Social Science

 

Social Science Essential Learner Outcomes

  • Students will understand how human needs are satisfied based on cultural differences (economics, values, religion, life styles, race).

  • Students will understand comparative political systems and the effect these systems have on the global, national, state, and local levels.

  • Students will understand comparative economic systems and the effect these systems have on the global, national, state, and local levels.

  • Students will understand the relevance of past events.

  • Students will understand significant social institutions as exhibited by historical trends, personalities, movements, and technological innovations.

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42421-42422 World History/Geography Fundamentals (Year; 1 unit)

Prerequisite:  None

The student will receive a survey of significant cultural and historical events occurring in world history.  In addition, the course will develop a sound foundation in world geography, including political and global awareness.  Geographic literacy is a necessary skill in this rapidly changing and expanding world community.  Geographic skills include map-work, location of cities, major rivers, capitals, and countries.  This course is for students with below average reading ability.   This class is treated as a basic level course for GPA calculations.
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42427-42428 World History Fundamentals - Bloomington Academy (Year; 1 unit)

Prerequisite: Membership in the Bloomington Academy

This course is offered for those students who have been identified and admitted to this program.  Please refer to the Bloomington Academy for a complete description of this course.



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41431-41432 World History (Year; 1 unit)

Prerequisite: None

This course is intended to acquaint students with the major periods of the history of western civilization and the non-western world.  From the Renaissance through the rise of nation states, from the Napoleonic Era through the Industrial Revolution, from World Wars I and II to the present day, the students will have the opportunity to explore and/or investigate many fascinating people, places, and events.



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43421-43422 American History Fundamentals (Year; 1 unit)

Prerequisite:  World History or World History/Geography; sophomores may take this course with the approval of their World History teacher.

Units to be studied will include A New World and A New Nation, Growth and Change, Nationalism and the Civil War, The U.S. as an Industrial Nation, Crisis and Reform, American Involvement (1880-1939) and The United States Into the 1990's. The course places emphasis upon reading and the chronological discipline of history. This course is for students with below average reading ability.   This class is treated as a basic level course for GPA calculations.



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43427-43428 American History Fundamentals - Bloomington Academy (Year; 1 unit)

Prerequisite: World History - BA; membership in Bloomington Academy

This course is offered for those students who have been identified and admitted to this program. Please refer to the Bloomington Academy section for a complete description of this course.



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43411-43412 American History (Year; 1 unit)

Prerequisite:  World History; sophomores may take this course with the approval of their World History teacher

This course will be a basic comprehensive and chronological discipline of twentieth century American history.  The standard units may include:  the Progressive Movement, U.S. Imperialism and World War I, the Roaring Twenties, The Great Depression and the New Deal, World War II and the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam Era and the downfall of American society, the Carter and Ford years, and the Conservatism of the Reagan Era.



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43491-43492 AP American History  (Year; 1 unit)

Prerequisite: World History; concurrent enrollment in either Sophomore or Junior Honors Literature/Composition; Junior standing recommended

The units of study are chronologically arranged and extend from Colonial America and Puritanism to the present.  Students will become familiar with divergent viewpoints concerning critical historical issues through an evaluation of a wide range of documents.  In the analysis and exploration of these important issues, an emphasis is placed upon the development of interpretive and critical thinking and writing skills.  Course requirements include class discussion following extensive reading and writing assignments.  This course follows the College Board Advanced Placement Syllabus and students are strongly encouraged to take the national College Board exam in May.  Please see the section at the beginning of this guide concerning AP exams.



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44420 American Government Fundamentals (Semester; 1/2 unit)

Prerequisite: American History or American History Fundamentals; Junior or Senior standing

This course will deal with the background, operation, and organization of the national, state, and local governments.  A study will also be made of state and national constitutions, emphasizing the role of citizens and the duties and responsibilities that go along with that role.  This course is for students with below average reading ability.   This class is treated as a basic level course for GPA calculations.
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44427 American Government Fundamentals - Bloomington Academy (Semester; 1/2 unit)

Prerequisite: American History - BA; membership in the Bloomington Academy

This course is offered for those students who have been identified and admitted to this program.  Please refer to the Bloomington Academy section for a complete description of this course.



