Social Studies

The IB 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. There are six key concepts that have particular prominence throughout the DP history course: change, continuity, causation, consequence, significance, and perspectives. The range of content is from 750 CE to the 21st Century. Higher Level requires that one of four regions must be studied: Americas, Africa/Middle East, Europe, or Asia/Oceania (LN). Practice writing for the IB exam is provided. 

• Recommended Grade Level:   12 

• Recommended Prerequisites:  Completion of AP  U.S. History

• Credits: A 2 semester course, 1 credit per semester

• Fulfills the Social Studies requirement for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas or counts as an Elective for any diploma

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.

• Recommended Grade Level: 10-12

• Recommended Prerequisites: Geography/History of the World

• Credits: 1 credit

• Counts as an Elective for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas

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. 

● Recommended Grade Level:  10, 11, 12 

● Required Prerequisites: none 

● Credits: 1 semester course, 1 credit per semester 

● Counts as an Elective for all diplomas

Topics in History--FILM will provide students a review of U.S. history by examining movies from different time periods and themes.  Students will examine primary and secondary sources in connection to the films to analyze reality vs. representation.  It is important to look at motivation, time period the film was made (and the events taking place at that time), and point of view of the director in order to examine the accuracy of the historical event being portrayed. Movies not only reveal information about historical time periods but reveal information about the time period in which they are released.  Students will also examine the use of music, camera angles and symbolism to determine the message of the movie.  

• Recommended Grade Level: 10, 11, 12

• Recommended Prerequisites: Geography/History of the World

• Credits: 1 credit

• Counts as an Elective for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas

Students in this pilot course from College Board African American History course look at the history, politics, culture, and economics of North American people of African descent.  From the slave economy to the civil rights movement, and from the blues to hip-hop, African Americans have had a huge role in shaping American society and culture. If you major in African American studies, you'll learn about their achievements. You'll also examine the hardships African Americans faced during their history. Further, you'll dive into the difficult issues, such as unequal educational opportunities, they deal with today. Scholars in African American studies play a key role in the development of modern academics. By focusing on people and viewpoints that have been ignored in other fields, they lead they way in integrating minority experiences into all academic subjects.

• Recommended Grade Level:  10- 12

• Recommended Prerequisites: Geography and History of the World 

• Credits: A 2 semester course, 1 credit per semester

• AP Exam Required (College Board Pilot Program)

• Counts as an Elective for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas

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.

• Recommended Grade Level:   12

• Recommended Prerequisites: None

• Credits: 1 semester course, 1 credit

• Fulfills the Economics requirement for the Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors, Core 40 with Technical Honors and International Baccalaureate diplomas, a Social Studies requirement for the General Diploma, or counts as an Elective for any diploma

• Qualifies as a Quantitative Reasoning course 

Microeconomics, AP is a course based on content established by the College Board.   The course gives students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the economics system. Topics include: (1) basic economic concepts, (2) the nature and functions of product markets, (3) factor markets, and (4) market failure and the role of government. 

• Recommended Grade Level: Grade 12

• Recommended Prerequisites: None

• Credits: 1 credit per semester. 

• Fulfills the Economics requirement for the Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors, Core 40 with Technical Honors and International Baccalaureate diplomas, a Social Studies requirement for the General Diploma, or counts as an Elective for any diploma

• Qualifies as a Quantitative Reasoning course for the General, Core 40, AHD, and THD diplomas

1548                                                          

1548H  Honors

World History and Civilization emphasizes events and developments in the past that greatly affected large numbers of people across broad areas and that significantly influenced peoples and places in subsequent eras. Key events related to people and places as well as transcultural

interaction and exchanges are examined in this course. Students are expected to compare and contrast events and developments involving diverse peoples and civilizations in different regions of the world. They will examine examples of continuity and change, universality and particularity, and

unity and diversity among various peoples and cultures from the past to the present. Students are also expected to practice and process skills of historical thinking and research and apply content knowledge to the practice of thinking and inquiry skills and processes. There will be continuous and

pervasive interactions of processes and content, skills and substance, in the teaching and learning of history.

