ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ students must take one full year of World History or one full year of World Geography to meet graduation requirements.
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Syllabi for Social Studies
Social Studies Courses
World Geography
In World Geography Studies, students examine people, places, and environments at local, regional, national, and international scales from the spatial and ecological perspectives of geography. Great emphasis is placed on geography. Students describe the influence of geography on events of the past and present with emphasis on contemporary issues. A significant portion of the course centers around the physical processes that shape patterns in the physical environment; the characteristics of major landforms, climates, and ecosystems and their interrelationships; the political, economic, and social processes that shape cultural patterns of regions; types and patterns of settlement; the distribution and movement of the world population; relationships among people, places, and environments; and the concept of region. Students analyze how location affects economic activities in different economic systems. Students identify the processes that influence political divisions of the planet and analyze how different points of view affect the development of public policies. Students compare how components of culture shape the characteristics of regions and analyze the impact of technology and human modifications on the physical environment. Students use problem-solving and decision-making skills to ask and answer geographic questions.
Prerequisites: None
Advanced World Geography
Focusing on concepts and skills with maximualue for high school, college, careers, and civic life, Pre-AP World History and Geography is built around three enduring ideas: history is an interrelated story of the world, history and geography are inherently dynamic, historians and geographers are investigators. Pre-AP World History and Geography is designed as a disciplinary apprenticeship in which students learn through the process of discovery by applying the tools of historians and geographers. Pre-AP World History and Geography areas of focus prioritize the skills fundamental to the study of history and geography in high school, AP, and beyond. This gives students multiple opportunities to think and work like historians and geographers as they develop and strengthen these disciplinary reasoning skills throughout their education in history and the social sciences: evaluating evidence, explaining historical and geographical relationships, and incorporating evidence.
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Placement Human Geography
This course introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications.
This course integrates the World Geography TEKS throughout the year and prepares students to take the AP Human Geography exam. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement test at the completion of the course. This course can replace the World Geography graduation requirement.
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Placement Human Geography Elective
This course introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications. This course integrates the World Geography TEKS throughout the year and prepares students to take the AP Human Geography exam. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement test at the completion of the course. This course can replace the World Geography graduation requirement.
Corequisite: Advanced Studies Human Geography
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Studies Human Geography Elective
This course introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications. This course integrates the World Geography TEKS throughout the year and prepares students to take the AP Human Geography exam. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement test at the completion of the course. This course can replace the World Geography graduation requirement.
Corequisite: Advanced Placement Human Geography Elective
Prerequisites: None
World History
World History Studies is a survey of the history of human kind. Due to the limitations of the school year, the scope of this course focuses on “essential†concepts and skills that can be applied to various eras, events, and people. The major emphasis is on the study of significant people, events, and issues from the earliest times to the present. Traditional historical points of reference in world history are identified as students analyze important events and issues in western civilization as well as in civilizations in other parts of theworld. Students evaluate the causes and effects of political and economic imperialism and of major political revolutions since the 17th century. Students examine the impact of geographic factors on major historic events and identify the historic origins of contemporary economic systems. Students analyze the process by which constitutional governments evolved as well as the ideas from historic documents that influenced that process. Students trace the historical development of important legal and political concepts. Students examine the history and impact of major religious and philosophical traditions. Students analyze the connections between major developments in science and technology and the growth of industrial economies, and they use the process of historical inquiry to research, interpret, and use multiple sources of evidence.
Prerequisites: None
Advanced World History
Advanced World History Studies is a survey of the history of humankind. The major emphasis is on the study of significant people, events, and issues from the earliest times to the present. Traditional historical points of reference in world history are identified as students analyze important events and issues in western civilization as well as in civilizations in other parts of the world. Students evaluate the causes and effects of political and economic imperialism and of major political revolutions since the 17th century. Students examine the impact of geographic factors on major historic events and identify the historic origins of contemporary economic systems. Students analyze the process by which constitutional governments evolved as well as the ideas from historic documents that influenced that process. Students trace the historical development of important legal and political concepts. Students examine the history and impact of major religious and philosophical traditions. Students analyze the connections between major developments in science and technology and the growth of industrial economies, and they use the process of historical inquiry to research, interpret, and use multiple sources of evidence. The advanced curriculum focuses on improving the ability to read critically, analyze and synthesize factual information, and engage in rigorous learning experiences. Students should read on grade level before attempting this course. This course is designed to help students begin to build the skills needed for college. It is especially helpful for students who wish to take Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or dual credit social studies courses in high school. This course can replace the World History graduation requirement.
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Placement World History
In AP World History: Modern, students investigate significant events, individuals,developments, and processes from 1200 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change over time. The course provides six themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: humans and the environment, cultural developments and interactions, governance, economic systems, social interactions and organization, and technology and innovation.
This course may replace World History as a graduation requirement and prepares students to take the AP World History exam. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement test at the completion of the course.
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Placement European History
This elective AP course is a history of Western Civilization from 1450 to present, from the High Renaissance to the recent past. It is designed to provide a basic knowledge of the intellectual-cultural, political-diplomatic, and social-economic history of Europe. The course also provides seven themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: interaction of Europe and the world, economic and commercial development, cultural and intellectual development, states and other institutions of power, social organization and development, national and European identity, and technological and scientific innovations. Students are prepared for advanced college courses through requiring performance equivalent to those of full-year introductory college courses. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement test at the completion of the course.
