Rich Central High School Social Studies Department

Social studies

	GRADE 9	GRADE 10	GRADE 11	GRADE 12
HONORS (H)	Freshman Social Studies Honors I/II	History and Thought of Western Man Honors AP Psychology	US History Honors(American Studies) AP US History (American Studies) History and Thought of Western Man Honors	African American History H, Psychology H, AP Psych, Economics H, AP World, AP European, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, Philosophy Honors
COLLEGE (C)	Freshman Social Studies I/II	History of World Civilizations	U.S. History	African American History, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Current Issues, Citizenship and Law
ELECTIVES				African American History, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Current Issues, Citizenship and Law

Note: Students enrolled in AP courses will be required to participate in additional activities outside of normal classroom time.

INTRODUCTION

The integrated learning of the social studies and humanities promotes civic competence. Within the school program social studies provide coordinated, systematic study of such disciplines as anthropology, economics, geography, history, law, political science, and sociology, as well as appropriate content from the humanities, mathematics and natural sciences. Social studies help people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.

The goal of the social studies department in Rich Township is to guarantee that all graduates, regardless of future career endeavors, will have the necessary skills and educational background to be strong citizens, economic planners, community leaders, and analytical thinkers, as they seek to improve and fully participate in the society in which they live. Additionally, by the end of the 12^th grade year, students who have completed the Rich District 227 Social Studies Program will be able to:

ILLINOIS STATE GOALS FOR SOCIAL STUDIES:

STATE GOAL 14: Understand political systems, with an emphasis on the United States.

STATE GOAL 15: Understand economic systems, with an emphasis on the United States.

STATE GOAL 16: Understand events, trends, individuals and movements shaping the history of Illinois, the United States and other nations.

STATE GOAL 17: Understand world geography and the effects of geography on society, with an emphasis on the

United States.

STATE GOAL 18: Understand social systems, with an emphasis on the United States.

Course Number: D12/13

Course Title: Freshman Social Studies I/II

Prerequisite: Staff Placement

This course consists of one semester of civics and one semester of geography. The course is specifically aligned to meet state goals for political science, early high school economics, and geography. The course will expose students to essential skills in social science such as interpreting primary sources, charts, graphs, and statistical data. Geography students will understand and apply the five themes of geography as well as various types of map interpretation. The course will also expose students to the basics of leadership and citizenship in a participatory democratic society. Civics students must pass the United States Constitution and United States Flag tests to satisfy Illinois State Board of Education’s requirements and the student’s graduation requirements.

Course Number: D18/19
Course Title: Freshman Social Studies Honors I/II
Prerequisite: Staff Placement

Freshman Social Studies Honors is the first step in the honors social studies vertical team and will include developing the content, thinking skills and study habits necessary for success in later honors and AP® courses. Honors Social Studies consists of one semester of geography and one semester of civics/economics. The course is specifically aligned to meet state goals for political science, early high school economics, and geography. The course will teach students essential skills in social science such as interpreting primary sources, charts, graphs, and statistical data; note-taking; social science vocabulary; and how to write to a prompt. Geography students will study physical and human geography for both the Western and non-Western world. The civics component requires primary source reading, cooperative and active learning, and frequent writing. Students must pass the District 227 United States and Illinois Constitution test (including the flag test) to satisfy the Illinois State Board of Education’s requirements and the student’s graduation requirements. Students will also learn the basics of leadership and citizenship in a participatory democratic society.

Course Number: D24/25

Course Title: United States History

Prerequisite: Grade 11

A graduation requirement at Rich Township High Schools, as well as a statutory requirement for all students in Illinois schools, this course is a survey covering U.S. History from the Colonial period to the present. Major personalities and cultural developments of American civilization are covered along with American relations with the world community. The overall objective of the course is to provide the student with a general understanding of the development of this country. The class also includes study of women in American history and contributions of Native Americans and African Americans. Additionally, ethnic contributions to the development of the United States are extensively covered.

Course Number:                   D30/D31
Course Title:                        AP Human Geography
Prerequisite:                         Honors Standing in English 9 and Counselor Recommendation

AP Human Geography is a one year long course to introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and process that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of the Earth surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice.

Course Number: D38/39

Course Title: AP U.S. History (American Studies)

Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in C96/97(AP English Language and Composition)

AP U.S. History is a two-semester, interdisciplinary class integrating the study of Rhetoric, American Literature, and U.S. History, art and music. The Advanced Placement U.S. History course is a college level introduction to major personalities and cultural developments of American civilization. The overall objective of the course is similar to U.S. History D24/25; however, students are expected to possess strong writing and analytical skills. Students who select this course must also select C96/97 (AP English Language and Composition). Students are expected to take the national AP U.S. History test in May; an acceptable score may grant them college credit. This course also fulfills Rich Township and Illinois school graduation requirements. Summer reading is required.

