Academics

This course is a survey the United States national political system designed for the highly motivated student who wishes to earn college credit in government upon achievement of an appropriate score on the AP Exam. It is heavily content-oriented, examining the U.S. constitutional system, its historical development, current trends of the system, and aims to further skill development through a rigorous course of study. Assignments involve student reading, analysis, synthesis, writing, and speaking. Lectures, current problems, and practices are frequently used. It is expected that students enrolled in this course will take the College Board Advanced Placement test.

The course introduces students to the three dominant societies of Asia: India, China, and Japan. In addition to history, the course will explore Asian cultures through primary source readings, group activities, and role-playing experiences. The course will study the relationship between the United States and these emerging powers. Ancient dynasties are studied but there is also an emphasis on 20th century history. Students explore aspects to the varied cultures, studying art, literature, religion, cuisine, architecture and music. It is recommended that students take this after taking World History.

Students examine the history of the world through the development of technology and communication systems. Beginning with the Paleolithic Age and the development of prehistoric communication, students engage in a wide range of interactive learning activities, focusing on written composition, mankind's advances in technology, historical and literary written expressions, literary genres and terms, and vocabulary and grammar. Students learn to use multimedia labs as well as available hardware, software, and the Internet to develop writing skills and to complete historical and literary research projects. Honors status is dictated by the student's English recommendation.

Students examine the history of the world through the development of technology and communication systems. Beginning with the Paleolithic Age and the development of prehistoric communication, students engage in a wide range of interactive learning activities, focusing on written composition, mankind's advances in technology, historical and literary written expressions, literary genres and terms, and vocabulary and grammar. Students learn to use multimedia labs as well as available hardware, software, and the Internet to develop writing skills and to complete historical and literary research projects. Honors status is dictated by the student's English recommendation.

This course focuses on the social and cultural history of many Native American Indian tribes. After examining tribes regionally, students work together to create hands-on projects to apply what they have learned. The class learns about Native American religious practices, migrations and impact upon 21st century society. Through historical analysis, students also differentiate between stereotypes and facts throughout the recorded history of Native Americans. Whole class discussions, lecture, projects, and hands-on activities are important elements in this class.

The history and culture of African-Americans are examined in this course. Students are exposed to the African roots, the middle passage, and the American experience from the pre-colonial period of U.S. history to the present day. Included in this historical framework is the cultural heritage of African-Americans. Students will be exposed to complex cultural concepts such as adaptation, assimilation, acculturation, diffusion, and dissonance drawn from the other social sciences. Students read significant works of literature, which explore African-American culture such as The Color of Water, Warriors Don't Cry, Native Son, Up From Slavery, Before the Mayflower, Killers of the Dream, and/or The Souls of Black Folks.

This course provides an overview in the areas of Sociology and Psychology as a combined full-credit elective. Sociology gives students a general background of the major aspects of sociology. Students study the basic forces of social relationships as they influence the values, behavior, and knowledge of man. This course promotes an understanding of the way people develop an identity as individuals and as members of their societies and cultures. In Psychology, the story and growth of psychology as a science are studied. Basic theories of learning, personality development, patterns of human behavior, heredity and environment, and mental health are analyzed.

This course explores religions in the world as well as a study of the Bible in history. Students will be introduced to religious expressions and to the major religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. They will examine religious customs, practices, holidays, and religious texts and the effect these religions have played in the development of cultures in world history. Learners will explore the history of the Bible beginning with ancient Judaism through the development of the Christian church. Students examine the text of the Bible for both its historical and literary meaning and value. This course also examines the historical development of Christianity in the United States as well as recent religious trends.

This honors course traces the political, economic, and geographical development of our nation. It focuses on the growth of democracy and the emergence of the United States as a world leader. By analyzing the social and cultural development of the United States, students develop an appreciation of American ideals and achievements. Students participate in class activities and discussions, develop projects, and sharpen their critical thinking skills. The final exam is the US History North Carolina End-of-Course Test.

This honors course is designed to challenge academically advanced/gifted, highly motivated students who have developed good reading, writing, and critical thinking skills in English and social studies. Additional reading/writing/research assignments are required for the honors level of this class. Students study the political, economic, and geographical development of our nation and focus on the growth of democracy and the emergence of the United States as a world leader. By analyzing the social and cultural development of the United States, students develop an appreciation of American ideals and achievements. Students enrolling in this course should have social studies teacher recommendation. The final exam is the North Carolina End-of-Course Test US History.

Advanced Placement United States History is a course that is equivalent to an introductory level American History at the college level. This course provides an analytical and historical study of the United States by examining the major trends and events spanning United States history from the age of discovery to the present. Many colleges offer credit for Advanced Placement United States History upon achievement of an appropriate score on the Advanced Placement Exam. Substantial out-of-class reading, writing, and research are expected. Students will take the North Carolina US History End-of-Course test, and it is expected that they will take the College Board Advanced Placement US History test.

Advanced Placement European History is equivalent to introductory European History at the college level. It covers the time from the Renaissance and the Reformation to the post-World War II era. Emphasis is on three main themes: (1) political and diplomatic developments, (2) intellectual and cultural continuity and change, and (3) economic and social developments. Advanced Placement courses are a program of the College Entrance Examination Board. Substantial out-of-class reading, writing, and research are expected. It is expected that students enrolled in this course will take the College Board Advanced Placement test.

