Academic Courses » History & Social Science Courses

History & Social Science Courses

HISTORY & SOCIAL SCIENCE PATHWAYS*
 
Image of Social Science Course Pathways for Class of 2021 and beyond

Del Mar High School offers the following History and Social Science courses*.

American Government
Grade 12; A-G Requirement - History/Soc Science; UC/CSU Designation - History (a), Elective (g)

This one-semester course involves the study of American politics, government operations, civil rights, and responsibilities. Students explore the democratic values that form the foundation of the American political system, investigate ideas that underlie its legal system, and study key documents which have shaped the government of this nation. Students analyze issues that confront the United States and the global community.

Economics 
Grade 12; A-G Requirement - History/Soc Science; UC/CSU Designation - Elective (g)
This one-semester, California standards-based course, gives students an understanding of how the American economic system operates. Students are encouraged to examine their own role in that system. The course content provides opportunities for students to study the concepts of scarcity, supply and demand; to compare our economic system to those of other countries; and to learn to make reasoned judgments about economic issues.
 
Government & Economics - Advanced Placement (AP) +
Grade 10-12; A-G Requirement - History/Soc Science; UC/CSU Designation - History (a) Elective(g)

This is an introductory college course in United States government and politics, or in comparative government and politics. In both subject areas, there is considerable variety among the courses offered by colleges. In terms of content, there is no specific college course curriculum that an AP course in United States Government and Politics or in Comparative Government and Politics must follow. Therefore, the aim of an AP course should be to provide the student with a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in most college introductory U.S. or comparative government and politics courses.

+ UC/CSU Honors (Weighted)
 
IB History SL +
Grade 11-12; A-G Requirement - History/Soc Science; UC/CSU Designation - History(a), Elective(g)
This course is currently under review and a description will be available soon.  Please speak with your Guidance Counselor for information.
 
+ UC/CSU Honors (Weighted)
 
IB History of the Americas HL +
Grade 11-12; A-G Requirement - History/Soc Science; UC/CSU Designation - History(a), Elective(g)

This is a two-year course that aims to promote an understanding of history as a discipline, including the nature and diversity of sources, methods and interpretations. Students are encouraged to comprehend the present by reflecting critically on the past. The first year of the course will focus on the causes, course, and effects of six distinct periods and events prior to the 20th century in the Americas. This means that in addition to US history, the events and periods studied will also include the experiences and histories of Canada, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America.

The second year of the course will focus on three 20th century topics—Causes, practices, and effects of War, The Great Depression, The Cold War, and Civil Rights Movements—Post 1945. These topics will be explored from a variety of perspectives from the Western Hemisphere, as well as from two additional regions of the world (Africa, Asia, Europe, or the Middle East).  

+ UC/CSU Honors (Weighted) - Year 2

 
US History
Grade 11; A-G Requirement - History/Soc Science; UC/CSU Designation - History (a)
In this course, students examine major turning points in twentieth century American history.  The following themes are emphasized: the continuing tension between the individual and the state, and between minority rights and majority power; the emergence of a modern corporate economy; the impact of technology on American society and culture; the change in the ethnic composition of American society; the movements toward equal rights for racial minorities and women; and the role of the United States as a major world power.  In each unit, students examine American culture, including literature, art, drama, education, and the mass media.  Students also examine American character and social/political institutions.
 
World History
Grade 9-10; A-G Requirement - History/Soc Science; UC/CSU Designation - History (a)
The primary goals of this course are to foster a global view of the modern world, to examine the relationship between current issues and crises and their historical, geographic, political, economic, and cultural context and to provide extensive practice in the development of participation skills, critical thinking skills, and basic study skills.
 
World History (ICAP)
Grade 9-10; A-G Requirement - History/Soc Science; UC/CSU Designation - History (a), Elective (g)

This course is currently under review and a description will be available soon.  Please speak with your Guidance Counselor for information.

 

 
* For more specific course details, please refer to the 2023-24 CUHSD Course Catalog. Should you require additional information, please speak with your teacher or your Guidance Counselor.