Huron Departments
Huron Departments Collage
  DEPARTMENT - Social Studies    

 


Ann Arbor Huron High School - Social Studies Department

 

SOCIAL STUDIES COURSES

Note: All courses listed may not be offered unless there is sufficient enrollment

Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02111
Law
Semester
9 10 11 12

None

This course will focus on an examination of the purpose of law; fundamentals and values underlying the U.S. Constitution; laws and legal systems; principles and procedures related to criminal law; the juvenille justice system; principles and procedures related to civil law; and current issues and controversies related to the law and the legal system. This required course meets the Law graduation requirement for the Classes of 2008-2010 only

CREDIT(S)
.50 unit per semester
Required

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02115
Economics
Semester
11 12

None

This is a one-semester couse in economics, elective for juniors and seniors. Studies are made of such topics as taxation, labor. management, real estate, contracts, banking, economic problems of minority groups, conservation, economics of pollution, etc. Class time is spent primarily on discussion of economic problems through such resources as magazines, newspapers, films, books, guest speakers, ad authorities in particular areas of economics. Required for class of 2011

CREDIT(S)
.50 unit per semester

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02118
African Civilizations
Semester
9 10 11 12

None

Through an interdisciplinary approach, the course will examine the major influences on the development of Afican Civilizations. Students will examine the impact of geography, siginificant people, economic and political forces, religion folk tradtions, science and technology on the development of African Civilizations. Reading, note-taking, listening, writing, and critical thinking are important for success in this course.

Note: One semester of the Non-Western course offerings is required for graduation for classes of 2008-2010 only.

CREDIT(S)
.50 unit per semester
Required - choice of one Non-western Civ. Class

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02119
Middle Eastern Cilivizations
Semester
9 10 11 12

None

Through an interdisciplinary approach, the course will examine the major influences on the development of Middle Eastern Cilivizations. Students will examine the impact of geography, siginificant people, economic and political forces, religion folk tradtions, science and technology on the development of Middle Eastern Cilivizations. Reading, note-taking, listening, writing, and critical thinking are important for success in this course.

Note: One semester of the Non-Western course offerings is required for graduation for classes of 2008-2010

CREDIT(S)
.50 unit per semester
Required - choice of one Non-western Civ. Class

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02120
Latin American Cilivizations
Semester
9 10 11 12

None

Through an interdisciplinary approach, the course will examine the major influences on the development of Latin American Cilivizations. Students will examine the impact of geography, siginificant people, economic and political forces, religion folk tradtions, science and technology on the development of Latin American Cilivizations. Reading, note-taking, listening, writing, and critical thinking are important for success in this course.

Note: One semester of the Non-Western course offerings is required for graduation for classes of 2008-2010

CREDIT(S)
.50 unit per semester
Required - choice of one Non-western Civ. Class

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02121
Asian Civilizations
Semester
9 10 11 12

None

Through an interdisciplinary approach, the course will examine the major influences on the development of Asian Cilivizations. Students will examine the impact of geography, siginificant people, economic and political forces, religion folk tradtions, science and technology on the development of Asian Cilivizations. Reading, note-taking, listening, writing, and critical thinking are important for success in this course.

Note: One semester of the Non-Western course offerings is required for graduation for classes of 2008-2010

CREDIT(S)
.50 unit per semester
Required - choice of one Non-western Civ. Class

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02126
United States Government
Semester
11 & 12

None

A course offered either semester to 12th grade students with special emphasis on the purposes of government, the historical evolution of the American political system, the U.S. Constitution, the branches of the national government, the elective process, and a review of state and local government. The course is required by state law and is a graduation requirement of the Ann Arbor Public Schools. It is required in the 11th grade for the class of 2011.  Classes of 2008-2010 take the course in the 12th grade. Transfer students who hae earned credit in a course called Civics or U.S. Government shall be considered to have fulfilled trhe requirement only if that course was taken in grades 9-12.

CREDIT(S)
.50 unit per semester
Required

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02198
African-American Studies
Semester
11 12

None

This course is an elective offered to all juniors and seniors in the first semester. Its purpose is to develop an appreciation and understanding of African-American culture, its historical, political, and social significance and its impact on the total society. It deals with the African origin and leads up through 20th century America.

