Social Studies

1 SEMESTER

This course is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of humanity by introducing them to the four subfields of anthropology: physical anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, and cultural anthropology. Students will participate in challenging and thought-provoking activities including discussions, observations, critical thinking, hands-on analysis, projects and fieldwork. This unique course examines a variety of cultural perspectives and causes students to evaluate their own culture at the same time.

Open to 11th and 12th grade students.

2 SEMESTERS

This is an in-depth study of European History from the Middle Ages to the present time. Students use an AP or college textbook and have related readings. They will be expected to be able to participate in class discussions and write essays that will analyze and evaluate historical events. There will also be project work.

Open to 12th grade students.

Prerequisites: Department approval that will consider test scores, work ethic, consistency of performance and intellectual curiosity; Summer work is required.

2 SEMESTERS

Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. Government provides an in-depth and detailed look at the workings of the U.S. government. This course goes into greater detail of the concepts and material taught in the College Preparatory course. The class is designed to afford students the opportunity to earn college credit. Students who take this course will be prepared to take the AP U. S. Government test offered in May.

Open to 12th grade students, this course fulfills the 12th grade U.S. Government requirement.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval that will consider test scores, work ethic, consistency SOCIAL STUDIES of performance and intellectual curiosity; Summer work is required.

2 SEMESTERS

This is an in-depth and detailed look at U.S. history from European exploration and colonization to the present. Students will read a college or Advanced Placement (AP) text that will be supplemented by primary sources, selected readings, and specialized writings. Students will demonstrate an ability to acquire factual knowledge while critically analyzing various themes and interpretations within the study of U.S. history through essays, exams, and projects. Like students in the U.S. History class, the students will create a History Day project. In the spring, students will have the opportunity to earn college credit upon successfully completing the AP U.S. History exam.

Open to 11th grade students, this course fulfills the 11th grade Social Studies requirement. 

Prerequisites: Department approval that will consider test scores, work ethic, consistency of performance and intellectual curiosity. Summer work is required.

1 SEMESTER

Covering introductory micro and macroeconomic concepts, students will learn about how people organize for the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The goal is to increase the students’ awareness about how economic issues significantly affect the quality of their lives. Students will participate in a variety of learning experiences that will determine how local, state, national, and global economies can be independent. Specific lessons will focus on personal finance, oil cartels, running a business, the Federal Reserve Bank, and contemporary topics in local economics.

Open to 11th and 12th grade students.

2 SEMESTERS

This course explores a wide range of cultural concepts in the context of Hispanic and Latinx communities focusing on historical issues that reverberate in the cultures of these communities and the United States.

1 SEMESTER

This course exposes students to the law and the legal system and how this system impacts society. Units include discussions on the origins of law and lawmaking, criminal and civil laws, due process protections and forensics. Discussion topics in class and through various exercises are broad and may include forensics, the death penalty, racial profiling, mandatory minimum sentences, and mental health as it relates to crime.

Open to 11th and 12th grade students.

2 SEMESTERS

This course will concentrate on the history, geography and geographical implications of modern politics and international relationships. Throughout the course there is an analysis of social, economic and cultural issues in the world through the lens of the five themes of geography: location, place, human-environment interaction, movement and region.

This course is required of all 10th grade students.

1 SEMESTER

This course is designed to help students become responsible stewards of their resources while developing and maintaining sound financial habits. Some of the topics to be addressed in the course include: making and keeping a budget, managing loans, paying taxes and filing an income tax return, investing for retirement (IRA, 401k, or 403b), purchasing insurance products. Students will be engaged in a variety of projects to develop the critical knowledge to discern what to do before and after payday to be a financially responsible citizen.

Open to 11th and 12th grade students.

1 SEMESTER

Students in Product Design and Marketing will learn how to carry out advanced work in Google Applications, Microsoft Office 365, Adobe Creative Cloud, Apple iWork, Autodesk, and other supplemental design and marketing tools. Students will use their new skills to complete practical projects that may be useful in future classes or careers. Students will apply their understanding of various applications in a Project Based Learning unit to create a company and advertise, budget, and market a prototype product.

Open to 10th, 11th and 12th grade students.

1 SEMESTER

This course provides a basic introduction to the science of psychology and covers the following topics: the biology of behavior with a focus on the brain; the role of heredity and environment in shaping such behaviors as intelligence and personality; consciousness and altered states of consciousness; the learning theories of Pavlov, Skinner, and various cognitive theorists; personality theories and their measurement; and abnormal psychology.

Open to 11th and 12th grade students.

1 SEMESTER

This one semester course will examine the history, workings, and intricacies of the U.S. government. The a, structures, and operations that will be examined include: the U.S. Constitution, separation of powers, significant U.S. Supreme Court cases, divisions between federal and state governments, political parties, civil and political rights, and the distinctions between the three branches of government. Emphasis will be placed on a practical understanding of how the government works and its effects on the citizenry.

This course is required of all 12th grade students.

2 SEMESTERS

A theme-based study of U.S. history examining modern United States through the lens of our shared past, from pre-Columbian times to the present day. Special emphasis will be focused upon key thematic strands running throughout the nation’s history. Specific themes to be explored include Exploitation & Reform, Immigration & Settlement, Politics & Government. This approach is designed for deeper analysis of multiple perspectives, and greater attention to the experience of traditionally marginalized groups within the greater whole. Additionally, each US History student will create a History Day project that will require students to gather, organize, and evaluate primary and secondary sources.

This course is required of all 11th grade students.

1 SEMESTER

This one semester class is a key component of the DeLaSalle Social Studies curriculum as it prepares an academic foundation for the department. The class begins with an overview of local and DeLaSalle history. Students will study selected areas within the Mediterranean region, Africa, India, China, Europe, and the Americas to examine the development of city-states, kingdoms and empires. Each unit of study will include map work and a project that could include written work, a work of art, or another creative assignment. The class will include roleplaying, group work and short in-class student created presentations.

This course is required of all 9th grade students.