Department Courses
Department Courses
Embedded Files
The objective of the history–social science curriculum is to set forth, in an organized way, the knowledge and understanding that our students need to function intelligently now and in the future. The Social Science disciplines (history, geography, economics, political science, anthropology, psychology, sociology, and the humanities) span the major dimensions of human experiences, locally and globally. Students will learn the cultural, economic, geographic, historical, political, psychological and social dimensions of our society, along with other cultures and countries. Without the knowledge that these disciplines convey, our students will be buffeted by changes that are beyond their comprehension. But with a firm grounding in history and the related disciplines, students will better understand human behavior and the social dimensions of the world, acquiring skills useful in law, government, diplomacy and many other careers.
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
Course Code: SA550Y
Grade: 9-12
⬜ PHS ⬛ WHS
Course Description: Students in this public service pathway course will identify the nature of the field of criminology, including key terms and concepts. The nature and definition of crime, criminal intent, and explore the basic debate of nature versus nurture in determining causation, will be assessed. Students will then develop a deeper understanding of the competing and overlapping theories that comprise a nuanced approach to causation. These include neoclassical, psychiatric, psychological, social structure, social process and development, and social conflict theories about criminal behavior. Next, students will complete a deeper study of the types of crime that have been defined by criminology, including crime against persons, property, white collar and organized crime, and recreational offenses, including public order and drug crimes. Students will conclude the course with a study of new types of crime, including cybercrime and global terrorism. They will likewise purview crime prevention efforts for the various classes of crime covered, as well as obstacles and assets in each case.
CHICANO STUDIES
Course Code: SA510Y
Grade: 9-12
⬛ PHS ⬛ WHS
Meets Ethnic Studies Graduation Requirement
Course Description: This class is an introductory course, designed for students from grades 10th through 12th. As an elective course under the social sciences/history category, students will examine and appreciate the history and contributions of the Mexican American in the United States. The class will be enriched with works of literature, poetry, storytelling, art, song and cinema. In the process of reading and analyzing scholarly interpretations and firsthand accounts of the Natives perspective we will be asking several questions. They include (but are in no way limited to) the following: How have Native Americans contributed to our society? What historical events led to the Chicano Movement? Are the contributions of Mexicans acknowledged or ignored? What are the achievements of Latinos?
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN AMERICA
Course Code: SA551Y
Grade: 10-12
⬜ PHS ⬛ WHS
Prerequisite: Administration of Justice
Course Description: The course Criminal Justice in America provides students with the necessary real world skills, content knowledge in a standard American Government course, while also allowing them to understand how this knowledge is applied in careers in government services and legal sectors. This course will guide students to understand the principles on which the United States government was founded, the structure of government at the federal, state and local levels, the individual and civil liberties needed to maintain a democratic society, and the way in which order is maintained through law enforcement and the judiciary. The instructional activities will engage students socially and politically so they can think critically about the world around them.
EUROPEAN HISTORY AP
Course Code: SA190Y
Grade: 10
⬛ PHS ⬜ WHS
Prerequisite: Students must be in 10th or 12th grade.
Course Description: The object of the course is to increase students’ understanding and appreciation of European history while helping each student succeed on the AP European History Exam. This course will examine the period of European history from 1350-2017. The course will focus on the social, political, religious, intellectual, technological and economic developments throughout this period of history. For this reason, students need to understand periodization in European history and to relate it to the following themes: Intellectual and Cultural History, Political and Diplomatic History, and Social and Economic History. Within these themes, there are several sub-themes that will be interwoven throughout the year. Students will use the textbook, as well as a variety of primary sources to become more familiar with these themes. Students enrolled in this course are encouraged to take the AP examination in the spring.
FUNCTIONAL SOCIAL SCIENCE
Course Code: SQ750Y
Location of program based on Regional Program location
Program
Special Day Class Severely Handicapped (SH)
Course Description: This course will be taught using resources within the classroom as well as within the community. Accommodations and modifications will be implemented per the student’s IEP. The emphasis will be upon social science instruction that will be beneficial and relevant to life skills instruction for the students requiring significant modifications to their instruction. This course will fulfill the requirements for students to receive the Certificate of Completion and may be repeated for credit.
