Social Sciences ~ 2011-12 Course Descriptions

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ELD SOCIAL SCIENCE 1-2 001318-001319
Recommended Courses: Placement Based on CELDT Testing and teacher recommendation
English Language Development Social Science is a foundational social science class designed for Beginning and Early Intermediate level English Language Learners who need support to develop basic social science vocabulary, skills, and fundamental concepts. This class will be taken for elective credit and may be repeated for credit.
NOTE: Students receive elective credit only. This course does not meet UC/CSU A-G requirements for Social Science.

WORLD GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURES 1309
Recommended Courses None; open to Grade 9-12
Length One trimester
Interest : Students interested in social science and learning about cultures around the world
This elective course will serve as an introduction for 9th graders to gain knowledge of social science concepts and develop skills that will prepare them to be successful in the required social sciences course that begins in the 10th grade year. Part of the course will be devoted to world and U.S. geography: physical, political and cultural. This will be followed with a comparative world-religions unit and a focus on the five themes of geography through project based lessons. Students will learn through a variety of modalities, including time in the computer lab. Emphasis will also be given to developing critical thinking skills. This course will receive PUSD Elective credit and may be used to meet the UC/CSU “A” or PUSD elective requirement.

WORLD HISTORY 1-2 1301 - 1302
Recommended Courses: None
Interest: Required for high school graduation
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.

AP EUROPEAN HISTORY 1-2 (APEC) 1316 - 1317
Linked Course AP European History Seminar
Recommended Courses none
Interest: College level in depth exploration of European Civilization; meets PUSD World History graduation requirement
Advanced Placement European History 1-2 covers the economic, political and cultural forces in Western civilization from the 15th 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 EUROPEAN HISTORY SEMINAR 1709
Linked Course AP European History 1-2
Recommended Courses None; open to 10th Grade only; one trimester
Interest: College level in depth exploration of European Civilization; significant preparation for the AP exam
This is a one-trimester class. It will allow students to refine their understanding of and writing skills in the social sciences, AP European History Seminar will further expose students to the issues of evidence, interpretation, methodology and critique in social science research, applying these skills to an independent, long-range project. Academic research methods and techniques specific to the social sciences will also be included. This course will meet elective graduation credit.

U.S. HISTORY 1-2 1376 - 1377
Concurrent Course American Lit. or AP English Language 1-2 and Seminar
Recommended Courses World History 1-2 or APEC; 11th Grade only
Interest: Required for high school graduation; meets PUSD high school graduation requirement for US History 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; 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.

AP U.S. HISTORY 1 - 2 1382 - 1383
Linked Course H. Survey of American Lit.
Recommended Courses World History 1-2 or APEC; open to 11th Grade only
Interest: College level in depth exploration of United States History; meets PUSD high school graduation requirement for US 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, and 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 US HISTORY SEMINAR 1715
Linked Course AP US History 1-2
Recommended Courses: None; open to 11th Grade only; one trimester course
Interest: College level in depth exploration of US History
This is a one-trimester course which will allow students to refine their understanding of and writing skills in the social sciences as well as explore topics and concepts relevant to the United States in the global community of the 21st century. Academic research methods and techniques specific to the study of social sciences will also be included. This course will meet elective graduation credit.

CIVICS 1393
Recommended Courses: U.S. History, or APUSH
Interest: Required; open to Grade 12 only
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 1398
Recommended Courses: U.S. History, or APUSH
Interest: Required; open to Grade 12 only
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.

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS 1-2 1395 - 1396
Linked Course: AP US Gov’t Seminar
Recommended Courses: U.S. History or AP US History
Interest: College level in depth exploration of U.S. Government and its practices; Grade 12 only. Meets PUSD Civics requirement for graduation.
U.S. Government & Politics (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 US GOVERNMENT SEMINAR 1710
Linked Course: AP US Government 1-2
Recommended Courses: None; open to Grade 12 only
Interest: College level in depth exploration of US government, politics and economics; significant preparation for the AP examination for US Gov’t. Meets PUSD Economics requirement for graduation.
This is a one-trimester class. It begins with an in-depth analysis of civil liberties and civil rights. After that, the emphasis will be on extending the content, knowledge and skills that were introduced in the AP Government 1-2 portion of the sequence of courses. It will introduce students to career options and investment strategies.