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44410 American Government (Semester; 1/2 unit)

Prerequisite: American History; Junior or Senior Standing

This course will deal with the background, organization and operation of the central government of the United States.  Democracy and dictatorships will be compared.  Students will study state and national constitutions and how these impact on their daily lives.



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44415 AP American Government (Semester; 1/2 unit)

Prerequisite:  Junior or Senior Standing

This course will generally parallel the basic concepts covered in “American Government.”

These include the constitutional theories forming the basis of the United States government;

political beliefs and behaviors; political parties, interest groups, and the mass media; the Congress, presidency, bureaucracy, and Federal courts; public policy; and civil rights and civil liberties.  In addition, this course will provide the student with an analytical perspective on government and politics that will involve printed material, the internet, and state and  local government resources. This course will follow the College Board Advanced Placement syllabus requiring students to complete a variety of reading and writing assignments.  Students are strongly encouraged to take the national AP U.S. Government and Politics exam in May.  Please see the section at the beginning of this guide concerning AP exams.

 

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44430 African-American Studies in History (Semester; 1/2 unit)

Prerequisite:  Junior or Senior standing; Sophomores with teacher recommendation

This course acquaints students with the history, literature, art and music of Africa, the West Indies, South America and the United States.  Emphasis is placed on providing information about social, economic and political problems that confront African-Americans in the United States today.



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44440 Multicultural Studies (Semester; 1/2 unit)

Prerequisite:  Junior or Senior standing; Sophomores with teacher recommendation

This course will focus on the contributions and perspectives of African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, Native Americans, and other cultures.  Emphasis will be on the impact these individuals have on current conditions and policies that are critical to students’ understanding and appreciation of the diverse cultures that play a significant role in the United States.



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44450 Economics (Semester; 1/2 unit)

Prerequisite: American History or American History Fundamentals; Junior or Senior Standing

Economics is the study of what a country makes and uses, of how business firms are organized, and how prices of goods and services are determined.  Economics also deals with money, income, how the supply of money affects prices, and what causes the nation's  income to rise and fall.  Insurance, taxation and unions will also be covered.  This course meets the state consumer education requirement.


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81880 Consumer Economics (Semester; 1/2 unit)

Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

This course is designed to enhance the student's consumer decision-making skills as he prepares to enter college or the world of work.  Practical topics such as planning a budget, maintaining a checking account, buying a car, buying insurance, using credit, renting an apartment, buying groceries, and paying taxes will be discussed.  Students will learn to utilize consumer information to evaluate products and services available to them in the marketplace.  This course meets the Illinois State Consumer Education requirement, as well as receives ˝ Social Science credit.

 

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44460 Sociology (Semester; 1/2 unit)

Prerequisite:  Senior standing

This course includes an introduction to the field of sociology with an emphasis placed on human relationships, crime, drugs, alcohol, prejudice, social stratification and sex mores.  Course work will be complemented by a field trip to a correctional center, guest speakers, surveys, role-playing and class discussion.



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44470 Psychology (Semester; 1/2 unit)

Prerequisite:  World History and American History

This course introduces students to the science of psychology.  It includes systematic and comprehensive coverage of basic concepts and principles, terminology, important trends in psychology research, and application of this research.  Emphasis is placed on principles of sensation, perception, maturation, learning, motivation, emotion, and the physiological basis of behavior.

 

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44481-44482 AP Psychology

Prerequisite:  World History, American History, and American Government

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice. The aim of AP Psychology is to provide the students with a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in an introductory college psychology course.  This course will follow the College Board Advance Placement syllabus requiring students to complete a variety of reading and writing assignments. The rigorous course syllabus and college level text both suggest that students who enroll should be highly motivated and intellectually curious.   Please see the section at the beginning of this guide concerning AP exams.


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Last Updated on September 07, 2007

Bloomington High School, Bloomington, Illinois  61701