SOCIAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
REQUIREMENTS
Students are required to take six semesters of Social Science during their four years at St. Ignatius. The freshman requirement, World History I, is designed to deepen a student’s understanding of major world civilizations from their origins up to the Industrial Revolution (1850s). In sophomore year, students take World History II (one semester course), which begins with the Age of Imperialism (late1800s) and studies major world civilizations and events in the 20th century. In this course a formal research paper defending a thesis is required. Geography, a true world view, study skills, critical thinking, and historical research are emphasized throughout both of these lower division courses. In junior year, all students take either American History or Advanced Placement American History for two semesters; in senior year, students are required to take a single semester of American Government. They may instead choose a single semester or year-long Advanced Placement American Government course.
COURSES
WORLD HISTORY I (Up to 1850) (5100)
- Grade Level - 9
- Length - One Year
- Type of Course - Required for graduation
- Prerequisite - None
- Criteria for Enrollment - None
- Course Description - Survey of the political, geopolitical, economic, intellectual, aesthetic, and religious development throughout the world from the beginning of human history up to the Industrial Revolution (1850). Mastery of basic factual material related to history and geography, as well as ability to analyze, interpret, and communicate that material will be required. The homework commitment is between 30- and 45-minutes, four nights a week.
WORLD HISTORY II (1850 - Present) (5200)
- Grade Level - 10
- Length - One Semester (Fall or Spring)
- Type of Course - Required for graduation
- Prerequisite - Completion of World History I
- Criteria for Enrollment - None
- Course Description - Study of the cultural, political, geopolitical, economic, intellectual, aesthetic and religious factors involved in human development since the Age of Imperialism in the late1800s. Mastery of basic factual material, as well as ability to analyze and interpret that material will be required. Students develop a formal thesis and write a research paper defending that thesis. Students are required to demonstrate knowledge of major geographic features and modern countries. The homework commitment is between 30- and 45-minutes, four nights a week.
AMERICAN HISTORY (5300)
- Grade Level - 11
- Length - One Year
- Type of Course - Required for graduation
- Prerequisite - World History I and II
- Criteria for Enrollment - None
- Course Description - Study of the cultural, political, social, economic, religious, and ideological factors involved in the development of American civilization from its origins to the present. This course is a transition to college level work. Students will use a sophisticated college text, write essays on a regular basis, do group work, research historical events and interpretations, and will be allowed to prepare for the AP exam if they choose to do so.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT AMERICAN HISTORY (5303)
- Grade Level - 11
- Length - One Year
- Type of Course - Fulfills American History graduation requirement
- Prerequisite - World History I and II
- Criteria for Enrollment - Overall GPA of at least 3.20; GPA of at least 3.0 in World History 1 and 2, and approval of the Department Chair. Note: Sophomores enrolled in World History II for the Spring semester will be considered for Advanced Placement American History based on the grades earned in World History I. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement exam in May.
- Course Description - Study of the cultural, political, economic, social, religious and ideological factors involved in the development of American civilization from its origins to the present. This course makes a rapid transition to college-level work. Students will use a sophisticated college text, write document-based essays on a regular basis, do group work, research historical events and interpretations and prepare for the AP exam in mid-May. There will be approximately 4 to 6 hours of homework per week.
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT (5400)
- Grade Level - 12
- Length - One Semester (Fall or Spring)
- Type of Course - Required for graduation
- Prerequisite - World History I and 2, American History
- Criteria for Enrollment - None
- Course Description - A study of the American system of government. The study will include its origins, functions, strengths and weaknesses, and will compare it with other governments in the world.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT AMERICAN GOVERNMENT A (5401)
- Grade Level - 12
- Length - One Year
- Type of Course - Fulfills American Government requirement.
- Prerequisite - World History I and II, American History
- Criteria for Enrollment - Overall GPA of at least 3.20; GPA of at least 3.0 in World History I and II, American History, and approval of instructor. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement exam in May.
- Course Description - The AP course in American government and politics covers the constitutional foundations of American government, the citizenship base of politics, political parties and interest groups, the institutions of the three branches of the national government, the policy-making process, civil rights and civil liberties. This course introduces students to the American political system. Students may earn college credit for this course by passing the AP examination given in mid-May.
AP Government A involves both general concepts used to interpret American politics and analysis of specific case studies. It requires students to become familiar with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute the American political landscape. Dialogues, activities, and simulations are used to enhance the student’s understanding of how our government functions. There will be approximately 3 to 5 hours of homework per week.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT AMERICAN GOVERNMENT B (5403)
- Grade Level - 12
- Length - One Semester
- Type of Course - Fulfills American Government requirement.
- Prerequisite - World History I and II, American History
- Criteria for Enrollment - Overall GPA of at least 3.40; GPA of at least 3.0 in World History I and II, American History, and approval of instructor. Students who are enrolled in the spring semester are required to take the Advanced Placement exam in May. Students who are enrolled in the fall semester are encouraged, but are not required to take the Advanced Placement exam in May.
