SOCIAL SCIENCE
HEALTH
GRADES 9-12
5 CREDITS SEMESTER
Health is a course of two focal points: (1) Character Education (6 Weeks) and (2) Physical Health Education (12 weeks). The Character Education segment is designed to address the mental, emotional and social aspects of health education, providing students with instruction on topics such as academic integrity, and planning for long-term and short-term academic success. The Physical Health Education segment is designed to provide basic information and understanding in the health areas of: first aid, cancer and heart disease, physical fitness, diet, AIDS, STD's, sex education, tobacco, alcohol, drugs and drug related concepts like addiction, treatment centers, suicide, and solutions (natural highs), such that students will make sound decisions in their life styles. This course meets the state requirements for narcotics, alcohol, and tobacco instruction. This semester course will be offered primarily to freshmen students but will also be available to students in other grade levels based on need. (This course fulfills District requirement for Graduation.)
LEADERSHIP
GRADES 9-12
5 CREDITS SEMESTER
PREREQUISITE: Elected to student government or permission from Activities’ Director.
A course for students involved in student body government and student affairs. Members become aware of school law, parliamentary procedure, school management and organization. Repeatable for credit. (Applied Arts)
MODERN WORLD HISTORY
GRADES 9-10
10 CREDITS YEAR
In this course, students will explore the major issues and turning points that have shaped the modern world. The course will focus on the period from the rise of democratic ideas in Ancient Greece & Rome, throughout the late 18th century, and to the present day. Students will study the social, political, geographic and economic factors that have transformed governments, societies and
Revised as of March 19, 2015
cultures throughout the world. Students will study recent history, focusing on the development and expansion of the western world, and the growing interdependence of people and cultures throughout the modern world. The content of the courses will include: Rise of Democratic Ideas, Industrialization, Imperialism, Major Revolutions, WWI & WWII, The Cold War Era and the Contemporary World. (UC/CSU/NCAA)
MULTICULTURAL STUDIES
GRADES 9-12
5/10 CREDITS SEMESTER/YEAR
Multicultural Studies is a semester-long class which will focus on an in-depth study of ethnic groups in the United States. There will be emphasis given to Native Americans, African Americans, Latino Americans, and other groups. Students will learn about the current state of America’s ethnic groups as well as the social, economic, and political reasons that led them to immigrate to America. This class is a social science academic elective that will require students to actively participate in analytical thinking in order to understand social and cultural concepts. Repeatable for credit. (UC/CSU “G” Elective/NCAA )
EUROPEAN HISTORY AP (Advanced Placement)
GRADE 10
10 CREDITS YEAR
PREREQUISITE: Grade of “A” in most recent History class (8th or 9th grade) AND Grade of “A” in English or “B” or higher in English I Honors, AND concurrent enrollment in English II Honors.
The AP European history course is designed to provide students with analytical, factual, and writing skills which relate to the development of Europe covering the period from the Renaissance through current day. Very intense reading and writing will be required in this year-long college preparatory class. This course leads to an optional Advanced Placement history test in May. College credit is possible if the test is passed. This course fulfills the World History requirement. (UC/CSU*/NCAA)
MODERN AMERICAN HISTORY
GRADE 11
10 CREDITS YEAR
This class reviews the major points of American History beginning with the nation’s origins and progressing to present day. The major emphasis of instruction for this course will range from the post Civil War period to contemporary times. Students will study the flood of immigration following the American Industrial Revolution of the late nineteenth century. Students will analyze the rise of American cities and the challenges that arise with urbanization. They will understand the Great Depression and the relevance of the New Deal and World War 2 in getting America back on its feet. Students will study the Cold War and understand its importance on the postwar policy. Students will look at the changing face of America in the 1960’s and finish the year by studying contemporary issues in America. (UC/CSU/NCAA)
U.S. HISTORY AP (Advanced Placement)
GRADE 11
10 CREDITS YEAR
PREREQUISITE: Grade of “A” in World History or “B” or higher in AP European History, AND grade of “A” in English II or “B” or higher in English II Honors.
This course provides students with analytical, factual, reading and writing skills relating to U.S. History. Topics include Colonization, the Revolutionary period, Federalism, the Jacksonian Era, Antebellum America, the Civil War and Reconstruction, the Gilded Age, Progressivism, Imperialism, World War One, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression and the New Deal, World War Two, the Cold War, the Turbulent Sixties, the Vietnam War, and the Seventies. Very intense reading and writing is required in this year-long college preparatory class. Students will write several traditional and document-based essays during the year, as well as investigate both primary and secondary historical sources. This course is designed to provide students with the skills to pass an optional Advanced Placement history test in May. A satisfactory score will result in the receiving of university or college credit toward graduation. (UC/CSU*/NCAA)
HISTORY SL
GRADE 11
5 CREDITS SEMESTER
PREREQUISITE: This course is offered for students in the IB Programme based upon completion of tenth grade Modern World History with at least a B grade. Completion of Advanced Placement European History during the sophomore year is strongly recommended.
