Course Description

#34010 WORLD GEOGRAPHY

2 Terms, ½ Credit Each Term
GRADE 9~Required Course

World Geography is a course about the earth and the relationships and distribution of its people and resources. Basic concepts of geography and the use of essential tools and skills will be introduced. The interaction between humans and the physical environment will be emphasized for the regions of USA, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Northern Eurasia, Africa, Middle East, Asia and Oceania. Global perspectives and problems will be studied through cultural, economic, historic, political and urban geography.

CORE COURSE LEVEL 11

#34141 UNITED STATES HISTORY

2 Terms, ½ Credit Each Term
GRADES 11 - 12~Required Course

United States History class will help students develop an understanding of their heritage. Students will examine ideas, institutions, people, groups, and movements in American life that have helped to make the United States the nation it is today. This class will begin with the isolationist viewpoint of the 1870's, moving toward the present. Attention will be given to the relationships between nations of the modern world.

#34161 AP U.S. HISTORY/GOVERNMENT

3 Terms, ½ Credit Each Term
GRADES 11 - 12

Approval of Counselor and Teacher;

Recommendation for students to take US History in Grade 10 to help prepare.

Students taking Advance Placement U.S. History will examine ideas, institutions, and movements in American life and culture. Students will become aware of and appreciate their American heritage, develop a realistic comprehension of the role of the United States in world affairs, and better understand the forces that have shaped America. The course will proceed chronologically from discovery to modern times. This is a class for advanced students. It is designed to be at least equal to a college freshman level United States History course. This course is designed to prepare students for the National Advanced Placement Examination in United States History. Due to the composition of the exam, concepts of Government are also presented in this course. See AP section. Students must complete all three terms to earn weighted GPA.

CORE COURSE LEVEL 12

#34180 AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

1 Term, ½ Credit
GRADE 12~Required Course

Recommended to be taken after US History

This course will stimulate an interest in the democratic system of government and actively encourage participation in all phases of civic activity. Students will investigate the origin, philosophy, powers, and problems of the local, state, and national governments. Students will examine the function of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

FRESHMEN WILL CHOOSE ONE

#34040 LAW RELATED EDUCATION

1 Term, ½ Credit GRADE 9~Recommended

This class examines the social reasons and ethics behind laws, enforcement, and the judicial process. Students in this class will be introduced to the American legal system with expertise coming from community resources such as police, sheriffs, public defenders, district attorneys, and judges. Criminal and civil aspects of law will be covered in cooperative group settings to develop social responsibility toward society.

#80010 JROTC - LEADERSHIP EDUCATION TRAINING (LET 1)

See page 23 for complete JROTC course outline GRADE 9 - 12~Recommended

Students are introduced to the history, purpose and objectives of the ROTC program. A comprehensive study of personal hygiene, first aid and life saving measures are provided for the student. Students are introduced to map reading, weapons and weapons safety and marksmanship. They also receive an introduction to methods of instruction and leadership development and drill. The class will be divided into squads and platoons for military review and drill activities.

ELECTIVE COURSES

#34060 ANCIENT WORLD HISTORY

1 Term, ½ Credit GRADES 10 - 12

Students will study the development of societies that contributed to modern culture. Topics of study will include the development of religious ideas, political systems, cultural values, artistic creativity, and technology. This course will cover the beginnings of man, ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, and the civilizations of Greece and Rome.

#34080 MEDIEVAL WORLD HISTORY

1 Term, ½ Credit GRADES 10 - 12

Students will study the European medieval world through the Renaissance, including the Byzantine Empire and the rise of Islamic nations.

#34100 EARLY MODERN TIMES WORLD HISTORY

1 Term, ½ Credit GRADES 10 - 12

Students will study the development of world civilizations from the time of European exploration to the twentieth century. Topics will include the Enlightenment, Imperialism, the American and European revolutions, nationalism and the Industrial Revolution.

#34110 20 TH CENTURY WORLD HISTORY

1 Term, ½ Credit GRADES 10 - 12

Students will study the period of history from the modern Industrial Age to the contemporary world. The course will cover the rise of Nationalism and conflicts of the modern era, and will examine modern economic interdependence of nations. 20th Century World History will prepare students to master current historical problems with greater proficiency.

