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High School Social Studies Electives

  • African American History

    Description

    Over the course of U.S. history, how have African Americans helped shaped American culture? This African American History course answers that question by tracing the accomplishments and obstacles of African Americans beginning with the slave trade on up to the modern Civil Rights movement. What was it like during slavery, or after emancipation, or during the years of discrimination under Jim Crow? Who were some of the main figures who have shaped African American history? In this course, you’ll learn about the political, economic, social, religious, and cultural factors that have influenced African American life, come face to face with individuals who changed the course of history and explore how the African American story still influences current events today.

    Pre-Requisites:
    Credits: 1.0
    Estimated Completion Time:

     


    Major Topics and Concepts

    • Unit 1: Africa
    • Unit 2: Slavery in America from Early Colonies to Independence
    • Unit 3: The Expansion of Slavery
    • Unit 4: African Americans and the Civil War
    • Unit 5: Freedom and Reconstruction
    • Unit 6: The Jim Crow Era
    • Unit 7: African Americans in the Early Twentieth Century
    • Unit 8: The Great Depression and World War II
    • Unit 9: Protest and Struggle in the Civil Rights Era
    • Unit 10: To the Present
  • Anthropology I

    Description

    What makes us human? Is it our ability to use language? Is it our abstract thinking skills or our use of tools and technology? In Anthropology 1: Uncovering Human Mysteries you will trace the history of homo sapiens and explore our evolutionary trail. This course offers an anthropologic lens to observe our movement from cave dweller to modern human. It sheds light on how we forged our way and developed all of the things that make us humans, such as our cultures, languages, and religions. We, as humans in the 21st century, are highly intelligent, innovative people with astounding technological ability—how did we get this way?

    Pre-Requisites:
    Credits: 0.5
    Estimated Completion Time: 1 Segment/16-18 Weeks

     


    Major Topics and Concepts

    • Unit 1: Studying Humans: What Anthropologists Do
    • Unit 2: Culture & Language: Why Humans Are Special
    • Unit 3: Human Evolution: How We Got Here
    • Unit 4: The Human Animal: Who We Are
    • Unit 5: All About Food: What We Do in Order to Eat
    • Unit 6: Material Culture: How Humans Are Handy
    • Unit 7: Family Ties & Social Bonds: What Keeps Us Together
    • Unit 8: Religion: What We Believe
  • Anthropology II

    Description

    How does your culture influence you? Find out how different locations shape various cultures and, in turn, how these cultures shape people’s lives around the world—from the jungles of the Amazon to the islands of Indonesia. Anthropology II: More Human Mysteries Uncovered provides a fascinating look at this puzzle of culture. Many of our ancient cultures and languages were shaped by the geographical locations of our ancestors, and in this course, you will begin to visualize new ideas about how ancient cultures flourished through examining their views on life, death, art, and survival. In looking back and learning about cultures through the ages, we are better equipped to understand the world around us today.

    Pre-Requisites: Anthropology I
    Credits: 0.5
    Estimated Completion Time: 1 Segment/16-18 Weeks

     


    Major Topics and Concepts

    • Unit 1: Anthropologists in the Field
    • Unit 2: The Life Cycle
    • Unit 3: Death and Dying
    • Unit 4: Art and Culture 6 Midterm Exam
    • Unit 5: Cultural Evolution
    • Unit 6: The Maasai
    • Unit 7: The Yanomamo
    • Unit 8: Cultures of Indonesia
  • Early Childhood Education

    Description

    As children, we see the world differently than we do as teenagers and adults. It is a world full of magical creatures and strange, exciting things. But what makes childhood such a wondrous time of learning and exploration? What can caregivers do to encourage this? In Early Childhood Education, you will learn more about understanding the childhood experience. Learn how to create interesting lessons and stimulating learning environments that provide a safe and encouraging experience for children. Discover how to get children excited about learning and, just as importantly, to feel confident about their abilities. Early childhood teachers have the unique opportunity to help build a strong base for their young students’ life-long education.

