Length/Credit: 1 semester/0.5 units 

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Other info: This course will count toward a core graduation requirement.

Description: This course is designed to analyze the study of general topics and concepts involved in American government and politics. Students focus on the federal, state, and local government systems and interpret the United States and Illinois Constitutions. 

Length/Credit: 1 semester/0.5 units

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Other info: This course will count toward a core graduation requirement.

Description: Students will develop an analytical perspective on the federal, state, and local governments and politics, including a study of concepts used to interpret government and politics, as well as the analysis of specific examples, i.e., the United States and Illinois Constitutions. Students will write extensively on government­ related work and will be adhere to the demanding structure of this course. 

Length/Credit: 1 semester/0.5 units 

Grade: 10, 11, 12 

Other info: This course will count toward a core graduation requirement.

Description: Students will explore global economic issues and individual economic decisions. A major component of the course will be an analysis of the international dimensions of economics.

Length/Credit: 1 semester/0.5 units 

Grade: 10, 11, 12 

Other info: This course will count toward a core graduation requirement.

Description: Students will explore global economic issues and individual economic decisions. A major component of the course will be an analysis of the international dimensions of economics. Students will engage in extensive reading and analysis, while adhering to the demanding structure of this course. 

Length/Credit: 2 semesters/1 unit 

Grade: 11, 12

Other info: This course will count toward a core graduation requirement.

Description: This course is a study of U.S. history from colonization to the present, focusing on social, political, economic, and geographic developments of the United States. Students will analyze and interpret original documents and other non-fiction materials. 

Length/Credit: 2 semesters/1 unit 

Grade: 11, 12

Other info: This course will count toward a core graduation requirement.

Description: This course is a study of U.S. history from colonization to the present, focusing on social, political, economic, and geographic developments of the United States. The class will include in depth and accelerated work, emphasizing the interpretation of trends and movements by analyzing and interpreting original and secondary documents and readings. Students will engage in extensive reading and historical writing, while adhering to the demanding structure of this course.

Length/Credit: 1 semester/0.5 units 

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Other Info: This course will count toward the social studies elective requirement or the Strand 2 graduation requirement.

Description: This course will be a historical look at the major conflicts that have occurred during the Twentieth Century, beginning with World War I and concluding with the Gulf War. All aspects of wars will be studied: military, economic, social, political, etc. Special attention will be given to the causes of each war and the effects each war has had on the world. The primary goal of this course is to have the student understand how these conflicts have affected our lives today as well as how they affected the lives of those who lived through them. 

Length/Credit: 2 semesters/1 unit 

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12 

Other Info: This course will count toward the social studies elective requirement or the Strand 2 graduation requirement.

Description: The primary goal of this social studies 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. Students will employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. They will learn about methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice. The advantages of the course are based on the National Geography Standards. Upon completion of this course, students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement Human Geography exam to earn possible college credit. 

Length/Credit: 2 semesters/1 unit 

Grade: 10, 11, 12 

Other info: This course will count toward a core graduation requirement, the social studies elective requirement or the Strand 2 graduation requirement.

Description: The primary goal of this social studies course is to introduce students to the driving forces behind financial decision making at both the government and global level. Students will analyze graphs, calculate shifts and stressors, interpret global policy and financial movements and predict future outcomes based on current evidence. This class can be taken instead of the one-semester Global Economics class. Upon completion of this course, students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement Macroeconomics exam to earn possible college credit. 

Length/Credit: 2 semesters/1 unit 

Grade: 10, 11, 12 

Other Info: This course will count toward the social studies elective requirement or the Strand 2 graduation requirement.

Description: The purpose of the AP course in Psychology is to introduce the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Included is a consideration of the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Students also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. Upon completion of this course, students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement Psychology exam to earn possible college credit. 

Length/Credit: 2 semesters/1 unit 

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Other info: This course will count toward a core graduation requirement, the social studies elective requirement or the Strand 2 graduation requirement.

Description: The AP U.S. Government and Politics course is designed to be comparable to a college introductory U.S. Government course. Students develop an analytical perspective on the federal, state, and local governments and politics, including a study of general concepts used to interpret government and politics, as well as the analysis of specific examples, i.e., the United States and Illinois Constitutions. Upon completion of this course, students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics exam to earn possible college credit. 

