Social Studies

Michelle Maldonado, Department Chairperson - NVHS
Donald Pankuch, Department Chairperson - WVHS

• Social Studies Department's User Guide

Responsible participatory citizenship in our democratic republic is the major goal of our Social Studies program. The basic course offerings should enable the student to develop the necessary skills and understandings to achieve this goal.

Social Studies Course Listings

*Offered 2nd semester only

Social Studies Course Description

4900 World Geography - Fundamentals - Grade 9 Two semesters. Placement by department. Emphasis is placed on the interrelation of physical, cultural, and economic geography presented in a regional approach to the world. Basic skills of map reading and atlas use are stressed. A hands-on approach to learning is emphasized. This course or World History is required for graduation.

4902 World Geography - Grade 9. Two semesters. The study of world geography provides students with a strong foundation for future social studies courses. Students will work on cartography skills and learn about the complex interrelation of physical, cultural, and economic geography. An emphasis is placed on the historical and political changes occurring within each region of study and the impact the geographic factors have on the day-to-day lives of people. The following regions of the world will be covered: Russia and the Republics, the Middle East, Africa, India, China, Japan, South East Asia, and Australia. Throughout the course students will also analyze and develop a deeper understanding of a wide range of global issues: Human rights, terrorism, A.I.D.S., overpopulation, resource allocation, environmental dangers, world trade, emerging nationhood, and independence. The major world religions will also be studied. Students will develop critical thinking, reading, writing, and speaking skills and they will consistently work in the computer labs as they study regional issues. Regular homework reading beyond the textbook will be required. This course or World History is required for graduation.

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4904 Government Fundamentals - Grade 12. One semester. Placement by department. Emphasis is placed upon the primary development of our political principles and the structure and functions of our government. (Satisfies graduation requirement.)

4906 Government - Grade 12. One semester. Government introduces the student to the basic principles of political science. Emphasis is placed on students becoming part of an active citizenry. The semester course covers Philosophy, the Constitution, Political Parties, Campaigns and the three branches of American Government. Group and individual projects are utilized. This class is required for graduation. Federal and State Constitutional graduation requirements will be covered in this course.

4910 Honors World History - Grade 9. Two semesters. Weighted grade. This course is presented from a geographical, political, and cultural point of view. The first semester begins with Ancient Egypt and concludes with the Renaissance. The second semester presents the rise of nation states, age of exploration, western imperialism, the Industrial Revolution, and concludes with the first World War. This course is recommended for advanced students. This course or World Geography is required for graduation.

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4920 United States History Fundamentals - Grade 11. Two semesters. Placement by department. This course involves the exploration of U.S. History through alternative teaching styles and learning techniques. Emphasis is placed upon the primary development of our economic, political, and social issues throughout time. First semester explores the foundation of the U. S. Topics include the U.S. Constitution, Old West, Chicago History and Inventions. Second semester explores the development of the U.S. both internally and as a global power. Topics include the 20's, the Great Depression, WWII, Korea, Civil Rights, Vietnam and contemporary issues. This course satisfies a graduation requirement.

4922 United States History Traditional - Grade 10-11. Two semesters. This course is a comprehensive study focusing on major themes and concepts essential to understanding American economic political and social institutions. Learning emphasizes analytical writing, interpreting historical documents, developing both written and oral communication skills, understanding cause and effect relationships, discovering the significance of people, places and events impacting U.S. History, and applying historical principles in today's world. First semester explores the foundations of the U.S. Topics include the Constitution, Minorities, Innovations, Chicago History, and Reform. The second semester explores the 20th Century by decades and traces the development of the U.S. both internally and as a global power. Key topics include morality in the 1920's, The Great Depression, The Homefront during WW II, the struggle for Civil Rights, The Vietnam Era and contemporary issues. This course satisfies a graduation requirement.

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4924 AP United States History - Grade 11-12. Two semesters. Weighted grade. This course in American history is designed to provide students with the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in American history. The course will prepare students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those of full- year introductory college courses. Students could receive college credit in American History by qualifying on an examination administered by the College Entrance Examination Board at the conclusion of the course. A summer requirement involving reading and writing assignments must be successfully completed prior to the first day of class.

4930 Sociology - Grade 11-12. One semester. Sociology will provide students with the basic concepts and tools necessary for understanding human social behavior in a complex world. The course examines the structures and functions of society from a purely sociological perspective and then examines current social issues in America. Topics to be covered include; culture, socialization, class status, urbanization, religion, family, prejudice, discrimination, and crime. Possible activities include field trips to Chicago and participation in Project Sleep Out. This is a college prep course which requires challenging reading.

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4936 American Studies - Grade 10-12. Two semesters. This year long course is an option within the U.S. History program and fulfills the U.S. History graduation requirement. American Studies is an in depth coverage of U.S. History as shaped by American culture. The multicultural approach integrates history, art, music, literature, and architecture. Towards this end, course activities demand active student participation, intensive outside readings and challenges beyond the classroom. Students who are interested in studying history through this multicultural approach will enjoy American Studies.

