Social Studies Required Course Sequence

*Honors and Advanced classes are taught at an increased level of rigor. Students who have been consistently earning As and Bs in academic classes are good candidates for success in these higher-level courses. Placement in UNR dual credit classes requires approval from the student’s current Social Studies teacher.

 

Arts/Humanities Electives within Social Studies

Course Titles and course numbers	Grade Level
History through Film #4257/Sports in History #4006	10, 11, 12
Psychology #4245-4246
Cultural Studies #4049/Sociology #4242
Psychology through History and Film #4223-4224	11,12
Current Events #4202-4203
UNR dual credit Psychology	12

 

World History 1-2                                                                                                       Course #4101-4102

Full Year = 1 World History/World Geography credit

This course focuses on World History from approximately the mid-1300s to the modern day. Students will examine important concepts in geography, history, and culture pertaining to regions around the globe. Students will analyze significant events, individuals, developments and processes across the world from the perspective of multiple and varied voices for a vivid and complex picture of history. This course is global in nature, with a multicultural, rather than Eurocentric, approach. Students will engage in historical thinking, robust academic discussions, and informational and argumentative writing. Some of the topics of study will include, but are not limited to, the following: the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and Reformation, global expansion, empires and kingdoms of the world, the Enlightenment and revolutions, the rise of nation states, imperialism, industrialization, WWI, 20th Century revolutions, global depression, WWII, decolonization, the Cold War, globalization, and modern issues.

World Geography (H)                                                                                                 Course #4119-4120

Full Year = 1 World History/World Geography credit (Honors)

This course is an integrative discipline that brings together the physical and human dimensions of the world in the study of people, places, and environments. Designed within the guidelines set forth in the National Geography Standards, its subject matter is Earth's surface and the processes that shape it, the relationships between people and environments, and the connections between people and places. Students will analyze significant events, individuals, developments and demographics across the world from the perspective of multiple and varied voices for a vivid and complex picture of cultural geography. Students will be encouraged to examine and understand the inter-connectedness of the world around them. The course will focus on major world regions, including: the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the former Soviet Union, Asia, Africa and Oceania. The content of this course meets the World History requirement for graduation. The honors course focuses heavily on the development of academic writing and discourse.

US History 1-2                                                                                                            Course #4131-4132

Full Year = 1 US History credit

This course focuses on the history of the United States from the turn of the century to the present day. American founding documents and democratic principles will provide for the foundation referenced throughout this course while maintaining focus on the multicultural history, economics, civics, and geography of the modern era. This course includes multiple and varied voices and perspectives for a vivid and complex picture of U.S. History. Students in the course will engage in historical thinking, robust academic discussions, and informational and argumentative writing. Some of the topics of study will include, but are not limited to, the following: Nativism/Populism, Imperialism, the Gilded Age/Industrial Revolution, Progressivism, WWI, the 1920s, the Great Depression, WWII, the Civil Rights Movement, the Cold War, the rights movements of the 1970s, globalism, terrorism, and modern issues.

American Government                                                                                               Course #4161

One Semester = 0.5 American Government credit

Productive civic engagement requires knowledge of the historical foundations and principles of American democracy, understanding the unique processes of local, state, and national institutions, and the skills necessary to apply civic dispositions and democratic principles. In this semester long course, students will analyze the powers and civic responsibilities of citizens and examine the origins, functions, and structure of the U.S. government. Content will include multiple historical eras and the various changing perspectives in America’s past, as well as connections between historical events. Some of the topics of study will include, but are not limited to, the following: founding documents, the federal system, the legislative process, the judicial system, the executive branch, elections, political parties, interest groups, rights and responsibilities of citizens, international relations, public policy, economic policies, media literacy, and contemporary issues.

Economics and Personal Finance                                                                                Course #4205

One Semester = 0.5 Economics credit

The Economics and Financial Literacy course is grounded in knowledge about how people access and choose to use resources. Economic decision making involves setting goals and identifying the resources available to achieving those goals. Students will examine concepts and tools necessary to foster an economic way of thinking to better understand the interaction of buyers and sellers in markets, workings of the national economy, and interactions within the global marketplace. Some of the topics of study will include, but are not limited to, the following: supply and demand, financial institutions, labor markets, globalization, standard of living, economic indicators and policy, financial decision-making, saving and spending, credit and debt, and college and career preparedness.

