History/Social Studies

Descriptions of the courses offered at San Marcos High School are outlined in the following pages. Students should take note of the grade levels at which the course may be taken, prerequisites, and the length of the course (semester or year-long).

Some of the abbreviations commonly used in this section are explained below.

A-G Designation UC/CSU admission requirements (identifies courses that meet the entrance requirements of that school)

AP Advanced Placement (designates classes to prepare students for the Advanced Placement exams, which  may result in a student’s receiving college credit for a course, even though the course was completed in high school

ELD English Language Development (designates English classes for those learning English as a second language).

(P) College preparatory (designates classes accepted by colleges and universities for purposes of meeting their entrance requirements)

(H) Honors (designates honors classes designed to prepare students for Advanced Placement classes)

WORLD HISTORY (P) - 52100

Grade level: 10             

A-G Designation:  A - History/Social Science

Recommended Previous Course of Study: None             

This course focuses on world history, from the Enlightenment to the post-Cold War era. Students will experience essential elements of world history through the study of themes such as revolutions, stereotypes, and power, to enable them to meet the Common Core State Standards. There is significant emphasis on research, close reading of text, argumentative writing, document analysis, and other skills that promote critical thinking. Varying forms of assessment, including essays, Socratic seminars, performance tasks, and short- and long-term projects, are used to guide instruction.

WORLD HISTORY THROUGH FILM (P) - 52101 

Grade level: 10             

A-G Designation:  A - History/Social Science

Recommended Previous Course of Study: None     

In this exciting new course, students will look at how movies influence the way we look at the past and can shape the way we view history. Have fun examining some of the world’s greatest historical moments and the films created to capture those moments. This course will involve viewing scenes from films and documentaries about historical events and issues, using those films as a pathway to understanding the stories we tell ourselves about our own past, and interpreting the purposes behind those stories.  

AP WORLD HISTORY - 52200

Grade level: 10             

A-G Designation:  A - History/Social Science

Recommended Previous Course of Study: None     

AP World History is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester introductory college or university world history course. In AP World History students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in four historical periods from approximately 1200 C.E. to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; making historical comparisons; utilizing reasoning about contextualization, causation, and continuity and change over time; and developing historical arguments. The course provides five themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: interaction between humans and the environment; development and interaction of cultures; state building, expansion, and conflict; creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems; and development and transformation of social structures. The course prepares students to take the AP World History exam and focuses on development of strong argumentative writing skills.

US HISTORY (A/B) (P) - 53100

Grade level: 11             

A-G Designation:  A - History/Social Science

Recommended Previous Course of Study: None     

US History focuses on the United States, historical documents, and history from the beginning of the development of democratic traditions to the present day. Students will experience and examine the developing elements of American society within units that span from the start of European exploration all the way through to our contemporary American society. Instruction is guided by essential themes and questions which serve as a focus for students’ assignments, discussions, and projects. Critical events, literature, and art are placed in geographical and historical context as students gain greater awareness of the political and economic forces that affect their everyday lives. In addition to a focus on US History, writing tasks, projects and assignments align with and focus on Common Core State Standards and prepare students for the statewide assessment they will take in the Spring Semester. Students will take Performance Tasks each semester to help prepare for this exam. Writing, reading, and critical thinking are integral and required components.

US  HISTORY THROUGH FILM(P) - 53101

Grade level: 11             

A-G Designation:  A - History/Social Science

Recommended Previous Course of Study: None     

The SMHS Filmmaking Academy presents the latest addition to our course offerings with Filmmaking Academy: U.S. History 11.  In this exciting new course, students will look at how writings, and movies influence the way we look at our country's past and shape the we view America's history.  You and your peers will learn about some of the most important moments in U. S. history and will break down how these moments have been captured and portrayed in film.  This course will involve viewing scenes from films and documentaries about historical events and issues, using those films as a pathway to understanding the stories we tell ourselves about our own past, and interpreting the purposes behind those stores.  This is a college prep level History course.

AP US HISTORY - 53200 More Info Video

Grade level: 11             

A-G Designation:  A - History/Social Science

Recommended Previous Course of Study: None     

AP U.S. History is designed to be the equivalent of a full year introductory college or university U.S. history survey course. In AP U.S. History students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in nine historical periods from approximately 1491 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical comparisons; and utilizing reasoning about contextualization, causation, and continuity and change over time. The course also provides seven themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: American and national identity; migration and settlement; politics and power; work, exchange, and technology; America in the world; geography and environment; and culture and society.

GOVERNMENT (P) - 54100

Grade level: 12

Course Length: YEAR

Prerequisite: None

UC/CSU

U.S. Government and Economics is a year long course devoted to the study of National, State, and Local government and an introduction to economics. The content of this course will follow the History Social Science Content Standards for grade twelve as set forth by the California Department of Education. This course is A - G approved and is a graduation requirement.  

Students in grade twelve pursue a deeper understanding of the institutions of American government. They compare systems of government in the world today and analyze the evolving interpretations) of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the current state of the legislative, executive and judiciary branches of government. An emphasis is placed on analyzing the relationship among federal, state and local governments, with particular attention paid to important historical documents. These standards represent the culmination of civic literacy as students prepare to vote, participate in community activities, and assume the responsibilities of citizenship.

In addition to studying government in grade twelve, students will also master fundamental economic concepts, applying the tools (graphs, statistics, equations) from other subject areas to the understanding of operations and institutions of economic systems. The basic economic principles of micro and macroeconomics, international economics, comparative economics systems, measurement, and methods will be studied in historical context.

GOVERNMENT THROUGH FILM (P) - 54140

Grade level: 12             

A-G Designation:  A - History/Social Science

Recommended Previous Course of Study: None     

This Government Film course examines the ways in which the major themes and issues in our American government and how they have been expressed in the iconic films from the 20th and 21st centuries. As they build on their knowledge of American history from 11th grade, students will explore the significance of films as primary sources. They will explore the question, “How did popular films inform or influence the country in the 20th and 21st century? By watching, discussing, and writing about American films, students will examine how motion pictures reflect and influence American culture and society and government.  In other words, students will learn how to “read” American films as cultural texts that support a deeper understanding of American history and our Government as a whole.  All coursework is designed around major essential U.S. Government elements  as well as film genres and/or styles, including comedy, Western, world cinema, Film Noir, horror, and musicals. Students will be expected to think critically about Government and film, actively participate in Socratic Seminars, engage in an array of writing assignments, procure assigned films to watch at home, and complete major, multi-faceted film projects.

AP GOVERNMENT - 54200

Grade level: 12             

A-G Designation:  A - History/Social Science

Recommended Previous Course of Study: None     

AP U.S. Government and Politics introduces students to key political ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the political culture of the United States.  Students will become acquainted with a variety of theoretical perspectives and explanations for various behaviors and outcomes in Government and Politics. They will be required to know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U.S. government and politics and to understand typical patterns of political processes, behaviors and their consequences. Students will be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U.S. government and politics (including data presented in charts, tables, and other formats) and to critically analyze relevant theories and concepts, apply them appropriately, and develop their connections across the curriculum. This course prepares students to take the Advanced Placement exam for U.S. Government and Politics.

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY- 01200

Grade level: 9-12             

A-G Designation:  A - History/Social Science

Recommended Previous Course of Study: None

Elective credit only. No Social Studies credit. 

The AP Human Geography course is equivalent to an introductory college-level course in human geography. The course focuses on the distribution, processes, and effects of human populations on Earth at different scales.  Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine population demographics, migration patterns, cultural diffusion, political geography, economic and urban development, and land usage.  They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications.  The curriculum reflects the goals of the National Geography Standards (2012).