Government Electives

Grade Level — 11, 12
Length — One Semester (Fall or Spring)

Type of Course — Elective
Prerequisite — Introduction to Ethnic Studies and Modern World History 
Criteria for Enrollment — None

UC/CSU Subject G Approval

Course Description — 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.

Grade Level — 11, 12
Length — One Semester (Fall or Spring)

Type of Course — Elective
Prerequisite — Introduction to Ethnic Studies and Modern World History 
Criteria for Enrollment — Students must apply to enroll. To be accepted, students must have a demonstrated a history of academic achievement.

UC/CSU Subject G Approval
Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations.

Course Description — 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 economic research papers as well as participation in an outside experience (e.g. an interview).

Grade Level — 11, 12
Length — One Semester (Fall or Spring)

Type of Course — Elective
Prerequisite — Introduction to Ethnic Studies and Modern World History 
Criteria for Enrollment — None

UC/CSU Subject G Approval

Course Description — This course is an introduction to the social movements of the “Long Sixties” (1945 – 1975), with emphasis on the Freedom Movements of Black Americans, Chicanx/Latinx communities, Asian-Americans, American Indians, Feminists, LGBTQ communities and other racial, ethnic or cultural communities. Students will identify and evaluate the core tenets of specific social movements including leaders, organizations, events, politics, disappointments and triumphs. Familiarity with US History is presumed. Students will also assess contemporary movements both locally and globally to ultimately define “Freedom” for themselves. Course methodology includes: lectures, class discussion, films, group work, weekly response papers and a final paper.

Grade Level — 11, 12
Length — One Semester (Fall or Spring)

Type of Course — Elective
Prerequisite — Introduction to Ethnic Studies and Modern World History
Criteria for Enrollment — Students must apply to enroll. To be accepted, students must have demonstrated a history of academic achievement.

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

Course Description — This course is an introduction to the social movements of the “Long Sixties” (1945 – 1975), with emphasis on the Freedom Movements of Black Americans, Chicanx/Latinx communities, Asian-Americans, American Indians, Feminists, LGBTQ communities and other racial, ethnic or cultural communities. Students will identify and evaluate the core tenets of specific social movements including leaders, organizations, events, politics, disappointments and triumphs. Familiarity with US History is presumed. Students will also assess contemporary movements both locally and globally to ultimately define “Freedom” for themselves. Course methodology includes: lectures, class discussion, films, group work, weekly response papers and a final paper.

The honors curriculum for this course will include additional assignments, readings and participation in outside experiences, as appropriate and available.

Grade Level — 11, 12
Length — One Semester (Fall or Spring)

Type of Course — Elective
Prerequisite — Introduction to Ethnic Studies and Modern World History 
Criteria for Enrollment – None

UC/CSU Subject G Approval

Course Description — 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.

Grade Level — 11, 12
Length — One Semester (Fall or Spring)

Type of Course — Elective
Prerequisite — Introduction to Ethnic Studies and Modern World History 
Criteria for Enrollment — Students must apply to enroll.  To be accepted, students must have demonstrated a history of academic achievement. 

UC/CSU Subject G Approval
Class receives honors weighing in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU calculations

Course Description — 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.

Grade Level — 11, 12
Length — One Semester (Fall or Spring)

Type of Course — Elective
Prerequisite — Introduction to Ethnic Studies and Modern World History
Criteria for Enrollment — None

UC/CSU Subject G Approval

Course Description — 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.

Grade Level — 11, 12
Length — One Semester (Fall or Spring)

Type of Course — Elective
Prerequisite — Introduction to Ethnic Studies and Modern World History 
Criteria for Enrollment — Students must apply to enroll.  To be accepted, students must have demonstrated a history of academic achievement.

UC/CSU Subject G Approval
Class receives honors weighing in SI weighted GPA an UC/CSU GPA calculations

Course Description — 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.