• Social Studies

     

    Social Studies is the study of history, geography, the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence.  Our goal as Social Studies teachers is to help young learners make informed and reasoned decisions as citizens of a culturally-diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.

     

    We now have Rho Kappa honor society at Parkway Central.  Contact Mrs. Kim for more information and see the google calendar below.

     

    The Parkway Central Course Guide lists the variety of courses offered by the Social Studies Department.

    • College credit is available from the University of St. Louis for:
          Honors U.S. Government and Comparative Politics

    • College credit is available from St. Louis University for:
          Honors American Perspectives

    • College credit is also available through courses designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Examination in:
          Advanced Placement Government and Politics
          Advanced Placement U.S. History

     

    We strongly encourage you to register for our many electives.

     

    Below are further deatils for some  of our class offerings.

     

    AP Psychology   

    Earn college credit by scoring a 4 or 5 on one exam

    Year-long course-2 semesters

    Depth and breadth-because this is a year-long class we can go into more depth as we cover the 13 units          

     

    Chapter notes and key terms and objectives are numerous and will help prepare you for the AP test.

     

    Expectation that you can and will read a college level text to accompany class lecture material

    Youtube clips, some projects, daily homework/reading assignments designed to prepare you for AP test.

    Demos, small group activities and labs throughout year

     

    Multiple choice with 5 choices and Free Response Questions designed like the AP test

     

    Honors Psychology

    Earn college credit with the grade you receive in class

    Semester course

     

    Breadth- because we have to cover 13 units in a semester, we do not have time to go into great depth.

     

    Chapter notes and key objectives are assigned for each unit –not as numerous because you are not taking the AP exam.

     

    Expectation that you can and will read a college level text to accompany class lecture material

    Youtube clips, minimal projects, daily homework/reading assignments.

    Some demos and small group activities not as many as in other two Psychology classes

     

    Multiple choice with 5 choices and short answer and essay style tests

     

    Psychology

    ½ Social Studies or elective credit

    Semester course

    We cover 6 to 7 units in a semester- a good preview for the other two options to earn college credit

     

    Notes and key objectives are designated and taught by teacher.

     

    Teacher will provide outlines and assistance in reading the text.

     

    Full length movies with most units, youtube clips, most homework can be started and sometimes completed in class, some projects with library/computer lab class time provided.

    Demos, small group activities and labs throughout semester

     

    Multiple choice with 4 choices, matching and short answer tests over units or partial units.

     

    Social Psychology

    ½ Social Studies or elective credit

    Semester course

    We cover 5-6 units in a semester- a good preview for the other two options to earn college credit

    (like Psychology 2: Social Psychology, Development, Sex and Gender, Emotion and Motivation)

    Notes and key objectives are designated and taught by teacher.

    Teacher will provide outlines and assistance in reading the text.

     

    Full length movies with most units, youtube clips, most homework can be started and sometimes completed in class, some projects with library/computer lab class time provided.

    Demos, small group activities and labs throughout semester

     

    Multiple choice with 4 choices, matching and short answer tests over units or partial units.

     

    Sociology

    ½ Social Studies or elective credit

    Semester course

    We cover 5-6 units in a semester.

    Different from Psychology, focus is on society –topics include, Socialization, Social Interaction, Culture, Race and Ethnicity, Social Stratification (social classes)

    Notes and key objectives are designated and taught by teacher.

    Teacher will provide outlines and assistance in reading the text.

    Full length movies with most units, youtube clips, most homework can be started and sometimes completed in class, some projects with library/computer lab class time provided.

    Demos and  small group activities throughout semester

    Multiple choice with 4 choices, matching and short answer tests over units or partial units.

     

    Department Members

    Brian Adam*

    Ryan Banta

    Cathy Dobkin

    Mark Goldenberg

    Brooke Hartmann

    Keith Herberger

    Jim Hermann

    Susan King

    Skylar Kim*

    Joni Patton

    Cameron Poole

    Tom Sellers

     

     * Department Chair

     

     

    Our Department Secretary is

    Mrs. Pam McHardy
    (314) 415-7931

     

    Please contact us to join one of our department activities:

    Rho Kappa

    Model United Nations

    World Awareness Club

    The Social Studies Fair

    Essay Contests