Social Studies
The secondary social studies program is designed to develop each student’s understanding of cultural, social, economic and political systems through a coordinated, vertically aligned curriculum. Students will have the opportunity to further enrich their understanding of these themes through a variety of elective offerings. The social studies program allows students to develop essential life skills through analysis of primary and secondary sources, debate, consensus, cooperative learning, problem solving, writing and project- based learning. The primary purpose of social studies is to help students develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.
Students are required to obtain four social studies credits in order to meet graduation requirements:
- Founding Principles of the United States of America and North Carolina: Civic Literacy
- Economics and Personal Finance
- American History
- World History
Social Studies Course Options
- World History
- Founding Principles of the US and NC: Civic Literacy
- American History
- Economics and Personal Finance
- Social Studies Electives
- AP Social Studies Courses
- IB Social Studies Courses (CRHS Only)
World History
World History is a graduation requirement and is typically taken in the 9th grade year. Students may choose from the courses below to satisfy the graduation requirement:
World History - 43032X0
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
World History is designed to be a historical study of societies, nations, economies, events, and cultures of the many regions of the world, providing historical background for each area and details inclusive of change over time, historical impact, religion, diplomacy, culture practices and beliefs, and economic, political, and social institutions. The course is intended to examine the historical development of the world and global issues and patterns since 1200. The course also explores underlying themes of power and authority, change and continuity, human environment interaction, globalization, cultural diffusion, and individual and group identity. This course seeks to move beyond the rote teaching of world history to the teaching of history in context to the world and global society in which students currently live and need to understand. With this in mind, it is important to note that this course is not designed to be a chronological study of history through periodization. The goal of this course is to blend the historical with the contemporary and current so that students begin to acquire an understanding of how the historical events and decisions of ancient, classical, and modern history have implications or lasting impacts that have influenced the world in which we currently live.
World History Honors - 43035X0
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
World History Honors provides challenging opportunities for students to examine the historical development of the world and global issues and patterns since 1200. Specialized projects provide the student with a more extensive examination of the events which have influenced the development of the world.
AP World History: Modern - 4A097X0
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
Advanced Placement World History offers examination in World History to students who wish to complete studies in secondary school equivalent to an introductory college course in world history. The purpose of this course is to develop greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts and interaction among different types of human societies. At the completion of the course, students take the Advanced Placement Exam and may receive college credit based upon their scores and the requirements of the college of their choice.
Founding Principles of the US and NC: Civic Literacy
Founding Principles of the United States and North Carolina: Civic Literacy is a graduation requirement and is typically taken in the 10th grade year. Students may choose from the courses below to satisfy the graduation requirement:
Founding Principles of the United States and North Carolina: Civic Literacy - 43182X0
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
The Founding Principles of the United States of America and North Carolina: Civic Literacy
course is designed to build on what students have previously learned in social studies and will
prepare them for college and career and to be engaged citizens. This course provides an
in-depth study of the governmental and political systems of North Carolina and the United
States. It builds on the Founding Principles, as specified in N.C. Session Law 2019-82, House
Bill 924. Students will learn about how power and responsibility are defined by the U.S.
Constitution, and how these principles are implemented in the legal, judicial, and political
systems of North Carolina and the United States. In this course, students will analyze how well
the American government protects citizens' rights. Using inquiry-based learning, they'll also
investigate how the American system of government has changed over time. This will include
developing their skills so that they will be able to think critically about various topics, issues, and claims, and then communicate their ideas and take action to make a positive impact. By the end of the course, students will be able to understand how the American system of government works. This knowledge will help them to be better prepared for college and career, and to be informed and productive citizens.
Founding Principles of the United States and North Carolina: Civic Literacy Honors - 43185X0
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
Founding Principles of the United States and North Carolina: Civic Literacy Honors provides a more extensive examination of the course standards.
American History
American History is a graduation requirement and is typically taken in the 11th grade year. Students may choose from the courses below to satisfy the graduation requirement:
American History - 43112X0
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
Providing a foundation to understand our nation’s past and present, the American History course begins with the end of the French and Indian War in 1763 and continues through the most recent presidential election. This course will explore the overarching themes, trends, and concepts of our nation’s history, including the development and evolution of the American system of government, the patterns and impact of migration and immigration, cultural development through the arts and technological innovations, relationships with foreign nations, and the role of both the individual and diverse groups in building the American story. Rooted in Inquiry- based skills, students will trace American development while learning to craft compelling questions, synthesize and evaluate evidence, develop claims, communicate ideas, and take informed action. As well-rounded, productive citizens, the students will leave the American History course with both the knowledge and the skills to engage with the modern world by recognizing contemporary patterns and connections.
American History Honors - 43225X0
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
American History Honors provides challenging opportunities to learn about the development of the our nation. Specialized projects provide the student with a more extensive examination of the events which have influenced the development of the United States.
AP US History - 4A077X0
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
The AP program in United States History is designed to provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in studying the history of the United States beyond the state mandated survey course. The AP course prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses. The work is designed to be extremely rigorous and challenging both in content and in its accelerated pacing. In depth writing assignments aligned to College Board standards are required. At the completion of the course, students take the Advanced Placement Exam and may receive college credit based upon their scores and the requirements of the college of their choice.
Economics and Personal Finance
Economics and Personal Finance is a graduation requirement and is typically taken in the 12th grade year. Students may choose from the courses below to satisfy the graduation requirement:
Economics and Personal Finance - 43192X0
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
The Economics and Personal Finance (EPF) course is intended to be a study of economics, personal finance, income and education, money management, critical consumerism, and financial planning. This course has been legislated by N.C. Session Law 2019-82, House Bill 924. Mastery of the standards and objectives of this course will inform and nurture responsible, participatory citizens who are competent and committed to responsible money management and financial literacy.
