Electives
Social Studies Electives
Psychology 1-2 Course #4245-4246
Full Year = 1 Arts/Humanities credit
Can be used to satisfy the Flex credit graduation requirement
This course begins with a review of the ways people have sought to explain human behavior from ancient times through today and provides an overview of the major principles and concepts of psychology, including the brain, human development, personality, learning, cognition, and the scientific method. Students will participate in dozens of activities and real-life situations designed to bring the content alive and help them apply the material to their own lives. Magazines, book excerpts, and movies will also play a role in our search for knowledge. Emphasis will be placed upon fostering feelings of empathy for others—particularly those who are mentally ill. A sociocultural approach will be explored as a means for understanding a variety of cultures and how social aspects impact us as individuals. Students will leave the class with insights into the causes of human behavior as well as a better understanding of themselves.
Psychology through History and Film Course #4223-4224
Full Year = 1 Arts/Humanities credit
This course will focus on connecting historical events to Psychological concepts. For example Human Motivation and Early Civilizations (Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Rome, and the agricultural revolution). History of Warfare and the effect on the human mind (Post traumatic Stress Disorder from battle fatigue, shell shock to Vietnam Syndrome) Personality disorders and major historical figures (Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Richard Nixon, Rasputin) Social Psychology and the World Wars (Rise of Fascism, Milgram Experiment, Conformity and Obedience, role playing effect and the Stanford Prison experiment.) Racism, Segregation, and Civil Rights (Stereotypes, Attribution, in-group/ out group bias, Martin Luther King, Gandhi, and the choice of non-violent protest) History of mental Health in the United States (Evolution of asylums, the insanity plea, in the legal system, Andrea Yates, Policy of Deinstitutionalization) Salem Witch Trials (Stigmas of mental health, false persecution, and just world phenomenon).
Sports in History (Paired with History Through Film) Course #4006
One Semester = 0.5 elective credit
Full Year = 1 credit
This course will examine the development of sports through numerous historical perspectives. Students will explore the issues of gender, race, ethnicity and social class in relation to sports and within a historical context, and its relationship to the social, economic, cultural, and political forces in both the world and the United States. Students will learn through a variety of methods including classroom discussions, primary source readings, as well as digital resources.
History Through Film (Paired with Sports in History) Course #4258
One Semester = 0.5 elective credit
Full Year = 1 credit
History through Film combines pop culture of American History and the advancements within the film industry to analyze some of the most important films of all time. The class begins with the beginning of film in the 1920s and 30s and continues to present day. Films showcase issues in multicultural America alongside components of economic history, geography and civics. Be ready to see film in a different light! A perfect class for those who are interested in American History, art analysis, and the art of filmmaking.
Cultural Studies (Paired with Sociology) Course #4049
One Semester = 0.5 elective credit
This course will investigate the political, social, and economic connections and contributions of diverse groups throughout history and contemporary America to better prepare students for lives and careers in an increasingly multicultural society. Students will think critically about the world and their place in it by evaluating systems of power and the impacts of those systems on diverse communities. Through an inquiry-based approach, students will explore identity, intersectionality, cultural contributions, and strategies various groups used to overcome oppression and create communities of respect, equity, and diversity. As a result, students will become conscious about the world around them and civically engaged in order to take action on issues they find important and relevant.
Sociology (Paired with Cultural Studies) Course #4241
One Semester = 0.5 elective credit
Sociology is the scientific study of human societies and how they develop, are maintained, and change. Sociology analyzes a range of human social behavior from social interactions between individuals to global social processes, often focusing on the causes and consequences of social inequalities. Areas of focus might include but are not limited to gender, race, social class, culture, education, and families.
Current Events Course #4202-4203
Full Year = 1 Arts/Humanities credit
The goal of a current events course is for the student to become aware of the major issues of the day and to have an in-depth understanding and appreciation of these events. We hope to help students develop media literacy skills and the capacity to examine issues from multiple perspectives, as well as to think critically about the world around them. We will use news programs, written journalistic pieces, websites, and documentaries. We will use inquiry-based learning, which is a student-centered teaching method that encourages students to ask questions and investigate real-world problems. In this type of learning environment, students are actively engaged in the learning process and are given the opportunity to explore. Students will identify and discuss the connections between current events and history, enhance their understanding of world events, and become informed citizens.