• Recommended Grade Level:  9-10

• Recommended Prerequisites: None

• Credits: 2 semester course, 1 credit per semester

• Fulfills a Social Studies requirement for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas or counts as an Elective for any diploma

Psychology is the scientific study of mental processes and behavior. The course is divided into eight content areas: History and Scientific Method, Biological Basis for Behavior, Development, Cognition, Personality and Assessment, Abnormal Psychology, Socio-Cultural Dimensions of Behavior, and Psychological Thinking. History and Scientific Method explores the history of psychology, the research methods used, and the ethical considerations that must be utilized. Biological Basis for Behavior focuses on the way the brain and nervous system function, including sensation, perception, motivation and emotion. Development analyzes the changes through one’s life including the physical, cognitive, emotional, social and moral development. Cognition focuses on learning, memory, information processing, and language development. Personality and Assessment explains the approaches used to explain one’s personality and the assessment tools used. Abnormal Psychology explores psychological disorders and the various treatments used for them. Socio-Cultural Dimensions of Behavior covers topics such as conformity, obedience, perceptions, attitudes and influence of the group on the individual. Psychological Thinking explores how to think like a psychologist and expand critical thinking skills needed in the day-to-day life of a psychologist.

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• Recommended Grade: 10-12

• Credits: 1 to 2 semester course, 1 credit per semester

• Counts as an elective for all diplomas

Psychology, Advanced Placement is a course based on content established by the College Board. This course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes. Topics include: (1) history and approaches, (2) research methods, (3) biological bases of behavior, (4) sensation and perception, (5) states of consciousness, (6) learning, (7) cognition, (8) motivation and emotion, (9) developmental psychology, (10) personality, (11) testing and individual differences, (12) abnormal psychology, (13) treatment of psychological disorders, and (14) social psychology. 

• Recommended Grade Level:  11- 12

• Recommended Prerequisites: None 

• Credits: A 2 semester course, 1 credit per semester

• Counts as an Elective for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas

• Eligible for dual-credit enrollment through the Indiana University Advance College Project

The IB Psychology Higher Level course aims to develop an awareness of how research findings can be applied to better understand human behavior and how ethical practices are upheld in psychological inquiry. Students learn to understand the biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences on human behavior and explore alternative explanations of behavior. They also understand and use diverse methods of psychological inquiry.

• Recommended Grade Level:  12

• Required Prerequisite:  AP/ACP Psychology

• Credits: 2 semester course, 1 credit per semester

• Counts as a Social Studies Course for the General diploma or as an elective for any diploma

Sociology allows students to study human social behavior from a group perspective.  The sociological perspective is a method of studying recurring patterns in people’s attitudes and actions and how these patterns vary across time, cultures, and in social settings and groups.  Students will describe the development of sociology as a social science and identify methods of research.  Through research methods such as scientific inquiry students will examine society, group behavior, and social structures. The influence of culture on group behavior is addressed through institutions such as the family, religion, education, economics, community organizations, government, and political and social groups.  The impact of social groups and institutions on group and individual behavior and the changing nature of society will be examined.  Influences on group behavior and social problems are included in the course.  Students will also analyze the role of individuals in the community and social problems in today’s world.

• Recommended Grade Level:  11- 12

• Recommended Prerequisites: None

• Credits: 1 semester, 1 credit

• Counts as an Elective for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas

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 will 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 will examine how the United States Constitution protects rights and provides the structure and functions of various levels of government.  How the United States interacts with other nations and the government’s role in world affairs will be examined.  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, politic, and civic activities and the need for civic and political engagement of citizens in the United States.

• Recommended Grade Level:  12

• Recommended Prerequisites: None

• Credits: 1 semester, 1 credit

• Fulfills the Government requirement for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors, and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas or counts as an Elective for any diploma

AP United States Government and Politics 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 U.S. Government and Politics provides a college-level, nonpartisan introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. Students study U.S. foundational 155 documents, Supreme Court decisions, and other texts and visuals to gain an understanding of the relationships and interactions among political institutions, processes, and behavior. They also engage in disciplinary practices that require them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments. In addition, they complete a political science research or applied civics project. This course is also eligible for dual credit through Indiana University as Political Science 103.

• Recommended Grade Level:  12

• Recommended Prerequisites: Successful completion of United States History AP or ACP 

• Credits: 1 semester course, 1 credit per semester

• Fulfills the US Government requirement for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas or counts as an Elective for any diploma

Topics include: (1) constitutional underpinnings of United States government, (2) political beliefs and behaviors, (3) political parties, interest groups, and mass media, (4) institutions of national government, (5) public policy, and (6) civil rights and civil liberties. Students will study US Supreme Court decisions and will have the opportunity to participate in rhetorical and written competitions.

