SOCIAL STUDIES
Each Student:
● Must fulfill the Board of Education requirement in Social Studies by satisfactorily
completing a minimum of three (3) credits from this curriculum.
● May select additional elective courses to meet special needs or interests.
Curriculum:
Required:
Grade 9
World Studies or Humanities World Studies Honors
Grade 10
U. S. Studies or Humanities AP US History
Grade 12
Government / Economics or AP Government*
Full Time DACC students - American Government / Economics
Semester Electives:
Current Issues
Geography
Sociology
Yearlong Electives:
AP United States History
AP Psychology
AP European History
World Studies 1750 - Present
This yearlong required course is taken by students in the ninth grade. This study incorporates each of the
seven social studies standards. As students study historic eras, they consider the influence of geographic
settings, cultural perspectives, economic systems and various forms of government. Students gain a
deeper understanding of the role of citizens and continue to develop their research skills. Grade level: 9
Credit: 1 C.U.
9th Grade Humanities (English 9H & World Studies H Combined)
Credit 1 C.U. World Studies
The Humanities 9 course includes both English 9H and World Studies E (both fulfill requirements for
graduation) offered in two consecutive class periods. These enrichment courses include the regular
English and World studies curricula and additional enrichment material, emphasizing the study of various
aspects of human endeavor and expression: history, philosophy, religion, language and literature, and the
arts. Completion of a summer reading assignment and project is required.
Prerequisite: Recommendation of both eighth grade English and Social Studies teachers.
Fee required
World Studies Honors (Not tied to English 9 Honors)
This course includes the World Studies Honors curriculum not associated directly with the English 9
Honors (Humanities) curriculum that can be taken as a singular course for students taking regular English
9.
Prerequisite: Recommendation by eighth grade Social Studies teacher
United States Studies 1877 - Present
This yearlong, required course is taken by students in the tenth grade. Students continue to study the
chronological study of the history of the United States with emphasis on domestic affairs. This study
incorporates each of the seven social studies standards. As students study historic eras, they consider the
geographic, cultural, economic and governmental changes that have occurred. Students develop a
deeper understanding of their role as citizens and continue to develop command of social studies skills
and methods. Grade level: 10
Credit 1 C.U.
Fee Required
Credit: 1 C.U.
10th Gr. Humanities (Eng. 10H/ Advanced Placement U.S. History)
Credit: 1C.U. in Eng. & 1C.U. U.S. Studies
The Humanities course is a two-period, yearlong combination of English 10 and Advanced Placement
United States History. (AP U.S. History being substituted for the graduation required U.S. Studies.) This
enrichment course is designed to allow students to think critically about the literature and history of the
18th, 19th, and 20th century. In addition, great works of literature including Sophocles and Shakespeare
will be examined as comparison pieces. The historical content will span from colonization through the
Post-Vietnam years and address the economic, political, social, and foreign policy movements of U.S.
History. The social studies section of this course is the equivalent of an introductory college course and
will require a competitive Advanced Placement United States History exam administered by the College
Entrance Examination Board in May. Students will gain critical reading and writing expertise and are
expected to express ideas, with support, in a variety of formats. Students must complete a summer
project so they can begin the year with a basis of knowledge concerning the overall ideas for the course.
The AP U.S. History grade for this course will be weighted.
Prerequisite: Application and recommendation of ninth grade English and Social Studies teachers.
Fee required
American Government
This semester course is a study of the principles and practices of government on the national, state, and
local levels. Areas of study are: legislative, executive and judicial branches of government, political
parties, elections, civil rights, American foreign policy, and comparative political systems. Grade level: 11,
12
Credit: ½ C.U.
Economics
Students will explore various economic systems, as well as examining the forces that control a market
economy. In addition, the class will also address how economic policy and market changes can affect the
individual. This course satisfies the Personal Finance & Literacy curriculum required for the Class of 2014
and beyond. Grade level: 11, 12
Credit: ½ C.U.
Advanced Placement (AP) United States Government and Politics
Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics is a yearlong course that will give students an
analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course involves both the
study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific case studies. It also
requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. political
reality. Topics likely to be covered include: constitutional underpinnings of United States government,
political beliefs and behaviors, political parties, interest groups, and mass media, institutions of national
government (the Congress, the Presidency, the bureaucracy, and the federal courts), public policy, and
civil right and civil liberties. This course may be taken to fulfill the Government & Economics requirement.
An examination prepared and evaluated by CEEB and given in May will determine the grade used by
colleges to consider advanced placement and/or credit. This exam is required of all students. Grade
level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: 3.0 GPA average in history/social studies and English and application. Successful completion
of OGT SS test.
Fee required
Credit: 1 C.U.
SOCIAL STUDIES ELECTIVES
Current Issues
For this elective semester course, students will apply their skills and knowledge to research current issues.
The learner will participate in projects that will provide them the opportunity to conduct academic
research and to utilize the results in considering solutions to real problems or issues. Grade level: 11, 12
Credit: ½ C.U.
Geography
For this elective semester course, students will apply their skills and knowledge to research geography.
Students will apply their skills and knowledge of geography learned in earlier grades. Students will
participate in projects that will provide them the opportunity to conduct academic research and to utilize
the results of this research in considering solutions to real problems and issues. Grade level: 11,12
Credit: ½ C.U.
Sociology
For this elective semester course, students will apply their skills and knowledge to research sociology.
Students will have an opportunity to further understand the relationship of mankind in society. Problems,
relationships, and institutions will all be explored. This course will enable students to apply skills and
knowledge gained through earlier courses and will provide opportunities to better understand real-world
problems and issues. Grade level: 11,12
Credit: ½ C.U..
Advanced Placement United States History (taken with English 10 Honors)
Advanced Placement United States History is a yearlong survey of United States History from colonization
through the Post-Vietnam years. This course is the equivalent of an introductory college course and will
require a competitive exam administered by the College Entrance Examination Board in May. An
examination of economic, political, social, and foreign policy movements will be included in this course.
This course is recommended for highly motivated students.
Grade level: 10 (*This course is part of the Humanities 10 courses.)
Credit: 1 C.U.
Prerequisite: World and United States Studies. 3.0 GPA average in history/social studies and English and application
Fee required
Advanced Placement European History
This advanced placement college course begins with a brief summary of Ancient History establishing the
foundation of Western Civilization, followed by a survey of the Middle Ages to determine the roots of
modern European institutions. The remainder of the course, and the emphasis, is devoted to the history
of modern Europe from the High Renaissance to the present. An examination prepared and evaluated by
CEEB and given in May will determine the grade used by colleges to consider advanced placement and/or
credit. This exam is required of all students. Grade level: 11,12
Prerequisite: Completion of World and United States Studies. 3.0 GPA average in history/social studies
and English and application. Successful completion of the OGT Social Studies test.
Credit: 1 C.U.
Advanced Placement Psychology
The AP Psychology course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior
and mental processes. While considering the psychologists and studies that have shaped the field,
students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts, and phenomena associated with such
topics as the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation,
developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatment of abnormal behavior, and social
psychology. Throughout the course, students employ psychological research methods, including ethical
considerations, as they use the scientific method, analyze bias, evaluate claims and evidence, and
effectively communicate ideas.
Grade level: 11,12
Prerequisite: Completion of World and United States Studies. 3.0 GPA average in history/social studies
and English and application. Successful completion of the OGT Social Studies test.
Credit: 1 C.U.
Fee required
Fee required