CREDIT(S)
.50 unit per semester
 

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02212
Advanced Law
Semester One
10 11 12

None

This course will focus on an examination of the purposes of law; fundamental priciples and values underlying the U.S. Constitution, laws and legal systems; principles and procedures related to criminal law; principles and prcedures related to civil law; consumer law; current issues and controversies relating to law and the legal system. The material covered in Law will be reviewed briefly. While similar topics will be covered, they will be covered in greater depth. Less attention will be paid to defining crimes and more attention will be given to examining real cases and social problems. At least one mock trial will be held. Short papers will be required.

CREDIT(S)
.50 unit per semester
 

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02227, 02228
United States History and Geography
Semester     
10 & 11

None

The historical development of our nation is studied to help students know how its social, cultural and political institutions developed. Students will, therefore, comprehend the causes of the problems which exist in contemperary society.Attention will be given to analysis of the effects of the unique multi-ethnic/multi-cultural composition of this country's population on the evolution of its national history. The first semester covers a brief review of early American history from reconstruction to the emergence of the U.S. as a world power. The second semester covers the development of modern America during the 20th century. Research projects and reading outside the text are required both semesters.

Classes of 2011 are required to take course in the 10th grade.

CREDIT(S)
.50 unit per semester
 

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02233, 02234
African American Cultural Humanities
Year
10& 11

None

"African American Humanities is a two hour, two credit U.S. History and American Literature class. This course meets the U.S. History requirement and one credit of the literature requirement for graduation. Traditional areas of U.S. History and American literature are covered from an African American perspective. An interdisciplinary approach is used, incorporating African American art, music, and culture throughout the curriculum. The course utilizes a variety of materials and class activities including lectures, discussions, use of primary materials, and projects. Research and reading outside the text are required both semesters. 

CREDIT(S)
.1.0 unit per semester
 

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02252
"US" Program
Semester
10 11 12

None

Students study racism, sexism, and related issues through reading fiction and non-fiction, writing and class discussion. Students will be expected to keep the class code: Read Critically; Think Deeply; Act Wisely. Students will keep reading journals, engage in formal and personal forms of writing, and complete outside readings. Students will take an active role in planning class discussions and presentations. Huron's US Peers will be selected from members of the class. This course may be used to meet either an English graduation requirement or a social studies graduation requirement but not both.

CREDIT(S)
.50 unit per semester
 

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02255
Peer Facilitating
Semester
11 12

None

The purpose of this course is to prepare second semester 10th, 11th, & 12th grade students to serve as peer facilitators. Skills are developed through the study and practice of communication skills, self-exploration exercises, and decision-making and problem-solving techniques. Students are involved in class and small group discussions and role-playing situations. Students also work in pairs in practice peer facilitating sessions which are video taped and presented to the class for feedback and discussion. The students select the topics to study and speakers from the community are brought in to aid in the study. Topics generally center around the issues of family communication, divorce, stress, depression, suicide, death and grief, substance abuse, dating, sexuality, and the building of self esteem

CREDIT(S)
.50 unit per semester
 

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02329, 02330
American Studies
Semester
11 12

None

American Studies is a course in American History. This course meets the American history requirement for graduation. Traditional areas in American history are covered but a great emphasis is placed on social and intellectual history. An interdisciplinary approach is used. Topics covered include reform movement, art and architecture, music, literature, education and others influencing our American heritage. The course utilizes a variety of kinds of materials and class activities including lectures, discussions, and extensive use of primary materials. Individual research and writing skills are emphasized. Research projects and reading outside the text are required both semesters. 10th grade for class of 2011

CREDIT(S)
.50 unit per semester
 

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02339
Introductory Psychology
Semester
10 11 12

None

Psychology is a survey course designed to clarify and build an understanding of ourselves, our peers, and other important relationships in our lives. The emphasis is placed upon learning the skills and approaches necessary to study human behavior and mental processes. This includes: how we learn to be ourselves, how we store memories and experiences, how we think, how our physical being affects our mind, factors motivating our behaviors, and learning basic skills to promote healthy relationships.

CREDIT(S)
.50 unit per semester
 

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02340
Applied Psychology
Semester
11 12

None

This student-centered course personalizes the content ad techniques from Introductory Psychology and applies them to our everyday life. Student-designed projects and interaction help build on our understanding of how best to absorb the importance of learning about human behavior and the consequences of our actions.

Note: 10th grade students may take this course if they have completed Introductory Psychology.

