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Course Descriptions » Social Studies

Social Studies

Social Studies 

Course Offerings

Updated November 20, 2023 for the 2024-2025 school year


6 Credits are required to graduate with Core40, Technical Honors, or Academic Honors


Required Courses


World History 

(Select one of the Following)

  • Geography History of the World: Course #1570

Geography and History of the World integrates the best of both geography and human history by covering global themes that will help the student learn to ask geographical questions. One of the major questions to be answered is: How does the physical geography affect the development and location of cultures and civilizations? Other geographical themes covered will be: world religions, populations, exploration/conquest, urbanization, revolutions, trade, the formation of nations, and global change. The class will utilize many resources to produce maps, timelines, and other organizers to help students answer these geographic questions.

  • Grades 9-12
  • 2 Semesters
  • 2 Credits

  • World History and Civilization: Course #1548

World History and Civilization emphasizes events and developments in the past that greatly affected large numbers of people across broad areas of the earth and that significantly influenced peoples and places in subsequent areas.  Some key events and developments pertain primarily to particular people and places; others, by contrast, involve transcultural interactions and exchanges between various people and places in different parts of the world. Students will compare and contrast events and developments involving diverse peoples and civilizations in different regions of the world.

*** Prerequisite 2.0 GPA required and strong skills in reading comprehension

  • Grades 9-12
  • 2 Semesters
  • 2 Credits

  • World History and Civilization Advanced: Course #1548

World History and Civilization Honors is designed for those students who intend to prepare for later Honors level classes and who are striving for higher-level achievement or college. In this course, students will examine events and developments in the past that greatly impacted many people in many areas as well as those events that significantly influenced people and places in subsequent eras. Students will trace the development of our present world and culture through the study of man’s historical past. The course will study both Eastern and Western cultural influences from the time of antiquity to the present and will focus on political, cultural, social, and economic factors. Students will learn how to compare and contrast events and developments involving diverse peoples and civilizations in different regions of the world.

*** Prerequisite 3.0 GPA required and strong skills in reading comprehension

  • Grades 9-10
  • 2 Semesters
  • 2 Credits


US History

(Select one of the Following)

  • United States History: Course #1542

United States History emphasizes our nation’s development in the late 19th century and 20th century; it builds on concepts that should be developed in previous studies in American History. Students identify and review significant events and movements in the early development of the nation. After this review, the course gives major emphasis to the interaction of historical events and geographic, social, and economic influences on national development in the late 19th and the 20th century. Chronological, topical, and comparative approaches are used in the themes from America's past, as they relate to the nation today

  • Grades 11-12
  • 2 Semesters
  • 2 Credits

  • Dual Credit United States History: ​​Course #1542

Dual credit US History explores the evolution of American society: political, economic, social structure; racial and ethnic groups; sex roles; Indian, inter-American, and world diplomacy of the United States; evolution of ideology, war, territorial expansion, industrialization, urbanization, international events and their impact on American history. Dual Credit is available through IU (fees may apply).

***Prerequisite: 2.7 GPA, strong aptitude for reading comprehension and writing. Teacher recommendation required.

  • Grades 11-12
  • 2 Semesters
  • 2 Credits

  • AP United States History: ​​Course #1562

AP US History is designed for students wishing to gain a deeper understanding of history, and for ambitious students hoping to develop skills that will be necessary for success at the university level. In this course students will be journeying chronologically through the history of the United States, examining the people, institutions, and events that have influenced the evolution of United States politics, economics, diplomacy, culture, and social reform. This course is designed to help students prepare for college and will have an emphasis on reading, writing, and analysis. Students will learn the importance of taking notes over what they read, how to identify important information, how to analyze events to determine the role they played in our history, and how to write a college essay.  Additional fees will be assessed for the AP test.

***Prerequisite: 3.0 GPA, strong aptitude for reading comprehension and writing. Teacher recommendation required.

  • Grades 11-12
  • 2 Semesters
  • 2 Credits

 


Government

(Select one of the Following)

  • United States Government: ​Course #1540

The goal of this course is to expose students to the nature of government in general and American government in particular, with emphasis on the concept of democracy as practiced through American institutions and the development of certain attitudes towards the government.  Among these attitudes is the danger of apathy in a democratic system, the abilities and limitations of government, the equality of all persons before the law, the responsibilities of citizens in a democracy, and the sometimes-ambiguous nature of political decision-making.

  • Grade 12
  • 1 Semester
  • 1 Credit

  • AP United States Government & Politics: ​Course #1560

United States Government and Politics will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. Not only will students develop a more intricate understanding of the workings of our government, but they will also cultivate a more nuanced understanding of their own political orientation through more detailed study of political controversy, both past and present. This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. government and politics and the analysis of specific examples. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. government and politics. Students successfully completing this course will know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U.S. government and politics, understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences (including the components of political behavior, the principles used to explain or justify various government structures and procedures, and the political effects of these structures and procedures) be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U.S. government and politics (including data presented in charts, tables, and other formats) be able to critically analyze relevant theories and concepts, apply them appropriately, and develop their connections across the curriculum. Additional fees will be assessed for the AP test.

