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The mission of the Social Studies Department is to ensure all students become active and emphatic citizens of our democratic society, which is part of an increasingly interdependent world. We strongly believe all students can achieve essential learning and develop essential skills needed to attain this goal.
Regardless of the course, our focus is to use the course content to teach the Historical Thinking Skills of chronological reasoning, comparison and contextualization, crafting historical arguments from historical evidence, and interpretation and synthesis. We utilize innovative, student-centered approaches that develop students into life-long learners.
Course Sequence Diagram
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| College Prep |
1 Semester |
0.5 Credit |
| Prerequisites: Open to Freshmen |
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| Course Description: This course is designed to introduce students to a basic understanding of the history of the world, the diversity of religious, cultural, economic, political, and social forces that have shaped civilizations, and an outline of the major features of World History from the earliest civilizations to 1750. In addition, students will discover the importance of World Civilizations on their lives and the society in which they currently live. A focus will be placed on the introduction and development of historical thinking skills and practices: Analyzing Historical Evidence, Argument Development, Contextualization, Comparison, Causation, and Continuity and Change over time. |
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| College Prep |
1 Semester |
0.5 Credit |
| Prerequisites: Open to Sophomores |
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| Course Description: This course is designed to introduce students to a basic understanding of the history of the world, the diversity of religious, cultural, economic, political, and social forces that have shaped civilizations, and an outline of the major features of World History from 1750 to the present. In addition, students will discover the importance of World Civilizations on their lives and the society in which they currently live. A focus will be placed on the introduction and development of historical thinking skills and practices: Analyzing Historical Evidence, Argument Development, Contextualization, Comparison, Causation, and Continuity and Change over time. |
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| Honors / A.P. |
1 Semester |
.5 Credit |
| Prerequisites: Open to Freshmen; Department approval |
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Course Description: This course works to develop a greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts including interactions over time. The course highlights the nature of changes in international frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. The course will flow chronologically while examining six major historical themes.
The focus of this course will be on preparing students for the A.P. Exam. |
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| Honors / A.P. |
2 Semesters |
1.0 Credit |
| Prerequisites: Open to Sophomores; Pre-A.P. World History grade above 90%; Teacher approval |
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Course Description: This course works to develop a greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts including interactions over time. The course highlights the nature of changes in international frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. The course will flow chronologically while examining six major historical themes.
The focus of this course will be on preparing students for the A.P. Exam. |
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| College Prep |
1 Semester |
.5 Credit |
| Prerequisites: Open to Juniors |
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| Course Description: This course is a study of American History through urbanization. Major areas included are the Colonial Period, the American Revolution, the Early Republic, the Age of Jacksonian Democracy, Westward Expansion, the Civil War and Reconstruction, the rise of big business, and the Age of Reform. A focus will be placed on further development of the four historical thinking skills: Crafting Historical Arguments from Historical Evidence, Chronological Reasoning, Comparison and Contextualization, and Historical Interpretation and Synthesis. |
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| College Prep |
1 Semester |
.5 Credit |
| Prerequisites: Open to Juniors |
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| Course Description: This course is a continuation of U.S. History I. This survey course will include Urbanization to contemporary historical events. Other areas included are: America as a World Power, the Great Depression, and World War I and II, the Cold War, the Eisenhower years, Kennedy's New Frontier, Vietnam, Johnson's Great Society, the Civil Rights Movement, Watergate, the Nixon years, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and the War on Terror.. A focus will be placed on further development of the four historical thinking skills: Crafting Historical Arguments from Historical Evidence, Chronological Reasoning, Comparison and Contextualization, and Historical Interpretation and Synthesis. |
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| U.S. HISTORY: VISIONS OF AMERICA |
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| College Prep |
2 Semesters |
1.0 Credit |
| Prerequisites: Open to Juniors; Department approval |
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| Course Description: This course is designed to examine various components of American culture through unique perspectives. It explores the American experience from the early 1900s to the present time, focusing on specific ideas, concerns, and problems that have evolved. Using this background knowledge, students will ultimately discover contemporary voices, continuing their understanding of diverse viewpoints.
The COMPOSITION component of this course continues to focus on the more structured writing forms with increased emphasis on revising and editing. Students are taught to think of their works as being publishable. Argumentative essays as well as literary analyses continue to be stressed. The research paper is expanded upon at this level, as multiple perspectives and possibilities are investigated.
The COMMUNICATION component of the course is developed through seminar-based and whole-class discussions. Students are assessed on their ability to successfully present and argue their individual perspective, as well as effectively listening and responding to other students’ perspectives.
