Social Studies

The Social Studies Department offers a wide variety of courses that present a coherent progression of the major periods, epochs, and events comprising the human experience. These courses develop the critical and constant themes, describe the ideas and people who moved and shaped these themes, and present the student with the challenge of inquiry and analysis that lead to understanding. The goal of the department is to instill in students a desire to learn and understand these themes and trends while also teaching them to articulate and express the critical analysis of data that makes history a living study.

World History

This course will cover the history of the world from a thematic perspective, which will cross cultural and chronological boundaries. The class will begin looking at ancient civilizations and their impact on their environments. Then we will embrace the complicated words government and nation as the class works on understanding progress and instability in Eastern and Western Civilizations. In the second half of the course, students will analyze in depth the themes of “Religion” and “Gender Inequality” as observed through historical examples. Finally, the year will conclude with analysis of “Empire,” which includes economic systems. Technology in the classroom will aid us in each of these pursuits. Assignments will range from daily reading quizzes, group research projects, and constant debate and discussions to the most necessary process of fine-tuning analytical writing to prepare students for their high school careers.
Government and Economics

This course is a comprehensive coverage of the United States government and an introduction to economics through the study of the American government. At the beginning of the year, students are reminded of America’s political heritage from Great Britain and Europe with a brief review of the political philosophies that influenced and shaped American political thought. A vigorous investigation of the U.S. Constitution follows. The primary focus of the government part of the course lies in its coverage of the major institutions of the United States Government: the Congress, the Presidency, the Federal court system, the bureaucracy, civil liberties and civil rights, political parties, and political participation in America. In our final unit, students more extensively focus on economic scarcity, supply and demand, free enterprise, progressive and regressive taxation, the Federal Reserve, public goods, the stock market, and entrepreneurship and how this is affected by our government and global relationships amongst nations.

The use of current events will be a staple in this course.
United States History

United States History, a graduation requirement for all students, is a chronological and interpretive study of American history from its European background to the present. Students explore the methods and meanings of history in general and the major political, economic, diplomatic, social, and cultural trends and themes in United States history. Current events and their relationship to our history are discussed regularly.
AP United States History

The Advanced Placement section of United States history, available to selected students, fulfills the graduation requirement for United States history and prepares students for the Advanced Placement exam in the spring. This class is a chronological and interpretive study of American history from its European background to the present. Students explore the methods and meanings of history in general and the major political, economic, diplomatic, social, and cultural trends and themes in U.S. history. Unlike the survey, this course incorporates closer attention to historiography and the use of historical documents into the classwork.
AP US Government & Politics

The AP course in U.S. Government and Politics, available to selected students, will provide students with an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. The course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific examples. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. politics. Students will be challenged with college level material designed not only to foster new thinking and skill development, but also to prepare students for the Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics Examination in May, a course requirement. Interpretation of primary source documents, charts, graphs, and political cartoons are among the skills that must be developed in order to succeed in the class.
Psychology

The Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Students also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. During the class, hands-on activities, class discussions using the Harkness method, and instructor lectures will be utilized.
AP Psychology

The AP Psychology course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings. Students are exposed to psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. These subfields include but are not limited to the history and approaches of psychology, neuroscience and biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, learning, cognition, motivation and emotion, human development, social psychology and personality. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice.
Business Basics: A Venture Adventure

Using a blended classroom, students will learn the basics of a business model including economic systems, supply and demand, and the impact of policy-making on business growth. Having mastered the basics, students will write a detailed business plan and use interview and presentation skills developed within the curriculum, pitch their idea in a Shark Tank presentation. Students will then work cooperatively to realize the winning Shark Tank idea. Finally, students will critically review the merits and shortcomings of the implementation of their business plan.
Economics

Economics is a trimester offering designed to establish an understanding of how markets work. The first half of the course establishes a solid understanding of supply, demand, the benefits of trade, and the tradeoffs involved in designing a tax system. The class continues with the study of classical microeconomics. A final objective is to prepare students to think rationally and objectively about our economy, government policies, and individual businesses.
Financial Literacy

This course will focus on the skills needed to prepare students to be financially literate in the global economy of the 21st century. Topics to be included in this course are the management of money, debt, credit and financial risks, insurance, financial planning, saving, investing, entrepreneurship and philanthropy. Students will also examine career choices with regards to income as well as how choices they make as consumers will affect themselves and the world around them.
History of the Holocaust

In this course, students will study how the twentieth century's most horrifying genocide took place in Germany. Students will spend time discussing Germany's transformation into an industrialized state in the late 19th century. The psychology of the population during World War One and the Interwar Years will be major components of the curriculum. Students will also spend time discussing how survivors of the Holocaust have shared their stories through film and literature. Responsive writing and research projects will be the major assessments.
History of the Middle East and Islamic World

