Buchanan High School

The image shows a scroll with the words "Social Science" written on it. There is an illustration of a hand holding a quill pen on the right side of the scroll. Below the scroll, there are two stacked books labeled "History" and "Literature." The background has a parchment or vintage paper texture

Social Science Team

Name	Email	Subject	Website
Learning Director	MistySedehi@cusd.com
Kimo Alaman	kimoalaman@cusd.com	World History; Ethnic Culture Studies	Alaman's website
Michael Alvord	michaelalvord@cusd.com	Government/Economics; Ethnic Culture Studies	Alvord's website
Casey Carter	caseycarter@cusd.com	Government/Economics; World History	Carter's website
Rachel Dunston	racheldunston@cusd.com	World History; Ethnic Culture Studies
Erin Espinoza	erinespinoza@cusd.com	Government/Economics	Espinoza's website
John Gross	johngross@cusd.com	World History	Gross' website
Kristin Heimerdinger	kristinheimerdinger@cusd.com	AP Macroeconomics; Goverment	Heimerdinger's website
Trey Mitchell	treymitchell@cusd.com	Government/Economics; US History	Mitchell's website
Hillary Perry	hillaryperry@cusd.com	AP Psychology; Psychology/Sociology	Perry's website
Ryan Pugsley	ryanpugsley@cusd.com	AP US History; AVID	Pugsley's website
Laura Riley	laurariley@cusd.com	AP Government; Economics	Riley's website
Maurine Sommer	maurinesommer@cusd.com	AP World History	Sommer's website
Alicia Wolfe	aliciawolfe@cusd.com	US History	Wolfe's website
Jacob Zahlis	jacobzahlis@cusd.com	US History

Subject	Website

Social Science Courses

AP Macroeconomics
AP Macroeconomics is an introductory college-level course that focuses on the principles that apply to an economic system as a whole. The course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination; it also develops students' familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics. Students learn to use graphs, charts, and data to analyze, describe, and explain economic concepts.
American Government
This semester class covers America’s political foundations; political parties, media and special interest groups; three branches of government: legislative, executive and judicial and their influence on society. The course is the culmination of the civic literacy strand that prepares students to vote, reflect on the responsibilities of citizenship and to participate in community activities.
AP Psychology AB
This course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. While considering the psychologists and studies that have shaped the field, students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts, and phenomena associated with such topics as the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatment of abnormal behavior, and social psychology. Throughout the course, students employ psychological research methods, including ethical considerations, as they use the scientific method, analyze bias, evaluate claims and evidence, and effectively communicate ideas.
AP U.S. History AB (HP)
AP U.S. History is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester introductory college or university U.S. history course. In AP U.S. History, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in nine historical periods from approximately 1491 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; making historical comparisons; utilizing reasoning about contextualization, causation, and continuity and change over time; and developing historical arguments. The course also provides seven themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: American and national identity; migration and settlement; politics and power; work, exchange, and technology; America in the world; geography and the environment; and culture and society.
AP World History AB (HP)
AP World History is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester introductory college or university world history course. In AP World History students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in six historical periods from approximately 8000 B.C.E. to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; making historical comparisons; utilizing reasoning about contextualization, causation, and continuity and change over time; and developing historical arguments. The course provides five themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: interaction between humans and the environment; development and interaction of cultures; state building, expansion, and conflict; creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems; and development and transformation of social structures.
Economics A (P)
This course builds upon the fundamental concepts presented in the required social science classes. Topics covered include a study of the free market system, labor force, monetary policy, fiscal policy, and international trade.
Focus on College & Career
Focus on College and Career is a one-semester course designed to help students learn and practice valuable skills to help them identify personal strengths, areas of interests, and career pathways to possible future post-secondary endeavors. Students will demonstrate their understanding of career paths through a variety of assessments, projects, job simulations, speeches, research assignments, and counselor guidance lessons. Students will also identify academic interests, skills, values and personality types, research employers and industries, gain experience with public speaking and interview skills, familiarize themselves with college and job search tools, strengthen writing and communication skills, learn goal setting, all culminating in completion of a 10 Year Plan.
Psychology A (P)
Psychology A is an introductory course to the study of the individual as a behavioral science. Topics include the biological and social basis of behavior, perception, motivation, intelligence, and personality.
Sociology A (P)
Sociology A is an introductory course in the study of groups as a behavioral science, including areas of interest and techniques used. Special emphasis is placed on groups that affect lives of the adolescent, the development of values and the adolescent’s place in society. The course concludes with a look at the causes and consequences of social problems of interest to the adolescent.
United States History AB (P)
United States History AB (P) continues to build upon the 20th century chronological development of our country to study major themes that have shaped our country’s destiny. The shaping of America’s future depends on a better understanding of her past.
World History AB (P)
World History AB (P) covers history, geography and economics of selected culture from both the western world and non-western worlds. Themes include the rise of democracy, the effects of nationalism, revolution and imperialism along with industrialization, militarism and the background of current global conflict. The historical backgrounds of the past will be related to our present world situation.