Course Number: D48/49

Course Title: AP European History

Prerequisite: Senior Standing and Teacher Recommendation

This one-year AP European History Course offers college bound seniors an opportunity to sharpen their critical reading, writing, and analytical skills as they gain knowledge of major developments in European history from 1450 to the present. The workload approximates that of an introductory college course. Students in this course are qualified to take the European History Advanced Placement Examination in May for possible credit and/or advanced placement in the college of their choice.

Course Number: D54/55

Course Title: History of World Civilizations

Prerequisite: Grade 10

This course provides a broad overview of the development of civilizations of the world. It traces the progression from early civilization’s influence on the emerging global development to the modern interacting world with emphasis on geography, people, resources, the arts, and society. Students should develop an understanding of the inter-relatedness of the global community. Vocabulary development, study skills, critical reading and thinking skills as well as writing well-developed paragraphs and essays are integrated into the course.

Course Number: D56/57

Course Title: World History Honors

Prerequisite: Grade 10 and Teacher Recommendation

The purpose of World History Honors is to develop greater understanding of global processes and contacts, in interaction with different types of human societies. The course highlights the nature of changes in international frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. Focused primarily on the past thousand years of the global experience, the course builds on an understanding of cultural, institutional, and technological precedents that, along with geography, set the human stage prior to 1000 b.c. This understanding is advanced through a combination of selective factual knowledge and appropriate analytical skills.

Course Number: D58/59

Course Title: AP World History

Prerequisite: Grade 10-12 and Teacher Recommendation

Advanced Placement World History is a college-level course in World History covering the period from 8000 B.C.E to present. The course involves intensive study of world cultures, paying special attention to change over time and comparing the effects of common phenomena on different cultures. Reading of primary source documents and world literature will be included. Students who take the AP World History exam in May have the opportunity to earn college credit for the class.

Course Number: D60

Course Title: AP Macroeconomics

Prerequisite: Freshmen Social Studies

This AP Macroeconomics course gives students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to an economic system as a whole. Such a course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination and also develops student’s familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics.

Course Number: D61

Course Title: AP Microeconomics

Prerequisite: Freshmen Social Studies

This AP Microeconomics course gives students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makes, both consumers and producers, within the economic system. It places primary emphasis on the nature and functions of product markets and includes the study of factor markets and of the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy.

Course Number: D62

Course Title: Current Issues

Prerequisite: Grade 12

Current Issues is a one semester course designed to involve the student in the investigation and understanding of a variety of contemporary world events, social issues, and cultural attitudes through the use of print media, TV and radio, and the internet. Students will research and produce written analyses of news stories on political, social, cultural, and economic events and how those events affect and reflect society in our ever-changing world. Students must be able to handle critical reading of current periodicals and conduct thoughtful research. They must be able to organize themselves to complete independent research projects.

Course Number: D63

Course Title: Citizenship and the Law

Prerequisite: Grade 12

In this one-semester course, students will study the political aspects of criminal and civic law with in depth study of legal obligations and rights (traffic violations, drug arrests, juvenile offenses, etc.). Emphasis is on our legal system (police, courts, and procedures) and the role of the citizen. Students will also satisfy Illinois State Board of Education’s minimum requirements with the passing of the United States constitution and United States Flag test.

Course Number: D65

Course Title: Economics

Prerequisite: Grade 12 and Teacher Recommendation

Economics is the social science that deals with matters related directly to the efforts of human beings to make use of resources for the production and the consumption of want-satisfying goods and services. Students will study the cause and effect relationships that create economic problems (depressions, recessions, price fluctuations, resources) and technical topics such as gross national product, the Federal Reserve System, and others. Successful completion of this course fulfills the consumer education requirement. This course requires the ability to apply mathematical thinking in the context of economics; facility in mathematics is expected.

Course Number: D66

Course Title: Economics Honors

Prerequisite: Grade 11 – 12 and Teacher Recommendation

This one semester course fulfills the Consumer Education graduation requirements for the above-average student. The course will examine the allocation of scarce resources among members of society and the recent performance of the U.S. Economy from the perspective of several schools of economic thought. Topics to be studied include: supply and demand, investment and savings, advertising, income distribution, and national economic policies. Students will be able to recognize, interpret, and synthesize varied economic policies and philosophies. They will gain economic tools useful to consumers and citizens.

