Social Studies Department
SS 450-709 and SS 450-709b
Grade Level: 9
Credits: 1
Pre-Requisite: None
Human and Cultural Geography
Human Geography is a discipline in which the concepts, generalizations, and facts
derived from both social and physical sciences converge in the study of specific places
and the people who inhabit them. Geography therefore, functions as a bridge linking the
social and physical science. Geographers study the interrelations of humans and their
environment, patterns of location of human activities, human beings themselves and
their cultures and patterns of human variation: regional, national, and global, as well as
variations among cultures.
SS 450-709-1 and SS 450-709-1b Pre-AP Human and Cultural Geography
Grade Level: 9
Credits: 1
Pre-Requisite: Teacher Recommendation from previous Social Studies teacher
Human Geography is a discipline in which the concepts, generalizations, and facts
derived from both social and physical sciences converge in the study of specific places
and the people who inhabit them. Geography therefore, functions as a bridge linking the
social and physical science. Geographers study the interrelations of humans and their
environment, patterns of location of human activities, human beings themselves and
their cultures and patterns of human variation: regional, national, and global, as well as
variations among cultures.
SS 450-712
AP Human Geography
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Credits: 1
Pre-Requisite: Teacher Recommendation and a completed AP contract turned in with
registration card.
The purpose of the AP Human Geography course is to introduce students to the
systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding,
use, and alteration of Earth's surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape
analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences.
They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and
practice.
SS 450-837-1 and SS 450-837-1b World Civilization
Grade Level: 10
Credits: 1
Pre-Requisite: Geography
This course is required for those students planning to enter a Kentucky college or
university. This course is a survey of the cultural and historical aspects of the world and
its people. Course contents: social, political, economics, and cultural life of the people of
the world; emphasis on different periods of world history--the Age of the Renaissance,
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Revolution and Dominance, World Wars and Dictatorships, Cold War to Détente, and
current events.
SS 450-876
AP World History
Grade Level: 10
Credits: 1
Pre-Requisite: Geography or Pre-AP Geography, Teacher Recommendation and a
completed AP contract turned in with registration card.
Advanced Placement World History is a survey of the history of the world focusing on
cultural and political aspects; ancient and modern history; the study of western and nonwestern civilizations; and current events. College credit earned with successful
completion of the AP exam.
SS 450-812 and SS 450-812b
United States History
Grade Level: 11
Credits: 1
Pre-Requisite: Geography and World Civilization
This is a survey course of the heritage and history of the United States of America.
Course content: Post-Civil War study of the growth and development of U.S.; study of
the social, political, economic and cultural life; and study of U.S. as a world power.
ALL JUNIORS MUST BE ENROLLED IN UNITED STATES HISTORY (or it's
equivalent). United States History is one of the three required Social Studies credits for
graduation. Students will be required to complete the QualityCore U.S. History End- ofCourse (EOC) exam upon completion of this course.
SS 450-814 and SS 450-814b
AP U.S. History
Grade Level: 11
Credits: 1
Pre-Requisites: Geography, World Civilization, teacher recommendation, and an AP contract
turned in with registration materials.
This course will fulfill the U.S. History requirement. The course will consist of in-depth studies into
U.S. History. It will include the use of primary and secondary sources in the study of U.S. History.
The course is available to students who plan to attend college and prepares them to take the
Advanced Placement Exam in American History.
ALL JUNIORS MUST BE ENROLLED IN UNITED STATES HISTORY (or it’s equivalent). United
States History is one of the three required Social Studies credits for graduation. Students will be
required to complete the QualityCore U.S. History End- of-Course (EOC) exam upon completion
of this course.
SS 450-844
Grade Level: 10-12
Credits: 1
AP European History
Social Studies Department
Pre-Requisite: Geography or Pre-AP Geography, Teacher Recommendation and a
completed AP contract turned in with registration card.
The study of European History since 1450 introduces students to cultural, economic,
political, and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in
which they live. In addition to providing a basic narrative of events and movements, the
goals of AP European History are to develop (a) and understanding of some of the
principal themes in modern European history, (b) an ability to analyze historical evidence
and historical interpretation, and (c) an ability to express historical understanding in
writing. College credit earned with successful completion of the AP exam.
