Social Studies Course Descriptions

*Graduation Requirements in Social Studies (2.5 credits) include: A Geographics Foundations course, United States History/Modern American History, Government/Civics

GH2123, MB2123 AMERICAN AGENDA

This course is designed to integrate the study of the American political and economic systems. Students will address the political and economic issues that impact individuals as well as current issues that face American society and government. The focus of learning is developing solutions to a variety of economic and political issues and problems. During the course, students will be exposed to both theoretical economic concepts as well as hands-on consumer economics. Students will also consider the many roles and responsibilities citizens have as they learn to engage in civic life. This course fulfills both the Civics and Economics graduation requirements.

GH2143, MB2143 AMERICAN AGENDA HONORS

This course is designed to integrate the study of the American political and economic systems. Students will address the political and economic issues that impact individuals as well as current issues that face American society and government. The focus of learning is developing solutions to a variety of economic and political issues and problems. One such example is a student-led local government problem-based learning project: Government for a Day. During the course, students will be exposed to both theoretical economic concepts as well as hands-on consumer economics. Students will also consider the many roles and responsibilities citizens have as they learn to engage in civic life. Students taking the honors level course can expect to engage more deeply with content and skills at a faster pace, with a greater degree of independence and additional opportunities to apply learning to more complex contexts. This course fulfills both the Civics and Economics graduation requirements.

GH1321, HE2421, GH1322, HE2422 AMERICAN STUDIES

American Studies is a two period interdisciplinary course that examines the United States and American identity and satisfies the US History and English 11/American Literature graduation requirements. Throughout the course, students will explore our nation’s history and literature thematically instead of chronologically and be exposed to a wide array of cultural and artistic elements of ‘American’ work, including significant and relevant primary and secondary sources, fiction and non-fiction works, novels, poems, music, drama, debate, painting, cinema, etc. that will ultimately help us have a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the United States and what is American identity.

GH1923 CIVICS IN AMERICA

Students in this class will examine the many aspects of the United States’ government and what it means to be a citizen. To help prepare students to become voters and active members of our democracy, they will explore the dynamic nature of the United States’ political environment and its governmental institutions, as well as the factors which influence their operation. They will also study the framework and powers granted in the U.S. and Illinois Constitutions. Ultimately, they will observe the impact that our nation’s government has on our lives and what it means to be a citizen within a democracy.

GH1933 CIVICS IN AMERICA, HONORS

Students in this class will examine the many aspects of the United States’ government and what it means to be a citizen. To help prepare students to become voters and active members of our democracy, they will explore the dynamic nature of the United States’ political environment and its governmental institutions, as well as the factors which influence their operation. They will also study the framework and powers granted in the U.S. and Illinois Constitutions. Ultimately, they will observe the impact that our nation’s government has on our lives and what it means to be a citizen within a democracy. Students taking the honors level course can expect to engage more deeply with content and skills at a faster pace, with a greater degree of independence and additional opportunities to apply learning to more complex contexts. This course is offered in both the traditional and blended format.

GH0401, GH0402 CONTEMPORARY WORLD ISSUES

This two semester courses focuses on developing inquiry and disciplinary literacy skills through an analysis of contemporary global issues, driven by geographic perspectives and informed by historical understanding. Major units of study focus on human-environment interaction, economic development, migration and immigration, culture and worldview, and conflict and cooperation.

GH0411, GH0412 CONTEMPORARY WORLD ISSUES HONORS

This two semester courses focuses on developing inquiry and disciplinary literacy skills through an analysis of contemporary global issues, driven by geographic perspectives and informed by historical understanding. Major units of study focus on human-environment interaction, economic development. This course is offered in both the traditional and blended format.

GH0451, GH0452 AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

AP Human Geography presents high school students with the curricular equivalent of an introductory college-level course in human geography. Content is presented thematically and is organized around the discipline’s main subfields: population, economic, cultural, political, and urban geographies. The approach is spatial and problem-oriented. Case studies are drawn from all world regions, with an emphasis on understanding the world in which we live today. Historical information serves to enrich analysis of the impacts of phenomena such as globalization, colonialism, and human-environment relationships on places, regions, cultural landscapes, and patterns of interaction. This course can be taken to fulfill the 9th grade Geographic Foundations requirement.

GH1331, GH1332 MODERN AMERICAN HISTORY

This course is a study of Modern American History, focusing on significant and groundbreaking events of the United States that have influenced and helped shape the Modern American perspective. Within this course, students will have the ability to explore a variety of modern topics of interest in order to enrich their appreciation of what it means to be an American citizen. Students will continue to strengthen and practice the essential social studies skills and enhance their ability to use primary and secondary sources while developing a better understanding of the American values.

GH1351, GH1352 MODERN AMERICAN HISTORY HONORS

This course is a study of Modern American History, focusing on significant and groundbreaking events of the United States that have influenced and helped shape the Modern American perspective. Within this course, students will have the ability to explore a variety of modern topics of interest in order to enrich their appreciation of what it means to be an American citizen. Students will continue to strengthen and practice the essential social studies skills and enhance their ability to use primary and secondary sources while developing a better understanding of the American values. Students taking the honors level course can expect to engage more deeply with content and skills at a faster pace, with a greater degree of independence and additional opportunities to apply learning to more complex contexts.

GH1551, GH1552 AP EUROPEAN HISTORY

The AP United European History course is designed to be comparable to a college introductory European History course. This course will introduce students to cultural, economic, and political developments from the 15th century to the present day that played a fundamental role in the shaping of the European world. The students will develop an understanding of European historical themes, analyze and interpret documents, and develop advanced writing skills. They will also develop a methodology for approaching the AP examination free-response, document based and multiple choice questions. College Board recommends enrollment in Grades 10, 11, or 12.

