Where Excellence is Expected

Fort Collins

High School

Where Excellence is Expected

Where Excellence is Expected

Social Studies Course Descriptions

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7250 | World History: 10 credits – grades 9,10 ,11,12 – World Language / Culture or Social Studies -no prerequisite

The World History course takes a true global approach to the study of history  examining multiple civilizations from a variety of cultures including Africa  Asia  Europe and the Americas.  Concepts such as Revolution  Power  Interdependence  Creativity  Identity  and Conflict are emphasized throughout the course.  Students use the historical method of inquiry to ask questions  evaluate sources  develop critical thinking skills  and back up interpretations with evidence.  In addition to learning about world history students build a foundation of relevant skills that support success in required social studies courses  as well as in post-secondary life.

 

7265 | AP World History: Modern: 10 credits – grades  9, 10, 11, 12  – Social Studies - prerequisite: Textbook is at College reading level.

AP World History: Modern. Students will investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes from 1200 CE to modern day. 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.

 

7210 | World Geography and Culture: 10 credits – grade 10,11,12 – Social Studies- no prerequisite

This course is a study of geography with a primary emphasis on Asia  Africa and Latin America. The course analyzes the physical geography  cultural  political  religious and historical perspective of each region.

 

7227 | AP Human Geography: 10 credits – grades 9,10,11,12  – Social Studies – prerequisite: Textbook is at College reading level.

The AP geography course will introduce 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 analyze human social organization and its environmental consequences. Students learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice.

 

7220 | US History: 10 credits – grade 11,12 – US History – prerequisite: World Geography & Culture

This course is a chronological survey of events and people that characterize each of the major eras in U.S. History. The eras studied include: The American to 1600  The Colonial Era  The Revolutionary Era  Nation Building  The Expanding Nation  Civil War and Reconstruction  Development of the Industrial United States  The Progressive Era  Emergence of the United States as a World Power  the 20's Prosperity and Problems  Depression and New Deal  World War II and Post War United States  and Contemporary United States. The course analyzes political  social  economic  religious and military issues. Pre-requisite for 7270 7273 7274 7275

 

7225 | AP US History: 10 credits – grades 11, 12 – US History- prerequisite: US History - prerequisite: Textbook is at College reading level

This course is designed to prepare the student to challenge the Advanced Placement Examination in United States History. The chronology will begin at the pre-Columbus experience and conclude with America as a world power in the late 20th Century. This course requires extensive reading  writing  research and participation. The reading - text  historical documents and historiography - is at the college freshman/sophomore level and students may expect to read perhaps 50-100 pages a week. Pre-requisite for 7270 7273 7274 7275

 

7270 | American Government: 5 credits – grade 12 – Government – prerequisite: US History or AP US History

The focus of this course is in U.S. National Government and politics.  It will emphasize the institutions and political forces that have shaped the U.S. National Government and examine the behavior of individuals in the American political system and the non-institutional forces that influece decision-making in U.S. politics (such as political parties  interest groups  and the media.) This course enables the student to understand the functions of the U.S. National Government and how citizens can access the decision-making process. Students will gain a fuller understanding of the American political system. Pre requisite is 7220  7221 or 7225

 

7275 | AP US Government: 5 credits – grade 12 – Government – prerequisite: US History or AP US History

This course is designed to prepare the student to challenge the Advanced Placement Examination in United States Government. The focus of this course is U.S. National Government and politics. It also examines the behavior of individuals and groups in the decision-making process and the non-institutional forces that influence United States politics. The reading - text  original documents  government reports  and court cases - is at the college freshman/sophomore level  and students can expect the material to be intellectually challenging. Pre requisite is 7219 7220  7221 or 7225

 

7272 | AP Comparative Government: 5 credits – grade 12 – Government – prerequisite: US History or AP US History

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 the political, economic, and social challenges among six selected countries: Great Britain, Mexico, Russia, Iran, China, and Nigeria. Additionally, students examine how different governments solve similar problems by comparing the effectiveness of approaches to many global issues

 

7050 | Current World Affairs: 5 credits – grades 10, 11, 12 – Social Studies – no prerequisite

This course is designed to help students develop an objective and analytic method of making decisions about national and international affairs. This course will feature a wide ranging view of current events  with emphasis on discussion  research  and presentations.

 

7240 | Psychology: 5 credits – grades 10, 11, 12 – Elective – no prerequisite

Psychology 1 will pursue the fascinating question of why human beings behave as they do. Students consider the role of our biological makeup and our social environment in influencing why we respond as we do to a wide variety of situations. Famous experiments and psychological theories will be studied in an attempt to discover why people develop as they do behaviorally.

 

3009 | Psychology: Mental Heath Toolkit: 5 credits - grades 9,10,11,12-  Elective - no prerequisite

The main purpose of this course is to educate students on the psychology of different mental health aspects, how the brain operates, and different ways to treat/prevent different mental health challenges.

 

9451CEAIHS | AIMS Intro to Sociology: 5 credits/3 college credits - grades 9,10,11,12  - Elective - no prerequisite

SOC 1001: This course examines the basic concepts, theories, and principles of sociology, including topics of culture, race, class, gender, sexuality, social groups, and deviance through a local and global lens. Analyzes and interprets socio-historic as well as contemporary issues by using critical thinking skills and linking individual experiences to social structures. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS3 category.

 

7415CEAIHS | AIMS Intro to Sociology II:  5 credits/3 college credits - grades 9,10,11,12 - Elective - prerequisite; SOC1001

SOC1002:  Examines the basic concepts, theories, and principles of sociology, including topics of family, religion, education, politics, the economy, health, demography, the environment and social movements through a local and global lens. Analyzes and interprets socio-historical as well as contemporary issues by using critical thinking skills and linking individual experiences to social structures. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS3 category.

 

7246 | AP Psychology: 10 credits – grades 10 (with teacher recommendation), 10,11, 12 – Elective – no prerequisite

The purpose of the AP course in Psychology is 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. They also learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice.

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PSD does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, veteran status, age or disability in access or admission to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. A lack of English speaking skills will not be a barrier to admission or participation.