Social Studies

This is a freshman-level World History class that studies the development of civilization through the mid-19th century. It correlates the study of ancient cultures such as Rome, Greece, Egypt, the Middle East, and the Far East with current problems being experienced in the world. An in-depth analysis of religion, geography, art, and political institutions provides students with insights, respect and ultimately an enhanced appreciation for different cultures and their attributes. In-depth critical thinking skills are focused upon and developed through the extensive use of primary resources, supplementary materials, slides, and power points. As a result, students develop a basic understanding of culture, institutions, and the nature of humankind in the context of world history.

• Homework Expectation: 35 minutes per day
• Year
• 10 credits
• UC Approved
• NCAA Approved

Prerequisite: Placement based on HSPT results for incoming freshmen.

World History is a year-long recommended course that begins with the development of democratic ideas, continues to the French Revolution, and ends with the fall of Communism in the former Soviet Union. Students will focus on the influences of the Greeks, Romans, and the monotheistic religions, Renaissance, Reformation and Enlightenment in the development of democratic ideas. They will trace the development of the nation state, formation of political and economic systems, technological innovations, and cultures around the world. Students will investigate the forces that have shaped world history, including the role of ideas versus ideologies. In-depth critical thinking skills will focus on and develop through the extensive use of primary resources, supplementary materials, slides, and power points. As a result, students develop a basic understanding of culture, institutions, and the nature of humankind in the context of world history.

• Homework Expectation: 35 minutes per day
• Year
• 10 credits
• UC Approved
• NCAA Approved

Prerequisites: Placement based on HSPT. Freshmen must qualify for English 1 Honors. 

AP Human Geography is an introductory college-level human geography course. Students cultivate their understanding of human geography through data and geographic analyses as they explore topics like patterns and spatial organization, human impacts and interactions with their environment, and spatial processes and societal changes.

• Homework Expectation: 1 hour to 1 hour and 25 minutes per day, can include weekends & breaks.
• AP Exam Required: $105 Fee
• Year
• 10 Credits
• UC Approved
• NCAA Approved

Prerequisite: Placement based on HSPT. Freshmen or transfers must qualify for English 1 Honors. Sophomores must have at least a B in 1st semester of English Honors or at least an A in the first semester of English 1. Students taking English 1A are not eligible. Placement pending based on 2nd semester grades matching prior requirements.

The course of study in this class is the same as regular World History, but it is more in depth and presented at a faster pace. The writings of historians are studied; outside and primary sources are used beyond the text. Students in this class will also be required to participate in the MUN program on campus and attend offsite MUN conferences as representatives of JSerra Catholic High School. Students will be required to do extensive writing and research as preparation for MUN conferences. As part of their grade, students in this course will be required to attend four MUN Conferences which occur once a quarter. These are full-day conferences on Saturdays throughout the year.

• Homework Expectation: 1 hour to 1 hour and 25 minutes per day
• Year
• 10 credits
• UC Approved
• NCAA Approved

Prerequisites: Students should qualify for English 2 Honors and have a minimum of A in the first semester of their prior social studies course if taken freshman year. If no social studies class was taken freshman year they need a minimum A in their prior English course or a minimum B in the 1st semester of the prior English Honors course. Students must complete a required summer assignment with an acceptable passing grade. Placement pending based on 2nd-semester grades matching prior requirements.

This college-level course in European History prepares the students to take the AP European exam in May. The chronological scope of the course ranges from the Renaissance to the recent past and covers political, cultural, economic, and social themes in the history of modern Europe. Students will do research, write papers, and evaluate key historical figures and literature. This class emphasizes both critical thinking and analysis and requires substantially more individual planning and effort with daily assessments. Students are expected to maintain a B average to remain in the class.

• Homework Expectation: 1 hour to 1 hour and 25 minutes per day, can include weekends & breaks.
• Summer Assignment Required: Due on 1st day of class
• AP Exam Required: $105 Fee
• Year
• 10 Credits
• UC Approved for Honors
• NCAA Approved

US History is a junior-level required course. This survey American history class begins with a review of the colonial period, Civil War, Reconstruction to the present. The course will explore the interactions of people, ideas, innovations, and institutions in the development of American history. Particular emphasis will be placed on the forces that brought about the Civil War and the political, economic and social development during and after Reconstruction. The course will examine domestic and foreign conflicts that shaped the lives of Americans today. Students will analyze how the United States has influenced international affairs, especially since the end of World War I and II. Students will have daily reading assignments and should expect to write numerous essays throughout the course.

