Course Descriptions
Culver City High School is an engaged and caring academic community where diversity is valued and respected. We are committed to educating and inspiring all students to become life-long learners and contributing members of our global society.
SOCIAL STUDIES
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
GLOBAL ISSUES/ GLOBAL ISSUES SDAIE (9) One Semester
* SDAIE courses are designated for limited English Proficiency (LEP) Students.
Course Description: This course integrates the five themes of geography and the inter-relationship between the physical environment and human culture. The content of this course focuses on Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. While improving their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, students will have the opportunity to become familiar with world literature, religion, current events, and global issues. Students will reflect on modern-day dilemmas such as environmental, political, social and economic developments. In addition, this course will prepare students to be informed and responsible global citizens. This course is designed to compliment the California World History Content Standard, as well as, the National Geography Standards.
HONORS GLOBAL ISSUES (9) One Semester
Prerequisite: An “A” or “B” in scholar’s classes and an “A” in regular academic classes. Proficient or Advanced in 8th grade English Language Arts CST’s. Highly recommended that student is concurrently enrolled in Honors English 9.
Course Description: This course integrates the five themes of geography and the inter-relationship between the physical environment and human culture. The content of this course focuses on Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. While improving their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, students will have the opportunity to become familiar with world literature, religion, current events, and global issues. Students will reflect on modern-day dilemmas such as environmental, political, social and economic developments. In addition, this course will prepare students to be informed and responsible global citizens. This course is designed to compliment the California World History Content Standard, as well as, the National Geography Standards.
WORLD HISTORY / WORLD HISTORY SDAIE (10) One Year Required
* SDAIE courses are designated for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students. UC/CSU Subject Area - A
Course Description: This course covers the rise of democracy from Ancient Greece and Rome up until the present day. Units included are the glorious revolution, industrial revolution, imperialism, World War I and II, the Cold War and current events. Skills are emphasized in the area of writing and research.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) EUROPEAN HISTORY (10) One Year
UC/CSU Subject Area - A
Recommended: A “B” or higher with teacher recommendation in prior Honors or AP Social Studies or an “A” or “B+” in Global Issues, and a score of Proficient or Advanced in 9th grade English Language Arts CST. Summer assignment is required and affects first semester grade.
For all APs and Honors classes with Summer Assignments: Students failing to turn in the Summer Assignment on the first day of the school year will be dropped from the course and placed in the general education equivalent.
Skill requirements: Good organization, work habits and a solid commitment required. Strong writing skills, you must know how to write an essay.
Course Description: This course fulfills the world history graduation requirement, or the 11th or 12th grade elective. It emphasizes the political-diplomatic, intellectual-cultural and social-economic aspects of Europe from 1450 to the present. Its major purpose is to prepare students for the Advanced Placement examination in European History, which if passed, may earn students college credit for the subject. This course requires at least an hour of homework every night and on weekends. In May, students in this class are expected to take the AP examination.
UNITED STATES HISTORY / US HISTORY SDAIE (11) One Year Required
* SDAIE courses are designated for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students. UC/CSU Subject Area - A
Course description: This course examines major turning points of American History in the 20th century. During the year certain themes should be emphasized: The historical significance and evolution of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights; the expanding role of the federal government; the continuing tension between the individual and the state as well as between minority and majority power; the emergence of our modern capitalistic economy; the impact of technology on American society and culture; change in the ethnic composition of American society; the movement towards equal rights for all; and the role of the United States as a major world power. In each unit students should examine American politics, culture, the arts, education, social addictions, mass media and notable personalities of the time. This course may be taught with English 11.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) UNITED STATES HISTORY (11) One Year
UC/CSU Subject Area - A
Recommended: An “A” or “B” in AP European History; “C” with teacher recommendation; an “A” in prior Social Studies class plus teacher recommendation, and a score of Proficient or Advanced in World History and English Language Arts CST. Previous AP work highly recommended.
Skill requirements: Above average writing skills and good organization and work habits. Summer assignment is required and will affect first semester grade.
For all APs and Honors classes with Summer Assignments: Students failing to turn in the Summer Assignment on the first day of the school year will be dropped from the course and placed in the general education equivalent.
Course Description: This course fulfills the U.S. History graduation requirement, and covers the major events and themes of American History from the time of colonial settlement until the 1980's. The class is designed to provide college-preparatory students with the factual knowledge and writing skills necessary to pass the advanced placement examination in U.S. History, which, if passed, may earn students college credit in the subject. In May, students in this class are expected to take the AP examination.
