PBS Teachers provides a searchable database of PBS lesson plans, activities, and multimedia resources for teachers and students. Below is the complete list of curriculum topics and definitions for this subject area.

Anthropology/Cultures (PreK-12)

Includes physical anthropology, the study of the origins and development of human beings; cultural anthropology, the study of human culture or the means by which human beings sustain life; and linguistics, the study of human language. Does not include study of a particular society or cultural group, or the historical events that influenced them (see Cultural Studies or History topics).

Archeology (PreK–12)

The study of human life based primarily on the recovery of artifacts.

Careers (K–12)

Includes the study of jobs and work, education and skills required for the work environment, and preparation to enter the work force. Some entries may be cross-referenced in "Economics".

Civics

Civil and Human Rights (K–12)

Examines the non-political rights of citizens granted by their government, including the rights of personal liberty guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the 13th and 14th amendments to the Constitution and by acts of Congress. Also includes rights regarded as belonging fundamentally to all persons, such as freedom from unlawful imprisonment, torture, and execution.

Community & Citizenship (PreK–12)

Includes the study of of community/public services, outreach and volunteer efforts, charity, local needs and issues, community layout, local heroes, local citizen profiles, citizen responsibility and participation.

Comparative Political Systems (6–12)

Includes lessons or activities that provide a deeper understanding of modern political systems, world governments and policies, general political science issues, the political process, policymaking and political life. Does not include United States Government, except in comparison to other nations.

Current Events/Issues (K–12)

The exploration of timely issues or social or government policies currently in the news.

The Law (6–12)

Includes the study or comparison of courtroom trials and procedures, the Rule of Law, law enforcement, famous legal cases, and legal terminology.

United States Government (K–12)

Includes all aspects of U.S. government at national, state, and local levels, including the democratic political system, government offices and positions, branches of government, historical documents, the political process, the election process, policymaking, lawmaking, political life, political science issues as related to the U.S. and symbols of the U.S. Government.

College Planning (9–12)

Includes all aspects of assessing, applying, and getting accepted to college, including the advantages of attending college, visiting colleges, financial needs, meeting and exceeding admissions requirements, the application process and test preparation and completion.

Cultural Studies (K–12)

Includes examinations of contemporary cultures, their societal structures, family systems, customs and beliefs. Also includes explorations of how a society interacts with other cultures. Does not include study of physiological differences among groups, or events of historical significance to the nation or world (see Anthropology or History topics).

African Studies

The study of African literature, arts, traditions, beliefs and values, and behavior patterns.

African American Studies

Includes the study of all aspects of African American people and culture, including history, traditions, leaders, slavery, segregation and desegregation, the civil rights movement, music, literature, etc. Some lessons categorized here may also be cross-listed in Civics: Civil and Human Rights, U.S. History or World History.

American Studies

Includes the study of traditions, food, music, art, beliefs and values, and behavioral patterns of people and cultures in the United States. Examples of U.S. cultures are frequently regional and include, but are not limited to, Cajun, Creole, Southern, Western, and Northern. Some items may be cross-referenced in other cultural studies categories.

Asian Studies

The study of Asian literature, arts, traditions, beliefs and values, and behavior patterns.

Asian American Studies

Includes the study of all aspects of Asian American people and culture, including history, traditions, leaders, immigration, music, literature, etc. Some lessons categorized here may also be cross-listed in Civics: Civil and Human Rights, U.S. History or World History.

European Studies

The study of European literature, arts, traditions, beliefs and values, and behavior patterns.

Latin/South American Studies

The study of Latin/South American literature, arts, traditions, beliefs and values, and behavioral patterns.

Latino American/Chicano Studies

Includes the study of all aspects of Latino American people and culture, including history, traditions, leaders, music, literature, etc. Some lessons categorized here may also be cross-listed in Civics: Civil and Human Rights, U.S. History or World History.

Middle Eastern Studies

The study of Middle Eastern literature, arts, traditions, beliefs and values, and behavior patterns. Middle Eastern Studies emphasizes the centuries since the rise of Islam and a concern with the wider Islamic world as well. Some lessons categorized here may also be cross-listed in Social Studies: Civics: Civil & Human Rights or World History.

Native American Studies

Includes the study of all aspects of Native American people and culture, including history, religions, leaders, governance, music, mythology, etc. Some items may be cross-referenced in Anthropology, U.S. History or Civics: Civil & Human Rights.

Debate (3–12)

Analyzing historic debates between prominent individuals and their impact on the country (i.e. presidential debates’ influence on elections).

Economics (K–12)

The study of the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services and their management (Reference: www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn). This includes supply and demand, advertising, product and consumption, credit, debt, monetary systems, wants vs. needs, conservation of resources, trade, domestic and foreign policies related to economics, cost analysis, budgets, the stock market and assessment of the economy.

Ethics (6–12)

Resources listed here might reference ethical theory (relativism, pluralism, utilitarianism, etc.) or contemporary applied ethics (the death penalty, welfare, rules of warfare, etc.). Some items here may be cross-referenced with "Ethics" in the Science subject area.