SS 451-031 and SS 451-031b Government and Civics (formerly Political Science)
Grade Level: 12
Credits: 1
Pre-Requisite: None
This course is the study of current political issues and the many differing view points that
society takes or could take on these issues. Course content: Issues will range from local,
state, national, and world issues and how they affect American society in both the
present and future.
SS 451-030-1
AP US Government and Political Science
Grade Level: 11-12
Pre-Requisites: Teacher Recommendation and a completed AP contract turned in with
registration card.
Government and Civics is the study of citizenship responsibilities and government introduction; federal, state and local government; organization and function. It also
covers the study of United States voting procedures; court operations; local, state and
national lawmaking. College credit earned with successful completion of the AP exam.
SS 459-902
AP Psychology
Grade Level: 10-12
Credits: 1
Pre-Requisites: Teacher Recommendation and a completed AP contract turned in with
registration card.
The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students, through a secondary
school equivalent of an introductory college course, to the systematic and scientific study
of the behavior and mental processes of human beings. Students learn about some of
the explorations and discoveries made by psychologists over the past century. Students
assess some of the differing approaches adopted by psychologists, including the
biological, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, psychodynamic, and socio-cultural
perspectives. Students are exposed to psychological fact, principles, and phenomena
associated with each of the major subfields of psychology. Students are also exposed to
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the ethics that psychologists use in their science and practices. Most important, students
come to an appreciation of how psychologists think (or at least an appreciation of the
kind of critical analysis that psychologists espouse and hope to model in their words and
actions). College credit earned with successful completion of the AP exam.
SS 450-601s
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Credits: .5
Pre-Requisite: None
Economics
This course is designed to offer students models for and practice in using the elements
of economic understanding. It provides students with the necessary information for
making rational economic choices in three social roles: producers/workers, consumer,
and citizens (the voter in the marketplace). Simulations and/or actual work situations
may be used to provide practical experience with various economic conditions. An
understanding of economic systems and policies is integral to the course.
SS 459-801s
Grade Level: 9-12
Credits: .5
Pre-Requisite: None
Global Issues
Global Issues is an introductory survey of the various areas of social studies. It is
designed to give the student exposure to different topics of social studies to prepare
them for the more intensive studies that they will be participating in future courses.
SS 451-039s
Law and Justice (formerly Criminology)
Grade Level: 11 - 12
Credits: .5
Pre-Requisite: Geography, World Civilization and a HS equivalent reading level
Criminology involves the study, research, and reporting of the social and psychological
conditions related to a crime through research and analysis of situations that cause
criminal behavior, and how different laws apply to investigations in order to better serve
and protect society.
SS 451-038s
Grade Level: 9-12
Credits: .5
Pre-Requisite: None
REEL History
Reel History is the study of persistent issues related to social, political, and economic
facets of human behavior through film. It would also be possible for the teacher to utilize
this course to involve the students in some direct manner with community issues and
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problems. The student could identify with a practitioner who shares the concern or
problem.
SS 451-121b and SS 451-121s
Sociology (Dual Credit)
Grade Level: 11 - 12
Credits: 1
Pre-Requisite: Students must turn in dual credit paperwork along with registration
materials
From WKU: Introduction to the basic concepts of society and culture, group behavior,
population, class, minorities, community, social institutions and social changes.
Students are responsible for paying tuition and textbook fees. Failure to do so will result
in removal from the course and a WF placed on the student's transcript.
SS 459-901b and SS 459-901s
Psychology (Dual Credit)
Grade Level: 11 - 12
Credits: 1
Pre-Requisite: Students must turn in dual credit paperwork along with registration
materials
From WKU: An introductory course dealing with principles of behavior, scientific
methods of psychology, measurement, learning, perception, motivation, development,
personality, abnormal behavior, social behavior, intelligence, and other topics.
Students are responsible for paying tuition and textbook fees. Failure to do so will result
in removal from the course and a WF placed on the student's transcript.