Length/Credit: 2 semesters/1 unit

Grade: 11, 12 

Other info: This course will count toward a core graduation requirement, the social studies elective requirement or the Strand 2 graduation requirement.

Description: The AP United States History course is designed to be comparable to a freshman level college survey course. Students will master a broad body of historical knowledge, analyze and interpret documents, and develop college ­level historical writing skills. This class can be taken instead of the US History class. Upon completion of this course, students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement U.S. History exam to earn possible college credit. 

Length/Credit: 2 semesters/1 unit 

Grade: 10, 11, 12 

Other info: This course will count toward the social studies elective requirement or the Strand 2 graduation requirement.

Description: AP World History: Modern is an introductory college-level modern world history course. Students cultivate their understanding of world history from c. 1200 CE to the present through analyzing historical sources and learning to make connections and craft historical arguments as they explore concepts like humans and the environment, cultural developments and interactions, governance, economic systems, social interactions and organization, and technology and innovation.

Length/Credit: 1 semester/0.5 units 

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12 

Other info: This course will count toward the social studies elective requirement or the Strand 2 graduation requirement.

Description: This course will examine diversity in the United States through the lens of culture. Through this examination, students will increase their cultural awareness and empathy by looking at these topics through multiple perspectives, inquiry, and research. 

Length/Credit: 1 semester/0.5 units 

Grade: 11, 12

Other Info: This course will count toward the social studies elective requirement or the Strand 2 graduation requirement.

Description: This semester-long course will examine specific historical and current genocide and refugee crises throughout the world as well as current human rights movements with an emphasis on inquiry, critical thinking, communication skills, and research.

Length/Credit: 1 semester/0.5 units 

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Other Info: This course will count toward the social studies elective requirement or the Strand 2 graduation requirement.

Description: This course will focus on world and local issues that impact students’ everyday lives. By having students focus on current affairs, students will gain a greater understanding of their role in a global society while appealing to the interests of a wide range of students. This course will emphasize inquiry, critical thinking, and communication skills through the utilization of primary and secondary sources and multimedia.

Length/Credit: 1 semester/0.5 units 

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Other Info: This course will count toward the social studies elective requirement or the Strand 2 graduation requirement.

Description: This course introduces the student to the study of human beings as complex individuals. Psychology as an academic discipline is studied, as well as ideas useful in dealing with problems in everyday life. The course of study will include the following topics: perception, the biological bases of behavior, personality theories, dream analysis, personality disturbances and therapy, applied psychology, heredity v. environment, and information techniques used by psychologists. 

Length/Credit: 1 semester/0.5 units 

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Other Info: This course will count toward the social studies elective requirement or the Strand 2 graduation requirement.

Description: This elective course introduces the student to skills needed to understand the behavior of people in group situations. Through library research, community studies, interactive group projects, and a variety of instructional techniques the student will become aware of the science of society and group living essential for the citizen of today.

Length/Credit: 1 semester/0.5 units 

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Other Info: This course will count toward the social studies elective requirement or the Strand 2 graduation requirement.

Description: This course will review race, gender, and socio-economic issues in American history through the lens of sports. This course will emphasize multiple perspectives in examining triumphs and struggles that have faced our nation. Viewing these issues through this lens will allow students to gain a greater understanding of our history while appealing to the interests of a wide range of students. This course will emphasize inquiry, critical thinking, and communication skills. 

Length/Credit: 1 semester/0.5 units 

Grade: 11, 12

Other Info: This course will count toward the social studies elective requirement or the Strand 2 graduation requirement.

Description: This semester-long course will focus on the contributions, role, and societal advancement of women throughout history, including the labor force, education, politics, law, family, and health care, with an emphasis on inquiry, critical thinking, communication skills, and research.

Length/Credit: 1 semester/0.5 units 

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Other Info: HHS and JHS only. This course will count toward the social studies elective requirement or the Strand 2 graduation requirement. 

Description: Students are introduced to the American legal system as well as courtroom procedures and steps in a trial. Topics covered in this course include civil and criminal law, consumer law, and family law. Students learn how to participate in a mock trial and take turns as student attorneys, witnesses, and jurors.