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SOCIAL STUDIES |
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World Geography and
Culture This
required semester-long 9th grade course constructs a foundation for 10th,
11th, and 12th grade social science curricula through the study of culture in
a geographical context. Physical geography is organized in terms of location,
place, environment, movement, and region. Cultural studies focus on
understanding concepts that describe political, economic, belief, and social
systems along with learning about present day ways of life around the world
and their historical backgrounds. In addition, students will incorporate map
work, globes, graphs, the internet, library resources and class discussions. Meets
UC and CSU ÒaÓ requirement |
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Advanced World Geography
and Culture This
challenging and accelerated semester-long 9th grade course constructs a
foundation for 10th, 11th, and 12th grade social science curricula through
the study of culture in a geographical context. Physical geography is
organized in terms of location, place, environment, movement, and region.
Cultural studies focus on understanding the basic concepts that describe political,
economic, social systems and belief systems, along with learning about
present day ways of life around the world and their historical
backgrounds—including the study of ancient history and religions. Using
the Òfive-circle culture model,Ó students will compare and contrast diverse
major cultures that arose in the world due to specific geographical forces,
and also seek to discover the common elements found in all cultures, thereby
developing a multi-cultural perspective. Skill development focuses on critical
thinking, researching, reading, writing, speaking, and vocabulary enrichment
(Cultural Literacy). Study skill development centers upon the use of the
student interactive notebook thereby utilizing the ÒCornell notesÓ format for
more effective organization and retention. In addition, numerous oral
discussions and active participation will be encouraged through the use of
ÒSocratic seminars,Ó current event updates and a class mock trial simulation. Prerequisite: Passing score on qualifying
examination. Meets UC and CSU ÒaÓ requirement |
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World History I & II This
10th grade course presents a narrative of world history from the
roots of democracy through the present.
The course traces the development of civilizations throughout the
world. Themes include political
change, economic development, the growth of science and technology, the
effect of contact between cultures, and creativity in the arts. Skill emphasis will include reading,
analysis, speaking, note-taking, writing and research. Meets UC and CSU ÒaÓ
requirement. |
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AP European History This
course is a full year introductory college course that covers European
history from 1450 to the present. Students will gain an understanding of
geography and the chronology of the major events and trends of that time
period. Instruction will include the principle themes in modern European
history, an ability to analyze historical evidence, and an ability to express
historical understanding in writing. The course covers the cultural,
political, and socio-economic history of Europe in preparation for the AP
exam. For sophomores, this class will replace World History I/II. For
upper classmen, this class will be counted as a Social Studies elective. Prerequisite: ÒBÓ
or better in the prior AP Social Studies course, if applicable, or ÒAÕsÓ in
prior college prep Social Studies course and English course, or successful
completion of qualifying assessment. Meets UC and CSU ÒaÓ requirement |
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AP U.S. History All
students interested in this course should sign-up for U.S. History. Following
the screening test, counselors will place students into U.S. History AP. This class is a challenging two-semester 11th
grade course that is meant to be the equivalent of a freshman college
course. The content is comprised
of a complete survey of American history from the age of exploration to the
present using multiple perspectives. Emphasis will be placed on critical and
evaluative thinking skills, essay writing, and interpretation of original
historical documents. Prerequisite: ÒBÓ or better in the prior AP Social Studies
course, if applicable, or ÒAÕsÓ in prior college prep Social Studies course
and English course, or successful completion of qualifying assessment. Meets UC and CSU ÒaÓ requirement SDAIE U.S. History Grades
9-12. This class is designed to cover the same curriculum as other U.S.
History classes, but it utilizes techniques specially designed to help
English Language Learners. This course will rotate every other year with
SDAIE World History 2/3.
