Course Catalog Details

Level: 11, 12
Semesters: 1
Prerequisites: Teacher Recommendation
Credit: 1/2

AP Comparative Government and Politics is an introductory college-level course in comparative government and politics. The course uses a comparative approach to examine the political structures, policies, and political, economic, and social challenges of six selected countries: China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Students cultivate their understanding of comparative government and politics through analysis of data and text-based sources as they explore topics like power and authority, legitimacy and stability, democratization, internal and external forces, and methods of political analysis.

Level: 11, 12
Semesters: 1
Prerequisites: Teacher Recommendation
Credit: 1.0

AP US Government and Politics is an introductory college-level course in US government and politics. Students cultivate their understanding of US government and politics through analysis of data and text-based sources as they explore topics like constitutionalism, liberty and order, civic participation in a representative democracy, competing policy-making interests, and methods of political analysis.

Level: 11, 12
Semesters: 2
Prerequisites: Students are advised to take a Social Studies elective during their sophomore year. Students who have earned A’s in their Social Studies classes will be given precedence. Also, students on the AP English path tend to be better prepared for the level of rigor in this course.
Credit: 1

The AP US History course focuses on the development of historical thinking skills (chronological reasoning, comparing and contextualizing, crafting historical arguments using historical evidence, and interpreting and synthesizing historical narrative) and an understanding of content learning objectives organized around seven themes some of which include identity, peopling, and America in the world. In line with college and university US history survey courses’ increased focus on early and recent American history and decreased emphasis on other areas, the AP US History course expands on the history of the Americas from 1491 to 1607 and from 1980 to the present. AP US History is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester introductory college or university US history course. Consequently, the course requires a much higher volume of reading and writing than one would find in a traditional high school US History course.

Level: 10, 11, 12
Semesters: 2
Prerequisites: Teacher Recommendation
Credit: 1

AP World History 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.

Level: 11, 12
Semesters: 1
Prerequisites: None
Credit: 1/2

This course is required for all seniors.

Consumer Economics is designed to help the student understand the economic system of our nation and how it compares to those of other nations. Students will develop an appreciation of the free enterprise system, including wants and needs, opportunity costs, supply and demand concepts, scarcity, and productive resources in relation to the nation’s economy and the world economy. Students will also develop skills and understanding of consumer rights and responsibilities including effective use of credit, budgeting and checking, and comparative shopping skills for food, clothing, transportation, housing, and insurance. Students will also learn how to prepare federal and state income taxes. This course can be taken as a junior if it is included in their course selection for 2nd semester. Otherwise, spots in the class are reserved for seniors who need this course for graduation.  

Level: 10, 11, 12
Semesters: 1
Prerequisites: None
Credit: 1/2

This course is designed to aid the student in exploring and understanding different current issues in modern America. Background information will be used to build a foundation for studying each particular subject which may include independent research, guest speakers, and in-class lectures to explain the history of a situation or series of events. The topics for this class will include an in-depth look at a variety of American social institutions and conventions including socialization, education, race, social class, crime, violence, and deviance. The topics to be studied will be based, to a great extent, on what is “current” in the news at the time.

Level: 11,12
Semesters: 2
Prerequisites: Meet placement requirements for Kishwaukee College
Credit: SHS (1) + Kishwaukee College (6) • Dual Credit Opportunity

(College credit towards HIS 220 and HIS 222 at Kishwaukee College)
There is a $50 tuition fee to be paid to Kishwaukee College each semester.

1st Semester: HIS 220 — United States History to 1877
This class will study the social, economic, cultural, political, and constitutional development of the United States. This will include a study of America’s European origins, Native American prehistory, a brief survey of the early Colonial period, the Revolutionary War and Constitutional period, Jeffersonian Democracy, the War of 1812, the Age of Jackson, slavery, the War with Mexico, and the Civil War and Reconstruction. In-depth discussions will revolve around the social, cultural, economic, and gender issues as well as various interpretations of US history relevant to the covered time periods.

2nd Semester: HIS 222 — United States History Since 1877
This class will study the social, economic, cultural, political, and constitutional development of the United States. This course includes a brief analysis of American history from the Reconstruction period, the Great Depression, the New Deal, World War II, the Cold War, the 1950’s, the 1960’s, the Feminist Movement, Watergate, the last two decades of the 20th Century, and into the 21st Century. In-depth discussions will revolve around the social, cultural, economic, and gender issues as well as various interpretations of US history relevant to the covered time periods.

Level: 11, 12
Semesters: 1
Prerequisites: None
Credit: 1/2

This class may be offered in a blended format.

This one semester elective class is designed as an introduction to microeconomics and macroeconomics. It is recommended for students with an interest in business and/or social studies. One quarter will focus on microeconomics which is the study of the choices made by economic groups such as households, companies, and individual markets. Topics discussed will include consumers and producers, supply and demand, costs, sources of capital, and various organizations of business. The second quarter will focus on macroeconomics which examines the behavior of entire economies. Topics discussed will include the role of the government in the economy, money and banking system, the Federal Reserve, monetary and fiscal policy, and international trade. This course will fulfill the Consumer Economic graduation requirement.

Level: 11, 12
Semesters: 1
Prerequisites: Seniors - None (required of all seniors); Juniors can register for government if they have at least a 3.00 cum GPA. Enrollment in the class will be based on GPA, credits, other data, and space availability.
Credit: 1/2

This course is required for all seniors.

