Social Sciences

Grade 9 – 1.0 credit (Required)

World History traces the development of human civilization through a thematic approach to cultural contact, political systems, and economic networks. This foundational course emphasizes how primary and secondary sources can create varied interpretations of history, while addressing Eurocentric tendencies within the field. Students will participate in an approach that displaces Europeans from the center of history and replaces it with a truly global perspective that emphasizes commonalities between civilizations and the influence that cultural contact has had on human progress. Course content was intentionally designed to emphasize not only geographic diversity, but to stress how travel, trade, and warfare bring different populations together. Emphasis is placed on developing the academic skills of critical thinking, primary source analysis, 'close reading', and collaborative learning in order to prepare students for excellence and success at the collegiate level. The course also integrates social-emotional learning modules to set students up for success during Freshman year and in subsequent courses. Topics taught include the cultural exchange between Egypt, Nubia and Mesopotamia, continuity and change within the Abrahamic faiths, the rise and fall of the Roman and Aztec Empires, the Neolithic Revolution, Mercantilism, the scientific progress shared by the Kingdom of Mali, Abbasid-era Baghdad and the Ming Dynasty, the French and Haitian Revolutions, and the global refutation of imperialism.

Grade 10 – 1.0 credit (Required)

This course examines the emergence and growth of the United States from 1775 to the 20th Century. Students will survey the development of U.S. History as a country. Highlights of the course are the forming of our nation and government, struggles for equality (African Americans, American Indians, and Women), Immigration, Rise of Industry and Labor Unions, Progressivism, the Great Depression, U.S. Foreign Wars and Foreign Policy, and America’s contemporary global and domestic challenges. Emphasis is placed on political, social, ethnic, and international relations. Students will utilize different methods that historians use to interpret the past, including points of view and historical context. The course also connects historical issues to current affairs in order to develop a greater understanding of the basic institutions and policies of the United States of America.

Grade 12 – 0.5 credit (Required)
Note: This is NOT a weighted course.
Note: Students taking this course have the option to earn college credit through Cardinal Stritch University (CSU). In order to earn college credit, students must register with CSU, pay a $399 enrollment fee with CSU, and earn a grade of C or higher.

American government is a required, senior-level course that prepares students for life in our democratic society. With an emphasis on the federal government, students investigate the foundations of American government, analyze historical documents, understand the structure of government, debate controversial issues, and conduct educated discussions on current topics. Throughout the course students also begin to consider their own political identities. The goal of the course is to prepare students to be knowledgeable, inquiring, and participatory citizens.

Grades 9, 10 or 11- 0.5 credit (Elective)

This course is an introductory study of geography and cultures that examines the interaction of land, people, and climates in each continent. A strong drive to solve problems through participating in group and individual research is expected of students in this course. Additionally, this course will serve as a primer in the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped how humans use and alter Earth’s surface and resources. Students employ essential methods of map making and interpreting to analyze human social organization, the complex geopolitics of resource-based conflicts, as well as the litany of factors that motivate global migration.

Grades 11 or 12 – 0.5 credit (Elective)

Crime and Justice is a one-semester course providing an extensive examination of the American criminal justice system. Students will explore the meaning of justice in an ordered society and current dilemmas thrust upon the justice system. Students will study issues such as crime prevention, crime trends, civil rights, victim’s rights, law enforcement procedures and agencies, the criminal code, the trial system, corrections, juvenile crime, and the death penalty. Students will study these issues using numerous methods including examination of current events, discussion, guest speakers, and mock trials. Students will gain new insights into the reasons for crime in our society as well as how to deal with crime in the future.

Grades 11 or 12 – 0.5 credit (Elective)

Focusing on the years 1945 to the present, students in Modern American Issues will confront the effects of United States policy-making in the 1950s onward and how the aftershocks are still felt today throughout the world. Topics will include terrorism, civil rights, and holocausts of the 20th Century. Students will debate the importance, wisdom, and other aspects of policy making in regards to foreign countries. In addition to United States foreign policy, the class will also consider domestic policies an d how they shaped our world. Furthermore, students will explore critical issues such as education, the environment, the economy, immigration, defense, poverty, international trade, human rights, democracy, and the problems that face particular geographical areas. In exploring these issues, students will forecast the future of each issue and debate the pros and cons of various proposed policies. This will allow students to develop awareness and understanding of both domestic and foreign policy concerns. Documentaries, newspapers, books, magazines, political cartoons, and internet sites will be used to help facilitate the learning process.

