Social Studies

American Government

Primary Graduation Requirement: American Govt
Can meet alternate graduation requirement(s) below if primary is already fulfilled. Electives
UC A-G Approved: A, G

Students analyze the life and changing 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. This course should be viewed as the culmination of the civic literacy strand that prepares students to vote, to reflect on the responsibilities of citizenship, and to participate in community activities. Satisfies the graduation requirement. Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirements.

Course Length: Semester
Course Credit: 5
Grade Level(s): 12 - 12

AP American Government and Politics

Primary Graduation Requirement: American Govt
Can meet alternate graduation requirement(s) below if primary is already fulfilled. Electives
UC A-G Approved: A, G

Advanced Placement Government is designed to give students a critical perspective on politics and government in the United States. It involves both the studies of general concepts used to interpret American politics and the analysis of specific case studies. It requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs and ideas that make up the American political reality. Satisfies the graduation requirement. Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirements.

Course Length: Semester
Course Credit: 5
Grade Level(s): 12 - 12

Economics

Primary Graduation Requirement: Economics
Can meet alternate graduation requirement(s) below if primary is already fulfilled. Electives
UC A-G Approved: G

Students will master fundamental economic concepts, applying the tools (graphs, statistics, and equations) from other subject areas to the understanding of operations and institutions of economic systems. Basic economic principles of micro- and macroeconomics, international economics, comparative economic systems, measurements and methods will be approached. Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirements.

Course Length: Semester
Course Credit: 5
Grade Level(s): 9 - 12

AP Macroeconomics

Primary Graduation Requirement: Economics
Can meet alternate graduation requirement(s) below if primary is already fulfilled. Electives
UC A-G Approved: G

AP Macroeconomics is divided into six units. The semester begins with a study of basic economic concepts. Students then study measurements of economic performance including national income and aggregate price levels. Macroeconomic problems of unemployment and inflation are introduced in the second unit and in units three and four the tools our federal government and central bank use to combat them are taught. To better understand unemployment, inflation, and their solutions the course teaches the aggregate demand and aggregate supply model. Unit five includes a study of economic growth, national debt, and the much-debated long-run perspectives on macroeconomic stabilization policies. The course concludes with a study of international economics and the world economy. A student may receive college credit upon passing the College Board evaluation. Students may elect to also
take the Microeconomics test. Satisfies graduation requirement. Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirements.

Course Length: Semester
Course Credit: 5
Grade Level(s): 12 - 12

AP Human Geography

Primary Graduation Requirement: Electives
Can meet alternate graduation requirement(s) below if primary is already fulfilled.
UC A-G Approved: A, G

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. Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirements.

Course Length: Yearlong
Course Credit: 10
Grade Level(s): 9 - 12

Psychology I

Primary Graduation Requirement: Electives
Can meet alternate graduation requirement(s) below if primary is already fulfilled.
UC A-G Approved: G

Students will better understand themselves and others by learning and applying the psychological principles presented in this semester class. Areas covered include personality theory: Freudian principles, trait and conditioning theories; perception, motivation and emotion, proxemics: body language, lie detection; understanding relationships, and the cognitive domains of learning, thinking, memory, and states of consciousness, including dream analysis and meditation. This course is based on the National High School Psychology Framework. Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirements.

Course Length: Semester
Course Credit: 5
Grade Level(s): 11 - 12

Psychology II

Primary Graduation Requirement: Electives
Can meet alternate graduation requirement(s) below if primary is already fulfilled.
UC A-G Approved: G

Advanced Psychology addresses the complexities of modern living and the need for students to learn advanced theories of human behavior and to develop skills in interpersonal communication. Course objectives include: Promote critical thinking; Show that psychology is a human endeavor; founded and used by people; Encourage appreciation of the research process; Explain and apply strategies for problem solving; Present a balanced and intellectual view of psychology; Show the relevance of psychology to everyday life. Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirements.

Course Length: Semester
Course Credit: 5
Grade Level(s): 11 - 12

AP Psychology

Primary Graduation Requirement: Electives
Can meet alternate graduation requirement(s) below if primary is already fulfilled.
UC A-G Approved: G

The purpose of the Advanced Placement course in Psychology is to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of behavior and mental processes of human beings and animals. Students will prepare to do acceptable work on the Advanced Placement Examination in Psychology. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice. Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirements.

Course Length: Yearlong
Course Credit: 10
Grade Level(s): 9 - 12

US History

Primary Graduation Requirement: U.S. History
Can meet alternate graduation requirement(s) below if primary is already fulfilled. Electives
UC A-G Approved: A, G

This is a two-semester course in focusing on late 19th and 20th century United States History. It begins with a review period of American History from the nation's beginnings to the year 1877. Starting with the Progressive Era, the class deals next with WWI and its impact on the home front, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and the New Deal. In addition, the course provides for an analysis of American participation in WWII, and the economic boom in post WWII America, foreign policy after WWII, and the civil rights struggle. An analysis of major social problems and domestic issues of contemporary American Society concludes the course topics. Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirements.

Course Length: Yearlong
Course Credit: 10
Grade Level(s): 9 - 12

AP US History

Primary Graduation Requirement: U.S. History
Can meet alternate graduation requirement(s) below if primary is already fulfilled. Electives
UC A-G Approved: A, G

Advanced Placement US History is designed to give students a foundation in the subject matter of US History and in major interpretive questions that derive from the study of the following themes: Colonial History, Revolution, Constitution and New Republic, Jeffersonian Democracy, Jacksonian Democracy, Sectionalism and Territorial Expansion, Creating an American Culture, A Nation Torn by Conflict, Post Civil War, American Imperialism, World War I, Interbellum Period, World War II and Cold War, Modern and Contemporary America. Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirements.

Course Length: Yearlong
Course Credit: 10
Grade Level(s): 11 - 12

World History

Primary Graduation Requirement: World History
Can meet alternate graduation requirement(s) below if primary is already fulfilled. Electives
UC A-G Approved: A, G

In this course students apply knowledge gained in previous years of study to pursue a deeper understanding of world history. In addition, they draw on their studies of ancient history and middle ages. This course should be viewed as the culmination of the global history in reference to World History and U.S. History. Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirements.

Course Length: Yearlong
Course Credit: 10
Grade Level(s): 9 - 12

AP World History

Primary Graduation Requirement: World History
Can meet alternate graduation requirement(s) below if primary is already fulfilled. Electives
UC A-G Approved: A, G

AP World History is designed to help students develop greater understanding of evolution of global processes and contacts and interactions between different types of human societies. This understanding is advanced through a combination of selective factual knowledge and appropriate analytical skills. The chronological time frame is from 8000 BCE to the present. Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirements.

Course Length: Yearlong
Course Credit: 10
Grade Level(s): 10 - 12