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The following chart reflects the course sequence. With the
exception of American Government, all required course selections
are included. American Government is required but does not
have a designated year of enrollment.
SOCIAL SCIENCE 2007
- 2008 |
| 9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
| |
*AP Prep World Studies |
*AP Prep American Studies |
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| |
World Studies |
American Studies |
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Course Descriptions
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
One semester, one credit
Recommended Prerequisite: Reading at or above grade level
This course will cover how the U.S. Federal System operates.
This will include national, State of Illinois and local government.
Other topics will be law and justice, civil liberties, elections
and voting, public opinion and propaganda, and contemporary
issues in American politics. Examinations will be given on
U.S. and Illinois Constitutions.
WORLD STUDIES
One year, two credits
This course is designed for all sophomores not taking *AP
Prep World studies. The course will examine major regions
of the
world through the lens of human geography and will be closely
integrated with the World studies course offered through the
English Department.
*AP PREP WORLD STUDIES
One year, two credits
The Advanced Placement Preparation classes are to help prepare
students for the demands and rigor of Advanced Placement
courses. This course is designed for more mature, independent,
and advanced sophomores who read and write significantly above
grade level. *AP Prep World Studies combines the social sciences
and the language arts and provides a more rigorous approach
and pace to its subject. Students are expected to devote significant
time outside of class to meet course requirements and expectations.
The course will examine major regions of the world through
the lens of human geography and will be closely integrated
with the World Studies course offered through the English
Department.
AMERICAN STUDIES
One year, two credits
This course is designed for all juniors not taking *AP Prep
American Studies. Taught in coordination with American Studies
English, the course covers events and themes in American History
from post-Civil War reconstruction to the present day. The
primary text used is The Americans: Reconstruction through
the 20th Century. This class will stress reading and writing
skills,
historical research, and historical analysis through group
projects, textbook and supplemental readings, and class discussion.
*AP PREP AMERICAN STUDIES
One year, two
This is a rigorous course designed for students reading and
writing at well above grade level and capable of working
independently. The course is designed to encourage students
to think conceptually about the American past and to focus
on
historical change over time. The curriculum is designed to
provide analytic skills and factual knowledge, weigh interpretations,
and prepare the students for historical scholarship on the
college level. The themes the class will cover include post-Civil
War
reconstruction through the present day. Students will need
to commit to completing a significant amount of work outside
of class. The primary text is The American Pageant. The class
will focus on historical readings, primary source analysis,
research and writing, independent and group projects, and
class lecture and discussion. This is a weighted course.
ANCIENT/MEDIEVAL WORLD HISTORY
One semester, one credit
This course is recommended for college bound students. The
content includes the history of civilization from pre-history
through 1500 A.D. Students who enroll in the fall semester
will cover Beginning Civilization to 400 A.D. Students who
enroll in the spring semester will cover 400 to 1500 A.D.
Students may elect to enroll in both semesters. Sophomores,
juniors, and seniors have a weighted option which will include
all expectations of the non-weighted course as well as additional
requirements. Students must enroll for the weighted option
within the first two weeks of the semester.
MODERN WORLD HISTORY
One semester, one credit
This course is recommended for college bound students. The
content includes the history of civilization from 1500 to
the present. Students who enroll in the fall semester will
cover 1500 to 1900. Students who enroll in the spring semester
will cover 1900 to the present. Students may elect to enroll
in both semesters. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors have a
weighted option which will include all expectations of the
non-weighted course as well as additional requirements. Students
must enroll for the weighted option within the first two weeks
of the semester.
CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN HISTORY IN FILM AND MUSIC
One semester, one credit
This course is recommended for students reading above grade
level. Films and music provide a window on our social history
and cultural history and illustrate changes and trends in
America. Popular culture not only reflects, but can influence
these changes. The course will investigate key historical
themes in America from World War II through the 1990s as portrayed
in music and both feature and documentary films. Course units
include World war II, the Cold War/suburban 1950s, the Vietnam
War and 1960s cultural upheaval, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties,
and 1970s disillusionment/rebirth of conservatism. Students
will be expected to develop critical thinking skills through
a variety of activities including research, writing, and class
and group projects. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors have
a weighted option that will include all the expectations of
the course as well as additional requirements. Students must
elect to take the weighted option within the first two weeks
of the semester.
+ECONOMICS
One semester, one credit
Recommended for juniors and seniors. This course covers basic
micro and macroeconomic concepts. Students who want to
understand the American economy should enroll in this course.
Topics studied include: supply and demand, monetary and fiscal
policy, the stock market, capitalism, money, inflation, unemployment,
installment purchasing, budgeting, comparison shopping, labor
unions and the consumer’s role in the U.S. Economy.
This course will fulfill the state mandated Consumer Education
requirement.
+*AP ECONOMICS
One semester, one credit
Recommended for college bound juniors and seniors. This is
a college level course that will prepare students to take
the advanced placement (AP) exam to pursue college credit.
Students will have the option of taking the exam. This course
will concentrate on Macroeconomics and follow the recommended
AP Macroeconomics curriculum. Additionally, students will
have an understanding of the roles of consumers interacting
with agriculture, business labor unions and government in
formulating and achieving the goals of the free enterprise
system.
SOCIOLOGY
One semester, one credit
This course will involve the study of culture, social structure,
social institutions, and social interaction. Class work and
projects
will concentrate on problems in contemporary society such
as: family, crime and delinquency, racial discrimination,
youth and
aging, poverty, education, and social change. A research project
is required.
AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES
One semester, one credit
This course is intended to be an in-depth portrait of African-American
culture. Topics will include culture, family, history, politics,
economics, literature, and music. Several social science disciplines
will be used to examine the African-American experience.
PSYCHOLOGY
One semester, one credit
The course will cover the study of human behavior, mental
health and illness, social psychology, and learning and development.
Within each area students will discuss and explore contemporary
topics such as psychotherapies, crime and prisons, prejudice,
sex roles, child development and learning and conditioning.
A research project is required.
+These courses will fulfill the state mandated Consumer Education
requirement
*Weighted Course
Page Updated 10-17-07
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