CREDIT(S)
.50 unit per semester
 

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02383, 02384
United States History, AP 1, 2
 
11 12

None

This course undertakes a general survey of American history. It is distinguished from other high school American history courses in that it places emphasis on historiography, comparisons of historical intrepretations, and the use of original resources. Students are expected to read a wide variety of materials and to persue individual study. This course will focus on our country's major cultural, political and social institutions as well as he contributions and struggles of the people during the growth and development of the United States. The course also places a greater emphasis on writing. In his/her writing, the student is encouraged to use analytic techniques, to interpret data and points of view, to make generalizations; draw conclusions, to use footnotes, and bibliography, as well as to improve skills in writing the essay. This course, which is open to 11th and 12th grade students, has preparation for the Advanced Placement examination as one of the objectives. However students electing the course are not obligated to take the examination.

10th grade for the class of 2011.

CREDIT(S)
.50 unit per semester
 

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02427
American Government and Politics AP
Semester
12 11

None

This course is equivalent to a one semester college introductory course in government or politics. Content areas will include Constitutional underpinnings of the United States Government; Political Beliefs and Behaviors; Political Parties and Interest Groups; Institutions and Policy Processes of Mational Government, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. Students will develop an analytical perspective of our government through lectures, discussions, class projects and guest speakers. Emphasis will be placed on the skills and content necessary to succeed on the AP exam.

CREDIT(S)
.50 unit per semester
 

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02444
Western Civilizations
Semester
10 11 12

None

Through an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating history, art, and music, the course will examine the major influences in the development of Western Civilizations. Students will examine the impact of geography, significant people, economic and political forces, religion, art, folk tradtions, science and technology on the development of Western Civilizations. Reading, note-taking, listening, writing, and critical-thinking are important for success in the course.

Note: This required course is usually taken by the 10th graders.

Western Civ S1 stuides the early times, Western Civ S2 studies the modern times.

CREDIT(S)
.50 unit per semester
 

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02445
Humanties 1, 2
 
12

None

This is a double-credit course, meeting for two hours each day. The course covers masterpieces of art, music, literature, and economic and political philosophers central to Western Civilization. An attempt is made to integrate these disciplines chronologically in order to make the student aware of the impact of one discipline upon the other. Slides and records are used for art and music. Readings include Plato, Cicero, St. Augustine, Chaucer, Shakespeare, St. Thomas Aquinas, Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau, Goethe, Ibsen, Virgil, Voltaire, Freud, Marx, and many others. Eight themes are required each semester, as well as essay tests. The formal lecture is used extensively, together with small group discussions. Students recieve two grades -- one in English and one in Humanties. Students enrolling are expected to take both semesters. There is no prerequisite to enrolling in Humanities but it is recommended that students planning to elect it take at least one literature course. Sucessful completion of a full year of Humanities will fulfill the Western Civilization requirement.

CREDIT(S)
1.0 unit per year
 

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02450
Philosophy
Semester
 

None

This course will focus on an examination of the purpose of law; fundamentals and values underlying the U.S. Constitution; laws and legal systems; principles and procedures related to criminal law; the juvenille justice system; principles and procedures related to civil law; and current issues and controversies related to the law and the legal system. This required course may be substituted to meet the Law graduation requirement.

CREDIT(S)
.50 unit per semester
 

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
02460
Current History
Semester
12 11 10

Seniors

Too often we are inclined to look at history without assessing its relationship to current events froma global persepective. Conversely, we often experience and witness current events without understanding their roots and history. This course will allow seniors to investigate the historical roots of contemperary issues found in the realms of politics, economics, the media, popular culture, education, and race and gender issues.

CREDIT(S)
.50 unit per semester
 

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Course #
Course
Term
Grade Level
Prerequisite
14101
World History and Geography
Year
9

 

World History and Geography examines the world chronologically and/or thematically. The purpose of this course is to enable students to understand their connections to the development of civilizations. They will examine the past to prepare for their futures as participating members of a global community. Students will use knowledge pertaining to history, geography, economics, political processes, religion, ethics, diverse cultures, and humanities to address contemporary problems in academic, civic, social, and employment settings.
This course is a graduation requirement, beginning with the Class of 2011.

CREDIT(S)
.50 unit per semester
 

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E-mail: stockerb@aaps.k12.mi.us
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