Social Studies Courses

Required Courses

Economics (Academic)

Grade 10
1 credit
Prerequisite: none

Economics includes a study of the allocation of scarce resources and their alternative uses for satisfying human wants. This course examines basic models of decision making at various levels and in different areas including: decisions made as a consumer, producer, saver, investor, and voter; business decisions to maximize profits; public policy decisions in specific markets dealing with output and prices in the national economy; and problems developing nations face.

Economics (Honors)

Grade 10
1 credit
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation

Economics (H) includes an analysis of international trade, supply and demand, market structures, government policy, money and banking, and economic performance. Students are exposed to a critique of the arguments against globalization, and study the benefits of international trade. Honors students learn the arguments for and against free trade. Students read the book, The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy, which provides an excellent practical exposition of economic principles as they relate to the travels of one product through the different stages of production. The book ties together the concepts of market structures, supply and demand, international trade, and government policies. Students are exposed to an in-depth analysis of market structures. Honors students learn the benefits of perfectly competitive markets, and the reasons the government regulates industries to maintain competitiveness. Finally, the students engage in a critical analysis of government policies to deal with economic instability.

History Higher Level, International Baccalaureate

Grades 11-12
4 credits
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation

IB History is a course in which the students explore topics in the history of the United States and Latin America as well as a series of topics in 20th century world history while considering questions of historiography and conducting in-depth research. The goals of this course are to help the IB student of history develop a sense of internationalism; understand the discipline of history; fulfill World Civilization and U.S. History requirements of the State of Indiana; prepare for the successful completion of exams at the end of senior year; and conduct a historical investigation. Americas topics include the U.S. Civil War, the development of modern nations (1865-1929), and the emergence of the Americas in global affairs (1880-1929). 20th century topics include: World War I in Europe, the interwar years, World War II, the rise and rule of 20th century dictators, and the Cold War, including the Korea/Vietnam conflicts.
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Modern World Civilization (Academic)

Grade 12
2 credits
Prerequisite: none

Modern World Civilization provides an in-depth look at key 20th century world events. The course focuses on major world wars, dictators, the Cold War, and modern American topics. In particular, the course examines: World Wars I and II; the Russian Revolution, Lenin and Stalin; the Great Depression; the interwar dictatorships of Mussolini and Hitler; the early Cold War in the US; Korean and Vietnam Wars; American social movements of the 1960s; foreign policy in the later years of the Cold War; and the fall of Communism. Students will read the historical novel, In Harm’s Way, learning about the USS Indianapolis. The course is designed to study and identify themes throughout history that still apply to the modern world today, so students compare current events to topics we have studied.

United States Government (Academic)

Grade 10
1 credit
Prerequisite: none
Also offered as an online Summer School course for sophomores or those needing credit recovery

United States Government provides a framework for understanding the nature and importance of responsible civic participation and for learning the rights and responsibilities of individuals in a constitutional democracy. The course enables students to explore the historic origins and evolution of political philosophies into contemporary political and legal systems. Constitutional structure and processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the national, state, and local levels of government are examined. Students learn to demonstrate an understanding of the governmental structures of the United States and other political systems, as well as the relationship of American government to world affairs. They learn to understand their ability to influence policies and decisions as individuals and in groups. Related learning experiences in the school and community enable students to learn how to participate effectively in the political process. The study of United States government also offers students opportunities to develop knowledge, inquiry skills and the means to preserve and improve our constitutional democracy.

United States Government (Honors)

Grade 10
1 credit
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
Also offered as an online Summer School course for sophomores or those needing credit recovery

The honors curriculum for United States Government includes all of the above plus additional document-based assignments and essay writing. The honors curriculum includes the completion of a trimester project in order to begin preparing students considering the IB program.

United States History (Academic)

Grade 11
2 credits
Prerequisite: none

United States History at the academic level is a two-trimester course in which students explore topics in the history of the United States and Indiana while concentrating on developing the skills of historical inquiry and writing. The goals of this course are to help the student of history to understand the discipline of history and fulfill U.S. History requirements of the State of Indiana. Topics include the colonial period; movements of independence; evolution of new governments; Indiana history; the opening of the West and manifest destiny; the United States Civil War, causes, courses and effects; immigration and urbanization, U.S. foreign policy in the late 19th/early 20th century; and the Gilded Age and Progressive Era.

Elective Courses

World History and Civilization I

Grades 10-12
1 credit
Prerequisite: none

World History and Civilization provides for a study of selected world cultures, past and present. The content of this course provides a basis for students to compare and analyze patterns of culture, emphasizing both the diversity and commonality of human experience and behavior. This course emphasizes the interaction of local cultures with the natural environment, as well as the connections among civilizations from earliest times to the present. This course may be designed to focus on: prehistory; early world civilizations, including the rise of civilizations of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia; the classical civilizations of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America; and the development of modern societies. Topics include Rome, Middle Ages, Absolutism and the French Revolution.

Psychology

Grades 10-12
1 credit
Prerequisite: none

Psychology is the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. This course exposes students to the subject and prepares students for an introductory college psychology course. The standards have divided the course into six content areas. Scientific method explores research methods and ethical consideration. The biological basis focuses on the way the brain and nervous system function, including sensation, perception, motivation, and emotion. Cognitive aspects of the course focus on learning, memory, information processing, and language. Mental health topics include psychological stress, disorders, and treatment. Socio-cultural dimensions of behavior deal with topics such as conformity, obedience, perceptions, attitudes, and influence of the group on the individual. Developmental psychology takes a life span approach to physical, cognitive, language, emotional, social, and moral development.

International Relations

Grades 10-12
1 credit
Prerequisite: none

International Relations provides a survey of the formal relations among sovereign states in the international system, emphasizing the operation of diplomacy. The procedures for settlement of disputes and various methods of international conflict resolution are included. An understanding of U.S. foreign policy decision-making and the U.S. relationship with global policies will be studied. This course examines power, interdependence, global development, and international organizations, such as the United Nations. Participation in the Model U.N. club is strongly encouraged.