History and Social Science

American Military History

Registration Code: AMMILHIST

Credit: 1/2

Length: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: None

Fulfills: Humanities Elective

Concurrent Credit: None

The United States has spent nearly the entirety of its history at war. This course explores why and how Americans have waged war over the centuries, and how war-making has shaped American society. The class examines the dual nature of warfare (conventional/unconventional), strategy and tactics, technology, and the evolution of Western and American military thought by investigating both major and minor wars in U.S history. Finally, this class strips away the glorification of warfare to better understand it as a fundamentally human experience. Coursework includes lectures, readings, written work, class discussions, historical simulations, wargaming, and possible field trips.

American Studies

Registration Code: AMSTUD

Credit: 1

Length: 1 Year (2 Semesters)

Prerequisites: None

Fulfills: Social Studies

Concurrent Credit: 6 Hrs. UAFS ENGL 2023 - Intro to American Literature - 3 Credit Hours (fall), UAFS HIST 2763 - US History II - 3 Credit Hours (spring)

Team-taught, American Studies combines literature, art, and music with the study of history for a clearer understanding of both historical period and its artifacts. Classes are taught through Socratic seminar, with chapter reading quizzes followed by essay/short answer unit tests. Students will read a novel each quarter, write at least one research paper and a literary analysis, and participate in alternative assessments.

Economics

Registration Code: ECONOMICS

Credit: 1/2

Length: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: None

Fulfills: High school graduation requirement

Concurrent Credit: None

Economics is an introductory level course that covers economic fundamentals, microeconomics, macroeconomics, and personal financial management.  We will learn about big picture economic topics such as the market cycle with its booms and recessions, the causes of unemployment, inflation, and economic growth.  Additionally, we will focus on microeconomic topics such as the role of government in the economy, the differences between economic systems such as market and command economies, and how the individual choices of businesses and consumers impact the overall gross domestic product.  The relationship between individual choices and the direct influence of those choices on occupational goals and future earnings potential will also be discussed.

Infectious Diseases

Registration Code: INF DISEASE

Credit: 1/2

Length: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: None

Fulfills: Humanities, or Science Elective 

Concurrent Credit: None

This course will be team-taught by a science teacher and a history teacher.  It will cover the demographic, cultural, and psychological impact of infectious disease in world history as well as the outbreaks and pathology of specific diseases, their historical and modern treatments, and the development of antimicrobial drug resistance.  Science topics will include the evolution and development of the host-pathogen relationship, the epidemiology of disease spread, and the molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity.  Specific diseases will include malaria, leprosy, plague, smallpox, syphilis, yellow fever, tuberculosis, flu, cholera, AIDS, etc.  We will also examine the spread of infectious diseases in the underdeveloped world and the history of biological warfare.  At the end of the semester, we will cover a science fiction unit that examines various apocalyptic scenarios caused by infectious disease.

Psychological Disorders

Registration Code: PSYCHDISORDERS

Credit: 1/2

Length: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: None, but taking Psychology first is recommended

Fulfills: Social Studies or Humanities Elective

Concurrent Credit: None

This course explains basic, fundamental principles of psychology and concepts of scientific observations and discussions of various behaviors, but departs from a bsaic psychology course via discussions of common psychological issues as explained by the DSM-V, This course is designed to study how psychological disorders are diagnosed and learn about the symptoms and causes of the major disorder. These disorders include the five major areas which are Anxiety disorders, Mood disorders, Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, Dementia, and Eating disorders.

Psychology

Registration Code: PSYCHOLOGY

Credit: 1/2

Length: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: None

Fulfills: Social Studies or Humanities Elective

Concurrent Credit: None

The science of psychology relates to every aspect of our lives.  This one semester course is a scientific study of behavior and the factors that influence it.  The term behavior refers to actions that the students can directly observe and process such as thoughts, feelings, images, and physiological reactions.  Students will study the nature and causes of our behavior and feelings, motives and thoughts.  This course is taught through class activities, class discussions, and critical thinking essays.

Sociology

Registration Code: SOCIOLOGY

Credit: 1/2

Length: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: None

Fulfills: Social Studies or Humanities Elective

Concurrent Credit: None

This course is an introduction to sociology, a field concerned with the systematic study of the relationship between individuals and their societies. The class provides a broad range of contemporary and historical cross-cultural learning experiences that help the student to understand and appreciate social diversity. Emphasis is placed on the cultural and social diversity within the US as well as other cultures of interest to the students. Course work includes lectures, discussions, oral presentations, and film critiques.

