BHS Course Catalog
Social StudiesFreshman Sophomore Junior Senior Electives Psychology (1 term B614) |
Cultural Studies (2 terms, 1 credit)
Prerequisite: None
Level: Fr Required
Fee: None
This class serves as an introduction to the social sciences. Students engage in an in-depth study of the many elements of culture, with an emphasis placed upon practical, real-life applications of culture. Students focus their study on current local, state, national, and global events/issues in select regions of the developed and developing world, including Batavia and Illinois. By doing so, students determine the significance of culture in their lives, as well as in the lives of others around the globe, while employing the social sciences of geography, government, history, economics, and sociology. This course allows students to develop and employ historical thinking skills by studying such units of study as comparing the causes and effects of genocide in, but not limited to, Armenia, Ukraine, Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, and Sudan. In addition, the course further develops college, career & civic life standards through inquiry learning.
AP Human Geography (2 terms, 1 credit)
Prerequisite: by approved placement
Level: Fr
Fee: None
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. Students learn to employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications. On successful completion of the course, students should have developed skills that enable them to: Interpret maps and analyze geospatial data, understand and explain the implications of associations and networks among phenomena in places, define regions and evaluate the regionalization process and characterize and analyze changing interconnections among places. AP Human Geography is intended to help prepare students to successfully take the Advanced Placement History Exam, which may possibly earn them college credit.
World History (2 terms, 1 credit)
Prerequisite: Cultural Studies
Level: Soph Required
Fee: None
This course will examine the history of western civilization from prehistoric times to World War II and the Holocaust. Units of study will involve topics such as ancient civilizations, classical civilizations of Greece and Rome, the European Middle Ages, Renaissance and Reformation, Age of Exploration, Age of Absolutism and Revolution, imperialism, World War I, the causes of World War II, World War II and the Holocaust. This course challenges students to develop further and employ historical thinking skills. In addition, the course further develops and enhances college, career & civic life standards through inquiry learning. Students will draw connections of course topics to current events.
AP European History (2 terms, 1 credit)
Prerequisite: Cultural Studies or AP Human Geography
Level: Soph
Fee: None
The study of European history since 1450 introduces students to cultural, economic, political, and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live. Without this knowledge, we would lack the context for understanding the development of contemporary institutions, the role of continuity and change in present-day society and politics, and the evolution of current forms of artistic expression and intellectual discourse. In addition to providing a basic narrative of events and movements, the goals of AP European History are to develop (a) an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European history, (b) an ability to analyze historical evidence and historical interpretation, and (c) an ability to express historical understanding in writing. AP European History is intended to help prepare students to successfully take the Advanced Placement European History Exam, which may possibly earn college credit.
American History (2 terms, 1 credit)
Prerequisite: World History or AP European History
Level: Jr Required
Fee: None
By examining the history of the United States from pre-colonial times to the present, with an emphasis on 20th-century history, this course challenges students to enhance and employ historical thinking skills by studying such units of study as, but not limited to, the history of the African slave trade, slavery in America and the vestiges of slavery in the United States as well as the history of women in America from past to present In addition, the course further develops college, career & civic life standards through inquiry learning. Students will draw connections of course topics to current events.
AP US History (2 terms, 1 credit)
Prerequisite: World History or AP European History and placement of Division Coordinator
Level: Jr
Fee: None
The AP U.S. History course is designed to provide students with the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in U.S. history. The program prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those made by full-year introductory college courses. Students should learn to assess historical materials—their relevance to a given interpretive problem, reliability, and importance—and to weigh the evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship. An AP U.S. History course should thus develop the skills necessary to arrive at conclusions on the basis of an informed judgment and to present reasons and evidence clearly and persuasively in essay format. AP United States History is intended to help prepare students to successfully take the Advanced Placement History Exam which may possibly earn college credit.
American Government (1 term, .5 credit)
Prerequisite: American or AP US History
Level: Sr Required
Fee: None
This course fulfills the State’s Constitution requirement. The course covers the basics of democracy, the working principles of our constitution, and the functions of the three branches of government. The course will provide information to allow the student to become an informed citizen capable of participation in our government.
