensive use of partner and small and large group
activities, movies and classroom discussion to examine social issues
relevant to American society and to the Clayton High School
community.
This class has no prerequisites and is recommended for any student who
is interested in the social relations that impact who we are as
individuals and as a society.
World at War

Teacher: Sam Harned
Length: Semester

Primary Goal: To have a better understanding of World War I and
World War II

We read various works of non-fiction and fiction that covers this time
period, as well as watching informative films and full length feature
movies to enhance knowledge of the topic.

Moderate level of work involved

The most important requirement for this class is an interest in history,
specifically World War I and World War II
Classical Civilizations

Teacher: Mr. Harned
Length: Semester

This course studies the Ancient World with a special emphasis on
Greece and Rome

This course allows student to explore the culture and mindset of
citizens of Ancient Civilizations

We will read extensively in Ancient literature, drama and poetry.

There is a moderate amount of homework in this class.
Principles of Economics

Teacher: Mark Bayles
Length: Fall Semester

We explore basics of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and
international economics

We learn the essential economic concepts such as Supply & Demand,
monetary and fiscal policies, GDP, and inflation.

We will view the Pixar film A Bug’s Life and analyze its economics!
Also, other memorable econ demonstrations.

If you want to gain a major insight into how the real world really, really
works, this could be the class for you!

Don’t worry—it’s only a tiny bit math-y and you will receive at least
One Dollar for taking the course!
AP Macroeconomics

Teacher: Mark Bayles

Primary goal is to master the fundamental of macroeconomics and prepare
you to take and pass the AP Macro exam in May.

Students use an advanced textbook and master the main macroeconomic
elements:

Length: Spring Semester
GDP, Inflation, Unemployment, Interest Rates, Exchange Rates

A fair amount of reading and homework, so be prepared!

Many colleges and universities require students to take an econ course, so
this is great college preparation.

Lots of new material that challenges students, but experience has shown that
you will pass the AP Exam, learn loads, and have fun.
Behavioral Psychology

Teacher: David Aiello
1 Semester

The main question is why do humans
behave the way they do?

College-level text and daily assignments,
usually about 30 minutes

Lots of discussion, demonstrations,
experiments, videos

Most of the topics are very relevant to
you, your friends, your family

Prerequisite for AP Psychology

This class is only for students who like to
have some fun while learning!
AP Psychology

Teacher: David Aiello
Second Semester

Still trying to understand why we behave the
way we do

Basically, the second half of the course, with
the expectation that students will take the AP
Exam in May. Some efforts are made to
specifically prepare the students to earn
college credit on the exam.

Students must pass Behavioral Psychology to
take AP Psych.

Even more discussions, activities,
demonstrations, and videos!!

After this class, you will be able to
psychoanalyze your friends and family! (not
necessarily accurately, and certainly not for pay, but you still can
psychoanalyze them, which I guess you could have done
beforehand, but now you will sound a little more professional!)
I promise, no group hugs in AP Psych!!
Psychological Disorders in the
Media and American Society
Teacher: Mr. Aiello
Length: Semester

This course is designed for seniors who have
completed the Psychology and AP
Psychology courses and want even more
psychology.

Major units will include the following
disorders: Anxiety; Somatoform and
Dissociative; Mood; Personality;
Schizophrenia and Delusional;
Neuropsychological; Mental Retardation;
Autism; and Treatment.

Potential films include The Aviator; Psycho;
Seven Pounds; The Odd Couple; A
Beautiful Mind; Memento; Dominick and
Eugene; and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s
Nest.
AP United States History

Teachers: Sam Harned
Length: Full Year

Primary goal is to gain a greater understanding of American
History and how history is written and analyzed

Secondary goal is to take and be successful on the AP exam

Students analyze documents, participate in vigorous class
discussions, and learn to write effectively as an amateur historian

A fair amount of reading and homework, so be prepared!

The AP experience helps prepare students for college

A challenging course, but if you are successful in World History
II, have a love of the subject, and are willing to work hard you
will succeed
AP American Government
and Politics

Teacher: Debra Wiens
Length: Spring Semester

Two Essential Questions are explored:
 Who Governs?
 To What Ends?

How do we learn?
 Socratic Circles, Debates, Role-plays
 Web Searches (for real-world evidence)
 Student Presentations
 Direct Instruction using visuals, and more

American Government is a required course. This AP
course is for you if:
 You want to learn how our political system works,
 You are willing to think and work,
 You enjoy discussion and exploring new ideas ! ! ! !
AP World History

Teacher: Donna Rogers-Beard
Length: Full Year

Main emphasis is to understand the human experience across time and
space

Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Exam in May

This course is taught at a college level. The text and supplemental
readings are at a college level.

There is an emphasis on social history.

Often contemporary comparisons are made through class discussion.
AP Human Geography

Teacher: Rick Horas

Length: Second Semester

Main emphasis is how location affects our
world today; It’s really a current events
course on steroids!

Students work with maps, computer
simulations, watch movies and discuss
geographic topics

Primary assessments are nightly text
readings to prepare students for AP
Geography Test
AP European History

Teacher: Mr. Harned
Length: Full Year

This is a rigorous academic class that looks at European history from
the Renaissance through the Cold War

Students are expected to take the AP Exam at the end of the course

An excellent college preparatory class, including moderate amounts of
reading and homework

The most important requirements are a willingness to work hard and a
love for European history.
The American Civil War
and Frontier

Teacher: Mr. Harned
Length: Semester

This course studies the causes and course of the American Civil War,
while also examining the development of the American frontier,
notably in the post-Civil War period.

If you are a Civil War buff (like Mr. Harned), you will love this class.
If you idolize and glorify the heroes and masterminds that gave
character to the bloodiest war in American History, you will enjoy this
class.

If you’ve been influenced by Clint Eastwood, you will like this class as
well.
Sports and Western
Society

Teacher: Paul Hoelscher
Length: Semester

The thesis for the course: sports represents the culture of a given society;
we can learn about a group of people from the sports that they played.

We will study the history of sports in Europe (Greece, Rome,
Renaissance) and development of sports in the United States
(basketball, football, baseball) with themes of race, gender and business.
History of St. Louis

Teacher: Kurtis D. Werner

This course will provide an overview of the unique
and diverse history of St. Louis

We will study the history, art, architecture, and music
of the Midwestern city

We will examine and debate contemporary, as well
as future, issues that face our community
St. Louis and Missouri
During the Civil War

Teacher: Janet Curry

Length: Summer School Semester

Goals: To understand what caused the U.S. Civil War; whether war
was necessary to end slavery, the role of St. Louis and Missouri in
the war; and to develop mad skills in reading

Outside the box: guest speakers impersonating a Civil War journalist
and a Confederate spy; trip to Jefferson Barracks to learn gruesome
details of battlefield surgery