Social Studies
1107 Social Studies 7 1 Credit Grade 7
Seventh grade Social Studies is a one-year survey course of American History. Major events, important people and historic themes from the pre-colonial period through the 20th century will be studied. Special emphasis will be given to the requirements found in Minnesota’s Social Studies Standards.
1108 Social 8 1 Credit Grade 8
Eighth grade Social Studies is a one-year survey course of American History. Major events, important people and historic themes from the pre-colonial period through the 20th century will be studied. Special emphasis will be given to the requirements found in Minnesota’s Social Studies Standards.
1116 Social Studies 9 .5 Credit Grade 9
This class is a study of the rights and responsibilities of the students as American citizens. This will lead the students to realize that they are helpful and responsible members of society at home, in school, and around their community. Civics develops the skill of citizenship through the study of organizations, rights, and the functions of the government. This course will contain an 18-week in-depth study of the U.S. constitution.
Prerequisite: Must pass Social 7 and 8
1118 College and Career Connections .5 Credit Grade 9
The course College and Career Connections is an exploration of skills and knowledge needed for high school and beyond. There are three major themes of this course. The course begins with personal exploration and self discovery. We discuss topics such as motivation, success, habits, ethics, and comfort zones. In the second part of the course, we move on to research and implementation of soft skills that can be immediately put to use (such as applying for jobs, resume writing, interviewing for jobs, etc.). The third part of the course focuses on post-secondary options and career exploration. We discuss the numerous options that the students will have after graduating high school. The students also learn vital information related to choosing a career, picking and applying to a college, types of financial aid, and more.
1120 American History .5 Credit Grade 11 (fulfills 1/2 grade 11 requirement)
This course traces our history from Native Americans origins through the reconstruction of the South after the Civil War. We will document people, facts, and geography. We will also study the social, political, and economic problems that Americans faced as they create the new nation of the United States. The course will end with a discussion of the events that led this nation into a Civil War and its reconstruction after the war.
1121 Contemporary American History .5 Credit Grade 11 (fulfills 1/2 grade 11 requirement)
The course includes an overview of American History from 1870’s to the present. The course is also designed to interpret the major contemporary events as they happen around the world, and the effects they have on American History. The course is for college and non-college bound students and will aid in evaluating important contemporary affairs and issues and understanding the complex U.S. relationships and interdependence with other nations of the world.
1124 American Indian History .5 Credit Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
American Indian History is an elective Social Studies course that surveys the history and geography of the United States from the perspective of various American Indian tribes. It will begin with creation traditions and the student will learn about the cultures of numerous American Indian tribes and their relationships with each other. The student will also learn about the interactions between American Indians and Europeans/Americans and the consequences that they had. The course will end with the study of American Indian treaties/policy and a focused study on reservations and land rights in Minnesota.
1125 American History (CITS) .5 Credit Grade 11
1126 Contemporary American History (CITS) .5 Credit Grade 11
1130 World History I .5 Credit Grade 10 (fulfills 1/2 grade 10 requirement)
World History I will deal with the time period from the origins of civilization to the European Middle Ages. The focus of the course will be to pinpoint the greatest achievements of the civilizations that were developing during this time frame. Concentration will be on the great achievements in the fields of art, literature, building, religion, and the evolution of human rights. A special emphasis will be placed on how geography played a role in the development of civilizations.
1131 World History II .5 Credit Grade 10 (fulfills 1/2 grade 10 requirement)
The course will begin with the study of the Renaissance beginning in the 1300 and 1400’s and progress to the 21st century. The student will view the importance of individual and group accomplishment and learn about the formation of nations and the problems and conflicts in relationships between nations. The student will also be exposed to the problems of humanity in race, population, food, ethnic violence, etc. that they as the world’s citizens will continue to deal with as the decision makers of the future.
1137 Food History .5 credit Grades 10, 11, 12
Food History is an elective Social Studies course in which students will investigate the historical relationship between food and people. We will discuss various topics such as early human food practices, cultural food traditions and diverse populations, food as ‘medicine’, the invention of food technologies, and what the future of food will look like for human populations. Mini-topics on specific foods such as bread, rice, cheese, wheat, pizza, potatoes, snack foods, and Minnesota food traditions, will also be central to the class experiences. Students will spend time in the FACS Food Labs making their own interpretations of selected foods and reflecting on their experiences with food from a perspective of more than ‘just eating it’. All topics will be delivered through a combination of film, small group discussion, small projects, and hands-on demonstrations and activities. Food History is an opportunity for students to have fun looking at the topic of food from a different perspective. Field trip opportunities will also be investigated to provide students with real-world connections to topics.
No prerequisite needed
1140 Contemporary Economics .5 Credit Grade 12 (fulfills 1/2 of grade 12 requirement)
Economics is a social science that examines how individuals and societies deal with the problem of scarcity. The course surveys the basic content and concepts within the areas of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and personal finance. Special attention is given to the examination of the market economy and how it is able to meet the wants and needs of consumers without extensive government control. The course also has an investing component that is focused on the stock market in which students complete a portfolio project.
1160 World War II .5 credit Grades 10, 11,12
Word War Ii is an elective Social Studies course focusing on the various topics of World War II. The topic will be investigated from both a global and American perspective, and students will look at the early foundations of World War II through its outcomes and global and American legacy. Selected topics will include the primary causes of World War II; major battles such as Pearl Harbor, D-Day, Stalingrad, Berlin, and London; important political and civilian figures of the War’s historical record; the Holocaust; and rationing and social practices of the home front populations; and the many global outcomes and legacy of World War II (many other topics will be discussed as well). Special attention will be paid to Minnesota’s role in the global conflict. Students will also have opportunities to bring-up topics of interest within the context of World War II. All topics will be delivered through film, in-class discussions, in-class small group projects, guest speakers, and hands-on demonstrations when possible. Field trip opportunities will also be investigated.
1165 Educational Psychology .5 Credit Grades 10, 11, 12
Educational Psychology is intended to provide an overview of the theories and principles from psychology related to education/teaching, and child care service related career fields. The course will address motivation, learning, development, instruction, culture, and theories on behavior management. Educational Psychology is designed to give you a basic understanding of human nature as is applies to education and child care service, and should provide insights into post-secondary education and child care service courses in content, methodology and practice. This course is required for the Education/Child Care Career Academy.
1170 World Geography .5 Credit Grade 12 (fulfills 1/2 of grade 12 requirement)
World Geography is a course that will take students around the world to try to understand how it functions today. The goal of this course is to use the technology available to students to bring new perspectives and help them navigate an increasingly complex world. An emphasis will be on our citizens' responsibility to learn as much as it can about nations and livelihoods around the globe so they can are better informed of global issues. Geographic literacy is a measure of international comprehension and awareness and will be a focal point of the course.