    Pre-Requisites:
    Credits: 0.5
    Estimated Completion Time: 1 Segment/16-18 weeks

     


    Major Topics and Concepts

    Unit 1: Childcare Roles & Obligations

    • Early Child Education
    • Family/Parenting Impacts
    • Legal Responsibilities
    • Moral/Ethical Responsibilities
    • Child-care Environment

    Unit 2: A Clean, Safe, and Healthy Childcare Environment

    • Sanitize and Disinfect
    • Hand-Washing
    • Sleep Habits
    • Security

    Unit 3: Food and Nutrition

    • USDA & State Requirements
    • Child & Adult Food Care Program
    • Menu Planning
    • Mealtime Strategies

    Unit 4: Rules and Regulations

    • Facility Regulations
    • Abuse Responsibilities

    Unit 5: Early Childhood Development

    • Physical, Cognitive, Language, and Social Development
    • Stages of Development
    • Developmental Milestones
    • Developmental Delays

    Unit 6: Play: A Child’s Work

    • Cognitive Development
    • Behavioral Development
    • Types of Play
    • Play activity Integration

    Unit 7: Guidance and Discipline

    • Three basic types of Discipline
    • Effective Communication
    • Positive Language
    • Age Specific Discipline Strategies

    Unit 8: Communication, Observation, and Recording

    • Developmentally appropriate communication
    • Parent communication
    • How to observe children
    • Record keeping

    Unit 9: Literacy and Language

    • Language Development
    • Literacy-rich environment
    • Six essential pre-literacy skills

    Unit 10: Personal Goals and Development

    • Work habits
    • Educational plan
    • Professional development
    • Personality traits
  • Hospitality and Tourism: Traveling the Globe

    Description

    Think about the best travel location you’ve ever heard about. Now imagine working there. In the 21st century, travel is more exciting than ever, with people traversing the globe in growing numbers. Hospitality and Tourism: Traveling the Globe will introduce you to a thriving industry that caters to the needs of travelers through managing hotels, restaurants, cruise ships, resorts, theme parks, and any other kind of hospitality you can imagine. Operating busy tourist locations, creating marketing around the world of leisure and travel, spotting trends, and planning tasteful events are just a few of the key aspects you will explore in this course as you locate your own career niche in this exciting field.

    Pre-Requisites:
    Credits: 0.5
    Estimated Completion Time: 1 Segment/16-18 Weeks

     


    Major Topics and Concepts

    • Unit 1: Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism
    • Unit 2: Careers in the Hospitality and Tourism Field
    • Unit 3: Hotels
    • Unit 4: Restaurants and Food Service
    • Unit 5: Travel Planning
    • Unit 6: Event Planning and Conventions/Exhibitions
    • Unit 7: Theme Parks and Recreation
    • Unit 8: Cruise Ships and Resorts
  • Hospitality and Tourism 2a: Hotel and Restaurant Management

    Description

    If you love working with people, a future in hospitality may be for you. In Part 1 of Hospitality and Tourism 2: Hotel and Restaurant Management, you will learn about what makes the hotel and restaurant industries unique. Learn about large and small restaurants, boutique and resort hotels, and their day-to-day operations. Evaluate the environment for these businesses by examining their customers and their competition. As well, you will discover trends and technological advances that make each industry exciting and innovative. In Part 1, you can explore a variety of interesting job options from Front Desk and Concierge services to Maître d and food service.

