Social Studies Department Course Offerings

Modern World History 1 and 2

This course is an examination of the ideas and events that have shaped the modern world since the late 18th century. Students examine major turning point in the modern world from the late eighteenth century to the present.

The course begins by linking past history to the modern world. The course encompasses events from 1789 to the present. Topics include Rise of Democracy, Revolutions, Industrial Revolution, Imperialism, World War I, World War II, Cold War and Area Studies.

Besides focusing on significant historical events, it also addresses itself to area studies in which specific nations from different continents are studied as case studies illustrating nationalism in the contemporary world. Students understand the historical, geographical, political, economic and social context of contemporary Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Asia.

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Modern World History Honors 1 and 2

This course covers the same content as the regular Modern World History course but in greater depth and complexity. The skill component of the course is accelerated and students are encouraged to develop novelty in curriculum projects.

The Modern World course is a graduation requirement in which students develop understanding of the roots of the contemporary world while refining problem-solving and critical thinking skills and written and oral expression.

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United States History 1 and 2

This course begins with a review of the history of the United States from the 17th to 19th centuries. It continues with a thorough study of the political, economic, and social history of the nation in the 20th century.

This course follows various themes throughout United States history, including:

• the ideals of natural rights and the practice of democratic government
• the rights of individuals and the rights of society
• the power of the states and the role of the federal government
• the power of the majority and the rights of the minority
• development of the ethnic composition of American society
• the struggle for equal rights
• growth and declines in the U.S. economy
• the impact of technology on culture
• the territorial expansion of the United States
• the foreign policy of the United States

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Advanced Placement United States History 1 and 2

Advanced Placement United States History is a rigorous course and addresses a significantly larger period of time than regular United States History 1 and 2, from approximately 1600 to 2000. Political, economic and history are major topics, but international relations and intellectual history are also included.

This course exceeds the SFUSD and California State History/Social Science Standards, and students are expected to complete both The American Pageant and A People’s History of the United Statesby May. In addition to textbooks, students will read a variety of other primary and secondary sources. Written analysis of primary source documents is essential. This will necessitate both summer reading and a heavy reading schedule during the school year. Students will practice for the DBQ (Document-Based Questions) section of the AP exam by completing a series of DBQs throughout the year and will write essays frequently.

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Principles of American Democracy

Students in grade twelve pursue a deeper understanding of the institutions of American government. They compare systems of government in the world today and analyze the history and changing interpretations of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the current state of the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches of government.

An emphasis is placed on analyzing the relationship among federal, state, and local governments, with particular attention paid to important historical documents such as the Federalist Papers. These standards represent the culmination of civic literacy as students prepare to vote, participate in community activities, and assume the responsibilities of citizenship.

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Advanced Placement United States Government

This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific examples. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. politics. Students will be acquainted with the variety of theoretical perspectives and explanations for various behaviors and outcomes. Students successfully completing this course will:

• Know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U.S. government and politics.
• Understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences
• Be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U.S.

Economics

Students will master fundamental economic concepts, applying the tools (graphs, statistics, equations) from other subject areas to the understanding of operations and institutions of economic systems. Studied in a historic context are the basic economic principles of micro- and macroeconomics, international economics, comparative economic systems, measurement, and methods. Students successfull completing this course will

• Understand common economic terms and concepts and economic reasoning.
• Analyze the elements of Americaís market economy in a global setting.
• Students analyze the influence of the federal government on the American economy.
• Analyze the elements of the U.S. labor market in a global setting.
• Analyze the aggregate economic behavior of the U.S. economy.
• Analyze issues of international trade and explain how the U.S. economy affects, and is affected by, economic forces beyond the United
  State’s borders.

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