Central High

Social Studies Requirements

157021 & 157022
United States & World History 2: Emergence of the Modern World
Grade(s):  9
Credit:  1 Social Studies
Prerequisite: None

This course traces the development of society, politics, interactions between people and environments, culture and economics from 1850 to 1945. It will include comparisons of past and present events to provide students with an understanding of the complete global perspective of history.   

159511 & 159512
AP Human Geography
Grade(s):  9
Credit:  1 Social Studies
Prerequisite: Recommendation of middle school or department

AP Human Geography is a college level introductory geography course. Students will be introduced to the basic concepts of human geography and analyze current world problems, social organization, and environmental issues by studying where human activity takes place, why it takes place there, and the impact on our world. The course prepares students for the AP Human Geography exam. Students have the option to earn college credit through the AP examination. A weighted grade is given. 

157031 & 157032
United States & World History 3: The Modern World
Grade(s):  10
Credit:  1 Social Studies
Prerequisite: None

This course traces the development of society, politics, interactions between people and environments, culture and economics from Post-WWII to the present. It will include comparisons of past and current events to provide students with a global perspective of history and contemporary citizenship. 

159011 & 159012
AP World History
Grade(s):  10 - 12
Credit:  1 Social Studies
Prerequisite: Recommendation of Department

AP World History works to develop a greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts including interactions over time. The course highlights the nature of changes in international frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. The course will flow chronologically while examining five major historical themes. The course prepares students to take the AP World History exam. Students have the option to earn college credit through the AP examination. A weighted grade is given.

159121 & 159122
AP United States Government & Politics
Grade(s):  11 - 12
Credit:  1 Social Studies
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior Standing

This is a year-long AP US Government course. This course prepares students for the AP US Government & Politics exam. Students have the option to earn college credit through the AP examination.

This course is designed to challenge students who are interested in advanced studies in government.  Students study the history, institutions, branches, functions, electoral processes, and citizens' role in the governments of the local area, the state of Missouri, and the United States. The course includes an emphasis on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, as well as a study of the principles and provisions of the Missouri and the United States Constitutions. The course includes the End of Course Assessment and The Constitution examination(s), as required by the state of Missouri. Students must pass The Constitution examination(s) to meet state graduation requirements. A weighted grade is given.

159111 & 159112
AP United States Government and AP Comparative Politics
Grade(s):  11 - 12
Credit:  1 Social Studies
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior Standing

This course teaches AP US Government in a semester and AP Comparative Politics second semester.  This course prepares students for the AP US Government & Politics and the AP Comparative Government & Politics exams. Students have the option to earn college credit through the AP examination and through UMSL Advanced Credit.

It is designed to challenge students who are interested in advanced studies in government.  Students study the history, institutions, branches, functions, electoral processes, and citizens' role in the governments of the local area, the state of Missouri, and the United States. The course includes an emphasis on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, as well as a study of the principles and provisions of the Missouri and the United States Constitutions. The government of the United States is compared with the governments of other industrialized democracies as well as the political systems of Communist states and developing countries. Students investigate the rich diversity of political life, structures, institutions, processes, policies, and change over time across the globe. The course includes the End of Course Assessment and The Constitution examination(s), as required by the state of Missouri. Students must pass The Constitution examination(s) to meet state graduation requirements. A weighted grade is given.

157100
United States Government
Grade(s):  11 - 12
Credit:  1/2 Social Studies
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

In this course, students closely examine federal and state systems, structures, principles, and historical foundations of government. Attention will be given to the role of economics, social structures, individual perspectives, interest groups, and foreign influences in American politics. Students will think critically about issues concerning the United States' government, the impact of decision-making on a variety of peoples and groups, and their own role as an engaged citizen. Successful completion of this course is required for graduation. In accordance with Missouri law, all Parkway students must pass examinations on their knowledge of the United States and Missouri Constitutions administered during this course. The course also includes the End of Course Assessment required by the state of Missouri.

157350
History of St. Louis
Grade(s):  11 - 12
Credit:  1/2 Social Studies
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

This course will provide an overview of the unique and diverse history of St. Louis. Students will follow the course of development of this small 18th Century trading post as it expands into a major metropolis at the turn of the 20th Century, and the course will culminate with an examination of the city as it now exists. The course will discuss individuals who are important to the development of the city, but will emphasize the significant contributions (e.g. architecture, music, art) of the culturally diverse people who have made the city of St. Louis what it is today. The course will culminate with students examining and debating contemporary, as well as future issues that face our community.

157370
Media in America
Grade(s):  11 - 12
Credit:  1/2 Social Studies
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

This course will examine the role of various types of media such as print, film, cinema, radio, television, newspapers, news magazines, campaign ads, and the Internet in shaping American culture and history. The changing media and changing role of the influence of the media will be examined related to significant topics, periods, and events in history such as the role of colonial news in the American Revolution, enticing people to move west, stating the north/south case at the time of the Civil War, building the west, influencing views during war, as well as shaping today's issues and events in our own nation and abroad.

157750
Crime and the Law
Grade(s):  11 - 12
Credit:  1/2 Social Studies
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

This course studies crime in America and how our society deals with those who break its laws. Topics studied will include an examination of civil and criminal law, constitutional law, individual rights, theories of the causes of criminal behavior, the structure and function of the legal system, and examination of the penal system, and the roles of police, attorneys, and judges. The course will introduce landmark decisions, case studies, and guest speakers. This course will provide for individual research.

