Grade 10. Year-long. Prerequisite: prior successful completion of a Social Studies course.

The goal of American Society is to examine and analyze what it means to be an American in an interdisciplinary format.  To facilitate that study, this two-period block course will take a humanities approach, connecting history and literature to art, architecture, entertainment, propaganda, and fashion.  American society emphasizes the skills that will prepare students for life beyond high school, including written and oral communication, critical thinking, problem solving, technological competency and making connections between disciplines.  This course is open to all sophomores who need to fulfill the graduation requirements for American History and English 2.

Grade 9. Year-long.

The study of world geography provides students with a strong foundation for future social studies courses. Students will 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. Throughout the course, students will also analyze and develop a deeper understanding of a wide range of global issues: human rights, genocide, disease, overpopulation, resources, environmental dangers, world trade, emerging nationhood, globalization, and independence. The major world religions will also be studied. Students will develop critical thinking, reading, writing, and speaking skills. Regular homework reading beyond the textbook will be required. This course satisfies the freshman Social Studies graduation requirement.

Grade 9-12. Year-long. Weighted grade.

Covering from 8000 BC to the present, this full-year college level history course requires students to master factual knowledge as well as develop analytical skills necessary to be an historian. Specific themes are used as a framework to analyze regions around the globe including Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Throughout the year, students will use documents and primary sources, make comparisons across cultures, and develop the vital habits of mind required to be successful in Advanced Placement courses. This course imposes a heavy reading and writing workload, and the demands on students are equivalent to a full-year introductory college course. AP World History covers topics at a faster pace than Honors World History, requiring students to enter the course with high reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. Summer work may be offered to help students successfully prepare for the rigorous and extensive coursework. This course satisfies the freshmen Social Studies graduation requirement. Students who successfully complete this course and the AP World History examination may receive college credit and/or higher placement in college.

Grade 9. Year-long. Weighted grade.

This year-long course is presented from a geographical, political, and cultural point of view. The first semester begins with Ancient Egypt and concludes with the European Middle Ages. The second semester presents the rise of nation states, age of exploration, western imperialism, the Industrial Revolution, and concludes with the First World War. The course emphasizes analytical thought and is recommended for advanced students. Honors World History is taught at a very fast pace and students are required to master difficult readings, organize and write essays independently, and apply critical thinking skills in all of their work. Independent learning and self-motivation are required. This course satisfies the freshman Social Studies graduation requirement.

Grade 9-12. Year-long. Weighted grade.

This year-long college level course focuses on the impact human populations have on the planet. Units of study include the cultural patterns of religion, ethnicity, and gender; the population patterns of migration, growth, and settlement; and the historical global patterns of economic development, agriculture, and urbanization. Students will develop the ability to think geographically and apply the skills and tools of a geographer to analyze the world. Field studies to local areas are used as learning opportunities. This course is designed to represent an introductory one-semester human geography college course. Summer work may be offered to help students successfully prepare for the rigorous and extensive coursework that will be expected throughout the school year. This course satisfies the freshman Social Studies graduation requirement. Students who successfully complete this course and the AP Human Geography examination may receive college credit and/or higher placement in college.

Grade 9-12 Year-long, Weighted grade.

The purpose of the AP Human Geography course is to introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. In this online eLo course, Students learn to employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences. Students also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications. This course is designed to represent an introductory one-semester human geography college course. Students who successfully complete this course and the AP Human Geography examination may receive college credit and/or higher placement in college.

Grade 10-12 Year-long. Prerequisite is prior completion of a Freshman Social Studies Course

This online eLo 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. This course satisfies the American History graduation requirement.

Grade 10-12. One semester. Prerequisite is prior completion of a Social Studies course.

This course is designed to provide students with geographical knowledge of the United States studied from both a regional and urban approach. Various geographic topics are studied such as human geography, environmental issues, cartography skills, and the geography of Illinois. Supplemental reading is required.

Grade 10-12. One semester. Prerequisite is prior completion of a Social Studies course.

This course is designed to deal with the various aspects of warfare throughout human history. Topics include the nature of war, concepts of tactics and strategy, technology and methods of warfare, great military leaders, crucial battles and their effect on history, and present and future trends in warfare.

Grade 10-12 Year-long. Prerequisite is prior completion of a Freshman Social Studies Course

This is the study of American History and the evolution of American ideals. Learning emphasizes analytical reading, writing, speaking and listening through the interpretation of historical documents, music and art. Additional focus is placed on understanding cause and effect relationships, discovering the significance of people, places and events impacting US history, and applying historical principles in today’s world. This course satisfies the American History graduation requirement.