• Recommended Grade Level:  12

• Recommended Prerequisites: Successful completion of United States History AP or ACP 

• Credits:  semester course, 1 credit per semester

• Fulfills the US Government requirement for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas or counts as an Elective for any diploma

United States History builds upon concepts developed in previous studies of U.S. History.  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.  Students are expected to trace and analyze chronological periods and examine the significant themes and concepts in U.S. History.  They will 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.

• Recommended Grade Level:   11

• Recommended Prerequisites: None

• Credits: 2 semester course, 1 credit each semester

• Fulfills the US History requirement of the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors, and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas 

United States History, Advanced Placement is a course based on the content established by the College Board. The course has a chronological frame from 1492 to the present and focuses on multiple causation and change in United States history over time. A variety of historical themes are examined in order to place the history of the United States into larger analytical contexts. Students are expected to analyze and interpret primary sources and develop awareness of multiple interpretations of historical issues in secondary sources. Historical events and issues in U.S. history are to be examined from multiple perspectives. 

• Recommended Grade Level:  11 

• Recommended Prerequisites: None for regular US History

• AP Guidelines for success:

The following factors have been identified as indicators of success in an advanced level (AP, ACP, IB) U.S. History Course at Lawrence North.  It is encouraged that students meet the following criteria before enrolling in the AP/ACP/IB U.S. History Course.  Students who do not meet the following conditions may still enroll, but must understand they will be challenged by the curriculum and must be prepared to commit a significant amount of time and effort to their course work to be successful in the accelerated setting. 

• Teacher Recommendation

• SRI/Lexile: 1050 and above

• Experience in prior Honors/AP Level Courses; demonstrated performance at the A/B level

• Honors Geo/Hist of the World; AP World

• Credits: A 2 semester course, 1 credit per semester

• Fulfills the US History requirement for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas or counts as an Elective for any diploma

• Dual credit available through Indiana University’s Advanced College Project

This yearlong course covers the Colonial period, Revolution, Confederation and Constitution, national period to 1865. 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.

• Recommended Grade Level:   11

• Recommended Prerequisites: Geography Honors or AP World History

• Credits: 2 semester course, 1 credit each semester

• Fulfills the US History requirement of the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors, and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas 

• This is a dual credit course through Indiana University

Interdisciplinary Studies integrates the disciplines of American History, Literature, and the Arts. United States History and American Literature are taught in a daily block of time by a team of teachers. Various methodologies are utilized with an emphasis on discussion and group work. An honors designation will be indicated on the students’ transcript for successful completion of the course study. The History portion of the class follows the AP United States History curriculum. Students are expected to take the AP United States History test, which is administered in the spring semester and requires a registration fee. English students are expected to take the AP examination in American Literature administered by the College Board.

• Recommended Grade Level:  11 

• Prerequisites:   English 9 Honors; English 10 Honors; AND Honors Geography/History or the World or AP World History

•  AP/ACP/USH Guidelines for success:

The following factors have been identified as indicators of success in an advanced level (AP, ACP, IB) U.S. History Course at Lawrence North.  It is encouraged that students meet the following criteria before enrolling in the AP/ACP/IB U.S. History Course.  Students who do not meet the following conditions may still enroll, but must understand they will be challenged by the curriculum and must be prepared to commit a significant amount of time and effort to their course work to be successful in the accelerated setting. 

• Teacher Recommendation

• SRI/Lexile: 1050 and above

• Experience in prior Honors/AP Level Courses; demonstrated performance at the A/B level

• Honors Geo/Hist of the World; AP World

• Pre AP—Intro to Social Studies

• Credits: A 2 semester course, 2 credits per semester; total of 4 credits

• Fulfills the US History and English 11 requirement for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas or counts as an Elective for any diploma

AP World History Modern students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in historical periods from approximately 1200 CE to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change over time. The course provides six themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: humans and the environment, cultural developments and interactions, governance, economic systems, social interactions and organization, and technology and innovation.   

• Recommended Grade Level:  9-11

• Recommended Prerequisites: English 9 Honors; English 10 Honors

• Credits:  2 semester course, 1 credit per semester

• Fulfills a Social Studies requirement for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas or counts as an Elective for any diploma