Social Science

See Fine Arts Department for Description*

Level: AP

Credit(s): 1

Semester(s): 2

Typical Grade Level: 10th

Prerequisites: A or B in previous level content class; Cs and lower must have a teacher recommendation.

Equivalent to a college level course, students analyze perspectives on government and politics in the United States in preparation for the Advanced Placement examination in United States Government and Politics. Using specific case studies, students identify and critically evaluate various institutions, groups, public policies, civil rights, and liberties that constitute U.S. politics. Students analyze the philosophy of the American ideological consensus, the process behind elections, the trends and patterns in the electorate’s behavior, and the impact of mass media and political players on the system and its components. Students will also take the Advanced Placement examination for possible college credit.

*This course provides students with Civics Credit

Level of Challenge:

4 * * * *

Typical Homework Commitment:

3-5 Hours Per Week

Level: AP

Credit(s): 1

Typical Grade Level: 9th

Semester(s): 2

Prerequisites: NONE.

The purpose of the AP Human Geography course is to introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students learn to employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications.

Level of Challenge:

3 * * *

Typical Homework Commitment:

5-7 Hours Per Week

Level: AP

Credit(s): 1

Typical Grade Level: 11th or 12th

Semester(s): 2

Prerequisites: Junior or Senior level on-track status. Preference given to Seniors. A or B in previous level content class; Cs and lower must have a teacher recommendation.

Economics, at its core, is a way of thinking about the world. Microeconomics, in particular, examines (a) how individuals make decisions and (b) how individual decisions interact with one another within the economic system. Alfred Marshall, an intellectual giant within the field, whose influence remains keen nearly a century since his death, has described economics as the “study of mankind in the ordinary business of life.” So, yes, this course will examine questions that arise as part of the “ordinary business of life”: Why doesn’t Jay-Z mow his own lawn? Do seat belts increase automobile accidents? Is gasoline too inexpensive even at $6.00 per gallon? Can a minimum wage cause more harm than good? Why does Chicago house hundreds and hundreds of pizza parlors but only one electric company? What’s the fundamental flaw of U.S. drug interdiction policy?

Students will become familiar with the cost-benefit analysis that is the “economic way of thinking”, understand smaller segments of the economy, including the role of consumers, producers, markets, and the government, and learn to use graphs, chart, and data to analyze, describe, and explain economic concepts.

*This course provides Consumer Education credit.

Level of Challenge:

4 * * * *

Typical Homework Commitment:

2-3 Hours Per Week

Level: AP

Credit(s): 1

Semester(s): 2

Typical Grade Level: 11th or 12th

Prerequisites: Junior or Senior level on-track status. Preference given to Seniors. A or B in previous level content class; Cs and lower must have a teacher recommendation.

The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice.

Level of Challenge:

4 * * * *

Typical Homework Commitment:

3-5 Hours Per Week

Level: AP

Credit(s): 1

Semester(s): 2

Typical Grade Level: 11th

Prerequisites: A or B in previous level content class; Cs and lower must have a teacher recommendation.

The Advanced Placement program in United States History is designed to provide you with the analytical skills and the factual knowledge to deal with critically with the problems in American history. The course prepares you for college course by making demands upon you equivalent to those made by full year introductory college courses. You will learn to assess historical materials for the relevance, their reliability, and their importance, and to weigh the evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship. Additionally, AP US History prepares you for the AP exam in May. To achieve this goal, students should be prepared to spend a significant amount of time outside class on homework and reading.

*This course provides Public Law 195 Credit

Level of Challenge:

5 * * * * *

Typical Homework Commitment:

6-8 hours Per Week

Level: AP

Credit(s): 1

Semester(s): 2

Typical Grade Level: 11th or 12th (AC 9th Graders in place of AP HUG)

Prerequisites: A or B in previous level content class; Cs and lower must have a teacher recommendation.

The purpose of AP World History Modern is to develop a greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts, in interaction with different types of human societies over time. This understanding is achieved through acquisition of conceptual knowledge and analytical skills. The course highlights the nature of changes in world history and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. This is a conceptually oriented college-level course in which all areas of the world will be given extensive and equal coverage. This course is guided by a larger exam given each May. This is an extensive exam, which will assess your abilities in writing and your grasp of the content covered throughout this course. To achieve this goal, students should be prepared to spend a significant amount of time outside class on homework and reading.

Level of Challenge:

4 * * * *

Typical Homework Commitment:

5-6 Hours Per Week

Level: H

Credit(s): 1

Semester(s): 1

Typical Grade Level: 10th

Prerequisites: NONE.

