Courses

Geography: 1 semester, 5 credits U.S. History: 1 year, 10 credits

Behavior & Health Science: 1 semester, 5 credits Government: 1 semester, 5 credits

World History: 1 year, 10 credits Economics: 1 semester, 5 credits

College bound students, especially University of California applicants, should take only college prep social studies classes. Courses ending in numbers “00” (100, 200, 300, etc.) are designed for students who have a genuine interest in social studies or who are planning to attend college. Courses ending in “10” (110, 210, 310, etc.) are designed for students who do not plan to attend a 4-year university.

Geography is the study of five basic themes: Location, place, relationships within places, movement across the earth's surface and regions. The study of these fundamental themes will allow students to understand the connection between the earth and its people.

This course meets the essential (minimum) state and district standards for Geography. It is not recommended for college bound students.

Behavioral and Health Science is a one-semester course designed to promote responsible personal and social behavior and to influence life long health attitudes and choices. The course provides students with knowledge and skills in the following content areas: Alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse, physical and mental growth and development, stress management, suicide prevention, conflict resolution, accident prevention, consumer and community health, fitness and communicable diseases. State mandated instruction regarding sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS is included in the course. According to the Hemet Unified School District School Board Policy, written permission from a parent/guardian will be required before any sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS instruction will be presented to the student. Parents/guardians will also have the opportunity to preview all STD and HIV/Aids materials.

This course meets the essential (minimum) state and district standards for Behavior & Health. It is not recommended for college bound students.

This is the least rigorous of all social studies course levels and does not meet the essential standards for Social Studies. This course will not meet standards required for CAHSEE.

Whenever any part of the instruction in health, family life education, and sex education conflicts with the religious training and beliefs of the parent or guardian of any pupil, the pupil, on written request of the parent or guardian, shall be excused from the part of the training which conflicts with such religious training and beliefs. As used in this section, "religious training and beliefs" includes personal moral convictions. If a student is to be excused from the total health portion of the course, then the student may be excused from the entire course at the request of the parent or guardian. Students will need to complete 230 credits to meet graduation requirements. (Education Code 51240)

A written exemption by the parent or guardian must be submitted to the principal.

A study of world history helps us to understand the present and to project the future. This class includes a brief review of ancient and medieval history and emphasizes the development of people’s political and cultural life from the Renaissance to the present. All areas of the world are studied. Geography, writing, and critical thinking skills are stressed in this course.

This course meets the essential (minimum) state and district standards for World History. It is not recommended for college bound students.

This is the least rigorous of all the Social Studies course levels and does not meet the California or district standards. This course will not meet standards required for CAHSEE.

This year long course begins with a brief review of American history from Columbus through the 19th century. The remainder of the course focuses on the foreign and domestic policies of the 20th century.

This course includes the same units as U.S. History 200, but places an emphasis on recounting the historical events and people of significance and comparisons to current situations.

This course meets the essential (minimum) state and district standards for U.S. History. It is not recommended for college bound students.

This is the least rigorous of all the Social Studies course levels and does not meet the essential standards for U.S. History. This course will not meet standards required for CAHSEE.

The government course deals with the philosophical foundations of government and the fundamental principles of the constitution and the Bill of Rights. It also examines the political process and the structure and functions of the three branches of government.

This course meets the essential (minimum) state and district standards for Government. It is not recommended for college bound students.

This course includes the same units as Government 300, but places an emphasis on governmental institutions as they affect the average citizen.

GOVERNMENT FUNDAMENTALS #13026

This is the least rigorous of all the Social Studies course levels and does not meet the essential standards for Government. This course will not meet standards required for CAHSEE.

Ø ECONOMICS 400 #13030

Economics 400 is a course that deals with the principles of economics as they apply to the individual in modern society. Some of the topics include economic systems, supply and demand, money and prices, labor and management, and the role of government in the economy.

ECONOMICS 410 #13029

The Economics 410 course prepares students for the relationship between the economic concepts taught in school and the events and challenges that young adults experience on a daily basis. Topics include: fundamentals of Economics, how individuals and businesses make economic decisions, the economy as a whole, and international economics.

ECONOMICS 410 ES #13035

This course meets the essential (minimum) state and district standards for Economics. It is not recommended for college bound students.

ECONOMICS FUNDAMENTALS #13036

This is the least rigorous of all the Social Studies course levels and does not meet the California or district standards. This course will not meet standards required for CAHSEE. This course does not count for credit toward graduation.

SOCIAL STUDIES ELECTIVES

Ø GEOGRAPHY 2 #13142

In this class students create a large map of the world by plotting the world grid, drawing the world, and labeling and coloring it. All work is done in class. Geography II is open to grades 9-12 but is especially recommended for seniors as a final review before going to work or starting college.

Ø CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY #13040

For this course students study various world customs and cultures. Students gain a greater understanding, appreciation, and acceptance of the diversity in human societies.

Ø ART HISTORY 400 #13190

ART HISTORY 410 #13189

Art History is designed to introduce students to the understanding and enjoyment of works of art. It develops the student’s ability to examine works of art intelligently, acquainting them with the major forms of artistic expression in their own time and an understanding of art from other times and cultures. No prior experience in the history of art is required. Students who have done well in courses such as history and literature or in any of the studio arts are especially encouraged to enroll. Art history 400 meets the U.C. and Cal. State Fine Arts requirement.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES IN SOCIAL STUDIES

In an A.P. program, students pursue college level work in high school classes in preparation for A.P. exams. Those who receive satisfactory scores on these exams are eligible for college credit and promotion into higher-level classes upon entering college.

Ø A. P. ART HISTORY #13195

Art History is designed to introduce students to the understanding and enjoyment of works of art. It develops the student’s ability to examine works of art intelligently, acquainting them with the major forms of artistic expression in their own time and an understanding of art from other times and cultures.

Ø A. P. U.S. HISTORY #13011

The A.P. class in U.S. History will provide the student with a learning experience equivalent to most college introductory American history courses. The course will emphasize political history, foreign affairs, economic and social development, and literary/cultural history. This class requires advanced writing skills.

Ø A. P. EUROPEAN HISTORY #13060

The A.P. program in European history is designed to develop an understanding of modern European history, an awareness of Europe’s changing position in the world, and an ability to analyze historical evidence.

Ø A.P. WORLD HISTORY #13007

The purpose of the AP World History course is to develop greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts, in interaction with different types of human societies. This understanding is advanced through a combination of selective factual knowledge and appropriate analytical skills. The course highlights the nature of changes in international frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. Focused primarily on the past thousand years of the global experience, the course builds on an understanding of cultural, institutional, and technological precedents that, along with geography, set the stage prior to 1000 A.D.