The LITERATURE component of this course is a survey of American authors. Additional novels are studied, and students will continue to improve their critical thinking skills. This course emphasizes the reading of informational texts, and students learn to recognize the point-of-view and bias of an author while also determining the main idea the author is attempting to convey. |
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| U.S. HISTORY: AMERICAN EXPERIENCE |
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| Honors / A.P. |
2 Semesters |
1.0 Credit |
| Prerequisites: Open to Juniors; Department approval; Teacher approval; A.P. World History grade above 85% or U.S. History 1 grade above 90%; 3.00 cumulative GPA |
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Course Description: This course is designed to examine various components of the American Experience through an interdisciplinary study of literature and history. It covers American History from the period of exploration to current American society. The course focuses on specific formational ideas, concerns, and problem areas that have evolved in successive historical periods, taking note also of the discipline’s own history. As in all courses within the Humanities program, this class focuses on argumentative essays, literary analyses, and the development of critical thinking skills. Students receive instruction on how to research academic texts and how to approach writing on the college level
Students are eligible for college credit through Saint Louis University. |
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| Honors / A.P. |
2 Semesters |
1.0 Credit |
| Prerequisites: Open to Juniors; Department approval; Teacher approval; Passage of the A.P. World History exam; A.P. World History grade above 90%; 3.00 cumulative GPA |
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| Course Description: This course focuses on the development of historical thinking skills (chronological reasoning, comparing and contextualizing, crafting historical arguments using historical evidence, and interpreting and synthesizing historical narrative) and an understanding of content learning objectives organized around seven themes, such as identity, peopling, and America in the world. The course will begin study in its pre-Columbian origins through the Civil War in the first semester, while focusing on Reconstruction through the present time in the second semester.
The focus of this course will be on preparing students for the A.P. Exam. Students are eligible for college credit through Saint Louis University. |
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| College Prep |
1 Semester |
.5 Credit |
| Prerequisites: Open to Seniors |
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| Course Description: This course explores the evolution of the United States Government from its philosophical beginnings through an in-depth study of the Constitution and its amendments added throughout the years. Students will learn to appreciate the democratic system as well as the historical basis for the areas covered. An effort is made to relate the functions of our government to contemporary examples wherever possible. Although the focus of the course is on the national level, local and state governments are also covered. |
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| HONORS AMERICAN GOVERNMENT |
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| Honors / A.P. |
2 Semesters |
1.0 Credit |
| Prerequisites: Open to Seniors; Department approval; A.P. U.S. History grade above 85% or American Experience grade above 90%; 3.00 cumulative GPA |
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Course Description: This course will cover the evolution of the U.S. Government from its philosophical beginnings through an in-depth study of the Constitution and its amendments added throughout the years. The course requires the use of more advanced analytical skills and includes more essay-based assessments relative to the American Government course.
Students are eligible for college credit through the University of Missouri-St. Louis. |
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| Honors / A.P. |
2 Semesters |
1.0 Credit |
| Prerequisites: Open to Seniors; Department approval; Teacher approval; Passage of the A.P. U.S. History exam or A.P. U.S. History grade above 90%; 3.00 cumulative GPA |
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Course Description: This course will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. The focus includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret US government and politics and the analysis of specific examples. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. government and politics. Students will become acquainted with the variety of theoretical perspectives and explanations for various behaviors and outcomes. Students will be expected to take the United States Government and Politics A.P. Exam.
The focus of this course will be on preparing students for the A.P. Exam. Students are eligible for college credit through the University of Missouri-St. Louis. |
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| College Prep |
1 Semester |
.5 Credit |
| Prerequisites: Open to Seniors; Teacher approval |
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Course Description: A developmental and conceptual approach emphasizing increasing European awareness of and contact with the rest of the world. The course will cover transatlantic encounters, the Protestant and Catholic Reformations, the Scientific Revolution, Absolutism, the Enlightenment, the Age of Revolution, Romanticism, Modernism, the Holocaust, and Postmodernism.
Students are eligible for college credit through Saint Louis University if they meet the 1818 requirements.
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| College Prep |
1 Semester |
.5 Credit |
| Prerequisites: Open to Seniors |
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| Course Description: This course introduces students to the basic concepts of criminal justice, law, and the legal system. It will examine the three major aspects of the Criminal Justice system--the police, the courts, and the corrections system. This course will help students become more active and knowledgeable citizens by engaging in a critical examination of their legal rights and responsibilities. The final project of the course requires students to participate in a mock trial.
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| College Prep |
1 Semester |
.5 Credit |
| Prerequisites: Open to Juniors and Seniors |
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| Course Description: This course introduces students to the study and analysis of modern warfare with a specific focus on American warfare. The course will emphasize the unique elements and qualities of American warfare and examine how it has changed and evolved over time. Students will study the principles of war and analyze their effect on American military doctrine and strategy. Students will examine America’s emergence as a world leader though the study of the American Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Cold War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. |
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| Honors / A.P. |
2 Semesters |
1.0 Credit |
| Prerequisites: Open to Seniors; Teacher approval |
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| Course Description: This course is equivalent to a college-level comparative survey of Psychology. It introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice. The course prepares students to take the Advanced Placement Psychology examination. |
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| College Prep |
1 Semester |
0.5 Credit |
| Prerequisites: Open to Seniors; Biology or concurrent enrollment in Biology; Teacher approval |
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| Course Description: This course will involve independent study, class discussion, and laboratory work, including a brain dissection and other behavioral labs. The course covers major human psychological studies, human behavior (learning, cognition, memory, sensation, and perception), and the biological structure of the human brain. |
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| TERRORISM AND FOREIGN POLIGY |
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| College Prep |
1 Semester |
.5 Credit |
| Prerequisites: Open to Juniors and Seniors |
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| Course Description: This course is intended to provide a background to our nation’s war on terrorism and the foreign policy elements involved. Intended for students with an active interest in world affairs, it will provide a host of terrorist and foreign policy concepts, applications, maxims, and accepted conventions. Students will be expected to be able to identify, apply, understand, and rationalize the elements of terrorism and foreign policy. Areas covered include economics, geo-political and military concerns, Third World developmental problems, and questions of general security. The course will focus on independent and group analysis of scenario-based problems. |
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