250 ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY

This full-year (1 credit) advanced placement course is a general survey of American History. The emphasis

is on preparing and encouraging the student to take the AP exam. The course is geared for highly motivated

students who are looking to take the equivalent of a full year of an introductory college

course. Upon successful completion of the AP exam, a student may gain college credit or advanced

college placement. The structure of the course requires extensive reading that addresses factual knowledge

and critical analytical skills. In addition to evaluative tools, students are required to complete book

reports and other forms of historical research. This course, which is usually taken during a student’s

junior or senior year, is designed to provide students with historical skills and factual knowledge necessary

to deal critically with U.S. history topics. Due to differences in curriculum, a student who drops AP

United States History will not be allowed into any other U.S. History course during the academic year.

PRE-REQUISITE: Completion of at least 1.5 social studies credits with a minimum average of 88;

completion of an application, and approval of the Social Studies department chair.

PRE-REQUISITE: Completion of United States History with an 88 average; completion of an application;

and approval of the department chair

240 ADVANCED PLACEMENT ECONOMICS

This full-year (1 credit) advanced placement course is designed for motivated students who wish to

earn college credit while in high school. The course is primarily for Seniors, although exceptional

Juniors can take the course with approval. The course is designed to develop an understanding of

cause-and-effect through critical thinking, to stress the importance of factual information, and to nurture

the individual’s oral and written skills as well as research and computer skills. Computer simulations

are used throughout the course, giving students a glimpse at running their own business, running the

U.S. economy and balancing the budget. Students will be expected to develop word processing and

spreadsheet skills. Field research is used for projects that analyze their place of employment and the

market in which they work. Topics include micro and macro economic theories, balancing the federal

budget, running a business, market systems and structures, and political influences on the economic

system. The emphasis is on preparing and encouraging the student to take the AP exam.

282 ADVANCED PLACEMENT EUROPEAN HISTORY

This full-year (1 credit) course is designed for Seniors who wish to earn college credit while in high

school. The emphasis is on preparing and encouraging the student to take the Advanced Placement

exam. The course covers the histories of various European countries from the 16th century to the present.

Lectures, primary and secondary source readings and seminar discussions are designed to prepare the

student to meet the rigors of a college history program.

PRE-REQUISITE: Completion of United States History with an average of 88 or better, completion of

an application; and approval of the Social Studies department chair.

Note: Students interested in psychology may take AP Psychology, Psychology A, or Psychology B, but

cannot receive more than 1 credit in Psychology.

290 ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY

This full-year (1 credit) advanced placement course is designed for Seniors who wish to earn college

credit while in high school. The emphasis is on preparing and encouraging the student to take the

Advanced Placement exam. This course provides students with a solid understanding of the fundamentals

of psychology. The history of psychology, individual differences, personality, motivation, memory and

cognition, learning and conditioning, abnormal psychology and therapy, and social psychology will be

covered.

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Emphasis will be placed on individual and group experiments. The goal is to understand these concepts

and to prepare the student for the advanced placement exam, which determines possible college credit

in psychology. Course enrollment is for those students willing to delve into all aspects of psychology

and eventually take the AP exam.

PRE-REQUISITE: Completion of U.S. History with an 88 average; completion of an application; and

approval of the Social Studies department chair