Social Science

INSTRUCTORS: Pat Brockhaus | Sean Wickham | Jeff Ohnoutka

WORLD GEOGRAPHY
Grade 7
Full Year
Required

This course is designed to give students an understanding and appreciation of the physical and cultural geography of North America and Europe. If time permits, there will also be some short discussions on other world cultures. Classroom time will be varied to include lectures, discussions, development of map reading and atlas skills, videotapes, research projects, and guest speakers.

NEBRASKA HISTORY
Grade 8
One Quarter
Required

This is a one quarter course. This study looks at Nebraska's past and what it means to Nebraskans today. This course examines several major institutions in Nebraska, i.e., Boys Town, Union Pacific Railroad, Lincoln Capitol, etc.

AMERICAN HISTORY
Grade 8
Three Quarters
Required

This is a course for three quarters. This study will begin with the discovery of the New World and continue into the 1990's. During the course selected periods of American History will be covered.

CIVICS
Grade 9
One Semester - 5 Credits
Required

Civics is a basic American Government course that is designed to give the student an understanding of the structure and functions of local, state, and federal government and the social/economic and civic responsibilities of the American citizen.

WORLD CIVILIZATION
Grade 9
One Semester - 5 Credits
Required

This is a one semester course studying major civilizations from the beginning of written history to the 18th century. Key civilizations will be studied to better understand the influences they have on our past, present, and future development. Early culture of the West, East, Middle East, Africa and the Americas are stressed in the course.

GEOGRAPHY OF WORLD AFFAIRS
Grade 10
Full Year - 10 Credits
Required

This course is designed to give students an understanding and appreciation of the physical and cultural geography of Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Many of the countries are "Third World" countries and special attention will be given to the Middle East, Russia, Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, China, India, and Japan. Classroom time will be varied to include discussions, lectures, slide and video presentations, research projects, and further development of map reading and atlas skills.

AMERICAN HISTORY
Grade 11
Full Year - 10 Credits
Required

This course will begin with an examination of the role of major European powers in the Americas and will study the major events, people, attitudes, and policies that followed in North America over the next 500 years. The objective of this course is to provide students insight into why and how the United States developed into what it is today with emphasis on the 20th century.

MODERN PROBLEMS
Grades 11-12
One Semester - 5 Credits
Elective

This course is designed for students who wish to study issues which influence the economic, social, political, and cultural change and development of modern societies. Class time will include discussions, guest speakers, lectures, film presentations, and library research.

ECONOMICS
Grades 10-12
One Semester - 5 Credits
Elective

Applied Economics is designed to teach all of the basic principles of economics with the use of a textbook and workbook. These principles are applied with student participation in the following way:

a. A management level "consultant" from the business community teaches the course once a week. On this day, the consultant applies the concepts he has learned to the real business world.

b. The students form a mini-company and utilize all aspects of economics in this experience. They capitalize, assemble, and market the product as well as paying dividends to the stockholders.

All texts, computers, and software are provided by Junior Achievement and the cooperating company.

PSYCHOLOGY
Grades 11-12
One Semester - 5 Credits
Elective

Psychology is a course that gives a student a better understanding of individual human behavior. During the semester the students will be introduced to many aspects of psychology. Some of the subjects that will be studied are personality and attitude development from infancy to the elderly years, psychological disorders, mental health, and mental illnesses. Class time will include individual and group discussions, lectures, experiments, and research projects.

SOCIOLOGY
Grades 11-12
One Semester - 5 Credits
Elective

This course examines human relationships and their effect on our society. Major areas of study are culture - including sub-cultures and counter-cultures, socialization of the individual from birth through adulthood, gender roles, marriage and the family, current social problems, deviant behaviors, and the effect of mass media on our society. The format of the class includes lecture, discussion, and student presentations.

MODERN GOVERNMENT
Grade 12
Full Year - 10 Credits
Required

Modern Government is a study of our constitutional system with a close examination of the three main branches of our national government with a view to their development and future potential. Emaphasis is given to the political process, including pressure groups, political parties, nominations, elections, and voting behavior. Various activities may be included to similate interest and participation in the democratic process. Newsweek is also dovetailed in the course. At the end of the course, students have the opportunity to take a test for college credit.