Family Life (PreK–12)

The study of family traditions, genealogy, reunions, beliefs, events, etc. Lessons listed in this category are specific to the family unit. Lessons that cover these topics for larger groupings are listed under Anthropology, Cultural Studies or Religions as appropriate.

Geography (K–12)

Includes the study of space and place that brings together Earth’s physical and human dimensions in the integrated study of people, places, and environments. Considers topography, all forms and uses of maps, longitude and latitude, climate, biomes, continents, oceans, countries and localities. Some items here may be cross-referenced with "Earth Science" in the Science subject area.

Historical Perspective (K–12)

Includes the understanding of how and why past events influence the present and the future. The concepts allow students to develop a historical perspective on events, understand how change occurs over time and grasp the concept of cause and effect. (Reference: http://www.socialstudies.org/standards/strands/, Strand II: "Time, Continuity & Change").

Immigration (3–12)

The study of the movement of people from one location to another.

Journalism (3–12)

Includes the history of journalism and the impact of journalistic reporting on understanding historical or current events.

Media Studies (K–12)

The study of how the media influences events and political and cultural trends in society (advertising, pop culture, stereotypes, etc.).

The Military (6–12)

Includes the study or comparison of military strategies, hierarchy, policies, lifestyle, training, and installations; also includes the study of military leaders and troops.

Religion (6–12)

The formal study or comparison of religions or religious beliefs, including, but not limited to, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Taoism.

Sociology (3–12)

Study of the organization of social groups and how they change or stay the same. Incorporates systematic study of relationships among people. Considers the processes of socialization; types of social groups; social stratification; deviance and social control; social class; inequalities based on gender, ethnicity, race and age; and study of social institutions.

Speeches (3–12)

Includes any variety of famous or historical speeches given to an audience. Does not include debate.

State History (3–12)

The study of the historical aspects of any state or commonwealth in the United States, including its people, localities, government in a historical context, events, traditions, etc.

Technology and Civilization (3–12)

The study of the historical and social impact of inventions and technological advances throughout history.

Transportation (PreK–12)

Includes the study of how transportation has influenced human history, exploration, and migration. Includes items such as studies of the Transcontinental Railroad and its effect on westward expansion and how the building of the Panama Canal affected trade and Manifest Destiny. Does not include studies of engineering or the science behind innovations and inventions in transportation (see Science topics).

United States History (PreK–2)

The historical study of events and people inside what is currently defined as the United States of America during any time period.

United States History (3–12)

Beginnings–1620

(e.g. exploration, relations between America, Europe and Africa)

1585–1763

(e.g. colonization of the Americas, enslavement of Africans)

1754–1820s

(e.g. causes and effects of the American Revolution)

1801–1861

(e.g. territorial expansion, expansion of slavery)

1850–1877

(e.g. the Civil War and Reconstruction)

1870–1900

(e.g. immigration, industrialization, the labor movement)

1890–1930

(e.g. the U.S. in world affairs, World War I)

1929–1945

(e.g. Causes and effects of Great Depression, World War II)

1945–early 1970s

(e.g. the post-war boom, the Cold War, the Vietnam War)

1968–1989

(e.g. social and political upheaval)

1990–present

(e.g. the end of the Cold War)

Urban Studies (6–12)

The study of issues, such as poverty, homelessness, economic development and gentrification, that affect America’s cities.

War (3–12)

The study or comparison of events and outcomes of small or large scale wars, including strategies, battles and battlefields, preceding events, leaders, turning points, troop conditions and communications, and civilian and government support.

Women’s Studies (3–12)

A study of women’s past and present social, political, cultural and economic roles. Some items may be cross-referenced in U.S. History, Anthropology and/or Civics: Civil & Human Rights.

World History (PreK–2)

The historical study of world events and people outside what is currently defined as the United States of America during any time period.

World History (3–12)

The Beginnings of Human Society

(e.g. biological and cultural processes of the earliest human communities, the emergence of agricultural societies around the world)

4000–1000 BCE

(e.g. early civilizations in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Indus Valley, the spread of agrarian societies, major trends in Eurasia and Africa)

1000 BCE–300 CE

(e.g. technological innovation and change, Aegean civilization, the emergence of Christianity, Judaism, democratic institutions in Greece, and empires in the Mediterranean Basin and China)

300–1000 CE

(e.g. the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, the rise of Islamic civilization, the T’ang Dynasty in East and Southeast Asia)

1000–1500 CE

(e.g. Chinese power, Islamic expansion, the growth of feudalism and monarchies in Europe, the rise of centers of civilization in Mesoamerica and Andean South America in the first millennium)

1500–1750

(e.g. European expansion overseas, the Renaissance, the Reformation and Catholic Reformation, the political, economic and cultural interrelations among peoples of Africa, Europe, and the Americas)

1750–1900

(e.g. political revolutions in late 19th and early 20th century, agricultural and industrial revolutions, social reform in America and Europe)

1900–1945

(e.g. World War I, Western dominance, causes and consequences of World War II)

1945–1990

(e.g. post-World War II international relations, decolonization)

1990–present

(e.g. post-Cold War, globalization)