World History and Geography I

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 I is required for graduation.
(This course has an end of course Standards of Learning test.)

World History and Geography I Honors

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 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 encouraged to think independently while developing group process skills. World History and Geography I (Honors) satisfies the World History and Geography I graduation requirement.
(This course has an end of course Standards of Learning test.)

World History and Geography II

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 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.)

AP World History

Advanced Placement World History is designed to develop greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts, in interaction with different types of human societies. This understanding is advanced through a combination of selective factual knowledge and appropriate analytical skills. Focused primarily on the past thousand years of the global experience, the course builds on an understanding of cultural, institutional, and technological precedents that, along with geography, set the human stage prior to 1000.
All students are required to take the Advanced Placement World History exam.

US/VA History

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. Virginia and United States History is required for graduation.
(This course has an end of course Standards of Learning test.)

AP US History

The purpose of this course is to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement examination in American 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 United States History.
This course has an end-of-course Standards of Learning test.
All students are required to take the Advanced Placement United States History exam.

US/VA Government

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. Virginia and United States Government is required for graduation.

AP US Government

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 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. 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.

AP Psychology

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice. The aim of Advanced Placement Psychology is to provide the students with a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in an introductory college psychology course. College credit and/or placement may be given if a qualifying score is made on the Advanced Placement examination. The rigorous course syllabus and college level texts both suggest that students who enroll should be highly motivated and intellectually curious.
(All students are required to take the Advanced Placement Psychology exam.)

Current Affairs

This course provides students with an understanding of the tools with which to analyze critically the basic framework, concepts, terminology and principles of contemporary issues and events. Over the course of one or two semesters, students will use various resources and technologies to examine topics and issues of local, state, national, and international significance.

Economics

Students develop an understanding of economic principles and their applications by analyzing basic theories and concepts. They examine the role of both private financial institutions and the government in influencing the economy. They identify ways in which economic developments affect them as consumers and ways in which they as consumers affect the economic system. In some schools, students use outside business consultants, computer databases and simulations, and curriculum materials developed by Junior Achievements, Inc.

Psychology

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.

Sociology

Students study the ways people behave in groups. They examine ways that groups function in society and analyze these functions. Students develop hypotheses about people in groups and gather information to test these hypotheses.