Social Studies
Social Studies
Course Descriptions
Modern World History
Grade 9
Year / 1 credit
This course will cover the years of 1700–1980, focusing on the world events of the time period. Events include the Enlightenment, the American, French, Russian, and Industrial Revolutions; World Wars, as well as the economic, social, and political impacts of those wars. Emphasis is placed on historical themes, cultural influences, and geographical and economic concepts and relationships.
Fee - $2
Honors Modern World History
Grade 9
Year / 1 credit
Honors Modern World History is a challenging course that examines key events, ideas, and movements from the late 17th century to the present, exploring how they have shaped the modern world. Students will analyze primary and secondary sources to investigate the impact of revolutions, nationalism, imperialism, global conflicts, and social transformations across various regions. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, historical inquiry, and connecting past events to contemporary global issues. Through projects, discussions, and research, students will develop advanced skills in historical analysis and argumentation, preparing them for advanced coursework in social studies. Students are expected to have excellent reading and writing skills and a strong work ethic for success in this course. This course aligns with Ohio's Learning Standards for Social Studies and encourages active engagement with history’s relevance to today’s world.
This course receives weighted grading of 5.0 on a 4.0 scale
Fee - $2
Modern World History through Film
Grade 9
Semester / ½ credit
This course is a study of major events, trends, and issues in World History through the lens of film. This class is meant to be taken concurrently with the Modern World History class as it will provide a deeper understanding of the events discussed in the 9th-grade Modern World History course. In addition to viewing films, students will be expected to complete readings on assigned topics and multiple writing/project activities. Students will develop skills such as identifying bias, evaluating information presented in multiple formats, presenting information informally, and writing and defending their position(s). Students will build on their knowledge of world history to focus on a deeper content analysis.
Fee - No
History Through Sports: Culture, Conflict & Change
Grade 9-12
Semester / ½ credit
This course examines history through the global and cultural impact of sports. Students explore how athletic competition, national identity, social change, and historical events intersect to shape societies over time. Sports will serve as a lens to analyze themes such as industrialization, nationalism, globalization, civil rights, economics, and gender equality. Students will investigate major moments where sports reflected or influenced history — from the rise of modern athletics in industrial Europe, to Olympic rivalries during the Cold War, to the role of athletes in movements for social justice. Case studies may include the Olympics, FIFA World Cup, Jackie Robinson and integration, Title IX, and the commercialization of modern sports.
Fee - $5
Ohio History
Grade 9
Semester / ½ credit
This engaging, semester-long course introduces students to the rich and complex history of Ohio, from its earliest inhabitants to its influential role in the modern world. We will explore the pivotal moments, diverse peoples, and key developments that have shaped the Buckeye State. Students will develop essential historical thinking skills, including analyzing primary and secondary sources, understanding cause and effect, and constructing evidence-based arguments. Key thematic areas include:Pre-Contact and Early Settlement, The Northwest Territory and Statehood, The Canal Era and Industrial Revolution, Ohio and the Civil War, Local History Deep Dive, and Modern Ohio and Global Influence.
Fee - $5
Career Exploration
Grades 9-10-11-12
Semester /½ credit
Discover your future in this engaging semester-long course designed to help you explore your interests, values, skills, and learning styles while connecting them to real-world career opportunities.
Through hands-on activities, research projects, guest speakers, and skill-building exercises, you will investigate Ohio's 16 career clusters, including: Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources, Architecture & Construction, Arts & Communication, Business Management & Administration, Education & Training, Finance, Government & Public Administration, Health Science, Hospitality & Tourism, Human Services, Information Technology, Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security, Manufacturing, Marketing, Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM), Transportation, Distribution & Logistics.
Throughout the course, you will develop practical, real-world skills, including: Resume and cover letter writing to showcase your strengths; Interview skills and professional etiquette to make strong first impressions; Workplace soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving; Professional telecommunications, including phone etiquette, email communication, and social media presence; Financial literacy to understand budgeting, salary negotiation, and career-related financial decisions.
You will also learn how to research careers effectively and understand different educational pathways (including college, technical training, apprenticeships, and military options). The course culminates in creating your own personal career plan, equipping you with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about your educational and professional future.
