social studies DEPARTMENT courses
Required during Freshman year: 1401 World History or 1408 Honors World History AP Track
World History - 1401
Prerequisite: None
Grade: 9
Credit: 1.00
World History traces the development of modern civilizations throughout the world from 1400 to the present. An importance is placed on global viewpoints, social, economic, political and religious movements that have contributed to the creation of the modern world.
An overall emphasis is placed on general principles that are applicable to the social sciences, the cause and effect relationships in the human story, the continual development and revision of history, and how our modern world has been shaped and understood.
The learning activities for this class include: lecture notes, primary and secondary source analysis, group and class discussions, academic research, website activities, and films. Following the end of each unit, students will complete a summative assessment. These assessments include: formal tests, research papers, and group and individual projects.
Through these learning activities, students will develop their historical thinking skills. These skills will be fundamental as students complete their remaining Social Studies Courses. This course focuses on developing the student’s reading comprehension, primary and secondary document analysis, and understanding of cause and effect relationships throughout world history.
Honors World History AP Track - 1408
Prerequisite: Admission into Honors World History will be based on the following criteria: 8th grade standardized test scores in both reading and writing, the St Francis DeSales Entrance Exam reading and writing scores, and recommendations from the students 8th grade Social Studies teacher.
Grade: 9
Credit: 1:00
This course will cover the same topics as the CP World History class, but is designed for students who are truly interested in History and continuing with a more rigorous study of history. Students will read additional and more challenging primary and secondary sources, learn to analyze and evaluate evidence, develop writing and communication skills, and study the science of History. There is also a supplemental text for the class.
US Culture - 1441 (semester)
Prerequisite: None
Grade: 10-12
Credit: 0.50
US Culture will cover basic American History and American Culture and is required for all International students. US Culture will introduce various aspects of American culture such as our Educational system, along with legal and justice systems, political culture/system, economics, and social systems. US Culture counts as a social studies elective for International Students and students in grades 10-12. As a result of this course students will better understand American systems and be prepared to function more fluently in American society.
Required during Sophomore year: 1423 US History or AP US History
US History - 1423
Grade: 10
Credit: 1.00
The thematic focus for American History is the period beginning with Reconstruction through the present. The course puts emphasis on the causes, effects, and events that most affect our country and its role in the world today and the effect of world events on our history. Students will have the opportunity to examine issues of the twentieth century and speculate on the prospects for the twenty-first century. The course is designed to offer political, social, and economic insights into our nation’s history and requires several small projects each quarter dealing with various aspects of American history as well as homework, tests, written assignments, participation in class discussions, and oral reports.
The American History course will be taught with an inquiry approach. Students will be given questions to investigate in both group and individual settings. Approximately one-third of each quarter grade will be based on research projects; one-third on tests, quizzes, and homework; and one-third on class involvement (including contributions to group work, participation in class discussions, enthusiasm for acquiring historical knowledge, general class participation, cooperation with other students and the teacher.
AP United States History - 1420
Prerequisite: Acceptance into AP United States History is based upon current enrollment or placement in AP Track or AP courses in English, or depending on availability, consultation between the student, AP Social Studies teacher of that subject, and the students guidance counselor.
Grade: 10
Weighted grade
Credit: 1.00
Fulfills requirement
Summer Assignment
This full-year course will cover American History from the pre-Columbian era to the present. The course will focus on social, political, intellectual, technological, and economic developments through this time period. The class will include traditional learning methods such as lecture, but will also involve more in-depth activities such as reading, discussing, and analyzing primary and secondary sources, and evaluation of historical arguments. By combining lecture/note taking with source analysis and discussion, students will gain both a knowledge of objective historical information that will lead them to success on the AP Exam, and critical thinking skills that will help them in all academic areas-particularly as students prepare for College. Good skills in written analysis and interpretation are essential for success in this class.
Either 1442 US Govt. or 1437 AP US Govt. and Politics
US Government - 1442
Prerequisite: None
Grade: 12
Credit: 1.00
This full-year course is a study of the government and political process of the United States, including its historical and philosophical development, its organization, and its function today, as well as the Constitutional principles on which it is built. This course emphasizes the role of citizens in our democracy and the importance of being informed, responsible and active citizens, as well as individual rights and responsibilities. Students will develop these skills by completing a Civic Action Project.
