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At Taft Charter High School, the Social Sciences department ignites a passion for understanding the world and our place within it. Through a dynamic curriculum encompassing history, government, economics, and psychology, students develop critical thinking skills to analyze the past, engage with the present, and become informed participants in shaping the future. The department fosters a collaborative learning environment where students can explore real-world issues, delve into global cultures, and develop the knowledge and empathy to become effective changemakers.
  • Ethnic Studies
Recommended Prerequisite(s): 11th and 12th grade
    • This course introduces students to the interconnected effects of race, ethnicity, and class on human beings.  Students will examine how each individual has been socially constructed and how structured systems of inequality work. Students will also explore how these systems affect people’s health, life chances, self-concept, and material well-being. Along with the exploration of race and ethnic issues, the class will also study institutionalized racism and discrimination.  Issues of class will be fully integrated throughout the course as the class examines how economic status has had positive effects on people of privilege and thus shows the connections between power and powerlessness, wealth and poverty, confidence, and despair. 
 
  • World History
Recommended Prerequisite(s): None 
    • This course is the steppingstone to the social studies courses in high school. In this course, students will study major turning points that helped to shape the world that we live in today. The primary focus of this course begins in the late 18th century to the present, including the events and causes of the two world wars. This course is intended to foster an understanding of current world issues and relate them to their historical, geographic, political, economic, and social origins. Students will learn to evaluate causation and effects, analyze historical documents, and interpret historical data through developing their writing. 
 
  • Honors World History
Recommended Prerequisite(s): A grade of a “B” or higher in the previous history and English courses
    • In this honors course, students will study major turning points that helped to shape the world that we live in today by incorporating the differentiation strategies of acceleration in pacing, depth, complexity, and novelty. The primary focus of this course begins in the late 18th century to the present, including the events and causes of the two world wars. This course is intended to foster an understanding of current world issues and relate them to their historical, geographic, political, economic, and social origins. Students will learn to evaluate causation and effects, analyze historical documents, and interpret historical data through developing their writing in a more cognitively demanding course, and students will be engaged in both collaborative and independent study that exceeds grade-level standards and builds students’ independence with difficult reading, writing, listening, and speaking tasks. 
 
  • AP World History
Recommended Prerequisite(s): Ability to read college level texts and apply the conventions of Standard Written English in their writing
    • This is an introductory college level modern world history course that highlights history from c. 1200 CE to present day. This course will foster student inquiry and investigation of historical events through the analyses of historical sources. Students will make historical connections and craft historical arguments as they explore concepts that include cultural development, human interactions, governance, economic systems, social organizations, technology, and innovations. The curriculum in this course is intended to prepare students for the AP exam at its culmination.
 
  • US History
Recommended Prerequisite(s): World History 
      • This course provides a one-year survey of American history from the Colonial Period and the American Revolution to the present day, with an emphasis on the twentieth century.  Using the textbook and primary documents and current events, students learn about the various political, social, religious, and economic developments that have shaped and continue to shape the United States.  Essay writing and critical thinking are emphasized as integral ways of understanding how the past relates to the present and future. 
 
  • Honors US History
Recommended Prerequisite(s): World History, A grade of a “B” or higher in the previous history and English courses 
      • This honors course provides a one-year survey of American history from the Colonial Period and the American Revolution to the present day, with an emphasis on the twentieth century.  Using the textbook and primary documents and current events, students learn about the various political, social, religious, and economic developments that have shaped and continue to shape the United States.  Essay writing and critical thinking are emphasized as integral ways of understanding how the past relates to the present and future.  Differentiation strategies of acceleration in pacing, depth, complexity, and novelty will be utilized for students to be engaged in both collaborative and independent study that exceeds grade-level standards and builds students’ independence with difficult reading, writing, listening, and speaking tasks. 
 
  • AP US History
Recommended Prerequisite(s): World History/Honors World History. Ability to read college level texts and apply the conventions of Standard Written English in their writing 
      • This is a college level course that is intended to cultivate understanding of U.S. history from c. 1491 to present. This course will foster the analyses of history sources and the ability to create connections and craft history arguments through the exploration of national identity, politics, the market, technology, migration, settlement, and geography. Students will analyze, interpret, and apply historical data to show a mastery of historical knowledge through written arguments. The curriculum in this course is intended to prepare students for the AP exam at its culmination. 
 
