Social Science

Dual Credit American History
Psychology
H. Law and American Society

World Studies is the first of three required courses in the Social Studies sequence and serves as a foundation for further Social Studies coursework. This course will focus student learning on the peoples, ideas, and forces that have shaped our world, and enable students to investigate their place in and capacity to act in an increasingly interdependent global society. It will allow students to appreciate the rich cultures that exist across the world. Students will complete activities that include reading a rich variety of primary and secondary texts, working on group and individual projects exploring world studies concepts, and content-based instruction providing a basis for launching these explorations. Themes emphasized will include interdisciplinary social sciences and build understanding of cultural, institutional, economic, and technological patterns that, along with geography, have set the human stage. Students will make thematic connections in a reading and writing. Students will meet the standards with assistance from the necessary scaffolding and more  collaborative practice.

All students will have the ability to earn honors by demonstration, which will increase the weight of this course in their GPA. By electing to do Honors level work, students will make thematic connections with more reading and writing intensive setting. Students will be expected to meet the standards with less scaffolding and more independent and collaborative practice. Increased complexity of texts, tasks, and responses will prepare honors students for advanced placement and college level coursework. 

Grades 9th,

Pre-reqs: N/A
Hours/Min per day: 1 hour/week 

World Studies is the first of three required courses in the Social Studies sequence and serves as a foundation for further Social Studies coursework. This course will focus student learning on the peoples, ideas, and forces that have shaped our world, and enable students to investigate their place in and capacity to act in an increasingly interdependent global society. It will allow students to appreciate the rich cultures that exist across the world. Students will complete activities that include reading a rich variety of primary and secondary texts, working on group and individual projects exploring world studies concepts, and content-based instruction providing a basis for launching these explorations. Themes emphasized will include interdisciplinary social sciences and build understanding of cultural, institutional, economic, and technological patterns that, along with geography, have set the human stage. In an honors course, students will make thematic connections in a reading and writing intensive setting. Students will be expected to meet the standards with less scaffolding and more independent and collaborative practice. Increased complexity of texts, tasks, and responses will prepare honors students for advanced placement and college level coursework. Honors courses are weighted.

Grades 9th,

Pre-reqs: N/A
Hours/Min per day: 1 hour/week 

This course is based on the AP Modern World Curriculum as established by the College Board, supported by the philosophy and structure of the MYP philosophy. It examines world history from 1200 CE to the present day, thematically addressing politics, society, culture, economics, environment, and innovations along the way. It is truly a "world" course, engaging students with these themes across every continent and human society within its time period. The course is designed to help students achieve success on the AP Modern World exam at the end of the school year in order to get college credit. 

Grades :9th

Pre-reqs: On-Grade Level Reading Scores. **Priority given to  Amundsen IBMYP Honors Cohort
Hours/Min per day: 15 min/day 

The study of United States History allows students to understand the people, ideas, and forces that have shaped this country. Moving through the development of our maturing democracy will allow students to explore both their individual and our collective place in an interdependent global society. Students will access diverse texts to explore what it means to live in America by studying the people, key ideas, and events that shaped our history and include a focus on the struggles to achieve class, ethnic, racial, and gender equality and the successes and failures that have shaped who we are.

US History courses provide the study for and taking of the PL 195 (Constitution Test) required for high school graduation. 

Grades :10th

Pre-reqs: World Studies
Hours/Min per day: 

The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) is a philosophy of teaching and an approach to instruction. Students in the MYP explore significant content, develop skills, and deepen conceptual understanding through their engagement with global contexts. Teachers will plan using the MYP objectives and assess using the MYP criteria. The study of United States History allows students to understand the people, ideas, and forces that have shaped this country. Moving through the development of our maturing democracy will allow students to explore both their individual and our collective place in an interdependent global society. Students will access diverse texts to explore what it means to live in America by studying the people, key ideas, and events that shaped our history and include a focus on the struggles to achieve class, ethnic, racial, and gender equality and the successes and failures that have shaped who we are. In an honors course, students will make thematic connections in a reading and writing intensive setting. Students will be expected to meet the standards with less scaffolding and more independent and collaborative practice. Increased complexity of texts, tasks, and responses will prepare honors students for advanced DP/CP IB and college level coursework. Additionally, it will incorporate an extensive research project allowing students to interweave the content and skill sets they have worked on throughout the year.

Grades :10th

Pre-reqs: B or higher in H. World Studies and/or Teacher recommendation
Hours/Min per day: 1.5 hours/day

AP U.S. History is an introductory college-level U.S. history course. Students cultivate their understanding of U.S. history from c. 1491 CE to the present through analyzing historical sources and learning to make connections and craft historical arguments as they explore concepts like American and national identity; work, exchange, and technology; geography and the environment; migration and settlement; politics and power; America in the world; American and regional culture; and social structures.​​​​​​

Grades :10th

Pre-reqs: A in H. World Studies, B or higher in AP World History, and teacher recommendation. **Priority given to Amundsen IBMYP Honors Cohort
Hours/Min per day: 1 hours/day

This course features a flexible curriculum that includes a variety of engaging interactive lessons reflecting best practices in civic education. There will be discussion of controversial public issues, students will participate in simulations (or actual) democratic processes, procedures, and provide opportunities to interact authentically with policymakers and other community resources. Course includes opportunity to earn Service Learning Project and  Financial Literacy Credit. 