*** Prerequisite 3.0 GPA required and strong skills in reading comprehension.

  • Grade 12
  • 1 Semester
  • 1 Credit


Economics

(Select one of the Following)

  • Economics: ​Course #1514

Economics is an introduction to the methodology and analytical tools used by economists. Economic theory, policy, and history are examined with major emphasis placed on Macroeconomics to develop a greater understanding by analyzing the economic reasoning used as consumers, producers, investors, and government agencies make decisions. After completing Economics students will develop a stronger understanding of supply and demand preparing them for college courses, introducing them to Microeconomics, teaching them to investigate the Free Enterprise Market to understand how economic performance is measured by attaching key economic concepts to their future studies and lives.

  • Grade 12
  • 1 Semester
  • 1 Credit

  • AP Microeconomics: ​Course #1566

AP Principles of Economics is designed both for students wishing to gain a deeper understanding of how economics impacts our daily lives, and for those considering a business management or marketing area major at the college level. Principles of Economics, Advanced Placement, is a course based on microeconomic (small picture) content established by the College Board and the State of Indiana. Students have the option of selecting to receive high school honors credit by taking the AP microeconomics test. Additional fees will be assessed for the AP test.

*** Prerequisite 3.0 GPA required and strong skills in reading comprehension.

  • Grade 12
  • 1 Semester
  • 1 Credit


Electives


  • African Studies: ​Course #1500

African Studies will examine the history and cultures of Africa and connect that history to the development of today's Africa. Note: This class is scheduled in conjunction with Ethnic Studies. Students interested in African Studies also need to enroll in Ethnic Studies.

  • Grades 10-12
  • 1 Semester
  • 1 Credits

  • Cadet Teaching: ​Course #0502

This elective course provides students a college level curriculum and organized exploratory educational experience in grades kindergarten through 8th. Class work relates to such topics as: student diversity in today’s society, social problems, what makes an effective teacher, curriculum and standard based learning, pedagogy, legal and ethical issues, teaching philosophies, and what it means to be a professional. Class requirements include: reading assignments, research and writing, critical thinking, discussion, reflection, and developing a portfolio. Experience in elementary or middle school classrooms includes observation and participation in classroom organization, classroom management, developing curriculum, and the instructional process. Grade evaluation is based upon the cadet teachers; cooperation, day-to-day practical performance, classwork, and an assessment of the cadet’s potential ability to teach. This course is designed for students who are interested in a teaching career. Note: This class is scheduled in 2 consecutive periods during one semester.

  • Grades 11-12
  • 1 Semester
  • 2 Credits

  • Crimes of the 20th Century: ​ Course #1538

This is a one semester course that will focus on major crimes of the 20th Century. The goal of which is to not merely learn what happened but WHY these events happened. In large part, this course will take you through the lessons we can learn from the Holocaust, the aftermath of two world wars, the very real democides and genocides of governments left unchecked across the globe. In our journey, we will learn that the world for most part watched on in apathy in the midst of these atrocities. This apathy shown from the past is the reason why we need to learn both about them and from them. Most importantly, perhaps we will learn for ourselves the words of Elie Wiesel, a survivor of Auschwitz, “the opposite of love is not hate, it is indifference.” Although the subject matter is intense at times, there will be little homework. We will focus more on in-class project-based learning, some cooperative group learning and in general keep a positive class culture and environment.

*** Prerequisite 2.0 GPA required

  • Grades 11-12
  • 1 Semester
  • 1 Credit

  • Current Problems, Issues, and Events: Course #1512

Should the United States get involved in foreign wars? How do we change schools in order to make students achieve higher levels of success? Why do I keep hearing about terrorism? Why should I care about all these things I hear about in the news? Current Problems, Issues, and Events is a semester-long course that covers various topics and concerns facing the United States and the rest of the world. Students learn to express opposing points of view through student-directed discussion and debate. Research and a variety of writing assignments are part of this course and we will be using technology frequently throughout the class. A student taking this class should be open and receptive to others and their point of view.