American Government/ We the People (H)                                                                 Course #4173

One Semester = 0.5 American Government credit (Honors)

The "We the People" instructional program provides students with a course of instruction on the historical development of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the basic principles of constitutional democracy. The program is designed to foster civic responsibility through the development of an understanding of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the fundamental principle and values they embody. The program also helps the student gain an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizens in our constitutional democracy. The "We the People" curriculum examines the following topics at levels appropriate for students at the senior high school/college level: political philosophy, history and experience, writing the Constitution, establishing the government, protection of basic rights, and the responsibilities of citizenship. Students in this course will be competing in simulated congressional hearings on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and will be giving oral presentations before a panel of judges from the community. Students will be required to do research on their own outside of class. Students will also be required to give unit presentations before other classes, community organizations, and community professionals.

AP American Government/ We the People                                                                 Course #4175-4176

Full Year = 1 American Government credit/Economics and Personal Finance (Advanced Placement)

This class satisfies both the American Government and Economics requirements

The "We the People" instructional program provides students with a course of instruction on the historical development of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the basic principles of constitutional democracy. The program is designed to foster civic responsibility through the development of an understanding of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the fundamental principles and values that students embody. The program also helps the student gain an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizens in our constitutional democracy. The "We the People" curriculum examines the following topics at levels appropriate for students at the senior high school/college level: political philosophy, history and experience, writing the Constitution, establishing the government, protection of basic rights, and the responsibilities of citizenship. Students in this course will be competing in simulated congressional hearings on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and will be giving oral presentations before a panel of judges from the community. Students will be required to do research work in the school library and at UNR. Students will also be required to give unit presentations before other classes, community organizations, and community professionals. Students are required to take the AP exam in May. All AP exams have a cost associated with them.

Psychology 1-2                                                                                                            Course #4245-4246

Full Year = 1 Arts/Humanities credit

Can be used to satisfy the Flex credit graduation requirement

This course begins with a review of the ways people have sought to explain human behavior from ancient times through today and provides an overview of the major principles and concepts of psychology, including the brain, human development, personality, learning, cognition, and the scientific method. Students will participate in dozens of activities and real-life situations designed to bring the content alive and help them apply the material to their own lives. Magazines, book excerpts, and movies will also play a role in our search for knowledge. Emphasis will be placed upon fostering feelings of empathy for others—particularly those who are mentally ill. A sociocultural approach will be explored as a means for understanding a variety of cultures and how social aspects impact us as individuals. Students will leave the class with insights into the causes of human behavior as well as a better understanding of themselves.

 

Psychology through History and Film                                                                                    Course #4223-4224

Full Year = 1 Arts/Humanities credit

This course will focus on connecting historical events to Psychological concepts. For example Human Motivation and Early Civilizations (Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Rome, and the agricultural revolution). History of Warfare and the effect on the human mind (Post traumatic Stress Disorder from battle fatigue, shell shock to Vietnam Syndrome) Personality disorders and major historical figures (Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Richard Nixon, Rasputin) Social Psychology and the World Wars (Rise of Fascism, Milgram Experiment, Conformity and Obedience, role playing effect and the Stanford Prison experiment.) Racism, Segregation, and Civil Rights (Stereotypes, Attribution, in-group/ out group bias, Martin Luther King, Gandhi, and the choice of non-violent protest) History of mental Health in the United States (Evolution of asylums, the insanity plea, in the legal system, Andrea Yates, Policy of Deinstitutionalization) Salem Witch Trials (Stigmas of mental health, false persecution, and just world phenomenon).

Sports in History (Paired with History Through Film)                                                 Course #4006

One Semester = 0.5 elective credit

Full Year = 1 credit

This course will examine the development of sports through numerous historical perspectives. Students will explore the issues of gender, race, ethnicity and social class in relation to sports and within a historical context, and its relationship to the social, economic, cultural, and political forces in both the world and the United States. Students will learn through a variety of methods including classroom discussions, primary source readings, as well as digital resources.

 

History Through Film (Paired with Sports in History)                                                 Course #4258

One Semester = 0.5 elective credit

Full Year = 1 credit

History through Film combines pop culture of American History and the advancements within the film industry to analyze some of the most important films of all time. The class begins with the beginning of film in the 1920s and 30s and continues to present day. Films showcase issues in multicultural America alongside components of economic history, geography and civics. Be ready to see film in a different light! A perfect class for those who are interested in American History, art analysis, and the art of filmmaking.

Cultural Studies (Paired with Sociology)                                                                    Course #4049

One Semester = 0.5 elective credit

This course will investigate the political, social, and economic connections and contributions of diverse groups throughout history and contemporary America to better prepare students for lives and careers in an increasingly multicultural society. Students will think critically about the world and their place in it by evaluating systems of power and the impacts of those systems on diverse communities. Through an inquiry-based approach, students will explore identity, intersectionality, cultural contributions, and strategies various groups used to overcome oppression and create communities of respect, equity, and diversity. As a result, students will become conscious about the world around them and civically engaged in order to take action on issues they find important and relevant.

