GS9-12 Governor’s School for Government and International Studies
Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12
The mission of the Governor’s School for Government and International Studies is to provide broad based educational opportunities that develop gifted students’ understanding of world cultures and languages as well as the ability to lead, participate, and contribute in a rapidly changing global society. The school serves students selected on the basis of aptitude and interest. Students must apply during their eighth grade year.
H457 United States History AP *
Grades 11 and 12 - Year - 1 Weighted Credit (weighted out of 5.0)
Prerequisite: World History I or II or Modern Global Studies
Students in United States History AP examine the major events, personalities, and periods of American History. Emphasis is placed on developing historical thinking skills such as analyzing sources and making historical connections to develop historical arguments based on reasoned evidence. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement Examination administered by the College Board and may receive college credit for satisfactory scores. Students may take the Virginia and U.S. History End-of-Course SOL test to earn a verified credit.
H459 Virginia and U.S. History
Grades 11 and 12 - Year - 1 Credit
The development of American ideas and institutions from the age of exploration to the present is studied in this class. People, characteristics of periods, and major events are included from a social, cultural, economic, and political approach. Primary and secondary sources are used to develop and support historical thinking skills. Students may take the Virginia and U.S. History End-of-Course SOL test to earn a verified credit.
H460 Virginia and U.S. History ADV *
Grades 11 and 12 - Year - 1 Weighted Credit (weighted out of 4.5)
This course is a survey course designed to give students a critical perspective on the development of American ideas and institutions from the age of exploration to the present. Students will study people, characteristics of periods, and major events from social, cultural, economic, and political perspectives. Analysis and evaluation of issues, actions, and cause/effect relationships are emphasized, and significant requirements include research and using primary sources in document-based questioning (DBQ). Students may take the Virginia and U.S. History End-of-Course SOL test to earn a verified credit.
H466 Virginia and U.S. Government ADV *
Grades 10, 11, or 12 - Year - 1 Weighted Credit (weighted out of 4.5)
This course examines the structure of government at the local, state, and national level, democratic values, politics, laws and court cases, and concepts within the American economic system in the United States. Students are expected to interpret and analyze events, case studies, and significant documents. Critical thinking skills, analysis of primary sources, interpretation of data, and research are emphasized. A requirement of the course is for students to work collaboratively to plan and implement a Service Learning Project.
H467 U.S. Government and Politics AP *
Grades 10, 11, or 12 - Year - 1 Weighted Credit (weighted out of 5.0)
Students in U.S. Government and Politics AP develop an understanding of the operation of government and the influence of politics by examining a variety of sources and historical cases. The course focuses on Constitutionalism, federalism, representative democracy, and competing policy interests. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement Examination administered by the College Board and may receive college credit for satisfactory scores.
H468 Virginia and U.S. Government
Grades 10, 11, and 12 - Year - 1 Credit
This course examines the basic structures of government at the local, state, national, and international levels. Democratic values, participatory citizenship, and the free enterprise system are stressed. One of the main functions of the course is to prepare students for active citizenship. A requirement of the course is for students to work collaboratively to plan and implement a Service Learning Project.
H470 Modern Global Studies
Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 - Year - 1 Credit
Modern Global Studies is a world geography course involving a study of people, places, and environments, using data analysis within the five themes of geography. The knowledge, skills, and perspectives of the course center on locating and analyzing historical, physical, economic, and cultural characteristics of world regions. Landforms and climates, economic development, migration and settlement patterns, and forces of conflict and cooperation will be investigated. Students will employ skills of inquiry and research to acquire a global perspective of the world and an understanding of the relationship between humans and environment relevant to current events. Students may take the World Geography End-of-Course SOL test for a verified credit.
H471 Modern Global Studies ADV *
Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 - Year - 1 Weighted Credit (weighted out of 4.5)
Modern Global Studies Advanced is a world geography course involving a study of people, places and environments, using data analysis within the five themes of geography. The knowledge, skills, and perspectives of the course focus on locating and analyzing historical, physical, economic and cultural characteristics of world regions. Research and interpretation, analysis, and evaluation of data are significant requirements as students investigate how humans interact with each other and the environment. Students explore how past trends in history affect present day issues and make connections among physical, ecological, political, and economic information relating to our global society. Students may take the World Geography End-of-Course SOL test for a verified credit.
H473 Current Affairs
Grades 10, 11 and 12 - Semester - 1/2 Credit
An in-depth study of topics in the news is the focus of the Current Affairs semester. News magazines are used as the textbook, and the topics pursued include law, economics, international relations, politics, and personalities who are considered to be leaders in their field. NOTE: Student should pair this course with another semester course.
H474 Sociology
Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 - Semester - 1/2 Credit
The course is designed to acquaint students with man and his society and the problems of society. Some of the topics included are: marriage and the family, crime and race relations. NOTE: Student should pair this course with another semester course.
H475 African American History
Grades 11 and 12 - Year - 1 Credit
This course examines the role and contributions of African Americans to the growth and development of the United States. Students will develop an understanding of the historical significance of the African American experience from African origins through present times. Primary and secondary sources are used to develop and support historical thinking skills.
H477 Psychology I
Grades 10, 11 and 12 - Year - 1 Credit
This introductory course in psychology includes the study of both human and animal behavior. The major topics include personality, behavior, intelligence, emotional behavior, and group behavior. One of the main objectives of this class is to help the student understand self.
H478 Psychology AP *
Grades 10, 11 and 12 - Year - 1 Weighted Credit (weighted out of 5.0)
Students in Psychology AP are introduced to the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. Throughout the course, students develop critical thinking skills to apply psychological concepts and employ psychological research methods and data interpretation to evaluate claims, consider evidence, and effectively communicate ideas. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement Examination administered by the College Board and may receive college credit for satisfactory scores.
