Viola School District

Welcome to the Social Studies Course Catalog

Welcome to the Social Studies Course Catalog page. We trust that you will find this page useful in your search for information about our school's Social Studies program. On this page you will find the name of each course that is offered, and a description of that course. Please use the navigation menu to go back to the Academic Home page to check out the rest of Viola High School's other academic offerings.

Arkansas History

This one semester course is for students in the 7th grade. Arkansas History starts out with the exploration of Arkansas by DeSoto in 1541 and goes through World War II. This course examines the history of the state of Arkansas and how it impacts our lives today, what makes Arkansas unique and the diversity of people that live here.

7th Grade Geography

This one semester course is for students in the 7th grade. Students shall develop an understanding of the physical and spatial characteristics and applications of geography, an understanding of how cultures around the world develop and change, and an understanding of the interactions between people and their environment.

Social Studies

This full year course is for students in the 8th grade. This course will cover the events from Native American history to the Civil War in America. Students will explore the wars, conflicts, major events, crises, and policies which occurred in America during this time period, in addition to understanding how these events affected and changed America. Students will achieve these goals by participating in numerous discussions, research assignments, class presentations and individual reports.

Civics

This one-semester course is for students in grades 9-12 and provides a study of the structure and functions of the United States government, the government of Arkansas, and political institutions. Civics also examines constitutional principles, the concepts of rights and responsibilities, the role of political parties and interest groups, and the importance of civic participation in the democratic process.

Economics

This one semester course is for students in grades 9-12. This course focuses on the role the economy places in the workings of the United States. Students will study different types of economic systems and learn how they are utilized in the different countries where they are prevalent. Students will also study how America’s economy plays a role in determining what is produced throughout the world and where it is produced.

Government

This semester course is for students in grades 9-12. Students will learn a variety of interesting facts and theories related to the United States government. Topics include principles of government, origins of government, the Constitution, the federal system, the organization of Congress, development of Congressional powers, the Presidency, federal bureaucracy, federal court system, constitutional freedoms, law in America, political parties, elections and taxing and spending. Students are also required to learn the preamble to the Constitution, be able to discuss amendments in length and talk openly about our federal system of government. Students are required to keep a notebook of material and turn in at the end of each nine weeks. Materials used are text, notes, class lecture, video and library texts.

Pre AP World History

This full year course is for students in grades 9-12. Students will demonstrate a mastery of a broad body of world history, use knowledge of historical events to defend and support basic arguments and positions regarding world history, analyze, interpret and draw conclusions from various historical documents throughout history including primary sources, cartoons and graphs, demonstrate an effective use of analytical evaluation skills, cause and effect, and compare and contrast, and will demonstrate, develop and perfect effective essay writing skills.

World Geography

This one semester course is for students in grades 9-12. This course emphasizes the interaction of humans and their physical and cultural environments. The study of geography will focus on five major themes: location, place, human/environment interactions, movement, and regions. The study includes current developments around the world that affect physical and cultural settings. Physical settings studies will include topography, resources, climates, and environmental conditions. Cultural settings include population, political structures, life styles, economics, and customs. Students will analyze and interpret a variety of geographic resources and use primary and secondary sources, maps, pictorial and graphic evidence, as well as newer technologies.

World History

This full year course is for students in grades 10-12. This course is designed to develop greater understanding of the evolution of global processes, contacts, and interaction with different types of human societies. World History provides a study of the history of human society from early civilization to the contemporary period, examining major themes and relationships between major civilizations throughout the world. These themes include the impact of interaction among major societies through political, economic, social, religious, military, scientific, and cultural developments. Students will analyze and interpret a variety of historical resources using primary and secondary sources, maps, and pictorial and graphic evidence of historical events.

American History

This course is for students in grades 11 and 12. This course examines time periods from the first European explorations of the Americas to present day. Political, military, scientific, economic, and social developments are covered in the historical overview. Students will analyze and interpret a variety of historical resources and use primary and secondary sources, maps, and pictorial and graphic evidence of historical events. Students will cover the discovery of America, formation of the thirteen colonies, formation of the Constitution, Civil War, Reconstruction, World War I and World War II. Students will relate how history of the past affects our lives today.

AP U.S. History

This course is for students in grades 11 and 12. This course examines time periods from the first European explorations of the Americas to present day. Political, military, scientific, economic, and social developments are covered in the historical overview. Students will analyze and interpret a variety of historical resources and use primary and secondary sources, maps, and pictorial and graphic evidence of historical events. Students will cover the discovery of America, formation of the thirteen colonies, formation of the Constitution, Civil War, Reconstruction, World War I and World War II.

Students in this class will prepare for and take the AP U.S. History Exam and those receiving a 3 or higher will receive college credit in addition to their high school credit.