UPPER SCHOOL
Curriculum Guide
Course Registration
AP APPLICATION INFORMATION AND PROCESS FOR THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT AP COURSE APPLICATION POLICY
APPLYING FOR SOCIAL STUDIES AP COURSESStudents interested in taking an AP course in social studies are expected to attend an informational meeting during the 9:30 Block on February 6th. Afterward, students should consult their current social studies teacher to discuss course eligibility. Eligibility requirements are as follows:
AP UNITED STATES HISTORY
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10th-grade students with a first-semester grade of A in Modern World History who demonstrate strong reading comprehension and analytical writing skills are eligible.
AP AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES
- 10th-grade students with a first-semester grade of A- or higher in Modern World History who demonstrate strong analytical writing skills are eligible.
- 11th-grade students with a first-semester grade of B or higher in their current social studies who demonstrate strong analytical writing skills are eligible.
AP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
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11th-grade students with a first-semester grade of B or higher in their current social studies course who demonstrate strong analytical writing skills are eligible.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
As college-level courses, AP offerings in social studies present a significant workload, a faster pace, and rigorous grading standards. The social studies department will review final grades in current social studies courses at the end of the school year to confirm eligibility.
SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT AVAILABLE AP COURSES
AP AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES
COURSE DESCRIPTIONAP African American Studies is an exciting, interdisciplinary course that draws from various fields—history, literature, the arts, geography, science, and law—to explore African Americans' vital contributions and experiences. In AP African American Studies, students explore key topics that extend from early African kingdoms to the ongoing challenges and achievements of the contemporary moment. Given the interdisciplinary character of African American Studies, students in the course will develop skills across multiple fields, emphasizing historical, literary, visual, and data analysis skills. This course foregrounds a study of the diversity of Black communities in the United States within the broader context of Africa and the African diaspora. The course gives students a strong foundation in facts and evidence about African American history and culture.
Available to students in grade(s): 11/12
Prerequisite(s): Department recommendation
Course length: Full-year
This course satisfies the eleventh-grade social studies requirement.
AP United States History is a highly challenging course that addresses political, geographic, intellectual, social, and cultural developments in the United States from the first European discovery and exploration through post-9/11 events. The course is intensive in its demands, relies on texts common in college classes, and is the equivalent of an introductory-level U.S. history college course. Essay writing, especially as related to the document-based questions (DBQs), critical reading, and discussion skills are needed for success in this course. Students also complete a formal research project as part of the course requirements. In this assignment, students refine their abilities to gather and categorize evidence, evaluate sources, and draw conclusions, and in doing so, are introduced to the historian's craft. All students sit for the AP United States History exam in May. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Modern World History.
AP United States Government and Politics is a yearlong college-level course that provides students with the political knowledge and reasoning to participate meaningfully and thoughtfully in American politics and society. Students will examine the constitutional underpinnings of the American government, political beliefs and behaviors, political parties, interest groups, institutions, and policy processes of the national government, as well as civil rights issues. As part of their learning experience, students will engage in a project-based approach that includes simulations, the analysis of case studies, the preparation of briefings, and structured academic conversations. By the end of the course, students will be able to analyze current and historical political events like a political scientist and develop factually accurate, well-reasoned, thoughtful arguments and opinions that acknowledge and grapple with alternative political perspectives.
Available to students in grade(s): 12
Prerequisite(s): Department recommendation
This course satisfies the eleventh-grade social studies requirement.
AP UNITED STATES HISTORY
COURSE DESCRIPTIONAP United States History is a highly challenging course that addresses political, geographic, intellectual, social, and cultural developments in the United States from the first European discovery and exploration through post-9/11 events. The course is intensive in its demands, relies on texts common in college classes, and is the equivalent of an introductory-level U.S. history college course. Essay writing, especially as related to the document-based questions (DBQs), critical reading, and discussion skills are needed for success in this course. Students also complete a formal research project as part of the course requirements. In this assignment, students refine their abilities to gather and categorize evidence, evaluate sources, and draw conclusions, and in doing so, are introduced to the historian's craft. All students sit for the AP United States History exam in May. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Modern World History.
Available to students in grade(s): 11/12
Prerequisite(s): Department recommendation
Course length: Full-year
This course satisfies the United States History social studies requirement.
This course satisfies the United States History social studies requirement.
AP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
COURSE DESCRIPTIONAP United States Government and Politics is a yearlong college-level course that provides students with the political knowledge and reasoning to participate meaningfully and thoughtfully in American politics and society. Students will examine the constitutional underpinnings of the American government, political beliefs and behaviors, political parties, interest groups, institutions, and policy processes of the national government, as well as civil rights issues. As part of their learning experience, students will engage in a project-based approach that includes simulations, the analysis of case studies, the preparation of briefings, and structured academic conversations. By the end of the course, students will be able to analyze current and historical political events like a political scientist and develop factually accurate, well-reasoned, thoughtful arguments and opinions that acknowledge and grapple with alternative political perspectives.
Available to students in grade(s): 12
Prerequisite(s): Department recommendation
Course length: Full-year
