Graduation Requirements

•   District Requirement: 3 years of Social Science (includes Government & Economics)

•   UC/CSU "a-g" Requirement: 2 years of History/Social Science

•   Courses must be completed with a grade of C or better for a-g credit

Course Offerings by Grade Level

 

9th Grade - Ethnic Studies

Ethnic Studies P [a-g Approved]

Prerequisite: None

This interdisciplinary course is designed for students to identify, interpret, confront and explicate social and historical constructs of identity, race, class, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality in order to dissect their existence and position in the world. To empower students to engage socially and politically and to think critically about the world around them, Ethnic Studies documents the experiences of people of color in order for students to construct counter-narratives and develop a more complex understanding of the human experience. Students will develop a respect for cultural diversity and see the advantages of inclusion.

 

10th Grade - World History & Geography

Pre-AP World History & Geography [PRE-AP]

Prerequisite: None

A rigorous, year-long, college-level course offering a thematic survey of World History and Cultures. This course follows the AP College Board course outline and is a college equivalent course designed to prepare students for AP-level coursework with emphasis on analytical writing and historical thinking skills.

 

World History P [a-g Approved]

Prerequisite: Grade 10

This course presents an accurate reflection of the world's past. The course is designed to give students the widest panorama of world history with a greater emphasis devoted to modern times. World History and Geography covers traditional societies in the West and societies in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. The course is presented chronologically and permits the study of parallel developments in different parts of the world during each major period of history. This course gives a balanced presentation of political, economic, social, and cultural history, while describing how people lived in other times and places by in-depth focus units.

 

World History AP P [AP]

Prerequisite: None at AHS (other schools may require English teacher recommendation)

A rigorous, year-long, college-level course offering a thematic survey of World History and Cultures. This course follows the AP College Board course outline and is a college equivalent course. Students will be required to take the AP exam in World History for potential college credit.

 

11th Grade - United States History

U.S. History P [a-g Approved]

Prerequisite: 11th grade

A study of the development of our nation during the 19th and 20th Centuries. This course fulfills the junior social science requirement and examines key events, movements, and constitutional principles that shaped American history.

 

U.S. History AP P [AP]

Prerequisite: 11th grade students only

AP U.S. History is a one-year comprehensive survey course in which students examine U.S. History in detail and in depth. The course emphasizes historical thinking skills as well as reading and writing at college level. The course has two major goals: to prepare students for the Advanced Placement exam and to prepare students for college-level discourse, particularly with respect to historical thinking and understanding of U.S. History and its relation to our present-day world. The course involves students in examining nine time periods of U.S. history, from 1491 to present. Students also engage in college-level historical thinking as they analyze primary and secondary documents and practice historical thinking skills such as analyzing continuity and change over time.

 

12th Grade - Government & Economics

U.S. Government P [a-g Approved]

Prerequisite: 12th grade | Duration: One semester

All three aspects of the American governmental system—federal, state, and local—are studied in this course. Particular emphasis is given to the development of responsible active citizenship. This class fulfills one semester of the senior social science requirement.

 

Government & Politics U.S. AP P [AP]

Prerequisite: 12th grade | Duration: Full year

The AP course in U.S. Government and Politics will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific examples. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. politics. Students will become acquainted with the variety of theoretical perspectives and explanations for various behaviors and outcomes. This course follows the AP College Board course outline and is a college equivalent course. Students will be required to take the AP exam in United States Government.

 

Economics P [a-g Approved]

Prerequisite: 12th grade | Duration: One semester

Economics is the study of how people and countries use their resources to produce, distribute and consume goods and services. By understanding economics, students will be helped to make better economic decisions in a modern world. Students will learn fundamental economic concepts and terminology, be exposed to the various economic systems in the world, and be fully acquainted with the U.S. economy and the forces that influence it.

 

Elective Courses (Grades 10-12)

Psychology AP P [AP]

Prerequisite: Recommendation by teacher | Duration: Full year

The advanced placement course in psychology will introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice. Students are expected to take the psychology AP exam for which they may receive college credit. The aim of the course is to provide the student with a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in most college introductory psychology courses.

 

Learning Goals

•   Develop critical thinking and analytical skills

•   Understand historical context and causation

•   Analyze primary and secondary sources

•   Strengthen written and oral communication

•   Build civic knowledge and engagement

 

Pathways to Success

Standard Pathway: Ethnic Studies (9th) → World History (10th) → U.S. History (11th) → Government & Economics (12th)

 

Advanced Pathway: Ethnic Studies (9th) → Pre-AP or AP World History (10th) → AP U.S. History (11th) → AP Government (12th, full year) & Economics (12th, Semester)

 

Elective Options: Students in grades 10-12 may also take AP Psychology as an elective social science course with teacher recommendation.

 

Students may switch between pathways based on performance and interest. Consult with your teacher and counselor for guidance on course selection and placement.

 

Important AP Information

All AP courses require students to take the corresponding AP exam in May. These exams may qualify students for college credit depending on their score and the policies of their chosen university.

 

AP courses are college-level courses that require significant reading, writing, and critical thinking. Students should be prepared for rigorous coursework and should consult with their teachers and counselors before enrolling.

 

Course Type Legend

•   AP - Advanced Placement - College-level course

•   PRE-AP - Pre-Advanced Placement - Preparation for AP courses

•   a-g Approved - UC/CSU College Preparatory

 

Note: "P" designation indicates UC/CSU a-g approved courses