All students must successfully complete a minimum of four (4) credits of social studies courses in order to graduate.

 - this course is offered in the WC Cyber Program

African-Asian Cultures Career & College Prep/Honors (9) 1 credit 

Students trace the development of mankind from its prehistoric beginnings through the creation of the first civilizations in Egypt and Mesopotamia. Using a variety of resources, the cultures of Asia, Africa and the Middle East are studied through the present.

Advanced Placement Human Geography  (9) 1 credit

This is a college-level introductory course in Human Geography. Topics will focus on population, demographics, and migration; cultural patterns and process such as religion and cultural identity; the political organization of space, including the challenges to inherited political-territorial arrangements; land use issues, such as urbanization, settlement patterns, and modern agriculture; and industrial and economic development.

European & Latin American Studies Career & College Prep/Honors (10) 1 credit 

Students will explore the people and history of both Europe and Latin America through a thematic study to better understand these modern societies.

Advanced Placement European History (10) 1 credit 

The course is organized into four historical periods that run from c. 1450 to the present. Students will learn European History through a range of historical thinking skills to investigate the thematic learning objectives. The key concepts, supporting concepts and historical developments that are required knowledge for each period will be presented. 
Students can also take this course as an elective in grades 11 and 12.

United States History - WWI - Today Career & College Prep/Honors (11) 1 credit

Students continue the study of United States History begun in middle school. This course studies the story of America from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. In addition to examining the political history of modern America, students also consider social, economic and cultural developments.

Advanced Placement United States History (11) 1 credit 

This course is organized into historical periods that run from the precolonial era to the present and the key concepts, supporting concepts, and historical developments that are required knowledge for each period. Students will learn American History through thematic learning objectives and use historical thinking skills to analyze the material. The demands for this course are equivalent to an introductory college level course and will prepare students for the Advanced Placement exam.
Prerequisite: Recommendation of their current Social Studies teacher.

United States Government & Economics Career & College Prep/Honors (12) 1 credit 

This course is a study of the American political and economic systems, and the examination of the workings of federal, state, and local governments. The United States Constitution is analyzed in terms of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Students also study economic concepts and acquire a basic understanding of the American economy.

Advanced Placement United States Government & Politics (12) 1 credit 

This is a survey course in American government with emphasis on the structure, operation and politics of the Federal government. The course addresses the constitutional underpinnings of government, political behavior, the branches and functions of the government, and the major areas of national public policy. Those areas include economic and regulatory policy, social welfare policy, civil liberties and civil rights policy, foreign and national security policy, and other areas dictated by current events. The course prepares students to take the Advanced Placement Examination in United States Government and Politics.
Prerequisite: Recommendation of their current Social Studies teacher.

Social Studies Electives

The following courses may be used for Arts/Humanities or elective credit.

American Military History 1 .5 credit/semester course 

Neutrally Weighted 
This course explores all military aspects of United States involvement in combat (with an emphasis on the late 18th and 19th centuries), including logistical movement, strategy, military parlance, the study of weaponry and the impact upon society of war.

American Military History 2 .5 credit/semester course 

Neutrally Weighted 
With an emphasis on the 20th century, this course covers detailed military aspects of United States involvement in combat including logistical movement, strategy, military parlance, the study of weaponry, and the impact upon society of war.

Advanced Placement Economics (11, 12) 1 credit

This full-year, college-level course is an extensive examination of both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. In Microeconomics, the students will gain a thorough understanding of the principles of economics as they apply to individuals and the firm (producers). Topics include basic economic functions, the nature and function of product and factor (labor, land and capital) markets, as well as market failure and the role of government.
The Macroeconomic portion gives the student an understanding of the principles of economics that apply to economic systems as a whole (aggregate). Topics include economic measurements, price determination and national income, economic growth, stabilization policies and international trade and finance (open economy).
Students taking this course will have the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement exam in both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics in May.
NOTE: This course is offered to 11th and 12th grade students only.
Prerequisite: Students must have the recommendation from their current Social Studies teacher.

The Holocaust .5 credit/semester course

Neutrally Weighted
Students examine the holocaust in a historical context in order to better recognize what it means to be a responsible citizen in a democracy. The course begins with a study of anti-Semitism and of the Nazis before concluding with a study of the Holocaust. Some background in European history is recommended.
NOTE: Some topics may require a level of student maturity. Ninth grade students should have a strong interest in the subject.

Advanced Placement Human Geography (9, 10, 11, 12) 1 credit 

This is a college level introductory course in Human Geography. Topics will focus on population,demographics, and migration; cultural patterns and process such as religion and cultural identity; the political organization of space, including the challenges to inherited political-territorial arrangements; land use issues, such as urbanization, settlement patterns, and modern agriculture; and industrial and economic development. The overall goal is to demonstrate that geography is important to understanding our world today and to help students develop skills of inquiry within a geographic framework.

Psychology .5 credit/semester course

Neutrally Weighted
An introduction to the methods and concepts of contemporary psychology, course topics include learning, personality, social adjust-ment and abnormality.
NOTE: Some topics may require a level of student maturity. Ninth grade students should have a strong interest in the subject.

Advanced Placement Psychology (10, 11, 12) 1 credit 

This course introduces the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major sub fields within psychology. Topics include development, biological basis for behavior, sensation and perception, cognition, states of consciousness, personality, abnormal behavior, therapy, and emotion and motivation. This course is highly interactive and reliant on independent effort, initiative, and critical thinking. Experiments, surveys, opinion papers, simulations, and creative illustrations are examples of techniques used. The demands of this course are equivalent to those of an introductory college course and prepare students for the Advanced Placement examination.
NOTE: Some topics may require a level of student maturity. This course is offered to 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students only.

Race & Ethnicity in Early America  (10,11,12) .5 credit/semester course

Neutrally Weighted

In this course, we will consider how race and ethnicity impact who gets what, when, and how. It will begin by surveying the historical issues of racial and ethnic minority politics in the United States up to the Civil War.

Race & Ethnicity in Modern America (10,11,12) .5 credit/semester course

Neutrally Weighted

Students will explore how American politics are strongly influenced by historical issues surrounding race and ethnicity.

Sociology .5 credit/semester course

Neutrally Weighted
This course provides students with an introduction to the methods and concepts of modern sociology, and an understanding of the society of which he/she is a part. Topics include childhood and adolescence, the adjustment to adulthood, prejudice and discrimination, love and marriage, and the problems of poverty in an affluent society.
NOTE: Some topics may require a level of student maturity. Ninth grade students should have a strong interest in the subject.

Stocks & Investment .5 credit/semester course 

Neutrally Weighted
Blended learning class - 4 days in-class/ 1 day online learning
In this introductory course, students “purchase” stocks and create investment portfolios through individual and team research, and by using simulation activities.

Understanding Law .5 credit/semester course 

Neutrally Weighted
This course begins with an overview of constitutional and civil law, and then proceeds to study all aspects of the criminal justice system including arrest, trial and the penal system.