Students use knowledge pertaining to history, geography, economics, political processes, religion, ethics, diverse cultures and humanities to solve problems in academic, civic, social and employment settings. The purpose of this course is to acquire an in depth comprehensive understanding of the chronological development of the American people by examining the political, economic, social, religious, military, scientific, and cultural events that have affected the nation. Implicit in this is an understanding of the historical method, the inquiry process, historical reasoning and interpretation, and the issues of external and internal validity. Students understand the development of the contemporary world within the context of history in order to understand events during their lifetime. Students use knowledge pertaining to history, geography, economics, political processes, religion, ethics, diverse cultures and humanities to solve problems in academic, civic, social and employment settings.
Students acquire a critical perspective of politics and government in the United States.
They learn general concepts used to interpret American politics and analyze specific case studies. Students also become familiar with the various institutions, groups, beliefs and ideas that constitute the American political perspective. Students understand the choices they must make as producers, consumers, investors, and taxpayers. The study of economics provides students with the knowledge and decision making tools necessary for understanding how a society must organize its limited resources to satisfy its unlimited wants. Special emphasis is given to the types of research methods employed by social scientists including survey techniques, field research, quasi-experimental designs, and analytical procedures currently used in the social sciences.