Social Studies Courses

UNITED STATES HISTORY 1 & 2
United States History 1 is a brief review covering from the Colonial Period to the Spanish-American War.
United States History 2 covers chronological and thematic periods in U.S. history from the Progressive Era to the immediate present. with emphasis on the twentieth century. (Required for graduation)
GRADE LEVEL: 11/12  PREREQUISITES: Modern World 1 & 2
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WORLD HISTORY/ADVANCED PLACEMENT, 1&2
Surveys world history from prehistory to contemporary times in preparation for the national exam in May. The purpose of the course is to develop greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contracts, in interactioin with different types of human societies. The course builds on an understanding of cultural, institutional, and technological precedents that, along with geography, set the human stage. It is an excellent first choice for an advanced placement course because it deals with wider themes of continuity reather than isolated facts. Text: Bentley & Ziegler, Traditions and Encounters. Supplementary texts: Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs and Steel and Collapse.
GRADE LEVEL: 10+  PREREQUISITES:
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UNITED STATES HISTORY/ADVANCED PLACEMENT 1 & 2
The AP American History course provides students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge needed to prepare for the Advanced Placement examination in May. It covers U.S. History from the Colonial period to the present.
GRADE LEVEL: 12  PREREQUISITES: Permission of teacher
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PRINCIPLES OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
This is a study of governmental institutions and dynamics that control the social structure of contemporary United States. (Required for graduation)
GRADE LEVEL: 12  PREREQUISITES: U.S. History 1 & 2
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ECONOMICS
Economics is the social science that demonstrates how societies (and individuals) choose to use limited resources in an effort to satisfy unlimited wants. (Meets the economics requirement for graduation)
GRADE LEVEL: 12  PREREQUISITES: U.S. History 1 & 2
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ECONOMICS/ADVANCED PLACEMENT 1 & 2
The first half of this course covers microeconomics and gives students a college-level understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision-makers in the economy. The second half of the course deals with macroeconomics, which introduces the student to fundamental economic concepts such as scarcity, opportunity costs, and comparative advantage. AP Economics offers a May examination that covers both macroeconomics and microeconomics. (Meets the economics requirement for graduation)
GRADE LEVEL: 12  PREREQUISITES: Permission of teacher
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ASIAN-AMERICAN HISTORY
The course explores the history of Asian-Americans, from their earliest settlements in the United States to the present, and the current issues involved in the foundation and continued maintenance of Asian-American communities.
GRADE LEVEL: 10 - 12  PREREQUISITES: Permission of teacher
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EUROPEAN HISTORY/ADVANCED PLACEMENT 1 & 2
This is a college-level, year-long study of the historical development of European society. The intent is to prepare students to take the European History Advanced Placement examination. Students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of chronology, major events, and trends since the European Renaissance. The Advanced Placement examination is given in May.
GRADE LEVEL: 11 - 12  PREREQUISITES: Permission of teacher
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PSYCHOLOGY
This course is a survey of the philosophical and historical roots of psychology with an examination of current and past psychological theories. This is both a practical and theoretical course on the science of human behavior. Students are challenged to relate psychological concepts to their own lives.
GRADE LEVEL: 11 - 12  PREREQUISITES: None
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SOCIOLOGY
Students will learn the basic concepts of sociology as they relate to collective behavior, social institutions, demography, race and culture.
GRADE LEVEL: 11 - 12  PREREQUISITES: Permission of teacher
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PRE-LAW
This course is an introduction to legal studies. The course is taught in conjunction with the University of San Francisco Law School. The course focuses on the law and how it affects daily life.
GRADE LEVEL: 11 - 12  PREREQUISITES: None
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WOMEN'S STUDIES
The course documents the history, struggles and achievements of women in America from the colonial settlements to the present. Current issues are set in their historical context, and gender issues are considered in today's competitive society.
GRADE LEVEL: 10-12  PREREQUISITES: Permission of teacher
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LATIN-AMERICAN STUDIES
This course traces the history and struggles of Spanish-speaking peoples in the United States from early times to the present.
GRADE LEVEL: 10-12  PREREQUISITES: Permission of teacher
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AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY
This is a survey course on the history and culture of African-Americans. Emphasis is on the modern periods: Reconstruction, the Harlem Renaissance and its African connection and the Civil Rights Movement. Student-initiated research and exploration are important parts of the class.
