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SOCIAL
STUDIES - CURRICULUM | FACULTY
SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT
It is the belief of the Social Studies Department that a well-educated
person is capable of analytical and critical thinking as well as Christian
moral reasoning.
Therefore, the courses included in the Social Studies Department are designed
to not only teach course content but also to encourage students to make comparisons
of past events and current situations and to explore human behavior. The development
of responsible decision making through an understanding of major themes, events
and schools of thought within the Social Sciences is encouraged.
WORLD HISTORY
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 9
Prerequisite: None
This course provides both a general treatment of World History and
an indepth attention to pivotal periods in the development of Western
Civilization. Students
examine history through a number of methods, and an emphasis is placed on student-centered
exercises while evaluation extends from traditional testing to student presentations.
Study, listening, writing, and research skills are fostered so students have
the opportunity to develop skills and techniques that will be useful at the
college level.
GEOGRAPHY
Credit: .5
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
This course develops an understanding of the character of various
regions of the world as influenced by environmental, historical,
and cultural forces.
Emphasis is given to thinking geographically in the study of man/land relationships
and
place formation. Students improve their mental maps of the world; establish
a basic foundation of knowledge about countries of the world as they interact
within
an interdependent global system; understand important demographic, economic,
social, environmental, geographic (spatial), and political international
trends and issues; recognize the relevance of international and environmental
issues
to the United States, Illinois, their local communities, and their own lives;
and analyze and think critically about issues of regional and international
importance.
AMERICAN STUDIES
Credit: 2 units - 1
English III; 1 U.S. History Eligible Grade Level:
11
Prerequisite: None
This course is an interdisciplinary, team-taught course offered
for junior students who are academically motivated, self-directed,
and college bound.
The course
takes an intensive chronological approach to American Literature and American
History, emphasizing the “sense of connectedness” between the
history of each era and its relationship to and influence on the art, music
and literature
produced during that period. Literary and historical analyses are pursued
through lectures, discussion, writing assignments and group research projects.
Emphasis
is on developing advanced, college preparatory study skills as well as
interpretive reading skills. Writing assignments include literary analyses,
expository essays,
and a MLA formatted research paper.
U.S. HISTORY
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 10*, 11
Prerequisite: *Sophomores
must have a grade of 90% or higher in both Freshman English and World
History.
This course provides an overview of the cultural, economic, and
political history of the United States from the period of colonization
to the present.
U.S. History
is required for graduation both by St. Francis High School and the State
of Illinois. The course also fulfills the State of Illinois requirement
for the
U.S. and Illinois
Constitutions, the Declaration of Independence and Flag Code. The normal
content of the course is enhanced by the use of audio-visual materials,
outside reading
and projects.
HONORS ADVANCED PLACEMENT U.S. HISTORY
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11
Prerequisite: 90% or
higher in previous English and Social Studies courses and/or
consent of the
department chairperson.
This course is a more in-depth study of the topics listed above. It
is a separate class from the regular United States History class and
requires
the use of
a college level textbook (not state issued) as well as additional source
materials. Those who choose the "honors" option are expected
to meet additional research and writing requirements beyond those of
the regular United States History
course. Upon completion of this course, students are eligible to take
the Advanced Placement test.
ECONOMICS
Credit: .5 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite:
None
This course is designed to explain the role that economics plays
in the decision-making process. First, students learn about microeconomics
how
individual choices
affect supply and demand, organization of individual business firms
and markets, and
how individual incomes are determined. Next, students learn about
macroeconomics
choices made by the whole economy, gross domestic product, unemployment,
inflation, and money supply and banking systems. Last, students
learn about the world
economy how choices affect the global economy, international trade,
and problems of less-developed
countries.
HONORS ECONOMICS
Credit: .5 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: 85% or
higher in English and/or consent of instructor or department chair.
This course is similar to the Economics course (see course description,
above) but with in-depth coverage of microeconomics concepts. In
this challenging course, students read more than twice as much
as regular
economics students.
Students
who earned a credit in Economics may not enroll in this course.
GOVERNMENT AND CURRENT POLITICAL ISSUES
Credit: .5 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: U.S.
History taken previously or concurrently.
This one-semester course provides an introduction to the structure
and operation of American national political institutions and
the American political process.
Such topics as the principles of democracy, U.S. and Illinois
Constitutions, the election process, and executive, legislative
and judicial process
will be included. The course also focuses on current political
issues and events
as they
relate to the material being studied throughout the course.
HONORS ADVANCED PLACEMENT U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: U.S.
History grade of 85% or higher and/or consent of the department
chair.
Who ultimately holds power in the United States? does power
equally lie with our Congress, president and judicial system,
which “check and balance” each
other? Or do other persons/groups such as committee chairmen, political action
committees or the media ultimately “call the shots”?
And what power do average people like you and me have? To answer
these and other fundamental
questions about the American political system, students will
study aspects of the lawmaking and policy making process. Topics
covered include, among others,
the Constitution, federalism, civil liberties, public opinion
campaigns, interest groups, Congress and the lawmaking process,
the Presidency, the judicial system,
economic policy, foreign policy, and state and local governments.
All topics suggested by the Advanced Placement Board are included
in this curriculum. Upon
finishing the course, the student should be well prepared for
the AP test. Students who earned credit in Government and Current
Political Issues may not enroll in
this course.
LANDMARK U.S. SUPREME COURT RULINGS
Credit: .5 units
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite:
None
This course studies the most significant rulings of the U.S.
Supreme Court from 1803 to 1973. The rulings will be discussed
in their
historical, political,
and
social context. Students will read the actual Supreme Court
majority and minority opinions and write “briefs” summarizing the important aspects of
the court’s reasoning. Reading and writing requirements
will be extensive. This course is recommended for students
with a strong interest in U.S. History,
Political Science and/or Law.
PSYCHOLOGY
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
This course provides an overview of the field of psychology.
Topics covered include a brief history of the field, personality
theory,
learning and
memory, personality
testing, motivation and emotions, sensation and perception,
the nervous system, frustration and conflict and personality
disturbances.
Emphasis
is placed
on psychoanalytic, behavioristic, humanistic and cognitive
theoretical approaches to psychology.
HONORS ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite:
85% or higher in previous English and Social Studies
courses and/or
consent
of the
department chairperson.
This course provides a more in-depth overview of the
field of psychology than does the regular Psychology
course.
Topics covered
include
a brief history of the field, personality theory, learning
and memory,
personality
theory,
learning
and memory, personality testing, motivation and emotions,
sensation and perception, the nervous system, frustration
and conflict
and personality disturbances.
Emphasis is placed on psychoanalytic, behavioristic,
humanistic and cognitive
theoretical
approaches to human behavior. All topics suggested by
the Advanced Placement Board are included in this curriculum.
Upon finishing
the course, the
student should be well prepared for the AP test. Students
who earned a credit in
Psychology
may not enroll in this course.
SOCIOLOGY
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite:
None
This course covers most major topics in the field including
the elements of culture, social stratification, the
role of the arts
in society,
the evolution of societies,
technology and change, social movements, collective
behavior, minorities and
discrimination, poverty, and crime. Emphasis is placed
on identification of present and future trends in American
society.
This is a
course of exploration and inquiry.
Using materials made available in the classroom and
elsewhere, students are encouraged to explore a variety
of issues
and share their findings
with others
in the class.
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