Social Studies Course Descriptions

Social Studies

World Studies

Grade: 9

2 Sem. Credit: 1

Prereq:  None

World Studies is a course designed to provide students an understanding of the historic formation, development, and connection of the diverse nations and cultures of the world and their contributions to modern society.   Various disciplines of the social sciences will be incorporated as part of a wide range of experiences to engage and challenge students in making better sense of the world around us. These disciplines include history, geography, economics, government, and sociology. Students will analyze significant people, places, and ideas throughout the ancient world to the modern age. Research-based writing and projects as well as ongoing appreciation of current events in light of our changing world will be course ideals as well.  This course will have a more intensive focus on the regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

AP Human Geography

Grade: 9

2 Sem. Credit: 1     

Prereq: Enrolled in Advanced English I or with PJHS Teacher Recommendation

AP Human Geography is a yearlong course that presents students with the curricular equivalent of an introductory college-level course in human geography or cultural geography.  Content is presented thematically rather than regionally and is organized around the discipline’s main subfields:  economic geography, cultural geography, political geography, and urban geography.  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 the phenomena such as globalization, colonialism, and human-environment relationships on places, regions, cultural landscapes, and patterns of interaction. Students completing the course have the opportunity to take the AP Human Geography exam, administered by the CollegeBoard in the spring, which could qualify them to receive college credit for the course. The exam is not mandatory, but is highly recommended. All grades in AP courses are weighted in the 5.0 point weighted system. College equivalent work is expected from all students. AP Courses cannot be dropped or leveled down after 1st semester without teacher recommendation.

U. S. History

Grade:  10

2 Sem.  Credit: 1

Prereq: Completion of World Studies or AP Human Geography 

* Any student in the class of 2027 who has not taken US History is required to take US History or AP US History in the 2025-2026 School Year 

U. S. History is a comprehensive survey of the main themes and concepts that have been a part of our American history.  The course content includes a broad range of cultural, economic, geographic, and political developments with a particular emphasis on the lives of the people in various historic periods.  Students will continue to develop skills in analyzing and evaluating major issues in American history and interpreting primary source readings.  Students are required to complete research-based projects and/or papers.

AP U. S. History        

Grade:  10

2 Sem.  Credit: 1

Prereq: Completion of AP Human Geography with a C or Higher.  Advanced English I

with a “B”or higher, concurrent enrollment in Advance  English II or teacher recommendation. Students must earn a grade of “C” or  higher in the first semester in order to continue to the second semester or teacher

* Any student in the class of 2027 who has not taken US History is required to take US History or AP US History in the 2025-2026 School Year 

The AP U.S. History course is designed to provide the knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to deal with the issues and themes of U.S. History at an equivalent level of a full-year introductory college survey course.  In addition, students will also develop the analytical skills necessary to make informed judgments and present clear and persuasive evidence in essay form while weighing the evidence provided by historical materials.  The course will be taught primarily chronologically, but the idea of themes developing over overlapping periods will be examined.  This course, which follows the College Board’s AP U.S. History outline, expects summer reading and writing, a high level of participation, commitment, individual responsibility, and effort. Also, there will be many scheduled review events in the spring held outside of the classroom for those wishing to take the exam. You may visit the AP U.S. History course description at www.collegeboard.org for more specific explanations of course themes. Students completing the course have the opportunity to take the AP U. S. History exam, administered by the CollegeBoard in the spring, which could qualify them to receive college credit for the course. The exam is not mandatory, but is highly recommended.  All grades in AP courses are weighted in the 5.0 point weighted system. College equivalent work is expected from all students. AP Courses cannot be dropped or leveled down after 1st semester without teacher recommendation.

AP World History: Modern

Grade: 11-12

2 Sem.  Credit: 1

Prereq: Completion of AP US History with a C or Higher. Advanced English ll with a “B” or higher, or concurrent enrollment in AP English IIl, or teacher recommendation. Students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in the first semester in order to continue to the second semester, or teacher approval

AP World History: Modern is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester introductory college or university world history course. In AP World History:  Modern students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in multiple historical periods from approximately 1200 CE to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical comparisons; and utilizing reasoning about contextualization, causation, and continuity and change over time. The course provides five themes that students explore throughout the course 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.  Students completing the course have the opportunity to take the AP World History: Modern exam, administered by the College Board in the spring, which could qualify them to receive college credit for the course.  The exam is not mandatory, but is highly recommended.  All grades in AP courses are weighted in the 5.0 point weighted system. College equivalent work is expected from all students. AP Courses cannot be dropped or leveled down after 1st semester without teacher recommendation.

