COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

SOCIAL STUDIES

This curriculum provides a comprehensive chronological and thematic study of history. Emphasis is placed on reading and writing and is directed towards the analysis of both primary and secondary sources. The purpose of these exercises is the understanding of historical events, historiography and historical methodology. Throughout this curriculum the students gain a greater appreciation of peoples and values of the past as well as the present and an appreciation for the study of history as a discipline.

The department offers a wide array of Honors and AP level courses. In addition to the prerequisites for entry into these courses, students must maintain a grade of C or better to remain in the course

Balboa Academy Graduation Requirement: 3 Social Studies credit (s) in grades 9 -12. All courses may be used as elective credits after the minimum credit needed for graduation is obtained.

World Geography          (No Longer Offered)                                              Grade (s) 9
Course # 103      Level:      Length: 1 yr              Credit (s): 1 in Social Studies
Prerequisite (s): None

Major Obligations of Coursework: Outside reading assignments; essays based on readings; research on selected topics with both written and oral reports of that research expected

U.S./PA History 1877 to present                                     Grade (s) 10-12
Course #104       Level: College Prep       Length: 1 yr      Credit (s): 1 in Social Studies
Prerequisites: World History

Major Obligations of Coursework: Reading involving primary and secondary sources; write historical analyses of material

This course continues the study of United States and Panama History begun in the 8th grade. Students will study U.S. and Panama History from 1877 to the present. Students expand their knowledge on major issues, movements, people and events in United States and Panama History. Students summarize cause and effect of major events of Reconstruction, the Industrial Revolution and major military battles. Students develop skill in analyzing documents, writing journals, evaluating sources and communicating findings orally and in detailed papers. Discussions, debate and persuasive writing are skills used to address issues.

U.S./Panama Government    (No Longer Offered, See Course 121)    Grade (s) 12
Course # 105      Level: College Prep      Length: 1yr      Credit (s): 1 in Social Studies
Prerequisite (s): U.S./PA History

The students will study the United States and Panama governments. The students focus on knowledge of the United States and Panama Constitution, branches of government, foreign affairs, social problems, governmental policies and democratic values. Students evaluate the effect of monetary policies on economic well-being, analyze the role of government in the economy, and design of fiscal polices. Students develop the skill needed to be informed citizens in a democracy and identify fundamental principles contained in the United States and Panamanian Constitutions. This survey traces the basic principles of American government from its constitutional origins through the impact of modem political forces and compares these with Panama. The special brand of American capitalism is emphasized through an examination of the basic tenets of supply and demand, monetary policy, and governmental regulations in comparison with Panama. The course utilizes primary and secondary source readings as well as the study of political and economic current events in United States and Panama

Students participate in activities based upon evaluation of options for citizen action. The course requires students to apply the ideas and theories from political science to examine social problems and issues in Panama.

Modern World History                                          Grade(s) 10-12
Course #106      Level: College Prep      Length: 1 yr      Credit (s): 1 in Social Studies
Prerequisite (s): none

This course continues the study of world history begun in 7th grade or 9^th grade. Students will study the major events and themes of modern era: renaissance, scientific revolution, European nationalism, imperialism, industrial revolution, World War I, The Russian Revolution and the rise of communism, World War II, the Cold War and its aftermath, war in the Middle East,  Contemporary social, economic, and political issues in the developing world will also be examined.

Psychology        No Longer Offered   See Course 123           Grade (s) 10-12
Course #112         Level: College Prep      Length: 1 yr      Credit (s): 1 in Social Studies
Prerequisite (s): none

Major Obligations of Coursework: Students in Psychology will be expected to work on and take part in student projects

Course Description: This course is designed to explore and learn about the various components involved in the study of behavior and mental processes, therefore, gaining a better understanding of psychology as a whole. This course is designed to interest students in using psychology as a tool to try to understand behavior and applying it in everyday life. Topics to be covered: Research Methods, Human Development, Theories of Personality, Psychological Disorders, Psychological Testing, Physiological Basis of Psychology, Sensation and Perception, Principles of Learning, Memory.

AP US History                                                                       Grade (s) 11-12
Course # 113    Level: Advanced Placement   Length: 1yr    Credit (s): 1 in Social Studies
Prerequisite (s): Students seeking admission into AP courses must display reading and writing abilities comparable to a score of 550 on the verbal PSAT or SAT, a strong work ethic, honor roll status and semester grades of at least B in previous history courses.

Major Obligations of Coursework: This class has college level reading requirements and the students take a reading quiz, write an analytical essay, and take a traditional examination over each unit covered.

