Social Science
- AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
- AP US GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
- ECONOMICS
- AP MICROECONOMICS
- AP EUROPEAN HISTORY
- THE AFRICAN AND LATIN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE TO 1865
- THE AFRICAN AND LATIN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE SINCE 1865
- LAW
- PSYCHOLOGY 101
- AP PSYCHOLOGY
- SOCIOLOGY
- UNITED STATES HISTORY
- AP UNITED STATES HISTORY
- PRE-AP WORLD HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY
- AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
GRADES 11, 12
1 SEMESTER
.5 CREDIT
Prerequisites: None.
Students will understand the foundations and components of the Federal and State governments and become active participants in American government.
REMARKS: Successful completion of American Government indicates a passing of the US Constitution Exam, the Illinois Constitution Exam, and satisfies the State of Illinois Civics requirement. This course is offered in a blended option.
AP US GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
GRADES 11, 12
WEIGHTED
1 SEMESTER
.5 CREDIT
Prerequisites: Must meet district honors criteria.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the American Government with specific emphasis placed on the study of the state and federal constitutions, the principles that influenced our system of government, and direct application of those principles to issues in contemporary American politics. In addition, students will analyze political processes and heavy emphasis will be dedicated to research and writing skills.
REMARKS: This class fulfills the Constitution Test requirement.
The purpose of this class is to prepare students for the AP American Government test; students are expected to sit for the test in May.
ECONOMICS
AP MICROECONOMICS
GRADES 11, 12
WEIGHTED
1 SEMESTER
.5 CREDIT
Prerequisites: Must meet district honors criteria.
Students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the larger economic system. Emphasis will be placed on the nature and functions of product and factor markets and the role of government in the economy.
The purpose of this class is to prepare students for the AP Microeconomics test; Students are expected to sit for the AP Microeconomics exam.
AP EUROPEAN HISTORY
GRADES 10, 11, 12
WEIGHTED
2 SEMESTERS
1 CREDIT
Prerequisites: Must meet district honors criteria.
Students will analyze the political, economic, and social characteristics that have contributed to the development of modern Europe. Given that this course is taught at the honors level, critical thinking, writing, and research skills will be given additional emphasis while paying special attention to the application and synthesis of course content.
The purpose of this class is to prepare students for the AP European History test; students are expected to sit for the test in May.
THE AFRICAN AND LATIN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE TO 1865
GRADES 9, 10, 11, 12
1 SEMESTER
.5 CREDIT
Prerequisites: None.
Students will analyze the political, economic, social, and cultural experiences of African Americans and Latinos from Ancient African civilizations to the conquest of the Americas through the Mexican American War and the abolition of Slavery. Emphasis will be placed on critical thinking, writing, and research skills while paying special attention to the application and synthesis of course content.
THE AFRICAN AND LATIN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE SINCE 1865
GRADES 9, 10, 11, 12
1 SEMESTER
.5 CREDIT
Prerequisites: None.
Students will analyze the political, economic, social, and cultural experiences of African Americans and Latinos from reconstruction in the United States and the rise of Caudillaje in Latin America to contemporary issues facing Blacks and Latinos throughout the world. Emphasis will be placed on critical thinking, writing, and research skills while paying special attention to the application and synthesis of course content.
LAW
GRADES 10, 11, 12
1 SEMESTER
.5 CREDIT
Prerequisites: None.
Students will describe and analyze the structure and function of the American legal system with significant emphasis on constitutional law (particularly the role of the bill of rights in civil and criminal cases), the criminal and juvenile justice system, civil law (with emphasis on tort issues), and consumer and family law. The culminating activity is participation in a mock trial event. Emphasis will also be placed on careers in the legal field and the legal implications associated with various career fields based on student career interests.
PSYCHOLOGY 101
GRADES 10, 11, 12
1 SEMESTER
.5 CREDIT
Prerequisites: None.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the six approaches to the development of human behavior and development, examine the human brain for impact on personal and professional behavior, and analyze the implications of learning and cognition in people’s lives. Emphasis is also placed on the practice of psychology as it relates to students’ career interests and various professions.
AP PSYCHOLOGY
GRADES 10, 11, 12
WEIGHTED
2 SEMESTERS
1 CREDIT
Prerequisites: Must meet district honors criteria.
Students will study the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students will consider psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Students will also discuss ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice.
The purpose of this class is to prepare students for the AP Psychology test; students are expected to sit for the test in May.
SOCIOLOGY
GRADES 10, 11, 12
1 SEMESTER
.5 CREDIT
Prerequisites: None.
Introduction to the basic principles, concepts, and methods fundamental to sociology. Emphasis will be placed on the structure and dynamics of human society with special attention to group behaviors, socialization, social institutions, stratification, family, population, and crime.
UNITED STATES HISTORY
AP UNITED STATES HISTORY
GRADE 11
WEIGHTED
2 SEMESTERS
1 CREDIT
Prerequisites: Must meet district honors criteria.
Students will analyze the political, economic, social, and cultural trends that have contributed to the growth and development of American society. Given that this course is taught at an honors level, critical thinking, writing, and research skills will be given additional emphasis while paying special attention to the application and synthesis of course content.
The purpose of this class is to prepare students for the AP United States History test; students are expected to sit for the test in May.
REMARKS: Required for graduation in the State of Illinois. This course is offered in a blended option.
PRE-AP WORLD HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY
GRADE 9
2 SEMESTERS
1 CREDIT
Prerequisites: None.
Pre-AP World History and Geography will be the new freshman level social science course that will replace World Affairs. This course will be offered to all students and will provide them with a more consistent curriculum that will emphasize reading and critical thinking. This course will also help our students obtain skills and knowledge that will help them become AP ready if they choose to enroll in the future. AP Human Geography will still be an option for those students who want to take that course for AP credit, and both will be part of the social science requirement.
AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
GRADE 9, 10
WEIGHTED
2 SEMESTERS
1 CREDIT
Prerequisites: 440 ERW PSAT 8/9 and/or teacher recommendation.
Students will analyze the systematic study of patterns and process that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of the Earth’s surface. Students will also employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. In addition, students will learn methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice.
The purpose of this class is to prepare students for the AP Human Geography test; students are expected to sit for the test in May.