COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Geography A    (CP)
Semester          9-12
Prerequisite:  None
This course concentrates on the physical characteristics of the world.  Geographic skills and specialized vocabulary are developed and emphasized throughout the course.

Geography B    (CP)
Semester          9-12
Prerequisite:  None
This is a human geography class.  The objective of this course is to give students an understanding of the effect geography has on the way the world’s people live and work.  By the end of the course, students will have an understanding of why individual countries have developed economically, socially and culturally due to regional physical geographical conditions.

World History A & B   (CP)
Semester          9-12
Prerequisite:  None
This course is a survey of the political, cultural, social and religious development of western civilization.  Some non-western culture will be included.  “A” is the first semester and covers up to the Renaissance.  “B” continues during the second semester to the present time.

Current Events
Semester          11-12
At the conclusion of this class, students will display a knowledge of the events, people, organizations and innovations that have been major news stories during the semester.  The course is largely Internet-based, but students may use printed materials as well. Students may be required to purchase a weekly news magazine for the duration of the course. This course may be repeated for credit.

Contemporary World History
Semester
Prerequisite:  World History, U.S. History (may take concurrently)
This course will focus on the historical events from 1900-present.  It is designed to give students a more in-depth analysis of the factors in the recent past that have shaped our present.  Areas particularly emphasized will be Russia, China, and the Middle East.

U.S. History     (CP)
Year     11-12
Prerequisite:  None
In the first part of this required course, students study the formation of our nation and problems related to establishing our country, divisive factors leading to the civil war and challenges associate with united a divided nation.  The second part of the course emphasized the national and international developments which brought the U.S. to prominence and the social changes derived from such a growth.

Government      (CP)
Semester          11-12
Prerequisite:  None
In this required course, the student studies our national, state and local government.  Basic principles underlying a democracy are examined with their application to contemporary political life as seen by a Christian.  Passing the U.S. Constitution test and the Illinois Constitution test is required for graduation.

American Problems      (CP)
Semester          11-12
Prerequisite:  None
The college-bound student is strongly encouraged to take this class which deals with the unique problems faced in democratic American.  Current news events, political science, economics, history, and basic psychology are studied to gain an improved perspective on the world and America’s place in it.  Extensive reading and writing is required.

Applied Economics       (CP)
Semester          11-12
Prerequisite:  None
Economics is the study of human efforts to satisfy seemingly unlimited wants with limited resources.  What decisions do men have to make to satisfy these wants?  Included in this course is the study of both micro and macro economic concepts with a heavier emphasis on micro economics concepts used in daily living.

Psychology       (CP)     Honors Credit
Offered alternating years
Semester          11-12
Prerequisite:  None
The student will be introduced to the basics of Psychology, terms utilized, concepts of the psychological approach, the application of psychology upon the consumer, family, institutions, and occupations.  Psychological abnormalities will be noted as will clinical and evaluative procedures used to deal with these abnormalities.

Sociology         (CP)
Offered alternating years
Semester          10-12
Prerequisite:  None
Human beings frequently act together in repeated and predictable ways.  These behavior patterns occur in groups, which are the focus of sociology.  In addition to these sociological perspectives, the course will also examine given social problems of our time.

Independent Social Studies
Semester
Prerequisites:  demonstrated excellence by earning an A in U.S. History and Government (or concurrent enrollment with an A average)
This course is designed to give students a real life exposure to government operations, bureaucracy, and procedures and to provide theoretical basis for government function.

Literature and Related Arts: Guide to the Humanities (ENG 245)           (CP)     Honors Credit
Semester          11-12
Prerequisites:  Upper level literature, history, religions classes recommended
This course is a study of the history of Western Cultural Expression from the Greek era through the 19th century.  There will be a strong emphasis on literature.  Also included will be a study of the movements, personages, and works in the areas of history, music, philosophy, political science, drama, 2-D visual arts, sculpture and architecture.

The course includes a humanities project each quarter, a report on a humanities related activity (visit to a play, symphony performance, art exhibit) each quarter, regular reading homework assignments, quizzes, unit tests, and numerous essays based on various pieces of literature.  This class may be taken for English or Social Studies credit.