|
|
The Social Studies Department of Plano West Senior High endeavors to prepare and encourage students to be successful participants in society and positive contributors to the community. Students will acquire the tools of analysis learned through the study of history, political science, economics, geography, sociology and psychology. Additionally, students will be empowered to be problem solvers and creative thinkers with a life-long love of learning. Calendars, syllabi, and assignments for each social studies course can accessed through mypisd.net.
|
American Studies
Aaron Sands , Kristin Taylor
American Studies is a course designed to maximize student benefit through the use of Gifted and Talented strategies to blend the Advanced Placement US History and Advanced Placement Language courses. This course, the next "step" after Humanities in the PISD PACE program, focuses on the philosophical underpinnings of American writing and thought, along with an understanding of the historical climate associated with that writing. The materials used by the teachers result in cognition on many levels; lecture, inquiry, group activities, and computer assignments address different learning styles. Discussion participation, careful writing and critical reading are significant elements for this course, along with the implementation of Gifited and Talented strategies.
AP United States History - or APUSH - is a survey course that covers the time period from approximately 1492 to the present, concentrating on major political, social, economic, intellectual, and cultural themes. AP Language - or APLANG - is a course designed to help students become skilled readers and writers who compose for a variety of purposes, aware of the use of rhetorical devices, writer's purposes, audience expectations, and subjects. Both of these courses are designed to be the equivalent of first year college courses, allowing students the potential to earn university credit through the successful completion of the course and the College Board Advanced Placement tests taken in May.
|
Economics
Economics
Brenda Hudnall , John Scott
Economics is the study of how people and countries deal with the problem of scarcity--not enough goods and services to satisfy
everyone's wants and needs. To understand this problem, students will study the market system, American business organizations, supply and demand, money and banking system, the national economy, international trade, and other economic systems.
AP Macroeconomics
Sally Meek
Economics AP is designed for mastery of the essential elements and sub-elements as well as extension beyond this mastery. Specific activities for higher level thinking and problem solving have been integrated into the course. Primary sources and scholarly works will be analyzed. Students are encouraged to work with statistical data and form hypotheses and generalizations concerning relationships among data. Numerous activities will center on the use of graphs, charts, and other raw data in an effort to extrapolate and ascertain
fundamental statistical realities of the Free Market. Students will have the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement examination at the conclusion of the course.
AP Microeconomics
Sally Meek
Economics AP is designed for mastery of the essential elements and sub-elements as well as extension beyond this mastery. Specific activities for higher level thinking and problem solving have been integrated into the course. Primary sources and scholarly works will be analyzed. Students are encouraged to work with statistical data and form hypotheses and generalizations concerning relationships among data. Numerous activities will center on the use of graphs, charts, and other raw data in an effort to extrapolate and ascertain
fundamental statistical realities of the Free Market. Students will have the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement examination at the conclusion of the course.
To Top>>
Geography
World Geography
Brittany Kelley
This course introduces students to the physical and human world around them and helps them develop the means to examine that
world. Facts and information on physical, cultural, political, and economic geography as well as abundant opportunity to refine the
content through the exercise of map and globe skills, reading skills, and thinking skills will be provided to the student.
To Top>>
US Government
US Government
Jane Carlson, Nila Stewart , Brian Robinson
United States Government will assist students in acquiring knowledge of the structure, functions, and development of our system of government. The course will analyze the political institutions, processes, and civic values inherent in our political system and provide students the opportunity to develop and apply the participatory skills needed to carry out civic responsibilities and exercise their rights as citizens. It will also provide students the opportunity to analyze and compare political institutions, processes, and civic values of the United States with those of other political systems as well as opportunities to develop appropriate democratic values and support
for the American free enterprise system.
AP US Government - Politics
Jane Carlson , Nila Stewart
The Advanced Placement course in American Government is designed to give students a critical perspective on politics and
government in the United States. This course involves both the studies of general concepts used to interpret American politics and the analysis of specific case studies. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that make up the American political reality. The student will have the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement examination at the conclusion of the course. This course may be used to fulfill the US Government requirement for graduation.
AP US Government - Comparative
Richard Evarts
This course is designed to help students gain knowledge of the world's diverse political structures and practices. It encompasses the study of both specific countries and of general concepts used to interpret the key political relationships found in almost all-national politics. This course will not fulfill the U. S. Government requirement for graduation.
History
AP European History
Brian Robinson
The course is for the advanced social studies student who demonstrates the ability and interest to study a college level European history course. The content will include a study of the history of Europe from 1500 to the present. Analytical and research skills will be used to study primary sources and scholarly works. The student will have the opportunity to receive college credit for this course by demonstrating knowledge on an Advanced Placement examination.
AP US History
John Scott, Kathy Sutton, David Van Derven
The course is designed for students who have demonstrated the ability and interest to study a college level United States history course. The content for this course emphasizes the Colonial-Revolutionary War Period, Constitutional Period, the Age of Jackson, the Civil War and Reconstruction, the Progressive Era, the New Deal, and the emergence of America as a world power after World War II. Cultural diversities and the role of minorities will be a major focus. Analytical and research skills will be used to study primary sources and scholarly works in an effort to discover the overall movement and fabric of United States history. The student will have the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement examination at the conclusion of the course. The student may take this course for the required US History credit or for elective credit.
US History
Brittany Kelley, Chad Goins, Richard Grubbs, Kris Jones, Kathy Sutton, Jamie Woodward
The content of this required course in United States History includes significant events, issues, and problems occurring after the period of
1877 thru the current time period. This course builds upon knowledge and concepts, acquired in the first course (8th grade). The course includes historical concepts, citizenship principles and skills necessary for the study
of US Historyguided by the general principles of differentiation.
This course includes a survey of ancient medieval and modern times with an emphasis placed upon modern times. A background of world events will be presented to the student to help understand current events and world problems. Both Western and Non-Western areas of the world will be studied.
To Top>>
Psychology
AP Psychology
Richard Evarts
Psychology AP is designed to meet the requirements of a college level course in psychology. Many topics explored in the regular
course will be developed to a higher level. Students will then be given the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement examination in May.
Psychology
Richard Evarts, Brian Robinson, Chad Goins
This course will introduce the student to the science of psychology with emphasis on human behavior. Content of the course will include the study of the facts involved in learning and thinking, intelligence, human development, personality theories, defense mechanisms, abnormal behavior and treatment, and careers in psychology.
Sociology
Sociology, Honors Sociology
Jamie Woodward
Sociology presents a comparative look at group behavior in many cultures, social classes, and communities. It introduces the student to the ways sociologists investigate, describe, and analyze social life. The process of socialization, showing how both males and females learn cultural patterns and social norms as children, adolescents, and adults, is a major focus. The topics of race, ethnicity, poverty, and the role of change are also discussed.
|
|
|
|
