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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.

Focusing on concepts and skills with maximum value 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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Economics with Emphasis on the Free Enterprise System and Its Benefits is the culmination of the economic content and concepts studied from Kindergarten through required secondary courses. The focus is on the basic principles concerning production, consumption, and distribution of goods and services (the problem of scarcity) in the United States and a comparison with those in other countries around the world. Students analyze the interaction of supply, demand, and price. Students will investigate the concepts of specialization and international trade, economic growth, key economic measurements, and monetary and fiscal policy. Students will study the roles of the Federal Reserve System and other financial institutions, government, and businesses in a free enterprise system. Types of business ownership and market structures are discussed. The course also incorporates instruction in personal financial literacy. Students apply critical-thinking skills using economic concepts to evaluate the costs and benefits of economic issues. Students identify the role of the U.S. free enterprise system within the parameters of this course and understand that this system may also be referenced as capitalism or the free market system.

Required for Graduation.

Personal Financial Literacy and Economics builds upon and extends the economic content and concepts studied from Kindergarten through grade 12 social studies courses in Texas. The course provides a foundation in both microeconomics and macroeconomics. Students will survey the impact of demand, supply, various industry structures, and government policies on the market for goods, services, and wages for workers. Macroeconomic study involves economic systems with an emphasis on free enterprise market systems, goals of full employment, price stability, and growth, while examining problems like unemployment and inflation, and the policies enacted to deal with them. The course also builds upon and extends the personal finance content and concepts studied from kindergarten through grade 8 in mathematics courses in Texas. It is an integrative course that applies the same economic way of thinking developed to making choices about how to allocate scarce resources in an economy to how to make them at the personal level. It requires demonstrated critical thinking by students who explore how to invest in themselves with education and skill development, how to earn income, how to budget for spending, saving, investing, and protecting. Students will examine their individual responsibility for managing their personal finances and will understand that doing so will impact their standard of living and long-term financial well-being. Further, students will connect how their financial decision making will impact the greater economy.

Personal Financial Literacy will develop citizens who have the knowledge and skills to make sound, informed financial decisions that will allow them to lead financially secure lifestyles and understand personal financial responsibility. The knowledge gained in this course has far-reaching effects for students personally as well as the economy as a whole. When citizens make wise financial decisions, they gain opportunities to invest in themselves, build businesses, consume goods, and services in a responsible way, and secure a future without depending on outside assistance. The economy benefits from the optimal use of resources, increased consumption, and strong local businesses. State and local governments benefit with steady revenue streams and reduced future obligations as our society ages. The course will teach students to apply critical-thinking and problem-solving skills to analyze decisions involving earning and spending, saving and investing, credit and borrowing, insuring and protecting, and college and postsecondary education and training. There are many references to conducting a cost-benefit analysis for spending and investing decisions. Students evaluate the necessity of the purchase, the quality or value of the purchase or investment compared to other alternatives, and the total cost of acquisition, particularly in the context of financing options. Students also understand the power of both compound growth on investments and compound interest on debt and how these concepts affect the ability to build wealth over time.

In Psychology, an elective course, students study the science of behavior and mental processes. Students examine the full scope of the science of psychology such as the historical framework, methodologies, human development, motivation, emotion, sensation, perception, personality development, cognition, learning, intelligence, biological foundations, mental health, and social psychology.

Sociology, an elective course, is an introductory study in social behavior and organization of human society. This course will describe the development of the field as a social science by identifying methods and strategies of research leading to an understanding of how the individual relates to society and the ever changing world. Students will also learn the importance and role of culture, social structure, socialization, and social change in today’s society.

**THESE TWO COURSES MUST BE TAKEN TOGETHER TO RECEIVE THE FULL CREDIT**

The Advanced Studies in Psychology course is a semester long course that provides students with the opportunity to learn psychological principles and phenomena, develop their understanding of behavior and mental processes, as well as to learn and use scientific methods in the study of behavior. This course will prepare students for the second semester of the Advanced Placement Psychology course. The AP Psychology course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. While considering the psychologists and studies that have shaped the field, students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts, and phenomena associated with such topics as the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatments of psychological disorders, and social psychology. Throughout the course, students employ psychological research methods, including ethical considerations, as they use the scientific method, evaluate claims and evidence, and effectively communicate ideas. These courses prepare students to take the AP Psychology exam. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement test at the completion of the course. SS1339 must be taken first semester for enrollment in SS1340 second semester.

Students are given a brief review of the early period of Texas History, from exploration through the period of the Civil War and Reconstruction, followed by major emphasis on the problems, growth, and development of Texas in the twentieth century.

This course is designed to provide students an overview of Latin American history from pre-columbian cultures to contemporary America. This course will focus on the cultural roots of the Latin American experience and their influence on culture, politics, economics, and science and technology in United States. Students will also discuss contemporary issues facing Latin Americans. Student will create authentic work products to demonstrate learning throughout the course.