    Pre-Requisites: EDL – Hospitality and Tourism: Traveling the Globe v18
    Credits: 0.5
    Estimated Completion Time: 1 segment/ 16-18 weeks

     


    Major Topics and Concepts

    • Unit 1: Knowing the Business
    • Unit 2: Understanding Service
    • Unit 3: Hotel and Lodging Operations
    • Unit 4: Restaurant Operations
    • Unit 5: Technology in the Industry
    • Unit 6: Industry Trends
  • Hospitality and Tourism 2b: Hotel and Restaurant Management

    Description

    Take the next steps towards an exciting and fast-paced career with Hospitality and Tourism 2b: Hotel and Restaurant Management. Build on the skills you learned in 2a and delve deeper into one of the fastest growing industries in North America. You’ll learn how to open and run your own hotel or restaurant while reviewing the laws, regulations, and financial structure that constitute restaurant operations. Hone your management, communication, and leadership skills and explore the HR policies and processes that will help guide you to source the right talent for your business. You will also learn the importance of how to market your hotel or restaurant through networking, technology, and social media.

    Pre-Requisites: EDL – Hospitality and Tourism 2a: Hotel and Restaurant Management v18
    Credits: 0.5
    Estimated Completion Time: 1 segment/ 16-18 weeks

     


    Major Topics and Concepts

    • Unit 1: Management Skills
    • Unit 2: Hiring, Managing and Retaining Talent
    • Unit 3: Diving into the Details
    • Unit 4: Marketing Madness
    • Unit 5: Restaurant Operations
    • Unit 6: Marketing the Restaurant
  • Introduction to Philosophy

    Description

    Go on an exciting adventure covering over 2,500 years of history! Along the way, you’ll run into some very strange characters, like the dirty barefoot man who hung out on street corners pestering everyone with questions, or that eccentric fellow who climbed inside a stove to think about whether he existed. Despite their odd behavior, these and other philosophers of the Western world are among the world’s most brilliant and influential thinkers and originated the fundamental ideas of Western civilization. Introduction to Philosophy: The Big Picture asks some of the same questions these great thinkers pondered, so by the time you’ve “closed the book” on this course, you will better understand yourself and the world around you—from atoms to outer space and everything in between.

    Pre-Requisites:
    Credits: 0.5
    Estimated Completion Time: 1 Segment/16-18 Weeks

     


    Major Topics and Concepts

    • The World of Wonder
    • From Mythology to Philosophy
    • Socrates
    • Plato
    • Aristotle
    • Hellenistic Philosophy
    • Christianity
    • Philosophy in the Middle Ages
    • The Rise of Modern Western Philosophy
    • Western Philosophy in the Nineteenth Century
    • Western Philosophy in the Twentieth Century
  • Military Careers: Introduction

    Description

    Most of us have seen a war movie; maybe it had a hotshot aviator or a renegade private or a daring Special Forces operative. But outside of these sensationalized portrayals, do you really understand how the military works or what it can do for you? The military offers far more career diversity than most people imagine, and Introduction to Military Careers will provide the information you need to gain a broader understanding of how to find the right fit. You will learn about the five military branches— Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines Corps, and Navy—and examine which jobs you might like to pursue. From aviation to medicine, to law enforcement, the military can be an outstanding place to achieve your dreams in a supportive and well-structured environment.

    Pre-Requisites:
    Credits: 0.5
    Estimated Completion Time:

     


    Major Topics and Concepts

    • Unit 1: Welcome to the Military
    • Unit 2: Military Aviation Careers
    • Unit 3: Logistics, Supply, and Transportation Careers in the Military
    • Unit 4: Law and Order in a Uniform
    • Unit 5: Boots on the Ground: Combat Operations Careers
    • Unit 6: Military Brains: Technology, Engineering, Intelligence
    • Unit 7: Military Behind the Scenes
    • Unit 8: Private Practice or General Practice?: Military Medical Services
  • National Security

    Description

    Do you know what it takes to keep an entire nation safe? It not only requires knowledge of how to handle disasters, but it also demands a cool head and tremendous leadership abilities. In National Security, you will have the opportunity to learn about the critical elements of the job, such as evaluating satellite information, analyzing training procedures, assessing military engagement, preparing intelligence reports, coordinating information with other security agencies, and applying appropriate actions to various threats. Put yourself in the position of the country’s decisive leaders and develop your own knowledge base and skill set necessary to meet the requirements of our nation’s most demanding career.

