CORE COURSES (MEET GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SOCIAL STUDIES)

UNITED STATES STUDIES II (A204/A204SM)
This is a required course. Modern U.S. History course examines the history of the United States from the Industrial Revolution through the present time. This course includes a historical review of political, military, scientific, and social developments.

HONORS UNITED STATES STUDIES II (A204H/A204HSM)
This is a required course. Modern U.S. History course examines the history of the United States from the Industrial Revolution through the present time. This course includes a historical review of political, military, scientific, and social developments. Instruction in honors classes is presented at a higher level of academic rigor than grade-level expectations. Students will be expected to complete challenging assignments.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY (A275AP)  Dual Credit (HIS201/HIS202), AP Weight  
Following the College Board’s suggested curriculum designed to parallel college-level U.S. History courses, AP U.S. History courses provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to address critical problems and materials in U.S. history. Students learn to assess historical materials and to weigh the evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship. The course examines the discovery and settlement of the New World through the recent past. Students who take an AP course are expected to take the AP exam offered for that course in early May. Students will be expected to engage in historical research projects, such as National History Day.

LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL GOVERNMENT (A206)
This is a required course. The Government course provides an overview of the structure and functions of the U.S. government and political institutions and examines constitutional principles, the concepts of rights and responsibilities, the role of political parties and interest groups, and the importance of civic participation in the democratic process. This course examines the structure and function of state and local governments and may cover certain economic and legal topics. Prerequisite: U.S. Studies II

HONORS LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL GOVERNMENT (A206H/A206HSM)
This is a required course. The Government course provides an overview of the structure and functions of the U.S. government and political institutions and examines constitutional principles, the concepts of rights and responsibilities, the role of political parties and interest groups, and the importance of civic participation in the democratic process. This course examines the structure and function of state and local governments and may cover certain economic and legal topics. Instruction in honors classes is presented at a higher level of academic rigor than grade-level expectations. Students will be expected to complete challenging assignments. Prerequisite: U.S. Studies II

ADVANCED PLACEMENT U.S. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS (A279AP) AP Weight  
Following the College Board’s suggested curriculum designed to parallel college-level U.S. Government and Politics courses, these courses provide students with an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States, involving both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific case studies. The courses cover the constitutional underpinnings of the U.S. government, political beliefs and behaviors, political parties and interest groups, the institutions and policy processes of national government, and civil rights and liberties. Students who take an AP course are expected to take the AP exam offered for that course in early May. Students will be expected to engage in historical research projects, such as the We the People competition. Prerequisite: U.S. Studies II, or by department/administration recommendation

MODERN WORLD HISTORY (A208/A208SM)
This is a required course. The World History course provides an overview of the history of human society in the past few centuries— from the Renaissance period to the contemporary period—exploring political, economic, social, religious, military, scientific, and cultural developments. Prerequisite: Local, State, and National Government

HONORS MODERN WORLD HISTORY (A208H/A208HSM)
This is a required course. The World History course provides an overview of the history of human society in the past few centuries— from the Renaissance period to the contemporary period—exploring political, economic, social, religious, military, scientific, and cultural developments. Instruction in honors classes is presented at a higher level of academic rigor than grade-level expectations. Students will be expected to complete challenging assignments. Prerequisite: Local, State, and National Government

WORLD HISTORY SINCE 1500 (A292SM)  Dual Credit (HIS102), Accelerated Credit
This course studies world civilizations from 1500 to the present, focusing on the impact of Western colonialism on the non-Western world, the rise of nationalism throughout the world, and the movement toward international cooperation.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT WORLD HISTORY (A280AP) AP Weight  
Following the College Board’s suggested curriculum designed to parallel college-level World History courses, AP World History courses examine world history from 1200 CE to the present with the aim of helping students develop a greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contracts and how different human societies have interacted. These courses highlight the nature of changes in an international context and explore their causes and continuity. Students who take an AP course are expected to take the AP exam offered for that course in early May. Students will be expected to engage in historical research projects, such as National History Day. Prerequisite: Completion of U.S. Studies II and Local, State, and National Government

ELECTIVE CREDITS (DO NOT MEET GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS for social studies)

ADVANCED RESEARCH SEMINAR (A299) Accelerated Credit
Social Sciences and History - Independent Study courses, are conducted with instructors as mentors, enabling students to explore topics of interest within one of the fields of social studies. This course provides students with an opportunity to expand their expertise in a particular specialization, to explore a topic of special interest, or to develop more advanced skills.