This trimester elective introduces students to the religion of Islam, the unique cultures of the Middle East (ranging from North Africa to Pakistan), and the history and geography of the region. In addition, the class looks at the continuing growth of Islam throughout the world today, the relationship of Islamic (mostly Arab) nations with the state of Israel, and Islam’s role in contemporary global politics. The course includes map work, guest speakers, readings from the Koran, recollections of Malcolm X’s pilgrimage to Mecca, and a variety of other source materials.
Leadership

This course will analyze the nature of true leadership. It will examine ten themes: (1) Growing from failure and mistakes; (2) Resilience and grit; (3) Meaningful work—vocation where one’s greatest strengths meet the world’s greatest needs; (4) What it means to be genuinely patriotic—freedom of expression, participating in the political process, loyalty to one’s country—and the importance of principled dissent, understanding, exercising and treasuring the freedoms conveyed by the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution; (5) Growing within one’s family of origin and one’s extended families, friends and those outside our families and friends who may challenge and stretch us; (6) What is truth? (7) The life of the mind and spirit, celebrating and appreciating diversity, and understanding and appreciating one’s intellectual, faith, and other faith traditions; (8) Insightfulness, compassion and empathy; (9) humility—servant leadership; and (10) Vision.

We will not use a textbook. Instead we will rely on short, meaningful readings about historical leaders from a wide cross-section of cultures and times, as well as writings on the nature of leadership. (Anyone up for excerpts from Machiavelli’s The Prince?) The format will be class discussions guided by the teacher, combined with several outside lecturers who are proven leaders in their professions, businesses, political arenas and social services positions. Some of those speakers may also be utilized at X Period. Your grade will be based on class participation and a paper and presentation about a leader of your own choice.

The class will be taught by Richard Clay, a lawyer with deep experience in constitutional issues, corporate litigation, appellate argument, and legal ethics. Mr. Clay has taught Kentucky History in two previous years, and has served three terms as a member of KCD’s board. He co-chaired the capital campaign for the KCD theatre and arts wing. Three of his four children, including 8th Grade English teacher Mary Clay Edinger, are KCD graduates.
Sociology

In Sociology, students will examine the concepts and theories that lead to an understanding of the social world. Topics will include sociology as a science; investigative methods; groups; race, ethnic, and gender relations; media; and family.
Adv. Philanthropy, Social Justice and Stewardship
AP Macroeconomics
CSS 9
Introduction to Philosophy
Leadership in Turbulent Times
Philanthropy and Stewardship
Star Wars & Joseph Campbell: Hero with a Thousand Faces
The Cold War

Have things between Russia and the United States really cooled off since the Cold War ended in 1990? This course will analyze the origins of a decades-long war that created two global superpowers and involved countries from around the world. While we will examine the ideological differences that led to a conflict between the Soviet Union and America, this course will pay particular attention to how various countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America resisted and reacted to becoming part of this seemingly “cold” conflict. We will also investigate the legacies of the Cold War, from decolonization to current politics and the rise of the spy/surveillance state. This course also uses fiction, film, and podcasts to explore the Cold War’s impact on modern American society and answer broader questions about what America’s role in the world should be.

Grade/Dept

Department

Our Faculty

David Apel

Social Studies Teacher

Trinity University - B.A.
Baker University - M.A.

At KCD since 2006
Thomas Bonnet

MS History Teacher

University of Massachusetts @ Amherst - B.A.
University of Bridgeport - M.S.

At KCD since 2020
Robert Copley

9th/10th Grade Dean; History Teacher

University of Kentucky - B.A.

At KCD since 2010
Matthew Evans

Geography Instructor

UCLA - B.A.
University of Virginia - M.A.

At KCD since 2007
Matt Jones

History Teacher, Associate Athletic Director, and Head Football Coach

University of Georgia - BA

At KCD since 2011
Kim Kettring

Third Grade Teacher

University of Kentucky - B.S.
Bellarmine University - M.Ed.

At KCD since 1996
Dustin Murray

Social Studies Teacher

Hanover College - B.A.
Bellarmine University - M.A.T

At KCD since 2018
Olivia Noble

5th Grade Humanities Teacher

At KCD since 2025
Danielle Picken

History Teacher

Centre College - B.A.
University of Kentucky - M.A.
University of Kentucky - Ph.D.

At KCD since 2016
Kathie Purdie

First Grade Teacher

University of Louisville - B.S.

At KCD since 2007
Rachel Rawlings

Social Studies Teacher; 5/6th MS Head Soccer Coach; 5/6th Girl's Basketball

Hanover College - B.A.
Bellarmine University - M.A.T.
University of Louisville - J.D.

At KCD since 2000
Adam Wilkinson

Kindergarten Teacher

Brescia University - B.A
Campbellsville University - M.A

At KCD since 2020

Social Studies

Grade/Dept

Our Faculty

KCD Connect