Social Studies

Which course is for you? View our 9th Grade Social Studies considerations guiding document

246 - Human Geography: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grade 9

Explore the relationship between people, place, and environment. Study identity, migration, political structures, and economic systems while developing critical reading, writing, and thinking skills.

249 - AP Human Geography: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grade 9

College-level study of cultural, political, and economic geography. Analyze global patterns, environmental challenges, and urban/rural landscapes. Prerequisite: a strong foundation in reading and social studies.

Which course is for you? View our 10th-Grade Social Studies considerations guiding document

224 - World History: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grade 10

Examine global eras, events, and human diversity through chronological, thematic, and global perspectives. Develop research, writing, and communication skills.

227 - AP European History & Modern World History: 3 Terms / 3 Credits, Grade 10

College-level course examining global change from 1200 CE to the present with a focus on Europe’s interactions with the world. Emphasizes primary source analysis, historical inquiry, and AP exam preparation.

Note: This course is designed to prepare students for both the AP World History: Modern and AP European History exams. 

Which course is for you? View our 11th-grade Social Studies considerations guiding document

208 - United States History: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grade 11 [Watch Course Video]

Chronological study of U.S. history from colonization to the present. Analyze social, political, and economic change through reading, projects, and historical skill-based writing.

211 - AP United States History: 3 Terms / 3 Credits, Grade 11 [Watch Course Video]

College-level survey of US History 1491-2008. Requires strong reading skills and a willingness to keep up with substantial daily reading/homework. Emphasizes primary source analysis, historical inquiry, and AP exam preparation. More information is available on the WHS website.

Student Testimonial:

• "AP U.S. History has been an incredible experience. I’ve not only improved my reading, writing, note-taking, and critical thinking skills but also made amazing connections with my classmates as we’ve delved into history in a way I’ve never done before. A great thing about this course is that there’s a variety of activities that cater to different strengths. We do group presentations, practice our essay writing, and learn critical thinking through discussions and watching different movies and videos. I’ve had a really fun experience and would highly recommend taking this course!"

251 - Economics, An Applied Public Policy & Social Science Analysis: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grade 12 [Watch Course Video]

Study economics, sociology, and political science to understand contemporary social issues and policy. Develop research, analysis, and decision-making skills.

• • Note: AP Micro + AP Macro + AP Research may be substituted for Senior Social Studies Economics.

9991A + 9991B - Compass Business Management (Compass Principles of Management + Compass Economics) - 2 Terms / 4 credits, Grade 12 [Watch Course Video]

Prerequisites: Accounting 1: Fundamentals or Business 1: Fundamentals

Compass Business Management is a two-term, two-block-per-day course that combines Principles of Management and Economics for a total of four WHS credits. This Compass course fulfills the Senior Economics WPS graduation requirement and provides eligible students the opportunity to earn three college credits through concurrent enrollment in “BUS2200: Principles of Management” at North Hennepin Community College, transferable to many colleges and universities nationwide.

This course blends theory and application to examine how organizations operate within complex economic systems. Students study how for-profit and nonprofit organizations are structured, how they interact with customers and government, and how economic forces influence decision-making. Emphasis is placed on understanding scarcity, resource allocation, global trends, and the impact of public policy on organizations.

Experiential learning is central to the course. Students partner with local businesses, visit organizations, and learn directly from industry mentors while completing hands-on projects addressing real-world challenges. Through research, collaboration, and applied problem-solving, students develop leadership, project management, communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. This course is designed for students interested in exploring business careers while gaining practical experience beyond the traditional classroom.

Student Testimonial:

• “My Business Management & Economics Compass class opened my eyes to the numerous opportunities the business world has to offer.  Not only did I learn valuable skills from my business mentor, but I also had the opportunity to job shadow him at his company and network with many of his peers.  This experience, along with visiting local businesses, will better prepare me for my college experience.” 

240 - Ancient Civilizations: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9-12

Explore the cultures, governments, conflicts, and social structures of early civilizations, including Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, and China.

Student Testimonial:

• "If you enjoy learning about ancient history, culture, and social life, Ancient Civilizations is a great class for you. You will participate in many interactive activities, especially with groups, that help you engage more with those cultures. The readings are short and not too hard, so this would be a good class for a freshman or sophomore looking for an introduction to the other history electives. It can also provide some background for AP World History students because it covers content before 1200." 

241 - Anthropology: 1 Term /1 Credit, Grade 09-12 [Watch Course Video]

Study human societies, cultural development, and social practices across time.

242 - Trending Topics: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 11-12

          HYBRID COURSE

Research and discuss current events as they happen. Much of this course and your grade is participation-based, with a weekly whole-class discussion and a short individual current events presentation.

Student Testimonial:

• "Trending Topics is easily one of the most interesting classes I’ve taken at the school. It is such a beneficial class for learning about current topics, and for practicing useful skills you can apply in your everyday life. The workload is nothing but reasonable, and it’s genuinely enjoyable. We had class discussions that were always laid-back and full of diverse opinions. I liked the class so much that if I could, I would do it all over again." 

243 - Middle East Studies: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9-12 [Watch Course Video]

Examine history, culture, politics, and U.S. relations in key Middle Eastern countries.

250 - US Military History: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12

Survey American military history, strategy, technology, and societal impact.

253 - Introduction to Psychology: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12 [Watch Course Video]

          HYBRID COURSE

Introductory study of human behavior, development, perception, and psychological disorders. Hybrid format.

Student Testimonial:

• "I took Hybrid Introduction to Psychology and really enjoyed it. The class was paced well, so I did not feel behind on days when we were not in the classroom. Even though the class met three days a week, we still had a personal, in-class experience because we worked together on assignments and projects. The class supports different learning styles by allowing students to work independently at their own pace on days they do not meet in person and to collaborate on days when they are in person. All the resources are linked on Canvas, so it was easy to navigate, no matter where we worked. In class, we mostly covered the readings we had done the previous night and a related activity. Homework was very manageable as long as we kept on top of it. Overall, I really enjoyed the hybrid model and would highly recommend it."

256 - AP Psychology: 2 Term /2 Credit, Grades 11-12 [Watch Course Video]

Prerequisite: None

College-level, research-based study of human behavior through the lens of cognition, development, biology, social psychology, and mental health.

Student Testimonials:

• "AP Psychology is a great class for students interested in topics related to human behavior, social phenomena, and neuroscience. It helped me develop new perspectives on how human beings work both as individuals and in group situations. The class includes important daily readings, and the projects are fun. Overall, I would say that it is a great class for anyone interested in the subject and a great 'first" AP class for students who haven't taken one before." 

• "I would strongly recommend taking AP Psychology. Although it is an AP class, it didn’t feel like one at all. The content was super interesting, and class activities were fun and engaging. It was really cool to see how the content we learned applied to daily life, and I feel like I learned a lot."

• "AP Psychology was my favorite class this year! It was fun and interactive, and I think anyone who’s even remotely interested in the human brain and behavior will enjoy it. Since I took the class, I have developed a much better understanding of the actions and thoughts of those around me, as well as why I think and behave the way I do. I came into the course knowing nothing about psychology and came out of it with new knowledge and understanding that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. As long as you pay attention in class and keep up with the work, you are sure to thrive. I highly recommend taking this course!" 

• "I highly recommend AP Psychology. One of my favorite parts of this class was seeing how the information we learned connects to real life. I find myself seeing examples of what we discussed even after the course ended. Not only did I enjoy the material taught in class, but I also enjoyed the format. It was a very interactive and hands-on class with projects, videos, examples, and many other learning tools that I found useful. Additionally, this class helped me grow as a student. The applicational focus of many of the tests helped push me to study in a way that doesn’t just involve memorization but also true learning. This has been very beneficial in other classes as well."

259 - Leadership: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9-12

Explore leadership principles, presentation skills, and organizational strategies. No matter which path you choose, this class will help prepare you to excel in your career, relationships, and life. Whether you serve in a current leadership position or would like to in the future, this class is designed to help students gain the skills and confidence necessary to be effective organizational members and leaders.

Student Testimonial:

• "This class taught me how to not only recognize characteristics in a good leader, but also how to effectively use those traits myself. Leadership is a very important skill that is used every day, everywhere. It was a fun class because of the interactive activities incorporated daily." 

260 - Race & Ethnicity in America: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12

Examine racial and ethnic dynamics throughout U.S. history and in contemporary society.

