Students must have a total of three social studies credits to meet the graduation requirements from Claymont High School. Those must include on credit each in: World History, American History, and Government. The Class of 2006 only may have substituted Integrated Social Studies for World History. Other social studies courses taken will be considered electives only.

World History [1600-present]

Required of Grade 9

Credits: 1

Fee: None

This course focuses on how the Renaissance, Reformation, and the age of exploration changed Europe and the rest of the world. Ideas of literalism, nationalism, and democracy are also explored. The French Revolution, Russian Revolution, WW1, WW2, and the conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, and the Middle East are studied. Outside reading is required.

American History

Required for Grade 10

Credits: 1

Fee: None

American History examines the story of modern America- it's diverse people, its varied landscape, its sturdy democracy, and its great events. Students will make connections between the past and the present. Some of the topics covered include progressivism, the Twenties, the Great Depression, WW2, the Cold War, the Vietnam years, and the Watergate. The class is being switched from a junior to a sophomore class to meet the demands of the new OGT.

American Government

Required for Grade 12

Credit: 1

Fee: None

The course is designed to help students gain an understanding of how our governmental system is organized and how the system functions. The course focuses on the organization of the legislative, executive, and the judicial branches on the federal, state, and local levels. Students will also have the opportunity to register to vote and learn how the election process works.

Economics

Elective for Grades 11&12 only[offered second semester only]

Credits: 1/2

Fee: None

This course is designed and highly recommended for college-bound students. The course will include studies of both micro and macroeconomics. Discussions will focus on the laws of supply and demand, the various structures and business organizations found in our economy, and the rules of labor and unions. Additional topics deal with learning about the money and banking systems, raising capital, monetary and fiscal policies, and international economic systems.

Psychology

Elective for Grades 11&12 only

Credit: 1/2

Fee: None

For this course you MUST have passed World History, American History, and the OGT in Social Studies. This course deals with other. What creativity, and why do one out of every five people need some type of professional help? The course will also deal with such topics as dreaming, hypnosis, meditation, and hallucinations. In addition, the class will study how we learn language, how love grows, adolescence, maturity, self-images, and the development of personalities.

Current Events in World Affairs

Elective for Grades 10, 11, & 12[first semester]

Credits: 1/2

Free: None

This class will use media[ TV, newspaper, internet] for resources rather than a textbook, in order to learn and discuss the most current events facing our world. Topics may include such things as disturbances in in the Middle East, global epidemic health concerns, the development of human embryos and stem cells, world literacy, conserving natural resources, the crisis in Darfur, and political topics. Students selecting this course should be highly motivated to research facts and to voice their opinions.

AP American History

"A" or "B" average in World History

Credit 1

Fee: $85

Teacher recommendation, excellent attendance[open to students in grades 11 and 12] Qualified students who wish to take the equivalent to college level U.S. History. Students should have already taken high school American History when signing up for this class with potential college credit. AP History is a survey course designed to provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in United States history and arrive at conclusions on the basis of an informed judgment. Students will be expected to present reasons and evidence clearly and persuasively in essay format. Topics covered will include, but are not limited to: political institutions and behavior; public policy; social and economic chang; diplomacy and international relations; and cultural and intellectual developments. This will be accomplished through chronological coverage of a concise text and supplementary reading in the form of documents and book on special themes.

THIS COUSE INTENDS TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE COURSES BY MAKING DEMANDS UPON THEM EQUIVALENT TO THOSE MADE BY FULL-YEAR INTRODUTORY COLLGE U.S. HISTORY COURSES. STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO KEEP CURRENT ON READING ASSIGNMENTS AS WELL AS OUTSIDE PROJECTS AND TAKE THE CULMINATING AP EXAM. COST IS $85, WHICH WILL BE REIMBURSED BY THE CLAYMONT BOARD OF EDUCTION UPON PASSING THE TEST.