Ms. Lewis

The main objective of this course is to provide students with an introduction to the basic concepts of selected social sciences, and introduce students to the critical thinking, study skills, and problem solving skills used by social scientists in these fields. The course also examines several pressing issues that students will face in the 21st century, including global interdependence and such social problems as drug and alcohol abuse, hunger and homelessness, and pollution of the environment. In addition, students are expected to become literate of world, national, and local issues.

Units in the student text are composed of readings and related experiments. The readings are compact and provide background information on the subject being studied. The experiments build upon the readings and engage the student in projects and activities that reinforce basic skills and knowledge acquired from the readings. This course seeks to offer students a "hands-on" experience that fully engages them in the learning process.

In addition, students will participate in the Illinois Future Problem Solving Bowl. This program stresses cooperation as well as problem solving for the future. Dealing with broad topics such as "Under the Sea" and "Computer Error," teams of four research and hypothesize possible future problems and solutions related to these topics.

When students have completed this course, they should be both knowledgeable about the nature of the social sciences and more skilled in thinking systematically and critically. Most important, they should be ready to become concerned, involved citizens of the 21st century.

The Weekly Syllabus

Text: Bonstingl, John Jay.
Introduction to the Social Sciences.
Newton, Massachusetts: Allyn and Bacon, Inc. 1996
Supplement:Junior Scholastic Magazine e