Glencoe Social StudiesFinding the best path for your success!

Requirements For Graduation

• 3.0 credit of Social Studies• 1.0 of World Studies• 1.0 of United States History content• .5 of Government content• .5 of Economics content

Different Paths to Earning Your Credit• The following options can be mixed and matched; this is just a

sampling of typical optionsYear Required Route AP Route Focus Program

RouteElective Options

1 World Studies (1.0) World Studies (1.0) World Studies (1.0) None2 Electives AP Human

Geography (1.0 elective)

Elective or AP Human Geography

(1.0 elective)

AP Human Geography (1.0)Sociology (.5)

Psychology (.5)You and the Law

(.5)3 US History (1.0

required)Modern America (2013-14 Only)

AP U.S. History (1.0, substitutes US

Hist.)

SEAL I (1.0 elective) and

US History (1.0)

Same as Year 2

4 People & Politics (.5)

Economics (.5)

AP Government (1.0, substitutes P&P and Econ)

SEAL II (1.0, substitutes P&P &

Econ)

Same as Year 2

Sophomore Year• Beginning the 2013-2014 school year, Glencoe Social Studies will be

transitioning to offering United States History (from Reconstruction to present day) all at one grade level.

• This will be a full year course offered at the Junior Level• Sophomores in 2013-2014 are not required to sign up for a Social Studies

Options:• Sophomores in 2013-14 can forecast for a Social Studies elective. There is no

required Social Studies class for the sophomore level.• Electives include:

• AP Human Geography (1.0 credit)• Sociology (.5 credit)• Psychology (.5 credit)• You and the Law (.5 credit)

Forecasting OptionsAP Human Geography (1.0 elective credit, does not substitute a required course)

Course Description:• The purpose of the AP Human Geography course is to introduce students to the

systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. You will examine topics like population patterns, migration, agriculture, urban land use, folk and pop culture and political organization and conflicts.

Recommendations/Prerequisites:• Grades 10, 11 or 12, with emphasis on students new to advanced placement courses• A or B in previous Social Studies course• Recommendation from most recent Social Studies teacherOther Considerations:• 1 hour of out of class work per day• Self-motivated student• Recommend taking an Honors Tutorial if this is your first AP class experience***This course fulfills credit towards Honors Diploma

Forecasting OptionsSociology (.5 elective credit)Course Description:• Sociology means the study of society. It is concerned with groups

and with actions of individuals within groups. Students will study the way sociologists perceive society; the process of becoming a social being; the way society is organized; the nature and structure of social institutions; and the study of race relations and gender roles.

Recommendations/Prerequisites:• Grades 10, 11, 12• Recommended for students who enjoy discussion based classes

and those open to new ideas and opinions

Forecasting OptionsPsychology (.5 elective credit)Course Description:• The emphasis in this course is on the study of human

behavior. Why do we act or behave the way we do? The course explores such topics as learning, memory, personality, emotions, and mental illness.

Recommendations/Prerequisites:• Grades 10, 11, 12• Recommended for students who prefer discussion, group

and project based learning

Forecasting OptionsYou and the Law (.5 elective credit)Course Description:• This course will explore the dimensions of civil and

criminal laws, current legal trends, and constitutional interpretations as they apply to individual rights.

Recommendations/Prerequisites:• Grades 10, 11, 12• Recommended for students who prefer group and project

based learning• Great supplement to the SEAL program

Junior Year• In the 2013-14 school year, all juniors must complete the remaining .5

credit of the US History series through Modern America or AP US History

• Beginning the 2014-2015 school year, all juniors will take a year long, 1.0 credit of United States History

Options:• Modern America (.5 credit)• AP United States History (1.0 credit, replaces American Studies and

Modern America)• SEAL I (1.0 elective credit)• Elective include:

• Sociology• Psychology• You and the Law• AP Human Geography

Forecasting OptionsModern America (.5 required credit)Course Description:• This course will examine the post-World War II history of

the United States in the larger context of world events. Topics will include the Cold War and its after-math, international issues and policies, human rights struggles, and revolutionary movements.

Recommendations/Prerequisites:• American Studies

Forecasting OptionsAP United States History (1.0 credits, replaces American Studies and Modern America requirement)

Course Description:• Advanced Placement United States History is a challenging class designed to be the

equivalent of a freshman college course. This survey of U.S. history covers the period of 1492 to the present, and requires extensive reading and study.

Recommendations/Prerequisites:• Grades 11 or 12• A or B in previous Social Studies classes (preferably has taken AP Human Geography

previous year)• Recommendation from previous Social Studies teacherOther Considerations:• Outside of class time commitment of 1 hour per day• Organizational and time management skills***This class fulfills credit towards Honors Diploma

Forecasting OptionsSEAL I (1.0 elective credit)Course Description:• This program will focus on the social aspects of human resources within our

society. The curriculum will link know-ledge of education, psychology, sociology, law, the family, and the individuals to better understand and serve our various cultures.

Recommendations/Prerequisites:• Grade 11• Recommendation from current Social Studies teacherOther Considerations:• SEAL 1 is a full year course  that is geared toward students who are interested in

a career in the social service field.• Skills learned in this course will help one be successful in the social service field,

such as leadership, communication, and group skills.

Senior Year• All seniors must complete .5 Government credit and .5

Economics credit

Options:• People & Politics (.5 Gov’t) and Economics (.5 Econ)• SEAL II (1.5 credits, replaces P&P and Econ)• AP Government & Politics (1.0 credits, replaces P&P and

Econ)• Electives

• Sociology• Psychology• You and the Law• AP Human Geography

Forecasting Options

People & Politics (.5 required credit)Course Description:• People and Politics focuses on how people are involved

in the American political process. It examines the historical foundations of the United States, how government is organized and how it functions.

Recommendations/Prerequisites:• Grade 12

Forecasting OptionsEconomics (.5 required credit)Course Description:• Study topics such as supply and demand, government

economic policy, investments, how the economy works.• Includes Projects and hands on type activities.Recommendations/’Prerequisites:• Grade 12

Forecasting OptionsSEAL II (1.5 credits, replaces .5 P&P and .5 Econ, also complete .5 senior project credit through this course)Course Description:• SEAL 2 builds upon the foundations of the SEAL 1 program with in-depth analysis of the educational

system and the creation and enforcement of laws. Students will learn about responsibilities in education, law and law enforcement, the basics of local, state, and national government and economics.

Recommendations/Prerequisites;• Grade 12• Grade of C or higher in SEAL IOther Considerations:• YOU WILL DO THE SENIOR PROJECT IN THIS CLASS.  The Senior Project is a required aspect

of the class and is woven into the daily lessons.  If a student is enrolled in this class they will need to be willing to have the outside time commitment to complete the senior project including a 30 hour internship and a 10-15 page research paper.  If the student is also enrolled in another Focus Program they may be required to complete a separate but relate project for that Focus Program as well.

• This class is for a student who is interested in current events and how those events affect their daily lives.

• This student needs to be willing to do work outside of classes that can average 2-3 hours a week if not more.

Forecasting OptionsAP Government & Politics (1.0 credits, replaces .5 P&P and .5 Econ)Course Description:• Study how government works, the nature of politics, Supreme Court cases, and more.• Discussion of current events and news.• Unique atmosphere and class feel:

• Challenging yet Rewarding.• Lots of activity based learning.• Expand your political views!

Recommendations/Prerequisites:• Grade 12• A or B in previous Social Studies class• Approval from previous Social Studies teacherOther Considerations:• Gain college level study skills.• Opportunity to earn College Credit!• Organizational and time management skills necessary***This class fulfills credit towards Honors Diploma