Social Studies Classes
AP WORLD HISTORY #505
LEVEL: 10-12 ADVANCED PLACEMENT
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Sophomores: 92% average in English I Honors #110 and signature of English teacher. Seniors: 80% average or better in Advance Placement U.S. History #520; 92% average in Honors U.S. History #530 and signature of U.S. History teacher.
This course studies our world’s history from the dawn of civilization to the present. The course introduces overarching world historical themes such as: impact of societal interactions; change and continuity across world history periods; impact of technology and demography; social, political, and economic structures; cultural and intellectual developments; and interactions with our environment. These themes address historical thinking and skills (constructing and evaluating arguments; using primary documents and data; assessing change and continuity over time; comparison within and among societies; and handling diversity of interpretations). This is a reading and writing intensive, college level course and is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Test that students are required to take. Requiring significant individual effort, the course will move quickly and appeal to the self-motivated learner. A summer reading and writing assignment may be required.
WORLD HISTORY #510
LEVEL: HONORS 9-10
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Freshmen: Above average grades in elementary school. Sophomores: 85% average or above in English I Honors #110 and signature of teacher; 92% average in English I #111 and signature of teacher.
This course is for the above-average student. This course surveys the history of the world up to the year c.1945. Some general concepts that may be studied are the development of governments, laws, economic systems, and revolutions. The interpretation of history, its application to the world, and the analysis of the connections between past, present, and future are among the cognitive skills taught. Emphasis is placed on the study skills of independent reading, critical thinking, note-taking, and interpretive writing.
WORLD HISTORY #511
LEVEL: 9-10
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: NONE
This course surveys a variety of topics spanning the history of the world up to the year c.1945. The course is a general survey of Western and Eastern civilizations. Additional projects in current events, geography, and reading may be required. Emphasis is placed on the methods used in solving past historical problems and possible solutions of current world problems.
GEOGRAPHY #515
LEVEL: 10-11-12
CREDIT: .5 ONE SEMESTER
Prerequisite: World History #505, #510 or #511 or concurrent enrollment in World History #505
This course centers on the study of world geography. It includes a study of the student's physical world as well as the cultural aspects of the continents, focusing on North America. The student examines, researches, and creates projects on areas of the world describing climate and economic and social structures. Using charts, maps, and globes, the student acquires knowledge of the continents, oceans, islands, and major nations of the world. The student compares and contrasts the different lifestyles found in countries, as influenced by the geography of the area. The student evaluates challenging problems in the world using the basics of geography. Thus, the student acquires a global perspective on problems such as hunger, pollution, diseases, political alliances, and military conflicts.
20TH CENTURY WORLD (1945-present) #516
LEVEL: 10-11-12
CREDIT: .5 ONE SEMESTER
Prerequisite: World History #505, #510 or #511
This course introduces students to the basic themes, theories and problems in the twentieth and twenty-first century worlds. Using the knowledge and insight gained in World History class, students will continue to apply historical analysis and inquiry skills to the major events of this century. The goal is to give students the historical understanding and perspective necessary for effective leadership and citizenship in the future.
This course concentrates heavily on reading from multiple sources, analyzing, writing, and discussion. It focuses on the events, providing students with historical background and the conceptual tools for understanding those events. The course is designed to highlight the major events from the colonial period to the present day, and the interconnectedness of these events. Students will be asked to read, analyze, interpret, discuss, and write, from a variety of sources. Major concepts include imperialism, nationalism, political revolution, global conflict, and peace building.
THE HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE IN THE MODERN WORLD # 518
LEVEL: 10-11-12
CREDIT: .5 ONE SEMESTER
Prerequiste: 75% average or above in any level World History class
This class is designed for the history student who would like to probe a narrower topic in greater depth than the traditional survey course. This class will define genocide, drawing primarily on examples from the 20th century. Students will then focus on the rise of Nazism and the staging of the Holocaust, including the roots in earlier anti-Semitism. The responses to and results of the Holocaust in the second half of the 20th century will also be examined with the goal of ultimately looking at contemporary issues of genocide on a world-wide basis and responses to them.
Students will engage in reflective thinking and will be expected to participate in discussion and sharing of ideas. In addition to reading from various documents and writing, students may be expected to engage in various research projects during the term.
CHICAGO HISTORY & CULTURE #519
LEVEL: 10-11-12
CREDIT: .5 ONE SEMESTER
Prerequisite: NONE
This course is a survey of the geography, history and culture of the city of Chicago.