  • Principles of American Democracy
Recommended Prerequisite(s): World History & U.S. History  
      • This one semester course viewed as a source of civic literacy and will survey the principles, philosophies, practices, and institutions that comprise the United States system of government and law.  Students are expected to apply knowledge gained in previous social studies courses to pursue deeper understanding of American government.  Contemporary issues will frame conversations about the Constitution, the courts, legislative and executive branches, federalism, and a review of major political philosophies around the world.  Emphasis is also given to the dynamics of political decision-making and the degree to which citizens participate in political processes. 
 
  • Honors Principles of American Democracy
Recommended Prerequisite(s): World History & U.S. History, A grade of a “B” or higher in the previous history and English courses 
      • This one semester course viewed as a source of civic literacy and will survey the principles, philosophies, practices, and institutions that comprise the United States system of government and law.  Students are expected to apply knowledge gained in previous social studies courses to pursue deeper understanding of American government.  Contemporary issues will frame conversations about the Constitution, the courts, legislative and executive branches, federalism, and a review of major political philosophies around the world.  Emphasis is also given to the dynamics of political decision-making and the degree to which citizens participate in political processes. Differentiation strategies of acceleration in pacing, depth, complexity, and novelty will be utilized for students to be engaged in both collaborative and independent study that exceeds grade-level standards and builds students’ independence with difficult reading, writing, listening, and speaking tasks. 
 
  • Economics
Recommended Prerequisite(s): World History & U.S. History  
      • This course provides a one-semester study of Economics in which students learn the fundamental concepts of micro-, macro-, and international economics and apply them in intellectually and engaging ways.  Using the reader, Economics, as well as various current events, tables, graphs, statistics, and other data, students will gain a general understanding of economics and economic philosophy that will enable them to assess and evaluate the U.S. economy and their personal finance more successfully.  Essay writing, critical thinking, active reading and note taking will be emphasized as important means for fully participating in the class.
 
  • Honors Economics
Recommended Prerequisite(s): World History & U.S. History. A grade of a “B” or higher in the previous history and English courses 
      • This course provides a one-semester study of Economics in which students learn the fundamental concepts of micro-, macro-, and international economics and apply them in intellectually and engaging ways.  Using the reader, Economics, as well as various current events, tables, graphs, statistics, and other data, students will gain a general understanding of economics and economic philosophy that will enable them to assess and evaluate the U.S. economy and their personal finance more successfully.  Essay writing, critical thinking, active reading and note taking will be emphasized as important means for fully participating in the class. Differentiation strategies of acceleration in pacing, depth, complexity, and novelty will be utilized for students to be engaged in both collaborative and independent study that exceeds grade-level standards and builds students’ independence with difficult reading, writing, listening, and speaking tasks. 
 
  • AP United States Government and Politics
Recommended Prerequisite(s): World History, U.S. History. Ability to read college level texts and apply the conventions of Standard Written English in their writing
      • This is a college level, nonpartisan introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. This course will foster the development of analytical perspectives for interpreting, understanding, and explaining the political process through multiple modalities. The curriculum in this course is intended to prepare students for the AP exam at its culmination. 
 
  • AP Macroeconomics
Recommended Prerequisite(s): AP US History and AP Government
      • The major purpose of this course is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the economic system as a whole. The course places a primary emphasis on the study of national income and price determination and develops the students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, economic growth, and international economics. If a student passes the CEEB Advanced Placement Exam, this course may be accepted by colleges for course credit. 
  • AP Human Geography
Recommended Prerequisite(s): Ability to read college level texts and apply the conventions of Standard Written English in their writing
      • This is a college-level course that cultivates student understanding of human geography through data and geographic analyses that have shaped mankind’s understanding, use, and alteration of the Earth’s surface. This course will foster an environment of student inquiry concerning human organization of space, culture, and the environmental consequences from the local to global level. Students will analyze charts, graphs, models, and current events to evaluate global trends. The curriculum in this course is intended to prepare students for the AP exam at its culmination. 
 
