Social Movements and Social Justice

This course is an introduction to the social movements of the “Long Sixties” (1945 – 1975), with emphasis on how the Freedom Movements of Black Americans, Chicano & Latinx/Lantiné communities, Asian-Americans, American Indians, Feminists, LGBTQ communities and other racial, ethnic or cultural communities worked toward freedom and equality. Students will identify and evaluate the core tenets of specific social movements including leadership, organization, strategies, accomplishments, and limits. Familiarity with US History is presumed. Students will also assess contemporary movements to ultimately define “freedom” for themselves. Course methodology includes: lectures, class discussion, films, group work, unit response papers land a final paper comparing and contrasting different social movements.

United States Histories and Cultures

United States Histories and Cultures examines the social, cultural, political, economic, religious and ideological movements and moments that constitute the American history.  We will focus explicitly on the diversity of the American experience and the development, change, and perpetuation of structures of inequality in the U.S over time. Empowered with this knowledge, students will then analyze what unites us as Americans through our shared historical experiences, events.  Students will examine, critique, and analyze historical narratives, focusing explicitly on tensions between historical events and the stories that have been written about them. This course focuses on building an understanding of knowledge production, critical research and writing skills, and college-level reading and analysis.  Students will leave this course prepared to heed our school’s mission to respond to the challenges of our time by becoming active participants in their civic communities.

AP Computer Science A – Java

AP Computer Science A (AP CS-A) is equivalent to a one-semester, introductory college-level computer programming course.  AP CS-A introduces students to computer science through programming.  Fundamental topics in this course include the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures to organize large sets of data, the development and implementation of algorithms to process data and discover new information, the analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing systems.  The course emphasizes object-oriented programming and design using the Java programming language.

*Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations.

**Students are required to take the AP Computer Science exam administered in May.