GRADE LEVEL: 10 - 12  PREREQUISITES: None
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GEOGRAPHY
Students will learn how to recognize the physical characteristics of various regions of the world and how people interact with their environment.
GRADE LEVEL: 10 - 12  PREREQUISITES: None
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ART HISTORY/ADVANCED PLACEMENT 1 & 2
This course is a survey of art from ancient times to the present, this course traces the methods humankind has used to express itself throughout history. Subject matter ranges from the simple cave paintings of prehistory to the complex ideas that saw their expression in Louis XIV's edifice at Versailles. Painting, sculpture, and architecture are all within the scope of the course. AP Art History culminates with the Advanced Placement examination offered in May.
GRADE LEVEL: 11 - 12  PREREQUISITES: Permission of teacher
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PSYCHOLOGY/ADVANCED PLACEMENT 1 & 2
This course introduces the systematic and scientific study of behavioral and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with major subfields within psychology will also be explored. The Advanced Placement examination is given in May.
GRADE LEVEL: 11 - 12  PREREQUISITES: Permission of teacher
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AMERICAN GOVERNMENT/COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT/ADVANCED PLACEMENT
The first semester of this course covers the origins and evolution of the American political system: the Constitution and the system of powers, checks and balances, judicial review, and federalism; the structure of the United States Government; and its changing relationship to state and local government. The second semester looks at comparative governments. Students have the U.S. to use as a government model. Other government models examined are Great Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, the People's Republic of China, Mexico, India or Nigeria. This course features two examinations in May--one in American Government and another in Comparative Government.
GRADE LEVEL: 12  PREREQUISITES: Permission of teacher
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PEOPLES OF THE UNITED STATES
This elective course exposes students to the different communities of this country. Using migration as a theme, students study the different ethnic groups of the U.S., focusing on common themes and experiences that make each group unique. Students will read oral histories, bring in current events, and discuss the impact of each group in the development of the American character and society.
GRADE LEVEL: 10 - 12  PREREQUISITES: None
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ANTHROPOLOGY (WORLD RELIGIONS)
This course is a survey of the major historical religions as well as the oral, tribal tradition and some syncretic religions. Emphasis will be put on deepening one's own vision of world understanding and tolerance, and in discovering the universal truths evident in all major religions and wisdom teachings. Text: The Worlds' Religions by Huston Smith.
GRADE LEVEL: 10 - 12  PREREQUISITES: None
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DRIVER EDUCATION
Classroom instruction focuses on safe driving practices and traffic laws. (Required for graduation)
GRADE LEVEL: 10 (9 weeks)  PREREQUISITES: None
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HEALTH EDUCATION
Health Education is designed to acquaint students with knowledge about the physical, psychological, and social dimensions of family life, and to enhance their skills in decision-making, assertiveness and communications to further their healthy, responsible behavior. (Required for graduation)
GRADE LEVEL: 10 (9 weeks through Class of 2000, 18 weeks, effective Class of 2001)  PREREQUISITES: None
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PEER RESOURCE
This course will train students to be peer advocates, educators, and counselors. Students will help design programs to address the issues common to teens, specifically those relevant to students at Lowell -- ego, stress, drugs and alcohol, smoking, and other personal and social issues (such as AIDS). Students learn counseling, communication, and leadership skills so that they can effectively serve the Lowell community.
GRADE LEVEL: 9 - 12  PREREQUISITES: Permission of teacher
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STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS
Strategies for Success is a one-year course designed to assist ninth grade students in their transition from middle school to high school, particularly in their adaptation to the demands of Lowell's academic culture. The students learn techniques such as effective time management, consistent organization, assertive communication, outlining, note-taking from lectures and from reading, test-taking skills, and SQ3R (a reading comprehension technique). In addition, the course includes the discussion of topics such as self-discipline, responsibility, and the setting of short-term and long-term goals. Students are encouraged to reflect honestly about the positive and negative consequences of their past choices and about their power and capability to make the best possible choices in the future. Finally, the course provides academic and personal support by allowing time for study groups, peer tutoring, and peer counseling.
GRADE LEVEL: 9 (Required for students admitted through value-added process) PREQUISITES: None
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