Social Studies

Prerequisites: A in Honors English I, and concurrent enrollment in Honors English II.  A passing score on the placement essay is required for all non-honors students.

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. This course provides the context for understanding the development of contemporary institutions, the role of continuity and change in present-day society and politics, and the evolution of current forms of artistic expression and intellectual discourse. In addition to providing a basic narrative of events and movements, the goals of AP European History are to develop (a) an 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.  The College Board charges a fee for this exam.  UC Approved

 

This course focuses on the study of human behavior. As an introduction to the field of psychology, this course includes consideration of psychological principles, terminology, major theories, careers, methods of experimentation, and practical applications.  Topics include personality development, problem-solving, group dynamics, and motivation.  Students will also study individual behavior and why an individual think, feels, and reacts to certain stimuli.  Major emphasis will be placed on research methods, stages in childhood and adolescence, how the brain works, altered states of consciousness, psychological testing, and psychological disorders.  This course is taken in conjunction with Sociology.  UC Approved

 

Prerequisites: B or better in most recent science class, B or better in most recent English class. 

This year-long advanced placement course studies the general field of psychology focusing on the reliability of research, an understanding of the principles of psychology, and their application to real-life situations. Students are required to take the AP Psychology exam in May. The College Board charges a fee for this exam. UC Approved

 

This course uses food as a lens to explore the social, cultural, economic, and political history of the United States.  The class examines the history of agriculture, food production, eating, and taste from the Colonial period to the age of the food blogger.  Key to this is discourse regarding the origins of food production, changes in agricultural techniques, the industrialization of food production, debates about nutrition, development of food safety laws, culinary fads, and poverty and hunger.  The class investigates the contributions of the diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural groups within the United States and its growing food culture.  It will highlight eating as an indispensable human activity and how the drive to obtain food operates as a catalyst for human existence. UC Approval Pending.

 

This course is designed to familiarize students with various cultures and the problems resulting from people living in groups. Topics covered include the nature of societal culture, subcultures, social institutions, collective behavior, social change, social deviation, the family, religion, racial and ethnic minorities, poverty, and crime. It will also explore the pressing problems of our society, their causes, and possible solutions.  This course is taken in conjunction with Psychology.  UC Approved

 

This course moves through the chronology of American history to examine the broad themes that have shaped the lives of women in the United States from the Pre-Colonial Era to the Present.  Students investigate the major events of American history from the perspective of women and discuss the changing notions of “proper” roles for women and the struggles for women to gain political and civil rights over time. UC Approved

 

This semester course is designed to provide students with both theoretical and practical knowledge about the legal system in the United States.  It will introduce students to the ways in which legal professionals interpret, create, and modify legal rules in our common-law system.  Emphasis will be placed on many aspects of law in the United States from U.S. Constitution to contemporary interpretations of legal matters.  Areas of focus will include those fields considered foundational to the study of law: Criminal Law & Procedure, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Property, Contracts, Tort Law, Trial Advocacy & Procedure, Rules of Evidence, and Legal Research & Reasoning.  Students will also examine the distinctions between law as it popularly perceived and the actual practice of law.  UC Approved   

 

This course is designed to introduce students to the study of crime and the criminal justice system. Students will examine the history of criminal justice system and the theories of crime in order to gain a better understanding of the current status of crime in the United States. This course investigates all aspects of crime, including causes, types, offenders, victims, and trends through both the study of criminology theories and the examination of case studies. Students will also evaluate how criminology can be used to analyze contemporary issues with the criminal justice system and develop policies for social change.

 

Prerequisite: B or higher in Honors English or A in English.

AP Art History is an intense study of global art, its forms, and interpretations that attempts to place artistic works in historical and cultural contexts.   Students investigate a cannon of 250 works of art that span diverse artistic traditions from prehistory to the present, developing a holistic understanding of the history of art from a global perspective. Particular emphasis is placed on preparing students for the rigors of the AP Art History exam administered in the Spring Semester.  This includes the application of visual, contextual, and comparative analysis through written responses to in-depth questions.  The College Board charges a fee for this exam.  UC Approved