High School Social Studies

Recent US History – RAI
Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: None

In this class, students will analyze the way this country’s recent history impacts decisions and experiences today.  Students will learn about Presidents, social movements, international conflicts, cultural changes, and headlining events.  They will examine historical evidence, analyze documents, and communicate their conclusions about patterns, shifts, and changes in the United States.  Students will refine historical thinking skills and utilize those skills to understand and interpret their goals and roles as engaged citizens.

The student will:

• Analyze the influence different individual members of a group can have on the collective thought and behavior of the group as a whole.
• Assess the impact of individuals and reform movements on changes to civil rights and liberties. 
• Explain how globalization has impacted various aspects of economic growth, labor markets, and rights of citizens, the environment, and resource and income distribution in different nations.
• Analyze the consequences of human-made and natural catastrophes on global trade, politics, and human migration.
• Evaluate methods used to change or expand systems of power and/or authority.
• Analyze the relationship between historical sources and the secondary interpretations made from them.

US History – RAI
Offered to grades: 11
Length: 2 TERMS
Category: Required
Prerequisite: None

This course studies the advancement of the US from Post-Reconstruction America through the Vietnam War, roughly 1870-1970.  The past is related to the present as much as possible to bring history up to date.  The roles of women and other marginalized groups are included in each unit where applicable.  Social, political, cultural, economic, and geographic changes within American society are studied.

The student will:

• Understand the concept of the “American Dream” and its impact on the shaping of American culture and society from the post reconstruction era to the present
• Examine how diverse ideologies impacted political and social institutions
• Assess the impact of individuals and reforms on changes to civil rights and liberties
• Examine labor and governmental efforts to reform and/or maintain a capitalistic economic system
• Analyze the effects of urbanization, segregation, and voluntary and forced migration within regions of the US on social, political, and economic structures
• Assess the growth of and challenges to US involvement in the world in the post-World War II era
• Analyze change, continuity and context across eras and places of study from the Civil War to modern America
• Critique primary and secondary sources of information
• Determine multiple and complex causes and effects of events in American history

AP US History – RAI
Offered to grades: 11
Length: 2 TERMS
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: None

This course may be substituted for US History.

Dual Credit (DMACC) Course 

This course is a thorough study of our nation’s development from discovery to the present using university-level texts.  The course is a one-year course designed for students who wish to achieve excellence in American History.  Political, social, diplomatic, and economic history will be emphasized.  Historiography will be a major area of study within each unit.

The student will:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of America’s history
• Discover the cause-and-effect relationships of American history that have led the country to its present state
• Have proficiency in the writing of a persuasive history essay
• Present the ability to construct a history research paper using the proper format
• Develop strategies for taking the AP US History exam

AP European History – RAI
Offered to grades: 10,11, 12
Length: 2 TERMS
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: None

Dual Credit (DMACC) Course 

The study of European history since 1450 introduces students to cultural, economic, political, and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live. Without this knowledge, we would lack the context for understanding the development that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live. Without this knowledge, we would lack the context or understanding of the development of contemporary institutions, the role of continuity and change in present-day society and politics, and the evolution of current forms of artistic expression and intellectual discourse.

The student will:

• Know facts, concepts and theories pertaining to basic events, movements and developments that shaped history.
• Develop an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European History.
• Analyze historical evidence and historical interpretation.
• Express historical understanding in writing

AP Human Geography – RAI
Offered to grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length: 2 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: None

AP Human Geography can be taken as an alternative to Modern World History. It introduces students to college-level introductory human geography or cultural geography. The content is presented thematically and is organized around the discipline’s main subfields: economic geography, cultural geography, political geography, and urban geography. The approach is spatial and problem-oriented. Case studies are drawn from all world regions, emphasizing understanding the world we live in today. Historical information enriches the analysis of the impacts of phenomena such as globalization, colonialism, and human–environment relationships on places, regions, cultural landscapes, and patterns of interaction. The goal of the course is for students to become more geoliterate, more engaged in contemporary global issues, and more informed about multicultural viewpoints. Students will develop skills in approaching problems geographically, using maps and geospatial technologies, thinking critically about texts and graphic images, interpreting cultural landscapes, and applying geographic concepts such as scale, region, diffusion, interdependence, and spatial interaction, among others.

US Government – RAI
Offered to grades: 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Required
Prerequisite: None

This is a term class that explores the foundations of the United States Government, your civil rights and liberties, the election processes, how government policy decisions are made, and the history of Iowa’s government.

The student will:

• Analyze the origins of government with attention to the purpose(s) of government, various theories of democracy, rule of law, and alternative models from other nations and groups
• Examine the civil rights and liberties of United States citizens.
• Evaluate the policy-making process and the intended and unintended consequences of policy implementation
• Analyze the election process
• Assess factors that impact elections in the United States
• Examine individual political belief systems 
• Distinguish between the features of state and local governments and identify the three government branches, their functions, powers, and members.
• Examine Iowa’s government system and how Iowan’s have played a role in promoting Civic and Democratic principles

AP US Government and Politics – RAI
Offered to grades: 12
Length: 2 Terms
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: None

This course may be substituted for US Government.

