Mahlon Bryan, Department Head
Brian Baron [more]
Paul Callis [more]
David Edmondson
Eddie Hood
Pheletta Kayea
Tiiu Maavere
T.J. Miniscalco
Robin Moon
Greg Mott
Richard Postell
Capucina Ray Douglass
John Waters
Social Studies Courses:
Psychology: Psychology is the social science that deals with the behavior and thinking of organisms. Psychology differs from sociology primarily in that it focuses on the brain and individual behavior and draws more heavily on the tools of the natural sciences. Topics of interest to psychologists include: human personality, including irrational behaviors; animal behavior, inheritance and variations in human abilities, motivation, types of intelligence, learning styles, perception, the investigation of attitudes, opinions and prejudices, assessment of food preferences, choices people make for work and their environment, etc.
Contemporary Issues: Contemporary Issues is a study of public policies and the examination of local, state, regional, national, and global current events. The course concentrates on important news events as well as the personalities, problems, and perceptions surrounding breaking events. -Students have the opportunity to analyze and evaluate news items, to research the social, cultural, political, historical, economic, and other background aspects of current world events, and to discuss conclusions with others.
Law: Students will be introduced to the role of our court system as they explore contemporary legal issues, high profile cases, criminal and civil lawsuits, roles of the participants in the legal process, the constitutional basis for legislation, and the personal freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution affecting the individual on a daily basis. Landmark decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court are used to show students the significance of the issues brought to the highest court as well as the impact of the Court's rulings on our society.
AP Human Geography: This is a full year class designed to provide 9 th grade high school students with an experience equivalent to a college introductory human geography class. Students will be introduced to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of the earth’s surface. Landscape analysis and spatial concepts will be employed to analyze human social organization and its environmental consequences. Students will earn two high schools credits in this class and may earn college credit by taking the College Placement Exam.
AP World History: This is a yearlong course offered to tenth grade students for which the student may earn college credit and receive 2 high school credits. Emphasis will be placed on analyzing changes over time within societies, comparing and contrasting different societies, and the use of primary documents. It is a truly global approach in that students will be exposed to all regions of the world as opposed to the traditional Western Civilization approach.
AP U.S. History: This is a full year course at the 11th and 12 grades which earns 2 units of credit. Admission is based on student commitment, high aptitude scores, grade records, and teacher recommendations. This course is designed to provide students with analytical skills and factual knowledge needed for success at the college level. Students will be prepared for future college courses by following a program equivalent to those of a full-year introductory college course and may earn college credit by taking the College Placement Exam.
AP Economics: This course, offered at the senior year, incorporates both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics and will thus prepare students to take AP Exams in both areas. In one semester, students can earn one full unit of credit at the high school level as well as having the opportunity to receive college credit . Students will learn to think like an economist while learning most economic concepts in the classroom, thus creating minimal outside work. Economic issues will be examined at a slower pace than those of introductory college courses, thus helping to insure student success. Students earn one full unit of credit at the high school level and also have the opportunity to earn college credit.
AP American Government: This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific examples. Students should become acquainted with the variety of theoretical perspectives and explanations for various behaviors and outcomes. This course requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. politics. It is offered at the senior level with the opportunity to earn one full unit of credit. College credit may be earned by taking the College Placement Exam.
AP Psychology : This is a one-semester course which receives 1 full unit of credit. Emphasis is placed on improved writing techniques, heightened research skills, and a scientific study of the mind and behavior. In addition to giving the student an opportunity to earn college credit through this course, it will offer 11th and 12th grade students the opportunity to enroll in a more specialized, upper-level psychology class such as developmental or social psychology as a college freshman.
Controversial Issues : This 9-week course is a social studies elective, paired with Philosophy. It is designed for highly motivated students who are able to confront controversial issues in an analytical manner. Through readings, research, and discussions, students will be challenged to investigate views on issues that are controversial in nature. Students will be given the opportunity to develop and employ critical thinking skills in order to form their own evaluation of current events and issues of social relevance. Thorough research and academic skills are necessary for students to be successful in this course.