This course explores rights and responsibilities associated with being an active citizen in a democratic society. Students will explore issues of civic importance such as healthy schools, community planning, environmental responsibility, and the influence of social media, while developing their understanding of the role of civic engagement and of political processes in the local, national, and/or global community. Students will apply the concepts of political thinking and the political inquiry process to investigate, and express informed opinions about, a range of political issues and developments that are both of significance in today’s world and of personal interest to them. During the year, students will craft a service learning project aimed at addressing an issue of their choosing in the community.

Level of Challenge:

1 *

Typical Homework Commitment:

1-2 Hours Per Week

Level: AP

Credit(s): 1

Semester(s): 1

Typical Grade Level: 11th or 12th (Students Must Be 16)

Prerequisites: Pass CCC Placement Exam Read to Write Exam with a 6 OR SAT Evidence Based Reading & Writing Score of 480+. Student must have passed previous Social Studies course with a C or Better AND have good attendance.

In conjunction with Olive Harvey City College- People to 1865 Exploration of the new world and its colonization to the present; study of colonial life with emphasis on cultural heritage and the American Revolution; emergence of American nation traced through major trends and events in economic, political, cultural, social, and intellectual affairs; includes past and present American cultural patterns; political and economic developments, and social, intellectual, and cultural changes.

Students who successfully complete the course with a "C" grade or better will earn college credit through Olive Harvey College for the following courses: HISTORY 111 History of American People to 1865 (3 credits) and HISTORY 112 History of American People from 1865 (3 credits) for a total of 6 college credits. Students must meet the requirements for the course which may include an qualifying exam.

Level of Challenge:

3 * * *

Typical Homework Commitment:

4-5 Hours Per Week

Level: H

Credit(s): 1

Semester(s): 2

Typical Grade Level: 11th-12th

Prerequisites: Junior or Senior level on-track status. Preference given to Seniors.

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. This full year course will provide an analysis and description of the structure and dynamics of human society. It will use the application of scientific methods to observe and analyze the following concepts: social norms, groups, intergroup relations, social change, social stratification, and institutions. The class will address various topics related to culture, ethnic, gender, and racial issues. Students will be actively engaged in analyzing social behavior through the use of visual education tools; written studies and theories. Students will be better equipped to develop a better understanding of their environment and the environments of others globally.

Level of Challenge:

1 *

Typical Homework Commitment:

1-2 Hours Per Week

Level: H

Credit(s): 1

Semester(s): 2

Typical Grade Level: 11th

Prerequisites: Recommended for Juniors on the Honors Track.

This student-focused course will examine the important people, events, and issues throughout the history of the United States of America. This course will also look at the impact key figures/groups, important decisions, and vital legislative acts had in shaping the history of this land and how we view our role in world affairs, our society, economy, and political ideas today. This course will involve classroom discussions, lectures, note taking, individual work, group work, and other projects throughout the year. This class will also be writing and reading intensive. Additionally, all students must take (and pass) Public Law 195 or the US Constitution exam and participate in the Chicago Metro History Fair.

Level of Challenge:

2 * *

Typical Homework Commitment:

1-2 Hours Per Week

Level: R

Credit(s): 1

Semester(s): 2

Typical Grade Level: 7th

Prerequisites: None

The purpose of Early World History is to develop a greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts, in interaction with different types of human societies over time. We study the origins of human and their migration patterns that populated the world. We will study the first civilizations that developed around the world as well as the rise and fall of empires. The time frame for this course will be 10,000 BCE to 1500 CE. This understanding is achieved through acquisition of conceptual knowledge and analytical skills. The course highlights the nature of changes in world history and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. All areas of the world will be given extensive and equal coverage. We will also be participating in the Chicago and Money Fair and complete research on student-selected topics related to increasing our financial literacy. Students will also be completing a course of study and an exam around the Illinois States Constitution.

Level of Challenge:

2 * *

Typical Homework Commitment

3-4 Hours Per Week

Level: R

Credit(s): 1

Semester(s): 2

Typical Grade Level: 8th

Prerequisites: None

The purpose of Modern World History is to develop a greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts, in interaction with different types of human societies over time. We will be examining the world’s history from the “discovery” of America until the present-day. This understanding is achieved through acquisition of conceptual knowledge and analytical skills. The course highlights the nature of changes in world history and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. All areas of the world will be given extensive and equal coverage. We will also be participating in the Chicago Metro History Fair and complete historical research on student-selected topics in Chicago history as well as taking the United States Constitution exam.

Level of Challenge:

2 * *

Typical Homework Commitment

3-4 Hours Per Week