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Social Studies

Comprehensive American Government Comparative Cultures
Comparative Issues Entrepreneurship
Geography and Natural Resources 20th Century History and Innovation
20th Century History and Innovation Applied Economics
Introduction to Sociology Introduction to Psychology
American Government II  

 

Comprehensive American Government
2 Trimesters
1 Credit

Course Description: The American Government course will examine the system of government established by the United States Constitution.  Students will analyze the three branches of government and the checks and balances they place on one another.  Students will also examine the ideals and realities of federalism and democracy.   They will explore their rights and responsibilities as citizens of both the United States and Pennsylvania. Lastly, it will explore how the government and elections have changed given the reality of modern political parties, the media, and special interests.  Comprehensive American Government is a 1 credit, two trimester required course for all first year part time students who have not completed an American Government class or its equivalent.

Comparative Cultures
1 Trimester
.5 Credit

Course Description:   This course gives students the opportunity to examine, compare, and evaluate various cultures throughout the modern world, leading them to appreciate the differences in other cultures as well as the ability to evaluate their own.  They will investigate, research, and present materials concerning various aspects of many cultures and problems facing us today.  Students will be given the opportunity to integrate some of their technical skills into the Social Studies Curriculum.  An emphasis is placed on information gathering and presenting skills that will enable students to continue their roles as lifelong learners. 

Contemporary Issues
1 Trimester
.5 Credit

Course Description:   Contemporary Issues gives students the opportunity to examine and evaluate social issues concerning citizens of the U.S. and inhabitants of the world. Students will investigate, research, and present materials concerning these issues and problems facing us today.  An emphasis is placed on information gathering and presentation skills that will enable students to continue their roles as lifelong learners. 

Entrepreneurship
1 Trimester
.5 Credit

Course Description:   Entrepreneurship is a one trimester course to help develop the necessary skills to become an entrepreneur (someone who creates and operates their own business). Students will examine, compare, and evaluate the traits and skills of successful entrepreneurs, problem solving techniques, the benefits of goal setting, and economic influences on business.

Geography and Natural Resources
1 Trimester
.5 Credit

Course Description:  Students will describe the geographic features, natural resources, climates, and populations of the United States, South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe.  Students will analyze how these specific elements of the regions impact the local and global economies as well as their standards of living.  Students will compare and contrast standard of living in Pennsylvania to that of other areas and regions. Students will discuss and analyze how projected changes in technologies or resources could impact local and global economies.

20th Century History and Innovation
1 Trimester
.5 Credit

Course Description:  The 20th Century History and Innovation course will examine the major events and technological advances that came to define the 20th century.  Students will examine the relevance of the technological advances within their own technical areas in relationship to what was happening in the world as well.  Topics to be covered will include but are not limited to World War I, the Roaring 20s, the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, the 1960s, Vietnam, Water Gate, The Gulf War, and the 1990s. 

Applied Economics
1 Trimester
.5 Credit

Course Description: Applied Economics is a course in which students learn basic economic concepts, the working of the free enterprise system, as well basic consumer skills. An emphasis is placed on skills that will help students create and operate their own business. Theoretical concepts are enriched by the experience of organizing a student company and periodic visits from volunteers from the local business community.  
Prerequisites: Entrepreneurship

Introduction to Sociology
1 Trimester
.5 Credit
Weighted Course

Course Description:  Sociology is a one trimester weighted class. Students can earn 3 college credits for Sociology through the Butler County Community College dual enrollment program. This course is an introduction to the basic concepts and methods of sociology. Students will explore the development of sociology, major theoretical perspectives, sociological research, ethics of research, elements of culture, socialization, social interaction, and deviance through readings, multimedia resources, in-class experiments, analysis writings, and explorations of real world examples. Sociology can play a valuable role in teaching critical thinking skills by helping students to better understand the workings of their own lives as well as their society and other cultures.  This course is offered in even numbered school years (ex. 2014-2015).
Prerequisites: GPA 2.75 or higher; A or B grades in Social Studies and English courses

Introduction to Psychology
1 Trimester
.5 Credit
Weighted Course

Course Description:  General Psychology is a one trimester weighted class. Students can earn 3 college credits for General Psychology through the Butler County Community College dual enrollment program. This class is designed as an introduction to the basic concepts and methods of psychology and the scientific study of behavior. Students will explore modern psychological perspectives, classical and operant conditioning, processes of memory, consciousness, motivation, emotion, stress, social influence, theories of personality, psychological disorders, and psychological therapies through readings, multimedia resources, in-class experiments, analysis writings, and explorations of real world examples. This course is offered in odd numbered school years (ex. 2015-2016).
Prerequisites: GPA 2.75 or higher; A or B grades in Social Studies and English courses

American Government II
1 Trimester
.5 Credit
Weighted Course

Course Description:  American Government II is a one trimester class dual enrollment and is weighted. The course will examine the system of government established by the United States Constitution.  Students will analyze the three branches of government and the checks and balances they place on one another.  Students will also examine the ideals and realities of federalism and democracy.   They will explore their rights and responsibilities as citizens of the United States. Lastly, it will explore how the government and elections have changed given the reality of modern political parties, the media and special interests. The material in the course is similar to American Government, but will be covered in less time, more detail, and expectations will be more rigorous. 
Prerequisites: GPA 2.75 or higher; A or B grades in Social Studies and English courses

**Dual Enrollment courses are those classes in which students may also enroll as a Butler County Community College student at the same time they are a Lenape student.  Tuition is required in order to receive college credit**