Political Science & Forensics

Duration: 1 year
Credit: 1
Grades: 9-12
*Satisfies Public Speaking requirement
Homework: Light to Moderate

The ability to express, defend, and compare ideas is critical regardless of one’s profession or field of study. Yet, most students do not receive extended, formal training in effective public speaking and sound argumentation. This course fills that gap in many courses of study, introducing students to the skills necessary to successfully both express themselves and defend their ideas. Students will be taught how to properly organize speeches, how to make effective rhetorical choices, and how to have exceptional poise and fluid delivery. They will also be introduced to the structure of arguments and taught how to effectively construct, refute, and compare between them. Using NSDA Speech & Debate events as a vehicle, students will get extensive experience in a variety of formats including informative and persuasive speaking, public forum and world schools debate, impromptu and extemporaneous speaking, and other activities.

Duration: Students may take the class as a 1 semester or full year course.
Credit: 0.5 or 1
Grade: 9-12
Pre-req: None
Homework: Light

The world around us is rapidly evolving and keeping up with current events can be challenging, even for the most committed news junkies. This new course strives to provide students with a place to explore those news developments, engage in meaningful conversations about the hot topics of the day, and prepare to engage in the political and social systems that will impact their lives. While the specific topics for each semester will be determined by current events and student input, some examples may include: elections around the world, activism in sports, the rise of misinformation and authoritarianism, criminal justice reform and other social justice movements, global responses to climate change and health crises, and more. This course does not require previous understanding or awareness of the news, instead, its goal is to inform students about what is happening in the world around them and empower all students to be active participants in that world. Come be a part of the discussion!

Duration: 1 year
Credit: 1
Grade: 10-11
Prerequisite: For Sophomores - English/History teacher recommendation, or Political Science and Forensics Department approval. For Grade 12 - Department approval.
Homework: Moderate to Heavy

AP Seminar will instruct students in the practice of research methodology, presentation skills and oral defense of argument while giving them the tools to apply those skills to real-world problems. Students will understand and think critically about social difference and social injustice, both in an individual and in a group setting. Specifically, the course will examine the role of classism and gender issues. AP Seminar will allow students to improve their argumentation, presentation skills, and research skills. Over the course of the year, students will have to complete several team research projects and presentations, a research-based essay and presentation, and take a written exam similar to other AP courses. Students should be able to act as agents of knowledge and change within and outside of their school communities. Successful completion of this course will allow students to qualify for AP Research.

Duration: 1 year
Credit: 1
Grades: 11-12
*Satisfies Public Speaking requirement
AP Research only Prerequisite: Students must have successfully completed the AP Seminar course. No Prerequisite for the Research in Social Science course.
Homework: Heavy

AP Research is the second year of the 2-year AP Capstone series. In this course, students further their skills from AP Seminar by independently designing, planning, and conducting a year-long, research-based investigation related to an academic topic, problem, or issue of individual interest. Students explore their skill development, document their research processes, and curate the artifacts of the development of their scholarly work in a portfolio. The course culminates in an externally-graded, academic paper of approximately 4,000-5,000 words (accompanied by a performance or exhibition of product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense of approximately 15-20 minutes.

Duration: 1 year
Credit: 1
Grades: 11-12
Prerequisite: Completion of AP Seminar or Political Science & Forensics Department approval.
Homework: Moderate to Heavy

This course will give students the opportunity to design and carry out a viable research project in the social sciences. Topics of inquiry may include, but are not limited to, subjects such as: psychology, political science, social policy, social movements, cross-cultural studies, and social change. Through the completion of their research project, students will: 1) develop their understanding of social science inquiry methods; 2) build their understanding of how to apply academic and ethical standards in research; and 3) be given the opportunity to defend and present their research. Those with especially promising projects may have the option to publish their findings in a journal or present at an academic conference. This course is ideal for students wishing to have a strong foundation in academic research and is designed to complement other research courses and programs.

NOTE: Students may use their Research in Social Science project to complete the requirements for AP Research. Students pursuing this option should enroll in both courses.

Duration: Students may take the class as 1 semester or full year course.
Credit: 0.5 or 1
Grade: 10-12
Prerequisite: None
Homework: Light (Heavy for Honors)

Just as entrepreneurs change the face of business, social entrepreneurs act as change agents for society, seizing opportunities others miss to improve systems and invent new approaches to improving our communities and society. Through this course, students will learn how business tools and techniques, including opportunity recognition, creativity, innovation, product/service development, marketing, entrepreneurial finance, and organizational leadership, are used to create new solutions to social problems by analyzing case studies of social entrepreneurs and social enterprises. Students will also learn by doing; they will take on the role of social entrepreneurs and identify a problem in our community, design an innovative solution, and implement their solution to make a short or long-term impact on our community.

