Social Studies Electives

This survey of Chicano culture and its Native American/Mexican roots studies the major developments in history, politics, literature, art, music, language, and folklore of Mexico and the west/southwest, encompassing the pre-Columbian period to present day. Special emphasis is placed on events, contributions and concepts that have forged the Chicano culture. This course will prepare students for college-preparatory coursework in high school to meet college entrance requirements.

Note: New instructional materials coming in Fall 2022.

Ethnic Studies is the interdisciplinary study that centers Asian American, Black/African American, and Chicanx/Latinx, and Native American peoples who have experienced, survived, and resisted hegemonic systems and structures of oppression. Students in this course will study race through the intersections of social identities such as ethnicity, culture, gender, sexuality, ability, language, immigrant status, and class. They will analyze indigeneity, aspects of (de)colonization, white supremacy, oppression and privilege, and work towards empowering themselves as anti-racist leaders who engage in social justice activism. Dialogue drives the learning and supports the belief that each person has important knowledge, experiences, and voices to share. Students will have the opportunity to cultivate intersectional solidarity with groups of people, locally and (trans)nationally, to foster active social engagement, radical healing, and critical hope.

The Advanced Placement European History course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement exam in European History. In addition to chronological coverage of European history, emphasis is given to conceptual and interpretive understanding. Students are expected to develop a breadth of historical knowledge about European history from 1450 to the present. In addition, students will develop the ability to express what they have learned through the textbook, bibliographical assignments, and extensive essay writing.

This course is both an historical survey of the African diaspora in America as well as a cultural analysis of the nature of the African experience in the United States. In HAA 1, the historical observation extends from the ancient African past to World War Two; with special emphasis on contributions, institutions, trends, movements, problems and advancements relevant to the African American community. Particular attention is given to the community: its historical development and its effect on shifting values and conditions upon behavior in family, religion, employment, housing, education and politics; and, it begins to make connections to the current problems of survival and growth. In HAA 2, the historical observation extends from the Civil Rights Movement to the present; with special emphasis on contributions, institutions, trends, movements, problems and advancements relevant to the African American community. Particular attention is given to the community: its historical development and its effect on shifting values and conditions upon behavior in family, religion, employment, housing, education and politics; and, it explores the current problems of survival and growth.

Note: This course has no primary text, but uses a number of supplementary texts. See the Ethnic Studies website for details.

The purpose of the AP course in Human Geography is to introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth's surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice.

This course is designed to expose the student to the American legal system through an interdisciplinary historical, philosophical, and sociological approach, employing outside speakers, group discussions, group interaction, trial simulations, and films.

The AP Psychology course introduces students to the systematic study of human behavior and mental processes. While considering the psychologists and studies that have shaped the field, students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts, and phenomena associated with such topics as the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatment of abnormal behavior,and social psychology. Throughout the course, students employ psychological research methods, including ethical considerations, as they use the scientific method, analyze bias, evaluate claims and evidence, and effectively communicate ideas.

This one semester course will examine race, class, and gender issues in the U.S. Students will trace the historical roots of racism, prejudice, classism, sexism, and homophobia. Through debate and discussion, students will understand how history has led to a hierarchy of race, class, and gender in the U.S. Also, students will examine how different races are portrayed in mass media. Students will analyze news programming, literature, music, television, and film. This course will prepare students for college-preparatory coursework in high school to meet college entrance requirements.