Introduction to American History
Students will be introduced to many historical dates, places and people all of which contributed to the development of the United States of America and other countries around the world. Along the course of our journey through time, we will encounter many familiar times, destinations and faces. However, we will not be restricted to just the context of the book and will seek out other interesting tidbits of history. This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of why things are today, based on what happened back then. We will also take a look at the most unique document ever written by a group of men for the sole purpose of developing a nation, the Constitution of the United States of America.
Students will investigate the composition of the world geographically. The features of a particular country, who the indigenous people are, and how people and nature affect that particular country Investigations will determine the effects of natural events such as earth quakes, volcanic eruptions, or hurricanes on the geographic nature of a country. We will also investigate the effects humans have on geography. From the simplest of individual human actions to those of governments and big business, everyone has an effect on geography. Each study will focus on two results of each impacting phenomenon or human action. What are the positive and negative results of each occurrence on the people and land area?
World History Honors
Studying the course of human history allows understanding of who we are as people and what we as inhabitants of Earth have accomplished. By surveying the wide variety of topics encompassed in world history, students are provided with richer understanding how the events of the world have built upon each other.
This class will touch on the economic, political, military, religious, scientific, artistic, and social changes that have developed over the course of human history.
Points of emphasis will include:
- Greco-Roman civilizations
- The Renaissance
- The Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment
- The French Revolution
- Wars of the 20th Century
It is important to learn and appreciate what has come before us in order to know where we are going.
AP® European History
According to the College Board, “The study of European history since 1450 introduces students to cultural, economic, political, and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live. Without this knowledge, we would lack the context for understanding the development of contemporary institutions, the role of continuity and change in present-day society and politics, and the evolution of current forms of artistic expression and intellectual discourse.” In addition to providing an overview of important events and movements, the goals of AP® European History are to develop the following: (a) an understanding of some of the principal themes of European history,
(b) an ability to analyze historical evidence and historical interpretation, and (c) an ability to express historical understanding in writing.
The AP® curriculum challenges students to develop higher-order thinking skills within a rigorous academic context that will mirror those students will face at the college level. Therefore, students are frequently required to read, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate primary and secondary historical sources and interpret them correctly. Students must also be able to comprehend, memorize, and apply facts learned from reading when necessary.
AP® United States History
AP® U.S. History is a college-level introductory course that examines the nation’s political, diplomatic, intellectual, cultural, social, and economic history from 1491 to the present. A variety of instructional approaches are employed and a college-level textbook is supplemented by primary and secondary sources.
Readings and activities are organized around AP® U.S. History’s major themes—American and National Identity (NAT), Politics and Power (POL), Work, Exchange, and Technology (WXT), Culture and Society (CUL), Migration and Settlement (MIG), Geography and the Environment (GEO), and America in the World (WOR)—and are designed to develop students’ historical thinking skills.
AP® Government and Politics: United States
AP® U.S. Government and Politics is a college-level year-long course that not only seeks to prepare students for success on the AP® Exam in May, but also provide students with the political knowledge and reasoning processes to participate meaningfully and thoughtfully in discussions and debates that are currently shaping American politics and society. It is important to note that this course is not a history course; it is a political science course that studies the interconnectedness of the different parts of the American political system and the behaviors and attitudes that shape this system and are the byproduct of this system.
AP® U.S. Government and Politics accomplishes these goals by framing the acquisition of political knowledge around enduring understandings and big ideas about American government and politics that can be applied to a set of disciplinary practices through the use of a set of reasoning processes. Through the development of this set of political knowledge, disciplinary practices, and reasoning processes, by the end of the course, students will be able to analyze current and historical political events like a political scientist and develop factually accurate, well- reasoned, thoughtful arguments and opinions that acknowledge and grapple with alternative political perspectives.