SOCIAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

Course Offerings

EUROPEAN HISTORY 1-2 1316 - 1317
Linked Course Honors World History 1-2
Recommended Courses Honors World History 1-2
Interest College level in depth exploration of European Civilization

Advanced Placement European History 1-2 covers the economic, political and cultural forces in Western civilization from the mid-Seventeenth to the Twentieth Century. This course meets the World History requirement for high school graduation. Students taking this course may take the A. P. exam in European History. This course may be used to meet the UC/CSU “A” or “G” requirement. UC approved for extra honors credit (A=5, B=4, C=3).

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & ECONOMICS 1-2 1395 - 1396
Linked Course Civics
Recommended Courses U.S. History, or APUSH  
Interest College level in depth exploration of U.S. Government and its practices

U.S. Government & Economics (Advanced Placement) is designed to give students a critical perspective on government, politics and economics in the United States. The class involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret American governmental, political and economic systems and the analysis of specific case studies. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs and ideas that make up the American political reality. This course is intended to prepare students who wish to take the Advanced Placement Examination in U.S. Government and Politics. This course may be used to meet the UC/CSU “A” or “G” requirement. UC approved for extra honors credit (A=5, B=4, C=3).

AP U.S. HISTORY 1 - 2 1382 - 1383
Linked Course H. Survey of American Lit.
Recommended Courses World History 1-2 or APEH Interest College level in depth exploration of United States History.

U.S. History (Advanced Placement) 1-2 is an advanced course taught at the college level. It is designed for students who wish to take the Advanced Placement examination, administered by Educational Testing Service, in the spring. Those passing the A.P. exam at a high level usually can receive college credit and a waiver of the college U.S. History requirement. The course emphasizes extensive reading, research and problem solving, writing, historiography and historical knowledge. This course may be used to meet the UC/CSU “A” or “G” requirement. UC approved for extra honors credit (A=5, B=4, C=3).

AP WORLD HISTORY 1 - 2 1307 - 1308
Linked Course World Literature
Recommended Courses None
Interest College level in depth exploration of World History

The purpose of the AP World History course is to develop greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts, in interaction with different types of human societies. This understanding is advanced through a combination of selective factual knowledge and appropriate analytical skills. The course highlights the nature of changes in international frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. The course builds on an understanding of cultural, institutional, and technological precedents that, along with geography, set the human stage. The AP World History course analyzes the processes that, over time, have resulted in the knitting of the world into a tightly integrated whole. This course may be used to meet the UC/CSU “A” or “G” requirement and UC approved for extra honors credit (A=5, B=4, C=3).

CIVICS / ECONOMICS 1393 - 1398
Recommended Courses U.S. History, or APUSH
Interest Required

Civics surveys the origins of our federal, state and local governments and studies their structure, function, theory and process. It promotes citizenship skill building by serving the community in an “outside project” and prepares students for the political and social arenas of the future. This is a practical course applying knowledge toward voting, jury duty and rights and privileges of community participation. Must be taken in 12th grade only. This course may be used to meet the UC/CSU “A” requirement.

Economics is a course in which students will deepen their understanding of the economic problems and institutions of the nation and world in which they live. They will learn to make reasoned decisions on economic issues as citizens, workers, consumers, business owners and managers. Primarily a course in social science, economics enriches students' understanding of the operations and institutions of economic systems, rather than a course in household or business management or budgeting. The course will deal with the following areas:

  • Fundamental concept (e.g., scarcity);
  • Comparative economic systems (Capitalism, Communism, Socialism, etc.);
  • Macroeconomics (supply and demand, forms of competition, monetary policy, etc.);
  • International economic concepts (e.g., comparative and absolute advantage, international trade, etc.).

This course may be used to meet the UC/CSU “G” requirement.