4940 Psychology I - Grade 11-12. One semester. Psychology is the study of the behavior of living things. This course will provide students with an understanding of their own behavior, as well as the behavior of other individuals in society. Students will receive an overview of the many subfields of psychology, including: an introduction to the scientific method, study of the brain, sleep and dreams, learning theory, memory, intelligence, personality, and mental health and abnormal behaviors. This is a college-prep course which requires challenging reading. There will be an emphasis on student-centered projects. Opportunities will also be available to work with the "Kid-to-Kid" program.

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4942 Psychology and Group Behavior - Grade 11-12. One semester. Placement by department. Psychology and Group Behavior is a fundamental-level course combining the basic theories of psychology and sociology, allowing students to develop a perspective on their own life experiences and their relationship to the structure of our society and its pressures. The content will focus on personality theory, group and family interaction, mental illness, therapy, cultural awareness, and socialization issues. "Hands-on" learning, class discussions, role-playing, guest speakers, lectures, projects, and paperbacks relevant to the above topics will be incorporated. Opportunities are available to work with "Kid-to-Kid" and Hesed House.

4944 AP Psychology - Grade 11-12. One semester (2nd semester only). Weighted grade. Prerequisite is Psychology I. Building upon the principles of Psychology I, this course is designed to provide students with the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in psychology. The course will prepare students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those of full year introductory psychology courses. The content will focus on advanced experimental design, biological functioning, sensation and perception, motivation and emotion, developmental psychology, psychological disorders and their treatments, and social psychology. Intensive reading and writing skills will be a major focus, as will hands-on research and experimentation. This course will prepare the students to take the A P Psychology exam.

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4952 United States Geography - Grade 10-12. One semester. Prerequisite is U.S. History or American Studies. This course is designed to provide students with geographical knowledge of the United States studied from both a regional and an urban approach. Various environmental issues are studied. A three week unit on the geography of Illinois is included. Students will learn to read maps, create maps and contour models, learn surveying skills, and use compasses and GPS units. Supplemental reading is required.

4956 Military History - Grade 11-12. One semester. Prerequisite is U.S. History or American Studies. This course is designed to deal with the various aspects of warfare throughout human history. Topics include the nature of war, its causes, and its effects on society; technology and methods of warfare; the great leaders Napoleon, Alexander, Edward I, Rommel and others; crucial battles and their effect on history; and present and future trends in warfare. This course will be offered once a year based on sufficient student enrollment and availability of the teacher.

4958 AP International Politics and Government - Grade 12. One semester (2nd semester only). Prerequisite is Government. Weighted grade. This is a second semester introductory college level course in international politics. Students will gain a basic understanding of the world's diverse political structures and contemporary issues. Throughout the course, students will become aware of the interconnections between citizens, government policies, global politics, and current international events. This course will prepare students for advanced level college courses in political science, international relations, history, and international business. Upon successful completion of this course, students may take the AP exams in U.S. Government and /or Comparative Politics.

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4960 AP European History - Grade 10-12. Two semesters. Weighted grade. Prerequisite is World or U.S. History. The purpose of this full-year elective is to give students an opportunity to explore in depth principal themes of modern European history from the High Renaissance to the recent past. Students who are particularly interested in a more in-depth approach, developing an understanding of the importance of analyzing historical documents, and expressing this understanding in writing would benefit from this course. The AP European History course prepares students for the AP examination and intermediate and advanced college course work. A summer reading and writing assignment must be completed prior to the course. In order to take this course, a sophomore should have an A or B in World Geography or Honors World History. If students plan to take AP European and AP US History, it is recommended that they take AP European first as a sophomore.

4929 American Society: Interdisciplinary American Studies/American Literature - Grade 10. Two semesters, taken concurrently with English II. Prerequisite is World Geography or World History. This yearlong course provides a two-credit alternative to separate American Studies and English classes. Students will receive individual grades for each course and will fulfill the graduation requirements for both U.S. History and English. The linkage between the two courses allows for many opportunities to emphasize the connections between American history, literature, art, music and architecture through team-teaching, and joint assignments and projects. The course demands active student participation, intensive outside reading, and challenges beyond the classroom setting (i.e. field trips, projects). Students who are interested in studying history and English through this creative, humanities emphasis will enjoy this option.

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4932 Adventure Studies and Pursuits - Grade 11-12. One semester (2nd semester only). Requires application and approval. Blending a curriculum of geography, physical education, and leadership, this interdisciplinary class provides a unique learning experience to students. Students are required to participate in daily classroom sessions and various out of school trips (including weeknights, weekends, and days off) that combine traditional classroom subject matter with the adventure education activities of hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing. Course units will include geography topics on landforms, weather, public land management, wilderness ethics, and navigation, as well as physical education units on backpacking, wilderness first aid, rock climbing, nutrition, outdoor cooking, and expedition planning. Leadership skills and decision-making are interwoven throughout all class experiences. Students are expected to be relatively active and physically able to participate on numerous planned adventures that occur beyond the school day and could last from one to five days. Outside readings and a final project will also be required. Due to the amount of time spent out of the traditional classroom, students will earn one semester (1/2 unit) of credit in Social Studies as well as be exempted from their physical education requirement for the semester. Students may need to purchase individual equipment for the class and a participation fee is required.

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