H480 European History AP *
Grades 10, 11 and 12 - Year - 1 Weighted Credit (weighted out of 5.0)
Prerequisite: World History I or II
Students in European History AP explore the major events, personalities, and periods of European History from the late Middle Ages to the present. The course emphasizes the concepts and trends of historical thinking, research, and analysis. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement Examination administered by the College Board and may receive college credit for satisfactory scores. Students may take the World History II SOL Test for a verified credit.
H481-Human Geography AP*
Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 - Year - 1 Weighted Credit (weighted out of 5.0)
Students in Human Geography AP are introduced to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences. Students also learn about geographers’ methods and tools in research and applications. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement Examination administered by the College Board and may receive college credit for a satisfactory score. Students may take the World Geography SOL Test for a verified credit.
H551 World History I
Grades 9 and 10 - Year - 1 Credit
The World History I course content focuses on an intensive chronological study of the world through the Renaissance. Students’ understanding of the relationships among history, geography, economics, and civics in the development of the world will be emphasized. Using texts, documents, maps, globes, diagrams, and charts, students will develop historical and geographic comprehension of various cultures. The spatial concepts of geography are integrated with the chronological development of nations and peoples. Students will take the World History I End-of-Course SOL test.
H552 World History I ADV *
Grades 9 and 10 - Year - 1 Weighted Credit (weighted out of 4.5)
World History I Advanced is a survey course which focuses on a chronological study of the world to 1500 A.D. (C.E.) An understanding of the relationships among history, geography, economics, and civics in the development of the world will be emphasized. Spatial concepts of geography will be connected to the chronological development of nations and peoples. Analysis and evaluation of issues, people, and the environment are emphasized for their connection to historical events. Research and analysis of data are significant requirements of the course. Students will take the World History I End-of-Course SOL test.
H553 World History II
Grades 9 and 10 - Year - 1 Credit
The World History II course content focuses on an intensive chronological study of the world since the 16th century. Students’ understanding of the relationships among history, geography, economics and civics in the modern world will be emphasized. Using texts, documents, maps, diagrams, and charts, students will develop historical and geographic comprehension of various cultures. The spatial concepts of geography are integrated with the chronological development of nations and peoples. Students may take the World History II End-of-Course SOL test test for a verified credit.
H554 World History II ADV *
Grades 9 and 10 - Year - 1 Weighted Credit (weighted out of 4.5)
World History II Advanced is a study of the modern world since the 16th century. An understanding of the relationships among history, geography, economics, and civics in the development of the modern world will be emphasized. Spatial concepts of geography will be connected to the chronological development of nations and peoples. Analysis and evaluation of issues, people, and the environment are emphasized for their connection to historical events. Research and analysis of data are significant requirements of the course. Students may take the World History II End-of-Course SOL test test for a verified credit.
H802 History HL-A IB *
Grade 11 - Year - 1 Weighted Credit (weighted out of 5.0)
(Year 1 of a Two-Year Course)
This course is the first year of a two-year course that provides students the opportunity to acquire an in-depth understanding of the chronological development of people of the North, Central, and South Americas. Students examine political, economic, social, religious, military, scientific, and cultural events. Implicit in this curriculum is an understanding of the historical method, the inquiry process, historical reasoning, and interpretation of biases. The first year of History HL IB focuses on U.S. history from Colonial America to World War II. IB requires students to conduct research on a historical investigation and present their findings in a written report of not more than 2,000 words. IB credit will be awarded at the conclusion of Year 2. Students may take the Virginia and United States History SOL Test for a verified credit.
H803 History HL-B IB *
Grade 12 - Year - 1 Weighted Credit (weighted out of 5.0)
(Year 2 of a Two-Year Course)
Prerequisite: History HL-A IB
This second year of History HL IB uses the same chronological approach to history and seeks to strengthen the skills emphasized in the first part; however, History HL-B IB deals primarily with six options for 20th century topics from U.S. history and Latin America. Topics chosen for the Hanover County course include: 1) causes, practices, and effects of war; 2) the rise and rule of single-party states; and 3) the Cold War. Students will take the IB examination in May which covers topics from Year 1 and Year 2.
H813 Psychology SL IB *
Grades 11 and 12 - Year - 1 Weighted Credit (weighted out of 5.0)
Psychology is the systematic study of human behavior and experience. Modern psychology is a meeting ground for the natural and social sciences. Psychologists employ rigorous procedures throughout research processes, using their findings for the possible improvement of life as well as for the understanding of the social conditions that affect individuals. Thus, students in this course will learn how to: 1) interpret and/or conduct psychological research; 2) apply ethical practices and responsibilities while conducting research; 3) develop an understanding of the biological, social, and cultural influences on human behavior; and 4) develop an understanding of different theoretical processes to interpreting behavior. IB requires students to submit the results of a simple experimental study in a paper of 1,000 to 1,500 words. Students will take the IB examination in May to demonstrate proficiency.
H815 Philosophy SL IB *
Grades 11 and 12 - Year - 1 Weighted Credit (weighted out of 5.0)
This course explores the fundamental questions that people have asked since the beginning of time and confronts new problems arising within contemporary society. What exists? What is it to be a human being? What can we know? How do I know what is the right thing to do? The emphasis of the course is on philosophy, which requires intellectual rigor, an open and critical mind, and a willingness to attempt to understand alternative views. At the core of the course lies a concern with truth and clarity of understanding achieved through critical and systematic thinking, careful analysis of arguments, and close reading of several texts. IB requires students to produce at least two philosophical papers of 1,000 to 1,200 words each: a critical analysis of non-philosophical material and a philosophical dialogue. Students will take the IB examination in May to demonstrate proficiency.