Social Studies

World History II

10th Grade

This course provides the student with a study of modern societies beginning with the Age of Exploration and ending with recent history. The course includes study of both eastern and western cultures. Emphasis will be placed on the political, religious, aesthetic, intellectual, social, and economic developments that produced today’s world.

U. S. History

11th Grade

This is a survey course that provides the student with a chronological history of the United States, from its beginning to the present. The course includes a thorough coverage of the formation and development of our nation’s values and its social, political, and economic institutions.

Advanced Placement U.S. History

11th Grade

Prerequisites: See general prerequisites on p. 9.

The Advanced Placement program in United States History is designed to provide students with the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and material in United States history. The course prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those made by a full-year introductory college course. This course requires the student to maintain a challenging reading schedule, take notes, and perform well on tests in essay format.

Government

11th Grade—One Semester

Prerequisites: The student must take AP US History concurrently with this course and have an A/B average.

This course is offered to students in their junior year who are interested in completing a program in Advanced Placement History. Refer to information on Government (12) for a description of this course.

Economics

12th Grade—One Semester

This course will give students an understanding of the fundamental principles of economics and how it relates to life. The basic knowledge gained from this course will help students make intelligent decisions as consumers and citizens. An understanding of economic functions will help when making decisions about earning, saving, investing, or spending money and interpreting political candidates’ positions on economic issues. Students will become familiar with determination of prices and wages, labor unions and collective bargaining, money and banking, unemployment and inflation, business in the American economy, and the effect of world trade and finance on our economy.

Government

12th Grade—One Semester

This course is designed to help students gain an understanding of how the political system works, the impact of the political system on their lives, and how Americans become participants in their political system. The course will focus on the following interrelated content areas: the history and framework of our government, the relationship of citizens to the political system, the institutions of the government, and the formulation of public policy.

Advanced Placement European History

10th, 11th, & 12th Grade—One Semester

Prerequisites: See general prerequisites on p. 9.

This course is a survey of the development of western civilization from the Renaissance to the present. The course prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those made by a full-year college course. In addition to providing a basic narrative of events and movements, the goals of the Advanced Placement Program in European History are to develop (a) an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European history, (b) an ability to analyze historical evidence, and (c) an ability to analyze and to express historical understanding in writing.

* This course fulfills the Humanities requirement for graduation.

** This course fulfills World History II requirements for graduation if taken as a sophomore.

Advanced Placement History of Art

10th, 11th, & 12th Grade

Prerequisites: See general prerequisites on p. 9.

This two semester course, offered at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Art, is designed to introduce high school juniors and seniors to the understanding and enjoyment of works of art in historical context. Students are prepared for the Advanced Placement History of Art Exam offered in May by the College Board, which awards college credit for the course. Application and other information available from the Guidance Office.