This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of economic theory and practice. Students develop a working definition of economics, undergo an extensive introduction to supply and demand and laws that relate to supply and demand. They also are exposed to the variety of political systems and their effect on economic theory including socialism, capitalism, and communism. Types of businesses are explained including sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. The pros and cons of each type of organization are discussed. Other important concepts are explored including pricing, gross national product, inflation, taxation, and selected economic indicators.
The honors curriculum for this course will require college-level economics research papers as well as participation in an outside experience (e.g. an interview).
Class receives honors weighing in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations
Behavioral Neuroscience is the scientific study of the relationship between biology and behavior. Students will investigate how our brain structures and chemistry affect our vulnerability to addiction, our capacity to feel emotions, our susceptibility to sleep disorders, and our resiliency in terms of mental health, among other topics. As students explore the amazing intricacies of the machine that is their body, they’ll ultimately gain an appreciation of our shared humanity.
The honors curriculum for this course will necessitate college-level psychological analysis as well as practical applications or experiences of authentic psychology research in action.
Class receives honors weighing in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations
Behavioral Neuroscience is the scientific study of the relationship between biology and behavior. Students will investigate how our brain structures and chemistry affect our vulnerability to addiction, our capacity to feel emotions, our susceptibility to sleep disorders, and our resiliency in terms of mental health, among other topics. As students explore the amazing intricacies of the machine that is their body, they’ll ultimately gain an appreciation of our shared humanity.
Social Cognitive Psychology is the scientific study of mental processes, information processing and group dynamics. Students will investigate how our brains let us “see” the world, how our perceptions depend on our current state of attention, and how memories can change over time. As we seek to better understand the human mind, we will discuss language abilities and the power of social influences. Students will look at mistakes that people make, from simple visual illusions to errors in higher-level
decision-making, and will discuss how these “failures” provide unique insights into the mechanisms of human thinking and even mental disorders and their treatment.
The honors curriculum for this course will necessitate college-level psychological analysis as well as practical applications or experiences of authentic psychology research in action.
Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations
Social Cognitive Psychology is the scientific study of mental processes, information processing and group dynamics. Students will investigate how our brains let us “see” the world, how our perceptions depend on our current state of attention, and how memories can change over time. As we seek to better understand the human mind, we will discuss language abilities and the power of social influences. Students will look at mistakes that people make, from simple visual illusions to errors in higher-level decision-making, and will discuss how these “failures” provide unique insights into the mechanisms of human thinking and even mental disorders and their treatment.
U.S. Govt: Race, Gender and Power is a course that explores personhood and its construction in the American political system. Since the drafting of the Constitution, the US political system has restricted access to legal rights and protections of personhood; in particular for women and People of Color. In turn, this creates unique political realities for the Black, Chicanx/Latinx, Asian American, Native American, Feminist and LGBTQ experiences within the US political system. This course will examine the Constitution and the federal and state governments it creates from the perspectives of these communities, as well as how the Constitution, judicial system, media, and political parties have been used by the People to achieve greater access to freedom and equality. In short, this course will examine who exactly has historically been included in the American collective of “We the People”, how this has changed over time, and what this means for our society today.
This course will analyze the changing demographics of San Francisco from a Gold Rush town to a blue-collar manufacturing and shipping center to a technology hub, and how those changes impacted the City’s politics. Students will learn about the evolution of the “strong mayor” system of government and the relationship between the executive (Mayor’s Office) and legislative (Board of Supervisors) branches of City government. Students will also examine San Francisco as a case study in federalism by evaluating how the national government (e.g. the Hetch Hetchy water system and the New Deal programs) and the California state government (e.g. the “great freeway revolt”) have shaped the City and County of San Francisco. Furthermore, students will study how San Francisco became a center of the civil rights, free speech, anti-war, and gay rights movements, particularly from the 1960s to the present.
The honors curriculum for this course will include additional assignments (e.g. college-level research papers) and participating in outside experiences (e.g. city council meetings).
Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations
This course will analyze the changing demographics of San Francisco from a Gold Rush town to a blue-collar manufacturing and shipping center to a technology hub, and how those changes impacted the City’s politics. Students will learn about the evolution of the “strong mayor” system of government and the relationship between the executive (Mayor’s Office) and legislative (Board of Supervisors) branches of City government. Students will also examine San Francisco as a case study in federalism by evaluating how the national government (e.g. the Hetch Hetchy water system and the New Deal programs) and the California state government (e.g. the “great freeway revolt”) have shaped the City and County of San Francisco. Furthermore, students will study how San Francisco became a center of the civil rights, free speech, anti-war, and gay rights movements, particularly from the 1960s to the present.
U.S. Govt: Crime, Law and the Constitution evaluates the origin and application of due process rooted in British law and found in the United States Constitution. The course will analyze issues related to the federal and state criminal justice systems including: policing, arrest, arraignment, trial, sentencing, and incarceration/alternative rehabilitation. At the federal level, students will evaluate the impact of federal laws such as the 1994 Crime Bill and precedents set by Supreme Court cases. At the state level, students will examine key California laws such as the Three Strikes Law. Case studies will include recent trials, and the coursework will include field trips and guest experts from the Bay Area. Students will participate in a mock trial and produce a research based podcast or documentary related to criminal justice.
The honors curriculum for this course will include more rigorous assessments, as well as more in-depth research for the semester research project.
Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations.
U.S. Govt: Crime, Law and the Constitution evaluates the origin and application of due process rooted in British law and found in the United States Constitution. The course will analyze issues related to the federal and state criminal justice systems including: policing, arrest, arraignment, trial, sentencing, and incarceration/alternative rehabilitation. At the federal level, students will evaluate the impact of federal laws such as the 1994 Crime Bill and precedents set by Supreme Court cases. At the state level, students will examine key California laws such as the Three Strikes Law. Case studies will include recent trials, and the coursework will include field trips and guest experts from the Bay Area. Students will participate in a mock trial and produce a research based podcast or documentary related to criminal justice.