Economics and Personal Finance Honors - 43195X0
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
The Economics and Personal Finance Honors course provides challenging opportunities and a more extensive examination of the study of economics, personal finance, income and education, money management, critical consumerism, and financial planning.
Social Studies Electives
Latin American Studies Honors - 46035X0
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed to emphasize the significant contributions made by Latin Americans to the economic, political, social, and cultural development of the United States. Through this course, students discover how Latin Americans have always been an integral part of the
American experience. Latin-American history is taught within the broader context of United States history.
Psychology Honors - 44035X0
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
The elective course, Psychology, engages students in the understanding, articulation, and dissemination of psychology as a science. Students are introduced to psychology, with a focus on the scientific study of human development, learning, motivation, and personality. It emphasizes the empirical examination of behavior and mental process and it infuses perspectives fostering students' growth, development, and understanding of cultural diversity. Students of psychology acquire information from a variety of sources, use information as they make decisions and evaluations, and solve problems. The study of psychology enables students to recognize and cope with uncertainty and ambiguity in human behavior.
Global Issues Honors - 48005X0
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
Global Issues is a semester-long course that is designed to engage students in studying the most crucial and intriguing international issues of our day. Relevant units may include global poverty, war, and the challenges of corruption, natural resource extraction, and infectious disease. Multiple perspectives will be presented and, at OHS, an emphasis will be on connecting students with speakers who have experience dealing with these issues, including those who work with international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), scholars, filmmakers, politicians from both parties, and medical doctors. Students will generate solutions to the issues that they study.
AP Social Studies Courses
AP African American Studies - 4A107X0
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisites: None
AP African American Studies is an interdisciplinary, college-level course that examines the diversity of African American experiences through direct encounters with varied sources. 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, with an emphasis on developing 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. At the completion of the course, students take the Advanced Placement Exam and may receive college credit based upon their scores and the requirements of the college of their choice.
AP European History - 4A017X0
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisites: None
AP European History is an introductory college-level European history course. Students cultivate their understanding of European history through analyzing historical sources and learning to make connections and craft historical arguments as they explore concepts like interaction of Europe and the world; economic and commercial developments; cultural and intellectual developments; states and other institutions of power; social organization and development; national and European identity; and technological and scientific innovation. At the completion of the course, students take the Advanced Placement Exam and may receive college credit based upon their scores and the requirements of the college of their choice.
AP Human Geography - 4A027X0
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisites: None
AP Human Geography is an introductory college-level human geography course. Students cultivate their understanding of human geography through data and geographic analyses as they explore topics like patterns and spatial organization, human impacts and interactions with their environment, and spatial processes and societal changes. At the completion of the course, students take the Advanced Placement Exam and may receive college credit based upon their scores and the requirements of the college of their choice.
AP Psychology - 4A057X0
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisites: None
The AP Psychology course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. While considering the studies that have shaped the field, students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts and phenomena associated with major units of study, including biological bases of behavior, cognition, development, learning, social psychology, personality, and mental and physical health. Throughout the course, students apply psychological concepts and employ psychological research methods and data interpretation to evaluate claims, consider evidence, and effectively communicate ideas. At the completion of the course, students take the Advanced Placement Exam and may receive college credit based upon their scores and the requirements of the college of their choice.
AP US History - 4A077X0
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
The AP program in United States History is designed to provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in studying the history of the United States beyond the state mandated survey course. The AP course prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses. The work is designed to be extremely rigorous and challenging both in content and in its accelerated pacing. In depth writing assignments aligned to College Board standards are required. At the completion of the course, students take the Advanced Placement Exam and may receive college credit based upon their scores and the requirements of the college of their choice.
AP World History: Modern - 4A097X0
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
Advanced Placement World History offers examination in World History to students who wish to complete studies in secondary school equivalent to an introductory college course in world history. The purpose of this course is to develop greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts and interaction among different types of human societies. At the completion of the course, students take the Advanced Placement Exam and may receive college credit based upon their scores and the requirements of the college of their choice.
AP US Government and Politics - 4A067X0
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
This course is a study of the governmental institutions affecting the structure and function of the American federal system. Students examine the relationship among the three branches of government and evaluate Constitutional issues focusing on the freedoms of American citizens. Because this is a College Board approved class with an exit exam, it provides a more rigorous curriculum focusing on critical analysis of issues through research and discussion. At the completion of the course, students take the Advanced Placement Exam and may receive college credit based upon their scores and the requirements of the college of their choice.
IB Social Studies Courses (CRHS Only)
IB History of the Americas HL YR1 - 4I008X0A
Credit: 1 Unit
Prerequisite: World History
IB History of the Americas HL YR2 - 4I008X0B
Credit: 1 Unit
Prerequisite: IB History of the Americas HL YR1
The DP history course is a world history course based on a comparative and multi-perspective approach to history. It involves the study of a variety of types of history, including political, economic, social and cultural, and provides a balance of structure and flexibility. These courses count as the American History and World History credits towards graduation.
IB Psychology HL YR1 - 4I208X0A
Credit: 1 Unit
Prerequisite: None
IB Psychology HL YR2 - 4I208X0B
Credit: 1 Unit
Prerequisite: IB Psychology HL YR1
At the core of the DP psychology course is an introduction to three different approaches to understanding behavior: the biological, cognitive and sociocultural approaches. Students study and critically evaluate the knowledge, concepts, theories and research that have developed the understanding in these fields.