Grade: 12  Prerequisite:  None Length of Course: Semester

Description:  This is a one-semester course that is required for all seniors.  It is a survey course designed to introduce students to the basic concepts, institutions, and processes of the American system of government.  This course will examine contrasting views of the American political system and encourage students to develop skills essential for understanding the process of American government.  In addition, this course will offer the student the opportunity to practice analytical skills that are inherent for understanding politics.  This course is designed in part to prepare students for admission to a university.

Instructional Resource

United States Government, 2018

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Grade: 12  Prerequisite:  (A or B in both semesters of American History OR TEACHER RECOMMENDATION)

Length of Course: Semester

Description:  Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics provides a study of key concepts and institutions of the political system and culture of the United States.  Students will read, analyze, and discuss the U.S. Constitution and other documents as well as complete a research or applied civics project.  This course is designed in part to prepare students for admission to a university.

Grade: 11  Prerequisite:  None  Length of Course: Year

Description:  This course will trace the American experience with emphasis on the 20^th century.  Topics will include:  Progressivism, World War I, Jazz Age, Depression, World War II, Cold War, Korean Conflict, Vietnam, Space Exploration, Civil Rights, and Modern Conflict.  This course is designed in part to prepare students for admission to a university.

Instructional Resource

American History Reconstruction to Present, 2019

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Grade: 11  Prerequisite:  (A or B in both semesters of World History OR TEACHER RECOMMENDATION)

Length of Course: Year

Description:  Advanced Placement United States History is a college level survey course in United States History that explores the development of the American Character from the age of exploration and discovery to the present age.  This two-semester survey course in United States History will require solid reading and writing skills and the continued development of those skills.  Emphasis is placed on critical and analytical thinking skills, essay writing, and interpretation of various primary sources in American History.  Given that this is a college level course, most class days will involve varying degrees of lecture, notes, and discussion combined with the use of video and Internet media sources.  Most homework will consist of reading, article/primary source annotations, historical informational/analysis charts, classroom presentations, discussions, and web-based assignments. AP US History will involve an in depth look at early European exploration into the North American continent and trace the developments of American settlement, and the establishment of the American Character from the founding of Jamestown to present day.  Students will analyze the development of the American Character through the lenses of social/cultural, economic, political, and diplomatic historical thematic trends.  Thematic trends will focus on: Settlement and Immigration, The evolution of Federalism and the relationship between State and Federal Governments, Social and Cultural trends over time—comparisons and contrasts—looking for social patterns, Economic trends and changes over time, Linking “past” to “present”—evaluating how the past continues to shape the world today, Relating Primary Sources to historical events and understanding traditions and revisions in history.

Instructional Resource

AP History: The American Pageant 16th Edition, 2016

Publisher: Cengage

Grade: 10  Prerequisite:  (A or B in both semesters of Global Explorations OR TEACHER RECOMMENDATION)

Length of Course: Year

Description:  Advanced Placement European History is a study of the cultural, economic, political, and social developments that have shaped Europe from c. 1450 to the present.  Students will analyze texts, visual sources, and other historical evidence and write essays expressing historical arguments.  This course is designed in part to prepare students for admission to a university.

Instructional Resource

Western Civilization Since 1300 Enhanced AP Edition, 2021

Publisher: Cengage

Grade:  11-12  Prerequisite: None Length of Course: Semester

Description:  This course is a social studies elective course that enables students to study political, economic, and social issues facing the nation and the world.   This course will focus on current social, political, and economic events, while examining historical causes and /or possible solutions. This course will utilize reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills to analyze, interpret, and evaluate.

Grade:  9

Prerequisite: None  Length of Course: Semester

Description:  This course is an introduction to social studies skills through a global exploration of geography and economics.   In it we will introduce students to the basic concepts and global perspectives of world geography and different economic systems throughout the world in order to develop a greater understanding of the world and assist them in becoming productive consumers, producers and citizens within the world. Students will build social studies skill concepts such as continuity and change, change over time, choices have consequences and document analysis and thesis writing through an analysis and evaluation of micro and macro economics, physical and human geography and the interaction between people and place.  This course is designed in part to prepare students for admission to a university.