The
time periods covered in the first semester is pre-colonial era to the turn of
the Century. We will examine the
major historical events in that period, i.e. the forming of the colonies,
Revolutionary War, the writing of the Constitution, the Civil War,
Immigration, etc. We will follow the 11th grade standards and
benchmarks of the state of California as the basis of the key events and
themes studies. A goal of this
class is to see how one period of time has influenced and shaped succeeding
eras. The time period covered in
the second semester is 1900 to the present day. We will examine the major historical events in that
period, i.e. the two World Wars, the Great Depression, the Cold War, the
Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War, and Watergate. A goal of this class is to
see how one period of time has influenced and shaped succeeding eras. The junior year requires all students
to complete a research paper on the 20th century, which will be
conducted in the second semester. Meets
UC and CSU ÒaÓ requirement |
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American Government This course meets UC & CSU "a" or "g"
requirement. Seniors will examine the major principles of the American
political system. Particular attention will be paid to the political decision
making process employed by Federal, State and local government. Students will
also analyze the major institutions of the American political system, such as
the Constitution, Presidency, Congress, Supreme Court, political parties,
voting, elections, civil liberties and the media. Special emphasis will be
placed on helping the student understand his/her role within the American
political system. This course meets UC & CSU "a" or "g"
requirement. |
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AP American Government This Senior course will examine the nature of the American
political system and will be concerned with the development of American
political culture over the past two hundred years. The principal processes
and institutions through which the political systems function will be studied
in detail. Specific areas of study will include: 1) the context of American
politics, 2) the political process, 3) major institutions of the national
government, 4) civil liberties and civil rights, 5) the nature of American
democracy. Students may take the AP Exam at the end of the course. Prerequisite: ÒBÓ or better in the prior AP Social Studies
course, if applicable, or ÒAÕsÓ in prior college prep Social Studies course
and English course, or successful completion of qualifying assessment. This course meets the UC & CSU "a" or "g'
requirement and receives a weighted grade. |
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Economics This
Senior course examines the principles of the American economic system. It
includes a study of comparative economic systems, economic policy-making and
decision-making, and of economic issues on a personal, national and
international level. This course includes principles of micro and
macroeconomics. Meets UC and CSU ÒgÓ elective requirement |
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AP Economics This
Senior course will examine the basic topics that all students of
macroeconomics and microeconomics must know in order to take the AP exams in
both areas. In macroeconomics the following topics will be covered: national
income accounting; measures of economic activity; theories of aggregate
demand, including consumption, investment, and the demand for money.
Conversely, in microeconomics, the topics will include: the market system,
including product markets and resource markets; government activity and the
effects on market mechanisms; types of firms and their market functions; and
international economics and the world economy (although the main focus of the
course is macroeconomics, fundamental microeconomics will receive
considerable emphasis as well). This course will be especially valuable for
students considering business, law, or government majors in college.
Successful completion of this course will prepare students for the Advanced
Placement examination in both macroeconomics and microeconomics. It is
expected that all students enrolled in A/P Economics will register for the AP
exam. Prerequisite: ÒBÓ or better in the prior AP Social
Studies course, if applicable, or ÒAÕsÓ in prior college prep Social Studies
course and Algebra II, or successful completion of qualifying assessment. Meets UC and CSU ÒgÓ elective requirement (weighted
grade) |
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Psychology This
Senior course focuses on personal growth and provides students a basic
introduction to the field of psychology. Students learn to apply basic
psychology concepts to themselves so they have a better understanding of who
they are and how they can relate better to those around them. U.C. Certified ÔgÕ Requirement and C.S.U. Certified |
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AP Psychology This
Senior class will challenge the student to study psychology at the college
level. You will learn about the latest research findings regarding the brain,
the mind, and behavior. Unites studied will include research methods,
consciousness, sensation and perception, neuroanatomy, motivation and
emotion, learning theory, mental illness, personality theory, development,
etc. This course is designed for the accelerated student seeking college
credit through the advanced placement test. It expected that all students
will take the AP exam in May. Prerequisites: ÒBÓ or better in Psychology, or 3.0 overall GPA, or
meeting criteria on placement assessment Meets UC and CSU ÒgÕ elective requirement (Weighted
grade) Honors Modern East Asian History Grades 11-12. As the world becomes smaller,
knowledge or non-western history becomes all the more important. This course
analyzes the modern transformation of East Asia. Topics include: the conflict
of Sino centrism and modern nationalism in the Chinese revolution, the
Japanese road to Pearl Harbor, and the significance of the Korean War in East
Asia. Prerequisite: Completion of
World History 2 or 3 with a grade of B or better Meets UC and CSU ÒgÓ elective requirement History of World War 2 Grades 11-12. Semester class. This elective course
will be an intensive study of the major events, leaders, and themes of the
most significant war in modern history. Topics will include: the role of the
new military technology, social effects on civilians, and the impact of the
war on the post-war Europe and Asia, and the development of the Cold War.
This course will allow students a chance to develop analytical skills by
examining primary documents from the era and through the completion of a
research project based on those primary documents. An emphasis will be on interpretation of key events
from various international perspectives. In addition to understanding why
events happened during the war, students will have to understand the root
causes and effects of the war. Oral discussion/participation will also be a
key component to this class. Prerequisite: Completion of World History 2 or 3 with a grade of B or
better Meets UC and CSU ÒgÓ elective requirement |