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Egypt In AP and IB classes, all students will prepare for and are encouraged to take the IB or AP exam.

 SS1813 World History Pre-IB 1.00 Unit
(Requirement for graduation); Prerequisite: Enrollment in grade 9 or 10 only

This is a survey course of Western and Eastern Civilization from pre-historic times to the present. Students will compare and contrast the developments in these civilizations during key historical periods: ancient, medieval, and modern. In order to insure that all students obtain civic/economic competency, special emphasis will be placed on the evolution of the relationship between governmental and economic systems. Students will observe how scarcity, supply and demand, and the search for markets affect the growth or decline of a civilization or historical period, as well as their function in contemporary times. This required course also provides students with fundamental social studies skills.

SS2213 U.S. History Pre-IB 1.00 Unit
(Requirement for Graduation); Prerequisite: World History

This is a rigorous U.S. History course designed to challenge students to move beyond memorization of facts and analyze the relationships between historical events. This course, like World History, continues to develop civics and economics competency in students. Major topics include the evolution of state, local, and national governments, the presidency, political parties, foreign and domestic policy, social and intellectual history, and the history of women and minority groups. This course carries advanced placement credit for college if the student passes a national exam in the spring; however, students are responsible for the test fee and will need to undertake some independent study for the exam.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All 11th grade students must enroll in either AP American Government/Politics or IB Global History, IB Geography, or IB Economics

SS4611 AP American Government & Politics 1.00 Unit
Prerequisite: Junior-Senior standing

Students will explore the history and philosophy of American governmental institutions. Students will analyze and interpret statistical and literary data in order to gain insight into American political thought. Students will study in great detail the founding of the American political system, our constitutional framework, civil liberties and civil rights, the three branches of government, the role of media in the American democracy, special interests groups, and the bureaucracy. This course carries advanced placement credit for college if the student passes a national exam in the spring (Students are responsible for the test fee).

GlobeST211B IB Geography 1.00 Unit
Prerequisite: Junior-Senior standing

NOTE: Geography is an entry requirement for the University of Minnesota system. While open to all students, IB Geography also offers the diploma student a sixth subject at the subsidiary level. Geography is the study of location and the spatial relationship of phenomena. The IB Geography course will focus on five core themes: population dynamics, economic growth and development, human response to natural hazards, agriculture and world food supply, and urban environments. In addition, this course will explore and discuss the characteristics and spatial relationship of maps and some basic geographic concepts such as physical, cultural, and political geography.

ST231B IB Economics 1.00 Unit
Prerequisite: Junior-Senior standing & consent of instructor

The IB Economics course is based on the IB syllabus and designed to prepare students for the standard level exam each May. The course focuses on five core topics: 1) Resources and markets - the basic principles of economics such as supply and demand, prices, and alternatives to the market system; 2) Business economics-economic issues and decision-making of business; 3) Macroeconomics arguments-economic models dealing with inflation, unemployment, income distribution and fiscal and monetary policy; 4) International issues - trade, protectionism, balance of payments, and exchange rates; 5) Development economics - focuses on economic development and possible solutions with particular attention to the relationship between developed nations and developing nations. This course is open to all qualified students, but is of special interest to students interested in social science issues and careers in finance and business.

SS841B IB Global History 1.00 Unit
Prerequisite: World History, US History

IB Global History is a survey of modern World History with a strong emphasis on Europe and that continent's vital impact on the rest of the world in the modern era. The course traces a chronology of European events from 1750 to the present. Within that chronology major themes of history are explored to prepare students for the IB test. Themes will include economic history, causes and effects of 20th Century wars, cold war, East-West relations since World War II, decolonization of Africa and Asia, and others. This course requires individual course work on a chosen topic guided by the teacher. Students may elect to take the IB Standard level examination at the conclusion of this course with the permission of the instructor.

