Grade 11-12. One semester. Prerequisite is a U.S. History course.
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 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 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. 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.
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 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. 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. 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. 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. This course satisfies federal, state mandates, including Civics Education and district graduation requirements. Students who successfully complete this course will be able to take both the AP U.S. Government and AP Comparative Government exams and may receive college credit and/or higher placement in college.