Social Studies

Prerequisite:  Sophomore standing, student self-selection, and reading at or above grade level is recommended.

The purpose of the AP World History course is to develop a greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts in different types of human societies.  This understanding is advanced through a combination of selective factual knowledge and appropriate analytical skills.  This course highlights the nature of changes in global frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies.  It emphasizes relevant factual knowledge, leading interpretive issues, and skills in analyzing types of historical evidence.  Specific themes provide further organization to the course, along with consistent attention to contacts among societies that form the core of world history as a field of study.

Note:  Students are encouraged, but not required to take the Advanced Placement Exam in World History in May.

Prerequisite:  Junior standing, student self-selection, and reading at or above grade level is recommended.

AP U.S. History (HP) provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to discuss critical issues in U.S. History.  Students are expected to assess historical materials, determining their relevance, reliability, and importance.  Evidence is weighed and interpreted with conclusions formed as a result of informed judgments.  Students will read, write and discuss extensively, further developing their analytical and interpretive skills with both historical sources and literary works.  Students will commit substantial time to advanced forms of writing:  interpretive analysis, research paper, and persuasive essay.  This course will include both in-class and out-of-class preparation for the U.S. History Advanced Placement examination.

Note:  Students are encouraged, but not required to take the Advanced Placement exam in May.