SS861B IB History of the Americas 1.00 Units
Prerequisite: IB Global History

This course is a required course for those students taking the higher level IB History examination. It will incorporate the American experience (Canada, U.S., Latin America) into the picture of modern world history, continuing the study of the major historical themes established in the IB Global History course. Major emphasis will be placed on the American Wars of Independence, nation-building in the 19th century, revolutionary and reform movements of the 20th century, and the Cold War era. This course requires the completion of a major paper on a topic chosen by the student. Topics can be carried over from IB Global History.

SS821B/ SS831B Theory of Knowledge/Philosophy 1.00 Unit
Prerequisite: Junior/Senior standing; Full IB students only

The class will explore the fundamental nature of science, mathematics, human science, history, politics, ethics, and aesthetics. Logic will be studied as a tool in the analysis and synthesis of philosophical topics relating to, e.g., the relevance of education and schooling in contemporary society and the uses of knowledge. Critical thinking, extensive reading, independent research and oral reports are required with emphasis on thoughtful and purposeful writing and discussion of fundamental issues. This course is required for full IB students.

SS3411 Philosophy 0.50 Units
Prerequisite: Junior-Senior standing. Consent of current instructor. Ability to comprehend complex subject matter.

This course is designed for the serious student who is willing to critically examine issues which are of utmost importance to mankind. The student will logically explore through written work and oral discussion selective topics which include questions involving: social and economic justice, knowledge and belief, science and common sense, immorality, and man's search for meaning. Through intelligent analysis and synthesis, the student will emerge from this course with a better understanding of basic beliefs and convictions, as well as the ability to deal effectively with certain questions which are not dealt with by other disciplines.

ArtifactSS2811 Anthropology 0.50 Units
Prerequisite: Junior-Senior standing

Anthropology describes and analyzes cultures and the ways of life, values, and goals of societies. In so doing, we may better understand and control our own culture, and be more cautious in generalizing about other cultures on the basis of our own. Emphasis is placed on case studies and field observation of ancient and contemporary cultures.

SS3611 Sociology 0.50 Units
Prerequisite: Junior-Senior standing

Sociology is the scientific study of human social relationships with the focus upon group behavior and its relation to society. Areas of concentration include: institutions such as religion, family, government; social structures as it relates to class, race, ethnicity, sex, age; socialization; cultures; deviance and social control; and basic research techniques. Through this examination of the social and cultural processes within society, the student will have the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the complex and ethical issues involved in many social problems.

SS8111 Multicultural History 0.50 Units
Prerequisite: Junior-Senior standing

The Multicultural History of America course gives students an opportunity to examine the many contributions of various cultural, ethnic, and religious groups to American Society. Students further study the social forces that affect minority groups entering the mainstream of our society. Students examine their attitudes as well as those of society regarding discrimination, stereotyping, and prejudice. An attempt is made to develop better attitudes toward various ethnic and cultural groups.

OE761Q Aesthetics 0.50 Units
(Satisfies the fine arts requirement); Prerequisite: Junior-Senior standing

Aesthetics is the branch of philosophy that deals with the question of beauty. The purpose of the course is a theoretical study of the arts and their related experiences. Topics to be covered include: theories for the justification of aesthetic judgments such as subjectivism vs. objectivism; ways of evaluating greatness or mediocrity in paintings, song, or literature; beauty, excellence, and knowledge of the fine arts; etc. The intent of the course is to develop an aesthetic appreciation of the fine arts by appealing to the students interests and levels of awareness.

 
Possible Four-Year Course Sequences

 9th Grade
 10th Grade  11th Grade  12th Grade 
 Pre-IB World History
 Pre-IB US History

AP American
   Government
IB Global History
IB Economics
IB Geography

Aesthetics
Anthropology
Multicultural History
Philosophy
IB Economics
IB Geography
IB Global History
IB Modern Americas

In addition, full-IB students must take Theory of Knowledge in Spring of their 11th grade year and fall of 12th grade year.