AP U.S. Government & Politics – 1437
Prerequisite: Acceptance into AP Government and Politics is based upon current enrollment or placement in AP Track or AP courses in English, or depending on availability, consultation between the student, AP Social Studies teacher of that subject, and the students guidance counselor.
Grade: 12
Weighted Grade
Credit: 1.00
This full-year course will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. Topics to be covered include the Constitutional underpinnings of our government; political beliefs and behaviors; political parties, interest groups, and mass media; institutions of national government: Congress, the Presidency, the bureaucracy, and the federal courts; public policy, civil rights and liberties. Above average critical reading and written analysis interpretation skills are essential for success both in the class and on the AP US Government and Politics exam. Additionally, students will prepare for and participate in the Civil Action Project (CAP). Successful completion of this project will require students to meet outside of regular class sessions.
Offered during Junior or Senior year:
Introduction to Psychology - 1434 (.5 year)
Prerequisite: None
Elective
Grade: 11-12
Credit: 0.50
This semester course is an introduction to Psychology: the scientific study of the brain and behavior of living things, especially humans. Students focus on topics including: research methods, sensation and perception, learning, developmental psychology from infancy to old age, anatomy of the brain, self and personality, abnormal behavior and therapy. Teaching methodologies will include lecture-discussion, small group work, movies and role-playing. Students are required to prepare a research assignment on a psychology related issue, theory, or concept.
AP Psychology - 1436 (year)
Prerequisite: (A) Acceptance into AP Psychology is based upon current enrollment or placement into AP English, currently enrolled or successful completion of Anatomy and Physiology, and a and a 93% for semester one in current CP Social Studies Class with teacher recommendation, or 90% in current Honors/AP Social Studies Class with Teacher Recommendation
Prerequisite: (B) Acceptance into AP Psychology requires that a student has successfully completed Anatomy and Physiology or enrolled in while taking AP Psychology. A student may not withdraw from Anatomy and Physiology while taking AP Psychology.
Elective
Grade: 12
Weighted Grade
Credit: 1.00
This full-year course is an in-depth approach to Psychology. The class follows the American Psychological Association’s national standards for the teaching of high school psychology.
The five content areas are:
Research methods
Biopsychology (biological bases of behavior, sensation, perception, motivation, and emotion)
Cognitive development (learning, memory, thinking, language, and states of consciousness)
Human growth and development
-Sociocultural: disorders and treatment. Students are required to prepare research assignments on a psychology related issue. Emphasis will be placed developing reading, writing, discussion, research, and critical thinking skills. These will be necessary for the successful completion of the AP Psychology exam.
AP European History - 1405
Prerequisite: Acceptance into AP European History is based current enrollment or placement in AP Track or AP courses in English, and a 93% for semester one in current CP Social Studies Class with teacher recommendation, or 90% in current Honors/AP Social Studies Class with Teacher Recommendation
Grade: 11 or 12 (elective)
Weighted Grade
Summer Assignment
Credit: 1:00
AP European History will focus on the time period from 1300 to the present. This course will focus on the social, political, religious, intellectual, technological, artistic, and economic developments throughout this time period. Students will use a wealth of material from texts, primary and secondary sources, visuals, and in-class discussions to become more familiar with the themes of history within this time period. AP European history is a yearlong survey course with the goals to develop and understand the principal themes in history, skills to analyze historical evidence and an ability to express historical understanding in writing and background to pass the AP Exam. Skills in document analysis, writing, and historical thought are essential for success in this course.
Economics - 1435 (.5 year)
Prerequisite: None
Elective
Grade: 11-12
Credit: 0.50
Economics is for juniors and seniors interested in politics, marketing, business, and the science of economics. The central concept of the course is the problem of scarcity and how people deal with it. The course compares different economic systems, discusses basic microeconomic and macroeconomic principles, and examines the economic problems of developing nations. The course is structured on lectures, open discussion, group projects, guest speakers, and practical exercises.
Introduction to Sociology - 1439 (.5 year)
Prerequisite: None
Elective
Grade: 11-12
Credit: 0.50
Sociology is the study of development, structure, interaction and collective behavior of human beings. This course provides students with an understanding of theories, methods, and approaches to the study of human social and group interactions. It emphasizes the development of sociological thought and the influence of social institutions and cultural factors on human behavior. Among the subjects covered are: culture, groups, socialization, deviance and social inequalities. Teaching methodologies will include lecture-discussion, small group work, movies and role-playing. Students are required to prepare a research assignment on a sociological related issue, theory, or concept.