This one semester class is designed to give the student a general overview of the American system of government. Topics within this overview include comparison of other major systems of government, great political thinkers and writers, the Constitution, political parties, our federal system of government, the court system, and state and county government. It is crucial that the student stay current on the events of the day in the areas of government and politics. These events, along with newspaper and magazine articles, in-class lectures, independent research, and guest speakers will be used to study the various topics.
 

Level: 9, 10
Semesters: 2
Prerequisites: Pre-Assessment score and/or teacher recommendation
Credit: 1

This course is geared towards students considering Advanced Placement and Dual Credit social studies courses in their academic future. The class involves an intensive study of cultures around the world and a problem-based learning approach to the challenges that exist within the global community. A great emphasis will be focused on critical thinking, reading skills, research skills, writing skills, geographical skills, analyzing sources, technology use, and presentation skills.

Level: 12
Semesters: 1
Prerequisites: US History, World History (2 semesters), World Cultures, and one other social studies elective with a composite grade point average of A- or above.
Credit: 1/2

This independent study program is designed to assist the highly-motivated history student to explore topics of interest in detail. The course will be divided into two nine week segments with the objectives to be set forth by the student and teacher. The student will fill out an independent study contract with the teacher and will be evaluated by how well the provisions of the contract are fulfilled. The cooperating teacher will be assigned by the subject matter intended to be pursued by the student.

Level: 10, 11, 12
Semesters: 1
Prerequisites: None
Credit: 1/2

It is essential for a democracy to have well-informed citizens. This class will raise awareness for the laws that protect and restrict you. An emphasis will be placed on analyzing real world issues and court cases as they relate to our rights as citizens. Students will examine landmark Supreme Court decisions as well as criminal cases. The class will rely heavily on class discussion and insight. Specific topics include court procedures, rules of evidence, search and seizure, jurisdiction, and rights of the accused.

Level: 10, 11, 12
Semesters: 1
Prerequisites: None
Credit: 1/2

This course may be offered in a blended format.

This class will study both the tragic and fascinating recurring theme in human history: armed conflict. Students will explore the development of warfare on land, sea, and air. From ancient warfare to the modern day, students will learn to think critically about war as it has occurred across time and continents. Throughout the course, students will analyze major concepts such as weapon technology, strategies, and political implications as they pertain to various time periods and conflicts. Emphasis will be placed on the socio-economic impact of military progress and the moral questions raised by armed conflict. This class will encompass reading and writing to a great degree and make extensive use of maps and primary documents. Additionally, a local veteran project will enable students to develop research skills as they explore, create, and present their work on a Sycamore High School graduate from the Freedom is not Free Wall.
 

Level: 11, 12
Semesters: 1
Prerequisites: Must have completed World Cultures
Credit: 1/2

This course will serve as an overview of the major fields within psychology with an emphasis on developing an understanding of psychology as the science of human thought and behavior. While psychology is most often associated with clinical issues (e.g. personalities disorders), this makes up only a small portion of the field. Other specialties within psychology include, to name just a few, physiological, social, organizational, and developmental psychology. Units of study will include theory, the bio-psychological basis of behavior (study of the brain), lifespan development, and psychiatric illnesses and disorders. Students will also critically examine “common sense” knowledge about how people function.

Level: 11, 12
Semesters: 1
Prerequisites: None
Credit: 1/2

Sociology is an elective course that studies human society and social behavior. Positive human relationships are a crucial part of a civilized society, and how we interact with each other is important so that we can find answers to questions and solve problems in our world. The way that we view the world comes from what we learn in our everyday activities. This course deals with the social surroundings that help to make us who we are and how we behave and interact with others. Sociology will cover topics such as culture, social relations, social inequalities, violence, deviance, social control, socialization and personality, group behavior, social class, and social institutions. The key component of this course is to study ourselves and the society that influences our behavior.
 

Level: 11
Semesters: 2
Prerequisites: None
Credit: 1

This class may be offered in a blended format.

US History is the study of the development of social, economic, and political institutions in the United States and includes the relationship of this country to other parts of the world during the 20th century. General themes and concepts are stressed with an added emphasis on analysis, that is, the methods used by historians in interpreting the past.

Level: 11
Semesters: 2
Prerequisites: None
Credit: 1

This class may be offered in a blended format.

US History is the study of the development of social, economic, and political institutions in the United States and includes the relationship of this country to other parts of the world during the 20th century. General themes and concepts are stressed with an added emphasis on analysis, the methods used by historians in interpreting the past. Student projects and local history will be incorporated with each unit of study.

Level: 9 (or 10 with teachers recommendation)
Semesters: 2
Prerequisites: None
Credit: 1

World Cultures is a required one year long course that can be taken during a student’s freshman or sophomore year. This class is a people-centered study involving an in-depth look at the world’s major cultures. The study of each of these cultures will focus upon historical and present-day culture and geography, family life and structure, social organizations, attitude on education, religious beliefs and institutions, economic life, political trends, and the intellectual and artistic accomplishments of men and women within the culture. The study of each of the cultures will be supplemented by the development of reading, writing, research, geography, critical thinking, study skills/note-taking, technology use, and presentation skills.
 

Level: 10, 11, 12
Semesters: 2
Prerequisites: None
Credit: 1

World History is the thematic study of historical interactions. The course's main purpose is to show how the development of history relates to mankind's development and present trends and influences. Also studied are current international events in relation to background history studied for the purpose of broadening students' worldviews. The class begins by studying the ancient civilizations and goes all the way to present day. It is recommended that students take a full year of this core class.