Social Studies
Social Studies
Social Studies is the study of history, geography, the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence. Our goal as Social Studies teachers is to help young learners make informed and reasoned decisions as citizens of a culturally-diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.
We now have Rho Kappa honor society at Parkway Central. Contact Mrs. Kim for more information and see the google calendar below.
The Parkway Central Course Guide lists the variety of courses offered by the Social Studies Department.
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College credit is available from the University of St. Louis for:
Honors U.S. Government and Comparative Politics -
College credit is available from St. Louis University for:
Honors American Perspectives -
College credit is also available through courses designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Examination in:
Advanced Placement Government and Politics
Advanced Placement U.S. History
We strongly encourage you to register for our many electives.
Below are further deatils for some of our class offerings.
AP Psychology
Earn college credit by scoring a 4 or 5 on one exam
Year-long course-2 semesters
Depth and breadth-because this is a year-long class we can go into more depth as we cover the 13 units
Chapter notes and key terms and objectives are numerous and will help prepare you for the AP test.
Expectation that you can and will read a college level text to accompany class lecture material
Youtube clips, some projects, daily homework/reading assignments designed to prepare you for AP test.
Demos, small group activities and labs throughout year
Multiple choice with 5 choices and Free Response Questions designed like the AP test
Honors Psychology
Earn college credit with the grade you receive in class
Semester course
Breadth- because we have to cover 13 units in a semester, we do not have time to go into great depth.
Chapter notes and key objectives are assigned for each unit –not as numerous because you are not taking the AP exam.
Expectation that you can and will read a college level text to accompany class lecture material
Youtube clips, minimal projects, daily homework/reading assignments.
Some demos and small group activities not as many as in other two Psychology classes
Multiple choice with 5 choices and short answer and essay style tests
Psychology
½ Social Studies or elective credit
Semester course
We cover 6 to 7 units in a semester- a good preview for the other two options to earn college credit
Notes and key objectives are designated and taught by teacher.
Teacher will provide outlines and assistance in reading the text.
Full length movies with most units, youtube clips, most homework can be started and sometimes completed in class, some projects with library/computer lab class time provided.
Demos, small group activities and labs throughout semester
Multiple choice with 4 choices, matching and short answer tests over units or partial units.
Social Psychology
½ Social Studies or elective credit
Semester course
We cover 5-6 units in a semester- a good preview for the other two options to earn college credit
(like Psychology 2: Social Psychology, Development, Sex and Gender, Emotion and Motivation)
Notes and key objectives are designated and taught by teacher.
Teacher will provide outlines and assistance in reading the text.
Full length movies with most units, youtube clips, most homework can be started and sometimes completed in class, some projects with library/computer lab class time provided.
Demos, small group activities and labs throughout semester
Multiple choice with 4 choices, matching and short answer tests over units or partial units.
Sociology
½ Social Studies or elective credit
Semester course
We cover 5-6 units in a semester.
Different from Psychology, focus is on society –topics include, Socialization, Social Interaction, Culture, Race and Ethnicity, Social Stratification (social classes)
Notes and key objectives are designated and taught by teacher.
Teacher will provide outlines and assistance in reading the text.
Full length movies with most units, youtube clips, most homework can be started and sometimes completed in class, some projects with library/computer lab class time provided.
Demos and small group activities throughout semester
Multiple choice with 4 choices, matching and short answer tests over units or partial units.
Department Members
Brian Adam*
Ryan Banta
Cathy Dobkin
Mark Goldenberg
Brooke Hartmann
Keith Herberger
Jim Hermann
Susan King
Skylar Kim*
Joni Patton
Cameron Poole
Tom Sellers
* Department Chair
Our Department Secretary is
Mrs. Pam McHardy
(314) 415-7931
Please contact us to join one of our department activities:
Rho Kappa
Model United Nations
World Awareness Club
The Social Studies Fair
Essay Contests