Prerequisites: None
United States History
In United States History Studies Since 1877, which is the second part of a two-year study that begins in Grade 8, students study the history of the United States from 1877 to the present. The course content is based on the founding documents of the U.S. government, which provide a framework for its heritage. Historical content focuses on the political, economic, and social events and issues related to industrialization and urbanization, major wars, domestic and foreign policies, and reform movements, including civil rights. Students examine the impact of geographic factors on major events and eras and analyze their causes and effects. Students examine the impact of constitutional issues on American society, evaluate the dynamic relationship of the three branches of the federal government, and analyze efforts to expand the democratic process. Students describe the relationship between the arts and popular culture and the times during which they were created. Students analyze the impact of technological innovations on American life. Students use critical-thinking skills and a variety of primary and secondary source material to explain and apply different methods that historians use to understand and interpret the past, including multiple points of view and historical context. End of Course (EOC) tested. Required for Graduation.
Prerequisites: World History or World Geography
Advanced Placement United States History
In AP U.S. History, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in nine historical periods from approximately 1491 to the present. Through reading of challenging texts and extensive writing, students develop and use the same skills and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change. The course also provides eight themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: American and national identity; work, exchange, and technology; geography and the environment; migration and settlement; politics and power; America in the world; American and regional culture; and social structures. This course integrates the U.S. History TEKS and prepares student to take the AP U.S. History exam. End of Course (EOC) tested. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement test at the completion of the course.
Prerequisites: None
On Ramps US History
The history of the United States 1492-1865 (Fall) and history of the United States Since 1865 (Spring) are two college courses that comprise junior year history. Students take on the role of historian to discuss, analyze and reflect on the unique history of the United States of America, exploring the scope and depth of the American experience. The Fall semester covers America’s colonial beginnings through the Civil War. The Spring semester explores 1865 through the beginning of the 21st century. Working with primary source evidence to draw their own conclusions, students construct historical arguments, analysis and interpretations of the past – and have an opportunity to discover their own passions about history. Through Team Based Learning, Socratic Questioning and Flipped Learning, students engage with course material independently and collaboratively. Each unit consists of primary and secondary sources that challenge students to uncover the complexities within historical study. Topics include American Identities, Labor and Technology, Reform and Renewal, Self and Society, and American and the World. Successful completion of both courses earns 6 college credit hours. Â
Prerequisites: English I and English II
United States Government
In United States Government, the focus is on the principles and beliefs upon which the United States was founded and on the structure, functions, and powers of government at the national, state, and local levels. This course is the culmination of the civic and governmental content and concepts studied from Kindergarten through required secondary courses. Students learn major political ideas and forms of government in history. A significant focus of the course is on the U.S. Constitution, its underlying principles and ideas, and the form of government it created. Students analyze major concepts of republicanism, federalism, checks and balances, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, and individual rights and compare the U.S. system of government with other political systems. Students identify the role of government in the U.S. free enterprise system and examine the strategic importance of places to the United States. Students analyze the impact of individuals, political parties, interest groups, and the media on the American political system, evaluate the importance of voluntary individual participation in a constitutional republic, and analyze the rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Students examine the relationship between governmental policies and the culture of the United States. Students identify examples of government policies that encourage scientific research and use critical-thinking skills to create a product on a contemporary government issue.
Required for Graduation
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics
In United States Government, the focus is on the principles and beliefs upon which the United States was founded and on the structure, functions, and powers of government at the national, state, and local levels. This course is the culmination of the civic and governmental content and concepts studied from Kindergarten through required secondary courses. Students learn major political ideas and forms of government in history. A significant focus of the course is on the U.S. Constitution, its underlying principles and ideas, and the form of government it created. Students analyze major concepts of republicanism, federalism, checks and balances, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, and individual rights and compare the U.S. system of government with other political systems. Students identify the role of government in the U.S. free enterprise system and examine the strategic importance of places to the United States. Students analyze the impact of individuals, political parties, interest groups, and the media on the American political system, evaluate the importance of voluntary individual participation in a constitutional republic, and analyze the rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Students examine the relationship between governmental policies and the culture of the United States. Students identify examples of government policies that encourage scientific research and use critical-thinking skills to create a product on a contemporary government issue. They will also engage in disciplinary practices that require them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments.
This course integrates the Government TEKS and prepares students to take the AP United States Comparative Government and Politics exam. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement test at the completion of the course.
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Placement Comparative Government and Politics
AP Comparative Government and Politics introduces students to the rich diversity of political life outside the United States. The course uses a comparative approach to examine the political structures; policies; and political, economic, and social challenges of six selected countries: China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Students compare the effectiveness of approaches to many global issues by examining how different governments solve similar problems. They will also engage in disciplinary practices that require them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments. This course prepares students to take the AP Comparative Government and Politics exam. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement test at the completion of the course. This course is an elective course and does not satisfy the government requirement for graduation.
Prerequisites: None
