The Social Sciences Department follows the Florida Standards in conjuction with the National Social Studies Standards.  As a department, we offer rigorous courses that prepare students to face the challenges of postsecondary coursework in various content areas. Students are immersed in engaging learning experiences to build literacy and civic responsibility. Teachers implement various strategies to address literacy in the classroom and support all levels of learners. Courses challenge students to develop critical thinking skills through a myriad of innovative learning experiences. Students are submerged in a culture of learning through academic writing for publication and speaking for public presentation.

​

Course Offerings and Descriptions

​

Advanced Placement American Government and Politics, Course #2106420 (1 credit)

An introductory college course in United States government and politics or in comparative government and politics is generally one semester in length. In both subject areas there is considerable variety among the courses offered by colleges. In terms of content, there is no specific college course curriculum that an AP course in United States Government and Politics or in Comparative Government and Politics must follow. Therefore, the aim of an AP course should be to provide the student with a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in most college introductory U.S. or comparative government and politics courses.  Click here for more information.  Prerequisite: American Government.

 

Advanced Placement Human Geography, Course #2103400 (1 credit)

Advanced Placement Human Geography is designed to expose students to the experiences of an introductory college human geography course.  Units of study include, but are not limited to: population, migration, culture, language, religion, ethnicity, political geography, economic development, industry, agriculture, and urban geography.  The purpose of this course is to utilize geographic processes to systematically study and understand spatial patterns that are evident in the world in which we live.  Click here for course information from College Board.

​

Advanced Placement Psychology, Course #2107350 (1 credit)

This course prepares students for the College Board Advanced Placement Examination for Psychology.  Students acquire an understanding of and an appreciation for human behavior, behavioral interaction, and the progressive development of individuals.  Topics of focus include: research methodology; biological bases of behavior; sensation and perception; states of consciousness; learning and cognition; motivation and emotion; developmental psychology; personality; theories of psychological testing; abnormal psychology; treatment of psychological disorders; and social psychology.  Students investigate the above topics in a student-centered, collaborative learning environment in which innovative educational experiences flourish.

​

Advanced Placement United States History, Course #2100330 (1 credit)

This course is a chronological survey of the history of the United States from the colonial period to the present.  Students are provided the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in United States history.  Integral to the course is application of effective text analysis, research, and writing skills.  The course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Examination in United States History administered by the College Board in May of each year.

​

Advanced Placement World History, Course #2109429 (1 credit)

Advanced Placement World History takes students on a journey through over 10,000 years of human history. The focus of this course is to foster global understanding of human existence and history.  AP World History is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Examination of World History.  Students practice skills crucial to historians including document analysis and writing techniques through the examination of a variety of sources and mediums. Specific focus is placed on comparing and contrasting perspectives relating to historical accounts and documents.

​

American Government Honors, Course #2106320 (.50 credit)

American Government Honors surveys comparative political systems, foundations of the American system, the Constitution, the three branches of government, civil liberties, and the electoral process. It provides the student an opportunity to acquire detailed knowledge of the philosophy behind the democratic form of government practiced in the United States. This course incorporates the roots and changes in our system from colonial times to the present. The overall objective of this course is to prepare seniors for their place in society by helping them learn how the United States government works, how it can be changed, and what rights and freedoms the Constitution guarantees its citizens.  

​

Contemporary History, Course #2109350 (0.5 credits)

The Contemporary History course (required of all grade 9 students not taking AP Human Geography) consists of the following content area strands: American History, World History, Geography, Humanities, Civics and Government. The primary content emphasis for this course pertains to the study of the development of the contemporary world within the context of history in order to analyze current events. Students use knowledge pertaining to history, geography, economics, political processes, religion, ethics, diverse cultures and humanities to solve problems in academic, civic, social and employment settings. Content should include, but is not limited to, world events and trends in the 20th and 21st centuries with emphasis on the past two decades, historical antecedents of contemporary political, social, economic and religious issues, impact of religious thought on contemporary world issues, interaction among science, technology and society, influence of significant historical and contemporary, figures and events on the present, and projection of current trends and movements.  Note: This course is paired with Semantics and Logic.

​

Economics with Financial Literacy Honors, Course #2102345 (.50 credit)

This course investigates the concepts and processes of the national and international economic systems. Focus in placed on currency, banking, monetary policy, the global market and economy, major economic theories and economists, the role and influence of the government and fiscal policies, economic measurements, tools, and methodology, financial and investment markets, and the business cycle.  Students examine the above aspects of economic structures and evaluate the effects such systems have on all aspects of cultures and societies in a global system in a cooperative learning environment.

