Social Studies Department

  • History Three units in social studies are required for a South Carolina High School Diploma: one unit in U.S. History, 1/2 unit in American Government, 1/2 unit in Economics, and one elective unit. Many colleges require World History.
     
    Human Geography
    (Advanced Placement) 337971AW
    Grades 9 – 10 1 unit
    Prerequisite: None
    Advanced Placement Human Geography is a rigorous course designed to prepare students for the required Advanced Placement examination, administered through the College Board in May. Success on this exam may qualify the student for college credit. AP Human Geography will introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students will employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. They will also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice. Students who choose to accept the challenge of this course should have a commitment to improving their skills through extensive reading, writing and independent study. Prior enrollment in an Honors Social Studies course is recommended.
     
    Seminar in AP Human Geography 39971AW
    Grade 9 1 unit
    Prerequisite: None
    Seminary in AP Human Geography is an elective course in which students study basic geographic skills with a focus on human populations and processes. Specifically they would focus on items such as culture, demography, and politics, along with more general geographic items like map making skills.

    Honors World Geography 331061HW
    Grades 9 – 10 1 unit
    Prerequisite: None
    This course will include in-depth research into the geographical, geological, cultural, and political aspects of peoples around the world. Students will learn how physical geography (landforms, climates, and vegetation) affects human geography (population, settlement, and infrastructure). In addition, students will acquire more detailed and complex skills they can utilize in other disciplines. Students will complete various projects that include the elements of research, exploration, and evaluation. It is recommended that this course be taken concurrently with Honors English 2.

    World Geography 331062CW
    Grades 9 – 12 1 unit
    Prerequisite: None
    This course will include research in geographical, geological, cultural, and current events. Students will learn about the kinds of landforms and climates that form our physical environment, how they influence the way we live. Included will be man's influence on the environment with emphasis on existing and potential solutions to environmental problems.  Students will also study current events and the relationships between nations.

    U.S. History and Constitution 332062CW
    Grades 11 – 12 1 unit
    Prerequisite: None
    This course explores the growth of the United States from the settlement of America to the present. It will help students realize that history is a series of interrelated events and help students develop an understanding of the cause and effect relationships. Students will also learn to identify recurring historical concepts such as conflict, change, peace, nationalism, and migration. The End-of-Course exam counts as 20% of a student’s final grade.
     
    U.S. Government 333062CH
    Grades 11 – 12 ½ unit
    Prerequisite: None
    This course examines the structure and function of American government and the American political system. Students will study U.S. Constitution principles underlying federalism, the legislative process, the role of political parties, and citizen participation. This course focuses on how political institutions relate to citizens and shows ways citizens can become involved. This course may be used to satisfy the South Carolina requirements for high school graduation.
     
    AP American Government
    Advanced Placement-US Govt. 337371AW
    Grades 11 – 12 1 unit
    Prerequisite: Honors U.S. History or teacher recommendation
    This course is recommended for exceptionally talented college-bound students who have demonstrated a previous record of excellence in social studies courses and who are interested in government and politics. It is designed to give students a critical perspective on politics and government in the United States. The student will be required to take the AP exam.
     
    Economics 335062CH
    Grades 11 – 12 ½ unit
    Prerequisite: None
    This course is designed to give students an understanding of economic concepts and principles, types of businesses, money and banking, other economic systems, and consumer awareness. This course may be used to satisfy the state requirements for high school graduation.
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    Honors World History 336061HW
    Grades 10 – 12 1 unit
    Prerequisite: None
    This course is a demanding study of world history, requiring students to understand, analyze, and interpret the connections between major historical events/eras, such as the beginnings of human society, early civilizations, the rise of pastoral peoples, classical traditions, world faiths, and extensive empires, expanding zones of change and encounter, intensified hemispheric interactions, global expansion and encounter, the age of revolutions, and the twentieth century. Students will be expected to read extensively, think critically, perform research, exploration, and evaluation.
     
    World History 336062CW
    Grades 10 – 12 1 unit
    Prerequisite: None
    This course covers the history of mankind from prehistoric times to the modern period with emphasis on the world as a whole rather than the nations in isolation. Students will become aware of the continuity of history and the cultural contributions made by various civilizations. Writing skills are utilized and analysis of primary source document is an important part of the course.
     
    Honors Seminar in U.S. History 339961HW
    Grades 11 – 12 1 unit
    Prerequisite: Honors World History
    Seminar in AP US History is offered in the Fall Semester to prepare students for AP US History class in the spring. This intensive course of study covers United States history from Exploration to modern day America. This course is for students of exceptional ability and high achievement. It will entail a rigorous program of reading, research, and writing.  Solid reading and writing skills, along with a willingness to devote considerable time to homework, and study, are necessary to succeed. Emphasis is placed on critical and evaluative thinking skills, essay writing, interpretation of original documents, and historiography. It is strongly recommended that the student be in Honors or Advanced Placement English. At CHS, Seminar in AP US History is a prerequisite to take AP US History. Each class meets in 90 minute blocks for 90 days.
     
    Advanced Placement
    U.S. History 337271AW
    Grades 11 – 12 1 unit
    Prerequisite: Honors U.S. History Seminar 
    This course consists of an in-depth study of the history of the United States. The End-of-Course exam counts as 20% of the student’s final grade. The student will be required to take the AP exam.
     
    Teacher Cadet
    Field Experience (TC 2) 379961CW
    Grade 12 1 unit
    Prerequisite: Highly Successful completion of Teacher Cadet, the desire to enter the teaching profession, and teacher recommendation This course will involve placement of the student with their cooperating teacher within who will guide and supervise the student during a 90 minute block per day for 18 weeks. The Teacher Cadet will be involved in designing lessons, tutoring, teaching and performing clerical and technological tasks. This course carries CP weighting. TC 2 students have decided that they would like to enter the educational society as their career goal. This course is designed with great flexibility so that these students might experience several areas in education. From this experience, the goal is that they will have decided which field(s) they plan to focus upon while in college.
     
    High School 101 379992CW
    Grade 9 1 unit
    Prerequisite: None
    This course prepares freshmen to become successful students and productive citizens. Students will embark on a comprehensive study of the leadership skills necessary both in and out of the classroom. The course will not only emphasize academic skills (such as time management, note-taking, media/cyber literacy, technology use, and reading literacy), but it will also emphasize life skills (such as fiscal responsibility, media/cyber literacy, technology use, and reading literacy). In addition, students will have the opportunity to explore career options. Through book studies, service learning projects and guest speakers, this course will help students lay the foundations for success over the next four years and beyond.
     
    Mentor Tutoring 379962CW
    Grade: 10 – 12 1 unit
    Prerequisite: Application and principal approval; Students must have a 3.0 GPA, valid SC driver’s license, dependable transportation, and final approval from administration prior to enrolling in the course.  Additional Info: Students may NOT request a school or teacher. Mentors will be placed based on schools’ requests. If a sponsoring teacher requests to have a certain mentor tutor PRIOR to the first day of the semester, the selected student may be placed in that classroom.
     
    This course will enable students to become a role model to students (elementary or middle school). Students will learn to help the child with self-esteem and conflict management while also assisting the student with academics.