SOCIAL STUDIES

 

SS12023 World History

This course is a “thematic” approach to studying our world, including the beginning of  civilizations through the building of the modern world. Students will examine the births of the world’s major faiths in historical contexts. Additional topics will include economic, political, and social revolutions.

Semesters:  2

 

SS13013 World History Honors

Placement: Honors placement is made by the departments and is based on teacher recommendation, placement scores, counselor recommendation and prior grades

This high-weighted course is designed for students of average or above average ability, these courses integrate writing skills, reading and analytical thinking skills.

Semesters:  2

SS32073 U.S. History

This course surveys the history of our country; it traces American history from post-Civil War through today focusing on the development and implications of nationalism, sectionalism, democracy, industrialism and foreign affairs. Teachers use a variety of approaches to help students understand concepts and topics in U.S. history and reading, writing, and thinking skills are practiced as students prepare to become intelligent decision makers in 21st century United States.

Semesters: 2

 

SS32073AS U.S. History - American Studies

This double-period American Studies course uses U.S. History as a framework for a one year chronological study of political, cultural and military events.  Such topics as drama, poetry, music, art, novels and intellectual history are integrated.  The wide variety of class activities is limited only by the creativity of students who enroll; cooperative strategies are frequently used in class.  Students who choose this option will receive credit for both United States history and English.

Semesters: 2 (2 periods per day)

 

SS34083 AP United States History

This high-weighted course is a survey of the American past from the time of European discovery and settlement of the continent to the present.  Students are required to draw upon analytical and interpretive skills to deal with the factual knowledge and problems of United States history.  Students will develop critical thinking skills to assess a variety of historical materials, including both primary and secondary sources, and weigh their relevance, reliability and their importance—all goals of historical scholarship. Class discussions and independent library research are integral activities in each unit, and formal written essays will be used in conjunction with tests to evaluate student progress during the year. A satisfactory score on the AP test could result in students receiving college credit and/or advanced placement in college.

Semesters:  2

 

SS35113 The World of Psychology

All of us have wondered at times what makes people tick.  How do we develop and mature?  How do we cope with stress in our lives?  What forms our personality? The methods and theories of psychology will be explored with plenty of opportunities for discussion.  The course is especially beneficial for those who are either interested in a career in psychology or are simply interested in gaining a better understanding of of their own behavior, and the behavior of others.

Semesters: 2

 

SS55135 Sociology

Why do we behave like human beings? Learn why American society works the way it does and gain some insight into why one acts the way they do.  We will take in in-depth look at American society while exploring the various concepts of sociology while blending in some concepts from social psychology.  The main topic areas of the course are human development, deviance, minorities and prejudice, group behavior and influence, social institutions, social and cultural change and moral development.

Semester: 1

 

SS42145 Economics

This course studies the basic principles of macro and micro economics -- to understand our current economic situation as well as the components of a market economy.  It is a study of the American economic system - the role of government and the system of taxation, as well as its role in the global economy.  The course is highly recommended for college bound students to fulfill the economics requirements.                               

Semester: 1

 

SS45175 Sheltered Economics

Prerequisite: Placement in this class is based on recommendations of both the E.S.L. and Guidance departments.

Designed for students with limited English language proficiency, this course includes vocabulary and comprehension development as part of a look at the American economic system. Students in this course will look at the basic principles of economics and their daily application to their lives. Students will explore the role of the consumer, businessman, and government in shaping their economic world.  A key goal of this class is to provide students with the knowledge to make good economic choices in the world in which they live.

Semesters: 1 

 

SS55155 United States Government

What are one’s rights and responsibilities in a democratic society?  How does the American legal and political system work?  Students will learn the basics of the American political system and the process of governmental decision-making at the local, state, and national levels. Areas of study will include the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, campaigns and elections, and the U.S. and Illinois Constitution.

Semester:  1

 

SS32163 Sheltered United States Government

Prerequisite: Placement in this class is based on recommendations of both the E.S.L. and Guidance departments

The purpose of this class is to provide an opportunity for students with limited English language skills to study our American political system while working on the development of comprehension and vocabulary skills. Students will learn the basics of the American government and the process of governmental decision making at the local, state, and national levels.  Areas of study will include the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, campaigns and elections, and the Constitution.  Current events and technology will be used extensively to enhance the learning opportunities.

Semesters: 1

 

SS44123 AP Psychology

This high-weighted course covers all areas of psychology in depth.  Students will learn the major core concepts and theories of psychology; they will learn to define key terms and to use these terms in their everyday vocabulary.  They will also learn the basic skills of psychological research, devise simple research projects, and evaluate the general validity of research reports.  Students will be able to develop critical thinking skills, build their reading, writing and discussion skills, learn about the ethical standards governing the work of psychologists, and to apply psychological concepts to their own lives.  A satisfactory score on the Advanced Placement test could result in students receiving college credit and/or advanced placement in college.

