Ethnic Studies Course Offerings

The 10th Grade ELA Embedded Ethnic Studies course will satisfy A-G requirements by focusing on the achievement of CA Common Core ELA standards while exploring histories, cultures, struggles, and contributions of African American, Chicana/o and Latina/o, Indigenous People of the Americas and Asian American, Pacific Islander and other marginalized groups or peoples by weaving in the key themes of: (1) identity, (2) history and movement, (3) systems of power, and (4) social movement and equity throughout the instructional units.  Through exploring how language works to effectively communicate ideas, and reading and analyzing a broad range of nonfiction and fiction texts, students will be exposed to a multitude of histories, perspectives, and cultures with the goal of students being able to build critical analytical and intercultural communication skills; learn the value and strength in diversity; develop an understanding of historical racial and ethnic identities in the United States; and engage in civic action to bring positive change to our local community.

The U.S. History Ethnic Studies embedded course is aligned with the 11th-grade California History-Social Science content standards and framework. This class will satisfy A-G requirements by focusing on a rigorous college preparatory course, where students examine the major turning points and multiple perspectives in U.S. History using ethnic studies as a historical lens. Highlighting the founding principles of the United States, juxtaposed with the lived experiences of racial, ethnic, minority, and cultural groups to move towards the natural rights for all as stated in the founding documents. This course will include the histories, culture, and communities, and experiences of Indigenous People of the Americas, African Americans, Chicanos(as)/Latinos(as), Asian/Pacific Islander Americans, and other marginalized groups or peoples. The purpose of this course is to promote equity, social justice, unity, cultural and national awareness, and self-empowerment. 

The yearlong interdisciplinary course investigates the struggles and achievements confronted by communities of color and other marginalized groups throughout history. The purpose is to identify and understand why social inequalities in the U.S. persist and how these inequalities are distributed across racial, gender, and socioeconomic lines. This course will focus on the histories, culture, and communities, and experiences of Indigenous People of the Americas, African Americans, Chicanos(as)/Latinos(as), Asian/Pacific Islander Americans and other marginalized peoples or groups. This course is intended to help build inter-ethnic understanding and socio-cultural bridges in an increasingly multicultural and multiethnic nation.