Social Studies
Teachers
Ms. Sandy Stephenson
(352)955-6839 ext.301
stephesc@gm.sbac.edu
Ms.Laura Thomley
(352)955-6839 ext.302
thomlelo@gm.sbac.edu
Ms. Thomley's Website
American Government
This course provides students with an understanding of American government and political behavior.Specific content covered includes, but is not limited to, an analysis of the foundations of American government; major provisions of the Constitution; powers and duties of the legislative, executive and judicial branches; the role of state and local governments; political parties; the election process; political participation and influence of individuals and groups; the importance of civic participation in the democratic political process; how the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democratic state have evolved and been interpreted; and a comparison of the American form of government with other governmental systems.
This course is normally paired with Economics to make a full credit course of study.
American History
This course provides students with an understanding of the chronological development of the American people by examining the political, economic, social, religious, military, scientific, technical and cultural events that have shaped and molded this country.Content included covers the development of the United States from colonization to current times, with stress placed on events after reconstruction.
Economics
This course provides students with an understanding of the way in which our society uses its limited resources to satisfy unlimited wants. It provides answers to basic economic questions that any society must answer.Specific content includes, but is not limited to, an understanding of vocabulary peculiar to the study of economics, the importance of economics, the characteristics of the American economic system, the Law of Supply and Demand and price determination, profit and competition in the market, business organization, the role of labor, money, financial institutions, government's role and function in the economy, consumer and producer decision-making, the consumer and producer in the market, international trade, and a comparison of all major economic systems.
This course is normally paired with American Government to make a full credit course of study.
Global Studies
Global Studies is a one-credit Social Studies course which is offered to incoming ninth-grade PAM students. (Upper level students are welcome and encouraged to enroll as well.) My goal is that each student taking this class will gain the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to meet responsibilities as citizens of their community, state and nation, and will be prepared to live in an increasingly interdependent and complex global society. Simply put, we need to understand and appreciate our world and find out unique places in it!World History
This course provides students with an understanding of the chronological development of humanity by examining the political, economic, social, religious, military, dynastic, scientific, technical and cultural events that have shaped and molded humanity.Content includes the development of civilization from earliest times to the modern era. Included with this content is a study of Americanism vs. Communism.