Dual Credit (DMACC) Course 

AP US Government and Politics is a college-level 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 will read and analyze US foundational documents, Supreme Court decisions, and other texts and visuals to gain an understanding of the relationships and interactions between political institutions and behavior.  They will read and interpret data, develop evidence-based arguments, and engage in an applied civics or politics research-based project.

The student will:

•  Describe and explain constitutional and political institutions, principles, processes, models and/or beliefs
•  Explain connections among political behaviors, institutions, beliefs, and cultural factors
•  Read, analyze, and interpret quantitative data to draw conclusions about political principles, processes, behaviors, and outcomes
•  Read, analyze, and interpret qualitative sources
•  Develop an argument about political principles, processes, behaviors, and outcomes

To help students meet these goals, the course should cover the following topics:

• Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government
• Political Beliefs and Behaviors
• Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media
• Institutions of National Government
• Public Policy
• Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

AP Psychology – RAI
Offered to grades: 11, 12
Length: 2 TERMS
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: None

The AP Psychology course will introduce students to the systematic study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Intensive study will occur in the following areas: developmental psychology, sensation and perception, learning and memory, intelligence, motivation and emotion, personality, mental disorders and therapy and research techniques. AP Psychology requires a high level of reading skills and critical thinking.  The difficulty level will be similar to any college introductory psychology class. 

Psychology – RAI
Offered to grades: 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: None

This course provides a general introduction to human behavior including: workings of the mind, learning behavior, human relations, group behavior, social attitudes, personality formation and abnormal behavior. A scientific orientation is stressed with an emphasis on scientific methods and procedures. Special areas included are learning theory, biological foundation of behavior, theories of personality and psychological development.

The student will:

• Explain how social, cultural, gender, and economic factors influence behavior and human interactions in societies around the world.
• Investigate human behavior from biological, cognitive, behavioral, and sociocultural perspectives.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the scientific methods that are at the core of psychology.
• Apply the major theoretical approaches and perspectives in behavioral science to our daily lives and civic engagement.

Sociology – RAI
Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: None

In this class, students will learn how to think, research, and analyze like a sociologist.  Students will ask “Why?” when examining society and will utilize various sociological tools to arrive at practical and ethical conclusions.  Students will discover how norms, values, and groups are developed and will analyze the ways those functions influence people.  Students will evaluate past sociological experiments and will also learn to conduct their own.  This is a great class to learn how to ask questions, find solutions, and ultimately learn the reciprocal impact society and individuals have on each other.

The student will:

• Explain the formation of groups and the creation and development of societal norms and values.  (Soc.9-12.13)
• Identify characteristics of groups and the influences that groups and individuals have on each other. (Soc.9-12.14)
• Apply the major theoretical approaches and perspectives in behavioral science to our daily lives and civic engagement.  (Soc.9-12.22)
• Analyze the development of sociological perspectives over the course of time, and how those perspectives are used today. (Soc.9-12.17)
• Apply appropriate research methods to collect and analyze data designed to answer a sociological question. (Soc.9-12.20)

Contemporary Affairs – RAI
Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: None

Contemporary Affairs deals with global problems as they pertain to the world today.  This is a class that focuses on helping students develop strong inquiry skills so they will grow in their ability to research and learn about the world around them.  These issues will be addressed from a variety of perspectives with students having the agency to decide how they will answer questions about the world that are of interest to them.  The course will be responsive to change as developments arise around the world and will rely most heavily on independent and group research, multimedia presentations, and discussion.  Students will understand the background of existing global issues and will propose plausible solutions to these dilemmas. 

The student will:

• Learn to design compelling research questions 
• Analyze the reliability of news articles and informative websites
• Summarize and form conclusions on evidence from diverse sources
• Present their findings in a variety of creative and persuasive formats
• Work effectively in a group setting to complete a project

Economics – RAI
Offered to grades: 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: None

The study of Economics is a study of choices, a matter of decision-making.  This course provides students with an opportunity to develop sound decision-making procedures, based on his/her values, and to evaluate alternative solutions to economic problems.  This course introduces high school students to economic concepts through a combination of practical problems, analysis, and several economic philosophies. 

Economics will help students understand how our economy works and how economic incentives influence consumers, business owners, investors and governments.  Many of the important issues of our country, and the world – recession, inflation, urban and ecological decline and decay, various types of discrimination and poverty – have economic roots.  By developing an awareness and perception of economics as it is interwoven in other areas of existence, students gain insight and understanding of business, government, and themselves.

Diverse Perspectives in Society
Offered to grades: 11, 12
Length: 1 Term
Category: Elective
Prerequisite: None

Diverse Perspectives in Society offers students a brave space for agency and dialogue around current events, social movements, and societal shifts within a historical and future forward context. Students will engage in community-based collaborations toward positive social transformation.