Grade 12 Courses

American Government / Economics - College Preparatory

American Government

Grade level:	12		Course units:	5 Credits – Semester Course
Graduation requirement:		Social Science	UC/CSU a-g requirement:		a

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Contemporary World Studies, World History, United States History, recommended

Suggested Course Preparation/Critical Skills: 1) ability to work both independently and collaboratively 2) organizational skills 3) note taking skills

Course Description: College preparatory American Government introduces students to the requirements and demands of participation in our system of government, focusing on issues that are both foundational and highly relevant to students. Analysis of founding documents, judicial decisions, public opinion, media, and interest groups are among the topics of study. Discussion and debate are the norm.

There are four units of study:

The Constitution and Media Literacy
The Legislative Branch and Political Spectrum
The Executive Branch and Elections
The Judicial Branch and Bill of Rights

Major Projects/Assignments: Semester long projects include a Roundtable Research Project and group research paper on a piece of federal legislation. This is in addition to several minor individual projects that are assigned throughout the semester.

Approximate homework assigned daily: 30 to 60 minutes It is important to note that this serves as an estimate of the nightly average homework load. It is not intended to be a concrete value and homework completion time will depend upon the nature of the assignment and the abilities and work habits of the student.

Economics

Grade level:	12		Course units:	5 Credits – Semester Course
Graduation requirement:		Social Science	UC/CSU a-g requirement:		g

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Ethnic World Studies, World History, U.S. History, recommended.

Suggested Course Preparation/Critical Skills: 1) ability to work both independently and collaboratively 2) organizational skills 3) note taking skills

Course Description: Economics is designed to introduce students to the basic concepts of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and personal finance. It is a rigorous course intended to provide students with the vocabulary of economics, the skills necessary to understand and analyze economic issues, and an appreciation of how the economic system has evolved in the U.S. The course also covers critical topics within financial literacy like credit scores, credit cards, student loans, and filing taxes. Units of study include:

Economic Systems and Investing Basics
Fiscal Policy and Taxes
Monetary Policy and Loans
Business and Entrepreneurship

Major Projects/Assignments: Virtual stock market game, unit tests, debates, case studies, budgeting practice

Approximate homework assigned daily: 45-90 minutes It is important to note that this serves as an estimate of the nightly average homework load. It is not intended to be a concrete value and homework completion time will depend upon the nature of the assignment and the abilities and work habits of the student.

Advanced Placement US Government & Politics / Advanced Placement Macroeconomics

Advanced Placement (AP) US Government & Politics

Grade level:	12		Course units:	5 Credits – Semester Course
Graduation requirement:		Social Science	UC/CSU a-g requirement:		a

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Contemporary World Studies, World History, Unite States History, recommended.

Suggested Course Preparation/Critical Skills: Students enrolling in this course should have successfully completed Advanced Placement United States History in 11^th grade and Honors World History in 10^th grade with a grade of “C” or better. Students entering from College Preparation should have an A United States History College preparatory. It is also recommended that students who wish to take this course have a solid foundation of writing and research skills, be able to handle college level reading material, and be prepared to work independently as well as in a group environment.

Course Description: In this semester long course students apply knowledge gained in previous years of study to pursue a deeper understanding of the institutions of American Government. Throughout the course we examine and try to evaluate our institutions of government, the public policies made by these institutions, and the influences of the electorate on policy-making. Ultimately this course is designed to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Examination in United States Government and Politics.

Major Projects/Assignments: Semester projects include a simulation on the presidential election and group research paper on a piece of federal legislation. This is in addition to several minor individual projects that are assigned throughout the semester.

Approximate homework assigned daily: Minimum of 30 to 45 minutes daily. It is important to note that this serves as an estimate of the nightly average homework load. It is not intended to be a concrete value and homework completion time will depend upon the nature of the assignment and the abilities and work habits of the student.

Advanced Placement (AP) Macroeconomics

Grade level:

Course units:

5 Credits – Semester Course

Graduation requirement:

Social Science

UC/CSU a-g requirement:

Prerequisite: Completion of United States History

Suggested Course Preparation/Critical Skills: The department strongly recommends:

Careful attention paid to the rest of the student’s academic load. This course has a considerable amount of work.
There are mathematic principles employed in this course. Students should have a comfortable familiarity with the creation and interpretation of line-slope graphs and the use of logical arguments.
Students will complete readings from college-level textbooks and will complete written work commensurate with university-level classes.
Students should have previously experience in Advanced Placement courses. Reading and writing abilities, which exceed grade level (12th grade reading level recommended).
The ability to grasp complex and abstract ideas and theories and a strong, independent, responsible work-ethic.

Course Description:
This one-semester course is an alternative to the Economics graduation requirement. The course explores macroeconomic concepts such as the open market structure of business and government regulatory policies and will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Examination. This course is challenging and students are expected to possess strong academic skills to master a considerable amount of material in preparation for the exam.

Major Projects/Assignments:
There are numerous simulations throughout the semester including specific content related to supply and demand, the circular flow of a market economy and bank loans relating to interest rates. In addition, there are small research projects on unemployment, monetary policy and fiscal policy.

Approximate homework assigned daily: 45 to 90 minutes It is important to note that this serves as an estimate of the nightly average homework load. It is not intended to be a concrete value and homework completion time will depend upon the nature of the assignment and the abilities and work habits of the student.

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