Thornton Academy Program of Studies 2-24- 25 | Page 22

understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the American political system , as well as their rights and responsibilities as citizens . Students will be expected to refine text reading and analysis skills as well as critical inquiry of relevant scholarly articles in preparation for college . They will be responsible for accessing a range of news media sources in order to keep up with daily events in the nation and the world . Students in this challenging college-level course will learn the critical reading , writing , and historical thinking skills necessary to develop an advanced understanding of American government and succeed on the AP Government History exam . At the AP level , students should expect significant outside of class reading , writing , and research , similar to that of an introductory history course at the collegiate level . Students are required to take the AP Government exam .

Human Geography Honors

1 Credit • Grades 10 , 11 , & 12 Prerequisites : School counselor and teacher recommendation

In this course , students will develop critical thinking skills through the understanding , application , and analysis of the fundamental concepts of geography . Students will employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences , and learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice . Students will integrate many different content area subjects , such as culture , demographics , land use , and economics . They will also utilize state-of-the-art technology and participate in class discussions and debates . At the Honors level , students should expect a challenging academic experience that focuses on developing the college-level historical thinking and academic skills necessary for continued study at the Honors and Advanced Placement level , including extensive outside of class reading , writing , and research requirements .

AP Human Geography

1 Credit • Grades 10 , 11 , & 12 Prerequisites : School counselor and teacher recommendation

“ Geography is in everything and everything is in geography ” is the mantra for this course . Human Geography is everywhere , as the key concepts of this course dominate the news and determine worldwide , national , and local events . Constantly asking “ where ” problems arise in the world , and then investigating the “ why ,” this class will help students understand global issues , their causes , and effects . Ultimately , Human Geography can be described as understanding the “ why of where .” Topics covered include population and migration , cultural patterns , political geography , agriculture and economics . Students in this challenging college-level course will learn the skills necessary to develop an advanced understanding of human geography and succeed on the AP Human Geography exam . At the AP level , students should expect significant outside of class reading , writing , and research , similar to that of an introductory history or social science course at the collegiate level . Students are required to take the AP Human Geography exam .

AP Macroeconomics ( offered in ‘ 24- ’ 25 ) 1 Credit • Grades 11 & 12 Prerequisites : School counselor and teacher recommendation

Students will become familiar with the economic principles that guide an economic system . Students will study basic economic concepts , measurements of a nation ' s economic performance , price-level determination , the financial sector , fiscal and monetary policy , and the implications of international trade and globalization . Students in this challenging college-level course will learn the analytical , mathematical , and critical thinking skills necessary to develop an advanced understanding of macroeconomics and succeed on the AP Macroeconomics exam . At the AP level , students should expect significant outside of class reading , writing , and research , similar to that of an introductory economics or social science course at the collegiate level . Students are required to take the AP Macroeconomics exam . Note : AP Macroeconomics and Microeconomics are offered in an alternating year schedule .

AP Microeconomics ( next offered in ‘ 25- ’ 26 ) 1 Credit • Grades 11 & 12 Prerequisites : School counselor and teacher recommendation

Students will study how individuals and groups make decisions with limited resources in order to best satisfy their wants , needs , and desires . They will also gain a greater understanding of economics , ranging from the viewpoint of the individual consumer or small business owner to the global economy . The course will cover the basic economic concepts of scarcity , choice and opportunity cost , the production possibilities curve , comparative advantage and trade , economic systems , property rights and the role of incentives , and marginal analysis . After mastering the basic concepts , topics will include the nature and functions of product markets , factor markets , and market failure and the role of government . Students in this challenging collegelevel course will learn the analytical , mathematical , and critical thinking skills necessary to develop an advanced understanding of microeconomics and succeed on the AP Microeconomics exam . At the AP level , students should expect significant outside of class reading , writing , and research , similar to that of an introductory economics or social science course at the collegiate level . Students are required to take the AP Microeconomics exam . Note : AP Macroeconomics and Microeconomics are offered in an alternating year schedule .

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