  • AP African American Studies
Recommended Prerequisite(s): Ability to read college level texts and apply the conventions of Standard Written English in their writing; Fulfills Ethnic Studies Requirement
      • AP African American Studies is an interdisciplinary course that examines the diversity of African American experiences through direct encounters with varied sources. Students explore key topics that extend from early African kingdoms to the ongoing challenges and achievements of the contemporary moment. Given the interdisciplinary character of African American Studies, students in the course will develop skills across multiple fields, with an emphasis on developing historical, literary, visual, and data analysis skills. This course foregrounds a study of the diversity of Black communities in the United States within the broader context of Africa and the African diaspora.
 
  • AP European History
Recommended Prerequisite(s): World History/Honors World History. Ability to read college level texts and apply the conventions of Standard Written English in their writing
      • This is an introductory college-level European history course. This course will foster student analyses of historical events solely in Europe through historical sources. This course will foster student inquiry by supporting students to make historical connections and craft historical arguments through the exploration of European interactions within the continent and with the rest of the world. Students will also explore key concepts that include European economic and commercial development, cultural and intellectual developments, state and institutional power, social organization and development, national and European identity, and well as technological and scientific innovations. The curriculum in this course is intended to prepare students for the AP exam at its culmination. 
 
  • Introduction to Psychology
Recommended Prerequisite(s): none
      • Psychology is the study of the human mind and behavior. In this introductory course, students will examine the basic structures and functions of the brain, the nervous system, and the endocrine system. They will also study the biological, social, and evolutionary bases for behavior. There will be an emphasis on cognitive, social, and emotional development, along with an exploration of the various approaches to clinical psychology. The historical and contemporary research of major figures in the field of Psychology will be covered, and the ethical and scientific structures of that research will be examined.
 
  • Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Studies
Recommended Prerequisite(s): none; Fulfills Ethnic Studies Requirement
      • Even though Asian immigrants have settled in the United States since the early 1800s, they are still seen as foreigners and are often marginalized and minoritized. Yet, for generations, they have made significant contributions to the growth and development of the United States. This course shows how race and racism have been, and continue to be, profoundly powerful social and cultural forces in American society. 
         
        Students taking this one-semester course will be able to identify and recognize the historical, social, and political barriers that impact the APIDA community. They will also learn how the APIDA community resisted and fought for civil rights, equality, and justice. The course covers U.S. history from early Asian immigration in the 1850s to now. The purpose of the course is to ensure students have an understanding of the APIDA community’s experiences, perspectives, and contributions. After the course, students will be much more aware of issues of social justice, social responsibility, and social change. They will critically examine issues of race and other systems of difference that shape both individual and group interactions, identity, and culture.
  • AP Psychology
Recommended Prerequisite(s): Ability to read college-level texts and apply the conventions of Standard Written English in their writing
      • This is an introductory college-level psychology course intended to cultivate an understanding of the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. This course will foster an environment or inquiry-based investigations to explore concepts like the biological bases of behavior, sensation, and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatment of abnormal behavior, and social psychology. 
 
  • African American History
Recommended Prerequisite(s): 11th and 12th grade; Fulfills Ethnic Studies Requirement
      • This course is an introductory course that introduces students to the major themes, issues, and debates in African American history beginning at the Reconstruction Period to the present. This course is intended to enlighten students with an overview of the African American experience through African American literature, African American Art, and African American music and film. Some topics that will be discussed include segregation, racial violence, black culture, popular culture, political movements, and the contemporary experience.
 
  • Ancient Civilizations / Introduction to Anthropology
Recommended Prerequisite(s): 11th and 12th grade
      • These two one-semester courses are introductory courses that cultivate learning through the study of cultural beginnings and ancient civilizations of humans through the examination and inquiry of artifacts. This course is intended to enlighten student understanding by allowing them to become familiar with famous pieces of art and literature throughout the world and gain an understanding of the historical and cultural influences as well as their impact on human culture.