Social Science Department

1 semester, 0.5 credit

The class begins with taking a look at what the Bible says about the purpose of governments, political leaders, and a nation. From there, the course reviews ideas and events that led to the creation of the United States of America. There is a deliberate focus on reading and analyzing the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and most especially, the U.S. Constitution. Students will gain an understanding of the role of the various branches of the federal government, focusing on how laws are made. State and local government are also included in the course, and significant current events are incorporated throughout the semester. This course uses online resources created especially for DCA using the Canvas platform. In addition to the classroom experience, all freshmen travel during Winterim to Washington, D.C., for a tour of our nation’s capital city. The cost of this trip varies from year to year but is typically around $1000. Civics may be taken online in the summer for an additional fee of $150 if the student does not already have a full-year study hall built into their 2024/2025 schedule.

deal with the depth and breadth of the history of the world, from “In the beginning, God created…” beginning to present world issues. Evaluations are designed to measure comprehension rather than just recall and, as such, require students to engage with the content on a contextual rather than superficial level. Students will be presented with primary source documents and develop historical analysis abilities. The writing focus is based on developing college essay writing skills, and writing analytically about history using synthesis, historic knowledge, as well as analyzing primary and secondary source documents. Textbook: World History (Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt). Prerequisite: Enrollment is subject to departmental review based on application with a minimum average of 84 in preceding English or History class.

Today’s world seems to value change over stability and action over thoughtful reflection. The study of World History provides the perspective we need to analyze and understand the increasingly rapid changes of today. A number of skill-building strategies are used to achieve the goals. These include, but are not limited to, evaluating sources of evidence, forming generalizations and predictions, using artifacts as historical evidence, identifying bias, using the internet in historical research, understanding chronology, determining cause and effect, analyzing documents, and using a problem-solving process. The course starts with “In the beginning, God created ….”  and ends with the modern world and global terrorism. Textbook: World History (Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt).

The Advanced Placement course in United States History is intended for qualified students who wish to complete a rigorous college level course while in high school. Beginning with the pre-Columbian period, the curriculum goes beyond the Cold War and into America’s role in the modern world. Students will assess historical materials - their relevance to a given interpretive problem, their reliability, and their importance - as well as weigh evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship. The course is designed to provide students with a biblical worldview of U.S. history and to help them develop the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to succeed on the national College Board AP US History exam, which they are required to take in May. The cost of the exam is approximately $100. Depending on one’s exam score and the institution of higher education which one attends, a student may receive college credit. The primary textbook is American Pageant (Cengage Learning). Prerequisites: Minimum average of 93 in Honors World History and department approval.

This DE course is a college class that offers a general study of political, social and cultural, economic, and diplomatic history from discovery to the present time.  The course is designed to teach the student to deal analytically and critically with major historical concepts and trends by evaluating secondary and primary source materials.  The abilities to read critically, write, and interpret are developed.  This course is taught by a Trevecca University adjunct professor on DCA's campus.  Students who successfully complete both semesters will receive 3 college credit hours per semester course: US History Survey I (HIS 2010) and US History Survey II (HIS 2020).  Dual Enrollment courses require tuition be paid to the college or university beyond DCA tuition.  Students may utilize the Dual Enrollment Grant through the TN Education Lottery Programs for approximately $500 per course for 5 semester courses' tuition. The professor will release textbook requirements prior to the start of the course.  Prerequisites: ACT Composite of 18 and 3.0 unweighted GPA are required for this course.

Students in U.S. History work towards being prepared for college-level history courses. This course begins with a brief review of Colonial America through the Civil War; the main focus of the course is Reconstruction through the Cold War and into modern world issues. The purpose of the course is to use historic knowledge of the past for the purpose of being problem-solvers in the present. Students demonstrate their knowledge in class presentations and through higher-order questioning on tests. Passages from the Bible are regularly used in class to challenge students to think about and analyze America’s history through a Christian worldview. When students have an historic understanding of the past, they can be problem-solvers in the present. The primary textbook is American History (Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt).

The Advanced Placement course in European History is intended for exceptional students who wish to complete a rigorous college level course while in high school. The study of European history since 1450 with a focus on cultural, economic, political, and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping Europe and the world. Emphasized are: an understanding of the principal AP themes in modern European history, an ability to analyze historical evidence, and an ability to analyze and to express historical understanding in writing. The class is designed to help students be successful on the College Board AP European History exam, which all AP European History students are required to take. The exam costs approximately $100. Depending on one’s exam score and the institution of higher education which one attends, a student may receive college credit. The primary textbook is History of Western Society (Bedford/St. Martain’s). Recommended Prior History: A.P. or Honors Dual Enrollment U.S. History; Prerequisites: Minimum average of 93 in previous history and department approval

1 semester, 0.5 credit

America and the world continuing to deal with the same issues over and over. This class is for the serious student who wants an awareness of the current flavor of issues that affect our political, economic, social, and cultural trends so they can confidently face the college classroom with an informed biblical outlook. Using a variety of online sources, these students engage in significant research that results in individual and group presentations as well as a variety of written responses, including a major research paper. The instructor teaches students to access the reliability of sources, to analyze material, and to evaluate issues with a biblical worldview.

1 semester, 0.5 credit

The focus of this course is the examination of history through historic dramas and contemporary films. The course will address the validity and accuracy of content presented in the films by utilizing primary sources and historical texts to reconcile evidence and expression. The first term emphasis is on United States history and the policies set forth for social, economic and political liberties, and the tensions found between justice and mercy and between strength and honor. The second term is focused on the aftermath of 9-11 and the tension found in security verses liberties, the rise of globalization, totalitarianism, radical Islam, technological giants, artificial intelligence (AI), and the moved towards transhumanism. Students are required to cite evidences to support the trends and points of view. Students will also examine scriptural principles to determine a Biblical response to the issues presented in class so they may see their role as the light of the world.

1 semester, 0.5 credit

This class studies the high school version of Ramsey Solutions’ Foundations in Personal Finance using the curriculum based in RamseyClassroom.com. Dave Ramsey’s ideas about the “Five Foundations” are presented throughout the curriculum. Students engage in a combination of video and classroom discussions. The topics of discussion include but are not limited to budgeting, saving, investing, how compound interest works, college preparation, marketing ploys, how to stay out of debt, cash flow planning, and choosing a career. Students also learn how financial planning should fit into a marriage and a family. All of these ideas are presented from a Biblical worldview.

1 semester, 0.5 credit

This course is a survey of basic topics, concepts, and psychological principles. As an introduction to the field of psychology, this course includes key terms, major theories, careers, methods of experimentation, and practical applications. We will also cover child development, learning, memory, motivation, stress, personality dynamics, social functioning, and abnormal behavior. In addition, and most importantly, we will examine the Word of God to help us understand how our minds are influenced by the world in which we live and ultimately our attitudes and deportment. The main textbook is Psychology (Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt). This course may be taken online in the summer for an additional fee of $150 if the student does not already have a full-year study hall planned for the upcoming 2024/2025 school year.

1 semester, 0.5 credit

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. The course will introduce students to the field by focusing on several important sociological topics, including socialization, culture, inequality, race relations, family dynamics and poverty. In addition, and most importantly, we will examine the Word of God to help us understand how our society and relationships have been and continue to be impacted by sin. We will look at the hope we have, not in our own ability to create a utopian society, but how living for Christ allows us to glimpse the future reality of God’s Kingdom. The main textbook is Sociology (Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt).