Skip to main content
Placeholder text, please change
Social Sciences » Social Sciences

Social Sciences

Pre-AP World Geography             4100             Prerequisites: none
Tier 2.................................1.0 credit.......................Grade(s): 9
 
Pre-AP World Geography introduces the five themes of geography—location, place, region, movement, and human environment/interaction. Students analyze physical characteristics and natural resources of various regions of the earth with respect to the economics, social, and cultural impact on the environment and resources. Emphasis is placed on higher-order thinking skills and writing.
 
Pre-AP/GT World Geography               4160                             Prerequisites: Identified GT
Tier 2.................................1.0 credit.......................Grade(s): 9
 
Pre-AP/GT Geography emphasizes the global interactions between peoples and regions, focusing on humanity’s impact on the earth. Assignments include increased reading and strongly emphasize the writing process. The curriculum is compacted, with an increased pace, depth, and complexity appropriate to the needs of the GT student.
 
AP Human Geography                  4330                         Prerequisites: none
Tier 1.................................1.0 credit.......................Grade(s): 9
 
The purpose of the AP Human Geography course is to introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of the Earth’s surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice.
 
World History Pre-AP World History              4200                     Prerequisites: World Geography
Tier 2.................................1.0 credit................Grade(s): 10-12
 
Pre-AP World History examines the story of civilization, stressing intellectual, cultural, social, political, economic and religious developments. The course is student-centered, emphasizing discussion, Socratic seminars, and student/teacher-designed projects. Assessments include authentic and performance evaluation as well as teacher-made tests. Strong reading skills are key to success in this class.
 
AP World History                     4250                      
Prerequisites: World Geography
Tier 1.................................1.0 credit.....................Grade(s): 10
 
AP World History is equivalent to a college-level introductory course. It emphasizes the story of civilization from approximately 10,000 BC to the present, examining political/diplomatic, intellectual/cultural, and socio-economic history. Readings include both the text and primary source documents. This course prepares students for the AP exam and will require 5-6 hrs/wk preparation. There will be a required summer reading assignment.
 
AP/GT World History                        4260                    
Prerequisites: Identified GT, World Geography
Tier 1.................................1.0 credit.....................Grade(s): 10
 
AP/GT World History meets all course goals of AP World History. This course has an increased depth/complexity appropriate to GT student needs. There will be a required summer reading assignment.
 
U.S. History/Government Pre-AP U.S. History              4300     Prerequisites: World Geography, World History
Tier 2.................................1.0 credit.....................Grade(s): 11
 
Pre-AP U.S. History begins after the Reconstruction era, examining intellectual, cultural, social, political, and economic developments. The course is student-centered, emphasizing discussion, Socratic seminars, and student/teacher-designed projects. Assessments include authentic and performance evaluation as well as teacher-made tests. Strong reading skills are key to success in this class.
 
AP U.S. History                  4350                      
Prerequisites: World Geography, World History
Tier 1.................................1.0 credit.....................Grade(s): 11
 
AP U.S. History covers all major periods in American History from colonization through President Reagan, and is equivalent to an introductory college class. Students acquire knowledge and analytical skills needed to deal critically with a wide variety of historical problems; learn to assess historical material and weigh evidence/interpretations presented in historical scholarship; and develop skills necessary to arrive at conclusions based on informed judgment and to clearly/persuasively present reasons/evidence in essay format. Students should expect a considerable amount of outside reading. This course prepares students for the AP exam and requires 5-6 hrs/wk preparation. There will be a required summer reading assignment.
 
AP/GT U.S. History             4360                    
Prerequisites: Identified GT World Geography, World History
Tier 1.................................1.0 credit.....................Grade(s): 11
 
AP/GT U.S. History meets all course goals of AP U.S. History. This course has an increased depth/complexity appropriate to GT student needs. There will be a required summer reading assignment.
 
U.S. Government               4400                      
Prerequisites: World Geography, World History, U.S. History
Tier 2.................................0.5 credit.....................Grade(s): 12
 
U.S. Government is a one-semester course that introduces American government, focusing on structure and institutions (courts, presidency, bureaucracy, Congress), history, processes (elections, political participation, media interest groups), and policies. Themes of the extent of democracy and the scope of government provide a practical and worthwhile framework for analysis.
 
AP U.S. Government/Politics              4450            
Prerequisites: World Geography, World History, U.S. History
Tier 1.................................0.5 credit.....................Grade(s): 12
 
AP U. S. Government and Politics provides an analytical perspective; studies general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics; analyzes specific case studies; and emphasizes familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. political reality. Topics include: Constitutional Underpinnings of the U.S. Government; Political Beliefs/Behaviors; Political Parties and Interest Groups; Institutions and Policy Processes of national government, including the legislative, the executive and the judicial branches, the bureaucracy and civil rights/civil liberties. The student must be able to analyze/interpret data; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; and read at the college level. This course prepares students for the AP exam and requires 5-6 hrs/wk preparation. There will be a required summer reading assignment.
 
