High School Social Studies Department

American Government
The development, process, and function of American government is covered in this one semester class. Included in the study is the Christian presuppositions and Christian presence in democracy; the historical foundation of our democratic system; documents of democracy compared and evaluated; Confederation, the U.S. Constitution, and the Federalist papers; Constitutional amendments, principles, federalism and sovereignty; the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches of government; Congressional structure, power and criticism; the formation and activity of our two party system along with its strengths, weaknesses and continuous reform; citizenship; civil rights and liberties from a Christian perspective; the federal and state court systems; and the interplay of national, state, and local government.

United States History
This comprehensive, chronological study of the American past covers early exploration, the Puritan era, the colonial period, the war for independence, the U.S. Constitution, Jeffersonian Democracy, Jacksonian Democracy, western expansion, Civil War, Reconstruction, international expansion and imperialism, World War I, the roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, the New Deal, World War II, American life in the 1950’s, the Civil Rights Movement, the Cold War, the Viet Nam War, cultural tension of the 1960’s, and the modern Presidencies of Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and Bush. Students will gain an appreciation for our nation’s heritage as well as critique our national failures and successes from a Christian worldview.

Advanced Placement U.S. History
Course Description:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_ushist.html?ushist

Ancient World History
This two semester study chronology traces the history of the world from the beginning of civilization through the twenty-first century. This course covers the civilizations of the Fertile Crescent, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Africa, China, Europe, Mesoamerica and modern civilization. Emphasis is placed on viewing history in light of a Christian worldview with attention to the issues of biblical righteousness, justice, and peace.

Modern World History
This two semester study chronology traces the history of the world from the beginning of civilization through the twenty-first century. This course covers the civilizations of the Fertile Crescent, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Africa, China, Europe, Mesoamerica and modern civilization. Emphasis is placed on viewing history in light of a Christian worldview with attention to the issues of biblical righteousness, justice, and peace.

Economics
This introductory one semester senior course studies the U.S. economic system with attention to the free enterprise system, private property, federal budget, profit and loss, buyer sovereignty, competition and monopoly, government regulations, economic justice, supply and demand, the role of business, business finance including stocks and bonds, production and productivity, the labor force, labor unions, taxation, economic growth and the quality of life, banking, personal finance, monetary standards, inflation and recession, the Federal Reserve System, poverty, international trade, economic development, and the global economy. Traditional economy, market economy, and command economy are compared and contrasted. A thorough study and critique of Marxist economy is included. Students will also examine biblical principles that should be applied to an economic system.

Philosophy
This two semester study is an introduction to philosophy. Students will learn six conceptual systems; gain an understanding of the importance of worldview perspectives; understand how the Bible is fundamental to a wholesome world and life view; frame personal responses to life’s basic questions about happiness, good and evil, equality and justice, human knowledge, life, and death; and compare the philosophical to the revelational approach to life’s fundamental questions such as God’s existence, human nature, and the problem of good and evil. Studies will include Platonic dualism, Aristotelian logic, the works of Plotinus; Augustine’s impact on the Christian world; Aquinas’s impact on Catholic thought; the law of non-contradiction and the study of epistemology.