Grades :11th

Pre-reqs:
Hours/Min per day: 3-4 hours/week

This course features a flexible curriculum that includes a variety of engaging interactive lessons reflecting best practices in civic education. There will be discussion of controversial public issues, students will participate in simulations (or actual) democratic processes, procedures, and provide opportunities to interact authentically with policymakers and other community resources. Course includes opportunity to earn Service Learning Project and  Financial Literacy Credit. 

Grades :11th

Pre-reqs: B or higher in US History and/or teacher recommendation  
Hours/Min per day: 3-4 hours/week

Global politics is a course for students who want to understand more about how the world they live in works, what makes it change, or what prevents it from changing. The course draws on a variety of disciplinary traditions in the study of politics and international relations, and more broadly in the social sciences and humanities. Students build their knowledge and understanding by critically engaging with contemporary political issues and challenges that interest them.

The scope of global politics extends over a wide range of topics and areas of study, many of which will find links with other subjects in the individuals and societies group. Students develop their understanding of political concepts and their knowledge of specific content by exploring and researching real-world case studies and examples.

Developing an understanding of power is critical for analyzing how political systems work and how they change. Global politics students encounter the complexity and nuances of power from the beginning of the course. They build their understanding of how power works across multiple and interconnected dimensions, affecting the everyday lives of people around the world.

Global politics is more than just about current events. The course is designed to be more of a political science course and a deeper dive into international relations.

Grades :11th

Pre-reqs: Admittance into IBDP or IBCP program
Hours/Min per day: 1 hour/week 

Year 2 of Global Politics is a course for students who want to understand more about how the world they live in works, what makes it change, or what prevents it from changing. The course draws on a variety of disciplinary traditions in the study of politics and international relations, and more broadly in the social sciences and humanities. Students build their knowledge and understanding by critically engaging with contemporary political issues and challenges that interest them.

The scope of global politics extends over a wide range of topics and areas of study, many of which will find links with other subjects in the individuals and societies group. Students develop their understanding of political concepts and their knowledge of specific content by exploring and researching real-world case studies and examples.

Developing an understanding of power is critical for analyzing how political systems work and how they change. Global politics students encounter the complexity and nuances of power from the beginning of the course. They build their understanding of how power works across multiple and interconnected dimensions, affecting the everyday lives of people around the world.

Grades :12th

Pre-reqs: IB HL Global Politics I  
Hours/Min per day: 1 hour/week 

Personal and Professional Skills I introduces students in the IB Career-related Programme to the foundational competencies needed for success in both academic and career pathways. The course emphasizes ethical decision-making, intercultural understanding, effective communication, and personal development. Students explore real-world challenges, reflect on their career goals, and build skills in collaboration, research, and critical thinking. PPS I also supports students as they begin components of the CP core, including civic engagement components like service learning, language development, and early preparation for the capstone research-oriented Reflective Project. Students will be pushed to engage in complex contemporary topics, to critically analyze public policy and debate our social structures and community standards. 

Semester 2: H Civics which includes opportunity to earn Service Learning Project and  Financial Literacy Credit. 

Grades :11th

Pre-reqs: Admittance into IBCP program 
Hours/Min per day: .5 hours/day

This course builds on PPS I to deepen students’ personal, interpersonal, and professional competencies. Students refine their ethical decision-making, communication, and reflective practices while further developing the research, planning, and self-management skills required for the CP Core. A major focus of PPS II is supporting students through the completion of the Reflective Project, including sustained inquiry, analysis of an ethical dilemma related to their career pathway, and the creation of a polished final product. Through collaborative learning, real-world case studies, and career-related applications, students strengthen the dispositions needed for success in both higher education and the workplace. Students also receive support in the college application and postsecondary planning process.

Grades :12th

Pre-reqs: IBCP Personal Professional Skills I
Hours/Min per day: .5 hours/day

College-bound students with advanced writing and thinking skills can earn three semester hours of FREE college credit as well as advanced level high school credit for this course covering American history from its very beginnings to the aftermath of the American Civil War. All enrolled students must submit a multitude of high-level, intensive writing requirements that include well-researched papers and reviews. Over the course of the year, students will engage in mock trials, historical design projects, and learning history from intellectual, political, social, economic, and geographic perspectives. Emphasis is placed on active collaboration, student initiatives to problem-solve, and creativity in making connections from the past to their own present. 

Grades  11th, 12th 

Pre-reqs: ACT reading score of 21 OR SAT reading score of >550 OR a 6/6 Community Colleges of Chicago entrance examination (RTW) AND at least a 90% attendance rate. 
Hours/Min per day: 1.5 hours/day

The psychologist David Myers wrote that to think like a psychologist one must learn to restrain intuition with critical thinking, judgmentalism with compassion, and illusion with understanding. Whether students choose to pursue a career related to psychology or one in some entirely different field, this habit of mind will be of great value. This is a senior year course 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. Select topics include Learning, Motivation and Emotion, Developmental Psychology, Personality, Abnormal Behavior, and Social Psychology. 

Grades :11th, 12th 

Pre-reqs: Biology
Hours/Min per day: 3 hours/week

This course provides the philosophical and historical background of the agencies that compose the criminal justice system. It focuses on the development of justice and law, crime and punishment, the administration of laws, the agencies' functions, career orientation and public relations. By the end of the course each student should have a better understanding of the local, state, and federal criminal justice systems. The course should also educate the students on current real-life issues facing the United States in regards to police reform, gun violence and the future. There will be many “hands-on” type activities, especially during the chapters on law enforcement and forensics. Finally, this course should also help to improve the knowledge, critical thinking, and writing skills of each student.

Grades : 11th, 12th

Pre-reqs: 
Hours/Min per day: 1-2 hours/week