Duration: 1 year
Credit: 1
Grades: 9-12 (11-12 for IBSL)
*Satisfies Public Speaking requirement
Homework: Moderate for International Relations (Heavy for Honors and IBSL)

Duration: 2 years
Credit: 2
Grades: 11-12
*Satisfies Public Speaking requirement
Homework: Moderate to Heavy

Developing international mindedness is essential in our increasingly global and interdependent world. This course explores fundamental political concepts such as power, human rights, and conflict in a global context. It allows students to develop an understanding of the local, national, international, and global dimensions of political activity, and explore political issues affecting their own lives. The course will explore four core units: Power, Sovereignty, and International Relations; Human Rights; Development; and Peace & Conflict, helping students understand abstract political concepts with real-world examples and case studies. Moreover, students will develop conflict resolution and negotiation skills, emphasizing consensus-building exercises.

Honors students will be expected to complete an academic research paper and engagement activity project each semester. IBSL students will undertake an engagement activity through which they study a political issue of interest experientially. IBHL year 2 students must complete an in-depth research presentation from two themes studied.

Duration: 1 year
Credit: 1
Grade: 11-12
Homework: Moderate to Heavy

The AP U.S. Government & Politics course provides an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. The course introduces key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. The course is designed to equip students with the tools they need to be active participants in the American political system as they gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for civic engagement.

Once provided with that foundational knowledge and conceptual framework, students will engage in more nuanced evaluation of some of the policy questions currently dominating politics in the United States. While specific topics will be dictated by current events, students can expect at least some discussion of federal spending issues, the social safety net, and social issues that are featured in contemporary news coverage.

Required for all IB Diploma candidates
Duration: 2 years
Credit: 1 per year
Grade: 11-12
*Satisfies Public Speaking requirement (in Year 2)
Prerequisite: IB Diploma Student
Homework: Moderate

TOK examines how knowledge is acquired and how it is utilized in areas such as mathematics, the natural sciences, the social sciences, history, and the arts. This two-year course places a heavy emphasis on class discussion, analytical writing and oral presentation skills. Students will explore knowledge questions in Year 1, and complete their required core IB diploma assessments in Year 2. These assessments include the TOK Oral Exhibition, the TOK Essay, the CAS Portfolio, and the Extended Essay. IB diploma candidates may fulfill the public speaking requirement with this course in year two.

Duration: 1 year
Credit: 1
Grade: 11-12
Prerequisite: Recommendation from current history teacher OR current Political Science & Forensics Department teacher, OR completion of or concurrent enrollment in the following courses: AP History, AP Biology, or AP Environmental Science.
Homework: Moderate to Heavy

AP Psychology is an academically challenging introduction to the study of human behavior and mental processes. The course offers a broad and varied survey of psychological concepts and theorists, including: research methods, biopsychology, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, learning, cognition, motivation and emotion, development, personality, abnormality, and social psychology. As such, it offers a one- year introduction to Psychology as a discipline at the college/university level. Students are required to take the external AP exam upon completion of the course.

Duration: 1 year
Credit: 1
Grade: 11-12
Prerequisite: IB Diploma Candidate. Non-diploma candidates:
Recommendation from current history or science teacher, OR Political Science & Forensics department approval.
Homework: Heavy

Duration: 1 year
Credit: 1
Grade: 11
Prerequisite: IB Diploma Student, History/Science teacher recommendation or Political Science & Forensics Department approval.
Homework: Heavy

IBSL Psychology introduces students to the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes using an integrative approach. Topics such as memory, cognition, cognitive biases, conformity, stereotyping, and enculturation will be examined through the interaction of biological, cognitive, and socio-cultural influences on human behavior. The course emphasizes the discussion and evaluation of research and ethics, and students will design and conduct an experimental study on human behavior to assess their understanding of experimental methodology. Additionally, the topic of abnormal psychology will be studied in detail, including investigation of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias and eating disorders. Students are required to take the IBSL Psychology external examination upon completion of the course.

* NOTE: IBHL Psychology Year 1 is part of the two-year sequence; students take the external exam during the second year.

Duration: 1 year
Credit: 1
Grades: 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of IBSL Psychology or IBHL Psychology Year 1
Homework: Heavy

This course is a continuation of IBSL Psychology. The core units from the prior year are elaborated upon to study the role of animal research in understanding human behavior, cognitive processing in a digital world, and the influence of globalization on individual behaviors. Students will also investigate the psychology of human relationships, including topics like altruism, bystanderism, attraction, prejudice, and violence, and will embark on an extended study into topics from abnormal psychology. As a second-year course, IBHL Psychology will be student driven with an emphasis on project-based learning and seminar-style discussion. Students are required to take the IBHL Psychology external examination upon completion of the course.