Instructional Resource

HS Global Geography, 2018

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Grade: 11-12  Prerequisite:  None Length of Course:  Semester

Description:  This is a semester elective course that introduces students to cultural, economic, political, and social developments of our society through time.  Film has been a driving force within our society in the transmission of ideas, values, norms, and beliefs.  Understanding how this form of visual media has influenced us in the past and present, and how it reflects society’s values and norms throughout history will aid students in understanding their roles in our society today.  Students will learn to use critical thinking, cause and effect, critical analysis, decision-making, identification of facts, identify bias/point of view, recognition of stereotypes, and improve media literacy.  Students will read selected essays and primary source material, research and write short essays, participate in classroom discussions/debates, critique films, use Moodle to collaborate ideas, and watch excerpts of films.  This course will conclude with a technology based project. This course explores the history of America at War as portrayed through film. Major conflicts and wars will be covered in this course from the Revolutionary War to the modern War on Terror.

Grade: 11-12  Prerequisite:  None Length of Course:  Semester

Description:  This is a semester elective course that introduces students to cultural, economic, political, and social developments of our society through time.  Film has been a driving force within our society in the transmission of ideas, values, norms, and beliefs.  Understanding how this form of visual media has influenced us in the past and present, and how it reflects society’s values and norms throughout history will aid students in understanding their roles in our society today.  Students will learn to use critical thinking, cause and effect, critical analysis, decision-making, identification of facts, identify bias/point of view, recognition of stereotypes, and improve media literacy.  Students will read selected essays and primary source material, research and write short essays, participate in classroom discussions/debates, critique films, use Moodle to collaborate ideas, and watch excerpts of films.  This course will conclude with a technology based project. This course explores the history and cultural impact of organized and true crime stories, including Kansas City history. This includes analyzing the influence of early gangster films and modern true crime films has on society. The course is a more philosophical approach to understanding films/history/society than the historical approach in Intro to HTF.

Grade: 11-12  Prerequisite:  None Length of Course:  Semester

Description:  This is a semester elective course that introduces students to cultural, economic, political, and social developments of our society through time.  Film has been a driving force within our society in the transmission of ideas, values, norms, and beliefs.  Understanding how this form of visual media has influenced us in the past and present, and how it reflects society’s values and norms throughout history will aid students in understanding their roles in our society today.  Students will learn to use critical thinking, cause and effect, critical analysis, decision-making, identification of facts, identify bias/point of view, recognition of stereotypes, and improve media literacy.  Students will read selected essays and primary source material, research and write short essays, participate in classroom discussions/debates, critique films,and watch excerpts of films.  This course will conclude with a technology based project.This course explores the history of horror and sci-fi films while examining the social commentary hidden within the film's story. This includes analyzing symbolism, relevance, and impact of films on society during different periods of history. The course is a more philosophical approach to understanding films/history/society than the historical approach in Intro to HTF.

Grade: 9-10 Prerequisite:  None Length of Course:  Semester

Description:  This is a semester elective course that introduces students to cultural, economic, political, and social developments of our society through time.  This course will focus on freshmen level, age appropriate materials, themes, concepts, and curriculum relating to history that they will study throughout high school.

Grade: 11-12 Prerequisite: None  Length of Course: Semester

Description:  Psychology is an elective course for juniors and/or seniors designed to help prepare students for a college level introduction to psychology course.  This course will cover the ideology and origins of psychological thought.  The student will have the opportunity to examine various human behaviors and apply those behaviors in the context of a psychological theory, human development, and social influences. The latter part of the semester will take an in-depth look at various psychological disturbances and behaviors.

Instructional Resource

Psychology, 2018

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Grade: 9-12 Prerequisite:  None Length of Course: Semester

Description:  This is an elective course designed to introduce the student to the science of studying human society, human relationships, and social behavior.  This course will allow the student to examine and experience various societal problems and issues.  This course will give the student an opportunity to apply learned sociological information not only to their lives, but also to society in which they live “now”.

Instructional Resource

Sociology, 2018

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Grade:11-12 Prerequisite:  Intro to Sociology Length of Course: Semester

Description:  This is an elective course for juniors and seniors that extends student knowledge into the science of sociology.   This class is designed to put theoretical sociology knowledge to both discussions and practical use.   Students will be required to create and conduct a research project of their choosing covering a major sociological topic.  In addition, students will explore both current and historical topics to find patterns and to predict possible trends in modern day societies.  This class has been designed to prepare students for future college and or professional participation in the field of sociology.

Instructional Resource

Sociology, 2018

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Grade: 11-12 Prerequisite: None  Length of Course: Semester

Description:  This course is a survey over wars in American History. This class covers conflicts from the French and Indian War to modern day conflicts into the Middle East. The students will gain understanding of wars and conflicts in American History and their impact on the United States and World through military, social, political, and economic aspects.