Social Studies Courses, News, and Information
Collaboration
Highlights of department members' work
Academic offerings
The Department of Education offers a Diploma Seal for Excellence in Civics Education
; applications are available for IB and non-IB pursuits
WORLD HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY 1 (221900)
Grades: 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. Students are required to take the Standards of Learning
End of Course Test.
PRE-IB WORLD HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY (299807)
Grades: 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 critical 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 sequence for IB history.
Pre-IB World History and Geography meets the course requirements
of World History and Geography II GT and Honors. This course has
an end-of course Standards of Learning test for WHG-II. Students
are required to take the Standards of Learning End of Course Test.
WORLD HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY 2 (222100)
Grades: 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 continue to refine and expand critical thinking skills,
practice decision making and problem solving, and formulate questions
to guide research. World History and Geography 2 is required for
graduation. Students are required to take the Standards of Learning
End of Course Test.
PRE-IB COMPARATIVE
GOVERNMENT (244507)
Grades: 9, 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 simulations 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 I and IB History II.
VIRGINIA AND UNITED
STATES HISTORY (236000)
Grades: 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. Virginia and United States History is required for graduation.
Students are required to take the Standards of Learning End of Course
Test.
IB HISTORY I: HISTORY OF THE AMERICAS (236009)
Grades: 11 Credit: one/weighted +.5
Prerequisite: Pre-IB World History and Geography and Pre-IB Comparative
Government or World History and Geography I and World History and
Geography II Students study political, social, economic and cultural
history of the nations of the Western Hemisphere with an emphasis
placed on the history of the United 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 the 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 I together with IB History II
prepares students to take the higher level exam. Students are required
to take the Standards of Learning End of Course Test.
VIRGINIA AND UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT (244000)
Grades: 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. Virginia and United
States Government is required for graduation.
IB HISTORY II: TOPICS IN 20TH CENTURY
WORLD SL/HL HISTORY (236109)
Grades: 12 Credit: one/weighted +.5
Prerequisite: IB History I: History of the Americas This course
offers students an opportunity to study selected twentieth century
topics in World History in an international dimension. Case studies
of the major events and issues of the twentieth century are studied.
Topics are chosen from the following list: causes, practices and
effects of war; nationalist and independence movements, decolonization
and challenges facing new states; the rise and rule of single-party
states; the establishment and work of international organizations;
the Cold War; the state and its relationship with religion and the
minorities. Students read widely, acquiring the skills to evaluate,
to interpret, and to use source material critically as historical
evidence. These skills are specifically examined in the IB final.
Additionally, students are expected to demonstrate an awareness
of historical perspective and a consistently high level of critical
analysis and handling of evidence in expository writing. A significant
part of the final grade is an independent research project. Students
are required to take either the standard level or the higher level
exam. IB History II, together with IB History I, prepares students
to take the higher level exam.
LAW IN ACTION (242000)
Grades: 10-12 Credit: one-half
This course provides practical information and problem-solving opportunities
regarding the law. Students develop both knowledge of the law and
skills necessary for survival in our law-based society. Students
engage in active learning experiences such as mock trials, moot
courts, role play, case studies, simulations and small group exercises.
Students explore the definition of law, citizen rights and responsibilities
under the law, learn methods of dispute resolution, as well as identify
and analyze public issues.
CURRENT AFFAIRS (241000)
Grades: 10-12 Credit: one-half
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.
PSYCHOLOGY (290000)
Grades: 11, 12 Credit: one-half
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 (250000)
Grades: 10, 11, 12 Credit: one-half
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.
IB Social Anthropology (237408)
Grade: 11-12 Credit: One (weighted +.5)
Students engage in the study of human culture and comparative ethnography.
They explore the universal principles of social and cultural life
and the characteristics of specific societies and cultures. This
includes approaches to production, distribution of wealth, consumption,
power, justice, identity, social organization, status, gender roles,
ideologies, world view, religion, art, and the processes of change.
Students will complete observations, field studies, readings, writing,
and discussions. Students are required to take the standard level
IB Anthropology exam near the end of the school year.