    Pre-Requisites:
    Credits: 0.5
    Estimated Completion Time: 1 Segment/16-18 Weeks

     


    Major Topics and Concepts

    • Unit 1: Anatomy of National Security
    • Unit 2: Rules of Engagement in the National Security World
    • Unit 3: Ethics in National Security
    • Unit 4: Intelligent Intelligence
    • Unit 5: National Disasters and Security
    • Unit 6: Human-Made Disasters and National Security
    • Unit 7: Terrorism and National Security
    • Unit 8: Predicting and Preparing for the Future
    • Unit 9: Media and Society
    • Unit 10: A History of Journalism
  • Peer Counseling

    Description

    Are you the person that people come to for advice? Does it seem that your friends always talk to you about their problems? If so, Peer Counseling may be the perfect course for you. It offers ways for you to explore this valuable skill and better understand how it can make a difference in the lives of others. Helping people achieve their personal goals is one of life’s most rewarding experiences, and Peer Counseling will show you the way to provide support, encouragement, and resource information. Learn how to observe others as a Peer Counselor as you carefully listen and offer constructive, empathic communication while enhancing your own communication skills.

    Pre-Requisites:
    Credits: 0.5
    Estimated Completion Time: 1 Segment/16-18 Weeks

     


    Major Topics and Concepts

    • Peer Counseling Basics
    • Communicating Needs & Feelings
    • Needs
    • Feelings
    • Human Behavior
    • Listening
    • Questioning
    • Paraphrasing
    • Reflecting
    • Feedback
    • Body Language
    • Summarizing
    • Assessing
    • Conflict Resolution
    • Leadership
    • Teamwork
    • Group Leadership
  • Peer Counseling I

    Description

    Build the confidence and skills to succeed in middle school. Discover how your brain changes in amazing ways and how you can grow during this exciting time in your life. Learn how to manage your time, set goals, and get organized. Give your body the energy it needs and learn how to handle stress in positive ways. Make peer pressure work for you instead of against you, and learn how to create strong friendships where everyone wins. By the end of your training, you will have higher confidence, new skills for success, and dozens of proven strategies to solve problems quickly and achieve your dreams. Throughout the course, you will be coached by Mawi Asgedom, a Harvard graduate and student success expert who has written eight books and trained over 1,000,000 students.

    Pre-Requisites: None
    Credits: 1.0
    Estimated Completion Time: 16-20 weeks

     


    Major Topics and Concepts

    • Confidence
    • Organization
    • Time Management
    • Conflict Resolution
    • Peer Pressure
    • Relationships
    • Self-Advocacy
    • Empathy
    • Teamwork
    • Goal-Setting
    • Grit and Resilience
    • Growth Mindset
    • Decision Making
  • Principles of Public Service: To Serve and Protect

    Description

    Ambulances scream along, heading toward those in need. But who makes sure someone is there to answer the 9-1-1 call? When you take a pill, who has determined that drug is safe for the public? All of these duties are imperative to our comfort and success as a society. Public service is a field that focuses on building a safe and healthy world, and in Principles of Public Service: To Serve and Protect you will be introduced to its many different career choices. The protection of society is not only one of our greatest challenges, it also provides ways for people to work together to ensure safety and provide indispensable services. If you’ve ever contemplated being one of these real-life heroes, now is the time to learn more!