AP American Government (2 terms, 1 credit)
Prerequisite: American or AP US History
Level: Sr Elective (Meets Government requirement)
Fee: None
AP United States Government and Politics will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. government and politics and the analysis of specific examples. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. government and politics. AP United States Government and Politics is intended to help prepare students to successfully take the Advanced Placement Exam which may possibly earn college credit. Strong reading and comprehension skills are needed for success in this course.
Social Studies Electives
Psychology (1 term, .5 credit)
Prerequisite: World History or AP European History
Level: Jr, Sr Elective
Fee: None
This course will cover the basic principles, major theories, and significant people in psychology. Topics will range from the biological basis of behavior and how we learn, to development and abnormal behavior. Psychology is the study of what causes the behavior of the individual. Students taking this course should be average or above-average readers. This course is highly recommended for any student intending to go to college.
AP Psychology Dual Credit (2 terms, 1 elective credit +3 credit hours at WCC)
Prerequisite: World History or AP European History
Level: Jr, Sr Elective
Fee: A $24 fee will be assessed should the student elect to pursue dual credit
The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. This introductory college-level course is rigorous and designed for students willing to be academically challenged with demanding material and concepts. Students will be prepared and encouraged to take the AP exam in May, which can potentially earn college credit. Students enrolled in this class may be eligible to receive both high school and college credit. This course is the equivalent of PSY 100 at Waubonsee Community College. Students and parents should confer with their potential college choices about the transferability of this course.
College American History (Dual Credit) (2 terms, 1 elective credit, 6 WCC credit hours)
Prerequisite: Completion of American History
Level: Senior Elective
Fee: A $48 fee will be assessed should the student elect to pursue dual credit
This examination of history reviews the major historical developments from the experiences of indigenous peoples, the colonial regimes and nation-building, the Civil War, Reconstruction and Western conquest, the rise of industrial capitalism, and American ascendance as a global power, the Cold War, and concludes with contemporary American society. This course employs social and cultural history, as well as the more traditional political and economic approaches. Students who successfully complete this course will be eligible to earn both high school and college credit. This course is the equivalent of HIS 121 & 122 at Waubonsee Community College. Students and parents should confer with their potential college choices about the transferability of this course.
Contemporary Issues in American Society (1 term, .5 elective credit)
Prerequisite: World History or AP European History
Level: Jr, Sr Elective
Fee: None
This course will engage students in the study of Contemporary Issues in American Society from Abortion to Gun violence, Foreign Policy to Health Care. Each issue will be addressed with the United States Constitution as the foundation for understanding the issue’s complexity. Students will take an objective approach first by analyzing their own biases, then by examining the Ethos, Pathos, and Logos of each crisis. Students of the course will collectively choose 5 of the 7 units and their own Major Research topic that culminates with a 10-page, source-heavy paper that ultimately predicts the course of the problem. The final assessment includes a group student-run lesson that demonstrates what they have learned about their respective issues.
Sociology (1 term, .5 credit)
Prerequisite: World History or AP European History
Level: Jr, Sr Elective
Fee: None
This course will introduce students to the basic concepts, principles, and theories of sociology. Topics will include such items as norms, gender, stereotypes, and social class. Sociology is the study of how people behave in groups. Students taking this course should be average or above-average readers.
Economics (1 term, .5 credit)
Prerequisite: World History or AP European History
Level: Jr, Sr Elective (fulfills consumer ed graduation requirement.)
Fee: None
This course will introduce the student to the basic principles of economics. A macroeconomic approach will be taken. Issues such as supply and demand will be covered. This course fulfills consumer education graduation requirements.
Political Science (1 term, .5 elective credit)
Prerequisite: World History or AP European History
Level: Jr, Sr Elective
Fee: None
This course will cover essential questions related to the history, philosophy, and contemporary applications of government. The basic questions of political organization and society will be addressed. Topics will include such items as: What is political science, and why it is important to study? What does it mean to be a good citizen? How does government best meet the needs of the people? What role should religion play in politics? What makes a law just? Are men equal? What is the nature of man? What is the ideal political system? The course will emphasize the enhancement of reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. Students taking this class should be average or above-average readers. This class is highly recommended for students planning on studying political science or law in college.
