Welcome to the Social Studies Department!
Course Descriptions:
US History - Reconstruction to the Present
This required course for freshmen is designed to identify and evaluate United States historical events from the years following the Civil War to the present. Students will explore historical events including Reconstruction, Westward Expansion, Industrialization, Immigration, World War I, the Depression, World War II, the Korean War, Civil Rights, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and current foreign policy issues. Students will explore domestic, foreign and economic issues that have occurred in the U.S. from 1865 to the present.
Honors US History - Reconstruction to the Present
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation only. Students are required to have earned a “B” grade in prior history courses and have a 3.0 cum GPA as well as have a 90% score on the STAR reading test.
THIS IS A PRIME CLASS – STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE A PRIME COURSE CONTRACT.
This required course for freshmen is designed to identify and evaluate United States historical events from the years following the Civil War to the present. Students will explore historical events including Reconstruction, Westward Expansion, Industrialization, Immigration, World War I, the Depression, World War II, the Korean War, Civil Rights, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and current foreign policy issues. Students will explore domestic, foreign and economic issues that have occurred in the U.S. from 1865 to the present. Students will have extensive required readings and writing assignments throughout the year as well a semester long research project.
Global Studies and Research
In order to help students make connections between social studies content and their lives, this course will utilize a variety of methods such as virtual libraries, hands-on activities, class discussions, and research projects. Several important issues will be explored during the course, including development of civilization, technology throughout history, and the study of world cultures. Students will research and analyze historic philosophies, political systems and religions. This course will help make students aware of issues and events that have an impact on people at local, state, national, and global levels.
Honors Global Studies and Research
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation only. Students are required to have earned a “B” grade in U.S. History and/or earned “advanced” scores in Reading and English on the ASPIRE standardized test.
THIS IS A PRIME CLASS – STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE A PRIME COURSE CONTRACT.
Several important issues will be explored during the course, including development of civilization, technology throughout history, and the study of world cultures. Students will research and analyze historic philosophies, current events, political systems and religions. This course will help make students aware of issues and events that have an impact on people at local, state, national, and global levels. In order to help students make connections between social studies content and their lives, this course will utilize a variety of methods such as virtual libraries, hands-on activities, class discussions, and research projects. This course will also incorporate the reading of a novel addressing the same local, state, national and global issues and events. Additionally, formal class discussions and writing activities will be routinely integrated.
Women in US History
This course examines women in United States history from the colonial period (1607) to the present. We will work to understand the experiences, conditions, and perspectives of women in the past and the present. We will explore how female roles and ideas about female roles have changed over time. We will examine how ideas about gender and events such as war and industrialization have shaped the lives of women, gain an understanding of how women in the past have demanded and influenced change, and reflect upon how knowledge of women’s history enhances our understanding of U.S. history.
Civics
JUNIORS MAY TAKE POLITICAL SCIENCE 141 INSTEAD OF CIVICS TO SATISFY GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS. THE STATE OF WISCONSIN REQUIRES ALL STUDENTS TO PASS A CITIZENSHIP TEST AS A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT. IT WILL BE LISTED ON THE STUDENT’S HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT.
The major purpose of this course is to provide students with a basic understanding of democratic rights and responsibilities, effective democratic citizenship, and the structure and operation of the American government. Knowledge of, and interest in, current events is a major part of the Civics course as every democratic society depends on informed citizens.
Pop Culture
This course is an exploration of the 20th and early 21st centuries through the lens of American pop culture. Each decade has been given a theme, and within those themes, we will look at the things that shaped our popular culture. By looking at commerce, film and theater, food and drink, music, print media, sports and games, fashion, television and radio, and “the way we live”, we will learn why American pop culture has become our nation’s greatest export. The course will make the connections between popular culture and political, social and economic policies throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
Street Law
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation only. Satisfies graduation requirement for Civics. This course is a practical program of legal education designed to engage high school students in a critical examination of their legal responsibilities and rights. Students will conduct discussions, research and debates with their classmates about practical legal problems, contemporary legal issues, and the ramifications of breaking the law. The ultimate goal of the program is to provide students with a sense of belonging in society through empowerment with knowledge of the law. Street Law works to provide an understanding of the fundamental principles of authority, fairness, justice and responsibility that underlie our legal system.
Sociology
Sociology is an introduction to the basic concepts, theories, and methods of sociology, emphasizing the significance of the self and culture, social process and organization, and forces of social stability and change. Students will be introduced to research methods used by sociologists. Topics covered in this course include: traditions of sociological thought, logic of sociological inquiry, socialization, deviance and social control, economic stratification, radial and ethnic stratification, gender stratification, marriage and family institution, religion, formal organizations and social change and social movement.
Psychology
This course is designed to give students a general overview into psychology. Some of the topics studied include: personality analysis, theories of personality, psychological disorders and dependency, goals of psychology, contemporary approaches of psychology, positive psychology, and brain research. At the end of the semester, students completed an electronic portfolio research project on a topic of interest. The goal of this class is to provide information that might encourage students to further their study of Psychology in the future.
Sports and Society
Course will provide students with knowledge about psychological factors that affect performance in sports and other competitive situations. These topics include: motivation, concentration, focus, confidence, burnout, anxiety, and dealing with pressure. Students will be introduced to mental skills and strategies that will enhance performance, make athletic participation more enjoyable, and learn skills that can be transferred to other aspects of their lives. This course is recommended for student-athletes, those interested in sports, and anyone who is interested in learning about and improving their mental approach when it comes to competition.
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