YHS Course Descriptions / Social Studies

SOCIAL STUDIES

Students must complete three credits of Social Studies to graduate from Yelm High School. The courses are offered in sequence as

follows:

10^th Grade - World History - Students may fulfill this requirement by taking a full year of World History, Honors World History, or AP World History

11^th Grade - U.S. History - Students may fulfill this requirement by taking a full year of U.S. History, Honors U.S. History, or AP U.S. History

Senior Social Studies - Students may fulfill this requirement by taking TWO of the following semester long half credit classes: Current World Problems, Economics, or Government and Issues. A full year of AP Government also fulfills the requirement.

*Pacific Northwest History is a requirement for graduation by the State of Washington. Most students will fulfill this requirement in the 7th or 8th grade. If not, a semester course is required prior to graduation.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST HISTORY

Grad Requirement: Social Studies

Pre-requisite: None

Credit: .5

Grade Level: 9-12 (if not completed in 7/8^th grade)

Pathway: All

Dual Credit: None

Cost: None

This course is designed to acquaint the student with the environment and culture of the Pacific Northwest. This course is intended to present information about the people, history, geography, resources, government and the economy of the Pacific Northwest. Students will be expected to complete short reports, analyze maps, charts, and graphs, and discuss current issues relevant to the state.

Sophomore Year

Students have three options for satisfying their World History requirement:

World History, World History (Honors) or AP World History

WORLD HISTORY

Grad Requirement: Social Studies

Pre-requisite: None

Credit: 1.0

Grade Level: 10

Pathway: All

Dual Credit: None

Cost: None

World History is designed to help students understand the roles past cultures have played in forming today’s societies. The course will emphasize common themes which interconnect all cultures from pre-historic times to the mid twentieth century. Themes such as religious movements, legal systems, working conditions, plagues, discrimination, revolution, innovation, and nationalism will be presented along with the influences of geography, economics, culture, and social and political structures.

HONORS WORLD HISTORY

Grad Requirement: Social Studies

Pre-requisite: A “C” or better in 9^th grade English

Credit: 1.0

Grade Level: 10

Pathway: All

Dual Credit: None

Cost: None

This course will examine World History from the time of early Renaissance through the early 20th century. The topics covered will closely resemble those in “world history.” More emphasis, however, will be placed on research and writing, the use of primary sources, and reading outside of class.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT WORLD HISTORY

Grad Requirement: Social Studies

Pre-requisite: A “C” or better in 9^th grade English

Credit: 1.0

Grade Level: 10

Pathway: All

Dual Credit: AP

Cost: None

AP World History is designed to prepare the student for the AP World History test, which is given every spring around the country. A successful score on this test may result in the student receiving college credit for their effort from the college or university they later attend. The course features nightly reading with journal/vocabulary work. In-class activities are geared towards developing the skills necessary for the AP test, particularly essay writing in a times format. Taking the AP exam is not a requirement of the class.

Junior Year

Students now have three options for satisfying their U.S. History requirement:

U.S. History, U.S. History (Honors) or AP U.S. History

UNITED STATES HISTORY
Grad Requirement: Social Studies Pre-requisite: None Credit: 1.0 Grade Level: 11	Pathway: All Dual Credit: None Cost: None
This course will follow the history of this nation beginning with Reconstruction and continuing through the Reagan Administration. Major eras in American History, with a particular emphasis on the 20th century, will be the focus of this class. Economic, social, and political problems will be examined in terms of their causes and their remedies. Students will be expected to complete short reports, analyze maps, charts, and graphs, conduct research, and participate in class discussions.
HONORS UNITED STATES HISTORY
Grad Requirement: Social Studies Pre-requisite: None Credit: 1.0 Grade Level: 11	Pathway: All Dual Credit: None Cost: None
This course will follow the history of the nation beginning with Reconstruction and finishing with the Vietnam War and the social movements of the 1960s. Economic, social, and political problems will be examined in terms of their causes and their remedies. Regular out-of-class reading, short essays, and a research paper will be expected of students. The course will also use college readings to investigate issues like civil rights, the Cold War, and Vietnam more in depth.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY
Grad Requirement: Social Studies Pre-requisite: None Credit: 1.0 Grade Level: 11-12	Pathway: All Dual Credit: AP Cost: None
AP U.S. History is designed to prepare the student for the AP U.S. History test, which is given every spring around the country. A successful score on this test results in the student receiving college credit for their effort. The course features nightly reading with journal/vocabulary work. In-class activities are geared towards developing the skills necessary for the AP test, particularly essay writing in a timed format. Taking the AP exam is not a requirement of the class.

Senior Year

Students now have several options for satisfying their senior social studies full credit requirement. One way is to take two of the three senior (half credit) classes. These classes include Economics, Current World Problems, or Government and Issues or to enroll in the year long AP American Government class.

GOVERNMENT & ISSUES
Grad Requirement: Social Studies or Elective Pre-requisite: None Credit: .5 Grade Level: 12	Pathway: All Dual Credit: None Cost: None
This course will cover many of the traditional elements of government including the powers of the branches of government and the idea of separation of powers. Another important focus of the course will be on how Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Presidency actually function in today’s world. Out of class projects and class discussions on late breaking news will incorporated into the course.
ECONOMICS
Grad Requirement: Social Studies or Elective Pre-requisite: None Credit: .5 Grade Level: 12	Pathway: All Dual Credit: None Cost: None
This course will cover many of the traditional elements of government including the powers of the branches of government and the idea of separation of powers. Another important focus of the course will be on how Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Presidency actually function in today’s world. Out of class projects and class discussions on late breaking news will incorporated into the course.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
Grad Requirement: Social Studies or Elective Pre-requisite: None Credit: 1.0 Grade Level: 12	Pathway: All Dual Credit: AP Cost: None
This challenging class prepares students to take the AP Government test in May. A successful score on this test may result in the student receiving college credit for their effort from the college or university they later attend. The class covers different facets of U.S. Government: the presidency, Congress, the courts, political parties, interest groups, the current administration, etc. Out of class reading, essay writing, and class discussions are the major components of the class. Taking the AP exam is not a requirement of the class.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ECONOMICS

Grad Requirement: Social Studies or Elective

Pre-requisite: None

Credit: 1.0

Grade Level: 12

Pathway: All

Dual Credit: None

Cost: None

This challenging class prepares students to take the AP Economics test in May. A successful score on this test may result in the student receiving college credit for their effort from the college or university they later attend. This course will examine economic issues on both a macro and micro level. Examples of some key concepts will be studied including supply and demand, free enterprise system, inflation and opportunity cost. Students will be exposed to consumer economic issues such as buying a car, paying for college and rights and responsibilities of consumers. Students will learn basic economic terms, concepts and ideas in order to examine larger issues such as free trade and the role of government in business. Taking the AP exam is not a requirement of the class.