Social Studies Department

The primary objective of this course is to serve as a review of the history of New Mexico from pre-contact eras up through the 18th century with a focus on New Mexican History from the 19th century up to the present day. The elements of this course are designed to inform students on the major events and trends that are essential in the understanding of the development of New Mexico within the context of the Americas. Being a dual credit course through CNM, this class will focus on developing student’s skills in project based learning, writing, historical methodology and research. To get the dual credit credit a student must receive a C (2.0) or better in the class and pass the introductory examination from CNM given at the beginning of the course.

 

Prerequisite: None; a course open to Freshman and Sophomores. Required for graduation.

This class takes a chronological approach to United States History with emphasis on the 20th century. This includes geography, politics, social/cultural events, economic, military and religious movements. Methods of instruction used in the class include lectures, discussions, analyzing primary source documents, political cartoons, simulations, speeches, and films. The course requires a document-based research project.

 

Prerequisite: None; a course open to juniors. Required for graduation.

A college level course designed to provide students with the analytic skill and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problem and materials in U.S. History. Document analysis, historical essay writing and group discussion are skills featured in the course. ALL students MUST take the AP Examination as part of the requirements for the course. The fee for the exam is set by the St. Pius X High School AP Coordinator, which at the time of publication was $94.00.

 

Prerequisite: Must apply for consideration by the due date, to include essay, recommendation form from a Humanities Instructor, and a GPA of 3.0.

In addition to the requirements for the grade level American Government course, AP United States Government and politics and grade level Economics is designed to give the student a non partisan analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. Students are expected to be self motivated and self-directed. A high volume of reading is required from the college level text as well as a variety of other sources. Students will also prepare for the national AP Examination in May, which ALL students MUST take to receive credit for the course. The fee for the exam is set by the St. Pius X High School AP coordinator, which at the time of publication was $100.00.

 

Prerequisite: Must apply for consideration by the due date, to include essay, recommendation form from a Humanities Instructor, and a GPA of 3.0.

The AP Psychology course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. While considering the psychologists and studies that have shaped the field, students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts and phenomena associated with such topics as the biological bases of behavior, sensation, and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatments of psychological disorders, and social psychology. Throughout the course, students employ psychological research methods, including ethical considerations, as they use the scientific method, evaluate claims, and evidence, and effectively communicate ideas. AP Psychology would provide an opportunity to students who wish to complete studies in secondary school equivalent to an introductory college course. College credit may be awarded based on the results of the AP exam.

 

Prerequisite: To be considered for admission, students must complete an application form and receive department approval.

Model United Nations is a simulation of the UN General Assembly and other multilateral bodies. In Model UN, students step into the shoes of ambassadors from UN member states to debate current issues on the organization's agenda. Students make speeches, prepare draft resolutions, negotiate with allies and adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate the conference rules of procedure - all in the interest of mobilizing “International cooperation”; to resolve problems that affect countries all over the world. A Model UN delegate is a student who assumes the role of an ambassador to the United Nations in a Model UN simulation. Prior to a conference or event, a Model UN delegate does not need extensive experience in international relations. Anyone can participate in Model UN, so long as they have the ambition to learn something new and to work with people to try and make a difference in the world.

 

Prerequisite: To be considered for admission, students must complete an application form and receive department approval. Students must be willing to travel to two off campus events on designated days for competitions and to Santa Fe for the final competition, which counts for the Final Exam