Course Number: D70

Course Title: African American History Honors

Prerequisite: Grade 12

Honors credit may be received through successful completion of differentiated assignments that involve well-developed, independent research in this one-semester course. Strong reading and writing skills are necessary for successful completion of the requirements.

Course Number D74/75

Course Title: History and Thought of Western Man Honors

Prerequisite: Grade 10 and Teacher Recommendation

History and thought of Western Man (HTWM) is an interdisciplinary two-year, team taught course designed for highly motivated gifted students. The two- year sequence covers the history, literature, philosophy, and the arts of the Western world from ancient Egypt to the present. Students are introduced to college-level reading and a variety of advanced topics and activities. A research paper is required. Students who successfully completed all four semesters of HTWM will receive two semesters of Social Studies credit and two semesters of Language Arts elective credit. Since HTWM satisfies the History of World of World Civilizations requirement, students who fail any semester of HTMW must take History of Word Civilizations in order to fulfill the graduation requirement.

Course Number: D76/77

Course Title: African American History

Prerequisite: Grade 12

African American History is a year-long study that will examine the historical and powerful contributions of African People in World History. Students will explore how the development of European slavery, as both a labor intensive and social system, manifested the issue of emancipation and Civil Rights. The course content will also highlight the nineteenth and twentieth centuries’ struggles and gains that shaped the philosophies of African Americans, from the 1960s through the current presidential election.

Course Number: D81

Course Title: Psychology Honors

Prerequisite: Grade 12

Psychology is the study of individual behavior. This one-semester class begins with a focus on the historical roots of psychology as well as contemporary perspectives of behavior. In addition topics such as learning, memory, personality, intelligence, experimental designs, creativity, and human development are also included in this course. In addition to required textbook readings, in class experiments are conducted, and independent research projects will be completed.

Course Number: D82

Course Title: Psychology

Prerequisite: Grade 12

This one-year course is the study of individual behavior. In addition topics such as learning, memory, personality, intelligence, experimental designs, creativity, and human development are also included in this course. In addition to required textbook readings, in class experiments are conducted, and independent research projects will be completed.

Course Number: D83

Course Title: Sociology

Prerequisite: Grade 12

This one-semester course will involve students in the study and analysis of the factors and forces operating in U.S. society. Emphasis is placed on the process of socialization, culture, social interaction, and organization, as well as a focus on social institutions and societal problems. In addition to the course textbooks, students will be assigned outside readings on the units being taught. Students will also be required to conduct a research project in an area of interest so independence in research skills is expected.

Course Number: D84

Course Title: Philosophy Honors

Prerequisite: Grade 12

This one-semester, honors level seminar is a general introduction to philosophical thinking. The goals of the course are to provide students with more tools for critical thought; to introduce students to a range of philosophical issues; to provide a sense of the history of philosophy and its response to issues of its times; to encourage students to think for themselves about their own philosophies of life; and to read primary sources by such authors as Camus, Aristotle, Sartre, Aquinas, and Locke. Students must be able to read and interpret text at an advanced level to be successful in the course.

Course Number: D86/87

Course Title: Advanced Placement Psychology

Prerequisite: Grade 10 and Teacher Recommendation

This one-year Advanced Placement course in Psychology introduces the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental process 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 and the methods psychologists use in their science and practice.

Course Number: D92/93

Course Title: US History Honors/American Studies

Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in C92/93: American Lit H/Rhetoric I H (American Studies)

US History Honors is a two-semester, interdisciplinary class integrating the study of Rhetoric, American Literature, and U.S. History, art and music. Students who select this course must also select the corresponding Language Arts Course. The survey of U.S. History covers early exploration to the 1900’s. Students who fail either semester of the Social Studies portion of this course must make up the necessary credits in U.S. History before graduation. Summer reading is required.

Course Number: D98/99

Course Title: Independent Study

Prerequisite: Grade 11 – 12 and administrative approval

Students who wish to do Independent Study must make application to the designated administrator, present a program of study, obtain parent/guardian approval, and secure a social studies faculty member to sponsor the project. Independent Study is done on a Pass/Fail basis.

Course Number: HZ212/213

Course Title: Freshman Social Studies

Prerequisite: Team Recommendation*

This course consists of one semester of civics and one semester of geography. The course will expose students to essential skills in social science such as interpreting primary sources, charts, graphs, and statistical data. Geography students will understand and apply the five themes of geography as well as various types of map interpretation. Civics students must pass the United States Constitution and United States Flag tests to satisfy Illinois State Board of Education’s requirements and the student graduation requirements.

Course Number: HZ214/215

Course Title: U.S. History