Social Studies Course Descriptions

0450 World Studies

  • Grade Level: 9-10

  • Credits Earned: 1.0

  • Prerequisite: None

  • NCAA Approved

Description: The purpose of World Studies is for students to develop an understanding of how our modern society has developed over time. A thematic and interdisciplinary approach is used to understand the political, social, economic, and geographic forces that have shaped the past and continue to shape the present world. Learning activities include document analysis, discussions, role-playing simulations, and communicating informed and reasoned arguments.

Major Topics or Themes: (additional topics may be covered

  • World Religions

  • Political Systems

  • Revolutions

  • Industrial Revolution

  • Imperialism

  • Global Conflicts

State Course: 04051A000, World History Overview

0444 Advanced Placement World History AP Class Weighted

  • Grade Level: 9-10

  • Credits Earned: 1.0

  • Prerequisite: None (Teacher recommendation for 9th grade)

  • NCAA Approved

Description: The course highlights the nature of changes in global frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. It emphasizes relevant factual knowledge, leading interpretive issues, and skills in analyzing types of historical evidence. Specific themes provide further organization to the course, along with consistent attention to contacts among societies that form the core of world history as a field of study.

Major Topics or Themes: (additional topics may be covered

  • Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies

  • Global Interactions

  • Accelerating Global Change and Realignments

State Course: 04057A000, AP World History

04170 Ancient World History

  • Grade Level: 10-12

  • Credits Earned: 0.5

  • Prerequisites: None

  • NCAA Approved

Description: Ancient World History is a survey of major themes from prehistory to the development of civilization to the Renaissance. This course will emphasize the acquisition and application of social studies skills, such as historical research, analysis, and interpretation.

Major Topics or Themes: (additional topics may be covered

  • Egypt & Mesopotamia

  • China & India

  • Greece & Rome

State Course: 04060A000, Ancient and Medieval History

04030 Geography

  • Grade Level: 10-12

  • Credits Earned: 0.5

  • Prerequisite: None

  • NCAA Approved

Description: World Geography will develop skills related to geography and other social studies courses through reading, writing, and research. Using geography’s unique perspective of spatial relationships, a variety of systems will be studied and the student will develop a comparative understanding of various regions of the world. Major regions studied will include North America, South America, Europe, Russia, and the Eurasian republics.

Major Topics or Themes: (additional topics may be covered

  • Human-Environment Interaction: cartography, earth’s internal forces, climate and weather, landforms

  • Factors of Culture: World religions, language, travel, food

  • Regions and Countries: North America, South America, Europe, Russia, and the Eurasian republics.

State Course: 04001A000, World Geography

04100 Sociology

  • Grade Level: 10-12

  • Credits Earned: 0.5

  • Prerequisite: None

  • NCAA Approved

Description: Sociology is the study of human behavior and investigates basic social concepts to understand why people act as they do. Activities such as discussions and lectures are used to encourage students to form and voice opinions concerning the structure and operation of society.

Major Topics or Themes: (additional topics may be covered

  • Culture

  • Social Structure, Stratification, and Institutions

  • Deviance

State Course: 04258A000, Sociology

04120 Social Problems

  • Grade Level: 10-12

  • Credits Earned: 0.5

  • Prerequisite: None

  • NCAA Approved

Description: This course applies the methods of sociology to the analysis of specific problem areas affecting society today. Through group discussions and individual inquiry, students are encouraged to form voice political and sociological opinions on causes, effects, and solutions to certain social problems.

Major Topics or Themes: (additional topics may be covered

  • Crime

  • Poverty

  • Racism

State Course: 04299A000, Social Sciences Other

04130 Psychology

  • Grade Level: 10-12

  • Credits Earned: 0.5

  • Prerequisite: None

  • NCAA Approved

Description: This course examines the influences that affect the formation of behavior patterns in humans. Units of instruction include: Human Growth and Development, Personality Development, Sensation and Perception, Learning, and Psychological Disorders.

Major Topics or Themes: (additional topics may be covered

  • Personality

  • Learning

  • Psychological Disorders

State Course: 04254A000, Psychology

04140 Psychology 2

  • Grade Level: 10-12

  • Credits Earned: 0.5

  • Prerequisite: Psychology

  • NCAA Approved

Description: This course is a continuation of Psychology. Units of instruction include Psychological Therapies, States of Consciousness, Cognition, Motivation & Emotion, Psychological Testing, and Social Psychology. This course concludes with a major cumulative project.

Major Topics or Themes: (additional topics may be covered

  • Psychological Therapies

  • States of Consciousness

  • Cognition, Motivation & Emotion

State Course: 04254A000, Psychology

04160 Advanced Placement Psychology AP Class Weighted

  • Grade Level: 10-12

  • Credits Earned: .5

  • Prerequisite: Psychology

  • NCAA Approved

Description: The goals of this course are to learn about the discipline of Psychology to prepare students to take the AP exam in Psychology, and to experience the rigor of college level work while in high school. Emphasis is placed on application of theories from introductory psychology.