  • Grades 10-12
  • 1 Semester
  • 1 Credit

  • Ethnic Studies: ​Course #1516

Ethnic Studies provides opportunities to broaden student’s perspectives concerning lifestyles and cultural patterns of ethnic groups in the United States. This course will focus on no particular ethnic group, and use a comparative approach to the study of patterns of cultural development, immigration, and assimilation, as well as the contributions of specific ethnic or cultural groups. The course may also include analysis of the political impact of ethnic diversity in the United States. Note: This class is scheduled in conjunction with African Studies. Students interested in Ethnic Studies also need to enroll in African Studies

  • Grades 10-12
  • 1 Semester
  • 1 Credits

  • History of American Sports: ​ Course #1538

History of American Sports gives students the chance to study the history of various US sports.  In History of American Sports, students will examine the history of a variety of sports, major moments in American sports, and the ways in which American sports reflected and informed issues of race, class, gender, ethnicity and international politics.  History of American Sports provides students the opportunity to study specific historical sports eras, events, or concepts.  Development of historical research skills using primary and secondary sources is utilized.

  • Grades 11-12
  • 1 Semester
  • 1 Credit

  • History of Lore in American Culture: ​ Course #1538

History of Lore in American Culture, offers prospective students a unique and innovative exploration of how the belief in the supernatural/paranormal helped create, inform, and shape the political, intellectual and cultural landscapes of modern US society and American culture. Through an inquiry-based educational structure, students will explore a variety of primary sources (photos, literary works, entertainment products of television and film) and secondary sources (specialized topical academic works), that examine how American culture reacted and responded to pivotal events throughout 17th-20th centuries

  • Grades 11-12
  • 1 Semester
  • 1 Credit

  • Indiana Studies: ​​Course #1518

Indiana Studies is an integrated course that compares and contrasts state and national developments in the areas of politics, economics, history, and culture. The course uses Indiana history as a basis for understanding current policies, practices, and state legislative procedures. It also includes the study of state and national constitutions from a historical perspective and as a current foundation of government. Examination of individual leaders and their roles in a democratic society will be included and student will examine the participation of citizens in the political process. Selections from Indiana arts and literature may also be analyzed for insights into historical events and cultural expressions.

  • Grades 9-12
  • 1 Semester
  • 1 Credit

  • Mythology I: ​ Course #1538

This course will explore ancient myths from around the world. We will begin with the dragon gods and slayers of Ancient Mesopotamia. From there we will explore the gods, goddesses and wonders of Ancient Egypt.  Many people find the Classical Greek Mythology to be their favorite and we certainly will spend a fair share digging deeper into these myths. To round out the “big four,” we’ll learn of the sagas and tales of the Norse and why Loki really was a terrible brother. More than that, we will learn of the Vikings and the violent culture that forged these myths in steel and blood.

*** Prerequisite 2.0 GPA required

  • Grades 11-12
  • 1 Semester
  • 1 Credit

  • Psychology: ​Course #1532

This is an introductory course designed to give students a general idea of what psychology is and that psychology is valuable not just for understanding behavior but also for working effectively with basic experiences in life. Topics include: research methods, theories, dreams, meditation, sleep, brain functions, behavioral disorders, and much more.

*** Prerequisite 2.5 GPA required

  • Grades 11-12
  • 1 Semester
  • 1 Credit

  • AP Psychology: Course #1558

AP Psychology is a course based on the content established and copyrighted by the College Board. The course is not intended to be used as a dual credit course. The AP Psychology course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. While considering the psychologists and studies that have shaped the field, students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts, and phenomena associated with such topics as the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatment of abnormal behavior, and social psychology. Throughout the course, students employ psychological research methods, including ethical considerations, as they use the scientific method, analyze bias, evaluate claims and evidence, and effectively communicate ideas. Topics include: History and Approaches; Research Methods; Biological Bases of Behavior; Sensation and Perception; States of Consciousness; Learning; Cognition; Motivation and Emotion; Developmental Psychology; Personality; Testing and Individual Differences; Abnormal Behavior; Treatment of Abnormal Behavior; and Social Psychology. Additional fees will be assessed for the AP test.

*** Prerequisite 3.0 GPA required and the ability to read a college level textbook. Strong writing abilities encouraged.

  • Grades 11-12
  • 1 Semester
  • 1 Credit

  • Sociology: ​Course #1532

Students study human social behavior from a group perspective, including recurring patterns of attitudes and actions cultures, and in social groups. Students examine society, group behavior, and social structures, as well as the impact of cultural change on society, through research methods using scientific inquiry. Sociology is the study of human relationships. The focus of this course involves the processes, organization, and behavior of social groups. A hands-on course with a fun twist includes class discussions, group activities, social experiments, and individual projects. Possible areas of study include socialization, birth order influences, peer pressure, culture, adolescence, prejudice, discrimination, deviant behavior, and how these patterns vary across time, among problems such as crime, suicide, and child abuse. A student taking this class should be open and receptive to others and their point of view. This course is valuable for all students and is highly recommended for students planning on attending college.

*** Prerequisite 2.5 GPA required

  • Grades 11-12
  • 1 Semester
  • 1 Credit