Since the city of Chicago has always had and will continue to have an impact on the suburbs, it will give students a chance to see how important Chicago is in the development of the metropolitan area, the state of Illinois, the Midwest, the nation and the global economy. Resources used in this class will include various websites, current news articles, selected readings, interviews, photographs, videos, primary sources, virtual field trips and a class trip to Chicago. Students will learn about the people, places and events that shaped the city: early settlers; immigrants; politicians; religious leaders; business and labor leaders; educators; entertainers; athletes; artists; architects; historic buildings; the lakefront; transportations centers; disasters; major crimes; social movements. Students will focus on the importance of civic values in the local community. There will be a significant emphasis on the value of diversity and cooperation. The role of the Catholic Church in the development of the city of Chicago will also be explored. This course is inter-disciplinary in approach.
Students will explain the concept/process of urbanization using Chicago as a model. They will demonstrate the interaction of geographic, socio-cultural, political and economic forces. This course will help the students develop their critical and creative thinkings skills, oral and written communication skills, time management and problem solving skills.
AP U.S. HISTORY #520
LEVEL: 11 ADVANCED PLACEMENT
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisite: 76% average or above in AP World History #505 and signature of teacher; 92% average in World History Honors #510 and signature of teacher
This course is designed to provide the student with the factual knowledge, writing skills and analytical processes to effectively understand American History and successfully prepare for and pass the Advanced Placement exam.
This course, taught at an introductory college level, is reading, writing and discussion intensive and will challenge even exceptional students. Readings include, but are not limited to, the text, alternate historical interpretations, primary documents and materials, historical novels and current events articles.
The student will develop skills necessary for writing historical essays and documents based questions required for the college board exam. The course challenges students to seek cause and effect relationships, examine connections between American History and the present world and to analyze primary and secondary historical sources. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement Test in the spring. This course moves at an extremely fast pace, requires extensive work outside of class and will appeal to the self-motivated learner.
U.S. HISTORY #530
LEVEL: 11
HONORS
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisite: Minimum of 76% average or above in AP World History #505 or Honors World History #510 and signature of teacher; or 92% average or above in World History #511 and signature of teacher.
This reading and writing intensive course surveys the history of the United States from its colonial foundation through the 20th century. The foreign and domestic policies of several presidential administrations are identified and critically examined.
The contributions of Native Americans and immigrant groups in creating the American culture are discussed.The student emphasizes techniques of research and writing. Emphasis is placed on discussion skills in both large and small groups. Listening and note-taking skills are developed daily through lecture and homework assignments. The student analyzes the causes and effects of significant events in the history of the United States and constructs solutions through the evaluation of historical evidence.
U.S. HISTORY #533
LEVEL: 11
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisite: World History #505, #510 or #511
This course is designed to introduce the student to important events, people, and places that have helped develop the America of today. Political, economic, and philosophical differences, which have helped form U.S. government and society, are emphasized.
Students demonstrate their ability to formulate cause and effect relationships, compare and contrast different opinions and trends, and draw conclusions from the text and other sources.
AP AMERICAN GOVERNMENT #535
LEVEL: 12 ADVANCED PLACEMENT
CREDIT: .5 ONE SEMESTER
Prerequisites: Minimum of a 76% average in AP U.S. History #520 and signature of teacher; or minimum of an 86% average in Honors U.S. History #530 and signature of teacher.
This is an advanced, one semester, college level course designed for students interested in a more comprehensive study of the U.S. system of government.
A college level textbook is used and the assignments and exams are more challenging than the Honors level course. Students are also expected to be more self-directed.
Topics covered in this course include the philosophical foundations of U.S. constitutional government; basic principles of U.S. government; political culture (beliefs and behaviors); political participation (political parties, interest groups, and the media); institutions of government (legislative, executive, judicial branches, the bureaucracy); civil rights and civil liberties; and school requirements. In preparation for the Advanced Placement exam, students will analyze primary source material, write critical essays, carefully follow current events, interpret political data, and conduct research on contemporary political issues. Students are expected to take the AP Exam.
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT #540
LEVEL: 12 HONORS
CREDIT: .5 ONE SEMESTER
Prerequisite: At least one semester of Honors U.S. History #530 or Advanced Placement U.S. History #520 and signature of U.S. History teacher.
