The goal of the Social Studies department is to instill knowledge and understanding of how the past relates to contemporary events. In addition to addressing historical facts, the curriculum incorporates values, cultural understanding, critical thinking and expository essay writing skills. This is accomplished in all disciplines: history, geography, economics, government, and psychology. Through the California State standard curriculum the students internalize and appreciate the democratic process and our civic values, our national identity and constitutional heritage, and the sequence and importance of our developing history. The Social Studies department promotes student involvement in the community, career internships and an understanding of issues, creating enthusiastic and knowledgeable voters. The Social Studies curriculum introduces workplace skills, research skills and the discipline necessary for success in advanced education.
Courses offered:
We offer American Government, Economics, US History, US History AP, World History, Geography, Honors World Historyd, Sheltered World/US, AP US Government, AP Microeconomics, Psychology. We anticipate offering AP European History In the near future.
Faculty:
Rob Watson:
Sheltered World and US History, US History
Five years experience, two years at San Marin.
BA, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Credential, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Interests: traveling, backpacking, movies, photography, hockey, and fatherhood. |
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Craig Pitti:
Economics, Government , and AP Government
Six years experience, three years at San Marin. .
BA, Dominican University, MA, Dominican University, Credential,
Dominican University
Interests: 3rd year as the Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach. |
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Mike Spinrad:
AP US History, AP Microeconomics, Honors World History, Psychology
Six years experience at San Marin
AB, UC Berkeley, MA, St Mary's College, Credential, Dominican University
Interests: social studies, music, athletics, chess, biblical literature, investing, and his five children. |
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R. J. Lacy:
Geography, Honors World History
Seven years experience at San Marin
AB, U.C. Berkeley, Credential Sonoma State
Interests: Varsity Golf Coach, fatherhood |
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David Krakora:
World History, US History
Fifteen years experience, twelve years at San Marin
BA, UCLA, Teaching Credential Dominican University
Interests: National crew champion, Iron Man finisher, signed musician with the PMI label. |
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Jason Obstarczyk:
Economics, Government, US History
Five years experience, four years at San Marin
BA SUNY, New York, Buffalo, Credential, National University, Sacramento
Interests: Camping, kayaking, reading history, teachers union site rep. |
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The goals of the History-Social Studies Department fall into three broad categories: 1) knowledge and cultural understanding, incorporating learning from history and other humanities, geography, and the social sciences; 2) democratic understanding and civic values incorporating an understanding of our national identity, constitutional heritage, civic values, and rights and responsibilities, and 3) skills attainment and social participation, including reading and writing skills, traditional and on-line research, critical thinking skills, and participation skills that are essential for effective citizenship.
None of these goals are developed wholly independent of the rest. All interact within individual courses and throughout the entire sequence of courses within the department. Students are involved in a continuous development of their understanding of history throughout their twelve years of school. The California History framework has divided the content in over the years. The content builds to provide the needed time at each level to truly develop concepts and ideas of the time period.
