Grade 9 Courses

Introduction to Ethnic Studies (CWS)

Grade level:	9		Course units:	5 Credits – Semester Course
Graduation requirement:		Social Science	University of California/California State University a-g requirement:		a

Prerequisite: None

Suggested Course Preparation/Critical Skills:

1) Notetaking- the ability to take notes from a variety of sources 2) Organization- keeping materials in one folder/binder/notebook 3) Listening-  lectures, explanations of last night’s homework and directions are the key to success!

Course Description: Introduction to Ethnic Studies is a one-semester course designed for students to be politically, socially, and economically aware of their personal connections to local and global histories.  By studying the histories of race, ethnicity, nationality, sexuality, and culture, students will cultivate respect and empathy for individuals and solidarity with groups of people locally, nationally, and globally in order to foster compassion, active social engagement, and community building.  Students will learn how to become critical thinkers who examine and analyze current day issues.  This course is intended to help build inter-ethnic understanding and socio-cultural bridges in an increasingly more multicultural and multiethnic nation, which is imperative to creating a just society.

Major Projects/Assignments: Students will participate in a variety of major assignments throughout the year, such as but not limited to the following:  Identity portfolio, end of semester Action & Self Determination Project as well as unit based assignments requiring critical thinking and creativity.  

Approximate homework assigned daily: Approximate homework assigned daily: 20-60 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.