Social Studies

The Social Studies Department offers a curriculum which challenges students to make informed, reasoned, and value-based decisions. They are encouraged to become responsible citizens of our culturally diverse, democratic society and knowledgeable participants in an interdependent world. Learning experiences are active, requiring students to create, role-play, simulate, debate, and present multimedia research projects designed to utilize traditional library resources and computer-based data. The Social Studies curriculum requires students to study contemporary American cultures, world history, United States history and government, and to select from a variety of social science electives in their senior year. A three-year honors program begins in the sophomore year with World History Honors and prepares students to take the Advanced Placement exams in both U.S. History and American Government.

American Government and Civics Grade 9 Semester course

The government course provides students with a background in the philosophy, functions, and structure of the United States government. The course fulfills one semester of the freshman requirement in social studies. Students will be introduced to major political issues facing American citizens in a culturally rich and diverse society. In addition, this course will provide a basis for understanding the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a constitutional democracy and a framework for competent and responsible participation. Students will study basic history of our federal structure, as well as the past and present implications of the American governing system.
UC/CSU approved course

World History - Grade 10 - Year-long course

This course examines major turning points in the shaping of the modern world, with emphasis on the late 18th century to the present day. The course begins with an introduction to current world issues and continues with a focus on the expansion of the West and the growing interdependence of people and cultures throughout the world.
UC/CSU approved course

AP World History - Grade 10 - Year-long course

This course is an advanced placement level study of the history of the human race since its origins to the present time. The course is sequenced chronologically and thematically and is selective in the periods and developments covered. Since student placement is based on achievement, interest, and department approval, this honors level course expects students to assume greater personal responsibility for the success of the learning process than the core World History course. The primary goal of the course is to prepare students to earn college credit in World History by passing the Advanced Placement exam in May.
UC/CSU approved course

Students enrolled in this course are required to take the AP examination in May. No final exam is administered in this course in the Spring semester.

Prerequisite: American Government/Civics grade of A-; English I grade of B+ both semesters or English I Acc grade of B both semesters; teacher recommendation; application to department chair due February 11, 2010; department chair approval.

US History - Grade 11 - Year-long course

The course is a two-semester survey of U.S. history emphasizing the major social, political, economic, intellectual, and international developments of the twentieth century. The course is based on the textbook, The Americans: Reconstruction through the 20th Century, and includes classroom activities of lecture, discussion, audio-visual presentations, cooperative groupings, games, simulations, debates, and individual research projects. A research paper is required in the second semester. Homework is assigned daily. Students must earn a passing grade for graduation.
UC/CSU approved course

AP United States History - Grade 11 - Year-long course

This course is designed to study a range of topics and issues in the political, economic, social, and cultural history of the United States from the Colonial Era to the late 20th Century. The primary goal of the course is to prepare students to earn college credit in United States History by passing the Advanced Placement exam in May. Throughout the course, students will engage in a wide range of rigorous activities and assignments including lecture, readings, analyzing source materials, debates, simulations, and the writing of well-focused essays.
UC/CSU approved course

Students enrolled in this course are required to take the AP examination in May. No final exam is administered in this course in the Spring semester.

Prerequisite: World History grade of A- both semesters or AP World History grade of B both semesters; World Literature grade of B+ both semesters or English II H grade of B both semesters; teacher recommendation; application to department chair due February 11, 2010; department chair approval.

Senior Courses

Seniors are required to take one semester of an elective from Global Electives and one semester of a social studies elective. The yearlong American Government AP or European History AP class satisfies both of these requirements.

AP European History Grade 12 - Yearlong course

The study of European history since 1450 introduces students to cultural, economic, political, and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live. Without this knowledge, we would lack the context for understanding the development of contemporary institutions, the role of continuity and change in present-day society and politics, and the evolution of current forms of artistic expression and intellectual discourse. In addition to providing a basic narrative of events and movements, the goals of AP European History are to develop an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European history, an ability to analyze historical evidence and historical interpretation, and an ability to express historical understanding in writing.
UC/CSU approved course

Students enrolled in this course are required to take the AP examination in May. No final exam is administered in this course in the spring semester.

Prerequisite: US History grade of A- both semesters or AP US History grade of B both semesters; American Literature grade of B+ both semesters or AP English Language and Composition grade of B both semesters; teacher recommendation; application to department chair due February 11, 2010; department chair approval.

AP U.S. Government and Politics - Grade 12 - Year-long course

This course is equivalent to an introductory college political science course, emphasizing the theories, structures, and behaviors of the American political system. This two semester course fulfills the senior social studies requirement for American Government/senior elective. Students are admitted based on achievement, interest, and department approval, and are therefore expected to accept the intellectual challenges and academic rigors of an advanced placement course for the full year.
UC/CSU approved course

Students enrolled in this course are required to take the AP examination in May. No final exam is administered in this course in the Spring semester.

Other Senior Electives

Ethnic Studies - Grade 12 - Semester course

Ethnic Studies examines the impact of race in America in various areas (music, the economy, government, mass media), while also examining some of the root causes of these contemporary concerns through a historical lens. During the course of this semester class, the students will examine the historical struggles and triumphs of ethnic groups in America, from the early 1800’s to contemporary times. The groups of focus will be the Irish, Chinese, Mexicans and Africans although other ethnic groups will also be incorporated into the course curriculum. By examining the history of each of these groups, within the American social, political and educational fabric, a stronger understanding of why some groups have been able to elevate themselves into the mainstream of America while others continue to exist on the margins of society will be established. In doing so, the goal is for students to work for a more just and equitable society for all ethnic groups.
UC/CSU approved course

Modern American History - Grade 12 - Semester course

Modern American History will focus on events, people, policies, and dominant standards in the United States from 1945 to the present day. Particular emphasis will be on social history, including popular culture and the growing problems that affect the United States as we enter the 21st century.
UC/CSU approved course

Psychology - Grade 12 - Semester course

Psychology is a behavioral science that studies the individual in order to explain, predict and control individual behavior. This course is designed to give the student a thorough understanding of all pertinent areas of this science so that the student may both understand human dynamics he or she will encounter in everyday life and prepare the student to succeed in the psychology program at the university level.
UC/CSU approved course

Global Issues Electives

Global Economics - Grade 12 – Semester Course

This course has been designed for the student who is interested in gaining a practical understanding of basic macro-economic principles in contemporary global industry. Students will connect thematic and statistical economic data to the impact on international populations and American foreign policy. In addition students will evaluate the condition of human populations within regional economic systems and acquaint students with the moral teaching of the Catholic Church.
UC/CSU approval in process

The Rise of the Rest - Grade 12 - Semester Course

This course will focus on the rise of India and China. Students will analyze: challenges to and the potential of India and China; how their rise will change the global order; the impact their rise will have on the United States; and the global implications of industrialization. Based on this changing balance of power, students will create a plan of action for the United States.
UC/CSU approved course

The World in Crisis: Roots and Relations – Grade 12 – Semester course

Despite the advances civilization has made throughout the past century, conflict still persists throughout the world. This course will examine those wars, revolutions, uprisings, and simmering hostilities that continue to afflicted regions across the entire globe. By analyzing the roots of conflict through historical and cultural lenses and by viewing the relations of those involved from economic and political perspectives, students will begin to explore and understand the factors that cause and perpetuate the violence. Study will focus on three distinct regions, East Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, with supplemental analysis of various areas in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
UC/CSU approved course