This is a one-year program of study that fulfills the group three requirements within the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme as well as the California State Standards for U.S. History. Students taking this course will examine significant events in the early development of the United States. Twentieth century American History will be integrated with the study of contemporary world issues, focusing on Peacemaking and Peacekeeping in the early 20th century, the onset, events, and resolution of the Cold War, as well as the significant role war has played in the evolution of the modern world. The emphasis of this course will be on
Revised as of March 19, 2015
the synthesis and application of interpretive historical thought, in-depth study of 20th century national, ethnic, and state identities, and the United States’ role in the modern world. (UC/CSU*/NCAA)
HISTORY OF THE AMERICAS HL/2ND YEAR
GRADE 12
10 CREDITS YEAR
PREREQUISITE: Completion of History SL
This class is the second year of the two-year course that will meet International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme requirements for Higher Level History. The grade 12 year will focus on Mexican history for 6 weeks, and then the remainder of the year will focus on the study of contemporary world issues, focusing on Peacemaking and Peacekeeping in the early 20th century, the onset, events, and resolution of the Cold War, as well as the significant role war has played in the evolution of the modern world. Students will take their International Baccalaureate examinations at the end of the 12th grade year. The emphasis of this course will be on the synthesis and application of interpretive historical thought, in-depth study of 20th century national, ethnic, and state identities, and the United States’ role in the modern world. Students will take their International Baccalaureate examinations at the end of the 12th grade year. (UC/CSU*/NCAA)
CIVICS
GRADE 12
5 CREDITS SEMESTER
In this course students will pursue a deeper understanding of the institution of American Government. They compare systems of government in the world today and analyze the history and changing interpretations of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the current state of 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 such as the Federalist Papers. These standards represent the culmination of civic literacy as students prepare to vote, participate in community activities, and assume the responsibilities of citizenship. (UC/CSU/NCAA)
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AP
GRADE 12
5 CREDITS SEMESTER
PREREQUISITE: “C” or higher AP US History AND “B” or higher in 11th Grade English or “B” or higher in Modern American History.
A study of our government’s constitution underpinnings, political beliefs, political parties, interest groups, policy process and protection of civil rights and civil liberties. This course is intended for qualified students who wish to complete studies in secondary school equivalent to a one-semester college introductory course in United States government (Political Science). This course will fulfill the civics graduation requirement. This course is designed to prepare the student to take the Advanced Placement Government exam. A satisfactory score will result in the receiving of university or college credit toward graduation. (UC/CSU*/NCAA)
ECONOMICS
GRADE 12
5 CREDITS SEMESTER
This course will provide students with an understanding of economic principles and theories, including comparative economic systems, Micro economics and an introduction to the concepts of Macro economics. Students will gain awareness of the historical and contemporary development of U.S. economic policies, will understand the role of the individual within an economic structure and will be encouraged to recognize and interpret economic happenings in our society. (UC/CSU “G” Elective/NCAA)
ECONOMICS AP (Advanced Placement - Microeconomics)
GRADE 12
5 CREDITS SEMESTER
PREREQUISITE: “B” or better in Modern American History or “C” or better in AP US History, AND “B” or higher in 11th Grade English, AND “B” or higher in Trigonometry/Math Analysis, or grade “B” or higher in Mathematical Analysis Honors.
The AP Economics course is designed to provide students with a rigorous introduction to the determinants which affect the basic model of demand and supply, abstract theories and models, algebraic and graphic tools, emphasizing certain market relationships at both Micro and Macroeconomics levels that interpret market structures. This course is intended for qualified students who wish to complete studies in secondary school equivalent to one-semester college introductory course in Economics. This course will fulfill the Economics graduation requirement. This course is designed to prepare the student to take the Advanced Placement Economics exam. A satisfactory score will result in the receiving of university or college credit toward graduation. (UC/CSU* “G” Elective/NCAA)
IB ITGS (Information Technology in a Global Society) SL
GRADES 11 – 12
10 CREDITS YEAR
PREREQUISITE: Grade of “B” or better in IC3 or grade of “C” or better in Computer Systems
The information technology in a global society (ITGS) course is the study and evaluation of the impact of information technology (IT) on individuals and society. It explores the advantages and disadvantages of the use of digitized information at the local and global level. ITGS provides a framework for the student to make informed judgments and decisions about the use of IT within social contexts. Although ITGS shares methods of critical investigation and analysis with other social sciences, it also considers ethical questions found in the study of philosophy. Students come into contact with IT on a daily basis because it is so pervasive in the world in which we live. This widespread use of IT inevitably raises important questions about social and ethical issues that shape out society today. ITGS offers an opportunity for a systematic study of these issues, whose range is such that they fall outside the scope of any other single discipline. (UC/CSU “G” ELECTIVE*)
PEER COUNSELING
GRADES 10 – 12
10 CREDITS YEAR
PREREQUISITE: Application, interview and teacher or GLC recommendations.
This course trains motivated students in the fundamentals of peer counseling skills which include counseling ethics, interpersonal communication skills, stress and anger management, assertiveness training, strategies to deal with crisis and change, and other relevant teen issues. Students are required to proactively explore themselves and their relationships with others as a means to gain valuable insight into becoming an effective Peer Counselor.
PSYCHOLOGY AP (Advanced Placement)
GRADE 12
10 CREDITS YEAR
PREREQUISITE: “B” or higher (2nd Semester) in US. History or “C” or higher (2nd Semester) in AP US History AND “B” or higher (2nd Semester) in Biology or “C” or higher (2nd Semester) in AP Biology AND “B” or higher in English III or “C” or higher (2nd Semester) in English III Honors/AP English (Rhetoric). It is recommended that AP Statistics be taken concurrently.
Students should have received a grade of “B” or higher in Modern American History and a “B” or higher in their most recent full-year science course. Psychology is the scientific study of human behavior and mental activity. In this course, students will study human development, intelligence, personality, abnormal behavior, therapeutic intervention, and social psychology. This course is designed to prepare the student to take the Advanced Placement Psychology test. A satisfactory score will result in receiving university or college credit toward graduation. Credit is received in the standard A.P. format. (UC/CSU “G” Elective*/NCAA)