We encourage students to use different sources of knowledge to engage in and dialogue about our democratic system.  We help students to grow their understanding of different cultures, and to evaluate and appreciate our American tradition of democracy in our evermore complex interdependent world.

• Civics
• Economics
• US History
• World History
• AP US History
• AP World History/Geography
• Model UN/International Relations
• Psychology
• Sociology
• History of Thought

• Sara Ahmicasaube
• Sara Brasic
• Jeff Fredrickson
• Rick Kelbel
• Susan Merrill
• Jeff Sytsma
• Tom Wierenga

 Civics – Meets the Civics Requirement based on the Michigan Merit Curriculum

Economics – Meets the Economics Requirement based on the Michigan Merit Curriculum

US Hist/Geog – Meets the US History/Geography Requirement based on the Michigan Merit Curriculum

Wld Hist/Geog – Meets the World History/Geography Requirement based on the Michigan Merit Curriculum

 

CIVICS (Civics) – C100 CHS, EHS, NHS 9 .5 Credit

This semester course has three interrelated components: knowledge, intellectual and participatory skills, and civic dispositions. The knowledge component focuses on questions that should engage every thoughtful citizen. In the intellectual/participatory component, students learn how, when, and where to apply civic knowledge in their role as citizens. The civic disposition component reflects the core democratic values and civic principles essential to the preservation and improvement of American constitutional democracy.

 

ECONOMICS (Economics) – C110 CHS, EHS, NHS 9 .5 Credit

In this semester course, students analyze and study economic concepts and principles in three contextual areas: individual and household, business, and government/public. In addition, students focus on four content areas: the market economy (microeconomics), the national economy (macroeconomics), the international economy, and personal finance. Through understanding economics, students will attain the “economic literacy” vital in today’s world economy.

 

CIVICS/ECONOMICS FOR SPANISH IMMERSION PROGRAM (Civics and Economics) –

C101- Civics/C111-Economics NHS 9 1.0 Credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of eighth grade Spanish Immersion Program or teacher permission

This course, taught entirely in Spanish, will continue to perfect speaking, listening, writing, and comprehension skills for students who have participated in the Spanish Immersion Program. It will cover the same High School Content Expectations as the regular Civics/Economics courses (see descriptions above), however students also will focus on the economics, geography, culture, and governmental functions of a variety of Spanish-speaking countries.

 

U.S. HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY (US Hist/Geog) – C210 CHS, EHS, NHS 10 1.0 Credit

This comprehensive yearlong study of United States history, with special emphasis on the 20th century, will stress political, economic, social, diplomatic, and cultural developments during the last 100 years. Students will be required to read several historical works and to become acquainted with historical research techniques and basic historical writing.

 

WORLD HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY (Wld Hist/Geog) – C310 CHS, EHS, NHS 11, 12 1.0 Credit

This yearlong course takes a global and comparative approach to studying the world and its past to develop greater understanding of the development of worldwide events, processes, and interactions among the world’s people, cultures, societies, and environment. The course engages students in cross-temporal and cross-regional studies; within historical eras, students work at three interconnected spatial scales: the global, interregional, and regional. Five historical eras are covered: 1) Hemispheric Interactions (300 to 1500 C.E.); 2) Emergence of the 1st Global Age (15th to 18th centuries); 3)

Global Revolutions (18th century to 1914); 4) Global Crisis & Achievement (1900-1945); and 5) The Cold War & Its Aftermath (20th century since 1945).

 

WORLD HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY FOR SPANISH IMMERSION (Wld Hist/Geog)–C311 NHS 11, 12 .0 Credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of eighth grade Spanish Immersion Program or teacher permission

This course, taught entirely in Spanish, will continue to perfect speaking, listening, writing and comprehension skills for students who have participated in the Spanish Immersion Program. It will cover the same High School Content Expectations as the regular World History/Geography courses (see descriptions above), however students also will focus on the economics, geography, culture, and governmental functions of a variety of Spanish-speaking countries.

 

AP U.S. HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY (US Hist/Geog) – C610 CHS, EHS, NHS 10, 11, 12 1.0 Credit

This course is a comprehensive, accelerated, college level survey course encompassing North American and United States history and geography from the colonial era to the present. It is designed for students who have a serious interest in history and who have excellent language arts skills, as extensive content area reading and writing are required.

Students enrolled in this course are encouraged to take the AP U.S. History examination, which is offered in May. A

research project will also be assigned during the final marking period.

 

AP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS (Civics) – C620 CHS, EHS, NHS 11, 12 .5 Credit

(This is a 2nd semester course)

This intense and demanding course studies the structures and functions of the American political and national governmental systems. The text is a detailed and extensive 23 chapter college-level book; exceptional reading and writing skills are a must. Additional readings will include journal, newspaper, and magazine articles. Students will average a multiple-choice test and one graded essay assignment a week related to chapter topics. Testing in the course will model the form and style of the actual Advanced Placement exam. A number of political videos and other political television programming will be used. Students in the course are encouraged to take the AP U.S. Government exam in May. This course may be taken in sequence with AP Comparative Government and Politics.

 

AP WORLD HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY (Wld Hist/Geog) – C630 CHS, EHS, NHS 11, 12 1.0 Credit

Prerequisite: U.S. History/Geography

This yearlong course develops greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts in different types of human societies. The course has as its chronological frame the period from approximately 8000 B.C.E. to the present, with the period 8000B.C.E. to 600 C.E. serving as the foundation for the balance of the course. It emphasizes relevant factual knowledge, leading interpretive issues, and skills in analyzing types of historical evidence. It is equivalent to an introductory college course in world history and students are eligible to take the AP World History exam in May, which presumes at least one year of college-level preparation.