Grade 11 – 1.0 credit
Prerequisite: AP Teacher approval, and B- in World and US History.
Note: This is a weighted, two-semester course.

This course relies upon the development of historical thinking skills including: chronological reasoning, comparing and contextualizing, crafting historical arguments using historical evidence, and interpreting and synthesizing historical narrative. Course curricula centers on students gaining understanding of content learning objectives organized around seven themes, such as identity, peopling, and America in the world. In line with college and university U. S. History survey courses, AP US History increases the focus on early and recent American history and decreases emphasis on other areas. The AP U.S. History course expands on the history of the Americas from 1491 to 1607 and from 1980 to the present. This course is intended to help students become informed and participatory citizens and likewise to provide preparation for the Advanced Placement College Board Exam in the spring of the year. To be successful in this course, students must employ a strong work ethic and a commitment to independent reading and studying with college level texts. This course will be taught similar to an introductory college level course.

Grade 12 – 1.0 credit
Prerequisite: AP Teacher approval, and B- in World and US History
Note: This is weighted, a two-semester course that fulfills the American Government requirement.

This is a college level course approved and accredited by the College Board for Advanced Placement. The course will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics at the federal level in the United States. Focus includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret United States government and politics and, through the use of current events, the analysis of specific examples. Content includes the principles and ideals that underlie the United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the federal system, its institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that together constitute our democratic republic. Students will understand important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to the government.

Furthermore, they will be exposed to patterns within the political processes, public servant and voter behaviors, and their consequences. They will analyze and interpret basic data relevant to the course and apply information to political events researched through media sources. This course is intended to help students become informed and participatory citizens and likewise to provide preparation for the Advanced Placement College Board Exam in the spring of the year. Excellent study and organizational skills, plus extra time and effort, will be expected.

Grades 11 or 12- 1.0 credit
Prerequisites: AP Teacher approval; B- in World and US History
Note: This is a weighted, two-semester course.

This course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. This course is intended to help students become contributing members of an introductory collegiate psychology course and to provide preparation for the Advanced Placement College Board Exam in the spring of the year. To be successful in this course, students must employ a strong work ethic and a commitment to independent reading and studying with college level texts.

Grade 11 or 12 – 0.5 credit (Elective)
Prerequisite: AP Teacher approval and B- in World and US History Grade 11 must take both 1927 and 1921 for a full year course
Note: This is a weighted course.

The purpose of this course is to give students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the economic system. It places primary emphasis on the nature and functions of product markets and includes the study of factor markets and of the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. The following are primary topics and areas of focus: Basic Economic Concepts, The Nature and Functions of Product Markets, Factor Markets, and Market Failure and the Role of Government.

Grade 11 or 12 – 0.5 credit (Elective)
Prerequisite: AP Teacher approval and B- in World and US History. Grade 11 must take both 1927 and 1921 for a full year course
Note: This is a weighted course.

The purpose of AP Macroeconomics is to give students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to an economic system as a whole. The course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination, and also develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth and international economics.

Grades 11,12—0.5 credit (Elective)

Psychology is a semester course designed to provide the knowledge, intellectual processes and skills to help students understand the origins of behavior. Students will work to understand the key elements that make up a behavior including, but not limited to, the brain, individual and group behavior, and causes of behavior. Throughout the semester, students will continuously learn valuable skills that will allow them to succeed in future inside and outside of classes at St. Thomas More by applying these concepts and skills to the real world.

Grades 11,12—0.5 credit (Elective)

This course is designed to pique the interest of students who are looking to enrich their knowledge of our city. The course will be presented with an engaging exploration of information from John Gurda’s Making of Milwaukee. Course will cover information from the land currently inhabited to the people who settled here first in the 1830s, including but not limited to German Immigrants, African Americans, and wide variety of other ethnic groups that make the city what it is today. Some important considerations of Milwaukee to explore in this course will include the annexations, industrialization, conflicts, events, and notable figures over the years. Students will learn how the city has been shaped during the war, the civil rights movements, and the modern metropolitan age. Students should be able to maintain their historical knowledge of critical thinking, argumentative evidence-based writing, understanding chronological causation and effectiveness, and be able to collaborate with peers.