Summer Reading for 09-10

* AP US History (APUSH) * AP World History

Classes

Course Book Title ISBN World Geography World Geography: Building a Global Perspective NOTE: This is the 2009 and hence has not been used before 0133652912 World History World History Patterns of Civilization 0139638857 A.P. World History Traditions & Encounters: Traditions And Encounters 0072957549 or 0073204838 U.S. History America Pathway to the Present 0134351002 A.P. U.S. History The American Pageant: A History of the Republic, 12th Edition 061810349X American Gov. Magruder's American Government 2009 (Magruder's American Government) (Hardcover) NOTE: This is the 2009 and hence has not been used before 0133690628 Economics Holt Economics (Hardcover) 0030646847

Class Descriptions

World Geography

Prerequisite: Completion of 8thgrade social studies curriculum prior to coming to MCP. While many people think Geography is simply about maps, this course will prove that an incorrect assumption by examining the two main aspects of geography- physical and human geography, with a special focus on how the two affect one another. After an initial examination of the central themes to geography, the course will explore many of the earth's regions to better understand the different ways that people are living throughout the world today and the reasons for those differences. We will take a special look at both the ways the earth affects how people live and how the ways that people live affect the earth. The ultimate goal of this class is to take a look at our world that helps us appreciate the world outside of SLO or the Central Coast and to better understand and value the differences among the people of our world. Another goal is to encourage students to pay more attention to what is happening in both their local and global community to become more responsible citizens.

World History

Prerequisite: One semester each of World Geography & Ancient Civilizations. A continuation of the Ancient Civilizations course, World History surveys the post-Ancient Civilization era up to the mid 20th century with an emphasis on western civilization. The course is designed to provide an appreciation for the contributions made by different societies and individuals throughout history. The main topics of the course will include the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Age of Exploration, the French Revolution and nation-building, the Scientific revolution and Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution and Age of Imperialism, the causes, courses and consequences of the First and Second World Wars, and the post-WWII era and Cold War.

A.P. World History

Prerequisite: One semester each of World Geography & Ancient Civilizations A grade of B+ or better in World Geography & Ancient Civilizations and/or permission from the instructor. AP World History is a college-level course offered to high school students. Offered at the 10th grade level, the course is almost sure to be the most difficult course students have ever encountered- the homework load is heavier than a typical high school course, the students must work more independently than in other history courses, and the material is requires a level of analytical thinking higher than what is generally expected in high school courses. Unlike other classes, much of the focus is on skills and strategies, often more than the "content" of the textbook. The course covers a huge scope (the last 10,000 years of the entire world!), and the pace of the class is very fast. The course will involve a great deal of document analysis and essay practice, focusing on historical comparisons and changes over time. As defined by the College Board, the course examines six themes of history- 1) the causes and effects of change and continuity over time, 2) the patterns and effects of interaction between societies, 3) demographic and environmental effects of historical developments, 4) social and gender structures, 5) cultural, religious, and intellectual developments, and 6) the changing nature of political organizations. The AP exam is a requirement of the course, and many colleges and universities will issue credit depending on the score earned on the exam.

U.S. History

Prerequisite: World History or A.P. World History. United States History surveys the period from colonial times until the Civil War, and then slows down for a more in depth look at US history from 1860 to the present. The course will explore the most major events and crises to understand how the United States has reached our current identity and position in the world. It is designed to help students acquire a knowledge of and appreciation for the contribution and sacrifices made by various individuals and groups throughout our nation's history. Students will develop the ability to research information, process it, and present it in an organized fashion. The course is meant to help students better understand how and why the country took its course to arrive at its present state.

A.P. U.S. History

Prerequisite: World History or A.P. World History A grade of B+ or better in World History and/or permission of the instructor. Advanced Placement United States History surveys the period beginning with the first European explorations of the Americas up through the 1990's. The course is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of U.S. history and to provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in U.S. history. Students should learn to analyze and interpret primary and secondary historical records, read maps, graphs and tabular data related to historical events, debate and discuss major historical questions and formulate and defend substantive theses based on their knowledge of U.S. history. All students are expected to become active learners who explore ideas and issues by developing logical and critical thought skills and is able to present this in a precise and personal style in both written and oral expression. The students should develop the ability to research information, process it, and present it in an organized fashion. The AP exam is a requirement of the course, and many colleges and universities will issue credit depending on the score earned on the exam.

American Government

Prerequisite: U.S. History (or A.P. U.S. History). This course provides an overview of the structure and actual workings of local, state, and national governments in the United States. It is designed to provide an appreciation for the way that political decisions are made and interact in the United States. All students are expected to become active learners who explore ideas and issues by developing logical and critical thought skills and are able to present this in a precise and personal style in both written and oral expression. The students should develop the ability to research information, process it, and present it in an organized fashion. Most topics are covered through careful reading of the textbook followed by a lecture and/or classroom discussion on the material. Videos, supplementary readings, and student research projects are occasionally used to enrich topics. Analysis of current events through the news media, political cartoons and editorials, and news "pundit" shows are also used. The ultimate goal of the course is to help students understand why out country is structured the way it is in order to have more informed opinions and to become good citizens able to make rational social justice decisions.

Economics

Prerequisite: U.S. History (or A.P. U.S. History). The course is designed to provide an appreciation for the way that economic decisions are made and interact in the United States. It course covers both micro & macro economics -- looking at economic decisions made by individuals and small organizations up to large organizations such as labor unions and governments. Students will gain an understanding of the "language" of economics and how the decisions we make as consumers and producers affect a mixed capitalist economic system. Students will be able to critique the mixed capitalist system and how it compares to managed, socialist and traditional economic systems. We will also examine the securities and commodities markets, the relationship between consumer demand and producer supply, and marketing strategies. Lastly, the course will evaluate modern industrial economies in light of the concepts of social justice and social responsibility.