Who is teaching your child?

Credentials, Training, and Certification:

Ms. Cynthia Knotts  is the mother of three successful sons and grandmother to their children. She attended Booker T. Washington High School in Columbia, South Carolina. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of South Carolina in Columbia. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching also from the University of South Carolina. She holds a professional level educator certificate issued by the South Carolina Board of Education. She is certified to teach Social Studies and Health Education. Ms. Knotts has also met testing and performance requirements in accordance with guidelines set forth in the federal No Child Left Behind Program. She has been certified "Highly Qualified" by the South Carolina Office of Teacher Quality. She holds endorsements in Gifted and Talented Education and Advanced Placement (A.P.) endorsements in World History and Human Geography. Ms. Knotts has ten years of teaching experience. 

Mr. Will Ghent attended Indian Land High School in rural Lancaster County, South Carolina. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages (French and German) from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He holds a Master of Arts in History also from Winthrop University. He holds a professional level educator certificate issued by the South Carolina Board of Education. He is certified to teach Social Studies and French. Mr. Ghent has also met testing and performance requirements in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the federal No Child Left Behind Program. He has been certified "Highly Qualified" by the South Carolina Office of Teacher Quality. He holds endorsements in Gifted and Talented Education and Advanced Placement (A.P.) endorsement in United States History. Mr. Ghent has nine years of teaching experience.

Mr. Charlie Serafine attended the Taft School in Watertown, Conn. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Secondary Education also from Syracuse University. He holds an initial level educator certificate issued by the South Carolina Board of Education. He is certified to teach Social Studies at the Middle School and the High School levels. Mr. Serafine holds an Initial Certificate issued by the State of New York. He also holds a Profession level certificate issued by the State of Connecticut.  Mr. Serafine has also met testing and performance requirements in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the federal No Child Left Behind Program. He has been certified "Highly Qualified" by the South Carolina Office of Teacher Quality. He holds endorsement in Gifted and Talented Education He has two years of teaching experience. He coaches baseball and wrestling.

Social Studies Requirements for Graduation:

One unit of American history, one half unit of government, one half unit of economics, and one additional unit of social studies are required in the diploma program. Be Careful, even though electives taught in this department can be used to meet elective requirements for graduation, not all courses offered by the Social Studies Department are approved by the state to meet the Social Studies elective requirement. In addition, the college or university that you wish to attend may have specific requirements for admission such as courses in Sociology, Psychology, or Western Civilization. If you have questions concerning college entry requirements, please bring them to the attention of your guidance councilor.



Course Descriptions:

World Geography
331000CW
Grade: 9 - 10 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
This academically rigorous course is designed to study the constantly changing world in which we live. This course will help students understand Geography and make sense of the complex world. Students will enhance their skills as geographers by analyzing charts, maps and graphs as they study regions and cultures. This course makes Geography relevant to students by making connections between regional
and global issues.

World Geography Honors
331000HW
Grade: 9 - 10 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed to accelerate and enrich the core curriculum by differentiating the content, process, pace and work completed by the student. This course is designed to study the constantly changing world in which we live. This course will help students understand Geography and make  sense of the complex world. Students will enhance their skills as geographers by analyzing charts, maps and graphs as they study regions and cultures. This course makes Geography relevant to students by making connections between regional and global issues. Students who successfully complete the rigorous work and pace will earn a weighted credit.

AP Human Geography
337900AW
Grades: 9 – 12 1 unit
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation
This rigorous course is designed to explore 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 analyze human social organization and its environmental consequences. Students use the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice. Student must take the AP Human Geography exam which is administered in May.

AP Human Geography Seminar
337901AW
Grades: 9 – 12 1 unit
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
This is a companion course to AP Human Geography.

World History
336000CW
Grade: 9 - 10 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
This course offers students the opportunity to explore the historical development of present day world cultures; lessons include study of political, religious, economic and cultural changes from the beginnings of civilization through the twentieth century. Concepts which will be developed include exploration, nationalism, revolution, culture, chronology, conflict, peace and power. Students examine the people, events and concepts which have contributed to making the world the way it is through the twentieth century.

World History Honors
336000HW
Grade: 10 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
The curriculum for World History honors is designed to accelerate and enrich the core curriculum by differentiating the content, process, pace and work completed by the student. Students who successfully complete the more rigorous work and pace will earn a weighted credit. This course offers students the opportunity to explore the historical development of present day world cultures is designed to help students achieve national and state history standards. Lessons include the study of political, religious, economic and cultural changes from the beginnings of civilization through the twentieth century. Concepts which will be developed include exploration, nationalism, revolution, culture, chronology, conflict, peace and power. Students examine the people, events and concepts which have contributed to making the world the way it is through the twentieth century.

AP World History
337701AW
Grade: 11 1 unit
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
The AP World History course provides an overview of World History from c.8000 B.C.E. to the present. Students obtain an understanding of global processes in relation to different human societies. The course also focuses on factual information as well as analytical skills. AP World History should centers around six major themes and five main time periods. By the end of the course, students will have a better understanding of all the major areas of the world. Students will have a better ability to write analytical essays.

HIS 201 – American History: Discovery to 1877
332002EW
Grades: 11 – 12 1 unit and 3 credits
Prerequisites:
This course is a survey of U. S. history from discovery to 1877. This course includes political, social, economic, and intellectual developments during this period.