This course is designed to provide students an overview of the influence and role of women in society, past and present. This course will examine the changing role of women over time and the struggle for increased social, political, and economic equality. Students will also discuss contemporary issues facing women globally. Students will create authentic work products to demonstrate learning throughout the course.

This course is designed to provide students the opportunity to study various cultural groups in our American society. The historical backgrounds, customs, art, drama, music, folklore, and other contributions of specific groups to the American way of life are emphasized.

This course will allow the student to become aware of local, national, and international current events and topics. The student will discover how contemporary issues of today’s society are related to past historical events. Group discussion, interviewing, use of newspapers, magazines, and other media’s will be utilized by the student to identify current social problems and learn how society reacts to these issues.

In Ethnic Studies: Mexican American Studies, an elective course, students learn about the history and cultural contributions of Mexican Americans. Students explore history and culture from an interdisciplinary perspective. The course emphasizes events in the 20th and 21st centuries, but students will also engage with events prior to the 20th century.

In Ethnic Studies: African American Studies, an elective course, students learn about the history and cultural contributions of African Americans. This course is designed to assist students in understanding issues and events from multiple perspectives. This course develops an understanding of the historical roots of African American culture, especially as it pertains to social, economic, and political interactions within the broader context of United States history. It requires an analysis of important ideas, social and cultural values, beliefs, and traditions. Knowledge of past achievements provides citizens of the 21st century with a broader context within which to address the many issues facing the United States.

AP African American Studies, an elective course, is designed to offer high school students an evidence-based introduction to African American studies. The interdisciplinary course reaches into a variety of fields—literature, the arts and humanities, political science, geography, and science—to explore the vital contributions and experiences of African Americans. The historical thinking skills required in an AP history class include analyzing historical sources and evidence, making historical connections, chronological reasoning, and creating and supporting historical argument by considering multiple perspectives while considering topics in AP African American studies. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement test at the completion of the course.

Geography is a dynamic subject that is firmly grounded in the real world and focuses on the interactions between individuals, societies and the physical environment in both time and space. It seeks to identify trends and patterns in these interactions and examines the processes behind them. Geography is distinctive in that it occupies the middle ground between social sciences and natural sciences. The geography course integrates both physical and human geography, and ensures that students acquire elements of both scientific and socio-economic methodologies. Geography takes advantage of its position between both these groups of subjects to examine relevant concepts and ideas from a wide variety of disciplines. This helps students develop an appreciation of, and a respect for, alternative approaches, viewpoints and ideas.

This course will fulfill the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum requirements for Group 3, Individuals and Societies. This is a two year curriculum. The course is designed to integrate the histories of Canada, Latin America and the United States. Included will be a comparative analysis of cultural, political, social, and economic issues. This course will fulfill the Texas requirements for US History. This course must be followed by IB History of Americas – 20th Century Topics – Higher Level (HL) in the senior year.

This course will fulfill the IB requirement for Group 6, Arts/Electives. In today’s society, information technology controls and dictates many aspects of our lives. The global use of IT raises important issues about social and ethical concerns that shape our society. The focus of ITGS will be on providing the opportunity for students to understand information technology systems and their influence and impact on social issues in a project-based environment. The underlying theme throughout the course will be internationalism and the global community.

This course will fulfill the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum requirements for Group 3, Individuals and Societies. This is a two year curriculum. The course is designed to integrate the histories of Canada, Latin America and the United States. Included will be a comparative analysis of cultural, political, social, and economic issues. This course will fulfill the Texas requirements for US History. This course must be followed by IB History of Americas – 20th Century Topics – Higher Level (HL) in the senior year.

This course will fulfill the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum requirements for Group 3, Individuals and Societies. Year Two of this two-year course will provide students a more in-depth study of 20th Century Topics with emphasis on the United States and its relationship with the rest of the world. This is the second year of a two-year course. After successfully completing the two years of SSB131 and SSB141, U.S. Government credit will be earned at Bowie High School, Lamar High School and Sam Houston High School. The credit for Government will be posted on the transcript with a grade of “P.”

This one-year course fulfills the International Baccalaureate IB requirement for Group 6, Arts/Electives. This course will cover both microeconomics and macroeconomics. Students will learn how supply and demand are tools for a wide variety of issues, locally as well as globally. They will understand the principles of economics that apply to the economic system as a whole, examining major issues facing countries’ economic growth, development, unemployment, inflation, and income distribution. This course will fulfill the Texas graduation requirements for economics and prepares students to take the IB Economics SL exam.

This one-year course fulfills the International Baccalaureate (IB) requirement for Group Six Arts/Electives. This one- year course is the study of our behavior and its relationship to our day to day experiences. Students will examine the biological, cognitive, and learning perspectives of psychology, as well as one of the following sub-topics: cultural, dysfunctional, lifespan, psychodynamic or social psychology. During the spring semester, students will learn research methods and apply their knowledge to a simple experimental study using quantitative methods. This course prepares students to take the IB Psychology SL Exam.