This course is a one semester course that is designated to provide the student with an overview of the structure and function of the U.S. political system.
Basic concepts of the course include: philosophical foundations of the U.S. system of government; the federal system; the U.S. Constitution; the structure and function of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government; state and local government; the Illinois Constitution; political parties and the electoral process; rights and responsibilities of citizens; the role of the U.S. in the international community. Because this is an honors level course, students are expected to relate primary source readings to contemporary political issues and events. This course covers more information at a deeper and more thorough level than the regular U.S. Government course does. This course provides a strong background in government for the college bound students, especially those planning to major in one of the social studies. The Federal and State Constitution exams are taken during this course.
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT #541
LEVEL: 11 (SEM 2)-12
CREDIT: .5 ONE SEMESTER
Prerequisite: At least one semester of U.S. History #533
This course examines the political system of the United States, the key concepts of the democratic process, and the elements of responsible
citizenship. The units of study include historical roots of the U.S. system of government; civil rights and civil liberties; the legislative process; the president and the executive branch; the federal courts; state and local government; citizenship and immigration. The students will study both the U.S. and Illinois constitutions. The federal and state constitution exams will be taken during this course.
PSYCHOLOGY FOR LIFE #545
LEVEL: 11-12
CREDIT: .5 ONE SEMESTER
Prerequisite: World History #505, #510 or #511
Why do we behave the way we do? What causes depression? How do people communicate differently? How do we develop? This course is an introductory course that places special emphasis on the area of Social Psychology. Students will cover topics that include: child development, adolescent behavior, old age and dying, motivation, emotion, attitudes and how they influence our beliefs, personality theories, mental health and mental illness, therapies as well as the influential studies in Social Psychology. Students in Psychology for Life will gain an insight into self-understanding as well as other people’s behavior. After completing the course, students will acquire the practical knowledge that can be used to understand, predict and control human behavior.
AP PSYCHOLOGY #546
LEVEL: 12 ADVANCED PLACEMENT
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisite: 76% average or better in Advanced Placement U.S. History #520 and signature of teacher; 92% average in Honors U.S. History #530 and signature of teacher.
This AP 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. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their Science and practice.
At the completion of this course, students will find themselves asking more questions and having fewer answers. In addition to having a greater appreciation for their own human experience, students will begin to think more critically, demand more evidence, and keep an open mind to research that runs counter to their own beliefs and intuition! Students completing this course will have the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement Psychology Exam, earn 3 college credits, and advanced standing at their post-secondary institution.
SOCIOLOGY #547
LEVEL: 11-12
CREDIT: .5 ONE SEMESTER
Prerequisite: World History #505, #510 or #511
This course examines the principles and social structures of various cultures. The course focuses on developing the students' ability to analyze human similarities and differences. Students read primary and secondary source material as well as examine data in graph and table form in order to apply sociological concepts to problems and everyday activities.
An emphasis is placed on lecture and discussion in large and small groups. The students are also required to research topics dealing with themes in sociology. They identify social and moral issues, examine different cultures, and develop a cultural awareness.
AP EUROPEAN HISTORY #550
LEVEL: 12 ADVANCED PLACEMENT
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisite: 80% average or better in Advanced Placement U.S. History #520 and signature of teacher; 92% average in Honors U.S. History #530 and signature of teacher.
This course presents students with an in-depth study of the political, economic, religious, intellectual, and social themes in European history from the Renaissance to the twentieth century.
The course is designed to develop students’ knowledge of factual material, as well as their analytical thinking abilities and organization and writing skills. The course is constructed to address the themes and concepts of European history at the introductory college level. Students are required to complete readings from the text, excerpts from related books, historical documents, and selected essays. Students develop their writing skills through analytical essays of interpretation, comparison, and criticism.
This course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement test and all students are expected to take the national exam. Students complete a major research paper, responses to articles and historical documents, as well as essays and oral presentations. This course challenges students to examine important facets of European history through the use of primary and secondary sources. A summer reading list may be completed.
ECONOMICS #555
LEVEL: 10-11-12
CREDIT: .5 ONE SEMESTER
Prerequisites: NONE
This social Science course introduces the student to the market system of the United States. Economics introduces the student to Micro and Macro Economics. This class also provides students with a practical business experience through the organization, production, and operation of a business enterprise.
Students in this course gain insights into the complexities of consumerism, business management, government regulation, money management, insurance, finance, and taxes.