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This course provides students with a thorough understanding of the basic economic principles at work in the market level, as well as the whole national economy. The microeconomics component focuses on the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and firms, within the economy. It places a primary focus on the nature and function of product markets, and includes studies of factor markets and the role of government in promoting equity and efficiency in the economy. The macroeconomics component places a particular emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination. It helps students develop familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics. Students are required to take the national AP exam at the end of the course.

This college-level course examines the major themes in European history from the Renaissance to the present. Through lectures, readings, historical research, independent study, and critical analysis of original source materials, students investigate the governments, science, technology, and ideas that developed in Europe, as well as the conflicts, wars, and imperialism that are fundamental to understanding today’s world. Students are required to take the national AP exam at the end of the course. Summer reading assignments for the course will be announced in May.

This full-year course will focus on the distribution, processes, and effects of human population on the planet. The content of the AP Human Geography course helps students develop critical thinking skills through the understanding, application and analysis of the fundamental concepts of geography.  It aims to introduce students to the basic concepts of human geography and provide a geographic framework for the analysis of current world problems through the use of historical and modern case studies.  The course develops the students’ ability to ask geographic questions; acquire, organize and analyze geographic information; and answer geographic questions. Units of study include population, migration, culture, language, religion, ethnicity, political geography, development, industry, agriculture, and urban geography. The AP Human Geography course is designed to prepare all students for the College Board’s AP Human Geography examination in May. Students are required to take the national AP exam at the end of the course.

This course focuses on the American political system. During the first semester, students study the US Constitution, campaigns and elections, interest groups, civil rights and civil liberties, and institutions. During election years, students are expected to get involved in the electoral process, most often as campaign volunteers or election judges. Students are expected to write critical essays and complete a research paper on an approved topic. During the second semester, students compare and contrast the politics, economies, and social systems of six countries: the United Kingdom, China, Russia, Mexico, Nigeria, and Iran, as well as the European Union. Students also examine various ideologies, such as socialism and capitalism. Students are expected to learn the terminology in the field, complete comparative essays, and work on a group project in which each group will be assigned one of the designated countries. Students are required to take the national AP exam at the end of the course.

 

This required and challenging course examines United States history and culture. Students are prepared to do college-level work through lectures, student-led discussions, debates, original-source readings, critical analysis of texts, research papers and projects, and student presentations that demand evaluation and synthesis. Students must pass the US Constitution and Illinois Government and Constitution Tests. Students are required to take the national AP exam at the end of the course. A summer assignment will be distributed by email in May for registered students.

This course examines how entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in the health of our overall economy. The course focuses on business innovation, capital formation, business growth, vision, and hard work. At the end of the semester, students will be well versed in business terminology, appreciate entrepreneurial creativity, recognize their hard work, and describe how new businesses alter our society. This course is open to juniors and seniors. Second semester seniors are required to complete the final project. Note: Introduction to Entrepreneurship is not approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse. 

This one-semester course presents a comprehensive history of the city of Chicago from the 1600s to today’s bustling metropolis. Students examine the city’s social structure, ethnic and racial diversity, political and economic development, and cultural development, as well as some key events, including the Chicago fire, the Columbian Exposition, the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, and the riots of 1968. By the end of the course, students will be able to identify the major transformations that have impacted the city’s growth. This course is open to juniors and seniors.

This full-year course is designed to apply sociological concepts to real-world communities located in the Chicagoland area. Building off of the skills gained in previous Social Studies courses, such as World Studies and U.S. History, this course exposes students to current social issues that exist within local communities. Students will develop foundational skills such as research, communication, and collaboration as in a traditional Sociology course, but will also recognize a sense of social responsibility based on personal contributions in the community served. By exploring themes of culture, power, inequality, and social change, students will be able to critically examine social institutions and prepare for further studies in Social Science.

Students in Honors Sociology in Action are required to complete service visits to community sites that relate to course concepts.  In order to be successful in class discussion and assessment, students must independently manage their time to ensure consistent attendance at community sites. During the second semester, the class will culminate with a cumulative project that integrates sociological theories and research methods with students’ community service work.  Students will complete seven service site visits each semester outside of school hours.

This required and challenging course utilizes a college text to examine United States history and culture. Lectures, discussion, research papers, evaluative essays, and student projects are included to encourage student learning. This course examines the history of the United States from colonization to the present. Students explore the various political, social, cultural, and intellectual trends, which have influenced the shaping of our nation. Students must pass the US Constitution and Illinois Government and Constitution Tests. Honors United States History will be faster paced and more rigorous than the Level 6 course. Students will delve deeper into each unit theme and be challenged to demonstrate higher standards of document analysis, critical thinking and writing skills.

This one-semester course introduces students to the world through a blend of 21st century global issues that impact the international community today.  The course offers students the opportunity to examine modern-day global challenges with a historical context.  These global issues are thematically linked to current trends such as politics, economics, geography, culture, human rights, and the environment.  This course is open to juniors and seniors.

This one-semester, college seminar-style course investigates the principal challenges and opportunities in American politics and government. Students examine the American political system, including its foundations and institutions, campaigns and elections, civil rights and liberties. Students will explore local politics and discover opportunities to apply their knowledge of the political system to make an impact on their community through political advocacy. In order to provide students first-hand experience of the political process, students are required to attend a meeting of their local government and, during election years, serve in the electoral process as an election judge or campaign volunteer. This course is open to juniors and seniors.

This one-semester course focuses on the study of human behavior and presents an overview of the field of psychology. Students study terminology and learn to implement observation techniques in order to gain an understanding into the facets of personality and the thought processes of themselves and others. This course is open to juniors and seniors.

This one-semester course explores social behaviors in human groups with emphasis on behavior and attitudes that impact the community. Building off of the skills gained in previous Social Studies courses, this course exposes students to current social issues that exist within local, national and international communities. Students will develop foundational skills such as research, communication and collaboration while learning about the ways people relate to one another through the systematic development of society. By exploring themes of culture, power, inequality and social change, students will be able to critically examine social institutions and prepare for further studies in Social Science. This course is open to juniors and seniors. 

This one-semester course is an examination of the current issues in the United States today

and how they are influenced by the history of the United States. The class focuses

on the political, international, social, cultural, economic and intellectual developments since the end of World War II. The themes of the course include postwar American society, civil rights, immigration, poverty, the environment, corporate influence, defense spending, income inequality, and the war on drugs. The course is for students who have fulfilled their US History requirement, and does not substitute for a semester of US History. Activities will include oral history projects, interviews, and investigation of history through articles, movies, television, and other media. This course is open to juniors and seniors. 

This required course examines the history of the United States from colonization to the present. Students explore the various political, social, cultural, and intellectual trends which have influenced the shaping of America. The course focuses on skill development, including note-taking, outlining, essay writing, and the mechanics of research and writing. Students are required to pass the US Constitution and Illinois Government and

Constitution Tests.