Fee - No
History in the Headlines
Grades 10-11-12
Semester /½ credit
In this course, we will examine major current events and hot topics to discuss their potential impact on the national and world landscape. In addition, we will study modern history from 1970 (roughly)-present to gain a better perspective about how the national and world environment is shaped the way it is today. The goals for this course are to develop a habit of evaluating significant events that unfold throughout the semester, formulate opinions about the decisions made by world leaders as well as various hot topics, and gain better insight into the history that has molded the world political landscape into what it looks like today. Throughout this course, we will read, take notes, discuss and debate, analyze films and documentaries, conduct research assignments, develop projects, and play news trivia games. Some of the key topics we will cover include an introduction to politics, the Iran Hostage Crisis, the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Persian Gulf War, the Rwandan Genocide, conflict in Somalia (Black Hawk Down), and the War on Terror.
Fee - $5
America at War: Home and Abroad
Grades 10-11-12
Semester /½ credit
IThis class explores the history, causes, consequences, and experiences of American wars from the nation’s founding through contemporary conflicts. The course examines both the overseas military actions (“abroad”) and the effects of war on American society, politics, and culture at “home”. The key themes include: major U.S. wars - Revolutionary War, Civil War, World Wars I and II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, War on Terror, and more recent conflicts; military strategy and technology - evolution of warfare tactics, weaponry, and military organization; and home front impact - how wars affected American civilians, including economic changes, social movements, propaganda, and civil rights issues.
Fee - No
Hot Topics of the Modern World
Grades 9
Semester / ½ credit
Curious about what’s really going on in the world—and why? In this class, you’ll explore today’s biggest global issues by connecting them to major events in world history, like revolutions, world wars, and globalization. You’ll dive into current news, discuss real-world challenges, and see how history still shapes the world around us. From human rights to climate change to new technology, this course helps you think critically, stay informed, and understand your place in a fast-changing world.
Fee - $5
Modern U. S. History
Grade 10
Year / 1 credit
This course examines the recent history of the United States of America. Students will examine the political, economic, social, cultural, geographical, and foreign policy history of the United States. This course will begin during the late 19th century with the explosion of industrialization, immigration, and urban development and the challenges these developments posed for the early 20th century. The Progressive Era, World War I, the turbulent 20s, the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold Movement, the modern Civil Rights Movement, and the Vietnam War will also be examined in-depth. Students will have the opportunity to study recent events involving women, minorities, politics, contemporary cultural issues, and court cases. Students will be expected to complete projects, written reports, oral presentations, and essays, which assess their understanding of the historical and cultural themes. * State mandated Financial Literacy is taught in this course for graduating classes of 2021-2023.
Fee - No
AP U.S. History
Grade 10
Year / 1 Credit
This course is designed to provide students with the analytical and factual knowledge
necessary to think critically about the problems and issues in American History. The course
will examine colonization through the 20th Century U.S. and its interaction with world events
from six perspectives: American heritage, world interaction, economics, cultural and ethnic groups, democratic processes, and citizenship rights and responsibilities. Students will participate in debates, reading, and interpreting primary sources. Students will utilize higher level thinking skills and connect American History to relevant current events. Students should possess a strong foundation in reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, as the workload of this course is extensive and demanding. Students will be evaluated on their ability to write free responses and document-based essays as well as critical book reviews. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement test in May.
This course receives weighted grading of 5.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Fee - $20
Prerequisite: Honors World History
Introduction to Psychology
Grades 10-11-12
Semester / ½ credit
This course is your introduction to how the mind works and why behavior matters. You’ll trace psychology from its early pioneers to today’s big questions, personality, learning, memory, perception, the human brain, psychological disorders and therapeutic techniques. Along the way, you’ll try out research methods used by modern psychologists, analyze landmark experiments, and connect findings to everyday life and society. Expect labs, simulations, case studies, and other hands-on activities that make psychology real, relevant, and memorable.
Fee - No
Introduction to Sociology
Grades 10-11-12
Semester / ½ credit
Why do people act the way they do? How do culture, peers, media, and institutions shape the choices we make every day? In this course, students will dive into the fascinating study of human social behavior, from small groups and friendships to entire societies. Using the sociological perspective, you’ll learn to see the hidden forces that influence our lives—from trends and traditions to inequality and social change. Ultimately, this course is about studying ourselves and the world we live in, uncovering how society shapes us—and how we, in turn, shape society.
