International Baccalaureate curriculum will be embedded in all social studies classes at Thomas Edison High School. This will give all students the opportunity to participate in higher level, thematic-based classes. In these classes students are able to explore and create in a way not found in the typical classroom. The IB history course aims to promote an understanding of history where students are encouraged to comprehend the present by reflecting critically on the past. They are further expected to understand historical developments at national, regional and international levels and learn about their own historical identity through the study of historical experiences of different cultures. One of the key goals is for students to develop an awareness that human attitudes and beliefs are widely diverse and that the study of society requires and appreciation of such diversity. All Thomas Edison High School ninth and tenth grade classes are a part of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program. MYP infuses the fundamental concepts Intercultural awareness, Holistic learning, and Communication throughout the ninth and tenth grade curriculum.
Economics (Grade 12) Course Duration: Semester Course Description: Students will study how people use their scarce resources to satisfy their needs and wants; gain practical information on budgeting, purchasing insurance, saving, and investing; and study America’s mixed economy, labor unions, and international trade.
Geography (Grade 9) Course Duration: Year Course Description: Students will gain an understanding of the cultural, political and spatial relationships of and between nations.
Government (Grade 12) Course Duration: Semester Course Description: Students will learn about the history of our political institutions, the political process, elections, the branches of government, and the rights and responsibility of citizens.
United States History (Grade 11) Course Duration: Year Course Description: Students will study events in United States history from European contact to present day, and engage in critical thinking and analysis.
World History (Grade 10) Course Duration: Year Course Description: Students will realize that the world contains many different cultures, nations, and ethnic groups; and learn about the historical events, figures, and cultures that have shaped the lives of people and nations.
Honors World History (Grade 10) Course Duration: Year Course Description: Students will conduct explorations into particular historic themes, concepts and events; gain an understanding of global trends in political and social history; analyze cause and effect situations; learn how to be critical consumers of history; read from both primary and secondary sources; and complete rigorous writing assignments and group projects.
IB HL 20th Century World Topics: History of the Americas *Please refer to the IB section, page 23, for course information.
IB SL 20th Century World Topics: History of the Americas *Please refer to the IB section, page24, for course information.
HUMANITIES – ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND COLLEGE IN THE SCHOOLS
AP United States History (Grades 11-12) Course Duration: Year Course Description: Students will engage in an in-depth study of American History from European contact to present day; research, analyze and interpret historic events and themes through multiple perspectives using both primary and secondary sources; become critical consumers of history; and understand the cyclical nature of human events.
CIS Introduction to Psychology - Psy 1001 (4 cr) (Grades 11-12) Offered through the University of Minnesota Course Duration: Year Course Description: Students will understand the research process. Students learn about classic and contemporary findings in diverse research areas in psychology; become acquainted with new research currently conducted by the faculty at the University of Minnesota; and develop critical thinking. Students learn how to think scientifically and to become skeptical consumers of psychological (and other) research practice steps in the writing process such as invention, research, organization, drafting, revision, and editing; apply knowledge creatively. Students begin to apply knowledge of psychological findings and methods to creatively solve real-world problems, become aware of the linguistic and rhetorical choices they can make in their writing, view online lectures, conduct in-class activities, take online quizzes, and develop college level independent learning through instruction in study and reading skills.