Academics: Social Studies: Course Description:

Curriculum Social Studies Department Placement in courses offered through this department is based on test scores, guidance counselor references, teacher recommendations and student/parent request. Course selection must be in compliance with designated course sequence with three years of social studies courses required. Grade 9: 502 World History (Modified) / 514 World History / 519 World History (Honors) Grade 11: 534 American History / 539 American History (Honors) Grade 12 554 American Government Elective (Grades 10, 11) 521 Contemporary World Issues Elective (Grades 11, 12) 543 Sociology Electives (Grade 12) 548 Psychology / 552 Twentieth Century America 502      WORLD HISTORY (MODIFIED) 1 Credit Full Year       Grade 9 This course is designed to assess individual reading and studying problems, and aid students in correcting specific weaknesses that are hindering educational progress. The course strives to bring the student up to the regular level courses in history. This course offers help to students in the transition from modified to standard courses in history. It will also help widen perspectives and provide a clearer picture of the origins of civilization. Specific areas to be covered include Western Europe, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, India, and Africa. The political, economic, and social development of each of these areas will be examined. Consideration will be given throughout the course to the study of geography and its influence upon individuals and events. Text: Furnished by the school. 514       WORLD HISTORY 1 Credit Full Year       Grade 9 The objective of this survey course is the student's understanding of human history and cultural development. There will be an examination of the world's major cultural regions with a global focus on human evolution. This approach aims at helping students focus on individual needs, hopes and efforts to cope with problems. It will help to widen perspectives and to provide a clearer picture of the origins of civilization. Specific areas to be covered include Western Europe, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, India, and Africa. The political, economic, and social development of each of these areas will be examined. Consideration will be given throughout the course to the study of geography and its influence upon individuals and events. Text: Furnished by the school. 519       WORLD HISTORY (HONORS) 1 Credit       Prerequisite Full Year      Grade 9 The objective of this course is for the student to develop an understanding of human history and cultural regions with a global focus on human evolution. This approach aims at helping students focus on individual needs, hopes and efforts to cope with problems. It will help to widen perspectives and to provide a clearer picture of the origins of civilization. Specific areas to be covered in depth include Western Europe, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, India, and Africa. The political, economic, and social development of each of these areas will be examined. The course will demand of the student extensive outside reading and thoroughness of quality in assigned projects. Consideration will be given throughout the course to the study of geography and its influence upon individuals and events. Text: Furnished by the school. 521       CONTEMPORARY WORLD ISSUES 1/2 Credit       Elective One Semester      Grades 10, 11 This course is designed to give students a better understanding of the ever-changing world around them and to encourage students to think critically about possible solutions to world problems. This class will discuss current topics in the news focusing on general themes of world politics, cultural geography, and the environment. Information gathered from newspapers, magazines, television and the Internet will be incorporated. Specific attention will be given to the underlying causes and potential effects of many important contemporary issues and challenges facing multi-cultural societies. Supplemental Material Fee: approximately $15.00 534      AMERICAN HISTORY 1 Credit       Required Full Year      Grade 11 The objective of this course is for the student to develop an understanding of the historical development of the United States from continental, colonial beginnings, to the present. Major issues and controversies in American history will be examined and evaluated as measurements of our nation's strengths and weaknesses.  The political, economic, and social issues of each era will be examined, as well as the moral and ethical dilemmas that accompanied them.  Specific areas to be covered in depth during the first semester range from American colonization to the Civil War.  The second semester covers further development of the nation from the reconstruction of the union to the late twentieth century. Consideration will be given throughout the course to the study of geography and its influence upon individuals and events. Text: Furnished by the school. 539      AMERICAN HISTORY (HONORS) 1 Credit       Prerequisite Full Year      Grade 11 The objective of this course is to offer students a challenging study of the events of American history.  Course content will be studied chronologically in an attempt to better understand the political, economic, and social development of the nation.  Specific areas to be covered in depth during the first semester range from American colonization to the Civil War.  The second semester covers further development of the nation from the reconstruction of the union to the late twentieth century.  Consideration will be given throughout the course to the study of geography and its influence upon individuals and events.  As this is an Honors course, students will be held to high academic standards.  This is a writing intensive course that will also demand of the student extensive outside reading and a research project.  The goal of this course is to provide the student with a sound foundation in the study of American history and better prepare that student for further study at the college level.  The Honors course is structured to prepare students for advanced placement tests and college entrance exams. Text: Furnished by the school. 543      SOCIOLOGY 1/2 Credit      Elective One Semester      Grades 11, 12 The objective of this course is to develop an understanding of human behavior and its role in society through the study of society, human social behavior, and social groups. Topics to be covered in this course include, but are not limited to: 1) deviance, crime and social control; 2) population and aging; 3) economic/social stratification; 4) collective behavior; and 5) marriage and families. The student will be expected to incorporate current events into the study of these issues. Consideration will be given throughout the course to the study of geography and its influence upon individuals and events. Text: Furnished by the school. 548      PSYCHOLOGY 1/2 Credit       Elective One Semester      Grade 12 This course provides extensive coverage of the content standards developed by a coalition of psychologists and educators that includes the Task Force for the Development of National High School Psychology Standards and the American Psychology Association (APA).  The textbook and materials used in this semester course comprise the only complete program for high school psychology.  High-interest content and relevant features engage students and allow them to understand the importance and uses of psychology in daily living.  Students will be engaged throughout the semester of studies in creative, challenging and thought provoking projects designed to encourage and to facilitate the reflective process.  The primary intent of the course is to assist the individual student to better understand the complexity of human behavior in its myriad forms and manifestations. Text: Furnished by the school. 552      TWENTIETH CENTURY AMERICA 1/2 Credit      Elective One Semester      Grades 12 This course is designed to offer an in-depth look at modern American history from 1945 to the present.  It offers a concentrated study of the political, economic and military events of the last half century, as well as the social and cultural history that has shaped our lives.  Consideration will be given throughout the course to the study of geography and its influence upon individuals and events.  The course will demand of the student extensive outside reading and a research project.  This course was designed for students who have a great deal of interest in American history, and is intended to better prepare students to continue the study of American history at the college level. Text: Purchased by the student. Cost: Approximately $56  554      AMERICAN GOVERNMENT 1/2 Credit      Required One Semester      Grade 12 This course provides the student with an overview of the Constitutional structure of  American government and the workings of the American political system.  The basic provisions and principles of the United States Constitution and the Illinois State Constitution are examined in detail.  The articles and amendments of both  the State and Federal Constitution are studied in preparation for the mandatory constitutional evaluations.  Throughout the semester of studies, the national, state and local governments are analyzed.  Guidelines for responsible citizenship in the twenty-first century are delineated.  Students are encouraged in a variety of ways to become actively involved in the American political process through various participatory activities at the local, state or federal level. Text: Furnished by the school.

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