Course Descriptions

DEPARTMENT: Social Studies

U.S. History Honors – 05710 & 05720

Grades:  11 / 12

Length:  2 Semesters

Credits:  1

Prerequisite:  Overall B average; meet Honors criteria

Recommendation:  None

Description: U.S. History Honors is designed to challenge and prepare students who are interested in a rigorous college preparation program.  Students will understand the political and economic development of the nation and will focus on social history. They will evaluate headlines and eyewitness accounts that have motivated Americans and shaped the nation’s history. Students will be challenged to compare relationships between the present and historical events, and to analyze cause and effect.  They will gain insights and knowledge to enable them to appreciate history as both a record of the past and as an indicator of the future.

American Government Honors - 05320

Grades: 12

Length: 1 Semester

Credits: ½

Prerequisite: Successful completion of U.S. History Honors or U.S.  History and CP English 2 with an A or B.  in addition, meet the honors criteria.

Recommendation: U.S. History Honors

Description: This semester long course is required for graduation. Students will study the foundations of US government, impact of   political   parties, the three branches of government at the national and state level, and state/local government.  Students will be required to pass the Illinois and Federal Constitution test. Students will be challenged beyond the curriculum of the traditional American Government class with additional expectations including remaining up to date and informed on regional, national, and international politics for class discussion and debate.   In addition, a   greater emphasis will be placed on understanding and analysis of current events and primary documents. Students will also be expected to complete formal research paper on a teacher approved government related topic. Advanced reading, writing, and debate skills will help ensure student success. Textbook: No additional textbook is required. Class will utilize the current textbook American Government.

African-American History (Honors) 05600

Grades:  12

Length: 1 Semester

Credits:  ½

Prerequisite: B average or higher in U.S. History and successful completion of 3 years of CP English and meet the honors criteria

Recommendation: None

Description:  This elective course will cover the history of African-Americans and their role within the larger context of American history. The course will concentrate on the persons and events crucial to the course of African-American history and their impact upon the history for the U.S.

International Politics Honors - 05610

Grades:  12

Length:  1 Semester

Credits:  ½

Dual Credit: LCCC

Prerequisite: U.S. History Honors

Recommendation: U.S. History Honors

Description:  The semester course in International Politics is designed to take an in-depth look at current world situations and concerns. Students will be challenged by having to research the historical perspectives of nations and be able to relate them to current situations. Advanced debate and writing skills are useful. Most evaluations consist of written essay.

U.S. History A - 05750

Grades:  11 / 12

Length:  1 Semester

Credits:  ½

Prerequisite: None

Recommendation:  None

Description: U.S. History A covers the social, political, and economic history of the United States from 1492 to 1900. Topics covered include: Reconstruction, Settlement of the West, Industrialization, Populist, and Progressive Reform.

U.S. History B - 05810

Grades:  11 / 12

Length:  1 Semester

 Credits:  ½

Prerequisite: None

Recommendation:  None

Description: The subject matter for this course begins with Imperialism/World War I.  From this  period,  the  course  turns  its attention  to  such  topics  as  the economic and social ills of the Roaring Twenties, the political and social issues of the Great Depression, U.S. Imperialism, the New Deal Policies, U.S. involvement in World War II, the  Post-War  years,  Korean  War,  “Cold War,”  Kennedy years, Vietnam  War, domestic issues challenges of world  leadership, and changing ways of American life.

Modern European History - 05860  

Grades:  9 / 10

Length:  1 Semester

Credits:  ½  

Prerequisite: None

Recommendation:  None

Description:  This Modern World History course provides an overview of the history of human society in the past few centuries - from the early Middle Ages to the contemporary period- exploring political, economic, social, religious, military, scientific, and cultural developments.  Modern World History covers:  Imperialism, the emergence of governments, factors and causes of World War I, various economic conditions that promoted global hardships, and the Holocaust and World War II.

Western Civilization - 05850

Grades:  9 / 10

Length:  1 Semester

Credits:  ½  

Prerequisite: None

Recommendation:  None

Description:  This Western Civilization course applies an interdisciplinary approach to the study of western cultural traditions, frequently using chronological framework.  The course content typically includes a survey of the major developments in and contributors to art and architecture, literature, religion and philosophy, and culture.  Western Civilization covers the beginning of civilizations and early cultures of:  Mesopotamia, Sumeria, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the Muslim world.   

World Geography A (Western Hemisphere) – 05490      

Grades:  9 / 10

Length:  1 Semester

Credits:  ½ each

Prerequisite: None

Recommendation:  None

Description:   World Geography courses provide students with an overview of world geography, but may vary widely in the topics they cover. Students will be introduced to the basic elements of map work.  World Geography A covers the Western Hemisphere. These areas of study include: North America, South America, Central America, etc. The five themes of geography also integrated into this course. 

World Geography B (Eastern Hemisphere) - 05500  

Grades:  9 / 10

Length:  1 Semester

Credits:  ½ each

Prerequisite: None

Recommendation:  None

Description:  World Geography courses provide students with an overview of world geography, but may vary widely in the topics they cover. Students will be introduced to the basic elements of map work.  World Geography B covers the Eastern Hemisphere.  These areas of study include:  Europe, Commonwealth of Independent States (former Soviet Union), Middle East, Africa, Far East, Australia, and Oceania. The five themes of geography are also integrated into this course.  

American Government - 05310 

Grades:   11 / 12

Length:  1 Semester Credits:  ½ Prerequisite: None

Recommendation: Completion of U.S. History A & B

Description:  This course is a one semester course that is offered to juniors and seniors, and in on the courses required for graduation.  The content of the course includes the study of early forms of government, the impact of political parties, and the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of our national and state governments.  Other topics covered include the study of local units of government, the requirements for voting in Illinois and the duties and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy.

Psychology - 05660

Grades:  12

Length:  1 Semester

Credits:  ½

Prerequisite: None

Recommendation: None

Description: Description: The course opens with what psychology is, and how it is related to the other sciences. The course centers on the forces behind human behavior, focusing on the various ways of measuring personality and the qualities necessary for popularity and leadership. The factors, which make up intelligence and ways to measure that intelligence, are introduced as are the makeup of heredity and the molding of personality by environmental factors. We look at what constitutes good mental health, and conversely what conditions contribute to producing mental illness.

Sociology - 05670 

Grades:  12

Length:  1 Semester

Credits:  ½

Prerequisite: None

Recommendation: None

Description: Sociology deals with man in his relationship to others. Social problems of today are investigated with emphasis on the functions of marriage, the family, and money management. Other areas of concentration are the meaning of American culture, its norms, sanctions and those who deviate from it; social stratifications or classes; American minorities; problems of aging; and crime.