Social Studies
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Students must earn 3.0 Social Studies credits (including US Government and US History) to graduate from WGHS. Most four-year colleges require 3-4 credits for admission purposes.
9th GRADE REQUIRED COURSES
8150 WORLD CIVILIZATIONS AND GLOBAL ISSUES II
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grade: 9th Grade
This course is a continuation of study from 8th grade World Civilizations and Global Issues I. Using a Pre-AP model, students will be introduced to the AP skill set centered around a global study by looking at the challenges people faced in the past as they worked for survival and a better tomorrow. The course includes an overview of western and non-western civilizations. The material will be presented as a global study beginning with the 13th century and ending with the modern world. Students will study and compare political, economic, religious, social, and philosophical systems of civilizations around the globe. This course will require daily reading assignments, note taking, discussion, problem-solving, analysis of primary source documents, and change- over- time concepts. It will also include written assignments and a research project. A variety of materials will be used throughout the course. This may include the textbook, primary sources, supplemental materials, and audio-visual programs when appropriate. This course will enhance the student’s ability to think critically and improve verbal and written analysis and communication skills. An application for an Honors Grade may be requested for this course.
10th Grade
8060 U.S. HISTORY 1865 - MODERN
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 10-11
This basic course covers American History from c.1865 to the 1990's and stresses the following units: Reconstruction, The Gilded Age, The Great American West, The Industrial Revolution, the Spanish American War, World War I, The Progressive Movement, the Great Depression and the New Deal, World War II, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam conflict, and the Watergate scandal. The year will conclude with a look at the presidencies of Reagan, H.W. Bush, Clinton, and W. Bush. The history of minorities, women, and social movements will be highlighted. In addition to the basic text, various primary and secondary sources, films and documentaries, and projects will be used in the course. A passing grade in this course is required for graduation.
8090 HONORS U.S. HISTORY AP/ACC
Credit: 1 unit
Recommendation: Students who earned a “B” in their freshman Social Studies course experience an appropriate yet challenging placement in this course.
Open to Grades: 10-11
This US History program, which covers the period from the discovery of America to the present, will require extensive reading, discussion, and research. Students will find the coursework difficult and should remind themselves of this as they enroll in this course which requires high academic achievement potential and high interest in U.S. History. Honors U.S. History will include a U S. History college credit option through UMSL. Both transcripts are transferable to most major colleges and universities throughout the country. This class also helps students prepare to take the Advanced Placement test in U. S. History, given in mid-May each year. Students do not have to exercise either the AP or college credit option, but they may simply take this class for in-depth knowledge and enrichment while meeting the US History requirement for graduation. Note: This course will count as a weighted grade and students may receive dual credit from UMSL. Enrollment for college credit requires a GPA of at least 3.0.
11th Grade
8060 U.S. HISTORY 1865 - MODERN
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grade: 10-11
This basic course covers American History from c.1865 to the 1990's and stresses the following units: Reconstruction, The Gilded Age, The Great American West, The Industrial Revolution, the Spanish American War, World War I, The Progressive Movement, the Great Depression and the New Deal, World War II, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam conflict, and the Watergate scandal. The year will conclude with a look at the presidencies of Reagan, H.W. Bush, Clinton, and W. Bush. The history of minorities, women, and social movements will be highlighted. In addition to the basic text, various primary and secondary sources, films and documentaries, and projects will be used in the course. A passing grade in this course is required for graduation.
8090 HONORS U.S. HISTORY AP/ACC
Credit: 1 unit
Recommendation: Students who have earned a “B” in their sophomore Social Studies course experience an appropriate yet challenging placement in this course.
Open to Grade: 10-11
This US History program, which covers the period from the discovery of America to the present, will require extensive reading, discussion, and research. Students will find the coursework difficult and should remind themselves of this as they enroll in this course which requires high academic achievement potential and high interest in U.S. History. Honors U.S. History will include a U S. History college credit option through UMSL. Both transcripts are transferable to most major colleges and universities throughout the country. This class also helps students prepare to take the Advanced Placement test in U. S. History, given in mid-May each year. Students do not have to exercise either the AP or college credit option, but they may simply take this class for in-depth knowledge and enrichment while meeting the US History requirement for graduation. Note: This course will count as a weighted grade and students may receive dual credit from UMSL. Enrollment for college credit requires a GPA of at least 2.50.