Grade 11-12. Year-long. Weighted grade. Prerequisite is prior completion of a Social Studies course.

This course in American history is designed to provide students with the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the issues and materials in this full-year college level American history course. Summer work may be offered to help students successfully prepare for the rigorous and extensive coursework that will be expected throughout the school year. This course satisfies the American History graduation requirement. Students who successfully complete this course and the AP United States History examination may receive college credit and/or higher placement in college.

Grade 11-12. One semester. Prerequisite is prior completion of a Social Studies course.

Psychology is the scientific study of human and animal behavior.  The course’s goal is to help students better understand individual behavior and the world around them.  This college-prep course will provide students with an opportunity to apply psychological concepts to real life situations through hands-on learning, in-class demonstrations, and student-centered projects.  Students will explore and reflect on various topics, including: scientific research, developmental psychology, learning theories, abnormal behavior, therapy, and social psychology.

Grade 11-12 One Semester. Prerequisite is prior completion of a Social Studies course.

What determines behavior? This online eLo course is designed to expose students to the world of normal psychology. This course will provide students with an understanding of their own behavior as well as the behavior of other individuals. Attention is paid to the biology and chemistry of the human brain. Emphasis is placed on the psychological research regarding sleep, dreams, emotions, mental health, and motivation. This course requires reading, oral and written communication, and research skills.

Grade 11-12. Year-long. Weighted grade. Prerequisite is an American History course.

This introductory college-level course provides students with conceptual tools necessary to develop an understanding of the world’s diverse political structure and practices. With a focus on American government and politics during the first semester and comparative governmental systems during the second semester, the course encompasses the study of specific countries, their governments, and their political climates. Summer work may be offered to help students successfully prepare for the rigorous and extensive coursework that will be expected throughout the school year. This course satisfies federal, state mandates, including Civics Education and district graduation requirements. Students who successfully complete this course and the AP Government and Politics examinations (AP U.S. Government and AP Comparative Government) may receive college credit and/or higher placement in college.

Grade 10-12. Year-long. Weighted grade. Prerequisite is prior completion of a Social Studies course.

The purpose of this full-year elective is to give students an opportunity to explore in-depth 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. If students plan to take both AP European and AP US History, it is recommended they take AP European first as a sophomore. Summer work may be offered to help students successfully prepare for the rigorous and extensive coursework that will be expected throughout the school year. Students who successfully complete this course and the AP European History examination may receive college credit and/or higher placement in college.

Grade 11-12. One semester. Prerequisite is prior completion of a Social Studies course.

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. This is a college preparatory course containing challenging reading.

Grade 11-12. Year-Long. Weighted grade.

This full year course is designed to understand and apply the principles of Psychology, scientific research, and individual behavior.  The course will prepare students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to that of a psychology researcher through a variety of psychological perspectives.  The content will focus on history and approaches, advanced experimental design, biological functioning, sensation and perception, learning and behaviorism, motivation and emotion, testing and individual differences, developmental psychology, personality, psychological disorders and their treatments, and social psychology.  Intensive reading and writing in the field of psychology will be a major focus, as will hands-on research and experimentation, with an emphasis on applying psychological concepts to daily life.  Students who successfully complete this course and the AP Psychology examination may receive college credit and/or higher placement in college.

Grade 12. One semester. May be taken concurrently with American History with Instructor approval.

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 the foundations of government, political socialization, elections and campaigns, policymaking, and judiciary.  This course also provides students opportunities for current events discussions, service-learning, and simulations of democratic processes, all which are central to civic education and an educated citizenry.  This course satisfies federal, state mandates, including Civics Education and district graduation requirements.

Grade 12. One semester. May be taken concurrently with American History with Instructor approval.

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 the foundations of government, political socialization, elections and campaigns, policymaking, and judiciary.  This course also provides students opportunities for current events discussions, service-learning, and simulations of democratic processes, all which are central to civic education and an educated citizenry.  This course satisfies federal, state mandates, including Civics Education and district graduation requirements.

This course meets in a blended attendance pattern using a dynamic, flexible schedule.  For more details  about blended learning follow this link.

Grade 12 One Semester

How is democracy reflected in the three branches of the American system of government? In this online eLo course, students will study the primary concepts of the American political system, including its foundations, structures, and political behavior. This course does not simply look at the institutions of the federal government but also examines the parties’ issues, candidates, and power-pressure groups and their roles in American politics at the national level. Emphasis is also placed on the role of the citizen in a democratic society. This course satisfies federal, state mandates, including Civics Education and district graduation requirements.