157760
Contemporary Issues
Grade(s):  11 - 12
Credit:  1/2 Social Studies
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

This course will focus on modern issues in all areas of social studies: political, economic, and social. The students will read from several sources, including a weekly news magazine. Current events will be studied with a historical perspective and projection of future possibilities. Both domestic and international issues will be examined. A large segment of class time will be devoted to discussion. Therefore, classroom participation during discussions will be expected.

157840
Philosophy and Ethics
Grade(s):  11 - 12
Credit:  1/2 Social Studies
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

This course is an introduction to the broad, essential, philosophical questions raised and theories proposed about human nature, decision-making, societal problems and issues, and the world. Students will become familiar with the specialized knowledge gained from research and discussion, communication skills, and personal attitudes needed to engage in philosophical discourse and apply these understandings to their lives.

157700
Economics
Grade(s):  11 - 12
Credit:  1/2 Social Studies
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

This course introduces students to basic economic concepts associated with our free enterprise/capitalistic economy. Basic principles included in the course include scarcity, production, distribution, consumption, supply/demand, inflation, recession, business, labor, and banking. Students will have the opportunity to learn through independent research and discussion.

157780
Anthropology
Grade(s):  11 - 12
Credit:  1/2 Social Studies
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

This course provides an introduction to the discipline of Anthropology with an emphasis on the subfield of Cultural Anthropology. It considers the major concepts and topics of Anthropology including a brief exploration of the four major subfields, the concept and characteristics of culture, and basic categories of study ranging from culture and survival (communication, social identity, economic systems), the formation of groups and the challenge of cooperation (sex and marriage, family and household, kinship, social groups), the search for order and the challenge of disorder (politics and power, spirituality and religion, and the arts), and finally the challenge of globalization (processes of change, global challenges, local responses and the role of anthropology).

158340
Colonial America - Honors
Grade(s):  11 - 12
Credit:  1/2 Social Studies
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

This course explores the social, cultural, religious, economic, and political growth in Colonial America from the first contact between indigenous peoples and European populations through the creation of the Declaration of Independence. Units covered within the class will emphasize important components of society - Unit 1: Exploration; Early Colonies; 2. Colonial Economy; 3. Life in the Colonies (a regional approach); 4. Non-European Experiences; 5. Revolt & Revolution. A weighted grade is given.

157590
Ancient Civilizations
Grade(s):  11 - 12
Credit:  1/2 Social Studies
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

The contributions of ancient civilizations are important to understanding our world today. This course will examine the political, social, religious and economic foundations of earlier societies, including a look at culture, daily life, artistic media, international relations, geography, and technological advances. Students will challenge themselves with primary source readings and classroom discussions. This course will cover the early civilizations of Mesopotamia and India, as well as China, Egypt, Greece and Rome, and civilizations in Africa and the Americas. A closer examination into early societies will provide students with the tools needed to appreciate the link between ancient and modern civilizations.    

157790
Sociology
Grade(s):  11 - 12
Credit:  1/2 Social Studies
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

Sociology is the study of human behavior in groups which range from two people to societies of millions of people. Students will gain an understanding of important sociological concepts such as culture, socialization, status, role, and group dynamics. Students will use the tools and techniques of sociology along with audiovisuals, group discussions, and simulations to investigate and analyze human relationships. This course is also available as a completely virtual/online course.  Students who are interested should contact their counselor regarding the process for enrolling in an online course.

157800
Psychology
Grade(s):  11 - 12
Credit:  1/2 Social Studies
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

Psychology introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental process of human beings. Psychology is a behavioral science, which studies the individual's personality, emotions, intelligence, interactions, creativity and motivation. Topics include an introduction to the field, experimental method, sensation, perception, learning, personality, memory and thinking, abnormal psychology, states of consciousness and psychological therapy.

159720
AP Microeconomics
Grade(s):  11 - 12
Credit:  1/2 Social Studies
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

This course examines economic concepts associated with our free enterprise/capitalistic economy. Principles researched and discussed in the course include the nature and methods of economics, market systems and their structures, resource use, as well as supply and demand. Students will have the opportunity to learn through independent research, projects, and discussion. This course is a prerequisite for AP Macroeconomics. Successful completion of this course, AP Macroeconomics, and the Personal Finance end-of-course exam will satisfy the Personal Finance course requirement. This course prepares students for the AP Microeconomics exam. A weighted grade is given.

159801 & 159802
AP Psychology
Grade(s):  11 - 12
Credit:  1 Social Studies
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

AP Psychology introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental process of human beings.  Students will be exposed to psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology.  They will also learn about the methods psychologists use to explore the process involved in normal and abnormal perceptions, thoughts, feelings and actions.  This course is designed to prepare students for the AP exam.  A weighted grade is given.

159301 & 159302
AP United States History
Grade(s):  11 - 12
Credit:  1 Social Studies
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

AP United States History asks students to think conceptually about the changing nature of American society, politics, and the economy over a wide-span of time. Students investigate history through seven major themes: American and National Identity; Migration and Settlement; Politics and Power; Work, Exchange, and Technology; America and the World; Geography and the Environment; and Culture and Society. Attention is given to analytical and interpretive issues in the field American History, and how historical trends continue to influence our country.  In this course, students will engage in a variety of challenging texts, including the course textbook, primary and secondary sources, and non-print-based media, and improve their writing skills specific to historical analysis and synthesis. This course prepares students for the AP United States History exam. Students have the option to earn college credit through the AP examination. A weighted grade is given.