This course concentrates on the patterns of global processes and contacts, in interaction with different types of human societies. This course highlights the nature of changes in international frameworks and their causes and consequences as well as comparisons among major societies. Students build an understanding of cultural, institutional, and technological precedents that, along with geography, set the human stage prior to C. E. (the common era). A student may earn college credit for Advanced Placement courses upon achievement of an appropriate score on the AP Exam. Substantial out-of-class reading, writing, and research are expected. It is expected that students enrolled in this course will take the College Board Advanced Placement test.

Students apply the five cultural and physical geographic themes (location, place, human/environment interaction, movement, and regions) across a broad range of fields, including the fine arts, sciences, and humanities. These become central to global connections as students expand knowledge of diverse historical and current cultures. The importance of core geographic themes to public policy is explored as students address issues of domestic and international significance. Analysis of tensions between national interests and global priorities contributes to the development of possible solutions to persistent and emerging global issues in many fields: health care, economic development, environmental quality, universal human rights, and others.

Advanced Placement Human Geography provides students with insight into contemporary developments of world cultures, politics, and economies, including an analysis of the impact of the environment on the progress of world nations and regions. Students evaluate world events and data, write critically about world situations, and debate controversial aspects of the interdependent world. Major units focus the spatial natures of geography and perspectives, population patterns and processes, cultural patterns and processes, political organization of space, agricultural and rural land use, consequences of industrialization and economic development, cities and urban land use. It is expected that students enrolled in this course will take the college board advanced placement test.

This course focuses on the role of youth and the court system. It is a logical continuation of the Law & Justice courses. It extends learning of the curricular goals and objectives introduced in Civics & Economics and Law & Justice classes. Learners will participate in an extensive review of the three branches of government with a concentration on the court system. Students will investigate the role of adolescents and their interaction with the court system. Students will explore the Teen Court program model offered in our local court system through class activities. Minor violations of the WCPSS Student Code of Conduct will be addressed in this class as teen attorneys, judges and juries provide mediation, education and direction to their peers.

This course focuses on the legal, judicial, law enforcement, legal procedures and corrections systems of the United States. Examined are relevant examples of civil and criminal laws, law-enforcement methods, court procedures, and efforts toward corrective justice. Students also examine problems within the legal and justice systems along with a practical understanding of how the justice system in the United States actually works.

This honors course focuses on the legal, judicial, law enforcement, legal procedures and corrections systems of the United States. Examined are relevant examples of civil and criminal laws, law-enforcement methods, court procedures, and efforts toward corrective justice. Students also examine problems within the legal and justice systems. Classes will benefit from their school's participation in the Lawyers-In-The-Schools Program through the North Carolina Bar Association, gaining resources, speakers, programs and publications through LIS for law-related education.

This course meets the former ELP requirement. This course focuses on basic economic concepts, economic institutions, and approaches for analyzing and evaluating economic problems, actions, and policies. Students examine economic topics and questions and apply concepts to economic decisions. They see themselves as consumers, producers, and participants in the national and global economy. Students examine the political and legal systems; learn about rights and responsibilities as citizens, the structure of legal and governmental systems within which they live, and how these systems influence their lives. Also examined are the origins, development, and main principles of important U.S. documents, including the Constitution. Either Communication & Technology in World History or World History will satisfy the prerequisite.

This course is designed to challenge academically advanced, highly motivated or gifted and talented students to better understand their society by examining its economic, legal and political foundations. Through simulations and technology-based experiences, students examine the areas of economics, legal and political foundatins of the U.S. By examining the foundations of their goverment, students can better analyze the current legal and political system. Additional reading, research and writing components are expected of all students enrolled in the honors level course.

Leadership MOSAIC (Making Our School and Inclusive Community) aims for students to study, discuss and create projects, which address issues of diversity and inclusion. The first part of the course is spent creating a safe and open space for dialogue and allowing students to become comfortable with each other. The second portion of the class is designed to educate students and allow them to explore issues of diversity (including race, class, gender, faith, family, ethnicity and disability.) During the entire course, there is an emphasis on skills critical to being effective leaders. The remaining part of the class focuses on helping the students turn their words and ideas into action. They are challenged to create projects, which make the school a more aware, involved, inclusive community.

The right to question what we see around us is a basic American right. Do we take advantage of this and ask the tough questions? Are there issues you would like to discuss but not sure how to approach? This course will offer the student the opportunity to explore the varieties of perspectives and examine questions like these in a seminar-style format. Based on written and oral resources, the student will examine questions like: Do all people have equal access to education? Do we make assumptions about the equality of men and women in our current society? Is it harder to be successful in our society if you come from poverty? Does race matter? Based on in-depth discussions and readings, this course will challenge the student to imagine the world from different points of view. The examination of race, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status and equality between genders will be focal points for each section.

This college-level course is equivalent to introduction psychology at the college level. Students will study the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major sub fields within psychology. Students of psychology acquire information from a variety of sources, use information as they make decisions and evaluations, and solve problems. The study of psychology enables students to recognize and cope with uncertainty and ambiguity in human behavior. Substantial out-of-class reading, writing, and research are expected. It is expected that students enrolled in this course will take the College Board Advanced Placement test.