The turn of the 20th Century was a period of change for the United States. Amid industrialization and imperialism, the United States grew to become one of the major economic and military powers of the world. Students will learn how this growth and development have shaped America’s domestic and international policies for the past century through the study of topics from the rise of the United States as an industrial power to the post-Cold War beginning of the 21st Century. Students will analyze and interpret issues and discover how the past relates to today. Course (201) American Studies focuses on thematic units that begin at the turn of the 20th Century and include contemporary social and political issues.

20th Century American Cultures (Honors) is designed for students who have a special interest and ability in social studies. Students evaluate and interpret more complex aspects of the basic course of study. Students produce and present research that allows them to relate science and technology, arts and humanities, and other disciplines to the development of an American culture.

20th Century American Cultures (Honors) is designed for students who have a special interest and ability in social studies. Students evaluate and interpret more complex aspects of the basic course of study. Students produce and present research that allows them to relate science and technology, arts and humanities, and other disciplines to the development of an American culture. 

During this course, students will learn about the world's cultures and trace history from the French Revolution to the present day. Students will examine the effects of continuity and change on history, the political and cultural contributions of individuals and groups, the impact of conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations, and the role of primary documents, artifacts, and historical places of our world today.

The course is similar to Modern World History, but includes a greater emphasis on independent reading and writing. During this course, students will learn about the world's cultures and trace history from the French Revolution to the present day. Students will examine the effects of continuity and change on history, the political and cultural contributions of individuals and groups, the impact of conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations, and the role of primary documents, artifacts, and historical places of our world today.

In this course, students examine the purposes of government and the structure, function, and foundations of the U.S. government, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. This examination of government occurs at the federal, state, and local levels. Among the topics emphasized are the electoral process, the powers and roles of the three branches of government, federalism, the lawmaking process, and the U. S. economic and legal systems. All students are required to take Civics or AP Government.

In this course, students examine the structure, function, and foundations of the U.S. government, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Among the topics emphasized are the electoral process, the powers and roles of the three branches of government, federalism, the lawmaking process, state and local governments, the U.S. legal system, and current events that impact civic life. As an honors course, students are expected to evaluate and interpret more complex aspects of the basic course of study through independent reading, research, writing, and discussion. All students are required to take Civics or AP Government.

This course is an interdisciplinary class involving American History, Geography, World History and Government. In addition, students must incorporate the use of technology, communication skills, language arts, art, and mathematics. Students will be expected to spend a considerable amount of time on reading and writing assignments outside of class. Topics include introduction to military history, make-up of armed forces, and American military involvement throughout history.  The class will run in reverse chronological order starting with the current conflicts all the way back to the American Colonies.  

Introduction to Psychology is a course that focuses on the study of human behavior. As an introduction to the field of psychology, this course includes (but is not limited to) the study of psychological principles, terminology, major theories, methods of experimentation, and practical applications. Topics include, the brain and biology, sensation and perception, development over the human lifespan, personality development, learning, psychological disorders, and treatment.

AP U.S. History is a college-level course designed to explore the development of the United States from the discovery of the Americas to the present era with an emphasis on the post-1850 period. The course stresses independent student study with the teacher as facilitator. On-grade-level reading ability and teacher recommendation are prerequisites. There is an emphasis on higher order thinking skills. A course aim is that students successfully complete the advanced placement exam in United States history. A prerequisite for this course is the successful completion of the summer assignment and department approval. 

AP Psychology is a college-level course with emphasis on psychological phenomena, which are basic for understanding human behavior. Students study key concepts of the major schools and subfields and the contributions of important theorists to psychology. Vocabulary relevant to each topic is an area of emphasis.  A college-level text is used in the course and on-grade-level reading ability is expected of all students. An important goal for students is successful completion of the advanced placement exam in psychology. The RACC dual-enrollment option is available for this class. A prerequisite for this course is the successful completion of the summer assignment and department approval. 

AP U.S. Government and Politics is a college-level course designed to give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. The course includes an analysis of the United States Constitution, as well as a study of the three branches of government, administrative agencies that support each branch, the role of political behavior in the democratic process, rules governing elections, political culture, and the workings of political parties and interest groups. On-grade-level reading ability and teacher recommendation are prerequisites. There is an emphasis on higher order thinking skills. A course aim is that students successfully complete the advanced placement exam in United States Government and Politics. This course has a graded summer assignment that is due before the start of the year. All students are required to take Civics or AP Government. 

This course is an in-depth study of microeconomics and a survey of macroeconomics. This course is designed to prepare the student to take the A.P. Exam in Microeconomics. The purpose of the course is to give students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the larger economic system.  An assignment in Economics will be required during the summer prior to taking the Advanced Placement course. A prerequisite for this course is the successful completion of the summer assignment and department approval.

Economics is designed to explore how economic activity influences aspects of everyday life. This course focuses on both macro and micro economic theories while analyzing practical applications to various economic problems and conditions. Various topics such as economic systems, market structure, consumer spending, money and banking, consumer borrowing and buying on credit, consumer saving and investing, supply and demand, national economy, government spending and taxation, and international trade will be examined. 

Psychology focuses on the psychological phenomena that are basic for understanding human behavior. Topics include history, methods and field of psychology, learning, motivation, memory, intelligence, emotion, personality, and psychological disorders and their treatment. The course is designed to foster knowledge, skills, and attitudes that assist students to become more effective in their interpretation of human behavior. On-grade-level reading ability and teacher recommendation are prerequisites for the class. Students can earn college credit for this course through the RACC dual-enrollment program. 

Contemporary Issues is a year-long course for juniors and seniors. This course will focus on contemporary issues of the world and the people who live in it. There will be an emphasis on critical analysis of the choices made by world leaders, events and crises that occur in the world, ethical and moral decision-making, and solutions proposed by various political and cultural factions worldwide. Current materials and technology will form the basis of the course.

AP Human Geography is an introductory AP-level geography course. Students will learn to think as geographers as they examine patterns and data about how humans have formed societies, moved and interacted across cultures, established political and economic systems, and used natural resources. The knowledge and skills of AP Human Geography will serve as a foundation for the social studies classes throughout high school.

Global Studies is an introductory course that examines the economic, social, and political patterns of human society. Students will examine patterns and data about how humans have formed societies, moved and interacted across cultures, established political and economic systems, and used natural resources. Students will learn and develop analytical skills with an emphasis on critical reading and writing. The knowledge and skills of this course will serve as a foundation for the social studies classes throughout high school.