2023-2024 Course Catalog – Humanities: Social Studies
Humanities: Social Studies
CL College Level
CP College Prep
DC Dual Credit
XC Exploratory Course
Required Courses
. Normally taken junior year.–>SOC203
American History, 1492-1876 (DC)
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 credit
Offered: Fall
This course surveys the American historical experience through 1876. Students will examine key events, ideas, personalities and movements from before European exploration to the end of Reconstruction.
* Ball State University offers 3 college credit hours in HIST 201 to students who complete this course. Refer to the Dual Credit section for details on enrollment and fees.
SOC204
American History, 1877-Present (DC)
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 credit
Offered: Spring
This course surveys the American historical experience since 1877. Students will examine key events, ideas, personalities and movements since the end of Reconstruction.
* Ball State University offers 3 college credit hours in HIST 202 to students who complete this course. Refer to the Dual Credit section for details on enrollment and fees.
Electives: Topics in History
SOC05101
Indiana History (CL)
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 credit
Offered: Spring
This course will examine the history of Indiana through the present day. Major personalities and important events in the political, economic, literary, philosophical, intellectual, educational, and social realms will be explored. Hoosier hospitality will be the norm for discussion—even when asking the age-old question: what exactly is a “hoosier?”
SOC05130
The West in the World (DC)
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 credit
Offered: Fall
The West in the World is a survey of the development of Western Civilization since its origins emphasizing key problems, turning points, and recurring themes, especially in the past two centuries. The course emphasizes the civilization that emerged and developed in Europe and spread to the Americas during the past two millennia. The West in the World also focuses on the way peoples around the globe helped to shape Western Civilization and how they felt its influence. Non-Western civilizations have exercised a powerful influence on Western Civilization, and the West has interacted with the rest of the world throughout its history.
* Ball State University offers 3 college credit hours to students in HIST 150 upon completion of this course. Refer to the Dual Credit section for details on enrollment and fees.
SOC05140
History of World Religions (CL)
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 credit
Offered: Spring
This course will explore the development of religions around the world from prehistoric to modern times. The major world religions will be studied, along with religions of the ancient world and of non-literate peoples. Primary sources will be emphasized to understand the key components of various religions. Special emphasis will also be placed on early developments, exploring the interaction between different religions, as well as the relation of religions to the historical time periods through which they develop.
SOC05141
Appalachian Regional History (CL)
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 credit
Offered: Spring
This course is a survey of the history of Appalachia, with particular focus on Southern and Central Appalachia. The course focuses on Appalachia’s three phases of development: traditional society in the 19th century, the industrialization of the region in the early 20th century, and the problems facing contemporary Appalachia, with a specific focus on migration from the region to Indiana and the Midwest after World War II.
SOC05148
The American Civil War and Reconstruction Era, 1850-1877 (CL)
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 credit
Offered: Spring
The American Civil War represents the seminal event in the nation’s history, and the period of Reconstruction that followed it profoundly shaped the war’s impact and legacy. This course will give students a firm grasp of the events, people, and issues that led the nation to war. It will address how the war unfolded, explore the positive changes experienced by freedmen during the initial stages of Reconstruction, and discuss how and why the nation eventually reunified at the expense of African-American political and civil rights. The course will cover military, political, social, and economic factors in the causes of the war and Reconstruction. As students explore the topic of the American Civil War era, they will develop historical research skills using both primary and secondary sources.
SOC05150
Themes in Ethnic Studies (CL)
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 credit
Offered: Spring
This course will explore the historical development, lifestyles, and cultural patterns of ethnic groups in the United States and the world. Course themes may include a focus on a particular ethnic group or groups, or may use a comparative approach to study the cultural development, political trends, and economic impact of various ethnic or cultural groups, as well as issues of immigration and assimilation. Literary works emanating from the various ethnic groups may also be subject to scrutiny and discussion.
Electives: Topics in Social Science
SOC301
Exploring United States Government: Political Theory and Practice (CL)
Prerequisite: Two credits of American History or Senior status
Credit: 1 credit
Offered: Fall or Spring
An exploration of United States government, with particular reference to past and present political theory. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of thinkers and ideas, as both the sources of American law and government and as comparative examples. Connections will be made between theory and practice, and students will be encouraged to think creatively about the nature, history, and present course of American government and politics. Critical thinking and productive civil discourse will be consistently emphasized. (Only one credit can be earned from the Exploring United States Government course series.)
SOC303
Exploring United States Government: The Constitution (CL)
Prerequisite: Two credits of American History or Senior status
Credit: 1 credit
Offered: Spring
An exploration of United States government, with particular attention to the history and role of the Constitution. The Constitution of the United States is not only the law of the land, it is also the fundamental political mechanism under which the nation has achieved unprecedented freedom and prosperity. This course will provide students with both a historical background and a modern working knowledge of the Constitution and the American political system. Discussions will regularly consider how the Constitution applies to current issues. Critical thinking and productive civil discourse will also be consistently emphasized. (Only one credit can be earned from the Exploring United States Government course series.)
The State of Indiana requires all schools that offer a United States Government class give their students the naturalization examination provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. For 2022-2023, 82 Academy students took the test and 79 passed (scoring 60% or higher), for a passing rate of 96%.
Economics
ECON201
Elementary Microeconomics (CL)
Prerequisite: Two credits of American History or Senior status
Credit: 1 credit
Offered: Spring
A study of why people specialize as producers and exchange what they produce with others. Includes analysis of how market structure affects prices. Discusses the issue of whether self-interested economic behavior promotes or hinders society. Recommended for students interested in pursuing economics, business or related studies in college.
ECON116
Survey of Economics (CL)
Prerequisite: Two credits of American History or Senior status
Credit: 1 credit
Offered: Fall or Spring
An introduction to important and influential economic theories and circumstances, with specific examples chosen by the instructor. Course topics will 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.