Social Science

Course Title: Civics (P)

Course Number: 5212

Grade Level: 12

Elective/Required: Required

Length/Credits: One Semester / 5 credits

Course Description:

Course content develops a deeper understanding of the institutions of American government. The course of study includes comparison of systems of government in the world today and analysis of changing interpretations of the United States 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. These standards represent the culmination of civic literacy as students prepare to vote, participate in community activities, and assume the responsibilities of citizenship.

Course Title: Economics (P)

Course Number: 5228

Grade Level: 12

Elective/Required: Required

Length/Credits: One Semester / 5 credits

Course Description:

Economics is a one-semester course designed to help students become responsible citizens and effective decision makers as they are exposed to economic issues at the personal, local, national and international levels. The course will focus on economic principles and concepts with emphasis on practical application as it relates to the consumer. The course is divided into four basic economic units: The course is divided into four basic economic units:

1. Fundamental economic concepts and comparative economic systems

2. The principles of microeconomics

3. The principles of macroeconomics

4. International economic concepts

Course Title: AP United States Government and Politics (P)

Course Number: 5217

Grade Level: 12

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: One Semester / 5 credits

Course Description:

An effectively designed AP course in U.S. Government and Politics provides an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific case studies. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. political reality. While there is no single approach that an AP United States Government and Politics course must follow, certain topics are generally covered in college courses.

Course Title: United States History & Geography (P)

Course Number: 5112/5113

Grade Level: 11

Elective/Required: Required

Length/Credits: One Year / 10 credits

Course Description:

The course of study includes the major turning points in American history in the 20th century. Following a review of the nation’s beginnings and the impact of the Enlightenment on U.S. democratic ideals, including the social and cultural effects, the course traces the changes in the ethnic composition of American society; the movement toward equal rights for racial minorities and women; and the role of the United States as a major world power. An emphasis is placed on the expanding role of the federal government and federal courts, as well as, the continuing tension between the individual and the state. Students consider the major social problems of our time and trace their causes in historical events. They learn that the United States has served as a model for other nations and that the rights and freedoms we enjoy are not accidents, but the results of a defined set of political principles that are not always basic to citizens of other countries. The course visits those rights, under the U.S. Constitution, that comprise a precious inheritance dependent upon an educated citizenry for their preservation and protection.

Course Title: AP United States History (P)

Course Number: 5116/5117

Grade Level: 11

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: One Year / 10 credits

Course Description:

The course structure, content and assessment are determined by the College Board and do not necessarily reflect or comply with the California Framework. The course offers a traditional chronologically-based survey of American History from the Colonial period to the present for students capable of and intending to pursue college-level work. Emphasis is on critical writing, analysis, discussion, interpretation and historiography, as well as mastery of historical facts. No one period of US History is stressed over any other.

Course Title: World History: The Modern World (P),

Course Number: 5012/2013 (5016/5017)

Grade Level: 10

Elective/Required: Required

Length/Credits: One Year / 10 credits

Course Description:

Students study major turning points that shaped the modern world, from the beginnings of Democracy to the present. They trace the rise of democratic ideas and develop an understanding of the historical roots of current world issues as they pertain to international relations. Students study the cause and effects of international events including the Industrial Revolution, Imperialism and the two world wars. Students also develop an understanding of current world issues and relate them to their historical, geographic, political, economic, and cultural contexts.

Course Title: AP European History

Course Number: 5031/5032

Grade Level: 10

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: One Year/10 credits

Course Description:

The objective of the course is to increase students’ understanding and appreciation of European history while helping each student succeed on the AP European History Exam. The course is divided into two semesters: (1) the Later Middle Ages through the French Revolution, and (2) the Industrial Revolution to the present. Areas of concentration include historical, political, and economic history coupled with an intense study of cultural and intellectual institutions and their development. These areas are studied from a variety of perspectives to ensure a presentation of a balanced view of history. Instruction includes analysis, synthesis and evaluation of both primary and secondary historical sources as well as comprehension, memorization and application of facts and details to provide context to the broad themes covered.

Course Title: History in Film

Course Number: 5331/5332

Grade Level: 11 - 12

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: One Year/10 credits

Course Description:

History in Film requires students to take a less passive approach to viewing films with historical themes as they analyze the accuracy and effectiveness of those films. The overall effect on the audience’s perception of facts will be examined in films with both world and American history themes. Students will develop and practice research techniques to help them accomplish this analysis, and a rigorous writing component will provide the main method for demonstrating their conclusions.

Course Title: AP Human Geography

Course Number: 5328/5329

Grade Level: 9 - 12

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: One Year/10 credits

Course Description:

Human Geography is the study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of the Earth’s surface. In this course we will examine human social structure and organization and its environmental consequences. The course is structured according to the course description found in the most recent Human Geography Course Description published by the College Board. There are seven units of study. At the beginning of each unit, students receive one or more study guides that indicate the primary topic or activities for each week, the reading assignments, and other information about the unit.

Course Title: AP Psychology

Course Number: 5312/5313

Grade Level: 11th and 12th

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: Year/10 credits

Course Description:

The purpose of the Advanced Placement course in Psychology is to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental process of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields of psychology. They also learn about the methods psychologists use in the practice of their science.The aim of the course is to provide the student with a rigorous learning experience, equivalent to most college introductory psychology courses.Students completing this course will also be prepared to take the AP Psychology exam in May.

Course Title: Ethnic Studies (P)

Course Number: 5029/5030

Grade Level: 9-12

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: Year/10 credits

Course Description:

This course is designed to educate students of race, ethnicity, nationality, and culture in American society. Students will study the history, achievements, contributions, and struggles of diverse ethnic groups in America, specifically, but not limited to, Native-Americans, African-Americans, Latino/Mexican- Americans, Asian-Americans, Middle-Eastern, and European populations. Students will became aware of their personal connections to history as the course spans from past to present. This includes politics, and social reform, allowing students to identify social patterns and universal qualities present in all ethnic/cultural aspects of society, including their own. By studying the histories of race, ethnicity, nationality, and culture, students will develop respect and empathy for individuals and groups of people locally, nationally, and globally to build self-awareness and foster social engagement.