    Pre-Requisites:
    Credits: 1.0
    Estimated Completion Time:

     


    Major Topics and Concepts

    • Unit 1: The World of Wonder
    • Unit 2: The Business of Government
    • Unit 3: Working Together
    • Unit 4: Leadership & Getting the Job Done
    • Unit 5: Rules & Regulations
    • Unit 6: Ethics in Public Service
    • Unit 7: Communication and Health
    • Unit 8: Taking Care of People
    • Unit 9: Public Safety Careers
    • Unit 10: Careers that Keep it Moving
  • Psychology I

    Description

    Understanding the thoughts, emotions and behaviors of self and others is critical to developing and maintaining interpersonal relationships. In Psychology I, students learn theories of historically significant psychologists who laid the foundation for scientific research and a clearer understanding of the human mind. This course explores how psychological perspectives influence personality and play a role in human development across the lifespan. Students examine how behaviors are developed, memories are stored and language is acquired. Students also learn about the symptoms and classifications of psychological disorders, along with the various forms of treatments available. After completing this course, students will be equipped with problem-solving strategies and even learn methods to cope with stress. Practical, everyday application of the content is a focus of this course.

    Pre-Requisites: None
    Credits: 0.5
    Estimated Completion Time: 16-18 weeks

     


    Major Topics and Concepts

    Module 01: Theories and Personality

    • 01.00 Introduction to Theories and Personality
    • 01.01 Roots of Psychology
    • 01.02 Psychology Applied
    • 01.03 Psychodynamic Perspectives
    • 01.04 Humanistic Perspectives
    • 01.05 Trait and Social-Cognitive Perspectives
    • 01.06 Review and Project Milestone
    • 01.07 Discussion-Based Assessment

    Module 02: The Human Lifespan

    • 02.00 Introduction to the Human Lifespan
    • 02.01 Studying Development
    • 02.02 Prenatal Development and the Newborn
    • 02.03 Early Childhood Development
    • 02.04 Social Development in Childhood
    • 02.05 Adolescence
    • 02.06 Aging
    • 02.07 Review and Project Milestone

    Module 03: Learning and Memory

    • 03.00 Introduction to Learning and Memory
    • 03.01 Classical Conditioning
    • 03.02 Operant Conditioning
    • 03.03 Observational and Cognitive Learning
    • 03.04 Information Processing
    • 03.05 Storage
    • 03.06 Retrieval
    • 03.07 Review and Project Milestone
    • 03.08 Discussion-Based Assessment

    Module 04: Thinking and Language

    • 04.00 Introduction to Thinking and Language
    • 04.01 Language Acquisition
    • 04.02 Language and Thought
    • 04.03 Problem Solving and Decision Making
    • 04.04 Obstacles
    • 04.05 Stress
    • 04.06 Coping
    • 04.07 Review and Project Milestone

    Module 05: Psychological Disorders and Treatment

    • 05.00 Introduction to Psychological Disorders and Treatment
    • 05.01 History of Psychological Disorders
    • 05.02 Classifying Disorders
    • 05.03 Anxiety and Mood Disorders
    • 05.04 Personality, Dissociative, and Schizophrenic Disorders
    • 05.05 Overview of Treatment
    • 05.06 Psychotherapy
    • 05.07 Review and Discussion-Based Assessment
    • 05.08 Final Project
  • Social Media I

    Description

    This course will teach students that the world of Social Media revolves around them – their actions, decisions, and interests. They will examine how Social Media has evolved. They will understand how to find authenticity and truth within an online world where people can “be” anyone. They will also learn how their digital footprint makes a bigger impression than their physical one. Students will also discover that their voice is important. They are not only a reader – they are a writer. They don’t just follow the news – they report it as a citizen journalist. And they don’t just gather information – they crowdsource it.

    Pre-Requisites: None
    Credits: 0.5
    Estimated Completion Time: 8-10 weeks

     


    Major Topics and Concepts

    Module 1 (Milestone 1)

    • Social Media – A Brief but Eventful History
    • Certificate of Authenticity Please
    • The Internet Who’s The Authority
    • You Heard What?
    • What’s Your Truth?

    Module 2 (Milestone 2)

    • This is Your Life  – This is Your Life on Social Media
    • What is Your Type?
    • How is Your Social Media Psyche?
    • Getting Personal with Social Media
    • What is Your Passion?