 

Sociology (Paired with Cultural Studies)                                                                    Course #4241

One Semester = 0.5 elective credit

Sociology is the scientific study of human societies and how they develop, are maintained, and change. Sociology analyzes a range of human social behavior from social interactions between individuals to global social processes, often focusing on the causes and consequences of social inequalities. Areas of focus might include but are not limited to gender, race, social class, culture, education, and families.

 

Current Events                                                                                                                            Course #4202-4203

Full Year = 1 Arts/Humanities credit

The goal of a current events course is for the student to become aware of the major issues of the day and to have an in-depth understanding and appreciation of these events. We hope to help students develop media literacy skills and the capacity to examine issues from multiple perspectives, as well as to think critically about the world around them. We will use news programs, written journalistic pieces, websites, and documentaries. We will use inquiry-based learning, which is a student-centered teaching method that encourages students to ask questions and investigate real-world problems. In this type of learning environment, students are actively engaged in the learning process and are given the opportunity to explore. Students will identify and discuss the connections between current events and history, enhance their understanding of world events, and become informed citizens.

 

History 102c (American History)                                                                                  Course #14157-14158

1 year = 1.0 US History credit; 3 UNR credits

Grades: 11-12

Class fee: $75

*Prerequisite: Instructor/team approval

U.S. political, social, economic, diplomatic, and cultural development from 1865 to the present. The course covers content through themes of the west, Nevada history, and minorities. Satisfies the U.S. and Nevada Constitution requirements.

 

Political Science 101 (American Government)                                                             Course #14026

1 semester = 0.5 Government credit, 3 UNR credits

Grade: 12

Class fee: $75

*Prerequisite: Instructor/team approval

This course examines how the U.S. system of government operates. To that end, we will be studying the constitutional foundations of the U.S. government, its formal institutions, and how citizens and groups help form and sustain the political system. At its core, this class is about how the U.S. political system can operate and how it actually does. We will ask and answer questions about how we think politics should work, how they actually work, and why there are (or are not) gaps between our expectations and reality.

 

In order to be successful in this college-level class, you need academic ability, commitment, and the ability to work independently both inside and outside of class time. When you successfully complete this course, you will have earned three college credits for a much lower cost than taking the same class on campus at UNR, and .050 will be added to your weighted high school GPA. Your final grade will be your recorded grade for Government at Reed as well as your grade for UNR PSC 101. Please note that this grade is part of your official permanent college transcript.

 

Economics 100 (Economics and Personal Finance)                                                         Course #14101

Note:  UNR only (they have added content to the course to meet the standards)

1 semester = 0.5 Economics credit, 3 UNR credits

Grade: 12

Class fee: $75

*Prerequisite: Instructor/team approval

This course examines selected microeconomic and macroeconomic principles applied in a non-technical manner to improve your understanding of everyday problems and social issues.

Additionally, there is a Financial Literacy mini unit at the conclusion of the UNR portion of this course in order to fully comply with the WCSD requirements for senior year Social Studies.

To be successful in this college-level class, you need academic ability, commitment, and the ability to work independently and in collaborative learning groups both inside and outside of class time. When you successfully complete this course, you will have earned three college credits for a much lower cost than taking the same class on campus at UNR, and .050 will be added to your weighted high school GPA. Your final grade for ECON 100 will be part of your official permanent college transcript. Your final grade for the semester will be your grade for Economics on your WCSD transcript.

Psychology 101 (Arts/Humanities)                                                                                Course #14153-14154

1 year = 1.0 elective credit; 3 UNR credits

Course Fee: $75

*Prerequisite: Instructor/team approval

In this course students survey the research and theories of the science of human behavior with a particular focus on human mental processes. Among the topics discussed are development, learning, memory, perception, personality, motivation, social behavior, abnormal behavior and therapy.

HIST 105 - European Civilization to 1648 (Paired with Hist 106)                                                    Course #14241 

1 semester = 1.0 elective credits, 3 TMCC credits

Grades: 10-12

Class fee: $75

*Prerequisite: Instructor approved

Survey of the development of Western civilization up to 1648.

 

HIST 106 - European Civilization since 1648                                                                                     Course #14236

1 semester = 1.0 World History credits, 3 TMCC credits

Grades: 10-12

Class fee: $75

*Prerequisite: Instructor approved

Survey of the development of Western civilization from 1648 to the present.