Social Sciences

Grade: 10
Credit: 10 units
UC/CSU/NCAA Approved

World History is a two-semester course that traces the major historical events of the world from the Renaissance to the present. This comprehensive study of our global environment will investigate social, cultural, economic, and political systems as they existed and affected the course of world history. Special emphasis is placed on the development of geography, research, and other basic study skills. Role-plays, simulations, historical videos, and cooperative learning techniques will be integrated into the daily classroom routine.

Grade: 10
Credit: 10 units
UC/CSU/NCAA Approved

AP World History is a two-semester course that traces the major historical events of the world from the Renaissance to the present. This comprehensive study of our global environment will investigate social, cultural, economic, and political systems as they existed and affected the course of world history. The AP World History course will place a special emphasis on critical reading and writing skills with an introduction to Document Based Questions. Additionally, the refinement of geography, research, and other basic study skills will be included.  This course will prepare students for the AP US History course in 11^th grade in terms of essay writing, study skills, and critical analysis. Role-plays, simulations, debates, interactive projects, Google Suites,  historical videos, and cooperative learning techniques will be integrated into the daily classroom routine.

Prerequisites:  Students should have: 1) a B or better in all English courses; 2) minimum overall GPA of 3.75 or better; and 3) recommendations from their teachers. Teacher recommendations will be obtained by the department chair.

Grades: 11
Credit: 10 units
UC/CSU/NCAA Approved

United States History is a topical approach to the study of this country's past. Attentive to the California Framework for Social Science, this course begins with a review of U.S. history before the Civil War in the first quarter, while the emphasis for the rest of the year focuses on the 19th and 20th centuries. This course examines the major turning points in American history through a multicultural perspective of the various social, political and economic factors, as well as individual personalities that influenced the course of our history.

Grade: 11
Credit: 10 units
UC/CSU/NCAA Approved

AP United States History concentrates on factual knowledge, analysis, and interpretation of primary and secondary sources, and the development of an informed opinion through the use of the persuasive essay. With an emphasis on critical reasoning, the students research American history and gain proficiency in advanced testing skills as they prepare for the AP exam in the spring.
Prerequisites: Students should have: 1) B or better in all English courses; 2) A- or better in both semesters of World History; 3) minimum overall GPA of 3.75 or better; and 4) recommendations from their teachers. Teacher recommendations will be obtained by the department chair.

Grade: 12
Credit: 10 units
UC/CSU/NCAA Approved

The U.S. Government course is designed to bridge the gap between the basic concepts of American government and the daily events that redefine the United States' political structure. The general structure of the U.S. Constitution will be outlined and reviewed with a special focus on citizen rights and responsibilities. Students will also study current events to examine how U.S. political institutions weather the challenges of the 21st century.

Grade: 12
Credit: 5 units
UC/CSU/NCAA Approved

The U.S. Government Honors course will examine the basic theories of government: the Constitution and the organization, powers, and principal processes of the congress, presidency, bureaucracy, media, and the federal courts as they function in the political system. Current event discussions will focus on an up-to-date examination of our American political institutions. U.S. Government Honors will move at an accelerated pace and focus on the development of persuasive essay writing skills, as well as the application of research skills in two projects during the course of the semester.
Prerequisites: Students should have: 1) B or better in United States History or B- or better in AP United States History; 2) a minimum overall GPA of 3.75 or better; and 3) recommendations from their teachers. Teacher recommendations will be obtained by the department chair.

Grades: 12
Credit: 5 units
UC/CSU/NCAA Approved

The Economics course is designed to deepen the student's understanding of the economic problems and institutions of the nation and the world. This course will focus on the practical application of economic theory to personal economic choices, as well as broader economic policy. Economics will focus on an introduction to basic microeconomics, macroeconomics, and international economic concepts.

Grade: 12
Credit: 5 units
UC/CSU/NCAA Approved

Economics Honors focuses on basic economic theory through an exploration of microeconomic, macroeconomic and international economic concepts. Honors Economics will move at an accelerated pace with more in-depth analysis of economic theory and policy directives.
Prerequisites: Students should have: 1) B or better in US History or B- or better in AP US History; 2) a minimum overall GPA of 3.75 or better; and 3) recommendations from their teachers. Teacher recommendations will be obtained by the department chair.

Grade: 12
Credit: 10 units
UC/CSU/NCAA Approved

The Psychology course introduces students to psychology with a focus on the scientific study of human development, learning, motivation, and personality. Students develop basic concepts of psychology and a historical perspective on psychology as the study of individual behavior. Students will have opportunities to explore implications for everyday life of a scientific perspective on human behavior. The student will also develop an awareness of career opportunities in psychology.

Grade:  12
Credit: 5 units
UC/CSU/NCAA Approved

This Ethnic Studies course is designed to develop an understanding of how race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual identity, and culture have shaped and continue to shape individuals and society in the United States. The course prepares students to participate in concurrent or subsequent social studies and literature courses with a solid understanding of historical trends and historical thinking. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge to achieve an understanding of and an appreciation for the various cultures in their community. The focus is around the experiences of African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos/as, and other racialized peoples in the United States. Students will be engaged in both intellectually and emotionally rigorous content constructed around issues of ethnicity, identity, service, and social justice. Students will research and examine how 20th Century events reveal power, privilege, ethnocentricity, systemic oppression, and cultural hegemony that influence their individual experiences into the 21st Century.