    Module 3 (Milestone 3)

    • What You See and What You Get
    • Influencer or Follower, Who Are You?
    • News, Consider the Source
    • Perspective Matters
    • Who’s Listening

    Module 4 (Milestone 4)

    • Social Media Loves a Crisis
    • Social Media The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
    • Six Degrees of Social Media
    • Dear Me of the Future
    • Wait………Is This The End?
  • Social Problems 2: Crisis Conflicts and Challenges

    Description

    It may seem like we live in a sometimes scary and ever-changing world. Everywhere we look—from the homeless living on the streets, to worldwide health epidemics, to the often negative effects of our global world—problems seem to appear at every corner. In Social Problems II: Crisis, Conflict, and Challenges, you’ll explore more of the challenges we face and learn what we can do to reduce the effects of these conflicts and problems. From drug abuse to terrorists to the changing nature of communities in our digital world, we can better face and solve these problems when we have a deeper understanding of their causes and influences on our lives.

    Pre-Requisites: Social Problems I
    Credits: 0.5
    Estimated Completion Time: 1 Segment/16-18 Weeks

     


    Major Topics and Concepts

    • The Individual in Modern Society
    • Consumption and Consumerism
    • Homelessness
    • Obesity and Health
    • Science and Technology
    • Problematic Groups
    • Alcohol Abuse
    • Drug Abuse
    • Globalization
  • Sociology 1: The Study of Human Relationships

    Description

    Human beings are complex creatures; however, when they interact and begin to form relationships and societies, things become even more complicated. Are we more likely to act differently in a group than we will when we’re alone? How do we learn how to be “human”? Sometimes it can feel as if there are more questions than answers. Sociology I: The Study of Human Relationships seeks to answer these questions and many more as it explores culture, group behavior, and societal institutions and how they affect human behavior. You’ll learn how social beliefs form and how this shapes our lives. How does this happen? Join us and find out!

    Pre-Requisites:
    Credits: 0.5
    Estimated Completion Time: 1 Segment/16-18 Weeks

     


    Major Topics and Concepts

    • Introduction to Sociology
    • Our Culture
    • Socialization
    • Social Structure
    • Group Behavior
    • Deviance
    • Crime
    • Social Stratification
    • Class
    • Inequalities of Race & Ethnicity
    • Gender
  • Sociology 2: Your Social Life

    Description

    Sociology is the study of people, social life and society. By developing a “sociological imagination” students will be able to examine how society itself shapes human action and beliefs…and how in turn these factors re-shape society itself! Fascinating online videos journeys will not only inform students but motivate them to still seek more knowledge on their own.

    Pre-Requisites:
    Credits:
    Estimated Completion Time:

     


    Major Topics and Concepts

    • Marriage
    • Family
    • Religion
    • Education
    • Economy
    • Politics
    • Sport & Entertainment
    • Population
    • Environment
    • Cities & Urban Life
    • Collective Behavior
    • Social Change
    • Social Movements
  • World Religions

    Description

    From Taoism, to Islam, to Christianity, religion inevitably affects us all in some way. On one level, religion can help us commune with and honor our spiritual natures, but it can also divide people and create great strife in the world. World Religions: Exploring Diversity will explore the various characteristics of faith and introduce the fundamentals of the major religions, including Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Shintoism, and Taoism. You’ll trace how these powerful faiths have influenced cultures over thousands of years and helped to shape the face of humanity. After this course, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how religion continues to affect the larger world.

    Pre-Requisites:
    Credits: 1.0
    Estimated Completion Time: 1 Segment/16-18 Weeks

     


    Major Topics and Concepts

    • The Study of World Religions
    • Hinduism
    • Buddhism
    • Judaism
    • Christianity
    • Islam
    • Confucianism
    • Shintoism
    • Taoism
    • Religion in the 21st Century