SOCIAL STUDIES * = Year-Long Class S53400 & S53410 Geography and History of the World * 9, 10, 11, 12 S53220 World History and Civilization I: Nonwestern World 9, 10, 11, 12 S53230 World History and Civilization II: Western World 9, 10, 11, 12 S53440 AP World History 9, 10, 11, 12 S53210 U.S. History: The Survey I 10, 11, 12 S53200 U.S. History: The Survey II 10, 11, 12 S53350 U.S. History: The Foreign Policy 1 st semester 10, 11, 12 S53360 U.S. History: The Foreign Policy 2 nd semester 10, 11, 12 S53190 U.S. History: AP (Honors)* DC/Concurrent Enrollment 10, 11, 12 S50490 American Literature/U.S. History* 2-Hr Block Class 11, 12 S53080 Government 11, 12 S53090 Government: AP (Honors) DC/Concurrent Enrollment 11, 12 S53020 Economics 11, 12 S53040 Economics: AP/IB HL (Honors)* 12 S53130 Current Problems, Issues, and Events 10, 11, 12 S53120 International Studies: History of the Americas IB HL (Honors)* 12 S55150 Psychology 11, 12 S55160 AP Psychology (Honors) DC/Concurrent Enrollment 11, 12 S55170 IB Psychology: IB SL (Honors) 12 S53160 Sociology 11, 12 S53030 Law Education 11, 12 S53180 European History: AP (Honors) 10, 11, 12 Note: DC = Dual Credit or Concurrent Enrollment class option with PNC Program. Students can apply to earn both VHS credits and Purdue University credits. Interested students must apply to PNC. Additional information on the VHS Website. Social Studies Requirements Core 40 & Academic Honors & Technical Honors Diplomas 2 semesters of World History & Civilization or Geography & History of the World 2 semesters of U.S. History 1 semester of Economics 1 semester of Government VHS Diploma (General Indiana Diploma) Social Studies Requirements 2 semesters of U.S. History 1 semester Economics 1 semester Government Courses appropriate for the IB Program are marked in the course titles. Courses receiving honors credit are also indicated in course titles. 1
Geography & World History Courses S53400 - Geography and History of the World Semester 1 9, 10, 11, 12 1 Cr., 1 Sem. S53410 - Geography and History of the World Semester 2 9, 10, 11, 12 1 Cr., 1 Sem. This is a 2 credit, year-long course. The student will use geographical skills and historical concepts to deepen their understanding of global themes while emphasizing physical and human geography. Key concepts include cultural hearths, world religions, demography, urbanization, innovation and revolutions, exploration, conquest and imperialism, conflict and cooperation, trade and commerce, human and environmental interactions, development of states and nations and global environment change. S53220 World History & Civilization I: Nonwestern World 9, 10, 11, 12 1 Cr., 1 Sem. This world history course deals with the development of the Ancient River Civilizations. It looks in depth at the ancient civilizations of the Middle East, China, India and Africa. Each area s history is traced from ancient times to the present. This course is offered 1 st semester. S53230 World History & Civilization II: Western World 9, 10, 11, 12 1 Cr., 1 Sem. This world history course traces the development of the western world from Greece through the present. This course is offered 2 nd semester. S53440 AP World History (Honors) 9, 10, 11, 12 2 Cr., 2 Sem. This is a two-semester course that will serve as an elective for those students who desire to be challenged at a higher level than the standard World History class. This advanced class will provide an in-depth analysis and detailed study of historical ideas, themes, and problems of World Civilizations from the development of the river civilizations to the contemporary world and will help students prepare for the optional AP Examination. This course receives an honors point for GPA. U.S. History Courses S53210 United States History: The Survey I 1 st Semester 10, 11, 12 2 Cr., 2 Sem. S53200 United States History: The Survey II 2 nd Semester 10, 11, 12 2 Cr., 2 Sem. Prerequisite: World History & Civilization I & II: S53220 & S53230, or World History PIB: S53420 & S53430, or Geography/History of the World S53400 & S53410. This two semester course is one of the offerings available to fulfill the U.S. History requirement for graduation. This course is the traditional chronological approach to U.S. 2
History. U.S. I reviews early history to the Reconstruction and covers in depth up to the 20 th Century. U.S. II covers from the beginning of the 20 th Century to the present. S53350 United States History: The Foreign Policy 1 st Semester 10, 11, 12 2 Cr., 2 Sem. S53360 United States History: The Foreign Policy 2 nd Semester 10, 11, 12 2 Cr., 2 Sem. Prerequisite: World History & Civilization I & II: S53220 & S53230, or World History PIB: S53420 & S53430, or Geography/History of the World: S53400 & S53410. This two-semester course is a chronological/thematic approach to U.S. History, which examines the circumstances surrounding conflict in American History. Its purpose is to examine the American foreign policy from the Revolution to present. Emphasis is not just on those