IB World School
Annandale High School
4700 Medford Drive
Annandale VA 22003
Office: 703-642-4100
Fax: 703-642-4197
Social Studies Department
Course Descriptions
Concepts Social Studies 1: Credit: One-half
This course is designed for A level ESL students. The curse provides the students with background information, key vocabulary, and basic concepts in preparation for taking mainstream content courses. The content includes map skills and geographic themes. This course is taught by social studies teachers and must be taken with Concepts Social Studies 2.
Concepts Social Studies 2: Credit: One-half
This course is designed for A level ESL students. The course provides students with background information, key vocabulary, and basic concepts, preparing them for mainstream content courses in social studies. This course surveys American social, economic, and governmental institutions. This course fulfills one social studies graduation requirement when taken with Concepts Social Studies 1.
World History and Geography 1: Grade: 9 Credit: One
This is the first of a two-year, chronologically organized study of world history and geography. In this first year, students study the world from ancient times to 1500. The course highlights the relationship between the geography and history of Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Students refine and expand critical thinking skills, practice decision making and problem solving, and formulate questions to guide research. World History and Geography 1 is required for graduation . (This course has an end of course Standards of Learning test.)
World History and Geography 2: Grade 10 Credit: One
This is the second of a two-year, chronologically organized study of world history and geography. In this second year, students study the word from 1500 through the contemporary era. The course weaves together the skills and content of both history and geography so that students may learn how history and geography affect each other and therefore gain a more complete understanding of the world around them, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Students continue to refine and expand critical thinking skills, practice decision-making and problem-solving, and formulate questions to guide research. World History and Geography II is required for graduation. (This course has an end of course Standards of Learning test.)
World History and Geography 1 (Honors): Grade 9 Credit: One
This is the first of a two-year, chronologically organized study of world history and geography. In this first year, students study the world from ancient times to 1500. This course highlights the relationship between the geography and history of Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Students examine the relationship among social, economic and geopolitical developments across time and place. They use the processes of conceptual and critical thinking to analyze historical and contemporary issues. Students are encourages to think independently while developing group process skills. World History and Geography I (GT) satisfies the World History and Geography I graduation requirement. (This course has an end of course Standards of Learning test.)
World History and Geography 2 (Honors): Grade 10 Credit: One
This is the second of a two-year, chronologically organized study of world history and geography. In this second year, students study the world from 1500 through the contemporary era. The course weaves together the skills and content of both history and geography so that students may learn how history and geography affect each other and therefore gain a more complete understanding of the world around them, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Students examine the relationship among social, economic, and geopolitical developments across time and place. They use the processes of conceptual and critical thing to analyze historical and contemporary issues. Student are encouraged to think independently while developing group process, writing and technology skills. World History and Geography 2(GT) satisfies the World History and Geography 2 graduation requirement. (This course has an end of course Standards of Learning test.)
Pre-IB World History and Geography: Grade: 9 Credit: One
This course is a chronologically organized study of world history and geography with an emphasis on the modern era. The first four to six weeks of this course are devoted to a review of the ancient world through the middle ages with the rest of the year devoted to the geography and history of Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America from 1500 to the present. Students examine the relationship among social, economic and geopolitical developments across time and place. They use the processes of conceptual and contemporary thinking to analyze historical and contemporary issues. Students engage in intensive analytical reading, writing, and discussion. This is the first of a four-year history and social science for IB history. Pre-IB World History and Geography meets the course requirements of World History and Geography 2 Honors.
IB History 1: History of the Americas: Grade 11 Credit: One
Prerequisite: Pre-IB World History and Geography and Pre-IB Comparative Government or World History and Geography 1 and World History and Geography 2. Students study political, social, economic, and cultural history of the nations of the Western Hemisphere with an emphasis placed on the history of the Untied States and are introduced to history as a discipline, the nature and variety of historical sources, and the historian's methods. The historical narrative begins with he fifteenth century encounter by Europeans with American cultures and concludes with the entrance of the United States upon the world stage in the early years of the twentieth century. Topics for study include encounter and exchange, colonial institutions, collapse of imperial regimes, evolution of nineteenth century institutions, and the Americas in the industrial age. Students are expected to perceive past events and issues as they were experienced by people at the time, to acquire a comprehension both of diverse cultures and of shared humanity, and to understand the significance of the past to their own lives. IB History 1 together with IB History 2 prepares students to take the higher level exam.
Pre-IB Comparative Government: Grade 10 Credit: One
In this course, students study political philosophy, the structures and functions of local state and national governments. They also investigate the governments of the countries they will study in their IB history courses. Important elements of the class include the simulation about Congress and the courts as well as small and large group discussion and research on current political and economic issues. One additional feature of this course is that the students will have direct instruction in time management and study skills to help prepare them for the rigors of the IB program including IB History 1 and IB History 2.
IB Information Technology in a Global Society: Grades: 11-12 Credit: One
ITGS is a standard level IB course designed to prepare students to meet the challenges of understanding the sues of information systems. Students determine, evaluate, and discuss the social significance of those technologies. They also discuss ethical considerations that arise form using information technology as well as predict the changes most likely to emerge in the future. The main focus of the course is to consider how the social significance of information technology and the ethical considerations arising from information technology influence individuals, communities, nations, institutions and organizations. Student are required to take the standard level exam.
Virginia and United States History: Grade: 11 Credit: One
Students examine the political, economic, social, and cultural growth of the United States, including the role of Virginia in this growth. Students study major historical developments and their impact on contemporary society and on the individual. Map and globe reading, critical thinking, writing, research, and group-process skills are refined.
AP United States History: Grade: 11 Credit: One
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement examination in American 1: History for which college credit and/or placement may be given if a qualifying score is made. Students develop the factual knowledge and analytical skills necessary to deal with the issues and problems of American history. They do in-depth analysis of major developments; become familiar with primary sources; assess historical materials, evidence, and interpretations; and learn to write research papers. The course is equal to a full-year introductory college course. Completion of this course fulfills the graduation requirement for one credit in Virginia and Untied States History. (All students are required to take the Advanced Placement Untied States History exam.)
Virginia and United States Government: Grade: 12 Credit: One
Students examine both the structure and function of American government at the national, state, and local levels. The course focuses on political decision-making, comparative political and economic systems and the student's role as a citizen. Critical thinking, writing, research, and group-process skills are refined.
Advanced Placement Government: Grade: 12 Credit: One
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement examination for which college credit and-or placement may be given if a qualifying score is made. In Advanced Placement Government, schools may offer a full year of American government and politics, or they may offer a course that includes a study of comparative government as well as American government and politics. In the study of American government, students interpret national, state, and local government and politics through a study of both general concepts and specific case studies. If students study comparative government, emphasis is placed on understanding the world's diverse political structures and practices, as well as on interpreting and analyzing the key political relationships found in national governments. Students should select either the American government or the comparative government exams, or both, depending on the scope of the course. Completion of this course fulfills the graduation requirement for one credit in Virginia and United States Government. (All students are required to take the Advanced Placement Government exam.)
Political Science: Grade: 12 Credit: One and one-half
Prerequisite or corequisite: Virginia and United States Government. During the first semester, students examine theories and practices of government. During the second semester, students are interns for 8-10 hours per week in government and governments-related offices. They participate in seminar discussions. The first semester offers one-half credit and is a prerequisite for second semester. The full two-semester course offers on and one-half credits.
Psychology: Grades: 11-12 Credit: One
Students examine patterns and variations of human behavior and the process of individual human development. They identify and examine the emotional, intellectual, and physical factors which influence the development of the individual human being. Students distinguish among the major schools and systems of psychology and methods of investigation.
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