GH2053 AP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

The AP United States Government course is designed to be comparable to a college introductory U.S. Government course. Students develop an analytical perspective on the federal, state, and local governments and politics, including a study of general concepts used to interpret government and politics, as well as the analysis of specific examples, i.e., the United States and Illinois Constitutions. College Board recommends enrollment in Grade 12.

GH1251, GH1252 AP UNITED STATES HISTORY

The AP United States History course is designed to be comparable to a freshman level college survey course. Students will master a broad body of historical knowledge, analyze and interpret documents, and develop advanced historical writing skills. They will also develop a methodology for approaching the AP examination free-response, document based and multiple choice questions. College Board recommends enrollment in Grades 11 or 12.

GH0511,GH0512 WORLD HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY

This two semester course focuses on developing inquiry and disciplinary literacy skills through an analysis of global historical events and patterns, from prehistory through the modern day, with specific attention paid to the role of geography in understanding these patterns. Major units of study focus on the development of civilizations, global interactions, migration and immigration, culture and worldview, and conflict and cooperation.

GH0531, GH0532 AP WORLD HISTORY

AP World History is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester introductory college or university world history course. In AP World History students investigate significant events, individuals, developments and processes in six historical periods from approximately 8000 BCE to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices and methods employed by historians to explore five themes, in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: interaction between humans and the environment; development and interaction of cultures; state building, expansion, and conflict; creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems; and development and transformation of social structures. This course can be taken to fulfill the 9th grade Geographic Foundations requirement.

SOCIAL STUDIES ELECTIVES

GH3543 SOCIAL SCIENCE SEMINAR: CHICAGO

GH3523 SOCIAL SCIENCE SEMINAR: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION,

GH3533 SOCIAL SCIENCE SEMINAR: SPORTS & SOCIETY

Social Science Seminar will provide an opportunity for students to explore specific histories, places, concepts, and/or issues through continued use of inquiry. After gaining a broad understanding of a seminar topic, students will dive deeper into more specific, yet still related content of their choice. Students will research, craft questions, draw conclusions, and communicate their findings. In Social Science Seminar, students will gain a better understanding of topics of interest to them, with an opportunity for personalized learning. Note: Students may take this course more than once for credit with different topics. This course is offered in both the traditional and blended format.

GH3551, GH3552 AP SEMINAR: ADVANCED TOPICS IN SOCIAL STUDIES

AP Seminar is the first course in the AP Capstone experience and an opportunity for students to engage in rigorous, interdisciplinary study of a focused Social Studies topic. Students use an inquiry framework to explore a variety of disciplinary texts and artifacts, synthesize information, develop their own perspectives and communicate through written and oral presentations, both independently and collaboratively. Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence-based arguments, through a focused exploration of a Social Studies topic. See Appendix. College Board recommends enrollment in Grades 10, 11, or 12.

GH3661, GH3662 AP RESEARCH

AP Research, the second course in the AP Capstone experience, allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, issue or idea of individual interest. Students design, plan and implement a yearlong investigation to address a research question. Through this inquiry, they further the skills they acquired in the AP Seminar course by learning research methodology, employing ethical research practices, and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Students reflect on their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of their scholarly work through a process and reflection portfolio. The course culminates in as an academic paper of 4, 000-5,000 words (accompanied by performance, exhibit, or product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense. College Board recommends enrollment in Grades 11 or 12.

GH0233 THE LEGAL SYSTEM

The Legal System course provides students with an opportunity to experience how the U.S. Criminal and civil justice systems work by tackling the question, “Does our legal system ensure justice?” Students will study the trial process, the appellate courts and current Supreme Court issues by participating in mock trials and moot court. Students will engage with the legal community by visiting a courthouse and learning from guest speakers. Although this course emphasizes the legal process, students will also study the history and foundation of United States.

WS1123 PSYCHOLOGY I

This course is designed to introduce students to the field of psychology. Students will take a scientific approach to studying human behavior with specific emphasis on research methods used in the field, and explore the topics of personality, mental illness, and therapy. The goal of this course is for students to better understand the scientific basis of the field of psychology, to explain the behavior of themselves and others, and to enrich their social science skills.

WS1223 PSYCHOLOGY II

This course is a continuation of Psychology I, in which students will further explore issues in the field of psychology. Students will be exposed to topics that include the brain, development, and social psychology. The goal of this course is for students to continue to understand the scientific basis of the field of psychology, to explain the behavior of themselves and others, and to enrich their social science skills.

WS1351, WS1352 AP PSYCHOLOGY

This course is intended to provide students with an enriched, rigorous opportunity to explore the field of psychology at the introductory college level. Students will explore the scientific study of behavior and mental processes of individuals at a more advanced level than the introductory psychology courses. Students will also acquire and utilize the critical thinking skills that are required in the field. College Board recommends enrollment in Grades 11 or 12.

WS0123 SOCIOLOGY

This course provides students the opportunity to explore human behavior as a science. Basic concepts and tools necessary for understanding human social behavior in a complex world will be used to establish a sociological perspective. Students will study the organization of society, cultural comparisons, social problems, and the effects of various groups in society, including but not limited to socialization, deviance, and family dynamics. Students should gain a better understanding of themselves and their place in the social world. Introduction to Sociology is intended to prepare students for Social Science courses at the college level.