Social Science

The Sequoia Union High School District social science course of study is based on the California History-Social Science Framework. Students will analyze culture, understand the concepts of continuity and change, interpret historical information, use historical research, and document evidence. The curriculum emphasizes point of view, as well as causes and consequences of major historical and political incidents. The historical thinking skills practice throughout the years will enhance their ability to make informed decisions, especially while participating in our democratic system of government. Students must pass three and a half years of required social science courses to graduate.

LIFE SKILLS - Grade 9

Life Skills is an introductory, quarter-long course that covers mental, emotional, social, personal, and community health, as well as substance abuse. The course also covers discussions on how to succeed in high school, and goal setting, while addressing state- and district-approved Health Education Standards.

ETHNIC STUDIES - P - Grade 9

Students will develop the skills to critically examine local, national, and global histories through the lens of race, gender and class. This course is designed to build a foundation for the rest of students’ high school social studies courses, where these lenses and critical analyses will be further honed and utilized in a variety of historical contexts (e.g. World Studies, U.S. History, Gov’t/Econ, AP World History, AP U.S. History, etc.). This is the companion course to Life Skills where students continue with the same teacher.

WORLD HISTORY -P - Grade 10

A two-semester survey course of the history, geography, culture, and contemporary affairs of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe, from 1400 to the present. The time period covered in this course highlights the intensification of a truly global history as people, products, diseases, knowledge, and ideas spread around the world as never before. Throughout the course, students will analyze primary and secondary sources, develop historical thinking skills such as cause and effect, comparison and contrast, and continuity and change over time, and build upon existing reading, writing, and research skills.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT MODERN WORLD HISTORY - HP - Grade 10

AP Modern World History is a challenging course intended for highly motivated students who wish to pursue college-level studies while in high school. Throughout the course, students will explore major world religions and examine the cultural, political, economic, and social developments that have shaped the modern world, primarily from the thirteenth century (1200s) through the present. The time period covered in this course highlights the intensification of a truly global history as people, products, diseases, knowledge, and ideas spread around the world as never before. Analysis of texts, visual sources, the practice of historical thinking skills, and writing essays to express historical arguments are all a part of the course. This course prepares students to pass the national AP Modern World History examination in May.