conflicts resolved through war, but also on those issues resolved through compromise. This course is open to any junior or senior student and is also an appropriate choice for sophomores seeking the IB diploma. Also, any sophomore who has successfully completed World History PIB, World History & Civilization I & II, or Geography/History of the World may enroll. S50490 American Literature/U.S. History (American Studies 2-hr Block ) 11, 12 4 Cr., 2 Sem. This yearlong, two-hour course will provide students with the opportunity to study American Literature and U.S. History at the same time. From the 1600 s through the modern era, representative writing from diverse American cultures will be examined. Significant events in U.S. History will be studied from the multiple perspectives within American society. Students will be encouraged to make connections between the two areas of study. Basic language skills of reading, writing, and speaking will be emphasized in both course sections. Successful completion of this course will fulfill the U.S. History requirement (2 credits) and the American Literature requirement (1 credit) and will provide an additional credit of English. Enrollment in this course requires a twoperiod block. S53190 United States History: AP/Pre-IB (Honors) DC 10, 11, 12 2 Cr., 2 Sem. Prerequisite: World History PIB S53420 & S53430, or World History & Civilization I & II: S53220 & S53230, or Geography/History of the World S53400 & S53410. This two-semester honors course is designed to provide the appropriate material for any student who wishes to take the honors level of U.S. History and prepare for the optional AP Examination. Its purpose is to provide the students with the factual base and analytical skills to deal critically with historical problems that are presented. This course is open to any student (see prerequisites) and is also an appropriate choice for sophomores seeking the IB diploma. This course receives an honors point for the GPA. 3
Any Academic Honors Diploma student using this AP course for one of the additional requirements and not taking the class for PNC Dual Credit is reminded the AP Exam is required. A fee is charged for the AP Exam. PNC Dual Credit Option only for Grades 11 & 12: HIST 151 and HIST 152 (6 credits) Government and Economics Courses S53080 Government 11, 12 1 Cr., 1 Sem. Prerequisite: U.S. History 2 semesters This offering is one of the two government courses being taught to fulfill the requirements for graduation. The primary goal of this one semester course is to help make students aware of their rights and responsibilities as citizens in a democratic society. The course traces the development and formation of a presidential democracy and the importance of political parties and the voter in its maintenance. Emphasis is placed on understanding the organization and duties performed by each of the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. Besides understanding the federal government, students are introduced to state and local government that includes the study of Indiana government. S53090 Government: AP (Honors) DC 11, 12 1 Cr., 1 Sem. Prerequisite: 2 semesters of AP U.S. History, US History I & II, or Foreign Policy AP Government is an honors course offered as an alternative to Government for students. An optional AP Government exam is given in May. Its structure, though similar to the Government course, will provide an in depth analysis of a presidential democracy, the role of political parties and the voters, the organization and duties performed by the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. The roles of other levels of government are also included. Any Academic Honors Diploma student using this AP course for one of the additional requirements and not taking the class for PNC Dual Credit is reminded the AP Exam is required. A fee is charged for the AP Exam. This class receives the honors point toward the GPA. PNC Dual Credit Option Grades 11 & 12: POL 101 (3 credits) S53020 Economics 11, 12 1 Cr., 1 Sem. Prerequisite: U.S. History or Foreign Policy 2 semesters The Economics course fulfills the requirement for graduation for the State of Indiana and Valparaiso High School. Economics is designed to help students understand the principles of the American capitalistic system and to help them function effectively within that system. The course contains sections on consumer skills, microeconomics, and macroeconomics. During the study of microeconomics, students will understand and be able to explain business behavior in a capitalistic system, and in the study of macroeconomics, students will study the U.S. economy as a whole and international 4
