2700 Anthropology
Students learn about human beings and their cultures by studying the two major divisions of anthropology: physical and cultural. In physical anthropology students consider the biological characteristics of human beings, their adaptation to their environment, and development in the context of various forms of animal life. In cultural anthropology students learn about the culture of specific peoples, past and present, as well as those components of culture found universally among human societies.
2708 California History
This course emphasizes the study of California, including the people and its history, its geography, its multicultural heritage, its government and economy, the major issues and unresolved problems facing the state, and the ways in which students can become active participants in local and state government and community service organizations.
2706 Comparative Political Systems
This course is one in which students learn about the difference between democratic and non democratic political systems. The key topics discussed include the nature of leadership, the institutional setting, allocation and use of power, decision making, the role of the individual citizen, and political and social ideology.
2726 Comparative World Religions
Students consider the principal religions of the world that are active today and deal with basic questions: What does humankind believe and what does it worship? In what ways do we worship? What are our understandings of the ethical life? What are the influences of contemporary times and cultures? The course introduces students to the basic tenets of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism.
2707 Current Events
This course is one in which students identify, research, analyze, and discuss contemporary social, economic, and political issues and events from the different points of views identified in the United States and the world. The course covers the global context of issues, as well as their importance in local, state, or national affairs. Ideally, students study the topics in their historical context, thereby making connections from past to present. Students present their positions on the issues.
2701 Economics
In this course students deepen their understanding of the basic economic problems and institutions of the nation and world in which they live. They learn to make reasoned decisions on economic issues as citizens, workers, consumers, business owners and managers, and members of civic groups. This course enriches students' understanding of the operation and institutions of economic systems. Topics include Fundamental Economic Concepts, Comparative Economic Systems, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and International Economic Concepts.
2710 Ethnic Studies
This course focuses on an in-depth study of one or more ethnic groups, including their history, culture, achievements, contributions, barriers and strategies to overcome these barriers, and status in the United States. Students learn about the characteristics of America's ethnic groups and the similarities and differences of these groups in both their past and present experiences from multiple perspectives. Students learn that Americans, as descendants of many cultures, races, religions, and ethnic groups are bonded by a democratic vision of liberty, equality, and justice.
2734 History-Social Science (social studies) (any of grades kindergarten through eight)
This course is normally taught by the regular classroom teacher; however, this course listing is for a teacher specialist teaching one or more classes in history–social science. The topics by grade levels are as follows: kindergarten — topics related to learning and working now and in past historical time periods; grade one — geography (topics that localize a child's place in time and space) and awareness of cultural diversity now and long ago; grade two — people who supply our needs (parents, grandparents, ancestors, and people from many cultures); grade three — topics dealing with continuity and change in local history and the nation's history; grade four — California history; grade five — United States history and geography; grade six — ancient civilizations; grade seven — medieval and the early modern world; grade eight — United States history and geography.
2705 International Studies
This course is a study of the world system of nation-states and their relationship and relationships between social and political systems, with a special emphasis on diplomatic relations and the factors affecting the development of U.S. foreign policy.
2732 Law-Related Education
Students gain a practical understanding of the law and the legal system developed under the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights. They become aware of the current issues and controversies relating to law and the legal system and the mechanisms created to deal with new problems and inequities. Students are encouraged to participate as citizens in the legal system. The course includes a study of concepts underlying the law, as well as an introduction to the origin and development of our legal system, including civil and criminal law.
2713 Philosophy
Philosophy familiarizes students with the terminology, problems, major philosophers, and systems that pertain to this field. The course deals with major questions in the fields of epistemology, axiology, aesthetics, logic, and metaphysics. Students discuss, explore, and evaluate important philosophical systems, such as materialism, idealism, naturalism, mysticism, pragmatism, institutionalism, realism, and existentialism. The course emphasizes the field of ethics where moral questions are analyzed in literature, history, and contemporary events.
2702 Physical Geography
This course develops the basic themes of physical geography, including a systematic discussion of the physical landscape through geomorphology and topography; the patterns and processes of climate and weather; and water resources. These studies equip students with an understanding of the constraints and possibilities that the physical environment places on human development. The course covers natural resources and place-name geography.
2703 Principles of American Democracy/Government and Civics
Students apply knowledge gained in previous years of study to pursue a deeper understanding of the institutions of American government. They draw on their studies of American history and of other societies in the world today. This course prepares students to vote, to reflect on the responsibilities of citizenship, and to participate in community activities. Topics include the Constitution and the Bill of Rights; the Courts and the Governmental Process; Our Government Today; the Legislative and Executive Branches; Federalism; and State and Local Government. Contemporary issues, including key passages from the Federalist Papers and similar primary sources are studied in light of democratic principles.
2714 Psychology
This course focuses on the scientific study of human development, learning, motivation, and personality. Students explore implications for everyday life with a scientific perspective on human behavior.
2715 Sociology
This course introduces students to sociological concepts, theories, and procedures. Students learn how sociologists analyze the basic structures and functions of societies and of groups within societies, discover how these societies became organized, identify the conditions under which they become disorganized, and predict the conditions for their reorganization. Typical study units for this course include such social issues as crime, poverty, and the problem of discrimination toward women, children, the disabled, the aged, and minorities.
2709 United States History
This course focuses on the examination of major turning points in American history in the twentieth century. The course emphasizes specific themes, such as the expanding role of the federal government and federal courts; 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; 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.
2730 Women’s History
This course includes the study of the history of American women in which students analyze the place of women in history. Students study the complexities of women's changing roles, including women as immigrants and as settlers, women in the formation of the nation, women's work and the response to industrialization, the awakening women's movement in America and its impact on women of color, the American feminist revolution, and creative endeavors of women in the past and present.
2728 World Cultures
This course focuses on an investigation of one or more cultures in a geographic region of the world today; for example, cultural studies of Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, or Southeast Asia. The course covers geographic settings; the population, the stature and roles of women and minority groups; and processes of cultural change and exchange. Students learn about the culture's historical, economic, and political developments, including nation building across time. The course may include an in-depth study of one or more different cultures to expand the students' understanding of cultural diversity and provide balance in the representation of ethnic groups and societies around the world.
2711 World History: Survey
This course provides an overview of the history of human society from early civilization to the contemporary period, examining political, economic, social, religious, military, scientific, and cultural developments. Students study cultures of the western and nonwestern world. The course integrates geography with history and cultural studies.
2724 World Regional Geography
This course provides an understanding of the distribution and characteristics of the world's major cultures and of the dynamics of human migration and cultural diffusion. Topics include basic physical geography, map reading, and studies of various regions of the world. The course emphasizes the traditional and contemporary roles of foreign nations in the growth of American culture.
2712 Other History, Culture, Geography: Survey
This designation is for any history course not identified in the series of courses outlined on the CBEDS assignment code list.
2798 Other Social Science Course (including combinations of above)
This designation is for any social science course not identified in the series of courses outlined on the CBEDS assignment code list.