- Course Description - The AP course in American government and politics covers the constitutional foundations of American government, the citizenship base of politics, political parties and interest groups, the institutions of the three branches of the national government, the policy-making process, civil rights and civil liberties. This course introduces students to the American political system. Students may earn college credit for this course by passing the AP examination given in mid-May.
AP Government B is a college lecture course that surveys the structure, functions, and daily practical problems of American government; it addresses issues facing American citizens and their government. Extensive reading is required. There will be approximately 5 to 7 hours of homework per week.
Social Science Electives
EUROPEAN HISTORY (5410)
- Grade Level - 11, 12
- Length - One Semester
- Type of Course - Elective
- Prerequisite - World History I and II
- Criteria for Enrollment: None
- Course Description - Study of the political, social, economic, intellectual, aesthetic, religious, and geopolitical components of European development since 1300, with emphasis on Ireland, England, France, Germany, and Russia. Familiarity with the basic facts of modern history is presumed; ability to analyze, discuss, and explain historical problems and issues is expected. The course is open to all juniors and seniors who love history. Seniors may gain three units of college credit from the University of San Francisco by completion of this course.
NOTE: Students may choose to receive credit for this course either through SI or USF -- not both. If credit is issued to USF, the course will not be included in the SI GPA.
ECONOMICS (5430)
- Grade level - 11, 12
- Length - One Semester
- Type of Course - Elective
- Prerequisite - World History I and II
- Criteria for Enrollment - None
- Course Description - This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of economic theory and practice. Students develop a working definition of economics, undergo an extensive introduction to supply and demand and laws that relate to supply and demand. They also are exposed to the variety of political systems and their effect on economic theory including socialism, capitalism, and communism. Types of businesses are explained including sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. The pros and cons of each type of organization are discussed. Other important concepts are explored including pricing, gross national product, inflation, taxation, and selected economic indicators.
*INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY (5445)
- Grade Level - 11, 12
- Length - One Semester
- Type of Course - Elective
- Prerequisite - World History I and II
- Criteria for Enrollment - None
- Course Description - This course surveys what is known about human behavior from birth to old age. Students will study subjects such as the biological foundations of human behavior, what is now known about the brain and nervous system, human memory and learning, how to improve our intelligence, and human development through the entire life span. Common concerns of youth, such as addiction, sexuality, family problems, shyness, and the making of friends, are given special emphasis. The course concludes with a survey of personality theory, social psychology (human relationships, group differences, etc.), psychopathology (mental illness), and ways to treat psychopathology (psychotherapy). There will be a major emphasis on subject areas in psychology which are important for the growth and development of young people and for their need for increasingly sophisticated levels of understanding regarding human behavior. Expected workload is between 3 to 4 hours of homework and study per week.
*This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY A (5443)
- Grade Level - 11, 12
- Length - One Year
- Type of Course - Advanced Placement Elective
- Prerequisite - World History I and II
- Criteria for Enrollment - Overall GPA of at least 3.20; Approval of the Department Chair. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement exam in May.
- Course Description - Those who are interested in an advanced placement introductory psychology course of more depth may take this course. Students may earn college credit for this course by passing the AP examination given in mid-May. Students will study subjects such as the biological foundations of human behavior, what is now known about the brain and nervous system, human memory and learning, how to improve our intelligence, and human development through the entire life span. Common concerns of youth, such as addiction, sexuality, family problems, shyness, and the making of friends, are given special emphasis. The course concludes with a survey of personality theory, social psychology (human relationships, group differences, etc.), psychopathology (mental illness), and ways to treat psychopathology (psychotherapy). The class methodology will make generous use of films, group work, demonstrations and experiments, student research, outside speakers, and as much one-to-one contact with the instructor as is possible in this type of class. There will be approximately 3 to 5 hours of homework per week, consisting primarily of taking notes on readings.
*ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY B (5446)
- Grade Level - 11, 12
- Length - One Semester
- Type of Course - Elective
- Prerequisite - World History I and II
- Criteria for Enrollment - Overall GPA of at least 3.40; Approval of the Department Chair. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement exam in May.
- Course Description - This course is designed for those who desire to take an in-depth introductory psychology course for which they may earn advanced placement college credit, but whose interests or schedule allow only one semester for psychology.
This one-semester college level course will consist of a survey of what is presently known about human behavior. Students may earn college credit for this course by passing the AP examination given in mid-May. During this semester students will study how to do research, the role of biology in behavior, human development from genes to old age, human sexuality, relationships, gender, sensation, states of consciousness, learning, memory, thinking, language, intelligence, motivation, emotion, personality, psychological disorders, therapy and change, health, and social behavior. The class methodology will make generous use of demonstrations and experiments, group work, student research, outside speakers, and as much one-to-one contact with the instructor as is possible in this type of class. There will be approximately 4 to 7 hours of homework per week.
*This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.