Time Travel

Registration Code: TIME TRAVEL

Credit: 1/2

Length: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: None

Fulfills: Humanities Elective 

Concurrent Credit: None

This course will take an interdisciplinary approach to time travel. It will study time travel from both a scientific perspective (such as Einstein’s theory of special relativity, Einstein-Rosen Bridges, string theory, etc.) and a popular culture and science fiction perspective (such as H.G. Well’s Time Machine, Ray Bradbury’s “Sound of Thunder,” Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, etc.). What forms of time travel are even possible? How might they work? What real physics can we learn from meditations on even the more fantastical forms? Have fiction writers imagined time travel in different or similar ways than have scientists? What does that comparison tell us about our underlying desires to know the future and past in ways that seem unknowable? Ultimately, the course will seek to answer those questions and many others, showing students that knowing both the science and the fiction behind time travel helps one better understand the other.

U.S. Government & Politics


Credit: 1/2

Length: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: None

Fulfills: Social Studies, Civics, or Humanities Elective 

Concurrent Credit: None

The course provides students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. The course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific examples. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. politics. Students should become acquainted with the variety of theoretical perspectives and explanations for various behaviors and outcomes.

U.S. History 1


Credit: 1

Length: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: None

Fulfills: Social Studies

Concurrent Credit: UAFS HIST 2753 - United States History I - 3 Credit Hours

A chronological study of United States history from pre-Columbian contact until the end of the Civil War. Lectures, readings, discussions, and classroom activities will explore major narratives and interpretations within U.S. history. By the end of the semester, students will possess a firm understanding of American history its earliest years until the beginning of Reconstruction. NOTE: US History I is rarely offered.

U.S. History 2

Credit: 1

Length: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: None

Fulfills: Social Studies

Concurrent Credit: UAFS HIST 2763 - United States History II - 3 Credit Hours

This course is designed to make students conversant in U.S. history since 1865. Lectures, readings, discussions, and classroom activities will explore major narratives and interpretations within U.S. history. By the end of the semester, students will possess a firm understanding of American history from 1865 to present and its relevance to today. NOTE: US History 2 requires no prerequisites. Students do not need to complete US History 1 prior to taking US History 2. Either will count toward ADE requirements.

World History 1


Credit: 1

Length: 1 Semester

Fulfills: Social Studies

Prerequisites: None

Concurrent Credit: UAFS HIST 1123 - Civilizations of the World to 1500 - 3 Credit Hours

World History to 1500 is a one semester survey of the history of world civilizations from the dawn of civilizations to approximately 1500 C. E. The course examines how important trends, events, movements, and ideas have changed and continued over time in the areas of trade, religion, politics, society, and technology. Equal emphasis will be given to the regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. NOTE: World History I is rarely offered.

World History 2


Credit: 1

Length: 1 Semester

Fulfills: Social Studies

Prerequisites: None

Concurrent Credit: UAFS HIST 1133 - Civilizations of the World since 1500 - 3 Credit Hours

World History Since 1500 is a one semester survey of the history of world civilizations from 1500 C. E. to the present. The course examines how important trends, events,

movements, and ideas have changed and continued over time in the areas of trade, religion, politics, society, and technology. Equal emphasis will be given to the regions of

Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. NOTE: World History 2 requires no prerequisites. Students do not need to complete World History 1 prior to taking World History 2. Either will count toward ADE requirements.

World Religions

Credit: 1

Length: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: UAFS ENGL 1213 (English Composition II)

Fulfills: Social Studies or Humanities Elective

Concurrent Credit: UAFS RELI 2303 - World Religions - 3 Credit Hours

Comparative World Religions is a comparative analysis of the major religions of the world.  As such, we will be examining the similarities and differences between the major religions and their historical development.  Particular emphasis will be placed on Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  However, we will also look at Zoroastrianism, Confucianism, Daoism, Shinto, and Sikhism throughout the semester.  Religious beliefs provide meaning and inspiration for the majority of people who live on Earth, so understanding the origins, beliefs, and practices of the major religions is important for anyone who wishes to be a responsible citizen in today's world.  This course will give you the opportunity to explore, compare and contrast the world's religions.