Fee - No
Sports in Society
Grades 10-11-12
Semester / ½ credit
This course examines sports as a defining aspect and indicator of United States history, society, and culture. By studying the major themes, historical events, and people that have made up the United States' "sports experience", students will gain a deeper understanding of our society as a whole and the struggles that we have overcome. Students will also examine contemporary issues in sports and how they both reflect and potentially project controversial issues in our society. Some of the topics that will be covered include trailblazing athletes/teams such as Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Billie Jean King, the 1999 US Women’s National Soccer Team, Pat Summitt, Jesse Owens, and Muhammad Ali, politics in sports (1936 Berlin Olympics, Miracle on Ice), and scandals in sports.
Fee - No
History Through Film
Grades 10-11-12
Semester / ½ credit
Step into history through the lens of film! This course explores how movies reflect—and sometimes reshape—the key political, social, and cultural movements of the past. Students will dive into films alongside literature, primary sources, and historical accounts to uncover how stories on screen connect to real-world events and issues. Beyond just watching movies, students will sharpen critical skills: spotting bias, comparing perspectives across different media, and defending their own viewpoints through writing and projects. From analyzing iconic films to debating historical interpretations, this course challenges students to think deeply about the relationship between history and popular culture—while building stronger research, discussion, and analytical skills.
Fee - No
Law and Society
Grades 11-12
Semester / ½ credit
This semester, we're not just learning about law—we're figuring out how it affects you, your friends, and your future. The course begins with a deep dive into individual rights and protections guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. Next, we will explore criminal law, the court process, and what actually happens in a trial. We then will look at controversial legal issues and current events dealing with the law, exploring the role and impact of law enforcement agencies in dealing with these issues and events. Finally, we will explore civil law and how it is different from the criminal law process. This course is your cheat sheet to understanding the legal process and the major issues impacting our country today.
Fee - No
Government & Politics
Grade 11
Year / 1 credit
This year-long, current event focused course will assess the procedures of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches within our federal system of government. The role of political parties, interest groups, the media, elections, and political officials’ accountability to the public will be analyzed. This course covers all areas of political theory, foreign policy, and political history. Student debates, discussion groups, government simulations, field observations, guest speakers, and various technology tools may be used. Examination of key documents, which form the basis for the United States of America, will also be a focus of the course. Students are expected to critically evaluate all materials and explore alternative solutions to questions presented. This course adheres to criteria set forth in Ohio’s Learning Standards and prepares students for required state assessments.
Fee - No
AP Government and Politics
Grades 11-12
Year / 1 credit
Dive into the dynamic world of American government and political processes in this challenging and thought-provoking course. Explore the foundations of the U.S. Constitution, the intricacies of the three branches of government, and the roles of federalism, civil liberties, and civil rights. In this course, you will connect current events to important government concepts. You’ll analyze how policies are made, how political beliefs are formed, and how citizens engage with democracy—from voting to activism. Through real-world case studies, debates, and critical thinking, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of how government affects your daily life and how you can influence the political landscape. Prepare to sharpen your analytical skills, engage in lively discussions, and get ready for the AP exam that can earn you college credit!
This course receives weighted grading of 5.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Fee - $20
AP World History
Grades 11-12
Year / 1 credit
AP World History: Modern is a college-level course that examines the major developments, interactions, & transformations shaping the world from 1200 CE to the present. Students investigate global processes - such as state-building, trade networks, revolutions, industrialization, & globalization - while analyzing how different societies adapted to or resisted change over time. The course emphasizes historical thinking skills, including sourcing, argumentation, comparison, continuity & change over time, & the evaluation of primary & secondary sources. By the end of the course, students will be able to construct evidence-based arguments & connect specific historical examples to broader global patterns. This course prepares students for success on the AP Exam & builds a deeper understanding of how the modern world came to be."
This course receives weighted grading of 5.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Fee – $0
Prerequisite: “B” average in Scholarship English and a “B” average in AP U.S. History
AP Psychology
Grades 11-12
Year / 1 credit
This AP course will introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Students will learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. This course will address the following topics: History and approaches; research methods; biological bases of behavior; sensation and perception; learning; cognition; motivation and emotion; developmental psychology; personality; testing and individual differences; abnormal behavior and its treatment; and social psychology. Students will be prepared to take the AP Psychology exam in May.
This course receives weighted grading of 5.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Fee - $20