HONORS ECONOMICS (A230HSM)  Dual Credit (ECO201), Accelerated Credit
The economics course provides students with an overview of economics with a primary emphasis on the principles of microeconomics and the U.S. economic system. This course also covers topics such as principles of macroeconomics, international economics, and comparative economics. Economic principles may be presented in formal theoretical contexts, applied contexts, or both. Instruction in honors classes is presented at a higher level of academic rigor than grade-level expectations. Students will be expected to complete challenging assignments.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS (A277AP) Dual Credit POL206), AP Weight                                                                                   
Following the College Board’s suggested curriculum designed to parallel college-level Comparative Government and Politics courses, these courses offer students an understanding of the world’s diverse political structures and practices. The courses encompass the study of both specific countries and general concepts used to interpret the key political relationships found in all national policies. Course content includes sovereignty, authority, and power; political institutions; the relationships among citizens, society, and the state; political and economic change; and public policy. Students who take an AP course are expected to take the AP exam offered for that course in early May.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT EUROPEAN HISTORY (A283AP) AP Weight     
Following the College Board’s suggested curriculum designed to parallel college-level European History courses, AP European History courses examine European civilization from the High Renaissance period to the recent past and expose students to the factual narrative. In addition, these courses help students develop an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European history and the abilities to analyze historical evidence and to express that understanding and analysis in writing. Students who take an AP course are expected to take the AP exam offered for that course in early May. Students will be expected to engage in historical research projects, such as National History Day.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY (A284AP) AP Weight  
Following the College Board’s suggested curriculum designed to parallel a college-level psychology course, AP Psychology courses introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals, expose students to each major subfield within psychology, and enable students to examine the methods that psychologists use in their science and practice. Students who take an AP course are expected to take the AP exam offered for that course in early May. 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ECONOMICS (A294AP)  Dual Credit (ECO201/ECO202), AP Weight  
Following the College Board’s suggested curriculum designed to parallel college-level microeconomics and macroeconomics, AP Economics courses provide students with a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision-makers (both consumers and producers) and the economic system. The course places emphasis on the nature and functions of product markets, while also including a study of factor markets and the role of government in the economy. There is also an emphasis on the study of national income, price determination, and developing students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, economic growth, and international economics. Students who take an AP course are expected to take the AP exam offered for that course in early May. Prerequisite: Honors Local, State, and National Government 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT HUMAN GEOGRAPHY (A293AP) AP Weight  
Following the College Board’s suggested curriculum designed to parallel college-level Human Geography courses, AP Human Geography introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped the ways in which humans understand, use, and alter the earth’s surface. Students use spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences and learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice. Students who take an AP course are expected to take the AP exam offered for that course in early May.

IB PSYCHOLOGY (SL) (A284IB) IB Weight
IB Psychology courses prepare students to take the International Baccalaureate Psychology exams at either the standard or higher level. Course content includes biological, cognitive, and socio-cultural influences on human behavior and experimental research methodology. Course content may also include the study of abnormal, developmental, health or sport psychology, the psychology of human relationships, and qualitative research in psychology. Prerequisite: Honors Local, State, and National Government or AP Government and Politics 

IB WORLD HISTORY (PART 1) (HL) (A290IB) IB Weight
IB History courses prepare students to take the International Baccalaureate History exams at either the standard or higher level. In these courses, students study historical developments at national, regional, and international levels, critically reflect on their relationship to the present, and explore the nature of historical documentation and the methods used by historians. IB History courses may survey the history of Europe and the Islamic world or focus on 20th-century topics in an international context and may enable students to undertake individual study on a subject of interest in greater detail and depth. Prerequisite: Honors Local, State, and National Government or AP Government and Politics and Candidate for IB Diploma at North Hagerstown High School

IB WORLD HISTORY (PART 2) (HL) (A2291IB) IB Weight
IB History courses prepare students to take the International Baccalaureate History exams at either the standard or higher level. In these courses, students study historical developments at national, regional, and international levels, critically reflect on their relationship to the present, and explore the nature of historical documentation and the methods used by historians. IB History courses may survey the history of Europe and the Islamic world or focus on 20th-century topics in an international context and may enable students to undertake individual study on a subject of interest in greater detail and depth. Prerequisite: IB World History (Part 1); Counts toward the required World History course and Candidate for IB Diploma at North Hagerstown High School

IB PHILOSOPHY SL (A292IB) IB Weight
IB Philosophy courses prepare students to take the International Baccalaureate Philosophy exams at either the standard or higher level. These courses challenge students to reflect upon and question the bases of knowledge and experience, to develop critical and systematic thinking, and to carefully analyze and formulate rational arguments. Students examine conceptual themes and philosophical texts and undertake philosophical analysis of a non-philosophical stimulus, such as a painting or poem. Prerequisite: Honors Local, State, and National Government or AP Government and Politics