ECONOMICS / ECONOMICS SDAIE (12) One Semester Required
* SDAIE courses are designated for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students. UC/CSU Subject Area - G
Course Description: Economics is the study of how human beings attempt to satisfy unlimited wants with scarce resources. The first part of the course will focus on the fundamental concepts of Economics including: supply, demand and scarcity. Other topics include the organization of individual businesses and industries, the labor market, the role of government, money, banks, investing and the global economy.
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT / UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT SDAIE (12)
One Semester Required
UC/CSU Subject Area - A
* SDAIE courses are designated for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students.
Course Description: The study of the United States Government prepares students to function as effective citizens in a democratic society. This course concentrates on the basics of the United States Government: federalism, separation of powers, constitutional rights and liberties, and the three branches of government and their powers. The historical foundations and development of America's political systems are reviewed. All students are required to complete 8-10 hours of civic participation.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) MACROECONOMICS (12) One Year
* Taught concurrently with U.S. Government
UC/CSU Subject Area -G
Recommended: “A” or “B” in prior Social Studies class or teacher recommendation; completion of summer assignment for U.S. Government, and a score of Proficient or Advanced in US History and English Language Arts CST. Summer assignment is required and affects first semester grade.
For all AP and Honors classes with Summer Assignments: Students failing to turn in the Summer Assignment by the first day of the school year will be dropped from the course and placed in the general education equivalent. Student may also be enrolled in AP U.S. Government if their schedule allows for it.
Skills requirement: Above average writing and reading comprehension skills; good organization and work habits.
Course Description: A one-year course which prepares the student to take the advanced placement examination in macroeconomics. Through lecture and discussion, students will earn about the basic economic principles such as supply, demand and scarcity as they apply to the functioning of the national economy and the government's role in it. Specific topics include recession and inflation, the budget deficit and the national debt, taxes and banking. Special attention is given to the global economy. In May, students in this class are expected to take the AP examination. All students are required to fulfill 8-10 hours of government participation for this course.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) U.S. GOVERNMENT (12) One Year
* Taught concurrently with Macroeconomics
UC/CSU Subject Area –A
Recommended: “A” or “B” in prior Social Studies class or teacher recommendation; completion of summer assignment and a score of Proficient or Advanced in US History and English Language Arts CST. Summer assignment is required and affects first semester grade.
For all AP and Honors classes with Summer Assignment: Students failing to turn in the Summer Assignment on the first day of the school year will be dropped from the course and placed in the general education equivalent.
Skills requirement: Above average writing and reading comprehension skills; good organization and work habits. Student may also be enrolled in AP Macroeconomics.
Course Description: A one-semester course that prepares the student to take the Advanced Placement examination in U.S. Government. Through lecture and discussion, students will examine the constitutional foundations of government, individual rights and responsibilities, political parties, political participation, campaigns and elections, the role of the media, as well as the legislative, executive and judicial branches, the bureaucracy. The course will emphasize the process of policy making as well as individual policy outcomes. All students are required to fulfill 8-10 hours of government participation. In May, students in this class are expected to take the AP examination.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION & PEACE STUDIES
INTER & INTRACULTURAL RELATIONS
(11, 12) One Year Elective
Course Description: This course looks at the problems of violence in our schools and society and introduces the students to the theories and history of non-violence, conflict resolution, and peer mediation. The students will understand and apply these concepts in the creation of a school culture and atmosphere of learning based on the prevention of conflicts by peaceful means. The curriculum is designed so that students learn the theories of non-violence and conflict resolution through the study of the lives and writings of some of the most important personalities and then apply them to their own lives. There will be opportunity for student writing and project-based learning of both critical and creative nature. Such activities will serve to focus and expand student response to the materials of the course and will also serve as a basis for instruction in composition, program designing, and case studies. Enrichment for learning in the subject will take place in the form of conflict resolution training, research, and implementation of non-violent techniques that promote positive human relations among all people in the community and in school.
SOCIOLOGY (12) One Semester Elective
UC/CSU Subject Area -G
Course Description: This class introduces students to the academic examination of culture and society. Students will explore cultural variation between cultures and within our culture. Topics include conformity, deviance, crime, social inequality, racial and ethnic relations, family, gender, education, religion and social change. The semester “family culture” project requires each student to research and examine the history, norms, values, language, religion, symbols and expectations of his or her family
PSYCHOLOGY (12) One Semester Elective
UC/CSU Subject Area -G
Course Description: Why do we think, feel and act the way we do? This class introduces students to the field of psychology. The course is designed to examine the human experience from five different perspectives: biological, psychodynamic, cognitive, behaviorist, humanistic and socio-cultural. Students will study the major theorists and research in each perspective and then examine mental health and mental illness from those different perspectives. The semester project involves the use of behavioral strategies to change the behavior of a friend of family member.