This
page was
last updated:
February 21, 2013
SOCIAL
STUDIES - CURRICULUM | FACULTY
The courses included in the Social Studies Department are designed to not only teach course content but also to encourage students to make comparisons of past events and current situations and to explore human behavior. The development of responsible decision making through an understanding of major themes, events and schools of thought within the Social Sciences is encouraged.
Graduation requirement: 2 credits by the end of junior year; must include 1.0 credits in World History and 1.0 credits in U.S. History I and U.S History II or III or 1.0 credit in AP U.S. History
WORLD HISTORY
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 9
Prerequisite: None
This course provides both a general treatment of World History and an in-depth attention to pivotal periods in the development of Western Civilization. Students examine history through a number of methods, and an emphasis is placed on student-centered exercises while evaluation extends from traditional testing to student presentations. Study, listening, writing, and research skills are fostered so students have the opportunity to develop skills and techniques that will be useful at the college level.
U.S. HISTORY I (required)
Pre-Columbian through Civil War
Credit: .5 units
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11(class of 2014 only)
Prerequisite: World History
All sophomore students are required to take this course. This course provides an overview of the cultural, economic, and political history of the United States from the Pre-Columbian period through the Civil War. The normal content of the course is enhanced by the use of audio-visual materials, outside reading and projects. Students are required to pass the U.S. and Illinois constitution tests upon completion of this course. Students that have successfully earned credit in A.P. US History are not eligible for this course.
HONORS ADVANCED PLACEMENT U.S. HISTORY
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11
Prerequisite: Minimum cumulative 4.0 GPA and consent of Social Studies Department Chair or current AP US History Instructor
This course is an in-depth study of the cultural, economic and political history of the United States. This course requires students to read and analysis at the college level as well the use of additional source materials. Students are expected to meet additional research and writing requirements beyond those of the standard United States History course. Students are required to pass the U.S. and Illinois constitution tests upon completion of this course. This course follows the scope and sequence as described by the Advanced Placement program. Upon completion, students have the opportunity to take the AP exam in May.
U.S. HISTORY II
Post-Civil War through World War II
Credit: .5 units
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11
Prerequisite: U.S. History I
This course provides an overview of the cultural, economic, and political history of the United States from the period of post-Civil War through World War II. The normal content of the course is enhanced by the use of audio-visual materials, outside reading and projects. Students that have successfully earned credit in A.P. US History are not eligible for this course.
U.S. HISTORY III
Post-World War II to Present Day
Credit: .5 units
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12(class of 2013 only)
Prerequisite: U.S. History I
This course provides an overview of the cultural, economic, and political history of the United States from the period of post-World War II through present day. The normal content of the course is enhanced by the use of audio-visual materials, outside reading and projects. Students that have successfully earned credit in A.P. US History are not eligible for this course.
GEOGRAPHY
Credit: .5
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11
Prerequisite: None
This course develops an understanding of the character of various regions of the world as influenced by environmental, historical, and cultural forces. Students improve their mental maps of the world and establish a basic foundation of knowledge about countries of the world and how they interact within an interdependent global system. Emphasis is placed on the role of the Middle East and its effect on world events and issues.
SOCIOLOGY
Credit: .5 units
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
This course covers the basic study of sociology by introducing the founding sociologists and theories that underscore this social science. The course explores the main theories that define social issues of culture, societal structure, and individuals in society from the adolescent years through adulthood. This knowledge precedes a study of the breakdown in society which leads to deviance and the need for social control. This course is a prerequisite for Criminology
ECONOMICS
Credit: .5 units
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed to explain the role that economics plays in the decision-making process. First, students learn about microeconomics--how individual choices affect supply and demand, organization of individual business firms and markets, and how individual incomes are determined. Next, students learn about macroeconomics--choices made by the whole economy, gross domestic product, unemployment, inflation, and money supply and banking systems. Last, students learn about the world economy--how choices affect the global economy, international trade, and problems of less-developed countries.
HONORS ECONOMICS
Credit: .5 units
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Cumulative GPA of 3.50 or above and consent of current Honors Economics Instructor
This course is an in-depth study of the role that economics plays in the decision-making process. First, students learn about microeconomics--how individual choices affect supply and demand, organization of individual business firms and markets, and how individual incomes are determined. Next, students learn about macroeconomics--choices made by the whole economy, gross domestic product, unemployment, inflation, and money supply and banking systems. Last, students learn about the world economy--how choices affect the global economy, international trade, and problems of less-developed countries. In this challenging course, students read more than twice as much material as students in Economics. A major part of this course is an eight week project dealing with the role of consumers in the world economy. Students who earned credit in Economics may not enroll in this course
PSYCHOLOGY
Credit: .5 units
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
This course provides an overview of the field of psychology. Topics covered include a brief history of the field, personality theory, learning and memory, personality testing, motivation and emotions, sensation and perception, the nervous system, frustration and conflict and personality disturbances. Emphasis is placed on psychoanalytic, behavioristic, humanistic and cognitive theoretical approaches to psychology.
HONORS ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Cumulative GPA of 3.50 or above and consent of current AP Psychology Instructor
Why do human beings behave the way they do, and why especially do humans hurt themselves and each other? Why, too, do humans behave so DIFFERENTLY from one another? Is human behavior primarily “instinctual,” “learned” or is it a combination of nature AND nurture? To what degree 22 has evolution also “sculpted” human behavior? In answering these questions, how do the various subfields of psychology differ, and which methodologies seem more “scientific”? Is it true that, given our new technologies, most human behaviors can now be explained by understanding the biological processes of the brain? By the end of the course, students will be able to formulate their OWN answers to these questions and better understand their own behavior and the behavior of those around them. This course follows the scope and sequence as described by the Advanced Placement program. Upon completion, students have the opportunity to take the AP exam in May.
HONORS ADVANCED PLACEMENT U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Cumulative GPA of 3.50 or above and consent of current AP US Government Instructor
Who ultimately holds power in the United States? Does power equally lie with our Congress, president and judicial system, which “check and balance” each other? Or do other persons/groups--such as committee chairmen, political action committees or the media--ultimately “call the shots”? And what power do average people--like you and me--have? To answer these and other fundamental questions about the
American political system, students will study aspects of the lawmaking and policy making process. Topics covered include, among others, the Constitution, federalism, civil liberties, public opinion campaigns, interest groups, Congress and the lawmaking process, the Presidency, the judicial system, economic policy, foreign policy, and state and local governments. This course follows the scope and sequence as described by the Advanced Placement program. Upon completion, students have the opportunity to take the AP exam in May.
CRIMINOLOGY
Credit: .5 units
Eligible Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: Sociology
This course gives students an opportunity to learn about the criminal mind by looking at classical and modern theories behind some of the most notorious criminal figures, infamous events in history. This is an academic course that looks to inform students on some of the most crucial unlawful troubles in society while examining what role crime plays in race and class in our culture. The class studies the attempts society makes to control criminal actions and bring order to humanity while introducing different fields within this social science that students may pursue as a career.
Top
