SOCIAL STUDIES
417-Global
Perspectives - One
year course. One credit.
Open to 9, 10. Designed for the student who needs extra support in reading
and skill building. This course
will include a general overview of World History, Economics, Geography,
Political Science and Sociology. Instructors
will incorporate the use of hands-on activities, cooperative learning
activities, use of computer, and textbook materials to teach the general areas
of the social sciences.
418-World
Studies – World Studies & English IA/AA Option.
Two credits (One History credit and one English credit).
Open to 9. This course will
use a humanities approach to the study of World History and literature, giving
some attention to world art and music. The
course is designed to be challenging for students of all academic levels.
As it is offered in cooperation with the English Department, and will be
presented in a team teaching format, students will meet for two periods each day
with a team of teachers, one from each department.
The course will be extremely flexible.
Students will develop written, oral, and multimedia projects, which
illustrate their understanding of themes in world history and literature and
their understanding of standard grammar and usage.
Content will cover trends in political, economic, and cultural events in
world history and literature and use those predictors to show an understanding
of modern issues in terms of their significance in daily life. Class size limited to 60 student
420-World
History -
Required. One year course.
One credit. Open to 9, 10.
Prerequisite: none.
This survey begins with the movement of early humans toward civilization
and an examination of four river valley civilizations.
The classical civilizations of India, China, Greece and Rome broaden the
world perspective and give students an opportunity to examine cultures different
from their own with emphasis placed on world religions and their impact on
history. Due to the predominance of
the western nations in modern times, the rise of the West is explained in depth.
Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East are discussed, completing the
presentation of peoples integral to the formation of the modern New World.
The survey then deals with the world in upheaval: imperialism, world wars
totalitarianism and communism. Finally
there is a look at the contemporary world since World War II.
421-Economics - Elective.
One semester course. One-half
credit. Open to 10, 11, 12.
Prerequisite: World History. This
course is designed to provide an understanding of how the American economic
system works. Basic concepts of
economics are combined with some aspects of consumer economics.
FULFILLS THE CONSUMER EDUCATION REQUIREMENT.
422-Psychology - Elective.
One semester course. One-half
credit. Open to 11, 12.
Prerequisite: World History. Psychology
is the study of the mind. This
course will deal with the phenomena that influence human behavior.
The student will gain an appreciation of the basic methodology and
principles of psychology and apply them to specific areas such as learning,
motivation, and perception. The
student will study some of the bizarre forms of behavior resulting from
psychological disorders.
423-Sociology - One semester. Elective. One-half credit.
Open to 10, 11, 12. Prerequisite: World History. This
course is intended for the college prep student. This is the study of man and his relationship with others.
The course begins with an investigation into the nature of sociology and
its methodology. Next, the social
impact of culture and its effect on behavior is examined.
This is followed by a study of the socialization process with an emphasis
on the “social self.” The last unit explored is social organization.
Topics here include groups, social stratification, marriage and family.
424-Geography – One semester. Elective. One
half credit. Open to 10, 11, 12.
Prerequisite: World History. This
course is a study of the relationship between man’s culture and his physical
environment. It will present basic
physical geographic concepts in combination with a humanities approach.
The effects of geography on man and his cultures will be emphasized.
The students will learn that the relationship between culture and
environment determines where people live and how they work.
429-Current
Issues -
Elective. One semester course.
One-half credit. Open 10, 11, 12. Prerequisites:
World History and CGPA of 2.0 or above.
This course is a survey of events that have occurred within the past
thirty years. Special emphasis will
be placed on events of the present time that change, modify, and/or regulate
people's lives and a nation's goals, philosophy, and continuity.
There is one required paper which is a course requirement.
Due to the activity focused, interactive nature of the class, regular
attendance and oral participation are essential to the success of the students
enrolled. There is a $15 fee
associated with this class.
431-U.S.
History -
Required. One year course.
One credit. Open to 11.
Prerequisite: World History. This course will fulfill graduation requirement for U.S.
History. This course provides an
overview of the history of the United States and includes a six-week study of
our government. Students will be
given the state mandated Illinois and U.S. Constitution tests as part of this
course. There is a $5 fee
associated with this class.
432-Fundamental
U.S. History -
Required. One year course.
One credit. Open to 11.
Prerequisite: World History. Emphasis will be placed on close interaction between the
student and the teacher. Small
daily reading and writing assignments help ease the problems for students with
reading and test taking difficulties. The
course content will be similar to that of U.S. History. There is a $5 fee associated
with this class.
434-U.S. Foreign Policy and Wars - Elective. One semester course.
One-half credit. Open to 11, 12. Prerequisite: World History. This course is an
in depth study of the relations, policies, and wars of the United States from
its birth as a nation to the problems facing our country today.
435-Advanced
Placement U.S. History (Weighted) -
One year course. One credit.
Open to 11. Prerequisite:
Completion of candidacy packet requirements.
This U.S. History course is intended for qualified students who
wish to apply themselves to college level studies and to provide the means for
colleges to grant credit or placement to students who have successfully
completed the College Board AP Exam. AP
classes are designed with an emphasis on analytical, interpretive and persuasive
writing skills. A high level of reading and writing skills is important.
Much of the class work is done in groups so good social skills are also
important. The U.S. and
Illinois Constitution requirement will be met through a proficiency format.
There is a $5 fee
associated with this class.
436- Social Injustices-Elective. One half credit. Prerequisite:
World History. Open to 11,12, sophomores will will be considered with a
recommendation from their World History instructor. Throughout history, humans
have fallen victim to the self-promoting goals of other people. Social groups,
if not entire cultures, have been degraded, relocated, or altogether destroyed.
This course will take an in-depth look at examples of social injustice,
including slavery, American Indian removal, and the Holocaust. Fundamental
causes and effects of the history of social injustice to the present day will be
discussed. Reading, writing, and research will be emphasized, and a
positive attendance record is essential for student achievement.