Department of Social Studies

College Prep World History A (Grade 10)
College Prep World History B (Grade 10)
This is a two semester course of study that is required for graduation. This is a study of major western and non-western cultures from prehistoric times to the present: emphasis will be placed on understanding the patterns of development and change that has taken place in major cultures in Europe, as well as those in Africa, Asia, and the Americas as they relate to the development of European culture.

Honors World History A (Grade 10)
Honors World History B (Grade 10)
This course is an in-depth survey of world history from the assent of humans to the end of the Cold War. Emphasis will be given to the development of Western Europe and of Africa, Asia, and the Americas as those regions affect the development of European culture. These objectives will be accomplished through the use of the assigned textbook, maps, supplementary readings, primary source documents, and individual, original research projects. This course will require a large amount of reading and writing, as well as critical analysis of historical material. This is a two semester course of study that may be taken in-lieu of COLLEGE PREP World History if the student meets the Prerequisites.
Prerequisites: Must score a 16 or higher on the Social Studies Department placement profile rubric.

College Prep U.S. History A (Grade 11)
College Prep U.S. History B (Grade 11)
This is a two semester course of study that is required for graduation. The course is a study of the political, social, and economic events that have shaped the United States from the founding of Jamestown to the present day. The first semester will cover the period up to 1876, and the second semester will cover from 1876 to present day. Students will learn the basic concepts concerning the founding of the federal government, the development of state governments and how the two interact. Additionally, students will be expected to understand the cause and effect of specific events in U.S. History while making connections to current domestic and international affairs. These objectives will be accomplished through the use of the assigned textbook, maps, supplementary readings, primary source documents, and individual, original research projects. Supplemental reading books are required of all students.

Honors U.S. History I A (Grade 11)
Honors U.S. History II B (Grade 11)
The first semester of this course is a survey in United States History from Colonial times to 1876, while the second semester covers the period since 1877.Both sections will focus on the political, social and intellectual developments of the time period studied and will analyze the events and people who helped to make the U.S. a world power. There are several research papers and supplemental reading requirements that are required for this class.
Prerequisites: A grade of “B” or higher in Honors World History and an evaluation from that teacher

Advanced Placement U.S. History A (Grade 11)
Advanced Placement U.S. History B (Grade 11)
Students will explore American history from early Native-American cultures through the present and will learn to analyze and interpret historic events. This college-level course meets graduation requirements for the state of North Carolina but also provides the opportunity to earn college credit if proficiency is demonstrated on the Advance Placement Exam taken in May.
Prerequisites: Attendance at a mandatory information meeting (time to be determined), a score of 60 for either the verbal or writing skills portion of the PSAT exam, readiness assessment, and teacher evaluation. Students are required to take the AP exam in May. AP Exam Fee required.

Advanced Placement European History A (Grades 11, 12)
Advanced Placement European History B (Grades 11, 12)
Students will study the key social, economic, political, and cultural factors that changed the face of Europe from the Renaissance through modern history and current events. The course will emphasize critical evaluation of primary source documents that include letters, treaties, newspapers, pamphlets, artwork and other original sources. Students will supplement their study of the course textbook with several period novels, and other works, that represent the writing achievements of the great European writers. The course will include a two week review for the required Advanced Placement Exam which will be held in early May. Students are required to take the AP exam in May. AP Exam Fee required. Prerequisites: Attendance at a mandatory information meeting (time to be determined), a score of 60 for either the verbal or writing skills portion of the PSAT exam, readiness assessment, and an evaluation. Students, who completed AP U.S. History with a grade of “B” or above, are exempt from the prerequisites.

College Prep Government – A - Semester I (Grade 12)
A study of American government with respect to its ideological underpinnings and structure: strong emphasis is placed on the values and ideals embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Students will study the elements in decision-making at all levels of government and learn the importance of citizen participation in the political culture of the United States.

College Prep Economics –B - Semester II (Grade 12)
A study of the American economics system: students will study basic concepts of the price system, supply and demand, the tax system and financial markets. Emphasis is placed on the application of value in economic decision-making to solve fundamental contemporary economic problems.

Honors Government –A - Semester I (Grade 12)
An in-depth study of American government with respect to its ideological underpinnings and structure: strong emphasis is placed on the values and ideals embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. In addition, students will be required to read supplementary materials and submit several papers on a variety of topics emphasizing analysis and interpretation.
Prerequisites: “B” or higher in Honors or AP U.S. History and teacher recommendation. Student must possess a basic knowledge of the American political system.

Honors Economics –B - Semester II (Grade 12)
An in-depth study of the American economic system: students will study concepts of the price system, supply and demand, the tax system and financial markets. Strong emphasis is placed on the application of value in economic decision-making to solve fundamental contemporary economic problems. In addition, students will be required to read supplementary materials and/or submit research papers or projects dealing with the study of Economics.
Prerequisites: “B” or higher in Honors or AP U.S. History and teacher recommendation. Student must possess a basic knowledge of the American economic system.

History Electives (These courses do not replace history requirements)

College Prep The American Civil War A (Grade 11 and 12)
This is a study U.S. History from 1850to 1876 specifically focusing on the Civil War. Students will learn to generalize, form historical investigation, so that they can apply this information to make predications regarding currant events.

College Prep Vietnam: The History and the Impact -B (Grade 11 and 12)
This will be a study in the ancient development of Vietnam and the establishment of a Vietnamese culture separate from the Chinese. Following the historical foundation the class will move into the French Colonial period and the American involvement in Southeast Asia. The end of the class will look at the lasting impact of the war and the lessons we have learned as a nation. This is a one semester course.

Advanced Placement Psychology A (Grade 11 and 12)
Advanced Placement Psychology B (Grade 11 and 12)
The purpose of AP Psychology is to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Major concepts, theories, and methodologies of psychology will be studied.
Students must take a semester exam in January to prepare specifically for the exam and they are required to take the AP Language and Composition exam in May. AP Exam Fee required.
Prerequisites: Attendance at a mandatory informational meeting at a time to be determined, an “A” in College Prep English II or III (or continued enrollment in Honors English II, III, or AP English Literature) and teacher recommendation. Students must also have an average of 63 on the verbal and writing skills portions on the PSAT or be recommended by The College Board’s AP readiness index, and show a basic level of competency on the timed writing sample.