Contemporary Issues - 1 Semester - Grades 10-12

This elective course provides students with opportunities to identify and evaluate political, social, and economic issues on a local, state, national and international level. The central emphasis is on contemporary issues and problems and their effects on the student as a citizen in an interdependent world. A variety of current news media will be used for instructional purposes.

Controversial Issues – 1 Semester – Grade 12

This elective course provides students with an opportunity to explore topics that are controversial in nature. Social issues, politics, the economy, and current events are all commonly discussed in class. Students are encouraged to consider these controversial issues, and begin to develop their own opinions as they prepare to exit high school.

Law - 1 Semester - Grades 10-12

The purpose of this elective course is to have students develop an understanding of the basic components of the legal and criminal justice system in the United States. Students are offered an overview of civil and criminal law in this country as well as an examination of various legal institutions and processes (e.g. the police, the courts, rehabilitation systems, etc.)

Psychology - 1 Semester - Grades 11-12

The purpose of this elective course is to introduce the student to basic psychological concepts and principles and the rules, laws, and theories of psychology. Topics of study include: determiners of personality (heredity and environment), theories of the development of intelligence and testing characteristics of basic needs, and self-concept (theories of development). With this knowledge of themselves and others, students should be able to adapt to changing situations and be able to make informed decisions.

Sociology - 1 Semester - Grades 11-12

The purpose of this elective course is to help the student understand and appreciate people as independent agents in cooperative activities with others. Topics to be covered are: the organized way people fulfill basic needs (institutions); the setting of social rules and their enforcement (social control); and the possessions people have, the way they think, and their actions as members of society (culture). Students will use the social scientific method as a mode of research.