Major Topics or Themes: (additional topics may be covered

  • Psychological Disorders & Therapies

  • Experimental Design & Intelligence

  • Social Psychology

State Course: 04256A000, AP Psychology

0421 US History

  • Grade Level: 11

  • Credits Earned: 1.0

  • Prerequisite: None

  • NCAA Approved

Description: This two semester, writing-intensive course traces the political, economic, and social development of the United States. Using a thematic approach, today’s present-day issues are examined through a historical perspective.

Major Topics or Themes: (additional topics may be covered

  • Settlement & Immigration

  • Role of the Government

  • Expansion & Imperialism

  • Modern Warfare

  • Equality

State Course: 04101A000, U.S. History Comprehensive

0465 American Studies

  • Grade Level: 11

  • Credits Earned: 2.0

  • Prerequisite: English 10

  • NCAA Approved

Description: American Studies is a team-taught, double-period course that fulfills the graduation requirements in both English 11 and U.S. History. Junior level students will use critical thinking and analytical skills to survey American history from the colonial era to the present, with special emphasis on historical and rhetorical analysis. The course will train students to communicate clearly in writing and speech while exploring American culture from an interdisciplinary perspective. Students will use project-based learning to investigate a larger understanding of what it means to be an American (in the past, present, and future of our country). Learning activities include reading, research, composition, reflection, and oral presentation, in both individual and collaborative modes.

Major Topics or Themes: (additional topics may be covered)

  • Role of the Government

  • Expansion & Imperialism

  • Modern Warfare and Conflicts

  • Equality, Immigration, and the American Dream

  • Role of Industrialization and Technological Advancement

  • Rhetorical Analysis of Historical American Documents

  • Researched and Argumentative Writing

  • Theme Analysis of American Literature

  • Presenting Information Utilizing Digital Multimedia

  • Collaborative Discussion Preparation and Participation

State Course: 04101A000, U.S. History Comprehensive and 01003A000, English/Language Arts III (11th Grade)

0430 Advanced Placement US History AP Class Weighted

  • Grade Level: 12

  • Credits Earned: 1.0

  • Prerequisite: None

  • NCAA Approved

Description: Advanced Placement American History is a two-semester, writing intensive course providing an in depth study of American History. Through class activities and student presentations, students will use historical methodology to investigate and understand the American character using a seminar approach.

Major Topics or Themes: (additional topics may be covered

  • Precolumbia & New Nation

  • Imperialism & Progressive Movement

  • World War II & the Cold War

State Course: 04104A000, AP U.S. History

04090 Economics

  • Grade Level: 10-12

  • Credits Earned: .5

  • Prerequisite: None

  • NCAA Approved

Description: Economics will develop an initial understanding of our economic system. The concepts of supply, demand, and price structure will be applied in surveying economic decision-making. The class is recommended for the college bound and business-oriented student.

Major Topics or Themes: (additional topics may be covered

  • Law of Demand

  • Law of Supply

  • Pricing and Money

State Course: 04201A000, Economics

04070 American Government

  • Grade Level: 12

  • Credits Earned: .5

  • Prerequisite: None

  • NCAA Approved

Description: This course is a study of the origins, development, structure, and functions of American national government. Basic concepts of state and local government and their relationships with the federal government are also examined. All students are required to pass this course and pass the U.S. Constitution and the Illinois Constitution exams.

Major Topics or Themes: (additional topics may be covered

  • Foundations of American Government

  • Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches

  • Civil Rights & Liberties

State Course: 04151A000, U.S. Government Comprehensive

04400 Advanced Placement U.S. Government & Politics AP Class Weighted

  • Grade Level: 12

  • Credits Earned: .5

  • Prerequisite: None

  • NCAA Approved

Description: This college level survey course provides an introduction into operation of American national government and will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. AP Government is for students who wish to be academically challenged, have strong reading and writing skills and plan to take the AP exam in the spring. The course will also include the United States and Illinois Constitution tests required for graduation.

Major Topics or Themes: (additional topics may be covered

  • Foundations of American Government

  • Legislative, Executive, and Legislative Branches

  • Civil Rights & Liberties

State Course: 04159A000, AP Government

04600B Global Scholars

  • Grade Level: 11, 12

  • Credits Earned: .5

  • Prerequisite: World History or AP World History, English 9, English 10

  • NCAA Approved

Description: Global Scholar Capstone is a course designed to cover the requirements of the Illinois Global Scholar Capstone Project as well as serve as the capstone class for the Illinois Global Certification. This course requires students to investigate a global issue connected/related to one of more academic disciplines. Students will propose research-based solutions and develop an action plan and/or artifact, which will be shared with an authentic audience. Students will document the entire process and reflect on their learning throughout the experience. Student needs to be on track to have any 8 of these classes before graduation.




Major Topics or Themes: (additional topics may be covered

  • Compelling Questions

  • Investigation Plan & Research

  • Conclusions & Solutions

  • Take Action

State Course: 04064A000, Contemporary World Issues