Welcome to the

History/Social Science Department

Courses Offered 2019-2020 School Year

AP Government and Political Science
Grades: 12                      
Credits: 5 (Semester Course)                   
UC/CSU: Yes (fulfills A & G requirements)
Prerequisites: “A” or “B” in United States History
This course meets the elective requirements for UC admission. Students who complete this course will challenge the Advanced Placement in Government. Students who pass this exam may receive college credit. American Government and Politics is designed to give students a critical perspective on politics and government in the U.S.  This course involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret American politics 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.

AP Psychology
Grades: 11-12                
Credits: 10 (Year-Long Course)             
UC/CSU: Yes (fulfills G requirement)
Prerequisites: None
This course meets the elective requirements for UC admission. The homework requirement is about 30 minutes per night.  This course will prepare students for the spring AP Psychology test.  A scientific basis of Psychology, cognitive/behavioral processes, as well as individual and developmental differences will be explored.  AP test-taking procedures and tips will also be covered.  Although no prior coursework is required, students who have already taken Psychology can get elective credits, in that this class is significantly different from the regular Psychology class.  Students are expected to take the AP test in May for which they can receive university credit.

AP United States History
Grades: 11                     
Credits: 10 (Year-Long Course)               
UC/CSU: (fulfills A & G requirements)
Prerequisites: None
This course meets the elective requirements for UC admission. This course also satisfies the NMCHS requirement for 11th-grade social studies. The course is open to juniors preparing for the Advanced Placement College Board Examination in American History. Colleges and universities use the results of this examination to determine whether or not the student will receive credit for U.S. History at their institution.  The course teaches the foundations of American history. This is a two-semester course, plus work done during the summer. Emphasis will be on developing college-level skills in research, analysis, seminar discussions and essay writing.

AP World History
Grades: 10                    
Credits: 10 (Year-Long Course)               
UC/CSU:  (fulfills A & G requirements)
Prerequisites: None
This course meets the elective requirements for UC admission. This class is open enrollment. Homework requirement:  45-60 minutes per night.  This course also satisfies the NMCHS requirement for 10th-grade social studies. This course examines World History from a global perspective.  It covers the time period from 8,000 BCE to the present.  Critical thinking and the analytical and writing skills necessary in a college-level history course will be emphasized.  Students will learn to understand the overarching themes of history, write change and comparative essays, and use primary source material to generate responses to document-based questions (DBQ). Students are expected to take the AP World History Test in May for which college credit can be earned.

Economics
Grades: 12                    
Credits: 5 (Semester Course)                      
UC/CSU: Yes (fulfills G requirement)
Prerequisites: None
This is a senior course that will cover the fundamental principles of macro- and micro-economics, practical application of the principles, the historical development of economic theory, and comparative analysis of various economic systems around the world.

United States Government
Grades: 12                   
Credits: 5 (Semester Course)                       
UC/CSU: Yes  (fulfills A and G requirements)
Prerequisites: None
This is a senior course that will deal with the philosophy, structure, and application of the American political system.  It will include an examination of the constitution and its key principles, political behavior, structure of government (national, state and local), the electoral process and an overview of the Bill of Rights.

United States History
Grades: 11                    
Credits: 10 (Year-Long Course)                 
UC/CSU: Yes (fulfills A requirement)
Prerequisites: None
This course will offer the student both a general background to 20th Century American history and a more focused exposure to some of the key themes of 20th Century American history.  The emphasis will be on providing the student will the stimulus and knowledge to interpret the important questions of America’s past, present, and future.

World History
Grades: 10                  
Credits: 10 (Year-Long Course)                
UC/CSU: Yes  (fulfills A requirement)
Prerequisites: None
The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with key events and trends in modern history.  Specific issues, which show that the modern world has become interdependent, are taught in this class, such as the rise of democratic values, Imperialism and Nationalism, World War I, Totalitarianism, World War II and Problems of the Modern World.