Social Studies
In addition to the on-level college-preparatory courses that are offered, Georgia Cyber Academy also offers Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and Dual Enrollment Courses.
Honors and AP-level courses have higher expectations and more rigorous coursework than the college preparatory level courses. Characteristics of an honors and AP students include: adequate ability level, a strong sense of responsibility, heightened motivation, and a desire to excel. The honors student should strive to maintain his or her position in the honors program. Honors Courses are denoted with an asterisk (*).
- WORLD GEOGRAPHY
- WORLD GEOGRAPHY HONORS*
- WORLD HISTORY
- WORLD HISTORY HONORS*
- UNITED STATES (U.S.) HISTORY
- UNITED STATES (U.S.) HISTORY HONORS*
- ECONOMICS
- Honors Economics/Business/Free Enterprise
- AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
- ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) WORLD HISTORY
- ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) UNITED STATES (U.S.) HISTORY
- ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) U.S. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
- SOCIOLOGY
- PSYCHOLOGY
- CURRENT ISSUES
WORLD GEOGRAPHY
(HST213 Geography and World Cultures)
Semester 1: 45.0711001
Semester 2: 45.0711002
PREREQUISITE(S): None
LENGTH OF COURSE: Yearlong (Semester A/Semester B)
World Geography is a foundation course to World History, providing an overview of the regions of the world and developing investigative and decision-making skills necessary for social studies courses. In this course, students will investigate the regions of the world and how they influence historical, economic, political and cultural development in the modern world. This course includes geographic concepts, physical phenomena and the relationship of people to their environment, as well as, global social and environmental issues. It covers regions, location (position on earth's surface), place (physical and human characteristics), and relationships within places and movement (human interaction on the earth). Students will be assessed using a variety of written and computer-based methods.
WORLD GEOGRAPHY HONORS*
(HST213 Honors Geography and World Cultures)
45.0711040
PREREQUISITE(S): None
LENGTH OF COURSE: Yearlong (Semester A/Semester B)
World Geography is a foundation course to World History, providing an overview of the regions of the world and developing investigative and decision-making skills necessary for social studies courses. In this challenging course students will investigate the regions of the world and how they influence historical, economic, political and cultural development in the modern world. Students will be challenged to consider topics in depth as they analyze maps, current events, and complete projects - practicing conceptual and geographical thinking and writing skills as they explore the broad themes and big ideas of global human impact. This course includes geographic concepts, physical phenomena and the relationship of people to their environment as well as global social and environmental issues. It covers regions, location (position on earth's surface), place (physical and human characteristics), and relationships within places and movement (human interaction on the earth). Students will be assessed using a variety of written and computer-based methods and will be evaluated for later placement in Honors and AP level Social Studies courses as they progress.
WORLD HISTORY
(HST103 World History)
Semester 1: 45.0830001
Semester 2: 45.0830002
PREREQUISITE(S): None
LENGTH OF COURSE: Yearlong (Semester A/Semester B)
In this comprehensive survey of world history from prehistoric to modern times, students focus in depth on the developments and events that have shaped civilization across time. The course is organized chronologically and, within broad eras, regionally. Lessons address developments in religion, philosophy, the arts, science and technology, and political history. Emphasis is given to all regions, cultures, major religions, characteristics, and innovations.
WORLD HISTORY HONORS*
(HST104 Honors World History)
Semester 1: 45.0830041
Semester 2: 45.0830042
PREREQUISITE(S): None
LENGTH OF COURSE: Yearlong (Semester A/Semester B)
In this challenging survey of world history from prehistoric to modern times, students focus in depth on the developments and events that have shaped civilization across time. The course is organized chronologically and, within broad eras, regionally. Lessons address developments in religion, philosophy, the arts, science and technology, and political history. Students will be challenged to consider topics in depth as they analyze primary sources and complete projects - practicing historical thinking and writing skills as they explore the broad themes and big ideas of human history.
UNITED STATES (U.S.) HISTORY
(HST303 US History)
Semester 1: 45.0810001
Semester 2: 45.0810002
PREREQUISITE(S): None
LENGTH OF COURSE: Yearlong (Semester A/Semester B)
This course provides students with a comprehensive, intensive study of major events and themes in United States history. Beginning with early European colonization, the course examines major events and themes throughout United States history. The course concludes with significant developments in the early 21st century. Our goal is to deepen students’ understanding of U.S. history and help them become more civic-minded and conscientious global citizens. Students are required to take the Georgia Milestone End of Course Test and the EOC score will count as 20% of the overall course average.
UNITED STATES (U.S.) HISTORY HONORS*
(HST304 Honors US History)
Semester 1: 45.0810041
Semester 2: 45.0810042
PREREQUISITE(S): None
LENGTH OF COURSE: Yearlong (Semester A/Semester B)
Students are required to take the US History Georgia Milestone End of Course Test and the EOC score will count as 20% of the overall course average. Students that fail to take the EOC will receive an incomplete and no credit for the course. Students will be challenged to consider topics in depth as they analyze primary sources and complete projects - practicing historical thinking and writing skills as they explore the broad themes and big ideas of human history
ECONOMICS
(HST413 US & Global Economics)
Semester 1: 45.0610001
Semester 2: 45.0610002
PREREQUISITE(S): None
LENGTH OF COURSE: One Semester
Companion Course: American Government
The course focuses on the major economic principles and practices of the American and global economic systems. The course has five sections: fundamental concepts, microeconomics, macroeconomics, international economics, and personal finance. In each area, students are introduced to major concepts and themes concerning that aspect of economics. Students will participate in a number of interactive activities to encourage understanding of the modern American economic system. Students are required to take the Economics Milestone End of Course Test and the EOC score will count as 20% of the overall course average.
Honors Economics/Business/Free Enterprise
45.0610041
PREREQUISITE(S): Grade of 85 or higher in Honors or AP US History
Length of Course: One Semester
Companion Course: American Government
Honors course discussing topics related to Fundamental Economic Concepts, Microeconomics Concepts, Macroeconomics Concepts, International Economics, and Personal Finance Economics. Students will analyze real world economic problems and propose creative solutions. Students are required to complete an Honors Project.
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
(HST403 US Gov’t & Politics)
45.0570002
PREREQUISITE(S): None
LENGTH OF COURSE: One Semester
Companion Course: Economics
The government course provides students with a background in the philosophy, functions, and structure of the United States government. Students will explore foundations of United States government, the structure of our federal government as established by the Constitution, Georgia’s state and local government, media and political influences in our government, and civic rights and responsibilities.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) WORLD HISTORY
(HST560 AP World History)
Semester 1: 45.0811051
Semester 2: 45.0811052
LENGTH OF COURSE: Yearlong (Semester A/Semester B)
PREREQUISITE: Please refer to College Board-https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse
AP World History focuses on developing students’ abilities to think conceptually about world history from approximately 8000 BCE to the present and apply historical thinking skills as they learn about the past. Five themes of equal importance — focusing on the environment, cultures, state-building, economic systems, and social structures — provide areas of historical inquiry for investigation throughout the course. AP World History encompasses the history of the five major geographical regions of the globe: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, with special focus on historical developments and processes that cross multiple regions. The AP World History course is structured around themes and concepts in six different chronological periods from approximately 8000 BCE to the present:
- Technological and Environmental Transformations (to c. 600 BCE)
- Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies (c. 600 BCE to c. 600 CE)
- Regional and Transregional Interactions (c. 600 CE to c. 1450)
- Global Interactions (c. 1450 to c. 1750)
- Industrialization and Global Integration (c. 1750 to c. 1900)
- Accelerating Global Change and Realignments (c. 1900 to the Present)
Within each period, key concepts organize and prioritize historical developments. Themes allow students to make connections and identify patterns and trends over time. Moreover, all students enrolled in AP classes are recommended to take the AP Examination in May if they are passing this course prior to the AP Examinations. With the assistance of the Advanced Learner Program Coordinator, Rebekah Cooper, students must secure their own testing site.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) UNITED STATES (U.S.) HISTORY
(HST500 AP US History)
Semester 1: 45.0820051
Semester 2: 45.0820052
LENGTH OF COURSE: Yearlong (Semester A/Semester B)
PREREQUISITE: Please refer to College Board-https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse
AP United States History focuses on developing students’ abilities to think conceptually about U.S. history from approximately 1491 to the present and apply historical thinking skills as they learn about the past. Seven themes of equal importance — identity; peopling; politics and power; work, exchange, and technology; America in the world; environment and geography; and ideas, beliefs, and culture — provide areas of historical inquiry for investigation throughout the course. These require students to reason historically about continuity and change over time and make comparisons among various historical developments in different times and places. The AP U.S. History course is structured around themes and concepts in nine different chronological periods from approximately 1491 to the present:
Period 1: 1491–1607 Period 6: 1865–1898
Period 2: 1607–1754 Period 7: 1890–1945
Period 3: 1754–1800 Period 8: 1945–1980
Period 4: 1800–1848 Period 9: 1980–Present
Period 5: 1844–1877
Within each period, key concepts organize and prioritize historical developments. Themes allow students to make connections and identify patterns and trends over time. Students enrolled for US History credit are required to take the US History Georgia Milestone End of Course Test and the EOC score will count as 20% of the overall course average. Students that fail to take the EOC will receive an incomplete and no credit for the course. Moreover, all students enrolled in AP classes are recommended to take the AP Examination in May if they are passing this course prior to the AP Examinations. With the assistance of the Advanced Learner Program Coordinator, Rebekah Cooper, students must secure their own testing site.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) U.S. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
(HST510 AP US Government & Politics)
Semester 1: 45.0520051
Semester 2: 45.0520052
LENGTH OF COURSE: Semester
PREREQUISITE: ‘A’ average in US History or ‘B’ average in Honors US History
AP U.S. Government and Politics is an introductory survey course on elected United States government and politics topics. This course covers the origin and development of the U.S. Constitution, including the American systems of federalism, separation of powers, and check and balances; the structure and powers of the institutions of national government, including legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and the processes of domestic and foreign public policy making; political beliefs, participation, and the factors that influence them; the national election process; the role of interest groups, political parties, and the media in the political system; and civil liberties and civil rights. The course encourages students to hone critical thinking skills as they analyze and interpret information and data in primary and secondary source readings, news reports, graphs, and tables to learn how to ask and respond to challenging questions and become responsible citizens. A fundamental theme of the course is active citizenship, with emphasis on critical thinking about political issues, while helping students learn how to become involved in the political process. Compelling and thought-provoking examples from contemporary politics are presented in the course to stimulate student engagement. Students are expected to develop strong higher order thinking skills and to implement them in all class work. Additionally, students, not parents, should take responsibility for their own learning daily. This AP U.S. Government and Politics course is designed to be equivalent with a one-semester introductory college–or university-level survey course. This course meets guidelines outlined in the College Board’s AP U.S. Government and Politics Course Description and incorporates the most recent changes required in course content and preparation for the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam. Moreover, all students enrolled in AP classes are recommended to take the AP Examination in May if they are passing this course prior to the AP Examinations. With the assistance of the Advanced Learner Program Coordinator, Rebekah Cooper, students must secure their own testing site.
SOCIOLOGY
(HST050 Sociology) – Elective Credit
Semester 1: 45.0310001
Semester 2: 45.0310002
PREREQUISITE(S): None
LENGTH OF COURSE: One Semester
Companion Course: Psychology
Sociology is the scientific study of human social interaction. Students will explore the processes by which people form and interact within and between groups. Emphasis will also be placed on the functions and characteristics of the five main social institutions (family, education, religion, economy and government). As sociology is a science, students will be introduced to sociological research methods and use these methods to evaluate current findings and claims in the social sciences. Finally, students will define and explore current social issues and problems facing the world today.
PSYCHOLOGY
(HST020 Psychology) – Elective Credit
Semester 1: 45.0150001
Semester 2: 45.0150002
PREREQUISITE(S): None
LENGTH OF COURSE: One Semester
Companion Course: Sociology
Students investigate the principles of psychology, developmental psychology, heredity and environmental aspects of psychology, learning theory, personality, intelligence, social disorders and research methods used in the study of psychology. This course integrates and reinforces social studies skills.
CURRENT ISSUES
(HST222)- Elective Credit
Semester 1: 45.0120001
Semester 2: 45.0120002
PREREQUISITE(S): None
LENGTH OF COURSE: One Semester (.5 credit)
This one-semester, .5 credit, elective course addresses the major socioeconomic and political events of the Post-World War II era. Students will study the following: current social, economic, and political issues; sources of information; the interaction of technology and society; the relationship between the environment and energy; criminal behavior; health and social welfare programs; education; immigration; human rights; issues surrounding the development and use of weapons of mass destruction; ideological and political conflict; world economic issues and international trade. A good historical understanding of these topics and well-developed communication skills (both oral and written) are strongly recommended for this course.
Social Studies Curriculum
Leading Curriculum
Supplemental Resources
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USA TESTPREP
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