Social Studies
Social Studies Graduation Requirement
Social Studies graduation requirements include 1 elective course, US History A and US History B or US History Honors, and American Government or American Government Honors.
*Please keep in mind, additional social studies courses may be required for college admission.
African‐American History Honors - 05600
Grades: 12 Length: 1 Semester Credits: 1/2
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. Field trips may require extra costs.
American Government - 05310
Grades: 12 Length: 1 Semester Credits: 1/2
Description: This is a one semester course 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. Students will be required to pass the Illinois and Federal Constitution test. This class meets the requirements for Civics. Field trips may require extra costs. It is recommended (but not required) for students to have a completion of US History A and B prior to taking this course.
American Government Honors - 05320
Grades: 12 Length: 1 Semester Credits: 1/2
Prerequisite: Successful completion of U.S. History or U.S. History Honors and CP English 2.
Description: Students will study the foundations of US government, impact of political parties, the 3 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 various projects related to Civics and Government. Advanced reading, writing, and debate skills will help ensure student success. This class meets the requirements for Civics. Field trips may require extra costs.
World Geography A (Western Hemisphere) – 05490
Grades: 9, 10 Length: 1 Semester Credit: 1/2
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. Field trips may require extra costs.
World Geography B (Eastern Hemisphere) - 05500
Grades: 9, 10 Length: 1 Semester Credit: 1/2
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 physical geography, history and culture of Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia. The five themes of geography are also integrated into this course. Field trips may require extra costs.
International Politics Honors - 05610
Grades: 12 Length: 1 Semester Credit: 1/2
Prerequisite: 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 essays. Field trips may require extra costs.
Psychology - 05660
Grades: 12 Length: 1 Semester Credit: 1/2
Description: This semester course centers on the forces behind human behavior. It looks at the history of psychology and moves through major ideas and theories associated with human behavior, paying specific attention to human development, consciousness, learning and intelligence, personality, socialization, and abnormal psychology. Students will enjoy learning about themselves and the forces in a conscious and unconscious mind that help shape us into the unique individuals we are. Field trips may require extra costs.
AP Psychology - 05661
Grades: 12 Length: 2 Semesters Credits: 1
Description: AP Psychology is an introductory college-level psychology course. Students cultivate their understanding of the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes through inquiry-based investigations as they explore concepts like the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatment of abnormal behavior, and social psychology.
Sociology - 05670
Grades: 12 Length: 1 Semester Credit: 1/2
Description: Sociology is the study of people and how we relate to each other. How does our culture influence our choices and our lives? This course looks specifically at the history of sociology using various sociological perspectives and theories to explain the reasons behind group behavior. Specific attention is paid to areas related to social diversity, social norms, human development, crime and punishment, gender, race, social class, and the powers of socialization that help create our culture. Field trips may require extra costs.
Race and Equity Seminar
Grades: 10, 11, 12 Length: 1 Semester Credit: 1/2
Description: Race and Equity Seminar is a semester-long course focusing on the history of racial inequality in the United States. The course is based upon 7 modules beginning with slavery and continuing on the 400 year struggle for equality through emancipation, Black progress, segregation, equal rights, racism in the 21st century, and the Black Lives Matter Movement. The course is heavily based upon reading and discussion. All students are expected to read, reflect on reading through journaling, and participate in a variety of discussion formats throughout the course. This course is based heavily on student led class discussion. Participation is earned via independent projects, group work, oral presentations, reading, journaling, large and small group discussions. Students are expected to read to gain necessary background information and apply this knowledge to modern issues.
U.S. History A – 05750
Grades: 11, 12 Length: 1 Semester Credit: 1/2
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. Field trips may require extra costs.
U.S. History B - 05810
Grades: 11, 12 Length: 1 Semester Credit: 1/2
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. This course also covers the Illinois Computer Literacy skills continuum for high school students through ongoing research and use of Chromebooks. Field trips may require extra costs. Fee waivers available based on need.
U.S. History Honors –AP- 05710 & 05720
Grades: 11, 12 Length: 2 Semesters Credit: 1
Dual Credit: LCCC – HIST 231 & 232 - LCCC charges $30 for dual credit in each of these courses.
Prerequisite: No current prerequisites for this course. To receive dual credit, additional prerequisites may apply.
Description: The AP United States History course is designed to be a chronological study of American history from 1491 to the present. The course will be broken into nine periods of American history and will cover 12 themes to include American diversity, American identity, culture, demographic changes, economic transformations, environmental concerns, globalization, politics and citizenship, reform religion, slavery and its legacy in North America, war and diplomacy.
The five objectives of the course are: Master knowledge of the United States history, Effectively use tools of historiography, Apply and analyze skills using original documents, political cartoons, DBQs (Document Based Questions), Evaluate information and synthesize original thought, and Understand the themes of United States history. The AP/Honors U.S. History course contains a rigorous curriculum that will prepare students with extensive reading, writing, and research assignments. Students will develop these skills in preparation for the Advanced Placement exam given in May. Students who choose to take the AP exam may earn three hours of college credit.
Western Civilization (World History A) - 05850
Grades: 9, 10 Length: 1 Semester Credit: 1/2
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. Field trips may require extra costs. Fee waivers available based on need.
Modern European History (World History B) - 05860
Grades: 9, 10 Length: 1 Semester Credit: 1/2
Description: This Modern European 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 European 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. Field trips may require extra costs. Fee waivers available based on need.
AP Human Geography - 05510
Grades: 9 Length: 2 Semesters Credit: 1
Description: AP Human Geography is a year-long course designed to meet or exceed the experience of an introductory college human geography course. The content of this course allows us to use geographic processes to systematically study and understand spatial patterns that are evident in the world in which we live by focusing on the distribution, processes, and effects of human populations on the planet. Units of study include population, migration, culture, political geography, economic development, industry, agriculture, and urban geography. This course will focus on geographic models and their applications and will use several case studies to compare the themes both globally and locally.
