SOCIAL
SCIENCESSOCIAL
SCIENCESThe Illinois Learning Standards for Social Science were developed
using the 1985 Illinois State Goals for Social Science, the National
Standards for World History, the National Standards for United
States History, the National Geography Standards, the National
Standards for Civics and Government, other various state and national
work, and local standards contributed by team members.
The integrated study of the social sciences and humanities promotes
civic competence. Within the school program social science provides
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. The study of social science helps 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 individual disciplines that comprise social science are often
taught independently, yet all of these disciplines recognize that
they owe much to the others. Students who achieve the standards
for social science will have a broad understanding of political
and economic systems. They will better understand events, trends,
personalities and movements in local, state, national and world
history. They will know local, state, national and world geography.
They also will grasp how the concepts of social science can help
interpret human actions and prepare them for careers and lifelong
learning.
APPLICATIONS OF LEARNING
Through Applications of Learning, students demonstrate and deepen
their understanding of basic knowledge and skills. These applied
learning skills cross academic disciplines and reinforce the important
learning of the disciplines. The ability to use these skills will
greatly influence students' success in school, in the workplace
and in the community.
SOLVING PROBLEMS
Recognize and investigate problems; formulate and propose solutions
supported by reason and evidence. In social science, solving problems
helps students to recognize that individual decisions and actions
have consequences-and these consequences affect the way people,
groups and nations associate with each other. Students of social
science are asked to analyze information from a variety of sources
and to solve problems through a rational process based on goals
and criteria.
COMMUNICATING
Express and interpret information and ideas. To gather a range
of opinions and determine the best course of action, students
must interpret information. To study and draw conclusions about
social science issues, students need to read and interpret textual
and visual information, be able to listen carefully to others,
and be able to organize and explain their own ideas using various
media.
USING TECHNOLOGY
Use appropriate instruments, electronic equipment, computers and
networks to access information, process ideas and communicate
results. Technology today provides a channel through which students
can gather knowledge of the past, search information about today
and make hypotheses regarding the future. This technology includes
databases, computer programs, on-line services and interactive
telecommunications. It allows students to gather and process data
from a variety of sources, from archives in the Library of Congress
to historical art works from around the world. Students can share
ideas and information not only with their classmates, but with
a "virtual classroom" of students from across the world-social
science in action.
WORKING ON TEAMS
Learn and contribute productively as individuals and as members
of groups. Social science is about people's interactions. Study
in this field encourages students to listen carefully to the views
of all members of a group and to represent their own points of
view appropriately and effectively. The group benefits from the
individual knowledge and skills of its members. Each individual-like
each part of social science itself-holds an important relationship
to the whole.
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Recognize and apply connections of important information and ideas
within and among learning areas.
Social science is a highly integrated set of disciplines. Understanding
economics requires knowing mathematics; understanding geography
requires knowledge of earth science. Students must grasp that
the connections between the parts of social science-and their
relations to other academic areas-are the key to better understanding
how people interact. Students in social science must know data
collection and analysis, library and field research, debate, discussion
and decision making-all of which are key elements to successful
careers.
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.
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL STUDIES
SSC100
Length of course: 1 semester
Credit: 1/2 unit
This course is to give students a basic understanding of their rights and responsibilities as U.S. citizens. This class will cover Democracy-Constitution, Bill of Rights, Citizenship in the Family, School, Community and Law, American Economy, U.S. Foreign policy, United Nations, Cold War, Improving life of all Americans, and the Global Environment.
CURRENT EVENTS
SSC120
Length of course: 1 semester
Credit: 1/2 unit
This course is designed to acquaint students with current events in the news. Media coverage will be explored through student exposure to magazines, newspapers, radio, and television. More specifically the course will use the Newsweek Education Program.
WORLD HISTORY
SSC200
Length of course: 2 semesters
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: Completion of freshman year
This course covers The Mesopotamian Civilization, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Roman Empire, Byzantine and Russian civilizations, Islam, Medieval Times, Renaissance, Reformation, Enlightenment, French Revolution, Nationalism in Italy and Germany, World War I and World War II.
U.S. HISTORY
SSC300
Length of course: 2 semesters
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: Completion of Freshman year
This course covers Colonial America, American Revolution, Jefferson and Jackson America, War of 1812, Westward Expansion, War with Mexico, Lincoln, Civil War and Reconstruction, Gilded Age, Government Reforms, Roosevelt, Spanish American War, World War I, Great Depression and World War II.
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
SSC410
Length of course: 1 semester
Credit:1/2 unit
Prerequisite: Completion of sophomore year
This course covers the Foundations of American Governments, Citizenship and Civil Liberties, Protecting Basic Freedoms, Political Parties, Elections and Mass Media, Legislative, Executive and Judicial Branches of Government, Taxes, Foreign Policy and National Defense. There are four required tests that must be passed to complete the course. They are the U.S. Constitution, Illinois Constitution, Bill of Rights, and U.S. Flag.
CURRENT AMERICAN HISTORY
SSC400
Length of course: 1 semester
Credit: 1/2 unit
Prerequisite: American History
This course focuses on the History of the United States from 1945 to the present, emphasizing foreign and domestic forces that have shaped our nation.
SOCIOLOGY
SSC320
Length of course: 1 semester
Credit: 1/2 unit
Prerequisite: Completion of sophomore year
This course gives students a comprehensive-in-depth coverage of all major areas in society today. Students examine many issues such as Roles and Relationships, Aging, Dying, Teen Suicide and other teenage problems, Racism and Discrimination, and many other areas. Each student expresses their own viewpoints and discuss the differences they have with their peers.
PSYCHOLOGY
SSC330
Length of course: 1 semester
Credit: 1/2 unit
Prerequisite: Completion of Sophomore year
Psychology is an introductory course for anyone interested in the study of the mind and individual human behavior. It basically involves the history of psychology and the various fields of study, such as human development, biological psychology, stress and conflict, sensory and perception, and disturbance and breakdown. If possible, guest speakers and occasional field trips will be incorporated into the agenda.
SERVICE AND CITIZENSHIP
SSC130
Length of course: 2 semesters
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: Interested students must write a paper, explaining
what they feel is the importance of the service and citizenship
class . It should also include their intended goals for the class
and the projects they would like to participate in to meet these
goals. Students will be required to work outside school hours.
The course is designed to give students the opportunity to provide service to their school and community. Service projects will vary from year to year.