Social Studies

The first semester of the course focuses on Western Civilization and examines events from the Renaissance up to the 21st Century, laying the foundation for an in depth analysis of the world, yesterday and today. The second semester of the course focuses on events around current issues in the modern world, with students addressing topics regarding Africa, the Middle East, East Asia, and Latin America. The course includes a diverse mix of assessments that will allow students to hone their writing, document analysis, presentation and media literacy skills. Ultimately, students will gain a greater understanding of how the past helps us understand the world today

The class will focus on Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Ancient China, the Ancient Mayan and Incan Empires, and the Ancient Indians of North America. In studying these civilizations, students will not only gain knowledge of these civilizations, their impact, and contribution to the modern world, while learning and developing the skills necessary to become a historian. Students will work towards gaining mastery in note-taking and study skills, as well as writing persuasively and concisely. The course will use alternative methods of assessment, such as presentation and real-life application. Ultimately, the skills used will prepare students for future courses at Hoban.

This course develops the student’s knowledge of the people and events that helped to shape the social, political, economic, and religious institutions in America. Students, through the process of analysis, will gain a better understanding of how history affects the decisions and decision-makers of today. A basic goal of this class is to make students aware of the importance of being active participants in our democratic society. Geography will be taught in conjunction with the concepts of Manifest Destiny, Imperialism and the emergence of the United States as a world power.

Advanced College Credit United States History is a college level course that focuses on developing the student’s knowledge of the people and events that helped to shape the social, political, economic, and religious institutions in America. Students will develop their primary source document analysis and writing skills in this course. Through their reading and analysis of primary source documents they will gain a better understanding of how history affects the decisions and decision-makers of today. A basic goal of this class is to make students aware of the importance of being active participants in our democratic society. Geography will be taught in conjunction with the concepts of Manifest Destiny, Imperialism and the emergence of the United States as a world power. This course is divided into two semesters. First semester looks at Colonization to the end of the Civil War and is available for 3 college credits. Second semester focuses on the Era of Reconstruction to the Modern Era and is also available for 3 college credits.

Three Advanced College Credits (ACC) are available for ACC U. S. History students. To receive ACC, students must meet eligibility criteria, complete course requirements, and pay tuition according to the policies and procedures established by St. Louis University. Families are responsible for this cost. ACC credits transfer to many universities. Check with each university regarding their policies regarding transfer credits.

Advanced Placement United States History is designed to help students analyze America’s political, economic and social structures, and the people and policies that shaped the modern world. Students study American history from the Age of Exploration to the present. The course will take an in-depth view of America’s role in international affairs past and present. Students will study how the policy makers of today are shaping America’s future. Students will utilize and develop critical thinking skills, primary source analysis and essay writing skills. Students are encouraged to take the AP exam in May.

Prerequisite: Application and approval by the current or previous Social Studies teacher and current English teacher.

Advanced Placement European History examines the cultural, economic, political and social events that have been fundamental in shaping the Western world. Students study European history from the Renaissance to modern times, including European interaction with global events. Overall, the goals of the class are to assist the students (a) in developing an understanding of principle themes in modern European History, (b) with the cognitive abilities to analyze and interpret primary source materials and events, while (c) articulating their historical understanding through analysis of primary source documents and essay writing. Students are encouraged to take the AP exam in May.

Prerequisite: Application and approval by the current or previous Social Studies teacher and current English teacher

In this class students examine the origin, growth and decline of various economic systems. Students gain an understanding of basic economic concepts and theory through the study of economists and economic schools of thought. Students analyze economic problems that are a result of an ever-increasing interdependent global economy and pose possible solutions to these problems. The course includes a financial literacy unit that aligns with ODE requirements, college and career readiness and the characteristics of a literate person.

The course explores the development of American government including an analysis of political theories and competing interests represented in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Students will analyze political behavior, governmental institutions, the rule of law, the role of compromise in group decision making and political, personal and civil rights.

