Social Sciences

Social sciences courses are designed to foster each student's developing understanding of the physical features, social systems, events, trends, individuals and movements that shape the history of this country and the world.  The course work facilitates a working knowledge of problem solving, communication skills, use of technology to retrieve information, build teamwork, and integrate information to form clear concepts and make meaningful connections. Furthermore, the course work promotes students to recognize and analyze cause and effect relationships, as well as relationships between people, time and space.  Successful completion of the social studies program at Josephinum Academy is preparatory toward success at the university level. The course work prepares students for their future roles as participating citizens, empowered women, and lifelong learners who make a positive difference in their community and beyond.  

World History                                                                                     
Grade 9 

This class will cover topics from across the world and throughout time. During our nearly 600 year journey from around the year 1400 to the present, we will study compelling historical topics such as the Ancient Mayans, the British & Japanese Empires, the World Wars and the Cold War. Throughout the course, students will learn to critically study how geography affects human society, develop persuasive communication skills and be able to analyze how events of the past are connected to the present day. While this is a history class first and foremost, geography, psychology and political science will play crucial roles in our learning. Our overarching goal for the class is to answer the question: “why is the world the way it is? And how can we use this knowledge to make a better future?”

US History                                                                               
Grade 10 

This course offers an engaging journey through the intricate tapestry of American history, exploring the diverse threads that have woven together to create the nation we know today. From the early settlements of European colonists to the modern complexities of a global superpower, students will delve into the pivotal events, key figures, and underlying forces that have shaped the American experience with a focus on the founders and the Constitution. Throughout the semester, students will critically analyze primary sources, historical texts, and multimedia resources to gain a deeper understanding of the social, political, economic, and cultural dynamics that have influenced the course of American history. 

International Studies
Grade 11

In this course students will study major current events happening around the world and explore how the international community both cooperates and clashes with each other. By the end of this course, students will have a strong grasp of how the United Nations functions, what the causes of major current events are and develop a better understanding of our place within the broader world.

Philosophy of Happiness 
Grades 11, 12

This class will be reading one academic text The Happiness Hypothesis. The purpose of this course is to study the ideas of Johnathon Haidt and to discuss, analyze, and form opinions about those ideas. Through this analysis students will be able to understand the factors that contribute to happiness and how happiness is seen, felt, and understood in a variety of contexts. This is a class for students who are interested in psychology and philosophy and the connection between those areas of study.

Chicago Past & Present 
Grade 11, 12

 

This course is a comprehensive celebration of everything that makes Chicago the city it is. In the fall semester we will explore major historical events in and around Chicago beginning in the 1600s and continuing to the present day. Students can expect a high level of college preparatory academic rigor in the course; which will feature long readings in college level books, extensive lecturing and essay question exams.
In the spring semester, we will also explore the vibrant contemporary cultures of the city’s various immigrant groups and explore some of the issues Chicago is struggling with today such as gun violence and gentrification. Students can expect more independent research projects and interdisciplinary analysis of arts and literature.

This course will also include numerous field trips to museums and significant historical and cultural sites throughout Chicago all year long but primarily in the spring semester.

AP Psychology                                                                             
Grade 11, 12 
Prerequisites: Teacher Recommendation is required for enrollment in AP Psychology. 

 

The Advanced Placement (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 will be exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each major subfield of psychology. They will also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice.

The AP Psychology course will offer students the opportunities to learn about the explorations and discoveries made by psychologists over the past century. Students will get the chance to assess some of the differing approaches adopted by psychologists including: biological, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, psychodynamic, and sociocultural perspectives. Additionally, students will learn the basic skills of psychology research and develop critical thinking skills. The AP Psychology course aims to provide students with a learning experience equivalent to that of most college introductory psychology courses.  

Testing Requirement: All students enrolled in AP courses are required to take the AP exam in May of the academic year. Students and families are responsible for the AP exam fees.