issues. Students will also work to develop consumer skills to assist them in making intelligent economic decisions. S53040 Economics AP/IB HL (Honors) 12 2 Cr., 2 Sem. Prerequisite: Economics S53020 This is a two-semester course for seniors who wish to prepare to the AP and IB exams. The course will be divided into 2 sections: first section is microeconomics; second section is macroeconomics. Because Economics 3216 is a prerequisite, this course will review the basic principles with an emphasis on additional, more complex ideas and materials. The analysis of economic problems will include both calculations and free response. AP students will be prepared to sit for one or both AP exams. This course is required for the IB Group 3 Study of Man Economics track and IB exam. This course receives the honors point for GPA. A fee is required for both the IB and AP Exams. Social Studies Elective Courses S53130 Current Problems, Issues, and Events 10, 11, 12 1 Cr., 1 Sem. This elective course will provide the student with the opportunity to apply techniques of investigation and inquiry to the study of significant problems or issues in the world today. Using newspapers and magazines as resources, the issues studied will be determined by the progression of world affairs. S55150 Psychology 11, 12 1 Cr., 1 Sem. This elective course is designed to give students a broad picture of psychology. The emphasis will be on personality, learning and memory, development, social psychology, psychological disorders and research. The course is designed to develop an interest in psychology and help students understand their own behavior. This course provides an excellent foundation for college-level psychology courses and is highly recommended to all college bound students. S55160 Psychology: AP/IB SL (Honors) DC 11, 12 1 Cr., 1 Sem. This course is the prerequisite for IB Psychology SL S5510 This one-semester honors course is designed to be a more intensive introduction to the study of Psychology in preparation for the optional AP Psychology Exam in May. Emphasis will be placed on analysis of theories, the theories themselves, major content areas, and application. Students will generate ideas and reach conclusions through reading, lecture, observation, experimentation, examination, and written expression. This course receives the honors point for GPA. Any Academic Honors Diploma student using this AP course for one of the additional requirements and not taking the class for PNC Dual Credit students are reminded that the AP Exam is required. A fee is required for the AP Exam. This course will only be offered during second semester. PNC Dual Credit Option: PSY 120 (3 credits) 5
S55170 Psychology: IB SL (Honors) 11, 12 1 Cr., 1 Sem. Must be taken 1 st Semester of Senior year Prerequisite: AP/IB Psychology in Spring Semester Junior year IB Psychology is a more advanced extension of AP/IB Psychology. This class will go into greater depth than the AP/IB class in Abnormal Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Health Psychology, and the Psychology of Human Relationships. It will also explore Sports Psychology and spend time evaluating the research of other psychologists and doing research of our own. It fulfills the SL requirement for Group 3 of the IB Diploma. There are some extra requirements for those students pursuing the IB Diploma. S53160 Sociology 11, 12 1 Cr., 1 Sem. In this elective course, students will examine various cultures and components of a society. Students will explore such topics as socialization and group behavior as well as social status and social problems. A component of this course is community service, which provides the student with an excellent opportunity to obtain references for college applications and scholarships. This course is an outstanding foundation for college level sociology courses and is highly recommended to all college bound students. S53030 Law Education 11, 12 1 Cr., 1 Sem. Prerequisite: US Government must be taken before this class or concurrently with this class. Law Education is a course in Practical Law that focuses on legal issues relevant to students lives that help them develop the knowledge and skills essential to living in our law-related society. Project, field trips, simulations, and mock trials will be a key component to the class. S53180 European History: AP (Honors) 10, 11, 12 2 Cr., 2 Sem. Prerequisite: World History or World Geography This elective AP course and exam in European History are intended for qualified students who wish to complete classes in secondary school equivalent to college introductory courses in European history. 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 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. In addition to providing a basic narrative of events and movements, the goals of AP European History are to develop (a) an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European history, (b) an ability to analyze historical evidence and historical interpretation, and (c) an ability to express historical understanding in writing. The AP Exam is recommended at the conclusion of the course. This course is approved by the IDOE as an elective for the General, Core 40, Academic Honors and Technical Honors Diploma. This class can qualify for an Academic Honors AP class only if the AP Exam is taken. 6