Social Science

The first semester of this course is civics. Students who have enrolled this course will examine the fundamental components of civics in the United States of America. Through the study of civics students will further explore our government institutions housed within in our federal, state, and local governments. Students in this course will be required to discuss current and controversial political issues that are taking place in our system of government. Additionally, during the duration of the course students will be required to participate in service learning activities and complete simulations of the democratic process. Students in this course will also be required to successfully complete the United States and Illinois Constitution tests. Successful completion of this course will fulfill the state of Illinois civics requirement.

During the second semester of the academic year, students participating in this course will learn about consumer economics and the geography of the world. The consumer economics component of the course is designed to meet the state of Illinois consumer education requirement. Students in this course will learn about the basic components of financial literacy, budgeting, savings and investing, banking, State and federal income taxes, personal insurance policies and home ownership. Additionally, students in this course will learn about their roles as consumers in our mixed free enterprise system. Completion of this component of the course fulfills the state of Illinois consumer economics requirement. At the completion of the consumer economics component of the course, students will learn about the geography of our world. Students will examine the cultural and physical geography of a myriad of locations found on Earth. The students will examine how the topography, history, local economies, and political forces have shaped societies throughout the world. 

This course has been developed and designed to be the equivalent of a college survey course and prepare students for the A. P. United States Government and Politics exam.

Throughout the academic year, students will examine the following topics: 1) the constitutional underpinnings of the government, 2) political beliefs and behaviors, 3) political parties, interest groups, and mass media, 4)institutions of national government, 5) public policy, and 6) civil rights and civil liberties. Reading assignments will be substantial and writing assignments will require mastery of a myriad of primary and secondary sources. The course will include a required project in which students will explore how they can effect and are affected by, government and politics throughout their lives. This course fulfills the state of Illinois civics requirement. 

This course has been developed and designed to be the equivalent of a college survey course and prepare the students for the A.P. Human Geography exam. The A.P. Human Geography course is designed to study the historical, sociological, economical, and political forces that have molded and shaped societies throughout the world. At the completion of the course students will understand: the study of human geography, research models used by geographers, the tools used by geographers, the relevance of technology to geography, and map interpretation. Reading assignments will be substantial and writing assignments will require mastery of a myriad of primary and secondary sources. Students will be required to complete a research paper.

World History students understand how past historical experiences influence the present. Students describe the significance of major people, places and events across cultures through history, the role of conflict in change and cross-cultural connections. Units of study include the classical era, the post-classical era, the early modern era, the industrial era and the post-modern era. Students research, write persuasive arguments, analyze primary documents and work cooperatively. They complete a major project each unit. 

This course has been developed and designed to be the equivalent of a college survey course and prepare students for the A.P. World History exam. Throughout the year of study, students will examine major developments in five eras, beginning with the dawn of history and ending with modern times. These developments will be analyzed through the lenses of five themes: 1) interaction between humans and the environment, 2) the development and interaction of cultures, 3) state-building, expansion, and conflict, 4) creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems, and 5) the development and transformation of social structures. Reading assignments will be substantial and writing assignments will require mastery of a myriad of primary and secondary sources. Students are expected to display strong reading and composition skills. Students are required to complete a research paper.

In United States History students learn to become informed citizens and take an active role in their community and country. They examine the growth of the nation from Reconstruction to present day. In addition, students study international and civil conflicts and the relationship between citizens and their government. Students develop research, analytical reasoning and map skills as they develop a historian’s vocabulary. They also learn to express themselves clearly and persuasively in oral and written forms. Our goal for our students is that they fulfill Jefferson’s and King’s dream of creating a democratic society with well informed citizens taking part in the political decision making process.  

Students trace developments in the United States from pre-Columbian societies to the present. They interpret documents and historical sources and use a significant body of factual information to critically evaluate and analyze topics and write thoughtful essays. Students complete reading and writing assignments nightly, including weekends and vacations. They explore significant issues in United States history, developing ideas about the relationships between events and critiquing them with the class. This course is designed to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement U.S. History exam and is equivalent to an introductory college level U.S. History class. 

This course examines the history and culture of African Americans in the United States, from their roots in West Africa through the present day. The course will analyze the American experience through the lens of African Americans including an analysis of the unique historical, cultural, and social developments of African Americans from the arrival of African slaves to the present day. Students will study the progression of black political and social thought, engagement and protest, and the struggle to enact change through the study of major figures in African American history. Reading assignments will be substantial and writing assignments will require mastery of a myriad of primary and secondary sources. This is a blended learning course which will consist of in and out of classroom learning experiences which will include an online component of the coursework to be completed away from the instructor. 

This course is an introduction to African American studies .  Students will explore a variety of fields - literature, the arts and humanities, political science, geography, and science, to explore the vital contributions and experiences of African Americans.  

 Semester 1: Students examine the ways we as humans function mentally as revealed through varied psychological perspectives. Students gain an understanding of what psychologists do as they gain knowledge about different psychological methods used to understand learning, memory, personality theories, and mental health. In this process, they develop their research, writing, and critical analysis skills. During the semester, they will complete a research paper on a topic of their interest. The course prepares students for a collegiate level introductory psychology course. 

Semester 2: The study of sociology involves interpreting and analyzing the factors and forces operating in society. Emphasis will be placed on the process of socialization, culture, social interaction, and organization, as well as a focus on social institutions and societal problems. In addition to the course textbook, students will be assigned outside readings on the units being taught. Students will also be required to conduct a research project in an area of interest so independence in research skills is expected. 

The AP Program offers two courses in economics: AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics. Each course corresponds to one semester of a typical introductory college course in economics. AP Microeconomics introduces students to the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual economic decision-makers. The course also develops students’ familiarity with the operation of product and factor markets, distributions of income, market failure, and the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. AP Macroeconomics introduces students to the principles that apply to an economic system as a whole. The course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination. It also develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics. In each course, students learn to use graphs, charts, and data to analyze, describe, and explain economic concepts. Students should be able to read a college-level textbook and possess basic mathematics and graphing skills. After the AP exam, students will complete a financial literacy unit covering topics such as banking, credit and debt, income taxes, and budgeting. This course satisfies the Illinois state requirement for consumer economics.

This course enables students to study political, economic, and social issues facing the world. This course focuses on current issues, examines selected issues throughout the 20th century and looks at historical causes or possible solutions. This is a blended learning course. 

This course will focus on women’s history beginning in the ancient world and continuing into modern times.  The different areas of women’s rights and power will be discussed, including political roles, economic roles, education rights, media representation, societal roles, and marriage/child-rearing.  This course will focus on women’s history and roles in each major world location, including Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Europe.  Students will engage in research projects, debate issues, and analyze primary sources.