QR - Course can fulfil the quantitative reasoning requirement.
Prerequisites: none | Grade: 9
Geography and History of the World is designed to enable students to use geographical tools, skills and historical concepts to deepen their understanding of major global themes including the origin and spread of world religions; exploration; conquest, and imperialism; urbanization; and innovations and revolutions. Geographical and historical skills include forming research questions, acquiring information by investigating a variety of primary and secondary sources, organizing information by creating graphic representations, analyzing information to determine and explain patterns and trends, planning for the future, and documenting and presenting findings orally or in writing. The historical geography concepts used to explore global themes include change over time, origin, diffusion, physical systems, cultural landscapes, and spatial distribution/patterns and interaction/relationships. Students use the knowledge, tools, and skills obtained from this course in order to analyze, evaluate, and make predictions about major global developments. This course is designed to nurture perceptive and responsible citizenship, to encourage and support the development of critical thinking skills and lifelong learning, and to help prepare Indiana students for the 21st Century.
One semester course - Paired with Ethnic Studies | Prerequisites: none | Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
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 students 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.
One semester course - Paired with Indiana Studies | Prerequisites: none | Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Ethnic Studies provides opportunities to broaden students’ perspectives concerning lifestyles and cultural patterns of ethnic groups in the United States. This course will either focus on a particular ethnic group or groups or 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.
Prerequisites: none | Grade: 11
United States History is a two-semester course that builds upon concepts developed in previous studies of U.S. History and emphasizes national development from the late nineteenth century into the twenty-first century. After reviewing fundamental themes in the early development of the nation, students are expected to identify and review significant events, persons, and movements in the early development of the nation. The course then gives major emphasis to the interaction of key events, people, and political, economic, social, and cultural influences in national developments from the late nineteenth century through the present as they relate to life in Indiana and the United States. Students are expected to trace and analyze chronological periods and examine the significant themes and concepts in U.S. History. Students develop historical thinking and research skills and use primary and secondary sources to explore topical issues and to understand the cause for changes in the nation over time.
Prerequisites: none | Grade: 11, 12
AP United States History 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. AP United States History focuses on developing students’ abilities to think conceptually about U.S. history from approximately 1491 to the present and apply historical thinking skills as they learn about the past. Seven themes of equal importance — identity; peopling; politics and power; work, exchange, and technology; America in the world; environment and geography; and ideas, beliefs, and culture — provide areas of historical inquiry for investigation throughout the course. These require students to reason historically about continuity and change over time and make comparisons among various historical developments in different times and places.
Prerequisites: none | Grade: 11, 12
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.
One semester course - Paired with U.S. Government | Prerequisites: none | Grade: 12
Economics examines the allocation of resources and their uses for satisfying human needs and wants. The course analyzes economic reasoning and behaviors of consumers, producers, savers, investors, workers, voters, institutions, governments, and societies in making decisions. Students explain that because resources are limited, people must make choices and understand the role that supply, demand, prices, and profits play in a market economy. Key elements of the course include the study of scarcity and economic reasoning; supply and demand; market structures; the role of government; national economic performance; the role of financial institutions; economic stabilization; and trade.
One semester course - Paired with Economics | Prerequisites: none | Grade: 12
Students are required to take the naturalization test for citizenship per SEA 132
The United States Government provides a framework for understanding the purposes, principles, and practices of constitutional representative democracy in the United States. Responsible and effective participation of citizens is stressed. Students understand the nature of citizenship, politics, and governments and understand the rights and responsibilities of citizens and how these are part of local, state, and national government. Students examine how the United States Constitution protects rights and provides the structure and functions of various levels of government. Analysis of how the United States interacts with other nations and the government’s role in world affairs is included in this course. Using primary and secondary resources, students will articulate, evaluate, and defend positions on political issues. As a result, they will be able to explain the role of individuals and groups in government, politics, and civic activities and the need for civic and political engagement of citizens in the United States.