Social Studies

 

World Geography (SOL TEST)

Grade: 8-12 1 Credit

Prerequisite: None

World Geography focuses on the study of the world's people, places, and environments with historical emphasis on Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. The knowledge, skills and perspectives of the course are centered on the world's population and cultural characteristics, its countries and regions, land forms and climates, natural resources and natural hazards, economic and political systems, and migration and settlement patterns. Spatial concepts of geography are linked to chronological concepts of history to set a framework for studying human interactions. The course emphasizes how people in various cultures influence and are influenced by their physical and ecological environments. Using texts, maps, globes, graphs, pictures, stories, diagrams, charts, and a variety of geographic, inquiry/research, and technology skills, students consider the relationships between people and places while asking and answering geographic questions. Students take the World Geography end-of course SOL test. For instructional grouping purposes, schools offer World Geography CP and World Geography.

 

 

World History (SOL TEST)

Grade: 9-12 1 Credit

Prerequisite: None

World History covers history and geography from 1500 A. D. to the present with emphasis on Western Europe. Geographic influences on history are explored, but increasing attention is given to political boundaries that developed with the evolution of nation-states. Significant attention is given to the ways in which scientific and technological revolutions created new economic conditions that in turn produced social and political changes. The people and events of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries are emphasized for their strong connections to contemporary issues. The course strikes a balance between the broad themes of history and the probing of specific historic events, ideas, issues, persons, and documents. Using texts, maps, pictures, stories, diagrams, charts, and a variety of chronological, inquiry/research, and technological skills, students develop competence in chronological thinking, historical comprehension and historical analysis. Students take the World History II end-of course SOL test. For instructional grouping purposes, schools offer World History CP and World History.

 

 

United States and Virginia History (SOL TEST)

Grade: 11-12 1 Credit

Prerequisite: None

United States History covers the historical development of American ideas and institutions from the Age of Exploration to the present. While focusing on political and economic history, students are provided with a basic knowledge of American culture through a chronological survey of major issues, movements, people, and events in United States and Virginia history. Students take the U. S. History end-of course SOL test. For instructional grouping purposes, schools may offer U. S. History and U. S. History Honors.

 

 

United States and Virginia Government

Grade: 11-12 1 Credit

Prerequisite: None

The study of United States and Virginia government ensures that graduates of Virginia's public schools understand the origins and workings of the American and Virginia political systems. Students are required to have knowledge of the United States and Virginia Constitutions; the structure and operation of United States and Virginia governments; the process of policy-making, with emphasis on economics, foreign affairs, and civil rights issues; and the impact of the general public, political parties, interest groups, and the media on policy decisions. United States political and economic systems are compared to those of other nations, with emphasis on the relationships between economic and political freedoms. Economic content covers the United States market system, supply and demand, and the role of the government in the economy. For instructional grouping purposes, schools may offer Government and Government Honors.

 

 

AP Government and Politics: United States

Grade: 12 1 Credit

Prerequisite: None

Advanced Placement Government and Politics: United States is a college level course that requires the reading of a comprehensive textbook and supplemental readings. It may include a summer reading list. Students will study landmark cases, analyze different points of view on government issues and develop an understanding of democratic concepts. Critical thinking skills are stressed and students conduct college-level research. Students may take the Advanced Placement exam and have their scores considered for college credit. **Financial assistance is available to low-income and needy students to take advanced placement exams.

 

 

 

AP U. S. History (SOL TEST)

Grade: 11-12 1 Credit

Prerequisite: None

Advanced Placement U. S. History is a college level course that requires the reading of a comprehensive college-level textbook, supplemental readings of interpretative articles and/or primary sources and monographic literature on historical issues. It may include a summer reading list. Critical thinking skills are stressed in the survey of U. S. historical events from the Age of Discovery to the modern time period. Students may take the Advanced Placement exam and have their scores considered for college credit. Students take the U. S. History end-of course SOL test. **Financial assistance is available to low-income and needy students to take advanced placement exams.

 

 

 

Current Affairs (Elective)

Grade: 10-12 1/2-1 Credit

Prerequisite: None

Current Affairs offers a focus on contemporary issues in a changing world. The course will emphasize activities which build skills in the areas of critical thinking, team work, reading, writing, oral presentations, debate, geography, research and evaluation.

 

 

Economics (Elective)

Grade: 10-12 1/2 Credit

Prerequisite: None

Economics surveys the basic economic principles with emphasis on economic systems, world trade, banking, budgeting, the stock market, and the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. Students analyze how economic issues affect domestic and international decisions.

 

 

Modern American History (Elective)

Grade: 10-12 1/2 Credit

Prerequisite: None

Modern American History involves the study of America during the twentieth century with emphasis from 1945 to the present. Topics include the Korean War, the Truman doctrine, the Cold War, the Sixties, Vietnam, new feminism, Watergate, the fall of the Soviet Union, the Persian Gulf War, and other political, social and cultural issues of this period.

 

 

Psychology (Elective)

Grade: 10-12 1/2 Credit

Prerequisite: None

Psychology is a study of human behavior. Units of study include the growth and development of an individual's personality, the brain and its role in behavior, learning styles, types of psychological tests, gender roles, and identity.

 

 

Sociology (Elective)

Grade: 10-12 1/2 Credit

Prerequisite: None

Sociology is the study of groups of people, how they interact with one another and with other groups. Current social problems, crime, poverty, prejudice, may be chosen for study.

 

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