Social Science Course Descriptions

(9) This course is a semester course, paired with the semester Health course. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of public speaking in the classroom, interpersonal occasions, professional settings and social advocacy. Class instruction will focus on preparing the student for high school and college academic presentations. This will include: the role of communication in daily life, communication models, speech structures and delivery styles. After the completion of this course, the student should be able to research, organize, write and deliver several different types of speeches. Finally, this introductory high school course is designed to give students the opportunities to gain poise, develop personal interests, and share responsibilities for group projects.

 

(9) This class is an Honors level course which will provide students with numerous opportunities to practice basic research skills, engage in critical reading exercises, interpret data and maps, frame questions about the material under review, debate the merits of various viewpoints, and communicate one’s thoughts in the form of affirming or negating a proposed policy resolution. Additionally, the course will address a variety of study skills. This course is required for any student who wishes to participate in the Damien Debate program.

 

World History
Prerequisite: None – Required of all sophomores not enrolled in Advanced Placement World History.

(10) A survey of World History from 1300 to the present. Students will compare and contrast the major cultural, economic, political, and social developments within and between various regions of the world. Particular attention will be paid to the transformative nature of European Imperialism on both the West and other world cultures.

 

Advanced Placement World History: Modern
Prerequisite: “C” or better in Honors Speech or an “A” in Speech or permission of department chair.

(10) A study of the cultural, economic, political and social developments that have shaped the world from c. 1200 CE to the present. Through lectures, discussions and readings, the student will develop critical analytical skills necessary for college level work. Success in the course depends on student interest and ability to keep pace with the required reading..

 

(11) A survey of American history from the Colonial Era to the present, with added emphasis, during the second semester, placed on the events of the twentieth century.

 

Advanced Placement United States History
Prerequisite: “C” or better in AP World History OR an “A” in World History OR permission of department chair.

(11) A year long course of in-depth study into economic, cultural, political a social influences which have shaped the United States. The course is designed to provide students with the appropriate interest and ability, the opportunity to undertake an intense and critical investigation of American institutions from the Colonial Era to the present.

(12) The 1st semester of this year-long course is a survey of the political institutions and processes of American Government. The 2nd semester of this year-long course is a survey of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and international economics. Both courses will introduce students debates over public policy in the economic and political realms.

 

Advanced Placement United States Government & Politics / AP Macroeconomics
Prerequisite: A cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher OR permission of department chair.

(12) This is a year-long course that utilizes tandem scheduling to cover the American system of governance in addition to providing an introductory survey of the basic concepts of macro-economics. Both topics are designed to be equivalent to most college level introductory course in scope, methodology and rigor.

 

Advanced Debate
Prerequisites: “A” in Honors Speech or Speech and Permission of Debate Coach.

(10-12) A course in developing forensic skills is provided at each grade level. Debate and individual events will be studied. It is assumed that all students will be participating in interscholastic forensic activities as part of their course involvement. A considerable commitment of time to after school is required.

 

(10-12) A systematic introduction to the study of the behavioral and mental processes of both human beings and of other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological principles and phenomenon associated with the major subfields within the discipline. Students will study the methods used in professional research and practice.

(10-12) This course is structured to address human geography’s seven core topics: thinking geographically, population and migration patterns and processes, cultural patterns and processes, political patterns and processes, agriculture and rural land-use patterns and processes, cities and urban land-use patterns and processes, and industrial and economic development patterns.

 

 

This course explores the differences and similarities between various types of political systems from an array of perspectives. We will explore: the types of executives, legislatures, and judiciary systems found in a variety of authoritarian and democratic regimes; the impact the citizen, either individually or as part of a collective group (electoral systems, interest groups, mobs, political parties, etc…) plays in authoritarian and democratic regimes; and, the impact of formal and informal structures of political power and political culture on public policy, especially economic policy. Particular attention will be paid to the systems of governance found in China, Great Britain, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, and Russia.

 

(11-12) The IB Business Management course develops a student’s knowledge and understanding of business management theories, as well as their ability to apply a range of tools and techniques to business decisions. The course covers a range of organizations from all sectors, as well as the sociocultural and economic contexts in which those organizations operate. The course covers the key characteristics of business organization and environment, and the business functions of human resource management, finance and accounts, marketing and operations management. The course allows students to develop a holistic understanding of today’s complex and dynamic business environment, including the sociocultural and economic contexts. Additionally, this course covers a range of business organization from all sectors of the economy. Conceptual learning in this course centers on business management theories, tools and techniques; and, the course applies theories, tools, and techniques to real world examples and case studies. Lastly, students will be exposed ethical concerns when it comes to the practice of business management.

 

(11-12) Personal and Professional Skills (PPS) is an International Baccalaureate (IB) course that emphasizes skills for the workplace. It is a core element which all IB Career Programme (CP) students undertake. PPS, the Career-Related Study course, and the Diploma Programme subjects are intended to support each other in the sense that they reference each other and share common goals. The PPS course examines five central themes: personal development, intercultural understanding, effective communication, thinking processes, and applied ethics. In addition to exploring the five PPS themes outlined by the IB, the PPS course will support students with the additional CP core elements of service learning, language development, and the culminating reflective project.