Advanced College Credit Honors U. S. Government will provide students in-depth knowledge of the American political system. The course will explore the development of the American governmental system including a deep analysis of political theory and of special interest groups in the political scene stemming from the Albany Plan of Union of 1754 through the Declaration of Independence, to the Constitution of the United States. Students will study our modern political institutions, the importance of political compromise, as well as the practicality of applying the role of liberty, freedom, and equality to a modern Democratic government. Honors Government builds upon concepts learned in the United States History course.

Three Advanced College Credits (ACC) are available for ACC Honors Government students. To receive ACC, students must meet eligibility criteria, complete course requirements, and pay tuition according to the policies and procedures established by St. Louis University. Families are responsible for this cost. ACC credits transfer to many universities. Check with each university regarding their policies regarding transfer credits.

Prerequisite: Application, essay on U.S. History Semester 1 Exam, teacher recommendation, and minimum of a B in AP U.S. History or A in U.S. History.

The focus of Archaeology is the importance of archaeological work in uncovering the past as well as to engage the class in current archaeological digs through field work and research. The class will study archaeology of the Ancient World (Greece, Rome, North Africa and China) and then examine both pre-European and post-European archaeological work in the United States. Students conduct interviews and hold in-depth conversations with leading archaeologists in Ohio and across the country to learn about current dig sites as well as current technology used in conducting archaeological research today. After preparing an in-depth field analysis report, the class will spend a month excavating the Sumner Farm archaeological field site on the Hoban campus.

Prerequisite: Application

This survey course studies human behavior and will examine the six contemporary psychological perspectives: biological, cognitive, humanistic, psychoanalytic, learning and socio-cultural. Major areas covered are growth and development, intelligence learning, memory, emotions, personality, mental illness, psychotherapy, social cognition, and social interaction.

International Politics I challenges students to analyze world affairs from varied perspectives. Themes include war vs. peace, human rights, nationalism, ethnic and religious extremism, democracy and authoritarianism, immigration, women, electoral systems, developing nations, and the various international relations paradigms. The goal is to build an understanding of world events that allows students to develop reasoned solutions to complicated scenarios.

Students will build on the skills of International Politics I through research, in depth debate and crisis simulations. International Politics II students will explore career opportunities in public policy, international relations and international business.

Students in International Politics I and II have the opportunity to earn credit for participation in the Archbishop Hoban Model UN team as part of the course. Model UN members will participate in competitions throughout Northeast Ohio.

Museum Studies is a hands-on research, analysis and presentation course with a focus on historical research, first-person interpretation, writing and museum display creation. Students will research a local Revolutionary War veteran and create a historical interpretation of that individual who they will be portraying during the Revolutionary War Living History Day. A wide variety of technological tools will be utilized in preparing an electronic portfolio and museum display. Students wanting to participate in the Revolutionary War Living History Day Program are required to take this course.

Three Advanced College Credits (ACC) are available for ACC French III and ACC Honors French III students. To receive ACC, students must meet eligibility criteria, complete course requirements, and pay tuition according to the policies and procedures established by St. Louis University. Families are responsible for this cost. ACC credits transfer to many universities. Check with each university regarding their policies regarding transfer credits.

The McCool Center for Entrepreneurial and Leadership Studies offers the Entrepreneurship course so students can learn how to design a new product/service, create a business plan and ultimately open and maintain a successful enterprise. 

Beyond the classroom, students will have multiple opportunities to cultivate new ideas through external competitions, one-on-one time with local entrepreneurs, an entrepreneurship club and an in-school pitch competition judged by a panel of successful Akron entrepreneurs.  

Using the tools available in the Hoban Innovation Center, students will learn to create and design a product/brand, lead and manage a team, and keep track of expenses and revenues when operating a business. The next generation needs leaders and innovators. For Hoban students, their paths will begin by participating in the McCool Center.