Social Studies

Faculty: Mr. Barry O’Keeffe, Mr. Peter Wissinger, Mr. Tery McNamee, Ms. Meredith White

Courses:

Freshmen – World History,

Sophomores – Modern World History,

Juniors – American History or AP U.S. History,

Seniors - Psychology, Today’s Issues, ACC Western Civilizations

By completing the social studies curriculum, students will recognize, value and celebrate the diversity in cultures and people, research and evaluate information from a variety of sources and recognize the global and personal implications of events. Students will learn to think critically and communicate effectively in written and oral forms.

SOCIAL STUDIES

3 credits required
1 credit must be 231 or 239

211 World History

required for freshmen
1 credit
Prerequisites: none

This two-semester freshman course is a survey of the major developments of the world from the ancient cultures to the Age of Exploration. There is an emphasis on the patterns of interaction between cultures.

221 Modern World History

required for sophomores
1 credit
Prerequisites: World History

This two-semester sophomore class surveys the major themes of world history from the Age of Exploration up to the 21st century. The course focuses on the study of the patterns of interaction between cultures and geography in the modern world.

231 U.S. History

required for juniors
1 credit
Prerequisites: none

This junior course will cover the history of the United States from the colonial period to the present day. The Constitutions of Missouri and the United States will be covered in depth. A research paper is required.

239 AP United States History

required for juniors
1 credit
Prerequisites: A or B semester average in all previously completed history and English Courses; writing assignment; recommendation of the student's former history and English teachers; and parent and student commitment to the extra time, reading and writing requirement. Enrollment in this class may need to be limited.

This course will cover the history of the United States from the colonial period to the present day. The Constitutions of Missouri and the United States will be covered in depth. A research paper is required. Students will also be required to do extra reading and work to help prepare them for the Advanced Placement test.

249 ACC Western Civilization

elective for seniors
1 credit
Prerequisites: A or B semester average in all previously completed history and English Courses; writing assignment; recommendation of the student's former history and English teachers; and parent and student commitment to the extra time, reading and writing requirement. Enrollment in this class may be limited.

This course is a conceptual approach to the development of Europe. The class begins with Early Ancient Near East civilizations and follows European History into the 21st century.

243 Psychology

elective for seniors
½ credit
Prerequisites: none
1 semester

Psychology is a semester course designed to introduce students to the biopsychosocial approach to psychology. Historical perspectives of psychology and theories of psychological growth and development, neuroscience and the brain, personality theories and behavior disorders are discussed.

245 Today's Issues

elective for seniors
½ credit
Prerequisites: none
1 semester

This semester course focuses on the discussion of the major international and domestic issues. The class examines the media and how information is presented to its audience as well as looking for biases in the presentation. Student research will supplement discussions in seeking balanced historical explanations surrounding pertinent issues.

246 Economics

elective for juniors and seniors
½ credit
Prerequisites: none
1 semester

This course helps students view situations, events, and life experiences in economic terms. This is accomplished through discussions and activities designed to view the impact of current events, concepts, and ideas at all levels -- personal, national, and global. A consultant from a St. Louis area business works with the class several times during the semester in order to apply concepts learned in class to the "real world." Topics covered during the semester include the following: Scarcity, economic systems, supply and demand, money and the U.S. banking structure, tax policy, government spending, and the stock market.