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Behavioral Neuroscience

Course No: 5432
Subject: Social Science
Grade Level: 11, 12
Course Length: Semester
Course Type: Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: G
Prerequisite: Introduction to Ethnic Studies and Modern World History
Criteria for Enrollment: None

Important Social Science Department Information

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.

Behavioral Neuroscience Honors

Course No: 5442
Subject: Social Science
Grade Level: 11, 12
Course Length: Semester
Course Type: AP/Honors, Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: G
Prerequisite: Introduction to Ethnic Studies and Modern World History
Criteria for Enrollment: Student must apply to enroll. To be accepted, students must have demonstrated a history of academic achievement.

Important Social Science Department Information

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

Economics

Course No: 5430
Subject: Social Science
Grade Level: 11, 12
Course Length: Semester
Course Type: Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: G
Prerequisite: Introduction to Ethnic Studies and Modern World History
Criteria for Enrollment: None

Important Social Science Department Information

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.

Economics Honors

Course No: 5440
Subject: Social Science
Grade Level: 11, 12
Course Length: Semester
Course Type: AP/Honors, Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: G
Prerequisite: Introduction to Ethnic Studies and Modern World History
Criteria for Enrollment: Student must apply to enroll. To be accepted, students must have demonstrated a history of academic achievement.

Important Social Science Department Information

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

Social Cognitive Psychology

Course No: 5431
Subject: Social Science
Grade Level: 11, 12
Course Length: Semester
Course Type: Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: G
Prerequisite: Introduction to Ethnic Studies and Modern World History
Criteria for Enrollment: None

Important Social Science Department Information

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.

Social Cognitive Psychology Honors

Course No: 5441
Subject: Social Science
Grade Level: 11, 12
Course Length: Semester
Course Type: Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: G
Prerequisite: Introduction to Ethnic Studies and Modern World History
Criteria for Enrollment: Student must apply to enroll. To be accepted, students must have demonstrated a history of academic achievement.

Important Social Science Department Information

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 Movements and Social Justice

Course No: 5456
Subject: Social Science
Grade Level: 11, 12
Course Length: Semester
Course Type: Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: G
Prerequisite: Introduction to Ethnic Studies and Modern World History
Criteria for Enrollment: None

Important Social Science Department Information

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.

Social Movements and Social Justice Honors

Course No: 5466
Subject: Social Science
Grade Level: 11, 12
Course Length: Semester
Course Type: AP/Honors, Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: G
Prerequisite: Introduction to Ethnic Studies and Modern World History
Criteria for Enrollment: Student must apply to enroll. To be accepted, students must have demonstrated a history of academic achievement.

Important Social Science Department Information

This course is an introduction to the social movements of the “Long Sixties” (1945 – 1975), with emphasis on the Freedom Movements of Black Americans, Chicano & Latinx/Latiné 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 and a final paper comparing and contrasting social movements.

The honors curriculum for this course will include additional components to add depth and complexity to assignments, readings and response papers. The Honors final response paper will require further research of modern social movements outside of the curriculum of the class.

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

United States Histories and Cultures

Course No: 5301
Subject: Social Science
Grade Level: 11
Course Length: Year
Course Type: Core Upper-Division
UC/CSU Subject Approval: A
Prerequisite: Introduction to Ethnic Studies, Modern World History
Criteria for Enrollment: None
Fulfillments: Graduation requirement

Important Social Science Department Information

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.

United States History and Cultures Honors

Course No: 5302
Subject: Social Science
Grade Level: 11
Course Length: Year
Course Type: AP/Honors, Core Upper-Division
UC/CSU Subject Approval: A
Prerequisite: Introduction to Ethnic Studies, Modern World History
Criteria for Enrollment: Student must apply to enroll. To be accepted, students must have demonstrated a history of academic achievement.
Fulfillments: Graduation requirement

Important Social Science Department Information

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 and 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.

In addition to the assigned coursework, the honors curriculum for this course will include college-level historical analysis, including, but not limited to supplemental textbooks, primary documents, original research, historical fiction assignments, museum visits, and optional preparation for students who wish to take the AP exam.

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