Social Science

Welcome!

Welcome to Social Science!

On this page, you will find a list of courses offered, downloadable resources, staff contact information and promotional videos.

Kevin Vesper

Fine Arts and Social Science Director

Email: kvesper@jsmorton.org

Mission

The mission of the J. Sterling Morton District 201, Social Science department, is to ensure our students can use reading, writing, and critical thinking skills to understand historical, economic, and societal trends, to become active citizens in a participatory democracy.

Vision

The Faculty of Social Sciences empower students with the tools for our students to become life-long learners, problem solvers, and productive members of society.

Courses

Social Science Core Courses

Click each course to view its description.

Chicago History

Course Description

This course examines the evolution of Chicago by focusing on major themes in American urban history. More broadly, the course attempts to answer questions the help explain why Chicago and its entire social and economic community looks the way it does today. Why does Chicago look the way it does? What is distinctive about the social and physical environments of Chicago? How have different cultures and ethnicities help make Chicago what it is today? Where do our students fit in our urban environment? Students will be able to explain Chicago's history and how it relates to their culture and identity through critical thinking, analyzing, and communication skills. This course fulfills 1 semester of course credit of Social Science. Constitution and the role it plays in the day-to-day lives of Americans.

CREDIT: 0.5

TYPE: Core
GRADE: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: None
OFFERED: One semester course

Civics & Economics

Course Description

Students will examine the basic principles and foundations of American Government. A heavy emphasis of study will be on the Constitution and the role it plays in the day-to-day lives of American citizens. Students will learn about their basic rights and how to protect them. Students will also gain an understanding of the importance of becoming active citizens in their communities and in understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the American system of government compared to that of other nations. Students will understand the government's role in our economy. Students will participate in a legislative simulation and complete a service learning project. Students graduating in 2020 and after will need to successfully complete this course as a requirement for graduation.

CREDIT: 0.5

TYPE: Core
GRADE: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: None
OFFERED: One semester course

History of American Pop Culture

Course Description

During this semester-long course, students will learn the role popular culture has in reflecting key events in American history and shaping America's diverse culture and identity. Students will examine various types of popular culture such as music, film, literature, visual arts, fads and trends and evaluate how they serve as a mirror to historical events and trends through the decades since 1950. Students will also evaluate how popular culture reflects American values, challenges social norms and brings various groups of Americans together as one.

CREDIT: 0.5

TYPE: Core
GRADE: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: None
OFFERED: One semester course

Latin American History

Course Description

Students will investigate the history of Latin America, the geography of that region, the cultures of that region (both Native American and the hybrid cultures which emerged after European settlement). and the relationship of this region to the rest of the world. During the first semester, material from Pre-Columbian times to the year 1900 will be covered. The second semester will cover Latin America during the 20th Century.

CREDIT: 0.5

TYPE: Core
GRADE: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: None
OFFERED: One semester course

Sociology

Course Description

Students study the social interactions and how they influence behaviors in society. Individuals will respond to group situation and solve everyday problems. Throughout the course students will examine topics such as culture, socialization, institutions, social stratification classes, deviance, and race relations. Theories regarding each topic will be discussed, explored, and applied to their daily lives.

CREDIT: 0.5

TYPE: Core
GRADE: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: None
OFFERED: One semester course

World History

Course Description

Students trace the development of civilization from the Classical Period to the Modern Age and increase their awareness of man's role in creating the different societies. Students will be introduced to primary and secondary source analysis and Document Based Questions, Focus is on developing reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.

CREDIT: 1.0

TYPE: Core
GRADE: 9
PREREQUISITE: None
OFFERED: One year course

United States History

Course Description

Students will review, analyze and interpret various forces and values which have shaped and still influence behavior and events in the United States from the Colonial era to modern times. Students will be introduced to the use of primary and secondary source analysis and Document Based Questions. Focus is on developing reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.

CREDIT: 1.0

TYPE: Core
GRADE: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: None
OFFERED: One year course

World History: Biliteracy for All

Course Description

This course is for students who want to develop their history skills and their Spanish language skills. This course is for students who have speaking skills in Spanish. Most of the topics will be covered in Spanish. Students will take their assessments with a bilingual exam. Students trace the development of civilization from the Classical Period to the Modern Age and increase their awareness of man's role in creating the different societies. Students will be introduced to primary and secondary source analysis and Document Based Questions, Focus is on developing reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.