CONTEMPORARY WORLD CULTURES & GEOGRAPHY 1-2 (PENDING BOARD APPROVAL)
Recommended Courses None

Contemporary World Cultures and Geography introduces students to the concept of the global community and to contemporary issues through a series of area-studies, including Latin America, Middle East, Asia and sub-Sahara Africa. Cultural components, cultural values, and major issues facing these regions are emphasized, along with their geographical diversity, providing students with an opportunity to see past the present of these regions and systemically think about their future, emphasizing critical thinking and problem solving. Knowledge and application of the research process and a variety of instructional strategies will be utilized. These include writing assignments, research papers, and oral presentations that emphasize effective communication and critical thinking skills, and that foster curiosity, while preparing students for the challenges of citizenship in a global community. The course curriculum and assessments are designed to increase rigor and prepare students for higher level social science courses and testing. The course is also intended to prepare students to learn to work collaboratively in a spirit of mutual respect with individuals representing diverse cultures, regions and lifestyles. Contemporary World Cultures and Geography (pending Board approval) will receive PUSD elective credit and (pending UC approval) may be used to meet the UC/CSU "G" requirement.

HONORS WORLD HISTORY 1-2 1305 - 1306
Linked Course A.P. European History 1-2
Recommended Courses None
Interest College level in depth exploration of European Civilization

Honors World History 1-2 is designed to help more students to be successful in AP European History.  The course will prepare students to read non-fiction thoroughly and critically, to take notes from content-rich lectures, and to write concisely. Students will study the first third of the AP European History curriculum, adding, from the World History curriculum, history beyond the boundaries of Europe. Also, this course will allow time to explore a wider range of historical texts, including art works, music, journals, etc. This course may be used to meet the UC/CSU “A” or “G” requirement.

PSYCHOLOGY 1-2 1325 - 1326
Recommended Courses None
Interest Studying the human mind. Studying human behavior in a social setting

Psychology 1-2 is a course which deals with the factors which help to shape an individual's personality and behavior. Topics include biological bases of behavior, physical maturation, the psychological development of the individual through various stages from infancy to adulthood, and perception. Other topics included are motivation, intelligence and behavior disorders. Various strategies are discussed which can help people attain healthy, normal relationships and solutions to frustrations and conflicts. This course may be used to meet the UC/CSU "G" requirement.

SOCIOLOGY / LAW IN ACTION 1360 - 1350
Recommended Courses None
Interest Study of human relationships, structures, dynamics and functions of groups.

The practical application of law as it relates to survival in our society.  This course is a student centered interactive class involving resource persons from the community.  Lawyers, judges, consumer advocates, law students, police officers and detectives, and government officials will be guests to enrich the student’s experience. Curriculum will include the study of human relationships, types of structures, dynamics and function of groups. It will focus on how groups are organized and their function in our society. Topics discussed will provide problem solving opportunities that develop in students the knowledge and skills necessary for survival in our law-saturated society. This course may be used to meet the UC/CSU "G" requirement. Course content will also include:

  • Law and terrorism
  • The legal system
  • Criminal law
  • Juvenile justice
  • Contracts & Warranties
  • Liability

U.S. HISTORY 1-2 1376 - 137
Concurrent Course American Lit.
Recommended Courses World History 1-2 or APEH
Interest Required

U.S. History 1-2 is a course in which students examine the economic, social and political development of the United States, concentrating primarily on the twentieth century. During the year certain themes will be emphasized: the expanding role of the federal government and federal courts; the continuing tension between the individual and the state; the emergence of a modern corporate economy; the impact of technology on American society and culture; change in the ethnic composition of American society; the movements toward equal rights for racial minorities and women; and the role of the United States as a major world power. Throughout the course students will explore American culture, literature, the arts and the mass media. Students will demonstrate competency in questioning, critical thinking, research and writing as it applies to the discipline of history. Competency-based educational objectives will be in compliance with California State Model Curriculum Standards. This course may be used to meet the UC/CSU “A” or “G” requirement.

WORLD HISTORY 1-2 1301 - 1302
Recommended Courses None
Interest Required

World History 1-2 is a course where students will examine major turning points in the shaping of the modern world, from the late eighteenth century to the present. The year begins with an introduction to current world issues and then continues with a focus on the expansion of the west and the growing interdependence of people and cultures throughout the world. Art, music, literature and primary source documents will be used as a basis for analysis of the historical periods. Students will demonstrate competency in questioning, critical thinking, research and writing as it applies to the discipline of history.  Competency-based educational objectives will be in compliance with California State Model Curriculum Standards. This course may be used to meet the UC/CSU “A” or “G” requirement.


Page Updated: January 23, 2011