COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
WORLD GEOGRAPHY (1/2 term)
This course will focus on the Five Themes of Geography, as well as, a region-by-region study of the geography of the world. World Geography is intended to provide students with a core knowledge of the themes of geography and geographical regions of the world. The class will also relate the themes and study of the regions to events in today's rapidly changing world.
Class Level: 9
Credit: 1/4 unit credit
WORLD HISTORY (2 terms)
This is a survey course of ancient history from the cradles of civilization to the Industrial Age. The content focus for this course will be on the Ancient Near East, the Greek culture and city-states, the Roman Republic and Empire, and times and culture of Medieval Europe, Byzantine and Islamic Civilizations, Renaissance and Reformation, and growth of European states, the French Revolution and Napoleon, and the West in the Industrial Age.
Class Level: 10-12
Credit: 1 unit credit
UNITED STATES HISTORY (2 terms)
This is a survey course of United States History from its European backgrounds to the present. It is designed to fulfill state mandated requirements, as well as to impart an understanding of the cause and effect relationships of American history. The heritage and development of present day American political, social, and economic institutions is also stressed.
Class Level: 11 (Fulfills Junior history requirement)
Credit: 1 unit credit
ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY (2 terms)
AP US History offers high school students the opportunity to experience a college level survey course during their junior/senior year of high school study. A strong emphasis will be placed on reading and writing skills. Assignments will include regular text reading, essay writing, a research paper, and a book discussion. This course will cover the material in United States History in greater detail.
Class Level: 11-12
Credit: 1 unit credit, with the opportunity to earn hours of college credit
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT (1 term)
American Government is a study of the basic principles of American democracy and will cover the local, state, and national levels of government in America. The course is intended to provide the student with the background to be a responsible political citizen capable of performing as such in the American system and capable of maintaining our American democracy and constitution. Also included are the required tests over the Illinois Constitution/government, the US Constitution/government, the Declaration of Independence, and the US flag.
Class Level: 12 (Required of all 12th grade students)
Credit: 1/2 unit credit
PSYCHOLOGY (1 term)
Students will learn that through the study of psychology they can unlearn incorrect notions about behavior and be more scientific and sensitive in understanding their lives and careers. Students will learn about psychology by meeting the four basic goals of this course. First, to acquire basic knowledge about behavior for its own sake. Second, to apply basic knowledge to clinical situations. Third, to apply basic knowledge to specific situations. Fourth, to apply basic knowledge to social problems.
Class Level: 11-12
Credit: 1/2 unit credit
SOCIOLOGY (1 term)
Sociology is about people - how they act, react, and interact both in their everyday lives and under extraordinary circumstances. It is about their thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Sociology is about the social contexts - groups, neighborhoods, cities, even whole societies - in which these thoughts, feelings, and ideas are formed. Sociology is about social life itself.
Class Level: 11-12
Credit: 1/2 unit credit
ECONOMICS (1 term)
High school courses in economics so much more than investigate how the economic system works; they aim at the goal of helping students forge linkages between economic issues and their own lives. This course focuses on the following interrelated content areas: basic economic principles; the American business structure; economic performances; GNP and fiscal policy; money, banking, and monetary policy; problems on the home front; the international picture; and personal economics. In each area, the course stresses the active role of the individual and provides, whenever possible, practical techniques that students can use to relate economics to their own lives. This course fulfills the state graduation requirement for consumer education.
Class Level: 11-12
Credit: 1/2 unit credit
MODERN AMERICAN HISTORY (1 term)
This is a survey course in Modern American History from the end of World War II to the present day. It is designed to impart an understanding of the cause and effect relationships of the recent past and how each event has helped to shape America into the nation it is today. The development of present day American political, social, and economic institutions will also be stressed.
Class Level: 9-12
Credit: 1/2 unit credit
CHARACTER EDUCATION ( 1/2 term)
A character education program developed to guide students' behavior through established standards; it will provide a way to honor individual perspectives and values that are represented within a school. The focus is on ethical ends, but the practices involved reinforce skills involved in students' social development.
Class Level: 9 ( Required of all 9th Graders)
Credit: 1/4 unit.
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Last modified 10/16/07