Semesters: 2

 

SS44245 AP Microeconomics

Prerequisite:  Social studies teacher recommendation

In this high-weighted courses, students will be introduced to the principles of economics and their application to decision making, both as consumers and producers.  Topics in microeconomics include:  the market system, supply and demand, the determination of price and output levels, surpluses and shortages, and market structures such as monopoly, oligopoly, and perfect competition.  Students will learn to apply basic economic principles to personal decision-making, as well as to analysis of the economy's operation.   A satisfactory score on the Advanced Placement test could result in students receiving college credit and/or advanced placement in college.

Semesters:  1  (Fall)

 

SS44255 AP Macroeconomics

Prerequisite:  Completion of AP Microeconomics is recommended. Social studies teacher recommendation.

In this high weighted course, students will be introduced to elementary macroeconomic principles and methods of analysis.  Topics in the course include: the national income, the monetary system, inflation, recession, national debt, international trade, and economic growth.  Macroeconomic principles will be used to analyze selected social issues such as taxation, Federal spending, foreign trade, and stabilization policies.  The class will track the performance of the economy as a whole.  A satisfactory score on the Advanced Placement test could result in students receiving college credit and/or advanced placement in college. 

Semesters:  1  (Spring)

 

SS44265 AP United States Government & Politics (1st semester)

Prerequisite: Social Studies teacher recommendation

Students will develop an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States.  This high weighted course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of many examples.  Through this course the student will gain a familiarity with various institutions, groups, beliefs and ideals that constitute U.S. politics.  This course will cover college level topics such as, the U.S. Constitution, American Political Parties, Civil Rights, Individual Liberties and the Development of Foreign and Domestic Policy.  This course prepares the student for the AP examination. A satisfactory score on the Advanced Placement test could result in students receiving college credit and/or advanced placement in college. 

Semesters: 1                                             

 

SS44275 AP Comparative Government & Politics (2nd semester)

Prerequisite: Social Studies teacher recommendation

Students will develop conceptual tools necessary to understand some of the world's diverse political structures and practices.  This high-weighted course will include the study of countries and their governments and general concepts used to interpret the relationships and institutions found in national and global politics.  Six countries will be the emphasis of this course, which provide students a foundation for developing paradigms of different types of political systems.  Study will be focused on topics such as political authority and power, and relationships between states and different political systems. This course prepares the student for the AP examination. A satisfactory score on the Advanced Placement test could result in students receiving college credit and/or advanced placement in college. 

Semesters: 1

 

Additional courses offered at Addison Trail HS:

 

SS12053 Global Studies

In this two-semester course, students will be introduced to the fascinating and complex world community in which they live. The purposes of the class will be to: (1) help students to develop an awareness of the world as a global community and to recognize that decisions and events in any particular place can have consequences for the whole world, and (2) help students develop social science skills that serve them throughout their formal education and enable them to evaluate global issues throughout their lives.

Semesters: 2

 

SS12063 Sheltered Global Studies

In this one semester course, students are introduced to world geography and history and are expected to research and present social science topics.  After taking this class, students will:  (1) have a general concept of global history/geography, and (2) make connections between historical developments in the world and the short and long term effects these developments have on the people of the world. 

Semesters: 1

 

SS32083 Sheltered U.S. History

Prerequisite: Placement in this class is based on recommendations of both the E.S.L. and Guidance departments

Many issues confront American citizens in our complex world.  Sheltered US History focuses on integrating the issues of American history such as cultural, pluralism, imperialism, foreign policy, and bridging the gap of the English language and vocabulary.  This course helps the student to understand the roots of these issues and link the comprehension and understanding of the English language.  A wide variety of activities are used to develop these skills.

Semesters: 2

 

SS55045 Latin American Studies

With the growing attention directed to the Americas through forces such as economics and immigration, students need to be exposed to the rich heritage of the diverse people living south of the Rio Grande.  This course is designed to help students of all nationalities to succeed in the business world as well as day-to-day living in the United States in the 21st century.

Semesters: 1

 

SS42295 Community Leaders

The Community Leaders program is a one-semester, two-period course that is cosponsored by Addison Trail and The Village of Addison. Through this course, students experience the duties and responsibilities of managing all aspects of a community. Students will spend approximately 4 hours a week interning, under the direction of Village personnel, in one of the seven Village Departments on a rotational basis. 

Semesters: 1

 

SS24093 AP European History

This challenging course provides an in-depth study of Western Civilization from the dawn of the Renaissance (1450) to the fall of communism (1989).  In addition to political history, this course will also cover aspects of culture, including philosophy and art.  This  elective course has been designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement exam in European History. A college level textbook will be used for the course, as well as supplementary materials. Students should expect to be assessed through objective tests, document-based essay questions, class discussions, library research, and simulations. A satisfactory score on the Advanced Placement test could result in students receiving college credit and/or advanced placement in college. 

Semesters: 2