Social Sciences - World Studies

March 18, 2009

Welcome, Class of 2013! The members of the Walter Payton College Prep Social Studies Department look forward to engaging you in a curriculum that will foster your curiosity of local, national, and global issues, encourage your intellectual growth, and develop the skills necessary to successfully navigate high school and beyond.

As a freshman, Honors World Studies will serve as the introduction to the Social Studies curriculum. This course invites students to take a global view of historical processes and contacts between people in different societies in early world history (8000 B.C.E.-1450 C.E.). Students will learn about the institutions and values of these societies, and then use their content knowledge to hone their analytical skills. To this end, students will examine both primary and secondary sources in order to draw their own conclusions about the past, practice historical writing, and participate in class debates, simulations, and historical role-playing.

Beyond the freshman World Studies curriculum, the Social Studies Department offers some unique courses and opportunities for students. Students can choose from a diverse selection of Advanced Placement courses, including AP United States History, AP World History, AP European History, AP Government and Politics, AP Psychology and AP Art History. Through the school’s Distance Learning Lab, we participate in shared classroom experiences with students from around the world and go on virtual visits to archaeological sites and museums.

Social Studies teachers are committed to nurturing leaders inside the classroom, as well as outside the classroom. We coach baseball, bowling, softball, and tennis teams. We sponsor clubs and events that enhance the high school experience. Each year Payton students participate in the Chicago Metro History Fair, Close-Up, Debate, Politically Connected in conjunction with the Mikva Challenge, Model United Nations, and Amnesty International.

Social Science Highlights:

This year, the Payton Debate team received an invitation to the nationally prestigious 2009 Tournament of Champions in Louisville, KY.
The Model UN team competed with students from around the globe and received national recognition for its successes in simulations in the Midwest. In 2008 their outstanding work attracted the attention of the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, who visited Payton.
Politically Connected along with the Mikva Challenge provide hands-on political experience in local and national campaigns. Students have had the opportunities to participate in the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Presidential Inaugurations (2000,2004, and 2008), the New Hampshire Primary (2004) as well as traveled to “Swing States” 2008 Presidential Election.

Course Offerings and Sequence:

Grade 9

Honors World Studies

Grade 10

Honors Modern World History

Advanced Placement World History

Grade 11

Honors United States History

Advanced Placement US History

Electives

Advanced Placement Comparative Government

Advanced Placement European History

Advanced Placement Art History

Advanced Placement Psychology

Honors African-American History

Honors Contemporary American History

Honors History of Europe

Honors Psychology

20th Century Global Conflicts

We welcome you and look forward to our journey together at Walter Payton College Prep!

Sincerely,

Luis Menacho, Social Studies Department Chair

This year, the Payton Debate team received an invitation to the nationally prestigious 2009 Tournament of Champions in Louisville, KY.
The Model UN team competed with students from around the globe and received national recognition for its successes in simulations in the Midwest. In 2008 their outstanding work attracted the attention of the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, who visited Payton.
Politically Connected along with the Mikva Challenge provide hands-on political experience in local and national campaigns. Students have had the opportunities to participate in the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Presidential Inaugurations (2000,2004, and 2008), the New Hampshire Primary (2004) as well as traveled to “Swing States” 2008 Presidential Election.