Course Description: The AP US History course is a full year introductory college course in United states history on the period from the first European explorations of the Americas to the present.  The course will include a study of the Panama history during the final quarter of the course.  The history of the United States and Panama from the establishment of the first European colonies to the present day is covered. Course content is presented in a thematic rather than traditional chronological approach with themes including political, social, intellectual, and economic. A primary purpose of the course is to prepare students for the AP Examination as well as college level history courses. Reading assignments are substantially longer than those to which the students are accustomed and include both primary and secondary sources. Expectation and evaluations of performance are more rigorous than the traditional history course.

AP US Government                                                            Grade (s) 12
Course # 114      Level: Advanced Placement      Length: 1yr      Credit (s): 1 in Social Studies
Prerequisite (s):  American and Panama Government/Economics. Students seeking admission into AP courses must display reading and writing abilities comparable to a score of 550 on the verbal PSAT or SAT, a strong work ethic, honor roll status and semester grades of at least B in previous history courses.

Major Obligations of Coursework: This college level course demands substantially more reading and writing than students are accustomed. Each unit will involve a reading quiz, a written analysis of a primary or secondary source reading, as well as a traditional examination. Additionally, students should keep up with current events by the daily reading of a national news paper or weekly news magazine and by watching net work news programs and news analyses.

Course Description: The AP US Government course covers the following major cont areas: constitutional underpinnings of the United States government; political beliefs and behaviors; political parties, interest groups and mass media; institutions of the national government: the congress, the presidency, the bureaucracy, the federal courts; publicly; and civil rights and civil liberties.  The course will include a study of the Panama government during the final quarter of the course.  This course examines in detail the United States and Panama systems of government and how they work as well as the constitutional theories which form the basis of these political systems. Additionally, Court decisions which have and continue to influence the systems are studied in depth. Finally, political trends that seek to change our system or maintain the status quo as well as “radical” movements are analyzed within the framework of government and political theory.

WORLD HISTORY     (ANCIENT )                                    Grade (s) 10 -12

Course #115      Level: College Prep      Length: 1 yr      Credit (s): 1 in Social Studies

Prerequisites: none

Major Obligations of Coursework: Outside reading assignments; essays based on readings; research on selected topics with both written and oral reports of that research expected

Course Description: This course surveys the development of humanity from antiquity to the renaissance. Students explore chronologically the history and cultural development of Western, Eastern, and African societies and examine the impact of geographic factors on these societies. Political events, religious movements, and economic ideas form the basis of the course with social and cultural aspects also examined.

AP World History    Alternate Years                                        Grade (s) 10-12
Course # 118      Level: AP      Length: 1yr      Credit (s): 1 in Social Studies
Prerequisite (s): B+ in previous social studies course, Social Studies Teachers recommendation

The AP World History course is a full year introductory college course in world history on the period from the first civilizations through the settling of the western hemisphere. 

AP World History examines the evolution of global processes in human civilizations. The course focuses equally on all regions of the globe: Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. In addition, we will devote much of the first semester to increasing our skills as critical readers and writers. This course is a perfect training ground for any sophomore interested in taking more than one AP class during his or her high school career. Not only will we examine the past 1,000 years of human history; but also we will spend considerable time developing and mastering basic study skills essential for success in both high school and college.

AP World History focuses on six main themes (taken directly from the College Board Course Description):

1. Impact of interaction among major societies (trade, systems of international

exchange, war, and diplomacy).

          2. The relationship of change and continuity across the world history periods

covered in this course.

          3. Impact of technology and demography on people and the environment

(population growth and decline, disease, manufacturing, migrations, agriculture, and weaponry).

          4. Systems of social structure and gender structure (comparing major features

within and among societies and assessing social change).

5. Cultural and intellectual developments and interactions within societies.

6. Changes in functions and structures of states and in attitudes toward states and

political identities (political culture), including the emergence of the nation-state (types of political organization).

As you can tell, this is not your regular history class. In addition to focusing on these six themes we will also strive to develop seven very important Habits of Mind. These habits of mind will not only help you in this particular class, but in every type of humanities course you take both in high school and at college. We will learn how to:

1. Construct and evaluate arguments—use evidence to make plausible arguments.

2. Use documents and other primary data—develop the skills necessary to analyze point of view, context, and bias, and to understand and interpret information.

3. Develop the ability to assess issues of change and continuity over time.

4. Enhance the capacity to handle diversity of interpretations through the analysis of context, bias, and frame of reference.

5. See global patterns over time and space while also acquiring the ability to connect local developments to global ones and to move through levels of generalizations from the global to the particular.

6. Develop the ability to compare within and among societies, including comparing societies’ reactions to global processes.