3771 HONORS US STUDIES AP/ACC
Credit: 2 Units (1 unit English and 1 unit Social Studies)
Recommendation: Students who earned a “B” in Sophomore English and Social Studies experience an appropriate yet challenging placement in this course.
Open to Grade: 11
Honors US Studies, a rigorous, wide-ranging investigation into U.S. history and culture, stresses those skills requisite for the college-bound student. A two-period block of time has been provided for the course (though students receive separate grades in each half of the course). This course’s cross-disciplinary approach offers the students an opportunity to take a philosophical look into U.S. history, literature, and culture in unison. An English teacher and a social studies instructor teach full-time in the program. The English component of the course includes a chronological survey of American literature. The social studies curriculum will include coverage of the colonial experience, the era of Revolution, early American government, American territorial expansion, sectionalism, and the Civil War during the first semester. Second semester topics will include reconstruction, industrialization and labor movements, immigration, the two world wars, the Great Depression, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement and the era of “Globalization”. The year will conclude with student presentations on modern American history. Students should expect to write several papers per semester in a variety of modes. Vocabulary study, critical thinking and reading skills, and grammar/editing techniques will be stressed throughout the year. The course will satisfy the U.S. History requirement for graduation. Additionally, this class will help students prepare to take the Advanced Placement Test in American History, and it also includes a U. S. History college credit option through UMSL. University transcripts are transferable to most major colleges and universities throughout the country.
Note: This course will count as a weighted grade and students may receive dual credit from UMSL. Enrollment for college credit requires a GPA of at least 2.50.
Note2: Students enrolled in Social Studies 8120 must be enrolled concurrently in English 3772. Please see the Communication Arts course descriptions for further information on the English portion of the course.
ELECTIVE COURSES
8495 THE AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE
Credit: ½ Unit
Open to Grades: 11-12
The African American Experience is a survey course that will examine the history of African Americans from its beginnings in the slave trade to the present. It will also take the time to investigate and analyze cultural aspects of African Americans throughout history. This course will familiarize students with events that have shaped the experiences of African Americans and allow for further understanding of a culture that is integral to America as a whole. Topics will include: The Slave Trade, African American involvement in all U.S. Wars, Jim Crow Laws, African American Poetry and Fiction, The Civil Rights Movement, Jazz and Blues Culture, etc. The broad scope of topics will necessitate outside reading and research by students. This course will encompass topics from U.S. and World History, Geography, Government, Literature, Music and Drama. An application for an Honors Grade may be requested for this course.
8450 AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY (Modern-WWII)
Credit: 1/2 unit
Open to Grades: 10-12
This course focuses on the military history of the United States, beginning with the modern-era war on terrorism and ending with WWII. Students will gain a unique perspective of history by going backwards in time and looking at how the modern era was affected by the earlier eras. Each unit will revolve around a certain time period in American History in which a major conflict (either domestic or international) took place. Along the way, students will study the causes, leaders, strategies, weapons, policies, and effects of that time period. The units will consist of assigned readings, lectures, audio, and video/visual presentations, field trips, guest speakers, and class discussions. Note: An application for an Honors Grade may be requested for this course.
8170 AP WORLD HISTORY: MODERN
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 11-12
AP Modern World History is a rigorous course that focuses on developing students’ abilities to think conceptually about world history and apply historical thinking skills. The course explores five major themes: (1) the interaction between humans and the environment, (2) the development and interaction of cultures, (3) state-building, expansion, and conflict, (4) the creation and expansion of economic systems, and (5) the development and transformation of social structures. The course will require students to craft plausible arguments from historical evidence, demonstrate chronological thinking skills, and synthesize and interpret historical evidence. Students will be required to construct various forms of essays (document-based ,argumentative, causation, comparison, and continuity and change-over-time), analyze various forms of documents, and participate in Socratic discussions. Students who enroll in this course must receive a recommendation from their freshmen Social Studies teacher. To receive a recommendation, students must have demonstrated a strong work ethic, independent study skills, strong writing skills, and the ability to analyze content with a high level of critical thinking. Students should expect a substantial amount of out-of-class work. They are encouraged to take the AP exam, though it is not required. Note:This course will count as a weighted grade and students may receive dual credit from UMSL. Enrollment for college credit requires a GPA of at least 2.50.
8500 AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY (WWI-AMERICAN REVOLUTION)
Credit: 1/2 unit
Open to Grades: 10-12
Students will begin with a look at American Military History from WWI all the way to the American Revolution. Students will gain a unique perspective of history by going backwards in time and looking at how the modern era affected and was affected by the earlier eras. Each unit will revolve around a certain time period in American History in which a major conflict (either domestic or international) took place. Along the way, students will study the causes, leaders, strategies, weapons, policies, and effects of that time period. The units will consist of assigned readings, lecture, audio and video/visual presentation, field trips, guest speakers, and class discussions.Note: An application for an Honors Grade may be requested for this course.
8223 AP US GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 11 - 12
AP U.S. Government and Politics provides a college-level, nonpartisan introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. Students will study U.S. foundational documents, Supreme Court decisions, and other texts and visuals to gain an understanding of the relationships and interactions among political institutions, processes, and behaviors. They will also engage in disciplinary practices that require them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments. In addition, they will complete a political science research or applied civics project. Note: This course will count as a weighted grade and students may receive advanced college credit from UMSL. Enrollment for college credit through UMSL requires an unweighted GPA of at least 2.5.
8300 INTRODUCTION TO LAW
Credit: 1/2 unit
Open to Grades: 10-12
This course is designed to help students become more aware of the law today and its importance to each individual's life. The following aspects of law will be considered: purposes and sources of law, the problem of crime, the criminal justice process, and citizens' rights and responsibilities. In addition to the basic textbook, students will be provided with handouts and readings to provide updated information and to relate current events to the topics being considered. Films and occasional guest speakers will be used. Students will have the opportunity to enhance their critical thinking, decision-making, and communication skills through frequent discussions of case studies and controversial issues and through an in-class mock trial. An application for an Honors Grade may be requested for this course.
8420 PSYCHOLOGY
Credit: 1/2 unit
Open to Grades: 11-12
Psychology is an elective designed to introduce students to psychology as a systematic study of behavior and its broad scope as a field of study. Students will learn about the development of Psychology as a Science and apply concepts learned to their daily lives. It is hoped that students will be able to relate certain aspects of the course to their own personal needs, and, therefore, gain a better understanding of themselves. The class will touch briefly on many areas: biology of behavior, memory, personality, intelligence and creativity, motivation, frustration, conflict, stress, drugs, behavior disorders, social influences and relationships.
8425 AP PSYCHOLOGY
Credits: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 11-12
AP Psychology is a college level course that is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Students will develop an understanding of the basic schools of psychological thought and methodology. Psychological theories of learning, thinking, and development will be covered, as well as the biological bases for behavior. Social and abnormal psychology, as well as the treatment of mental illness, will also be touched upon. Students will demonstrate knowledge of these areas through class discussions, traditional assessments, and a number of projects and writing assignments. Note: This course will count as a weighted grade and students may receive advanced college credit from UMSL. Enrollment for college credit through UMSL requires a GPA of at least 2.5.
8330 SOCIOLOGY
Credit: 1/2 unit
Open to Grades: 11-12
This is a performance-based assessment class that will rely heavily on research, group work, written responses, and presentations. This course is designed to develop an understanding of the role and impact of our society on our lives. Students should also leave the course with a greater understanding of current social issues. The course will cover such topics as culture, the family, the media, the educational system, the role of religion, prejudice and discrimination, as well as other pressing social issues. An application for an Honors Grade may be requested for this course.
8980 WOMEN, GENDER, AND DIVERSITY ACC
Credit: 1/2 unit
Open to Grades: 11-12
Women, Gender, and Diversity is an interdisciplinary, advanced credit course for the college-bound student. It provides an introduction to Women's and Gender Studies and introduces students to cultural, political, and historical issues of concern to women. The course familiarizes students with the diversity of women's experiences worldwide and explores representations of women and women's contributions to multiple disciplines, including anthropology, history, sociology, psychology, and literature. The class is discussion-based, taught in a seminar format, and students read and write extensively outside of class. Note: This course will count as a weighted grade and students may receive dual credit from UMSL. Enrollment for college credit requires an unweighted GPA of at least 2.5.
