Course Progression Chart (download)

FLHS Course Prerequisites

Modern World History
MWH, MWH CP, MWH Honors  (5 Credits)
This required course represents the foundation of the Social Studies program at the High School. The course is designed to give students an international perspective on the historical forces that have shaped the global community. Students will analyze the complex and interdependent roots of the political, social, cultural, and economic structures in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa. The impact of current issues and challenges will be discussed in every unit. Through a thematic organization, this course enables students to examine important themes that influence human interaction across time periods. This approach allows students to assess the historical impact of each of these themes on our modern world.

US History I
US I, US I CP, US I Honors (5 Credits)
This is a survey course spanning the period from the French and Indian War through the end of the 19th century. It is designed to employ a conceptual approach within a chronological framework and introduce the students to the cultural diversity that is unique to the United States. It is the goal of the Social Studies Department to provide the students in this course with an understanding of the ideals and philosophies upon which the government of the United States was established, to have the students see the evolution of the United States into a powerful and resourceful nation, and to evaluate the government as it sought to become the “more perfect union” envisioned by its founding fathers.

US History II
US II, US II CP, US II Honors (5 Credits)
The purpose of the United States History II course is to integrate the study of the social, economic, and political problems of the twentieth century into the framework of this modern era. Among the anticipated objectives are the understanding of the growth of democratizing institutions in the present day United States and the students’ role in utilizing these democratic forces in the practice of responsible citizenship. Students will be able to relate events of the past to present day situations.

Asian Studies (5 Credits)

Asia, as a region is increasingly becoming a more potent actor on the world’s stage.  Home to almost half of the world’s population, source of much of the world’s consumer goods, and home to some of the world’s most ancient and enduring civilizations Asia’s current role in politics, religion, economics, diplomacy and popular culture is undeniably important.  This course will seek to enlighten students about this significant region of the world.  This is an important endeavor as America seeks to remain competitive economically and educationally in the global setting of the twenty-first century.

Civil Rights in  the 20th Century (2.5 Credits) linked with Holocaust & Genocide

The focus of this program is to allow students to investigate, through the use of primary source documents and video, five specific social events/influences of the past century in order to clarify their personal perspective and understand society’s reaction and subsequent effect on attitudes and behaviors. The specific areas of study will address: the Civil Rights Movement, the Women’s Movement, the Anti-War Movement, the Labor Movement, and Immigration.

Criminal Law (2.5 Credits) linked with Forensic Science

Criminal Law is designed to acquaint students with the various categories of criminal behavior and their legal definitions. It is also designed to make students aware of the role of due process in our legal system, the rights of the accused, and the motivations and reasons for criminal behavior. Students will gain an appreciation of the dimensions of the current criminal problem, the difficulties inherent in prevention, enforcement, and punishment in our legal process, and they will explore solutions to mitigate them.

Finance: A Personal & Practical Approach (2.5 credits) linked with Foundations of Human Behavior OR Foundations of Sociology

This economics course is designed to build economic literacy and to illustrate economic cause and effect. Students will focus on developing knowledge of economic theory and principles, the American economy, the economic influence of government policies and procedures, and the skills needed to apply this knowledge to their own lives. Students will apply this knowledge to specific examples in the form of case studies and in-class simulations.

Holocaust and Genocide (2.5 Credits) linked with Civil Rights in the 20^th Century

The purpose of the Holocaust and Genocide course is to provide students with an understanding of the nature of genocide and the devastation it has wrought throughout recorded history. The course stresses individual choice and accountability in the face of prejudice and discrimination. Students will engage in a comprehensive analysis of the background of the Holocaust and the key components of this travesty. Students will also assess the international community’s success in preventing other cases of genocide. The contributing factors in other such cases and the responses of non-victims and the global community will also be explored.

Political Institute / Honors (5 Credits)

This course is designed to afford students a hands-on experience in U.S. political affairs. The objective is to teach students about U.S. politics and government in both the past and present by means of direct participation and study. The curriculum includes three major units, each designed to educate and illustrate the political systems, structures and practices of the United States government. Within each unit activities have been created to illustrate and reinforce the lessons and to allow students to participate in the various workings of the government. This experience is enhanced by allowing the students to take part in the annual Washington Work Experience Program.

