Online Social Studies Curriculum for High School
Social studies classes in high school serve as an important first look at the world for many students. Our curriculum includes a comprehensive study of the different governments, economies, and cultures of the world. By studying these concepts, students will develop critical thinking skills and an understanding of how our globalized society functions.
Social studies courses in high school have real-world applications, from understanding global issues to fulfilling civic responsibilities. Ultimately, social studies fosters academic growth while nurturing essential qualities like confidence, communication, and leadership. These skills prepare students to engage in an increasingly complex global landscape.
What should be in a high school social studies curriculum?
When choosing your homeschool social studies curriculum, it’s important to consider your child’s graduation requirements. In many states, parents can determine their child’s graduation requirements and provide a diploma. Some common courses required in public high schools include civics, U.S. history, world history, and government.
MiaPrep’s high school social studies classes equip students with a comprehensive understanding of historical, cultural, and societal dynamics. By graduation, students will have an understanding of global citizenship, critical thinking, and civic responsibility. Throughout the curriculum, students will develop advanced skills in identifying primary sources, conducting research, and drawing evidence-based conclusions.
MiaPrep’s curriculum includes 7th-12th grade levels and covers topics such as:
- American history, from exploration to the 2000s
- Culture, government, and economies around the world
- Ancient, historical, and contemporary global issues
- The history of human civilization and the empires of each continent
- American influence on world wars and global politics
- How the American government works and civic responsibilities
- How different economic systems function, with an emphasis on the free market
U.S. History 1 : Exploration – 1877
Suggested Grades: 7th-8th
In this course, students will learn about the discovery of America up to the Civil War and Reconstruction period. Students will also learn about wars, treaties, legislation, and amendments up until 1877.
Key topics include:
- Native American cultures and contributions
- European, Spanish, and Columbian exploration
- The Colonial Period
- The American Revolution
- Early independence, including the Articles of Confederation and the Constitutional Convention
- Westward expansion, including the Louisiana Purchase, Oregon Trail, and removal of Native tribes
- Changes in politics, slavery, the Industrial Revolution, and immigration
- The Civil War and Reconstruction
U.S. History 2: Reconstruction – 1960s
Suggested Grades: 7th-8th
In this course, students will analyze major historical events from the Reconstruction Period up to the 1950s. These events will help inform students’ understanding of modern politics, diplomacy, and social issues.
Key topics include:
- The Reconstruction Era
- Western expansion and immigration
- The Industrial Revolution and the development of the American working class
- Imperialism in the Pacific and Latin America
- The Progressive Era and early 20th-century social reform
- American involvement and diplomacy in World War 1
- The Roaring ‘20s: prohibition, gangsters, and the Harlem Renaissance
- World War II & the Cold War
World Geography
Suggested Grades: 9th
World Geography is the foundation for all other social studies courses. In this course, students will explore the five themes of geography: location, place, movement, human-environment interaction, and region. Students will apply these themes to each of the seven continents, particularly in high-population areas of the world. Students will examine the political systems, economy, major regions, and world cultures.
Key topics include:
- Weather, climate, and forces within the Earth
- Governance, economic systems, and energy and natural resources
- The U.S.A. and Canada
- Latin America
- Europe
- Southwest and Central Asia
- South and East Asia
- Africa
- Oceania and Antarctica
World History
Suggested Grades: 9th-10th
Our World History course encourages critical thinking by introducing fundamental skills from the “Historian’s Toolbox” unit. Students will explore global perspectives and major empires throughout history, as well as the impacts of imperialism and colonization.
Key topics include:
- Critical thinking techniques in the Historian’s Toolbox
- Absolutism
- Enlightenment and revolution
- The French Revolution and Napoleon
- Latin American revolutions
- Early nationalism in Europe
- The Industrial Age
- Democratic reform and self-rule
- Imperialism and resistance
- The Great War and World War II
- Communism and fascism
U.S History
Suggested Grades: 11th
Our U.S. History course is two semesters long. Semester 1 includes colonization, the Revolution, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the World Wars. Semester 2 explores postwar America, examining its evolution decade by decade across various domains like politics, the economy, and popular culture.
Key topics include:
- Pre-Columbian North America
- Visions for the United States
- Judicial review and the Constitution
- Immigration, citizenship, and equal protection
- Expansion, migration, and foreign policy
- Labor reform, business, and government
- Morality, legality, and justice
- American life and culture through WWII
- America in WWII
- The Cold War
- 1950s optimism, commercialism, and division
- 1960s counterculture
- 1970s civil rights movements and Watergate
- 9/11 through the Obama presidency (Coming Soon!)
Civics
Suggested Grades: 12th
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of civic responsibility, covering the foundations of American government and its branches. Students will learn about the development of the American government and examine their civic duties within local, state, and federal systems.
Key topics include:
- The nation-state and types of modern governments
- The foundations of the American government
- Federalism
- Civil rights
- The two-party system
- Public policy
- Contemporary issues in American citizenship
Economics (Coming Spring 2024)
Suggested Grades: 12th
Our new Economics course equips students with knowledge to navigate the economy, covering principles of both macroeconomics and microeconomics, with microeconomic principles like supply and demand, as well as macroeconomic concepts such as GDP and fiscal policies. Students learn about supply and demand, GDP, and fiscal policies. Students will also explore different economies and their effects.
Key topics include:
- Resources, scarcity, opportunity cost
- Profit, costs, advantage, and specialization
- Supply and demand
- Business functions, plans, and corporate responsibility
- Labor history, unions, unemployment, and wages
- GDP, job growth, inflation, consumer price index, and other indicators
- Banks, the banking system, and the federal reserve
- A comparison of different economic systems
- Challenges of the market economy
MiaPrep’s Social Studies Curriculum for Homeschool
Graduation is a significant milestone for students! At MiaPrep, we are dedicated to ensuring your child reaches their goals for graduation and beyond. You can also be confident that your child is receiving a high-quality education! Our social studies high school curriculum is created by real teachers and accredited by the WASC.
Offering accredited core classes, engaging electives, a secure online community, and meticulous record keeping, we provide all the resources necessary to take your student from freshman year to graduation day.
Additional High School Social Studies Resources
Check out some of these fun resources for high school social studies courses!
We’re Here for You!
At MiaPrep, we know the importance of a support system, which is why we’re here for you every step of the way! Our courses are designed by real high school teachers who are committed to supporting your student in their education journey. In addition, our customer service representatives offer unparalleled support for anything and everything you may need.
If you have any questions about how MiaPrep or MOHS can help you, please reach out to our friendly customer service team. They’ll be happy to help you with any of your questions.
Published 3/27/2024