For the first half of the year, United States History 12 and Economics continues with a study of US History post 1945 beginning with the Cold War.  Students will explore the expansion of the federal government, the threat of terrorism, and the place of the United States in an increasingly globalized and interconnected world.  The second half of the year will be a study of Economics.  Students will examine the principles of the United States free market economy in a global context. Students will examine their individual responsibility for managing their personal finances. Students will analyze the role of supply and demand in determining the prices individuals and businesses face in the product and factor markets, and the global nature of these markets. Students will study changes to the workforce in the United States, and the role of entrepreneurs in our economy, as well as the effects of globalization. Students will explore the challenges facing the United States free market economy in a global environment and various policy-making opportunities available to the government to address these challenges.

Units of Study

1) The Cold War, 1945-1960

2) American Society, 1945-1960

3) The Civil Rights Movement, Part 1

4) The “Sixties” (1960-1975)

5) From Ford to Reagan (1975-1989)

6) Bush I to Today

7) Introduction:  Problems of economics; basic terms

8) Theories and Concepts:  Historical context and important theorists

9) Government and the Economy:  The Federal Reserve System, the budget, taxation, the deficit, the welfare state, regulation

10) Labor and the Economy:  Labor vs. capital

11) Consumption:  Advertising, types of demand, role of the consumer

12) Globalization:  The global economy, IMF, NAFTA, and the EU, etc.

13) Personal Finance