Department Chair: Ms. Leticia Davila ldavila@sja.us
TEXAS HISTORY
Texas History covers the geography, history and government of the state from its beginnings to the present. Students analyze major social, political, and economic trends. The emphasis is placed on the cultural achievements of the diverse Texas population. A full-year required course for students in grade seven.
UNITED STATES HISTORY THROUGH 1877
Eighth-grade U.S. History surveys American history from pre-colonial times through 1877. Students analyze key economic, political, social, and cultural trends, focusing on economic regionalism, the development of democracy, and the diversity of American society and culture. Geography skills are integrated throughout the course; civics is taught as a logical sequel to the Constitutional Period, and students are encouraged to seek connections between history and literature. A full-year required course for students in grade eight.
WORLD GEOGRAPHY
This course is an overview of the earth and its life, its differing environments, their effects upon peoples, and the responses which nations and regions make to their environment. Credit: 1.0; A full-year required course for freshmen.
WORLD HISTORY
This course focuses on the major historical events, individuals, patterns and trends in world history. Attention is directed to the ancient and classical civilizations, the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Reformation in Europe, the Age of Revolution, and the development of modern nations. Introductions to Asian, African, and Latin American cultures encourage an appreciation of the diversity and richness of the human experience. Credit: 1.0; A full-year required course for sophomores.
HONORS WORLD HISTORY
Honors World History is designed to offer motivated students a more challenging course in World History. This course is as outlined for the regular World History course, but with more rigorous in-depth treatment of the different topics. Students will read and write extensively on selected themes and will regularly analyze and interpret a variety of primary sources. Prerequisite: Departmental recommendation and administrative approval. Credit: 1.0; Weight: 1.05; A full-year course which satisfies the World History requirement.
UNITED STATES HISTORY SINCE 1877
Building on the foundations of United States History 8 and World History, this course examines the history of the United States in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Students are encouraged to view the country’s history in a global context, as they analyze the emergence of the United States as a world power, major economic and political developments, and the great social and cultural movements of the time. Credit: 1.0; A full-year required course for juniors.
HONORS UNITED STATES HISTORY SINCE 1877
Honors United States History is designed to offer motivated students a more challenging course in American history. In this course, the second part of a two-year study of U.S. History that begins in Grade 8, students examine the history of the United States from Reconstruction to the present. Historical content focuses on the political, economic, and social evens and issues related to industrialization and urbanization, major wars, domestic and foreign policies of the Cold War and post-Cold War eras, and reform movements, including the civil rights movement. Students examine the impact of geographic factors on major events and analyze causes and effects of the Great Depression. Students examine the impact of constitutional issues on American society, evaluate the dynamic relationship of the three branches of the federal government, and analyze efforts to expand the democratic process. Students describe the relationship between the arts and the times during which they were created. Students analyze the impact of technological innovations on the American labor movement. Students will read and write extensively on selected themes and will regularly analyze and interpret a variety of primary sources, applying critical-thinking skills and the standard methods that historians use to interpret the past, including examining points of view and historical context. Prerequisite: Departmental recommendation and administrative approval. Credit: 1.0; Weight: 1.05; A full-year course which fulfills the U.S. History requirement.
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
As a study of the organization and functioning of local, state, and federal governments, this course emphasizes the current realities of government operation and the interplay between social change and government. The United States Constitution and the Texas Constitution are studied. Credit: 0.5; A one-semester required course for seniors.
HONORS AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
Honors American Government is designed to offer motivated students a more challenging course in American Government. This course is as outlined for the regular American Government course, but with more rigorous in-depth treatment of the different topics, including experiential assessments such as mock trials. Students will read and write extensively on selected themes and will regularly analyze and interpret a variety of primary sources. Prerequisite: Departmental recommendation and administrative approval. Credit: 0.5; Weight: 1.05; A one-semester course which satisfies the American Government requirement.
ECONOMICS
This is an introduction to the basic concepts of economics. The course considers the role of the individual as a consumer and producer, and investigates the importance of money and banking, pricing, the gross domestic product, the free enterprise system, principles of the market, and the government influences on the economy. Alternative economic systems are also studied. Credit: 0.5; A one-semester required course for seniors.
HONORS ECONOMICS
Honors Economics is designed to offer motivated students a more challenging critical-thinking course in Economics. This course is as outlined for the regular Economics course, but with more rigorous in-depth treatment of the different topics. Students will read and write extensively on selected themes and will regularly analyze and interpret a variety of primary sources. Prerequisite: Departmental recommendation and administrative approval. Credit: 0.5; Weight: 1.05; A one-semester course which fulfills the Economics requirement.
AMERICAN CULTURES
This course provides students with the opportunity to explore the contributions of various ethnic groups to American culture. Students will examine the history, cultural development, struggles, and accomplishments of diverse ethnic groups, with special emphasis on Native American, African American, and Mexican American contributions to the American cultural identity. Through reading of primary and secondary sources, independent research, class discussion, and presentations by guest speakers, students will develop an appreciation of the many influences that have created American cultural traditions. Credit: 0.5; A one-semester elective course for seniors.
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
In this course, students will investigate some of the issues and challenges facing society in the contemporary period. Using the foundations of history and geography to analyze current events, students will examine both global and domestic issues. Through study of current informational sources and a variety of related readings, independent research, and class discussion, students will seek to understand current events and issues, their implications for the United States, and possible means by which they might be addressed. Credit: 0.5; A one-semester elective course for seniors.