Academics: Social Studies
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Social Science Department

CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY
This is a detailed survey course focusing on the five themes of geography as well as physical and human geography. As the course progresses, the student will take this form and apply it to the various regions of the world including North America, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Skills learned will include writing, problem solving, group negation, and consensus decision-making, as well as oral skills and note taking. Students will take part in many small and large group activities.

WASHINGTON STATE HISTORY 1 SEMESTER
This course is designed to fulfill the state requirement for Washington State/Pacific Northwest History. Successful completion of the course is required to graduate in Washington State. This course will be a general survey of the history of Washington State from the discovery of the Pacific Coast in the 1700's to the maturing of our state in the 20th century. It will deal with the unique features of our state with regards to political, social, geographic, and economic factors. Skills learned will include writing, note taking, oral presentations, and group discussion. All students will prepare an oral/written project (of a topic of their choosing) combining the practice and evaluation of the above-mentioned skills.

WORLD HISTORY - ANCIENT 1 SEMESTER
This course is a detailed survey covering World History from 4000 BC to 1300 AD. Second semester coves the time period form 1301-1815. Emphasis is placed on Western Civilization but coverage will also include some Eastern Civilization topics as well. The course focuses on man's relationship with God and how it has influenced the scope and course of World History. Students will be required to think critically and attempt to see the common patterns in political, social, and economic developments around the world. Skills learned include writing, problem solving, group discussion and debate, comprehensive note taking, and analysis. A research paper, special project, or book report may be required.

WESTERN CIVILIZATION 2 SEMESTER
This course is a detailed survey covering World History from 1301 to 1815 AD and in second semester the time periiod of 1301-1815. Emphasis is placed on Western Civilization but coverage will also include some Eastern Civilization topics as well. The course focuses on man's relationship with God and how it has influenced the scope and course of World History. Students will be required to think critically and attempt to see the common patterns in political, social, and economic developments around the world. Skills learned include writing, problem solving, group discussion and debate, comprehensive note taking, and analysis. A research paper, special project, or book report may be required.

20th CENTURY AMERICAN HISTORY FULL YEAR
This course is designed to fulfill the state requirement for 20th century United States History. Successful completion of the course is required to graduate in Washington State. This is a detailed history course covering US History form 1898 to current times. Emphasis will be placed on all facets of American History including political, social, economic, and domestic themes. It will also focus strongly on the development of US Foreign policy and effects of the four major wars the United States has fought this century. Critical thinking and problem analysis will be stressed as the student is asked to relate past events in our century with current events and problems. Skills learned include critical thinking and analysis, extensive writing, comprehensive note taking, research skills and group discussion and debate. A major research paper and a detailed book report may be required.

US History (ADVANCED PLACEMENT) FULL YEAR
This course is designed for outstanding juniors who are judged able to handle college level work with a goal of earning college credit. Course will be modeled along national AP United States History class standards and national standardized test. Students applying for this course should be in the top 10 percent of their class and be able to handle extensive reading and writing. Other skills learned include critical thinking and analysis, college level note taking and group discussion, and debate. Instructor permission is required for enrollment in this class..

CONTEMPORARY WORLD PROBLEMS 1 SEMESTER
This course is designed to fulfill the state requirement for a contemporary world problems/issues class. Successful completion of this course is required to graduate in Washington State. This course is a detailed survey of current national and international events and will focus on analysis/critical thinking as students survey the problems facing America and the rest of the world. Skills learned include critical thinking and analysis, extensive writing and note taking, research skills, and group discussion and debate.

PSYCHOLOGY
In this course students will seek to understand how people perceive, learn, remember, solve problems, communicate, feel and relate to other people. They will also attempt to understand, measure and explain the nature of intelligence, motivation and personality, as wll as delve into mental emotional distubances, personal social problems, and individual and group differences. Students taking this course will be required to read a higher level text book, take extensive lecturre notes, and be able to relate psychological concepts to real world situations.

SOCIOLOGY
This course provides an introduction to Sociology- the science of society. We explore Sociology as a discipline and how sociologists do their work- studying how people organize themselves into groups, and how culture, socialization, and social location shpae one's outlook and opportunities.

American Foreign Policy and International Relations: one semester
American Foreign Policy and International Relations is a dynamic semester long survey course that combines a history of the development of American foreign policy over the past two centuries with an examination of current international problems and issues that face American today. Students will be provided with the tools to understand and access the key contemporary foreign policy debates that American must deal with, including the war on terror, crisis management, national security, etc. The course content is as fresh as the world's headlines and is ideal for those students who want a better understanding of the political and international world around them.