CREDIT: 1.0

TYPE: Core
GRADE: 9
PREREQUISITE: None
OFFERED: One year course

United States History: Biliteracy for All

Course Description

This course is for students who want to develop their history skills and their Spanish language skills. This course is for students who have speaking skills in Spanish. Most of the topics will be covered in Spanish. Students will take their assessments with a bilingual exam. Students will review, analyze and interpret various forces and values which have shaped and still influence behavior and events in the United States from the Colonial era to modern times. Students will be introduced to the use of primary and secondary source analysis and Document Based Questions. Focus is on developing reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.

CREDIT: 1.0

TYPE: Core
GRADE: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: None
OFFERED: One year course

Social Science Honors Courses

Click each course to view its description.

AP African American Studies

Course Description

CREDIT: 1.0

TYPE: Honors
GRADE: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: None
OFFERED: One year course

AP European History

Course Description

AP European History carries an Honor Point. Highly motivated and successful history students study the history, political, and economic development and influence of European countries. A "C" or better in this course will earn you an honors point, and a 3 or better on the AP exam will earn you a full college credit at any Illinois state college. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement Exam at the end of the year. Summer readings are required.

CREDIT: 1.0

TYPE: Honors
GRADE: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: None
OFFERED: One year course

AP Government & Politics

Course Description

AP American Government and Politics carries an Honor Point and meets a graduation requirement. This is a semester long course that includes simulation of the law- making process. This course is a study of the origins, development, structure, and functions of American national government. Topics include the constitutional framework; federalism; the three branches of government, including the bureaucracy; civil rights and liberties; political participation and behavior; and policy formation. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts and participatory processes of the American political system. Basic concepts of state and local government and their relationships with the federal government are also examined. This course is ideal for the student who likes more active learning that includes group work, class discussions and public speaking. A "C" or better in this course will earn you an honors point, and a 3 or better on the AP exam will earn you a full college credit at any Illinois state college. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement Exam at the end of the year. This course must be taken in conjunction with AP Microeconomics during the same school year.

CREDIT: 0.5

TYPE: Honors
GRADE: 12
PREREQUISITE: None
OFFERED: One semester course

AP Human Geography

Course Description

Following the College Board's suggested curriculum designed to parallel college-level Human Geography courses, AP Human Geography introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped the ways in which humans understand, use, and alter the earth's surface. Students use spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences and also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice. Students are required to take the AP test in May.

CREDIT: 1.0

TYPE: Honors
GRADE: 9-12
PREREQUISITE: None
OFFERED: One year course

AP Microeconomics

Course Description

The Honors section carries an Honor Point. The purpose of AP Microeconomics is to give students a thorough understanding of principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the larger economic system. Students learn why individuals, businesses, governments, and societies must make choices to get more of the goods and services they want. Topics include: supply and demand, market-clearing prices, starting your own business, the role of the federal government in the economy, consumerism, and personal investment strategies. Students are required to take the AP exam in May. This course must be taken in conjunction with AP Government and Politics during the same school year.

CREDIT: 0.5

TYPE: Honors
GRADE: 12
PREREQUISITE: None
OFFERED: One semester course

AP Psychology

AP United States History

Course Description

AP United States History carries an Honor Point. The focus of this course is to look deeply investigate the forces have molded this country into the most powerful economic and military nation the world has ever known. Students will explore the basic foundations of the country, the struggles people have fought to win and maintain their rights, and the role the US has played in world affairs. A "C" or better in this course will earn you an honors point, and a 3 or better on the AP exam will earn you a full college credit at any Illinois state college. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement Exam at the end of the year. Summer readings are required.

CREDIT: 1.0

TYPE: Honors
GRADE: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: None
OFFERED: One year course

AP World History

Course Description

The AP section carries an Honor Point AP World History is a college level course offered to 9th grade students who have shown the academic preparedness to be successful in a rigorous history course. APWH is designed to help students develop greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts and interactions between different types of human societies. This understanding is advanced through a combination of selective factual knowledge and appropriate analytical skills. The chronological time frame is from 8000 BCE to the present.

CREDIT: 1.0

TYPE: Honors
GRADE: 9-12
PREREQUISITE: None
OFFERED: One year course