Economics

Grade:  11-12

1 Sem.  Credit: .5

Prereq:  None

This Economics course will focus on personal finance, which will equip students with essential practical life skills and ensure they are well-prepared for the present and the future. In this comprehensive course, students will explore critical aspects of finance, covering topics such as customers in the marketplace, money and banking, saving and investing, debit and credit, insurance, housing, government spending and taxation, organized labor, and the free enterprise system. This course will briefly cover the topics of macroeconomics and microeconomic concepts. Students can apply theories and principles to current economic and financial issues and use their knowledge through a hands-on approach. This course is highly recommended for college-bound students. This course will fulfill the Consumer Education graduation requirement.  

Nations in the News - (may be repeated once)

Grade:  11-12

1 Sem.  Credit: .5

Prereq:  None

Nations in the News is a semester course designed to introduce students to issues that influence our global, multicultural society allowing students to become aware of current foreign history and how it may relate to U.S. foreign policy.  The Week magazine is the basic text with other electronic and hard-copy sources used to supplement.  Critical thinking skills and technology related research will also be emphasized.  Students are expected to read, analyze, and answer questions regarding current news in an open discussion setting.  Speaking and listening skills are reinforced through class discussions and oral presentations. Students will be required to complete research-based projects and/or papers.

Psychology

Grade: 11-12    

1 Sem. Credit: .5

Prereq: None

This course will examine human nature, contemporary areas of research, sensation, perception, brain structure, and the process of learning. It will study the history and applications of the 6 contemporary perspectives of psychology and their leaders. This class will also explore concepts of behavior and emotion and will encourage students to relate the study of psychology to themselves and to their society and culture. Students are encouraged to take Psychology & Sociology together or within the same school year. 

Sociology

Grade:  11-12

1 Sem.  Credit: .5

Prereq:  None

Students are introduced to the scientific study of modern human society using sociologic methodology, theory, and fundamental knowledge. There will be research-based essays and projects.  Topics discussed but are not limited to the nature of society and culture, socialization, group behavior, ordinary interaction, deviance, conformity, social stratification, family, social institutions, and race and ethnicity.

American Government

Grade: 12  

1 Sem. Credit: .5

Prereq: Completion or concurrent enrollment in U.S. History

American Government is a course dealing with the structure of our national as well as state government systems and its modern day problems. This course will outline the three branches of government at both the national and state levels, and students will learn how each of these branches interact with each other. The course will also involve the discussion of what public policy is and how it affects our daily lives. Civics education must help young people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and responsible citizens throughout their lives; address government institutions; discuss current and controversial issues; and include service learning and simulations of the democratic process. There will be at least one project assigned during the semester. American Government is a required course for graduation, and includes the student passing the United States and Illinois constitution exams as well as completing the service learning project. The service learning project requires students to complete ten hours of community service and write a paper connecting their experience to the civics curriculum. This course will fulfill the Civics Education requirement under Section 27-22 of the School Code.

AP U. S. Government and Politics

Grade: 12

2 Sem. Credit: 1

Prereq:  AP U.S. History or teacher recommendation

AP Government and Politics is a college level course that explores the political theory and everyday practice that direct the daily operation of the U.S. government and shape our public policies. It will also provide the students with an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. government and politics and analysis of specific examples. The express purpose of this course is to prepare students to take the AP U.S. Government and Politics exam. AP U.S. Government and Politics is taught on a college level and it requires a substantial amount of reading and preparation for every class. The course objectives go well above a basic analysis of how the U.S. government works. Students will develop a critical understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the American political system, as well a citizen’s rights and responsibilities. Civics education must help young people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and responsible citizens throughout their lives; address government institutions; discuss current and controversial issues; and include service learning and simulations of the democratic process. Students completing the course have the opportunity to take the AP U. S. Government and Politics exam, administered by the CollegeBoard in the spring, which could qualify them to receive college credit for the course. The exam is not mandatory, but is highly recommended.  All grades in AP courses are weighted in the 5.0 point weighted system. College equivalent work is expected from all students. Government is a required course for graduation, and includes the student passing the United States and Illinois constitution exams as well as completing the service learning project. The service learning project requires students to complete ten hours of community service and write a paper connecting their experience to the civics curriculum. Both semesters of this course must be completed in order to meet the graduation requirement. This course will fulfill the Civics Education requirement under Section 27-22 of the School Code. AP Courses cannot be dropped or leveled down after 1st semester without teacher recommendation.

** Beginning with the class of 2029, students will be required to complete 3 social studies credits. All juniors must complete US History during the 25-26 school year, if not already completed.