TPS History, Government and Social Studies Courses
“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein…” (Ps 24:1)
Social Studies may be seen as a set of interrelated academic disciplines (History, Government/Politics, Economics, Sociology, Psychology) that study human behaviors, events, cultures, and ideologies as part of God’s creation. History is then approached as study of God’s manifest plan as it has unfolded for individuals, peoples and nations.
Psalm 24 provides a foundation and framework for study of History and Social Studies within TPS, resulting in several academic commitments:
- All things belong to God — not just “sacred” versus “secular” things.
- All happenings are under God’s plan — not just happenings we like or with which we agree.
- All people are created equally in God’s image — not just “western” people or “Christian” people.
Our goal in TPS History, Government and Social Studies is to prepare students to understand, engage with and influence the world. We emphasize study of original context so we can better understand things removed from our own time and situation, and more wisely consider lessons learned from them. TPS History, Government and Social Science courses are also academically distinguished by their emphasis on research and essay writing. A student who takes a well-planned set of TPS History and Social Studies courses will have unparalleled preparation for college and career with a global understanding and potential for worldwide impact.
What Others Are Saying
Read what other students and parents have to say about TPS history, government, and social studies classes.
Suggested History, Government and Social Studies Sequence
Click the image below to open a new tab for easier reading. Suggested grade levels and prior courses are not prerequisites.
History Courses
Grades 6-8: Christian World History – Heroes of the Faith
Grades 7-8
- U.S. History for Middle School (full survey, with emphasis on prior to Civil War Reconstruction)
- Ancient History
Grades 9-12
- World History and Cultures
- History Through Art, Music, and Invention
- Eastern Kingdoms – History of Asia
- U.S. History for High School (full survey, with emphasis on after Civil War Reconstruction)
- American History in Fashion
Grades 10-12
- College Contemporary World History
- College U.S. History
- AP European History
- AP World History
- AP U.S. History
- History Through Art, Music, and Invention
- Holocaust History Through Lit and Film
Government and Social Studies Courses
Grades 6-8: Globetrotters Geography for Middle School
Grades 9-12
- World Geography for High School
- U.S. Government (Civics) and Economics
- U.S. Government (one semester)
- Economics (one semester)
- U.S. Government and Politics
- How to Get Away with Murder (Trial Law) (one semester)
- Street Law (Fundamentals of Law) (one semester)
Grades 10-12
- Constitutional Law (one semester)
- AP Human Geography
- AP Macroeconomics and Microeconomics
- AP U.S. Government and Politics
- AP Comparative Government and Politics
- AP Psychology (College Psychology)
- Psychology and Counseling from a Biblical Perspective
To find more details on these and related courses, please select the “History,” “Government,” or “Social Science” category in our Course Catalog.
Integrated Humanities Courses
History and Literature share a long relationship as the core "Humanities" and it is perhaps impossible to study one well without the other. This is why TPS offers a series of combined History and Literature courses from elementary through upper high school. The high school courses have the writing instruction integrated as well, so each HS course is a History plus an English Language Arts course, worth two high school honors credits. We also offer a two-year high school integrated history, literature, and cultural worldviews curriculum that earns 24 college credits.
TPS High Scholars - Dual Credit Integrated Humanities
Grades 10-12: High Scholars (two years, 24 college credits)
In a partnership between TPS and Belhaven University, High Scholars is a "classics" ("Great Books") program that studies western history, literature, and art from ancient to contemporary historical periods. Live classes are interactive dialogue, including regular "round table" discussions with mics and cameras. The two-year curriculum welcomes students grade 10 and up.
- Four (4) live interactive classes each week, including periodic "round table" discussions (mics and cameras)
- 24 college credits (Freshman Comp 1 and 2, World Lit 1 and 2, Western History 1 and 2, Contemporary History, Art Appreciation)
- Two (2) years of high school History, Lit and Comp, and academic electives (6 HS credits)
- Content integration allows for considerably lower total workload than each subject taken separately
Integrated Humanities Courses - Elementary through HS
Grades 5-6: Elementary Humanities - History and Literature of the United States
Grades 5-6: Elementary Humanities - History and Literature of the Ancient World
Grades 6-7: Elementary Humanities - History and Literature of Asia and the Middle East
Grade 9: American History, Lit, and Comp (Honors)
Grades 10-12