Social Studies Department

Social studies provides opportunities that develop knowledge and skills which enable students to grow in: (1) personal and civic responsibility; (2) perspectives that allow students to see themselves as a part of a larger human experience; (3) critical understanding of history, geography, economics, political and social institutions, traditions and civic virtues in America and the world; and (4) thinking analytically and applying the concepts learned.

The fundamental purpose of social studies is to provide preparation and practice for active, lifelong citizenship. Active citizenship in a democratic society requires the development of skills for thinking, decision making, and participation. Citizens of all ages make decisions that affect themselves, their families, their communities, the nation, and the world. The goal of social studies education is to help students develop the ability to make well-informed, well-reasoned decisions and to act responsibly. Well-reasoned decision making and responsible actions are based upon the skills of acquiring, evaluating, and using information for the purpose of: (1) identifying alternative courses of action, (2) predicting their possible consequences, and (3) selecting the best alternative.

Minimum graduation requirements for Social Studies include:
(1) two credits in United States History,
(2) one credit in United States Government, and
(3) one additional social studies course related to citizenship.

The Core 40 curriculum and the Academic Honors diploma requires six credits distributed as follows:
(1) two credits of United States History,
(2) one credit of United States Government,
(3) one credit in the area of economics,
(4) two credits in the areas of world history or world geography.

The world history and world geography component may be met by at least one semester of World History or at least one semester of World Geography. Additional Indiana State Board of Education-approved course titles for social studies may be selected to count as electives toward the total of forty (40) credits required for Core 40 and toward the total of forty-seven (47) credits required for the Academic Honors Diploma.

Courses
  • AP US Government and Politics
  • AP World History
  • AP US History (Dual Credit)
  • Economics
  • Geography and History of the World
  • Honors World History
  • Pyschology
  • Sociology
  • US Government
  • US History

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