261 - Mock Trial 1: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9-12 [Watch Course Video]

Practice legal reasoning, argumentation, and trial advocacy through simulated cases.

267 - Mock Trial 2: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9-12

Prerequisite: Mock Trial 1

Expanded trial practice with civil and criminal cases.

262 - AP US Government & Politics: 2 Terms /2 Credits, Grades 10-12 [Watch Course Video]

Prerequisite: Human Geography or AP Human Geography

College-level study of U.S. political institutions, beliefs, policies, and civil rights.

Student Testimonials:

• "AP U.S. Government and Politics is a very important course. I feel like I learned information that will actually help me later in life. As far as the course load, it is manageable and a good first AP class to take. I think anyone who is interested in government and is opinionated should take this course!" 

• "AP U.S. Government is a great place to learn more about politics, current events, and how the average American interacts with the government. The class is very lively and passionate about discussing politics. Students with only a small knowledge of politics, unique political views, or little AP experience can be successful."

263 - AP Comparative Government: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12 [Watch Course Video]

Prerequisite: Human Geography or AP Human Geography

Analyze global political systems and public policy using case studies of six countries.

264 - Sociology: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 11-12

Sociology is an exciting, project-based class that dives into everything from social structures and cultural values to crime and inequality. Students will gain powerful new concepts and perspectives to help explain social, political, and economic events, leaving with a heightened awareness of their social worlds and insights into how individuals shape society and vice versa

266 - Criminal Law: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12

Study the criminal justice system, laws, and ethical applications in society.

Student Testimonial:

• "Criminal Law inspired me to pursue a career in law. This class taught me the intricacies of the foundations of our government. I learned about the rights I have as a citizen and the protections I have against the government. The various social issues surrounding incarceration that we learned about expanded my understanding of America and the systems within it. I’m very glad that I took this class; I’ve learned a lot about myself through it. I recommend that any students who are interested in our government and the criminal justice system take this class. This class doesn’t require much of a time commitment and doesn’t feel like work at all!"

268B & 268C - AP Research: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 11-12 [Watch Course Video]

HYBRID COURSE

Prerequisite: AP Seminar

AP Exam is the second course in the AP Capstone program. In this hybrid course, students design, plan, and conduct a research investigation on a topic of their choosing in any field (psychology, biology, art, etc). Students write a 5,000-word paper and defend their project in a 20-minute oral defense for their AP exam.

• • Note: AP Micro + AP Macro + AP Research may be substituted for Senior Social Studies Economics.

Student Testimonials:

• "AP Research is an excellent class for motivated, independent students who seek a deeper understanding of the world around them. Few courses offer you the option to choose what and how you're learning; having that freedom helped me engage with content on a deeper level than a traditional AP course. Because everyone is passionate about their research, discussions, and peer reviews feel meaningful, and you learn from your peers to a degree rarely seen in high school. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to contribute to a community of dedicated scholars."

270 - History of Money, Trade, and Economics: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12

Explore economic systems, trade, and currency across history and modern society.

272 - Native American Studies: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9-12

Examine Native American cultures, history, and contemporary issues across North America.

276 - AP African American Studies:  2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 10-12

College-level study of African and African American history, culture, and social contributions.

Student Testimonials:

• "It gave me an insight into my history as a Black woman that I wouldn't have learned in regular history class." 

• "This class is about understanding culture and appreciating the African American experience. It isn’t about being able to regurgitate what you’ve learned but actually put the lessons and history into perspective." 

• "APAAS has fundamentally changed the way I think about Black history. Learning in depth about a culture and history that has previously been neglected by other history classes is invaluable to me. Learning about resistance, and joy, and success has reframed Black history from a tragedy to the story of a group of people who have and continue to live and thrive despite hundreds of years of systemic and social oppression." 

• "APAAS is a fantastic course that has really opened my mind up to understanding different identities and their histories. It provides a broader view of the history of Black identity in the United States, covering not only recent history involving the Black community but also the roots of African American identities. The course focuses on the beauty of the Black community and will introduce you to new ideas and arts/music that have stuck with me! I highly recommend taking this course to everyone—I think there are things in the course that everybody should know to understand the society we live in."

288 - Post High School Planning: 1 Term /1 Credit, Grades 11-12

• Project-based exploration of postsecondary options and personalized planning for life after high school.