World History 1, World History 1 SEI (Structured English Immersion),   Primary Language World History 1 (9)

World History 1 is a course that studies non-European history, geography and culture.  The course of study focuses on Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.  Students will develop geographic, social-political, economic and historical literacy as they complete the yearlong course.  Meets 9^th grade social science requirement.

World History 1 Honors (9)

·         See Honors Guidelines

World History 1 Honors provides an academically challenging curriculum through high level resource reading materials, documentation, research, primary source and performance expectations.  Students study non-European history, geography and culture with an additional emphasis on content to prepare for 10^th grade AP European History.  Meets the 9^th grade social science requirement.  Extensive writing required.

World History 2,  World History 2 SEI, Primary Language World History 2 (10)

World History 2 emphasizes European history, geography, culture and its relationship to the U.S. cultural and political heritage.  The course meets the 10^th grade social science requirement.

AP European History (10)

• Requires summer reading

This course is challenging to students academically and fosters college-level skills such as analysis, critical thinking and writing.   A considerable amount of outside reading includes primary source analysis as the basis for writing analytical essays. Meets the 10^th grade social science requirement. Students should take the AP European History exam near the conclusion of this course.  Possible college credit.

United States History,  U.S. History SEI , Primary Language U.S History  (11)

U.S. History emphasizes U.S. political, economic, social and cultural development in the 20^th century.  Review units draw on earlier studies of U.S. history, connecting the nation’s beginning through the 19^th century.  Emphasis is placed on essay writing and critical thinking skills.  U.S. History meets the 11^th grade social science requirement.

AP United States History  (11)

·         Requires summer reading

• Teacher/Counselor approval recommended

This course challenges the students academically and fosters college-level skills such as analysis, critical thinking and writing.  A considerable amount of outside reading will include primary source analysis as the basis for writing analytical essays. This course meets the 11^th grade social science requirement.  Students should take the AP U.S. History exam near the conclusion of this course.  This course also begins preparation for the higher level IB History of Americas exam taken in 12^th grade.   Possible college credit.

American Government/Economics, American Government/Economics SEI (Sheltered English Immersion) (12)

Government is a one-semester course enabling students to have a deeper understanding of American and comparative governments in order to become effective citizens.  The course focuses on the development of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, along with the understanding of the three branches of our national government  and  the  federal system.  Meets one-half of the senior year social science requirement.

Economics is a one-semester course enabling students to have a deeper understanding of the economic problems and institutions of the nation and the world in which they live.  The course is divided in two main sections, microeconomics, the study of individuals and individual business in the economy, and macroeconomics, the study of aggregate economic behavior of the economy as a whole.  Meets one-half of the senior year social science requirement.

AP Economics (12)

• Requires summer reading

• Teacher/counselor  approval recommended

This course challenges students academically and fosters college level skills. The course content is an extensive study of both microeconomics and macroeconomics with a strong emphasis on higher-level math skills.  This course meets the entire senior year economics/ government requirement. Students should take the AP Economics exam near the conclusion of this course.  Possible college credit.

Meets UC/CSU “g” elective requirement

IB History of the Americas HL2 (12)

• Requires completion of AP US History

• Teacher/counselor approval recommended

This course emphasizes 20^th century World and Latin American history in the context of political, social, and economic trends.  A high level of critical thinking and analysis is demanded of the student with extensive supplementary reading emphasizing primary sources.  The course work is focused on writing and analytical skills and all students must complete a research paper. Meets the entire senior year government/economics requirement.  Students should take the IB History of the America Exam near the conclusion of this course.  Possible college credit.

Psychology (11-12)

An academic elective course in social science that includes the study of human behavior through experimentation and observation.  It also covers psychological concepts and principles.  

Meets UC/CSU “g’ elective requirement

AP Psychology (11-12)

An academic elective course in social science that focuses on the advanced theoretical study of selected psychologists and encompasses extensive conceptual analysis.  College prep.  The AP Psychology exam should be taken near the conclusion of this course. Possible college credit.

Meets UC/CSU “g” elective requirement

IB Psychology SL (11-12) 

See AP Psychology for course content.  IB Psychology meets the requirement for the standard level IB course.

Meets UC/CSU “g” elective requirement

Current Issues in Contemporary America (11-12) (Pending Board Approval)

The purpose of this course is to provide students the opportunity to examine some of the ongoing issues facing both the United States and the world today.  The aim of the course is not so much to follow daily news reports as it is to examine both the past history of contemporary issues and the implications of these issues for both foreign and domestic policies and programs today.  Topics include social concerns, politics, the economy and international relations.  

 Note:  Will be submitted for UC “g” elective approval.

Criminology (11-12)

An elective course in social science focusing on crime and criminality as they exist in contemporary society.  Among the issues discussed will be criminal justice, patterns of  violence, correctional  systems, causes of crime and court cases.  Non-college prep elective.

IB Theory of Knowledge (11-12)

• Requires the IB Coordinator/Counselor  Recommendation

• Students must be taking at least 2 IB/AP courses to enroll in this course

• Students enroll during the second semester of their junior year and the first semester of their senior year.

Honors level inter-disciplinary course concerned with the philosophy of learning.

Students will work on the extended essay during their junior year and will be supervised by TOK teacher. This course is required to meet the Full IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma requirements. 

Meets UC/CSU “g” elective requirement