Dual-Credit American Government I            4440      
Prerequisites: Principal Approval 0.5 LHS credit+ Also, see Collin Admissions policy
Tier N/A .................3 hrs Collin College credit .......Grade(s): 12
 
Dual-Credit American Government I introduces U.S. politics and . It includes the origin/development of the U.S. constitutional democracy, emphasizing the constitutions of the State of Texas and the United States, federalism and intergovernmental relations, local government, and the political process.
 
Advanced Social Studies Economics 4500
Prerequisites: World Geography, World History, U.S. History
Tier 2.................................0.5 credit.....................Grade(s): 12
 
Economics provides an understanding of the basic U.S. economic system, emphasizing: the theory of supply and demand; price factors of production; income distribution; the organization and functions of the Federal Reserve System; and government regulation of the market system, and comparative economic systems.
 
AP Macroeconomics                 4555                  
Prerequisites: World Geography, World History, U.S. History
Tier 1.................................0.5 credit.....................Grade(s): 12
 
AP Macroeconomics teaches the principles of an economic system as a whole, particularly emphasizing: the study of national income and price determination; the structure/operation of the Federal Reserve; the role of government in economic policy; the strategies of investment; economic performance measures; economic growth; and international economics. The course incorporates/encourages critical thinking, cooperative learning, group discussions/debates, and the use of simulations and current events to reinforce macroeconomics theory. This course prepares students for the AP exam and requires 5-6 hrs/wk preparation.
 
Dual-Credit Macroeconomics              4540
Prerequisites: Principal Approval 0.5 LHS credit+ Also, see Collin Admissions policy
Tier N/A..................3 hrs Collin College credit .......Grade(s): 12
 
Dual-Credit Economics teaches: decision making in the public sector; economic analysis of inflation; unemployment; economic growth; national income measurements; money/ banking; monetary/fiscal policy; competing economic theories; international economics.
 
Social Studies Elective Descriptions
 
AP European History            4050                    
Prerequisites: World History, U.S. History
Tier 1.................................1.0 credit................Grade(s): 11-12
 
AP European History is a challenging, college-level course that uses a college textbook. It focuses on the basic chronology of major events/trends from approximately 1450 to the present. Students learn principle themes in modern European history, to analyze historical evidence, to analyze/express historical understanding in writing. This course prepares students for the AP exam and requires 5-6 hrs/wk preparation. This elective course does not satisfy the social studies requirements for graduation.
 
Pre–AP Psychology            4620                  Prerequisites: none
Tier 2.................................0.5 credit................Grade(s): 11-12
 
This semester course introduces the systematic and scientific study of the human mind and behavior. This course will be taught as a pre-requisite to AP Psychology, and therefore will cover approximately half of the AP curriculum. Topic include: history and approaches of psychology, research methods, social psychology, and biological basis of behavior, learning, and motivation. This course helps to prepare students for the AP exam and requires 4-5 hrs/wk of preparation.
 
AP Psychology                4650                        
Prerequisites: Pre-AP Psychology
Tier 1.................................0.5 credit................Grade(s): 11-12
 
AP Psychology introduces the systematic and scientific study of the human mind and behavior. Emphasis will be placed both on research into human behavior and its applications in students’ everyday lives. Topics taught in this course include: language, memory, developmental psychology, theories of personality, intelligence, psychological disorders, and psychological treatment. This course prepares students for the AP exam and requires 5-6 hrs/wk of preparation.
 
Sociology            4700               Prerequisites: none
Tier 3.................................0.5 credit................Grade(s): 11-12
 
Sociology enables students to better understand society by examining human behavior, and challenges the common thoughts/beliefs we have about ourselves, the world, and the people we encounter. Information/examples relate to life, not just to facts, dates, and theorists. Discussion topics include: How does American culture differ from others? Why are people uncomfortable when others get too close? Why are many Americans willing to conform? What is considered “normal” in society and why? Why are some Americans racists, while others are accepting? Which group in America commits most of the crimes and why? Why are marriages failing? Are American values/morals changing? Why are you like your parents (nature v. nurture)? These are simple questions, but the answers can and will be unique. Student input is essential in this class!
 
Contemporary World Issues                            Prerequisites: none
Tier 3.................................0.5 credit................Grade(s): 10-12
 
This course will emphasize the present and future world. As issues emerge, the historical, geographic, political, and economic context of the area and issue involved will be studied. Thus, this course should provide an excellent vehicle for further development and application of geographic knowledge and skills. Also, through reading and reference skills, students will be required to understand how a country such as the US is organized to respond to world issues and events, making citizenship and interdependent world a major focus.
 
Law I: History of Law                                         Prerequisites: none
Tier 3.................................0.5 credit................Grade(s): 10-12
 
This course covers Origins and Purpose of Law and Theory and Origins of Constitutional Thought. The course introduces students to the foundations of governmental functions and career opportunities within the United States. Students will examine governmental documents such as the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The course also provides a basic introduction to civil and criminal trial procedures at the state and federal levels. This course will provide a knowledge base for students interested in governmental law or the law profession and supports AcDec and Mock Trial.