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Three and one half years (35 credits) of Social Science are required for graduation.

CONTEMPORARY WORLD STUDIES SH
Grade: 9 & 10
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in or completion of ELD 3-4, teacher
recommendation.

The curriculum and standards in this course parallels the mainstream Contemporary World Studies course. The teacher “shelters” the material to make it accessible to EL’s.

CONTEMPORARY WORLD STUDIES CP
Grade: 9
Duration: One Semester
Credits: 5
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: None

This semester long course is a survey of three non-Western regions. Each unit starts with a focus on cultural heritage. After students learn about the basic religious, cultural and ethnic background of each country, we focus on the challenges that people and nations have faced while modernizing. The course is designed to teach students a few basic social studies skills that they will need during high school. It is also intended to give students knowledge about non-Western regions of the world, and to make them sensitive to cultural differences.

MODERN WORLD HISTORY 1-2 SH
Grade: All Grades
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in or completion of ELD 3-4, teacher recommendation.

The curriculum and standards in this course parallels the mainstream Modern World History course. The teacher “shelters” the material to make it accessible to EL’s.

MODERN WORLD HISTORY 1-2 CP
Grade: 10
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: None

Students focus on the history of Europe and the United States from the French Revolution through the Cold War. There is also an emphasis on the foundations of Western society and culture and an examination of the way that Western nations have come to power in the last two centuries. The course is designed to further the development of skills that students will need in social sciences at San Mateo High School.

EUROPEAN HISTORY 1-2 AP
Grade: 10
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: None

Students focus on the history of Europe from the Renaissance to the present. The course is designed to cover the Modern World History (CP) content, but there are additional units which give students specific insight into Europe’s history. Students read intensively, work with primary documents and take timed essay and multiple choice exams. Successful students will spend 1-2 hours a day on reading, working and studying for the course. There is an abundance of facts and also an emphasis on abstract historical concepts. This course is designed to prepare students to take the AP test in May.

U. S. HISTORY 1-2 SH
Grade: 11 & 12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in or completion of ELD 3-4, teacher recommendation.

The curriculum and standards in this course parallels the mainstream U.S. History course. The teacher “shelters” the material to make it accessible to EL’s.

U. S. HISTORY 1-2 CP
Grade: 11
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: None

This two semester course begins with a brief review (approximately 9 weeks) of pre-1900 American history. The balance of the course will focus on the period from around 1900 to the present. Social, political and economic aspects of American life will be studies, as well as various eras and movements that have shaped the nation.

U. S. HISTORY 1-2 AP
Grade: 11
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: None

This course prepares students with additional skills and content that they will need to pass the Advanced Placement exam. This course begins with colonial history, but emphasizes the period from Andrew Jackson’s presidency to the present day. A minimum of one to one-half hours of study per night is expected and students are assessed primarily through a mixture of multiple choice and essay tests that are designed to be as similar to the AP test as possible. Students will be asked to analyze the meaning to historical facts in terms of cause and effect and other methods typically used by historians. Materials used for this course will come from college-level textbooks, supplementary readings and primary source documents. During the month that follows the AP test, students will complete a project on the last 20 years of American history and find connections with our history before 1980.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
Grade: 12
Duration: One Semester
Credits: 5
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: None

This is a one semester course required for graduation in California. Students study the functions and structure of the executive, legislative and judiciary branches at all levels of government: national, state and local. The study of governmental processes will be balanced out by an emphasis on the rights and responsibilities of individual citizens.

U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS AP
Grade: 12
Duration: One Semester
Credits: 5
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: None

This is a one semester course that focuses on the forces that shape and influence U.S. Government. Political parties, pressure groups, propaganda and the role of the citizens will be considered in relation to the legislative process. Special attention will be given to how citizens can affect contemporary society constructively and positively. Extensive writing will be required. This course is designed for students who want to prepare to take the AP exam in American Government.

ECONOMICS
Grade: 12
Duration: One Semester
Credits: 5
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: None

This is a one semester course required for graduation. In this semester long course, students will study the theories, structures, functions and processes of the American economic system. Students will focus on the role of the citizen as a consumer, producer and investor.

ECONOMICS MACRO AP
Grade: 12
Duration: One Semester
Credits: 5
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: None

This semester long course will focus on macroeconomics, linking economic concepts to government policies, fiscal policies and aggregate supply and demand. Students are held to a rigorous course of study, including nightly homework assignments and extensive reading for this college level course. Strong mathematical and analytical skills will be required for students to succeed in the class. Students enrolled in Economics AP will be expected to enroll in American Government AP and vice versa. Finally, all students enrolled in Economics AP are expected to take the Advanced Placement Exam in May, regardless of the semester in which they have taken the course.

AVID 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, SENIOR SEMINAR
Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
UC/CSU: Yes, only for Senior Seminar.
Prerequisite: None

AVID is a four year program that helps the student succeed in high school as he or she prepares for college. AVID targets students in the academic middle 2.0 GPA who have the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard. Typically, they will be the first in their families to attend college and many are from low-income or minority families. AVID puts them on the college track. Students learn organizational and study skills, work on critical thinking, participate in motivational activities and learn test taking methods for the SAT that make college possible.

PSYCHOLOGY
Grade: 11-12
Duration One Semester
Credits: 5
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: None

This one semester elective course introduces students to the basic tenets of psychology. Students learn about social psychology, cognitive development, personality, learning and intelligence. Students participate in research and experimentation while learning about theories and thinkers that have influenced the field. There is an emphasis on self-awareness and personal growth. The course should be regarded as an advanced social science for students who excel
in critical thinking.

SOCIOLOGY
Grade: 11-12
Duration: One Semester
Credits: 5
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: None

This one semester elective course introduces students to the basic tenets of sociology. Students learn about socialization, characteristics of groups, inequality, ethnicity, gender and social deviance. Students reflect on their own social situations while learning about social theory and thinkers who have influenced the field. There is an emphasis on understanding the self in relation to social forces, patterns and problems. The course should be regarded as an advanced social science for students who excel in critical thinking. Students are exposed to college level readings and ideas.

LEADERSHIP
Grade: 11-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
UC/CSU: No
Prerequisite: None

Leadership is a class composed of juniors and seniors who have been elected or appointed to student body or senior class offices. The class forms the core of our activities program, since about 40 events during the school year are planned and carried out by the class members. These events range from Spirit Week to our food drive for the Samaritan House to Health Awareness Week.

RENAISSANCE LEADERSHIP
Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
UC/CSU: No
Prerequisite: Application needed to enroll.

The goal of the Renaissance Leadership class is to teach students the philosophies and strategies of the Renaissance System. Students will study leadership, character, communication and organizational skills to enhance their efforts in developing Renaissance at San Mateo High School. We will explore the 10 building blocks of Renaissance and play to them throughout the year. We will provide a wide range of new activities to celebrate excellence, achievement and improvement by the students and staff. These events will provide unity and foster positive relations among our student body, the staff at San Mateo High School and our partners outside of school.