7. Develop the ability to assess claims of universal standards yet remaining aware of human commonalities and differences; putting culturally diverse ideas and values in historical context, not suspending judgment but developing understanding.

World Affairs  No Longer Offered   See Course 122           Grade (s) 10-12

Course # 119      Level: CP      Length: 1yr      Credit (s): 1 in Social Studies

Prerequisites: None

Major Obligations of Coursework: Daily participation in various debate formats, regular reading and research in an effort to produce advanced classroom and / or lecture presentations. Routine inspection of national periodicals and news shows is imperative in order to remain informed on current events.

Course Description: This course will examine what is currently happening in the world. We will discuss and analyze world events on a daily basis and look for clues in our past that have led to present situations. We will debate WHY events are taking place and predict probable outcomes based on our knowledge of the history and the cultures of the regions involved. The course will focus on current economic, political, and cultural events in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and North America, and it shall examine how certain trends (such as the AIDS epidemic, globalization, poverty, and the quest to obtain petroleum, among others) have affected each region. 

AP European history    Alternate Years                        Grade (s) 10-12
Course # 120      Level: AP      Length: 1yr      Credit (s): 1 in Social Studies
Prerequisite (s): Social Studies Teachers recommendation

The AP European History course is a full year introductory college course in European history on the period from the middle ages through the modern Europe.

The study of European history since 1450 introduces students to cultural, economic, political, and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live. Without this knowledge, we would lack the context for understanding the development of contemporary institutions, the role of continuity and change in present-day society and politics, and the evolution of current forms of artistic expression and intellectual discourse. In addition to providing a basic narrative of events and movements, the goals of the AP program in European History are to develop (a) an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European History, (b) an ability to analyze historical evidence and historical interpretation, and (c) an ability to express historical understanding in writing.

U.S./Panama Government                                               Grade (s) 12
Course # 121      Level: College Prep      Length: Sem      Credit (s): 0.5 in Social Studies
Prerequisite (s): U.S./PA History

The students will study the United States and Panama governments. The students focus on knowledge of the United States and Panama Constitution, branches of government, foreign affairs, social problems, governmental policies and democratic values. Students evaluate the effect of monetary policies on economic well-being, analyze the role of government in the economy, and design of fiscal polices. Students develop the skill needed to be informed citizens in a democracy and identify fundamental principles contained in the United States and Panamanian Constitutions. This survey traces the basic principles of American government from its constitutional origins through the impact of modem political forces and compares these with Panama. The special brand of American capitalism is emphasized through an examination of the basic tenets of supply and demand, monetary policy, and governmental regulations in comparison with Panama. The course utilizes primary and secondary source readings as well as the study of political and economic current events in United States and Panama

Students participate in activities based upon evaluation of options for citizen action. The course requires students to apply the ideas and theories from political science to examine social problems and issues in Panama.

World Affairs            Grade (s) 10-12

Course # 122      Level: CP      Length: Sem      Credit (s): 0.5 in Social Studies

Prerequisites: Ancient and Modern History are prerequisites for World Affairs.

Major Obligations of Coursework: Daily participation in various debate formats, regular reading and research in an effort to produce advanced classroom and / or lecture presentations. Routine inspection of national periodicals and news shows is imperative in order to remain informed on current events.

Course Description: This course will examine what is currently happening in the world. We will discuss and analyze world events on a daily basis and look for clues in our past that have led to present situations. We will debate WHY events are taking place and predict probable outcomes based on our knowledge of the history and the cultures of the regions involved. The course will focus on current economic, political, and cultural events in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and North America, and it shall examine how certain trends (such as the AIDS epidemic, globalization, poverty, and the quest to obtain petroleum, among others) have affected each region. 

Psychology                                                                    Grade (s) 10-12
Course #123         Level: College Prep      Length:  Sem    Credit (s): 0.5 in Social Studies
Prerequisite (s): none

Major Obligations of Coursework: Students in Psychology will be expected to work on and take part in student projects

Course Description: This course is designed to explore and learn about the various components involved in the study of behavior and mental processes, therefore, gaining a better understanding of psychology as a whole. This course is designed to interest students in using psychology as a tool to try to understand behavior and applying it in everyday life. Topics to be covered: Research Methods, Human Development, Theories of Personality, Psychological Disorders, Psychological Testing, Physiological Basis of Psychology, Sensation and Perception, Principles of Learning, Memory.

Philosophy
Course #124         Level: College Prep      Length:  Sem    Credit (s): 0.5 in Social Studies
Prerequisite (s): none

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Social Studies Course Offerings

(Students may take one or more courses per Semester)

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS