The following brief descriptions of the course offerings at Lake Stevens High School are provided to assist you in selecting your courses wisely. If, after reading the description, you have further questions, please see your counselor. Courses that can be taken more than one time are indicated by the asterisk. (*). This is located next to the credit amount for each course.

SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT

The Social Studies Department offers both elective and required classes for you to take. You will need 3.0 credits in Social Studies to meet your graduation requirement.

REQUIRED:
Sophomores: Note: The required courses for sophomores will be determined after the publication of the Course Offerings Handbook. They will be publicized in addendum before registration.
Juniors: United States History
Senior: Contemporary World Issues and Contemporary American Issues

For those making up credits as a result of failing grade or transfer from another school, you may take one or more of the courses out of sequence.

ELECTIVES:
The Social Studies Department offers the following electives: Sociology, Psychology, World History, American Studies, European History and Student Leadership.

The Social Studies Department offers Honors/Advanced classes in US History, Contemporary American/World Issues and European History.

SOC 191 Introduction to Leadership
Grade: 9,10, and 11; second semester only for grade 9
Length: 1 semester
Block of Time: 1 period
Credits: .5
Prerequisites: Students must apply and be accepted
Freshman, sophomores, and some juniors will now have the opportunity to take part in a class that teaches students how to make a difference in their school and communities. Introduction to Leadership is a semester long course that teachers students the theoretical ideas behind leadership. Students will learn how to create, lead, and motivate teams while working on different projects throughout the semester. Projects will be on campus and off campus. The course combines both work with community service while teaching students how to become leaders at school and in Lake Stevens.

This course is not a prerequisite for Advanced Leadership.

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SOC 291 Advanced Student Leadership
Grade: 11, 12
Length 1 year
Block of Time: 1 period
Credits: .5 per semester *(.5 Occupational credit)
Prerequisite: Application selected process Are you the kind of student who wants to be involved in leading LSHS to be the best high school in the state? Do you like to create and organize activities to help improve LSHS? Are you able to lead as well as follow? Are you a self-starter? Would you like to learn how to become a leader and a well-informed and dependable supporter of activities? If the answer is yes to any of the above, then consider applying for leadership. Applications and interviews required and conducted during January of the previous year.

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SOC 311 / 312 U.S. History 1-2
Grade: 11,12
Length 1 year
Block of Time: 1 period
Credits: .5
Prerequisite: None
This required course encompasses the period from the age of discovery to the present day. It covers the social, political, industrial and military developments that have caused the United States to emerge as
a world power. The development of our democratic institutions is divided into four basic units: (1) discovery through the revolution and establishment of our government system; (2)War of 1812 through pre-Civil War period (3)The Civil War and reconstruction through 1900; (4)20th century to present day.

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SOC 313/314 ENG 313/314 American Studies
Grade: 11
Length: One year
Block of Time: 2 periods
Credits: 2
Prerequisites: Students cannot have already taken American Literature
This two credit, year long course offers a combined study of U.S. History and American Literature. By combining historical and literary investigation, students analyze social, political, cultural, and economic development of the American Character. Students will analyze the major aspects of American character and values from the colonial period to the twenty-first century focusing on those characteristics that defines us as “American.” It is the expectation that students remain in the class for the entire year. Successful completion of this year long course will fulfill one history credit and one English credit.

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SOC 383 / 384 Advanced Placement U.S. History 1-2
Grade: 11
Length 1 year
Block of Time: 1 period
Credits: .5 per semester
Prerequisite: Junior standing; interest in an academically challenging course
This course is intended to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Examination in American History which is given in May each year. Students who successfully complete this exam are eligible for academic credit from many colleges and universities.

Because Advanced Placement United States History is intended to be the equivalent of a collegiate history class, it demands a great deal from students. Students should expect assignments that require both careful thinking and a substantial amount of homework.

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SOC 358/359 Advanced Placement European History 1-2
Grade: 10,11,12
Length: 1 year
Block of Time: 1 period
Credit: .5 per semester
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing; interest in an academically challenging course
This course is an elective which surveys European History from c. 1500 to the present. It is intended to prepare students for the yearly AP examination in European History. Students who successfully complete this examination are eligible for academic credit from many colleges and universities.

This class demands a great deal from students, in part because its subject matter is often somewhat unfamiliar to American students and in part because it is intended to be the equivalent of a collegiate history course. Students should expect assignments that require both careful thinking and a substantial amount of homework.

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SOC 463 Contemporary World Issues
Grade: 12
Length 1 semester
Block of Time: 1 period
Credits: .5
Prerequisite: None
This required course for seniors studies critical issues confronting our global society today. A part of the class time is devoted to discussing current events in the news. Independent research on chosen topics is also required. The purpose of the course is to assist the students in readying themselves for an adult life of political and social decision making.

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SOC 464 Contemporary American Issues
Grade: 12
Length 1 semester
Block of Time: 1 period
Credits: .5
Prerequisite: None
This required course for seniors examines critical issues confronting our American society today. A portion of the class time is devoted to discussing current events in the news. Independent research on chosen topics is also required for each class member. The purpose of the course is to prepare the student to be a contributing member of our society able to participate in our country’s political, social and economic decisions.

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SOC 483 / 484 Honors American / Honors World Issues
Grade: 12
Length 1 semester each
Block of Time: 1 period
Credits: .5
Prerequisite: An interest in advanced studies
This elective college prep course for seniors will examine social, political and economic problems of today. The class is designed to prepare the college bound student to deal with Social Studies requirements. This course of study will require extensive writing and research as well as verbal skills in contemporary issues. Emphasis will be in the higher level thinking skills.

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SOC 331/ 332 PSYCHOLOGY 1-2
Grade: 11,12
Length 1 semester each
Block of Time: 1 period
Credits: .5 per semester
Prerequisite: Must pass Psychology 1 before enrolling in Psychology 2
This elective course deals with the science of human behavior. Included for study are units such as theory of personality, learning, motivation, mental health, etc. The ability to read comprehensive materials with understanding is most necessary. Also included is an introduction to statistical method, evaluation and analysis.

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SOC 341 Sociology
Grade: 11,12
Length 1 semester
Block of Time: 1 period
Credits: .5
Prerequisite: None
This elective course provides an introduction to the social world and understanding of the social environment. It includes a comparative study of other cultures and objective study of social institutions and social relations. Pathological and abnormal aspects are included. The primary aim is to develop the conviction that social phenomena are natural phenomena and that scientific and systematic methods exist for thinking about and dealing with social problems.