PSYCHOLOGY
Course Code: SA610T
Grade: 9-12
⬛ PHS ⬛ WHS
Course Description: This is a one-semester course, which introduces students to the study of psychology. This course includes an overview of major psychological approaches, theories, and concepts and is designed to help students gain a better understanding of themselves and of other people. All students will take a semester final.
PSYCHOLOGY ADVANCED
Course Code: SA611T
Grade: 10-12
⬛ PHS ⬛ WHS
Prerequisite: Must have passed Psychology with a C or better or have instructor approval.
Course Description: This course will include an introductory unit on experimental design, reliability, and statistical inference. Students will further their studies of personality development and theory with an introduction to intrapersonal and social relationships, including peer groups. Students will look at areas such as altered states of consciousness. Finally students will study some of the concepts and problems with regard to abnormal behavior, with an emphasis on the most prevalent social problems of today.
SOCIOLOGY
Course Code: SA710T
Grade: 9-12
⬛ PHS ⬛ WHS
Semester (5 credits)
Course Description: This is a one-semester course, which introduces students to the subject of sociology. This course is designed to introduce students to the tools and responsibilities of a sociologist and encourage students to use these skills to investigate and explain real problems through data collection and analysis. The students in this course will also seek to understand interactions among individuals, groups, and institutions. All students will take a semester final. What historical events led to the Chicano Movement? Are the contributions of Mexicans acknowledged or ignored? What are the achievements of Latinos?
WORLD GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURES
Course Code: SA541Y
Grade: 10-12
⬛ PHS ⬜ WHS
Course Description: World Geography and Cultures offers a curriculum that enables students to explore how geographic features, human relationships, political and social structures, economics, science and technology, and the arts have developed and influenced life in countries around the world. Along the way, students are given rigorous instruction on how to read maps, charts, graphs, and how to create them. The course also emphasizes the perspectives of minority groups while allowing students from all backgrounds to better understand and appreciate how race, culture and ethnicity, and identity contribute to their experiences. Major topics in the course include identity, immigration, assimilation and distinctiveness, power and oppression, struggles for rights, regionalism, current events, culture and the media, and the formation of new cultures.
WORLD HISTORY
Course Code: SA110Y
Grade: 10
⬛ PHS ⬛ WHS
Course Description: This course examines the major turning points in the shaping of the Modern World from the late 18th century to the present. Topics include: the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, Imperialism, WWI, WWII, the Holocaust and the post WWII world. The study of current world issues, their origins, and the growing interdependence of people and cultures throughout the world are a primary focus. All students will take a final each semester in World History.
WORLD HISTORY AP
Course Code: SA191Y
Grade: 10
⬜ PHS ⬛ WHS
Course Description: This survey course of World History covers the dawn of time to the present era. Fundamental themes of “technology and environment” and “diversity and dominance” are presented. Students enrolled in this course are encouraged to take the AP examination in the spring.
WORLD HISTORY M
Course Code: SQ710Y
Location of program based on Regional Program location
Program
Special Day Class ASD
Course Description: This course will enable students to access the general education standards for World History, examining the development of the Modern World from the late 18th century to the present, using adapted or modified materials, assignments and/or expectations as needed to meet the learning needs of the students enrolled. This course will complete the World History requirement for graduation.
HISTORY 4B - WESTERN CIVILIZATION II
Course Code: SA120Y
Grade Level: 10-12
Credits: 10.00
⬛ PHS ⬜ WHS
College Credit Opportunity
Dual Enrollment Course
UC/CSU: a
Course Description: Historical study of the major elements of the western experience for the Eighteenth century to the present. Includes major political and social developments that have revolutionized the modern mode of human existence.