​

Law Studies, Course #2106350 (0.5 credits)

The grade 9-12 Law Studies course consists of the following content area strands: American History, World History, Geography, Humanities, Economics, and Civics and Government. The primary content for the course pertains to the study of the American legal system as the foundation of American society by examining those laws which have an impact on citizens' lives and an introduction to fundamental civil and criminal justice procedures. Content should include, but is not limited to, the need for law, the basis for our legal system, civil and criminal law, adult and juvenile courts, family and consumer law, causes and consequences of crime, individual rights and responsibilities, and career opportunities in the legal system.

​

Philosophy Honors, Course #2120910 (0.5 credits)

The grade Philosophy Honors course consists of the following content area strands: American History, World History, Geography, Humanities, Civics and Government. The primary content emphasis for this course pertains to the study of the definition and historical application of philosophy. Content should include, but is not limited to, the study of classical and modern philosophies, the fundamental principles of philosophical thought, such as semantics, logic, inductive and deductive reasoning, and major figures of social, political and religious philosophies.

​

Pre-AP World History and Geography #2109415 (1 credit)

Pre-AP World History and Geography focuses deeply on building the skills, knowledge, and confidence that will propel students through high school coursework, college, careers, and civic life. The course is built around three enduring ideas in the social studies: (1) History is an interrelated story of the world, (2) History and geography are inherently dynamic, and (3) Historians and geographers are investigators. The course is focused on a small set of disciplinary reasoning tools including evaluating evidence, explaining historical and geographic relationships, and incorporating evidence. The course address the topics of geography, population, culture, state building, economic systems, and social structures.

​

Psychology 1, Course #2107300 (0.5 credits)

Through the study of psychology, students acquire an understanding of and an appreciation for human behavior, behavior interaction and the progressive development of individuals. The content examined in this first introductory course includes major theories and orientations of psychology, psychological methodology, memory and cognition, human growth and development, personality, abnormal behavior, psychological therapies, stress/coping strategies, and mental health.

​

Psychology 2, Course #2107310 (0.5 credits)

Through the study of psychology, students acquire an understanding of and an appreciation for human behavior, behavior interaction and the progressive development of individuals. The content examined in this second introductory course includes statistical research, psychobiology, motivation and emotion, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, psychological testing, and social psychology.

 

Sociology, Course #2108300 (0.5 credits)

Through the study of sociology, students acquire an understanding of group interaction and its impact on individuals in order that they may have a greater awareness of the beliefs, values and behavior patterns of others. In an increasingly interdependent world, students need to recognize how group behavior affects both the individual and society.

​

United States History Honors, Course #2100320 (1 credit)

Students are exposed to the historical, geographic, political, economic, and sociological events which influenced the development of the United States and the resulting impact on world history from Reconstruction to the present day.  Scaffolded learning opportunities for students to develop the critical skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation are provided.  Students participate in engaging learning experiences including analyzing historical documents and supplementary readings; participating in Socratic seminars/discussions; and formulating positions on given issues and effectively communicating such positions to a targeted audience. Students develop and demonstrate their skills through innovative projects, academic competitions, and various media outlets.

​

Women's Studies, Course #2104340 (0.5 credits)

The grade 9-12 Women's Studies course consists of the following content area strands: American History, World History, Geography, Humanities, Civics and Government. The primary content emphasis for this course pertains to the study of the historical development of women in various cultures, the role of women in shaping history, and of contemporary issues that impact the lives of women.

​

World Cultural Geography, Course #2103300 (1 credit)
The primary content emphasis for this course pertains to the study of world cultural regions in terms of location, physical characteristics, demographics, historical changes, land use, and economic activity. Content should include, but is not limited to, the use of geographic tools and skills to gather and interpret data and to draw conclusions about physical and human patterns, the relationships between physical geography and the economic, political, social, cultural and historical aspects of human activity, patterns of population growth and settlement in different cultures and environments, the interaction between culture and technology in the use, alteration and conservation of the physical environment, and the interrelationships and interdependence of world cultures.

​

World History Honors, Course #2109320 (1 credit)

World History provides students a rigorous, challenging, and rewarding experience in which students engage in an in-depth study of the history of civilizations and societies.  Students are exposed to historical periods leading to the beginning of the 21st Century, examining the aspects of cultures and societies throughout history.  Students are exposed to a variety of resources and materials to create a unique and innovative experience of investigating historical events, populations, practices, and motives. Students participate in analyzing primary and secondary sources via multiple forms of media and print resources.