Social Studies

2 Semesters, Grade 10

This two-semester course provides a comprehensive, chronological survey of the significant conditions, challenges and accomplishments that have influenced the progress of humankind.  Beginning with prehistory, students examine topics associated with the growth of early civilization, classical contributions of Greece and Rome, regional civilizations and the rise of medieval Europe.  Other topics of study include emergence of the modern world, age of revolution, growth of industry and nationalism, world wars in the 20th century and development of the contemporary world.

2 Semesters, EOC/Milestone Course, Grade 11

This two-semester course provides a comprehensive, chronological survey of the history of the United States.  Students examine topics beginning with the period of exploration and colonization, and then continue through independence and revolutions, constitutional debate between the Federalists and Republicans, Jeffersonian and Jacksonian democracy, sectionalism and civil war, reconstruction and industrialization, immigration and urbanization, imperialism and the progressive era, World War I and the Great Depression, World War II and the Cold War.  The course concludes with a study of the emergence of modern America.

1 Semester, Grade 12

Political Systems is a required one-semester course designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of their rights and responsibilities as citizens by examining the American political structure and process.  Topics of study include the origin and growth of representative democracy, the development of the U. S. Constitution founded on the concept of federalism, landmark legal decision and their impact on constitutional government, the adaptive nature of the political process as influenced by political parties, special interest groups and media coverage as well as a comparison of our political system with other forms of government throughout the world.

1 Semester, EOC/Milestone Course, Grade 12

Economics offers students the opportunity to study the issues of scarcity and choices related to the utilization of limited resources.  Students learn how to apply the tools of economic analysis to personal, community, national and international issues.  Economic preparedness enables students to make choices relying on past historical and geographical knowledge to actively and successfully engage in our complex society.

2 Semesters, Grade 9

This two-semester course provides the content knowledge and skills neccessary to understand the roles, responsibilities and relationships of people and places throughout the world, both past and present.  The course will prepare students for the three year required social studies sequence.  Topics will include the themes of Historical Geography and Economic Geography.

Extensive opportunities to develop and refine writing competencies will prepare students for the High School Gateway Assessment.  Integrated throughout the course, students are instructed on efficient and effective methods and strategies to read, write, think, organize, take notes and demonstrate what they have learned.  This course will focus on geography objectives assessed on the Georgia High School Graduation Test.

1 Semester, Grades 11-12

This elective course develops an understanding of the basic components of the legal and criminal justice system in the United States.  Students are offered an overview of civil and criminal law in this country as well as an examination of various legal institutions and processess (e.g., the police, the courts, rehabilitation systesm, etc).

1 Semester, Grades 11-12

This elective course provides students with opportunities to identify and evaluate political, social, and economic issues on the local, state, national and international level.  The central emphasis is on contemporary issues and problems and their effects on  the student as a constructive citizen in an interdependent world.  A variety of current news media will be used for instructional purposes.

1 Semester, Grades 11-12

This elective course helps students understand and appreciate people as independent agents in cooperative activities with others.  Topics to be covered are: the organized way people fulifll basic needs (institutions), the setting of social rules and their enforcement (social control), and the possessions people have, the way they think, and their actions as members of society (culture).  Students will use the social scientific method as a mode of research.

1 Semester, Grades 11-12

This elective course introduces students to basic psychological concepts and principles as well as the rules, laws and theories of psychology.  Topics include: determiners of personality (heredity and environment), theories of the development of intelligence and testing characteristics of basic needs.  A study of self-concept (theories of development) is also included.  With this knowledge of themselves and others, students should be able to make informed decisions which are impacted by changing environments and situations.