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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

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.

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

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.

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

Introduction to Ethnic Studies

Course No: 5101
Subject: Social Science
Grade Level: 9
Course Length: Semester
Course Type: Core Lower-Division
UC/CSU Subject Approval: A
Prerequisite: None
Criteria for Enrollment: None
Fulfillments: Required for graduation

Introduction to Ethnic Studies challenges students to frame their individual identity, their family history, and their community history through the lenses of race, ethnicity, gender, nationality and culture.  Students will examine case studies that identify problems and analyze causes of systemic inequality through historical and contemporary contexts.  This course will also focus on developing reading, writing, notetaking and dialogue skills necessary to create and present well-organized arguments.  The semester-ending project will focus on the history and the work of a social movement.  By the end of this course, students should have an understanding of what it means to live responsibly and ethically as men and women with and for others.

Modern World History

Course No: 5201
Subject: Social Science
Grade Level: 10
Course Length: Year
Course Type: Core Lower-Division
UC/CSU Subject Approval: A
Prerequisite: Introduction to Ethnic Studies
Criteria for Enrollment: None
Fulfillments: Required for graduation

Study of the cultural, political, geopolitical, economic, and religious factors involved in global events from the Age of Exploration and Conquest to the present day. Mastery of basic historical content, the ability to analyze and interpret both primary and secondary source materials, note-taking and research skills will be developed. Writing skills for the Social Sciences, including the development of a formal thesis, the defense of that thesis through in-class writing and a formal research paper, and identifying historical significance are a major focus. Students will also be able to trace the roots of global inequality and consider the major world events of the 20th century that continue to form our modern world.

Modern World History – (0) Zero Period

Course No: 5202
Subject: Social Science
Grade Level: 10
Course Length: Year
UC/CSU Subject Approval: A
Prerequisite: Introduction for Ethnic Studies
Criteria for Enrollment: None
Fulfillments: Required for graduation

Study of the cultural, political, geopolitical, economic, and religious factors involved in global events from the Age of Exploration and Conquest to the present day. Mastery of basic historical content, the ability to analyze and interpret both primary and secondary source materials, note-taking and research skills will be developed. Writing skills for the Social Sciences, including the development of a formal thesis, the defense of that thesis through in-class writing and a formal research paper, and identifying historical significance are a major focus. Students will also be able to trace the roots of global inequality and consider the major world events of the 20th century that continue to form our modern world.

This course meets Monday-Thursday for 50 minutes (8:00 am – 8:50 am).  Students who will have morning practice or another morning commitment for the whole year that would prevent them from coming to class at 8:00 am should not take this class, as regular attendance is required.

This class is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day.  Zero period Modern World History classes will be of average size.  Courses offered during the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day will be double the average class size, team-taught by two teachers.

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

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.

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

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.