The only way we will understand the present is to know the past. Social studies exposes students to a wide variety of historical and social topics, such as geography, history, and economics. Students are required to complete three years of social studies for graduation, but with the number of options available, most students will complete four!
CIVICS
This freshman course is designed to provide a course of study in the American system of government with an emphasis on the United States Constitution, the three branches of the federal government, state government, citizenship and its rights and duties, political parties and the electoral process.
PRE-AP CIVICS
This Pre-AP class is for college bound students. This course is the first course in preparation for the Social Studies AP Vertical Plan. This freshman course is designed to provide a course of study in the American system of government with an emphasis on the United States Constitution, the three branches of the federal government, citizenship and its rights and duties, political parties, and the electoral process. Emphasis is placed on critical and analytical thinking skills, essay writing, and introduction to the interpretation of primary and secondary source documents.
ARKANSAS HISTORY
Arkansas History is a one-semester course that provides a study of the history of Arkansas that addresses the geographic features and economics of our state, This course focuses on political, social, military, scientific, and cultural developments that have occurred over time.
WORLD HISTORY
World History is designed to assist students in understanding the human condition, how people and countries of the world have become increasingly interconnected across time and space, and the ways different people view the same event or issue from a variety of perspectives through a survey of the time period of the emergence of the First global Age (1450 – 1770) to the Contemporary World since 1945.
WORLD HISTORY - CONCURRENT
Students enrolled in this class will be enrolled in the History of Civilization to 1700 and the History of Civilization since 1700 at South Arkansas Community College and will receive their world history credit towards graduation as well as 3 hours credit per semester at South Arkansas Community College upon successful completion of the course.
AP WORLD HISTORY
In AP World History, students will 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: developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change over time. Emphasis is placed on critical and analytical thinking skills, essay writing, and introduction to the interpretation of primary and secondary source documents. Solid reading and writing skills along with a willingness to devote considerable time to homework and study are necessary for success.
U.S. HISTORY
United States History Since 1890 examines the emergence of the United States as a world power to the present. Students will examine the political, economic, geographic, social, and cultural development of the United States of America from the late nineteenth century into the twenty-first century.
U.S. HISTORY - CONCURRENT
Students enrolled in this class will be enrolled in the History of the United States to 1876 and the History of the United States since 1876 at South Arkansas Community College and will receive their U.S. history credit towards graduation as well as 3 hours credit per semester at South Arkansas Community College upon successful completion of the course.
AP U.S. HISTORY
Advanced Placement in U.S. History is a challenging course designed to be the equivalent of a freshman college course. It is a survey of U.S. History from exploration and discovery to the present. Emphasis is placed on critical and analytical thinking skills, essay writing, and interpretation of primary and secondary source documents. Solid reading and writing skills along with a willingness to devote considerable time to homework and study are necessary for success.
ECONOMICS WITH PERSONAL FINANCE
Economics is the study of choices and decisions people make about how to use the world’s resources. Among the important concepts covered are economic systems, the laws of supply and demand, the organizations of business, globalization, the stock market, and the principles of personal finance.
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
African American History examines the contributions African Americans have made to the history of the United States. 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.
PSYCHOLOGY / SOCIOLOGY
Psychology involves the scientific study of behavior and mental processes, both animal and human. When applied to humans, psychology covers everything that people think, feel and do. Subjects explored in this class include the life span, personality and individuality, memory and thought, psychological disorders, psychotherapy, psychological research methods and careers in psychology.
Sociology is the study of social behavior in human groups, like families, or work groups, even sports fans. Dealing with questions like, “How do groups work?” and “What does it mean to be a member of a given group?” is an important aspect of sociology.
WORLD GEOGRAPHY
This course emphasizes the interaction of humans and their physical and cultural environments. Students will analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments on the Earth’s surface, analyze the regions created by physical characteristics and human influences, as well as analyse the interactions between humans and their environment.
AP PSYCHOLOGY
Advanced Placement Psychology is designed as the equivalent to an introductory college course in psychology. This course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. The students will also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. Emphasis is placed on critical and analytical thinking skills, essay writing, and interpretation of primary and secondary source documents. Solid reading and writing skills along with a willingness to devote considerable time to homework and study are necessary for success.
AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
This course is the equivalent to an introductory college-level course in human geography. The 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 socio economic organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research & applications. Emphasis is placed on critical and analytical thinking skills, essay writing, and interpretation of primary and secondary source documents. Solid reading and writing skills along with a willingness to devote considerable time to homework and study are necessary for success.
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics is a challenging course designed to be the equivalent of a freshman college course. This course is designed to provide a course of study in the American system of government with an emphasis on the U.S. Constitution, the organization and powers of the three branches of the federal government, political parties, and the electoral process. Emphasis is placed on analytical thinking skills, essay writing, and interpretation of primary and secondary source documents, Solid reading and writing skills along with a willingness to devote considerable time to homework and study are necessary for success.
AP EUROPEAN HISTORY
The goals of this college level course are for students to prepare for the AP exam and gain knowledge of basic chronology of major events and trends from approximately 1450 to present. The course is designed to develop an understanding of the principal themes in modern European history and the skills necessary to analyze historical evidence. Emphasis is placed on critical and analytical thinking skills, essay writing, and interpretation of primary and secondary source documents. Solid reading and writing skills along with a willingness to devote considerable time to homework and study are necessary for success.