Social Studies
Students at Decatur High School must take and pass four social studies courses to graduate from high school. All freshmen take Civics & Economics (“Civonomics”), and students are offered advanced coursework in the sophomore year, IB coursework in the junior year, and AP coursework in the senior year. Typically, about half of the sophomore class takes AP US History.
9th Grade
Civics & Economics
Previous Course: 8th-Grade Social Studies
Next Course: US History or AP US History
The government course provides students with a background in the philosophy, functions, and structure of the United States government. Students examine the philosophical foundations of the United States government and how that philosophy developed. Students also examine the structure and function of the United States government and its relationship to states and citizens. Economics offers students the opportunity to study the issues of scarcity and choices related to the utilization of limited resources. Students learn how to apply the tools of economic analysis to personal, community, national and international issues. Economic preparedness enables students to make choices relying on past historical and geographical knowledge to actively and successfully engage in our complex society. This course meets the state's American Government/Civics requirement for graduation.
10th Grade
US History
Previous Course: Civics & Economics
Next Course: World History or IB World History HL/SL
The high school United States history course provides students with a comprehensive, intensive study of major events and themes in United States history. Beginning with early European colonization, the course examines major events an d themes throughout United States history. The course concludes with significant developments in the early 21st century.
AP US History
Previous Course: Civics & Economics
Next Course: World History OR IB World History HL/SL
Admission Criteria: Two recent MAP Reading scores 60th percentile or higher AND grades of 4 or higher in Civics & Economics AND effort grade of 3 or higher in Civics & Economics.
The AP U.S. History course focuses on the development of historical thinking skills (chronological reasoning, comparing and contextualizing, crafting historical arguments using historical evidence, and interpreting and synthesizing historical narrative) and an understanding of content learning objectives organized around seven themes, such as identity, peopling, and America in the world. In line with college and university U.S. history survey courses’ increased focus on early and recent American history and decreased emphasis on other areas, the AP U.S. History course expands on the history of the Americas from 1491 to 1607 and from 1980 to the present.
11th Grade
World History
Previous Course: US History or AP US History
Next Course: Psychology or AP Psychology
This course is a comprehensive, intensive study of major events and themes in world history. The course examines the political, cultural, economics, and social development and growth of civilizations. The course curriculum covers the growth and development of ancient civilizations, the emergence of nations through trade/communications, intellectual development, scientific/technological development, emergence of nation-states, nations in conflict, the merging interdependence of nations in the 20th century, and the study of change, continuity, and globalization at the beginning of the 21st century.
IB World History HL/SL Year 1
Previous Course: US History or AP US History
Next Course: IB History HL/SL Year 2
Placement Criteria: Grade and effort grade of 3 or higher in AP US History OR Grade of 5 or higher in US History AND two recent MAP Reading scores 70th percentile or higher
The IB world history course is a world history course based on a comparative and multi-perspective approach to history. It involves the study of a variety of types of history, including political, economic, social and cultural, and provides a balance of structure and flexibility. The course emphasizes the importance of encouraging students to think historically and to develop historical skills as well as gaining factual knowledge. It puts a premium on developing the skills of critical thinking, and on developing an understanding of multiple interpretations of history. In this way, the course involves a challenging and demanding critical exploration of the past. Teachers explicitly teach thinking and research skills such as comprehension, text analysis, transfer, and use of primary sources.
IB Psychology HL/SL Year 1
Placement Criteria: Grade of 3 or higher in AP US History and IB Biology HL OR Grade of 5 or higher in US History and IB Biology SL AND two recent MAP Reading scores 60th percentile or higher (SL) or 75th percentile or higher (HL)
The IB Diploma Programme psychology course aims to develop an awareness of how research findings can be applied to better understand human behaviour and how ethical practices are upheld in psychological inquiry. Students learn to understand the biological, cognitive and sociocultural influences on human behaviour and explore alternative explanations of behaviour. They also understand and use diverse methods of psychological inquiry.
12th Grade
Psychology
Previous Course: World History
This elective course introduces students to basic psychological concepts and principles as well as the rules, laws, and theories of psychology. Topics of study include: determiners of personality (heredity and environment), theories of the development of intelligence, and testing characteristics of basic needs. A study of self-concept (theories of development) is also included. With this knowledge of themselves and others, students should be able to make informed decisions which are impacted by changing environments and situations.
AP Psychology
Previous Course: World History
Admission criteria: 4 or higher in World History and IB Biology
AP Psychology provides an overview of current psychological research methods and theories. Students will explore the therapies used by professional counselors and clinical psychologists and examine the reasons for normal human reactions: how people learn and think, the process of human development and human aggression, altruism, intimacy, and self-reflection. They will study core psychological concepts, such as the brain and sense functions, and learn to gauge human reactions, gather information, and form meaningful syntheses. Along the way, students will also investigate relevant concepts like study skills and information retention. The equivalent of a 100-level college survey course, AP Psychology prepares students for the AP Exam and for further studies in psychology and life sciences.
IB World History HL/SL Year 2
Previous Course: IB World History HL/SL Year 1
The IB world history course is a world history course based on a comparative and multi-perspective approach to history. It involves the study of a variety of types of history, including political, economic, social and cultural, and provides a balance of structure and flexibility. The course emphasizes the importance of encouraging students to think historically and to develop historical skills as well as gaining factual knowledge. It puts a premium on developing the skills of critical thinking, and on developing an understanding of multiple interpretations of history. In this way, the course involves a challenging and demanding critical exploration of the past. Teachers explicitly teach thinking and research skills such as comprehension, text analysis, transfer, and use of primary sources.
IB Psychology Year 2
Previous Course: IB Psychology HL/SL Year 1
The IB Diploma Programme psychology course aims to develop an awareness of how research findings can be applied to better understand human behaviour and how ethical practices are upheld in psychological inquiry. Students learn to understand the biological, cognitive and sociocultural influences on human behaviour and explore alternative explanations of behaviour. They also understand and use diverse methods of psychological inquiry.