History of Human Behavior (5 Credits)

The purpose of the History of Human Behavior course is to provide students with an understanding of how human behavior has been explained over the centuries. The course stresses the causes of human behavior and the cognitive factors which contribute to it. Among the anticipated objectives is the understanding of
the genetic and environmental factors which shape one’s personality. Students will also be able to identify the symptoms and treatment of various psychological disorders.

Foundations of Human Behavior (2.5 Credits)

The purpose of this semester course is to provide students with an understanding of the components of human behavior. The course emphasizes the fact that our behavior is influenced by both heredity (Nature) and environment (Nurture.)  With an emphasis on the environmental factors which influence behavior, students will gain an appreciation for the effects our actions have on others, both positive and negative.

Foundations of Sociology (2.5 Credits)/ Principles of Sociology (5 Credits)

The primary goal of this course is to develop a greater understanding of social relations, group interactions, the impact of social environment on each of us, and the social issues facing us today. This will be accomplished through sociological research, oral presentations, group discussions, and other projects related to topics including culture, socialization, gender roles, stratification, and deviant behavior

History of the United States Through Film and Media (5 Credits)

This course is designed for students who are interested in expanding their knowledge of United States history, and in the role film and media play in disseminating accurate accounts of history. The objective of this course is to challenge students to evaluate and analyze the impact and accuracy of the media’s interpretation of events on American history.

AP Courses

ADVANCED PLACEMENT WORLD HISTORY

This course will enable the students to develop a greater understanding of evolution of the global processes and contacts, in interaction with different types of human societies. This understanding is advanced through a combination of selective factual knowledge and appropriate analytical skills. The course highlights the nature of changes in international frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. The course builds on an understanding of cultural, institutional and technological precedents that, along with geography, set the human stage. This course will cover the time period from 8000 B.C. to the present day.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY I and II

These courses are designed to help students develop analytical skills and provide the factual information necessary to deal critically with the problems of American history. The social, political, and economic development of the United States will be studied both chronologically and topically. Students learn to assess historical materials and their relevance to a given interpretive problem, and to weigh the evidence and analysis presented by historical scholarship.  Essay writing is emphasized, and students may be expected to complete a research/term paper or its equivalent.

This rigorous academic course furnishes a basic narrative of events and movements in European History from 1450 to the present. Students will investigate the broad themes of intellectual, cultural and political history and will appreciate how those ideas are reflected in trends of philosophy, popular literature and the arts. As events in history can only be understood in terms of their social context, this course will examine demographics and the influences of social classes and gender roles on history. The course will also focus on economic history and the role of industrialization by reviewing the development of commercial practices and changing economic structures to recognize Europe’s influence on the world.

The purpose of this full year course is to introduce students to the scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of humans and, to a lesser extent, other animals.  Students will learn the major vocabulary, theories and experiments of biopsychology, behaviorism, cognitive psychology, intelligence, development personality, stress, mental illness, social psychology and psychological testing.  They will have the opportunity to examine ethical issues in research and conduct their own research projects.  Those enrolled will also read extensively in primary and secondary sources.

This course is comprised of two distinct sections based upon the national College Board examination. The first is Advanced Placement Microeconomics. This course is intended for students who wish to complete studies in a secondary school equivalent to a one-semester college introductory course in Microeconomics. The students will explore economic principles that apply to the functions of individual decision-makers, both consumers and producers, within the larger economic system. It will emphasize the nature and functions of product markets, and include the study of factor markets and the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. The second is Advanced Placement Macroeconomics. This portion is intended for students who wish to complete studies in secondary school equivalent to a one-semester college introductory course in macroeconomics. Students will explore economic principles as they apply to an economic system as a whole. It will emphasize economic aggregates: aggregate national income and output, aggregate consumption, aggregate investment, government spending, taxation, money and banking, monetary policy, and international trade. The course will also reinforce the student’s familiarity with economic performance measures.

This course is designed as an introduction to the comparative study of politics and government.  The program is designed to provide a challenging curriculum for academically talented students who have a special interest in geo-politics.  The course will focus on the governments of six countries and compare their structure with that of the United States and each other. By studying the governments of Great Britain, Russia, Mexico, Nigeria, China and Iran students will gain a better understanding of political relationships and understandings found in virtually all polities.