Social Science

FACULTY

Mrs. Tina Uebersax
Social Science Department Chair, AP World History, AP United States History, Psychology
Contact: tuebersax@saviochs.org

Mr. Morgan Daniels
World History, U.S. History, U.S. Government, Economics
Contact: mdaniels@saviochs.org

Mr. Luis Becerra III, Ms. Sarah Saniuk, Mrs. Tina Uebersax, Mr. Kevin Calkins
World Geography
Contact: lbecerra@saviochs.org, ssaniuk@saviochs.org, tuebersax@saviochs.org, kcalkins@saviochs.org

MISSION
The Social Science Department at Saint Dominic Savio Catholic High School provides all students with academic and authentic learning opportunities.  This includes understanding human beings in their diversity as expressed in their arts, literatures, histories, ideas, values, oral and written expressions, and behavior, as well as, promoting analytic, interpretive, interpersonal, and communication skills, competent professionalism, and responsible citizenship.

Social Science Department News

  • Savio Representatives Attend Austin Youth Council General Assembly at City Hall [3/30/2012]

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    COURSES

    SS 101 | World Geography (1.0 credit)
    Prerequisite: None
    World Geography is a multicultural, cross-disciplinary course designed to provide an accurate and complete view of the ever-changing world of which we are all a part.  The course emphasizes physical geography (e.g., climate, earth processes, etc.) and human geography (e.g., world cultures, religions, beliefs, customs, economics development, etc.) Significant importance is placed on cultural understanding, map locations, critical thinking issues, usage of the Internet in research, and problem solving skills. Use of maps and spatial data, understanding and interpretation of data, defining and evaluating data, primary source work and essay writing are essential components of the course.

    SS 201 | World History (1.0 credit)
    Prerequisite: None
    World History is a survey course with the purpose of developing a greater understanding of the historical development of global processes and contacts in the interaction of different types of human societies.  The course highlights the nature of changes in international frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies.  The periods of the course include:  Foundations to 600 C.E., 600-1450, 1450-1750, 1750-1914, and 1914- Present.

    SS 203 | AP World History (1.0 credit)
    Prerequisite: A combination of two of the following:  an A in 9th grade Geography, Teacher Recommendation and 53 or higher Critical Reading on PSAT.
    The Advance Placement World History course is a challenging survey course whose purpose is to develop a greater understanding of the historical development of global processes and contacts in the interaction of different types of human societies.  The course highlights the nature of changes in international frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies.  The periods of the course include:  Foundations to 600 C.E., 600-1450, 1450-1750, 1750-1914, and 1914- Present.  For each time period, knowledge of major developments that illustrate or link the six thematic areas with the major civilizations in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe is expected.  Students are required to take the AP World History exam in May.

    SS 301 | United States History (1.0 credit)
    Prerequisite: None
    United States History is a survey course that helps students develop a greater understanding of the historical developments from reconstruction to the present. Students will cover a variety of topics including reconstruction, the great immigration at the turn of the 20th century, the impact of manufacturing, the creation of unions, the rise of the women’s and civil rights movements and how the U.S. became a modern nation.

    SS 303 | AP United States History (1.0)
    Prerequisite:  A combination of two of the following: at least a B+ in Pre-AP World History, Teacher Recommendation and 53 or higher Critical Reading on PSAT.
    The Advance Placement United States History is a college level course.  The course is a challenging survey course whose purpose is to develop a greater understanding of the historical developments in the United States from the Pre-Columbian era to the present.  For each unit, knowledge of major developments are illustrated and linked to the following themes present in U.S. History.

    • American Diversity
    • American Identity
    • Culture
    • Demographic Changes
    • Economic Transformations
    • Environment
    • Globalization
    • Politics and Citizenship
    • Reform
    • Religion
    • Slavery and Its Legacies in North American
    • War and Diplomacy

    Students are required to take the AP United States History exam in May.

    SS 401 | United States Government (.5 credit)
    Prerequisite:  None
    United States Government will focus on the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute United States politics. Students will gain an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States both by studying the general concepts used to interpret U. S. politics and by analyzing specific examples. Students will learn how to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U. S. government and politics and will write extensively to perfect their essay writing and critical thinking skills.

    SS 402 | Pre-AP United States Government (.5 credit)
    Prerequisite:  A combination of two of the following: at least a C in AP United States History or A in United States History, Teacher Recommendation and 53 or higher Critical Reading on PSAT.
    United States Government will focus on the institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute United States politics. Students will gain an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States.  They will analyze the U.S. Constitution, as well as other important documents that have shaped U. S. politics.  They will examine Supreme Court cases though out U.S. History and evaluate their impact on government. Students will analyze, interpret and evaluate data relevant to U. S. government and politics.  Essay writing and critical thinking skills are essential to this course.

    SS 411 | Economics (.5 credit)
    Prerequisite: None
    Economics will focus on giving the students a greater understanding of economics ranging from the viewpoint of the individual consumer or small business owner to the global economy. The course will study the law of supply and demand, forms of business, labor unions, government finances and influence on the economy, money and prices, inflation and deflation cycles. The course relates history and politics to the study of economics.

    SS 412 | Pre-AP Economics (.5 credit)
    Prerequisite: A combination of two of the following: a B+ or higher in Pre-AP United States Government, Teacher Recommendation and 53 or higher Critical Reading on PSAT.
    Economics will focus on giving the students a greater understanding of economics ranging from the viewpoint of the individual consumer or small business owner to the global economy. The course will study the law of supply and demand, forms of business, labor unions, government finances and influence on the economy, money and prices, inflation and deflation cycles. The course relates history and politics to the study of economics.

    SOCIAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE OPTIONS

    SS 421 | Psychology (.5 credit)
    Prerequisite: 10th-12th grade only
    This course is designed to give the student an introduction into the field of psychology.  Areas covered will include but are not limited to: learning theory, human development, the senses, learning, motivation and emotion, memory, intelligence, and psychological disorders.