World History 1-2 is a course where students will examine major turning points in the shaping of the modern world, from the late eighteenth century to the present. The year begins with an introduction to current world issues and then continues with a focus on the expansion of the west and the growing interdependence of people and cultures throughout the world. Art, music, literature and primary source documents will be used as a basis for analysis of the historical periods. Students will demonstrate competency in questioning, critical thinking, research and writing as it applies to the discipline of history. Competency-based educational objectives will be in compliance with California State Model Curriculum Standards.

The AP World History course is designed to develop greater understanding of the evolution of globalprocesses and contacts, in interaction with different types of human societies. This understanding is advanced through a combination of selective factual knowledge and appropriate analytical skills. The course highlights the nature of changes in international frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. The course builds on an understanding of cultural, institutional, and technological precedents that, along with geography, set the human stage. The AP World History course analyzes the processes that, over time, have resulted in the knitting of the world into a tightly integrated whole.

This elective course is a one trimester class. The course will allow students to refine their understanding of and writing skills in the Social Sciences. It will further expose students to the issues of evidence, interpretation, methodology, and critique in social science research, applying these skills to an independent, long-range project. Academic research methods and techniques specific to the Social Science will also be included. World Geography & Cultures will serve as the third trimester class for AP World History.

U. S. History 1-2 is a two-trimester course in which students examine the economic, social, and political development of the United States during the twentieth century. During the year certain themes will be emphasized: the expanding role of the federal government and federal courts; the continuing tension between the individual and the state; the emergence of a modern corporate economy; the impact of technology on American society and culture; 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. Throughout the course students will explore American culture, including religion, literature, the arts, and the mass media. Students will demonstrate competency in questioning, critical thinking, research, and writing as it applies to the discipline of history. Competency-based educational objectives will be in compliance with California State Model Curriculum Standards.

U. S. History (Advanced Placement) 1-2 is an advanced course which is meant to expose students to that level of learning associated with a four year university. It is designed for students who wish to take the Advanced Placement Examination administered by Educational Testing Service in the spring. Those passing the AP exam at the high level usually can receive college credit and a waiver of the college U. S. History requirement. The course emphasizes extensive reading research and problem solving, writing, historiography, and historical knowledge.

Poway USD Elective, not UC/CSU approved AP US History Seminar is a one trimester class which will allow students to refine their understanding of and writing skills in the Social Sciences as well as explore topics and concepts relevant to the United States in the global community of the 21st century. Academic research methods and techniques specific to Social Science will also be included.

Civics is designed to foster citizen involvement in the American political system through a thorough study of the theory, structure, function, and process of federal, state, and local government. This course fulfills the state requirement for graduation.

Economics is a course in which students will deepen their understanding of the economic problems and institutions of the nation and world in which they live. They will learn to make reasoned decisions on economic issues as citizens, workers, consumers, business owners and managers. This course primarily is a course in social science, enriching students’ understanding of the operations and institutions of economic systems, rather than a course in household or business management or budgeting. The course will deal with the following areas: (1) fundamental concepts (e.g., scarcity); (2) comparative economic systems (Communism, Socialism, etc.); (3) microeconomics (supply and demand, forms of competition, etc.); (4) macroeconomics (aggregate demand, monetary policy, etc.); (5) international economic concepts (e.g., comparative and absolute advantage, international trade, etc.).

U.S. Government and Politics (Advanced Placement) is designed to give students a critical perspective on government, politics, and economics in the United States. The class involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret American governmental, political, and economical systems and the analysis of specific case studies. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that make up the American political reality. This course is intended to prepare students who wish to take the Advanced Placement Examination in U.S. Government and Politics.

Poway USD Elective, not UC/CSU approved AP US Government Seminar is a one trimester class. The course will begin with an in-depth analysis of civil liberties and civil rights. After that, the emphasis will be on extending the content, knowledge, and skills that were introduced in the prerequisite courses. This course will also introduce students to career options and investment strategies.

High School English 1-2 is a course to build on English knowledge and skills developed in middle school. A variety of writings will promote sophistication of previously studied domains and introduce new styles of writing. Literature integrates with the writing process to broaden knowledge of literary techniques and to connect their own personal experience with the human condition. This college-preparatory course takes an integrated approach to the reading, writing, listening, and speaking curriculum. Students will develop depth and complexity in their writing of narrative, informative, argumentative, and analytical pieces while they comprehend, respond to, and critique both expository and literary texts. Students will improve their understanding and use of English conventions while developing their understanding of paragraph and essay structure as they respond to the varying demands of audience, task, and purpose. Concurrently, students will enhance their vocabulary as well as their reading comprehension, research, and study skills. This course is designed to address the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy (Grade 9/10).

Honors High School English 1-2 is an advanced version of High School English 1; therefore, it accelerates students’ exposure to the short story and the novel and teaches them to write fluent descriptive, narrative, and expository paragraphs which have a controlling idea, adequate development, a sense of closure, unity, coherence, and transition. It will also introduce students to multi-paragraph compositions and skills for advanced literary analysis. The course will improve students’ spelling, vocabulary, usage, and grammar. It will prepare them to pass the proficiencies. This “pre-AP” or honors level version of High School English 1-2 prepares students for the rigors of advanced courses in high school, especially in language arts. Students will experience an integrated approach to the reading, writing, listening, and speaking curriculum with the aim of mastery of paragraph and essay structure, as well as language usage and conventions. Great emphasis is placed on close and critical reading as students engage with both literary and expository texts that meet the quality, range and complexity required by the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy (Grade 9/10). Students will conduct both short and long term research projects, will engage in a variety of collaborative discussions and speaking activities, and will develop their study skills, organization, and vocabulary. This course is designed to address the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy (Grade 9/10).