• Homework Expectation: 35 minutes per day
• Year
• 10 credits
• UC Approved
• NCAA Approved

Prerequisites: Minimum A in the 1st semester of prior social studies course or a minimum B in prior honors or AP social studies course. Minimum A in the 1st semester of the prior English course or a minimum B in the 1st semester of the prior English Honors course. Placement pending based on 2nd semester grades matching prior requirements.

This is a survey course of American history with an emphasis on the political, social, diplomatic, economic, and intellectual history of the United States. It will ultimately prepare the student for successful passing of the AP US History exam. It is offered as a course that is taught at an advanced level, challenging the students to think critically about the important figures, periods, and events of American history as well as their underlying forces. Extensive reading and writing are major components of the course.

• Homework Expectation: 1 hour to 1 hour and 25 minutes per day, can include weekends & breaks.
• Summer Assignment Required: Due during the 1st week of school
• AP Exam Required: $105 Fee
• Year
• 10 Credits
• UC Approved for Honors
• NCAA Approved

This is the first semester required senior college prep course in social studies. Students pursue a deeper understanding of the institutions of American government. They compare systems of government in the world today and analyze the history and changing interpretations of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the current state of the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches of government. An emphasis is placed on analyzing the relationship among federal, state, and local governments, with particular attention paid to important historical documents such as the Federalist Papers. These standards represent the culmination of civic literacy as students prepare to vote, participate in community activities, and assume the responsibilities of citizenship.

• Homework Expectation: 35 minutes per day
• Semester
• 5 Credits
• UC Approved
• NCAA Approved

Prerequisites: Completion of Geometry. 

This is a course that analyzes the microeconomic principles that apply to the sports industry.  The topics covered will include an introduction of economic concepts (supply, demand and price), industrial organizations (monopolies and franchises), public policy (stadiums), labor (wages and unions), sports rights (merchandise, media and sponsorships), collegiate sports and the not-for-profit sector.  The prerequisites for this course are meant to ensure that students can both understand fundamental economic concepts and interpret the research as it applies to the economics of sports.  

• Homework Expectation: 15 to 25 minutes per day
• Semester
• 5 credits
• UC Approval pending
• NCAA Approval pending

Economics is taken in the second semester of senior year after completing American Government. This class will provide students with a practical and comprehensive framework of the nation's economy and how it works. Students will explore the fundamental economic concepts of scarcity, opportunity cost and trade-offs, productivity and economic systems. The student will also be exposed to microeconomic, macroeconomic, and international economic concepts.

• Homework Expectation: 35 minutes per day
• Semester
• 5 Credits
• UC Approved
• NCAA Approved

Prerequisites: Minimum A in the 1st semester of US History or a minimum B in the 1st semester of AP US History. Minimum A in the 1st semester of English 3 or a minimum B in the 1st semester of prior AP English Language. Placement pending based on 2nd semester grades matching prior requirements.

AP American Government and Politics is a year-long, college-level survey course designed for the academically accelerated senior. Upon completion of this class, students will have a firm grasp on the theory, organization, politics, function, and problems of US government. The bulk of instruction in this class is lecture based, though students are expected to engage in regular classroom discussion. This course includes substantial reading and writing components. In the writing assignments, emphasis is placed on the student's critical thinking skills. Ultimately, students will be prepared to take the AP College Board exam at the end of the year in May. Course will include a fundamental economic component in order to satisfy graduation requirements.

• Homework Expectation: 1 hour to 1 hour and 25 minutes per day, can include weekends & breaks.
• Summer Assignment Required: Due on 1st day of class
• AP Exam Required: $105 Fee
• Year
• 10 Credits
• UC Approved for Honors
• NCAA Approved

Prerequisites: Minimum A in the 1st semester of US History or a minimum B in the 1st semester of AP US History. Minimum A in the 1st semester of Algebra 2 or a minimum B in the 1st semester of Algebra 2 Honors. Placement pending based on 2nd semester grades matching prior requirements.

AP Macroeconomics is a college-level course that introduces students to the principles that apply to an economic system. The course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination. It also develops students' familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics. Students learn to use graphs, charts, and data to analyze, describe, and explain economic concepts. This course will study the theory and operation of the economy, with special emphasis placed on government attempts to achieve domestic and international economic goals using monetary and fiscal policies. Emphasis is placed on the broad overall performance (macro-analysis) of the economy with concentration in such areas as aggregate supply and demand, business cycle fluctuations, money and banking, income, employment, inflation, output, economic stability and growth, fiscal and monetary policy, and international trade and finance. Students will take an abbreviated U.S. Government component to satisfy graduation requirements.

• Homework Expectation: 1 hour to 1 hour and 25 minutes per day, can include weekends & breaks.
• AP Exam Required: $105 Fee
• Year
• 10 Credits
• UC Approved for Honors
• NCAA Approved