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The Social Studies Department teaches a broad range of courses: U.S. History, World History, Government, Sociology, Psychology, Economics, and Current Events.
Courses Offered:
U.S. History, World History, Government, Sociology, Psychology, Economics, and Current Events.
| Suggested Course Sequences: |
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9th |
10th |
11th |
12th |
| Req. for Grad. |
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World/US History to 1900 |
Contemporary US History |
Government & semester elective |
| College Prep. |
World History to 1500 |
US World History 1500-1900 |
Contemporary US History |
Government & semester elective |
| Accel. |
World History to 1500 |
Humanities |
AP US & World History |
AP US & World History |
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NHS Teacher Web Pages & Suggested Web Pages:
Click here to view all NHS courses.
Junior students learn about recent US history.
Science Course Descriptions
World History to 1500:
Prerequisite – None
This course covers
the period of human history to 1500 or approximately the age of western
exploration. The student will concentrate on the geographical and cultural
factors that shaped developing world civilizations in Asia, Europe, Africa and
the Americas. Resources will include multi media software, primary sources and
secondary reference materials. Performance will be assessed by various methods,
e.g., individual research activities, class projects, written assignments,
and exams.
World & US History 1500-1900:
Prerequisite – None Required for the
10th Grade
The student will study the emergence of the
United States from the age of western exploration to its late 19th
century position of economic and technological dominance. The history of the
nation will not be studied in isolation, but as a dynamic, interactive process,
sensitive to the ebb and flow of international political, social and economic
forces. Resources will include multi media software, primary sources and
secondary reference materials. A major performance assessment will be conducted
within the civil war unit. In addition, performance will be assessed through
class projects, simulation activities, written assignments and traditional
exams.
Select students
will be participating in an “honors” approach to the study of 10th grade social
science and Advanced English. As the courses are taught in conjunction, special
emphasis will be placed on literature of the period.
These courses are preparatory to taking the AP US History and AP English
courses.
Contemporary US History:
Prerequisite –
None
The course will
describe the growth of the United States as a major world power in the 20th
century. The student will examine the events, ideas and personalities that drew
the United States, already an economic giant, reluctantly to assume political
leadership in the modern world; and, how the nation’s superpower status shaped
its contemporary social and economic fabric. Resources will include multi media
software, primary sources, and secondary reference materials. Both objective and
performance Kansas State Education department assessments may be conducted
during the second semester. In addition, performance will be assessed through
class projects, media reviews, written assignments and traditional exams.
AP US History/Government:
Prerequisite –
None -
Enrollment for
this course is selective
Students wishing to enroll
in this course must meet the following criteria.
a.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5
b.
An “A” in all 9th and 10th grade Social Science and
Language Arts courses or recommendation of Humanities block teacher.
c.
If one of the criteria listed above is not met, then a letter of
recommendation from a NHS Social Science or Language Arts teacher must be
submitted to the AP History teacher.
d.
In addition the student must pass a comprehensive objective and written
exam to be administered during the spring enrollment period.
This course is designed for highly
intelligent students who want the academic challenge of an integrated college
level US History/Government course. Students are introduced to the development
of governmental institutions, historiography, authors and methods. Extensive use
is made of both primary and secondary source materials with an objective of
developing each student’s interpretive and analytical skills. An extensive
amount of outside reading and writing is required. Students may elect to take a
College Board-A.P. US History exam at the conclusion of their senior year.
Please note this is a two-year block with the first semester focusing primarily
on government and three semesters devoted to an in-depth survey of US History.
American Government:
Prerequisite –
None Required for 12th Grade
This course is required for graduation. It
covers the development of government from the Pre-Greek period to modern
governments. The major emphasis is on the American governmental system. Students
have the opportunity to do individual projects, class field trips and
examinations. Exams are both objective and subjective.
Current Events:
Prerequisite –
None
This course will require students to examine
noteworthy political, social and economic topics of current interest. The
political and historical backgrounds of many of the issues will be researched
and analyzed in more detail. There will be no textbook but course material will
be drawn from newspapers, news magazines, the electronic media, scholarly
publications and the Internet. Course work will entail
an additional amount of reading and writing. This course will not fulfill
the 12th grade social studies requirement.
STUDENTS MAY CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING THREE COURSES TO SATISFY THE SENIOR ELECTIVE SOCIAL SCIENCE REQUIREMENT.
Psychology:
Prerequisite –
None
The course will survey the scientific principles
of mental process and human behavior. Areas covered will include neuroscience,
human development, sensation, perception, learning, memory, thinking,
intelligence, emotions, stress, personality and psychological disorders. In
addition, the student will review the historical development of psychology and
the fundamentals of research.
Sociology:
Prerequisite –
None
In this course, students will study the concepts
of socialization, social interaction, social organization, cultural and social
change, social institutions and social problems. Evaluation consists of
objective and/or subjective exams and the writing of book reviews.
Economics:
Prerequisite –
None
Economics is a social science concerned with the
problems of using and administering scarce resources, in order to attain the
greatest or maximum fulfillment of society’s unlimited wants. Economics is
concerned with “doing the best with what we have.” Students will investigate: a)
economics history and background; b) economic science; c)the study of the macro
system of economic growth; d) the market mechanism, or microeconomics; e)
international economics.
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