Expand into Arts, Culture, and Society
Recommended Courses to Broaden the Way Students See the World
Students are more likely to engage in advanced coursework when it's relevant and supports their interests.
These AP courses give students the opportunity to pursue college-level work—and the chance to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both—in subjects that connect to creativity, exploration, and real-world questions.
Because each course stands on its own, schools can start with one and add others over time. When these courses are available, more students see a place for themselves in AP.
| Course | What Students Learn | How They Broaden the Way Students See and Experience the World |
| AP 2-D Art and Design | How to create original visual work—through photography, graphic design, painting, and digital art—while developing a personal artistic voice | Builds visual communication skills through sustained portfolio investigation |
| AP 3-D Art and Design | How to design and build original 3-D works—in sculpture, spatial design, and mixed materials—while developing a personal artistic process | Expands spatial thinking and creative problem-solving through hands-on exploration of form, space, and materials |
| AP African American Studies | How to explore the history, culture, creativity, and global impact of Black experiences across time and disciplines | Deepens understanding of history, culture, and creativity through interdisciplinary inquiry and primary source analysis |
| AP Art History | How to analyze and interpret art from around the world across cultures and time period | Builds visual literacy and cultural understanding through diverse works |
| AP Comparative Government and Politics | How different political systems function and address global issues | Expands global awareness and civic understanding beyond U.S.-focused coursework |
| AP Drawing | How to develop an artistic voice through drawing, mark-making, and creative investigation using line, surface, light, shade, and composition | Sharpens observation, interpretation, and expressive capacity through portfolio-based creative investigation |
| AP European History | How revolutions, ideas, conflicts, and cultural change shaped Europe and the modern world | Strengthens historical reasoning and contextual analysis across cultures |
| AP Latin | How to translate and analyze Latin poetry and prose in historical and cultural context | Builds close reading and analytical precision through language and literature |
| AP Music Theory | How music is structured, analyzed, and created | Develops technical and creative skills through both performance and analysis |
| AP Psychology | How people think, feel, learn, and behave—and what the science of behavior and mental processes reveals about why | Reveals the science behind human behavior in ways that connect to everyday life while building research and data analysis skills |
| AP Research | How to design and carry out independent research—from developing a question through evidence analysis, academic writing, and oral defense | Builds intellectual independence by guiding students through the full arc of scholarly inquiry—from question to evidence to written argument and defense |
| AP Spanish Language and Culture | How to analyze literary works from across the Spanish-speaking world | Deepens language proficiency while connecting literature to cultural context |
Let us show you how this approach can help support your school's goals. Request information.
How These Courses Can Work in Your School
Extend What You Offer: Add an AP course to an existing course progression in social studies or the arts.
Replace, Not Rebuild: Swap an existing course with its AP equivalent—using the staff, schedule, and structures you already have.
What These Courses Enable
Alignment: Stronger connection between your AP offerings and your school’s engagement goals
Availability: More students access AP through subjects that reflect their interests
Program Balance: A broader AP program that includes elective courses
Growth: A practical way to expand opportunities for students to earn college credit before they graduate
Why This Matters
Students develop skills in analysis, interpretation, communication, and creative expression—skills they will use across disciplines and that support college and career readiness. Broaden the way students experience the world.
Complete the AP course interest form to get connected and explore more approaches to start or expand your AP program.
Resources
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Flyer: Expand into Arts, Culture, and Society Overview
AP courses in arts, culture, and society help your school make electives a stronger part of its advanced coursework offerings.