International Affairs

Does your high schooler understand how the world actually works — and how America fits into it?

International Affairs & Foreign Policy is a comprehensive 5-week homeschool curriculum that takes students in grades 9–12 on a deep dive into diplomacy, U.S. foreign policy history, international alliances, war powers, and today's most pressing global challenges. No textbook to buy. No teaching degree required. Everything your student needs is included — and every resource is free online.

AT-A-GLANCE DETAILS

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WHAT'S INSIDE — FULL COURSE CONTENTS

25 Day-by-Day Lesson Plans — each with direct links to readings, videos, and activities, organized across five thematic weeks:

• Week 1 — Foundations of International Relations: Realism, liberalism, constructivism, sovereignty, the UN system, and the role of non-state actors
• Week 2 — Diplomacy, Treaties & Alliances: How diplomacy works, the treaty ratification process, NATO, ASEAN, the African Union, sanctions, soft power, and the Cuban Missile Crisis
• Week 3 — The United States in the World: U.S. foreign policy from the Monroe Doctrine through the War on Terror, the State Department, the NSC, foreign aid, and the Marshall Plan
• Week 4 — War Powers, Executive Authority & National Security: Constitutional war powers, the War Powers Resolution, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, drone warfare, NSA surveillance, and nuclear policy
• Week 5 — Contemporary Challenges & Capstone: U.S.-China competition, climate diplomacy, humanitarian intervention, the future of NATO, and student presentations

8 Student Worksheets — print-ready and fillable, scaffolded to build directly into essays and projects:

• WS1: Key Terms Glossary Builder
• WS2: Treaty Analysis Framework
• WS3: Alliance Mapping Activity
• WS4: U.S. Foreign Policy Eras Timeline
• WS5: War Powers Research Organizer
• WS6 & WS7: Essay Prewriting Organizers (Essays 1 & 2)
• WS8: Mini-Project Planning Sheet

2 Graded Essays with full rubrics:

• Essay 1: Was U.S. Military Intervention Justified? (600–800 words)
• Essay 2: Presidential War Powers — Constitutional Balance or Overreach? (600–800 words)

1 Mini-Project: Country Foreign Policy Profile — written report, poster board, or digital presentation

5 Critical Thinking Activities — open-ended, discussion-based exercises including a Prisoner's Dilemma simulation, a mock Congressional hearing, and a National Security Advisor crisis scenario

40 Weekly Discussion Questions — nonpartisan, evidence-based prompts covering all five weeks

Complete Grading Rubrics for all essays and the mini-project

Parent/Facilitator Guide — pacing suggestions, grading options, differentiation strategies for advanced and struggling learners, and tips for keeping discussions nonpartisan

WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR

This course is the perfect fit if you're looking for a homeschool political science curriculum, a high school government and foreign policy course, or a rigorous social studies elective for your 9th–12th grader. It works equally well as:

• A standalone social studies or political science elective for high school
• A current events and civics supplement to a U.S. history or government course
• Preparation for students interested in college-level international relations, political science, law, or pre-law programs
• A dual enrollment or honors-level enrichment course for advanced learners
• An engaging capstone for senior high school students before graduation

WHY PARENTS CHOOSE THIS COURSE

✅ No textbook required — All readings and videos are freely available online, saving you $80–$150 compared to traditional curriculum packages

✅ No teaching degree needed — Clear daily instructions tell you exactly what to assign, watch, and discuss. You'll learn right alongside your student.

✅ Nonpartisan by design — Case studies and examples span multiple administrations and historical eras. Discussion questions build critical thinking, not ideology.

✅ Primary sources throughout — Students read the Monroe Doctrine, the Truman Doctrine, the War Powers Resolution, the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, JFK's Cuban Missile Crisis address, and more — the same documents college students study.

✅ Builds real academic skills — Essay writing, evidence-based argument, primary source analysis, and structured research are woven into every week.

✅ Scaffolded, never overwhelming — Each worksheet feeds directly into the essays and project, so students are never staring at a blank page.

✅ Flexible pacing — The 5-week structure is a guide, not a straitjacket. Linger on topics that spark interest or condense where needed.

✅ Instant download — Purchase once, download immediately, print as many copies as you need for your household.

SAMPLE TOPICS & SKILLS YOUR STUDENT WILL MASTER

• The difference between realism, liberalism, and constructivism in international relations theory
• How U.S. treaties are negotiated and ratified — and why the Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles
• The structure and purpose of NATO, ASEAN, and the African Union
• How economic sanctions, soft power, and hard power work as foreign policy tools
• What the War Powers Resolution says — and why every president since 1973 has ignored it
• The constitutional tension between Congress and the President over the power to go to war
• The history of U.S. foreign policy from isolationism to the War on Terror and beyond
• How drone warfare, NSA surveillance, and nuclear deterrence raise constitutional and ethical questions
• Why U.S.-China competition is the defining geopolitical challenge of the 21st century
• What climate diplomacy, the Paris Agreement, and the Responsibility to Protect mean for American foreign policy

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN YOUR DOWNLOAD

Upon purchase you will receive a single PDF download containing the complete course:

• ✔ 70+ pages of day-by-day lesson plans
• ✔ 8 print-ready student worksheets
• ✔ 2 essay assignments with detailed rubrics
• ✔ 1 mini-project assignment with rubric
• ✔ 5 critical thinking activities
• ✔ 40 weekly discussion questions
• ✔ Full parent/facilitator guide
• ✔ Complete resource directory with clickable links to every reading and video

License: Single-household use. One purchase covers all students in your home.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need to buy any textbooks or additional materials? No. Every reading and video assigned in this course is freely available online. All links are provided directly in the lesson plans.

What prior knowledge does my student need? Basic U.S. history and civics are helpful but not required. The course builds all necessary vocabulary and context from the ground up in Week 1.

Is this course secular or religious? This course is secular and nonpartisan. It presents multiple perspectives across the political spectrum and is designed to develop critical thinking rather than advocate for any particular worldview.

Can I use this course for a homeschool co-op or group class? Single-household licenses cover one family. For co-op, cottage school, or group use, please contact us at sales@homeschool-uncensored.com for multi-household licensing options.

Is this appropriate for a student heading to college? Absolutely. The primary source analysis, essay writing, and analytical skills in this course directly mirror what students will encounter in college-level political science and international relations courses.

What format is the download? The course is delivered as a single PDF file. You can print it, store it digitally, or use it on a tablet.

ABOUT HOMESCHOOL UNCENSORED LLC

Homeschool Uncensored creates rigorous, engaging, nonpartisan homeschool curriculum for high school students — without the expensive textbooks, subscription fees, or ideological agendas. Our courses are written for real homeschool families, with clear daily plans that work whether you're a first-year homeschooler or a veteran educator.

Questions? Reach us at sales@homeschool-uncensored.com