Glencoe Social Studies
Finding 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 options
Year
1
2
3
4
Required Route
AP Route
World Studies (1.0) World Studies (1.0)
Electives
AP Human
Geography (1.0
elective)
US History (1.0
required)
Modern America
(2013-14 Only)
People & Politics
(.5)
Economics (.5)
Focus Program
Route
World Studies (1.0)
Elective or AP
Human Geography
(1.0 elective)
AP U.S. History
(1.0, substitutes US
Hist.)
SEAL I (1.0
elective) and
US History (1.0)
AP Government
(1.0, substitutes
P&P and Econ)
SEAL II (1.0,
substitutes P&P &
Econ)
Elective Options
None
AP Human
Geography (1.0)
Sociology (.5)
Psychology (.5)
You and the Law
(.5)
Same as Year 2
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 Options
AP 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 teacher
Other 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 Options
Sociology (.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 Options
Psychology (.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 Options
You 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 Options
Modern 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 Options
AP 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 teacher
Other Considerations:
• Outside of class time commitment of 1 hour per day
• Organizational and time management skills
***This class fulfills credit towards Honors Diploma
Forecasting Options
SEAL 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 teacher
Other 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 Options
Economics (.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 Options
SEAL 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 I
Other 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 Options
AP 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 teacher
Other Considerations:
• Gain college level study skills.
• Opportunity to earn College Credit!
• Organizational and time management skills necessary
***This class fulfills credit towards Honors Diploma