HIS 202 – American History: 1877 to Present
332003EW
Grades: 11 – 12 1 unit and 3 credits
Prerequisites:
This course is a survey of U. S. history from 1877 to the present. This course includes political, social, economic, and intellectual developments during this period.

Foundations of the American Nation
339900CW
Grades: 10 1 unit
This course is intended to help students develop the skills and the confidence necessary to be successful on the United States History End of Course test (taken in the 11th grade). Students will be exposed to primary documents and other readings appropriate to the subject matter in an attempt to build both reading skills and critical thinking skills. Students will learn to analyze primary source materials, determine their relevance and draw conclusions. In addition, students will learn to read and interpret maps, charts, and graphs and political articles. This is an elective course ONLY.

US History and the Constitution
332000CW
Grade: 11 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed to meet the state graduation requirement for U.S. history. The course revolves around the themes of geography, democracy, and interaction of peoples, economics, culture, and international relations. This course presents the history of the United States from its creation as a nation through the Twentieth century. Students will enhance their skills as historians by analyzing documents from various periods, interpreting charts, graphs and political cartoons, researching historical events and ideas, and understanding the cause and effect relationship of historical events.

US History Honors
332000HW
Grades: 11 1 unit
Prerequisite: None
The curriculum for U.S. History Honors is designed to accelerate and enrich the core curriculum by differentiating the content, process, pace and work completed by the student. Students who successfully complete the more rigorous work will earn a weighted credit. This course is designed to meet the state graduation requirement for U.S. history. Students will enhance their skills as a historian by analyzing primary source documents interpreting charts, graphs and political cartoons; researching historical events and ideas; and understanding the cause and effect relationship of historical events.

AP US History
337200AW
Grades: 11 – 12 1 unit
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
This is a college-level course designed for advanced students and provides an in-depth study of United States history. Outside readings and supplementary materials augment the concepts and topics introduced in the class. Students will be interpreting historical material analytically and critically. Research papers are required. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement Examination in United States history which is administered in May.

AP US History Seminar
332001AW
Grades: 11 1 unit
Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in
and complete AP US History
This college-level course is a companion course to AP United
States History. It is designed to help students learn how
to think critically by analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating historical material. There will be a major emphasis on writing skills that are necessary for successful performance on the Advanced Placement United States History Exam in May. This course requires a great deal of reading and writing, and it is required of students who are enrolled in AP United States History.

African-American History
339907CH
Grades: 10 – 12     1 unit
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed for students to explore the role of the African-American during the colonial period, the Civil War, on the frontier, the civil rights struggle and present times. Students will study African-American role models in common careers and explore the many cultural contributions in music (jazz), literature and visual arts. African-American History is designed to provide AN understanding which will develop into successful interaction between cultures to build new and improved attitudes. This course complements the study of African-American Literature. 

Economics
335000CH
Grade: 12    ½ unit
Prerequisite: None
This course provides students with a foundation for an understanding of the principles of the American economic system. Using the goals of economics education expressed by the Joint Council for Economic Education in its publications, students will learn how they, as individuals, are a vital part of the American and global economies, This course helps students understand personal finances are required by law.

Economics Honors
335000HH
Grade: 12     ½ unit
Prerequisite: None
The curriculum for Economics Honors is designed to accelerate and enrich the core curriculum by differentiating the content, process, pace, and work completed by the student. Students who successfully complete the more rigorous work will earn a weighted credit. This course helps students understand personal finances as required by state law. This course provides students will a foundation for an understanding of the principles of the American economic system. Using the goals of economics education expressed by the Joint Council for Economic Education in its publications, students will learn how they, as individuals, are a vital part of the American and global economies. Development of competent caring citizens is the ultimate goal of this course. Instructional methods will focus on the students as active learners. Through methods such as analysis of charts, graphs, and data and class discussions, students will develop critical thinking skills and be able to interpret information, identify major issues, and evaluate arguments and implications of economic situations. 

American Government
333000CH
Grade: 12 ½ unit
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed to help students develop a comprehensive knowledge of how the American system of government functions. Students will learn how they as individual citizens are a vital part of a successful and responsive government. Development of competent caring citizens is the ultimate goal of this course. Instructional methods will focus on the student as an active learner. Through methods such as analysis of primary documents and class discussions, students will develop critical thinking skills, interpret information, identify major issues, and evaluate arguments and implications of political situations.

American Government Honors
333000HH
Grades: 12 ½ unit
Prerequisite: None
The curriculum for American Government Honors is designed to accelerate and enrich the core curriculum by differentiating the content, process, pace and work completed by the students. Students who successfully complete the more rigorous work will earn a weighted credit. This course is designed to help students develop comprehensive knowledge of how the American system of government functions. Students will learn how they, as an individual citizen, are a vital part of a successful and responsive government. Development of competent caring citizens is the ultimate goal of this course. Instructional methods will focus on the student as an active learner. Through methods such as analysis of primary documents and class discussions, students will develop critical thinking skills, interpret information, identify major issues and evaluate arguments and implications of political situations. 

Teacher Cadet
339961HW, 589971HW
Grade: 12 1 unit
3 hours of college credit
Prerequisite: Teacher recommended and have a 3.0 grade point average.
The Teacher Cadet is for students possessing a high level of academic achievement who may be interested in a career in education. The intention of this course is both to create an interest in teaching as a profession and to promote an understanding of our American education system among future community leaders. This program works in conjunction with local college and universities. Course content will cover such subjects as the learner, effective teaching, the lesson, understanding schools, teaching as a career/profession, and field observation.