Curriculum Detail

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Social Studies

The social studies department is committed to fulfilling the philosophy and mission of Immaculate Heart High School, including the goal that our students graduate prepared to excel in college. A carefully planned and rich program is offered, encompassing world history, cultures, and geography, United States history, United States government and politics, economics, psychology and United States foreign policy. Students are challenged to develop a broad and thoughtful perspective of our complex world. By reasoning from facts to reach their own conclusions, they develop the skills necessary to be critical thinkers. To demonstrate their thinking, students practice clear and thoughtful expression, in speech and in writing. Ultimately, the department is committed to helping students sharpen their abilities to make wise choices and communicate effectively as they prepare to actively participate in civic life.

Students are required to take 40 credits of social studies, which must include World Civilizations I and II, United States History, Economics, and U.S. Government. Students may qualify for honors and Advanced Placement classes by department recommendation.

Click here to learn about our Social Studies Department faculty members!

  • AP Government and Politics United States

    This one-semester college-level course examines the structure and political systems of the U.S. government. Areas of focus include constitutional underpinnings, government institutions, political beliefs and behaviors, political parties, interest groups, policy-making, civil liberties, and civil rights. This course prepares students to take a rigorous Advanced Placement exam in the spring. 

  • AP Modern World History

    This challenging year-long course is designed to be the equivalent of a freshman college modern world history survey course. Students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of basic chronology and of major world events and trends from approximately 1200 to the present. In addition to providing a historical narrative of events and movements, the goals of the Advanced Placement Program in Modern World History are to develop an understanding of the principal themes in modern world history, an ability to analyze historical evidence and an ability to analyze and express historical understanding in writing. While studying modern world history from a global perspective, students will examine political, social, religious, intellectual, cultural and economic trends that have influenced the development of the modern world. The course prepares students to take the rigorous Advanced Placement examination in the spring.

  • AP United States History

    This full-year college-level course is designed to conform with the general standards of the Advanced Placement program in United States History. Emphasis is placed upon critical analysis in both thought and writing. Students emerge with an understanding of fundamental political, economic, philosophical, religious, literary and cultural attitudes and events, which shaped United States history. The course prepares students to take a rigorous Advanced Placement examination in the spring. Note: Students should be aware that additional class meetings may be scheduled after school to provide time to meet the demands of this college-level course.

  • Economics A

    This one-semester survey course focuses on basic macroeconomic and microeconomic principles. Throughout, students will be challenged to develop their ability to make reasoned judgments about major economic questions facing individuals and society. The importance of developing personal financial responsibility will also be highlighted. 

  • Economics B

    This one-semester survey course focuses on basic macroeconomic and microeconomic principles. Throughout, students will be challenged to develop their ability to make reasoned judgments about major economic questions facing individuals and society. The importance of developing personal financial responsibility will also be highlighted. 

  • H World Civilizations I

    This course will follow the same curriculum, scope and sequence as World Civilizations I; however, the material will be covered in greater depth with additional reading and writing expected, including greater emphasis on primary source documents. 

  • Introduction to Psychology

    Students will investigate the social science of psychology through the study of experiments while delving into the different aspects of psychology. Emphasis will be placed on the various domains of psychology, allowing students to gain an understanding of psychology as a whole and how it pertains to modern society. Students will be asked to develop their higher levels of critical thinking by analyzing themselves and their situations with the knowledge learned. Students will be challenged in preparation for Psychology at the college level.

  • Introduction to Psychology

    Students will investigate the social science of psychology through the study of experiments while delving into the different aspects of psychology. Emphasis will be placed on the various domains of psychology, allowing students to gain an understanding of psychology as a whole and how it pertains to modern society. Students will be asked to develop their higher levels of critical thinking by analyzing themselves and their situations with the knowledge learned. Students will be challenged in preparation for Psychology at the college level.

  • The Supreme Court

    Through this one-semester course, the students will deepen their understanding of the United States Supreme Court, guardian of our most basic freedoms. Together, students will closely examine the Court’s immense power to say what the Constitution means and how it applies to each of us. Through the study of cases and controversies, students will investigate the Court’s authority, its basic functions, and its influences on some of the hot-button issues of our time. A number of questions will be considered: Who serves on the Court? How do the justices choose which cases to hear? What long-lasting imprints have the justices left on school prayer, discrimination, flag-burning, abortion, gun control and other personal - often controversial - areas of our lives? Throughout the semester, the class will consider the human faces behind the landmark cases that affect us all. Highlights will include moot court activities, Socratic seminars, Court-related expert guest speakers, and an on-going, open exchange of compelling ideas. 

  • U.S. Government

    In this semester long-course, students will deepen their understanding of the structure of our government and the processes of the American political system. Emphasis will be placed on our constitutional underpinnings, the workings of our institutions, the processes of developing national policies, the role of politics, and civil rights and civil liberties. Students will practice thinking critically and communicating clearly as they prepare to become responsible participants in society. 

  • U.S. History

    This course provides a comprehensive survey of the history of the United States. The class examines the social, political, and economic issues that contributed to the development of modern U.S. history and its continued life. Emphasis is placed on reading and writing skills. 

  • World Civilizations I

    This yearlong course is designed to introduce students to the major themes that recur across world civilizations. Students will explore important historical and current events in the various regions and civilizations at a given time In addition, students will investigate issues from multiple perspectives and make global connections and linkages that lead to an in-depth understanding of geography, cultural diffusion, migrations, multi-regional empires, belief systems, trade, and conflict. A strong emphasis is placed on critical reading, writing, and study skills. 

  • World Civilizations II

    In this course students will study the development of modern world civilizations, emphasizing political, economic and social movements, and their impact on individuals, communities, nations and the world as a whole. Students will continue to investigate issues from multiple perspectives and make global connections and linkages that lead to an in-depth understanding of world history. Stressing geography, research and the use of primary sources, the course will highlight the giant leaps forward civilizations have made while acknowledging the grave steps backwards. Students come to understand the hardship and sacrifice that come with change and progress. The goals of this course are to further develop students’ ability to apply and analyze historical evidence and then express this historical understanding in their writing. 

Contact

5515 Franklin Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90028

hello@immaculateheart.org
Phone: 323-461-3651

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A Catholic, independent college preparatory school for girls in grades 6 through 12, Immaculate Heart has been located on a beautiful hillside property in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles since our founding by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1906. We celebrate more than a century of nurturing the spiritual, intellectual, social and moral development of students as they distinguish themselves as women of great heart and right conscience.