#34220 SOCIAL PROBLEMS

1 Term, ½ Credit GRADES 11 - 12

Social Problems is an issues oriented class. Discussion and debate on contemporary and controversial subjects involves the student in research, critical thinking and class participation. Social issues, such as discrimination, poverty, aging, death and dying, gender, crime and violence, substance abuse, the family and the environment, will be covered.

#34240 SOCIOLOGY

1 Term, ½ Credit GRADES 11 - 12

This course explores important societal factors such as culture, group structure and function, norms, socialization, social behavior, deviance, racial and ethnic relations. In addition, social institutions including marriage and family, religion, and education will be covered.

#34260 PSYCHOLOGY

1 Term, ½ Credit GRADES 11 - 12

Psychology is the study of the mental processes and behavior. The course will cover such topics as sensation, perception, memory, thought, learning, human relations, personality, behavior disorders and mental health. Types of therapy, techniques of mental measurement, and statistics will also be studied. Consideration will be given to theory and research relative to the topics.

#34281 AP PSYCHOLOGY

2 Terms, ½ Credit Each Term GRADES 11 - 12

Approval of teacher and counselor required.

Psychology is a vibrant, living, and ever-growing science. Although its roots are in the distant past, it has flourished in the twentieth century. Psychology might be called the science of today; concerned with and dealing with current problems in the contemporary affairs of mankind. The first term of study will include the physiological basis of behavior; sensation and perception; states of consciousness; learning and memory; motivation and emotion; and stress and frustration. Second term study will look at the topics of developmental psychology; personality theory and measurement; language, thought and intelligence;abnormal behavior; psychotherapy; and social psychology. The course culminates in the Advanced Placement Psychology Examination. See AP section. Students must complete both terms to earn a weighted GPA.

#34320 ECONOMICS

1 Term, ½ Credit GRADES 11 - 12

The purpose of this course is to help students understand the American economic system of free enterprise so that they will be able to make better financial, employment and personal decisions. Students will study how the U.S. economy works by examining the basic elements of the free market system, the interaction of supply and demand, the banking system, and the national economic policy.

#34340 COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS

1 Term, ½ Credit GRADES 11 - 12

Comparative Religions is a course about the major religions of the world and the place of religion in human affairs. This course will identify the basic concepts of the major living religions and philosophies of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Shinto. Geographic influences, historical events, founders, sacred writings, practices and ceremonies will be explored. Religious concepts and philosophical views will be discussed in an academic and nonjudgmental environment.

#34400 ETHNIC STUDIES

1 Term, ½ Credit 1 Term, ½ Credit GRADES 10 - 12

Ethnic Studies is a course about the experiences of minority ethnic groups in the United States with an emphasis on Latino, Native, Asian and African Americans. Students will investigate those ethnic groups through the study of each ethnic group's history and culture. Students will examine each ethnic group's adaptation, assimilation, and contributions to the American culture. The students will develop a basic understanding of the nature of prejudice and discrimination and analyze its impact on current minority groups.

#34410 COLORADO HISTORY

1 Term, ½ Credit GRADES 10 - 12

This course surveys prehistoric peoples of Colorado, native peoples, the Spanish frontier,fur trade, mining, transportation, political development, the cattle industry, industrial and energy-related growth, resource allocation, and issues confronting Colorado's future. This course involves independent research.

#34171 AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

2 Terms, ½ Credit each Term GRADES 11 - 12

Approval of Teacher and Counselor

AP Human Geography is the study of diverse peoples and regions and the environmental consequences of human activity. Geography tools, models, theories, and inquiry will be used to study population, regional variations of culture, rural and urban land use, cities and agriculture, economic activities, and the political organization of the earth. Students must complete both terms to earn weighted GPA.

#34355 HISPANIC/LATINO STUDIES

1 Term, ½ Credit GRADES 9 - 12

This course is designed as an introductory class for students wanting to expand their knowledge of Hispanic/Latino history, culture, and social events that have shaped this diverse group of people in the United States. The course will provide an overview of their relationship to various institutions (economic, political, educational) as well as their contributions to the larger society and implications for the 21 st century. The course will also look at traditions, customs, and culture, which have evolved over time.

#34300 ANTHROPOLOGY

1 Term, ½ Credit GRADES 11 - 12

Anthropology is the study of the physical and cultural development of humans. Students will seek to understand the origins of culture and its universal elements of social, religious, and artistic activities. Archaeology and language will also be studied.