20C US HISTORY M
Course Code: SQ720Y
Location of program based on Regional Program location
Program
Special Day Class ASD
Course Description: This course will enable students to access the general education standards for U.S. History, examining the development of the U.S. from the Reconstruction to the present time, using adapted or modified materials, assignments and/or expectations as needed to meet the learning needs of the students enrolled. This course will complete the U.S. History requirement for graduation.
RACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN U.S. HISTORY
Course Code: SA212Y
Grade: 11-12
⬛ PHS ⬛ WHS
Meets Ethnic Studies Graduation Requirement
Course Description: The purpose of this course is to teach U.S. History from a different perspective – one that emphasizes the role of race and justice in American history. Students will leave with a more thorough understanding of our nation’s history and a clearer view of current issues around race and ethnicity in our community. The entire class will be focused on evaluating attainment of ideals set forth in our founding documents for all Americans. This course meets the California State Standards for Social Studies, and satisfies all high school graduation and college admission requirements.
UNITED STATES HISTORY AP
Course Code: SA290Y
Grade: 11-12
⬛ PHS ⬛ WHS
Prerequisite: Juniors intending to enroll in AP U.S History must have earned an “A” or “B” in sophomore-level History and English in order to take this class.
Course Description: This course covers the history of America from the Colonial Era to the present. Ambitious and capable high school students who avail themselves of this opportunity will accomplish college level work prior to their admission to an institution of higher learning. Students will sharpen higher order reasoning and expository reading and writing skills in order to prepare for success in higher education. Students enrolled in AP U.S. History are encouraged to take the AP examination.
HISTORY 17B - UNITED STATES HISTORY II
Course Code:
Grade Level: 10-12
Credits: 10.00
⬛ PHS ⬜ WHS
College Credit Opportunity
Dual Enrollment Course
UC/CSU: a
Political, social, economic, and cultural history of the United States from the Industrial Revolution to the present. Focuses on the ideals, decisions, forces, institutions, individuals, events, and processes that affected the continuity and change during this time.
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
Course Code: SA410T
Grade: 12
⬛ PHS ⬛ WHS
Semester (5 credits)
Course Description: This course is designed to give an accurate and comprehensive account of both the structure and philosophy of each level of government: local, state, and national. Students will study the U.S. Constitution, significant Supreme Court cases, and other significant national and state trends. Through writing, presentations, discussions and other assessments, students will be prepared to be active citizens. All students will take a final in American Government.
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT M
Course Code: SQ730T
Location of program based on Regional Program location
Program
Special Day Class ASD
Course Description: This course will enable students to access the general education standards for American Government, examining the structure and philosophy of each level of government using adapted or modified materials, assignments and/or expectations as needed to meet the learning needs of the students enrolled. This course will complete the American Government requirement for graduation.
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT & POLITICS AP
Course Code: SA490Y
Grade: 12
⬛ PHS ⬛ WHS
Prerequisite: Seniors intending to enroll in US Government & Politics AP must have earned an “A” or “B” in 11th grade history or have the consent of the instructor in order to take this class.
Course Description: This year-long course prepares students for the Advanced Placement Exam in government. Only college level materials are used for credits earned by studying the national government and the courts, civil rights and civil liberties, state and local governments and the foundations of the American system. Students enrolled in this course are encouraged to take the US Government & Politics AP test.
ECONOMICS
Course Code: SA310T
Grade: 12
⬛ PHS ⬛ WHS
Semester (5 credits)
Course Description: This course is designed to focus on the growth, development and progress of the American economy. The major emphasis of the course will center on the process by which economic forces operate in our economy. The major essentials of economic principles are studied in a context of the facts of current economic life. All students will take a final in Economics.
ECONOMICS M
Course Code: SQ740T
Location of program based on Regional Program location
Program
Special Day Class ASD
Course Description: This course will enable students to access the general education standards for Economics, examining the growth, development and progress of the American economy using adapted or modified materials, assignments and/or expectations as needed to meet the learning needs of the students enrolled. This course will complete the Economics requirement for graduation.
Report abuse