 

ADDITIONAL SOCIAL STUDIES ELECTIVES

HONORS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS/ MODEL UN – C420 CHS, EHS, NHS 10, 11, 12 .5 Credit

(this is a 1st semester course)

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and department head approval.

Students will learn the basic rules of parliamentary procedure. The structures and functions of United Nations Committees and agencies, how to conduct international policy research, how to write position papers and U.N. resolutions, how to formulate and present reasoned arguments in extemporaneous oral debate, and participate in a number of other engaging activities. Students are expected to compete at one of two Model United Nations conferences held off-site during the semester at their own expense. Students may take the course for a total of 2 credits.

 

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS – C510 CHS 11, 12 .5 Credit

This course is designed to help prepare students for adult life. Students will learn how to cope more effectively with feelings about themselves and others, establish satisfying relationships, and make decisions about personal values that affect their lives. Personal awareness and self-concept, changing roles, building relationships, dating, mate selection, marriage customs/laws, and marital adjustments will be studied. Social issues such as abuse/neglect, eating disorders, suicide, teen pregnancy, and substance abuse are also addressed.

 

CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT – C512 CHS 9, 10, 11, 12 .5 Credit

This course covers many aspects of development from birth through adolescence. Factors that influence the physical, emotional, social, and mental health of children will be discussed. Students will be introduced to the theories of several child psychologists. Special units of study will focus on observing and interacting with children, special needs children, and problem situations which young people may face such as abuse and divorce.

 

PSYCHOLOGY – C514 CHS, EHS, NHS 11, 12 .5 Credit

This introductory course encompasses topics such as conditioning, learning, personality theory and development, abnormal behavior, personality assessment, stress, frustration, treatment of personality disorders, authority, and obedience. Critical thinking, role-playing, and large and small group discussion are activities required in this course.

 

ADVANCED PSYCHOLOGY  – C515 CHS, NHS 11, 12 .5 Credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Psychology.

The emphasis of the course is on topics of social psychology, such as: social behavior, individuality and conformity, domestic violence, racism, crime and punishment. The course will expose students to readings and discussion of theorists in the field.

 

SOCIOLOGY – C518 CHS, EHS 11, 12 .5 Credit

This is an introductory survey course that examines the principles of sociology and the methodology of the sociologist.

The course will examine groups, the group process, and institutions and how they operate. Current controversial social issues may be discussed, such as substance abuse, crime, and death and dying. Critical thinking, role-playing, and group discussion are activities required in the course.

 

HISTORY OF THOUGHT – C520 CHS, EHS, NHS 11, 12 .5 Credit

This course seeks not only to acquaint students with the basics of Western thought, but also seeks the outcome of the application of those basics to personal experience. Through lectures, readings, movies, discussion, and essays, students will explore the answers philosophers have given to the foundational questions inherited from the Greeks, as well as examine, develop, and refine their own philosophy of life.

 

HISTORY V. HOLLYWOOD – C532 NHS 11, 12 .5 Credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of U.S. History.

Students will examine the critical study of film versus historical accuracy. Formal, economic, social, and historical aspects of films and reception in the U.S. will also be studied. This course will develop an understanding of relationships between cinema and American culture and involves close textual analysis of historically important and/or exemplary films.

 

COMPARATIVE WORLD RELIGIONS – C534 NHS 11, 12 .5 Credit

This is a survey course of the world’s primary eastern and western religions. Religion is a significant force behind national and international culture, behavior, and politics. This course starts by defining religion and searching its origins. The western religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are explored in their origins, features, doctrine and significance. Next the eastern religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Shinto are examined. Several speakers and a field trip will be incorporated in the curriculum. This course is being offered following the guidelines of the Interfaith

Dialogue Association, which is composed of a world recognized ecumenical group of religious leaders. These guidelines focus on facts – not advocating for or indoctrinating about a particular religion.

 

AP PSYCHOLOGY – C614 NHS 11, 12 .5 Credit

Prerequisite: Advanced Psychology recommended.

The primary purpose of this introductory college-level course is to prepare students for the AP Psychology exam offered in May. Students will learn methods, approaches, and history of psychology; biological bases of behavior; sensation and perceptions; learning, cognition; developmental psychology, testing and individual differences; and treatment of psychological disorders.

 

AP COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS – C640 NHS 11, 12 .5 Credit

(This is a 2nd semester course)

This course is an intense and demanding examination of the world’s diverse political structures and practices. It will encompass the study both of specific countries and of general concepts used to interpret the key political relationships found in all national polities. Five countries form the core of the examination. Four of these nations are Great Britain, France, Russia, and China. The inclusion of a developing nation allows the political implications of different levels of economic development to be examined. For the fifth nation, the course will focus on one of the following: India or Mexico. Exceptional reading and writing skills are a must. The course text is a college-level comparative government book. Testing in the course will model the form and rigor of the actual Advanced Placement exam. This course may also be taken in sequence with AP U.S. Government and Politics. This course  does not fulfill the civics graduation requirement.

 

HUMANITARIAN LAW FOR SPANISH IMMERSION – C700 NHS 9, 10, 11, 12 1.00 Credit

Students will build analytical skills as they explore different perspectives on the rules of conflict, the effects war has on human life and their personal connections to it. This course will be taught in Spanish. Students will receive elective credit for successful completion of this course.