Title: Geography
Prerequisite: None
Eligibility: Grades 9
Offered: 1 Semester
Description: The course will cover geography including the teaching of topography, world climates, and physical and political features of the world. Students will understand the significance of the geopolitical, cultural, military, and economic challenges in these regions. Students will describe current political divisions and systems, key leaders, religious issues, natural features, resources and population patterns. In addition, in accordance to the teaching of each geographical region, a case study of a particular country in that region will be taught. A sample cultural survey will include a study of some of the following countries: Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Mexico, Argentina, Cambodia, Morocco, and Portugal. These studies will require students to analyze instances of nation building in the contemporary world. Back
Title: World History (UC/CSU)
Prerequisite: None
Eligibility: Grades 10
Offered: Full Year
Description: The course content begins with a review of our Judeo-Christian and Greco-Roman heritage and continues with World History before the French Revolution. The course continues through Modern World History themes: industrialization, World Wars, and fall of Communism. The major emphasis is on modern world history in order to build an understanding of concepts such as democracy, industrialization, and world conflicts. Students are expected to look at political, economic, and cultural issues and understand the contemporary challenges facing the world today. Critical thinking and group work are emphasized throughout the year as students do various research assignments emphasizing the use of technology. Students are exposed to learning techniques such as factual writing, organization and comprehension skills. The theme of this course is to connect the “past to the present.” Back
Title: World History Honors (UC/CSU)
Prerequisite: NUSD Guidelines for Honors/AP Courses
Eligibility: Grades 10
Offered: Full Year
Description: This course is a one-year survey class of world history emphasizing 1750 to the present, that is, the Age of Reason, Revolution, Industrialization, World Wars, Fall of Communism, and the Middle East. In addition to studying grand historical ideas students learn various thinking, reading, and writing skills such as applying the historical inquiry method, determining the point of view and bias in primary and secondary sources, and understanding the political spectrum. Knowledge and application of the research process is emphasized through writing assignments, research papers, and oral presentations. The course curriculum, assessments, and encouragement of analytical and critical thinking skills prepare students for higher level social science courses and testing. Back
Title: United States History (UC/CSU)
Prerequisite: None
Eligibility: Grades 11
Offered: Full Year
Description: The course content begins with a review of American history up to Reconstruction. Units developed include the founding of America, its government, westward expansion, Civil War, then begin thorough study with the Gilded Age, Progressive Era, Jazz Age, World Wars, the Depression, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, the end of the Cold War, and contemporary events. Students write analytical essays and papers throughout the year. Students are expected to work in groups and to make oral presentations. Back
Title: United States History – Advanced Placement (UC/CSU)
Prerequisite: Grade of A in World History, essay competence and 10th grade Social Studies and English Teachers’ approval.
Eligibility: Grades 11
Offered: Full Year
Description: The course content is an in-depth study of a 400-year chronological history of the United States. Due to the amount of content covered in this course, students are expected to study and do more independent research than in other history courses. There is a major emphasis on reading, reviewing primary documents and essay writing. This course will prepare students for the Advanced Placement Test. Back
Title: American Government (UC/CSU)
Prerequisite: None
Eligibility: Grades 12
Offered: 1 Semester
Description: This semester course is centered on American government at the federal, state, and local levels. Students study current problems, issues, and events in order to understand the three branches of government. In addition to understanding the structure of the federal government, the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship are also emphasized. Students are taught the importance of exercising their basic freedoms and the right to vote. Back
Title: American Government/ AP (UC/CSU)
Prerequisite: NUSD Guidelines for AP/Honors classes
Eligibility: Grades 12
Offered: 1 Semester
Description: The AP American Government & Politics course provides an analytical perspective on government politics in the United States. This course involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret politics and the analysis of specific case studies. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. political reality. While there is no single approach that an AP Government & Politics: United States course must follow, certain topics are generally covered in college courses. Back
Title: Economics (UC/CSU)
Prerequisite: None
Eligibility: Grades 12
Offered: 1 Semester
Description: The content of this semester course includes understanding how microeconomic and macroeconomic economic systems operate. Students participate in simulations and discussions as well as study about major economic issues and challenges. This is a college preparatory course, which covers a variety of investment topics. Sample activities that apply economic principles include:q Mock purchasing and selling of stocks.q The “Great Cookie Bake-Off” contest. Students will learn how a corporation operates and makes a profit.q Career Internship project, which will expose students to future careers. Back
Title: Microeconomics, AP (UC/CSU)
Prerequisite: NUSD Guidelines for AP/Honors courses
Eligibility: Grades 12
Offered: 1 Semester
Description: An AP course in Macroeconomics is designed to give students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the economic system. It places primary emphasis on the nature and functions of product markets, and includes the study of factor markets and the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. Back
History – Social Studies Electives
Title: Psychology (UC/CSU)
Prerequisite: Senior standing with parent approval
Eligibility: Grades 12
Offered: Full Year
Description: This twelfth grade elective course includes the study of human behavior including development, family, personality, dreams, Freud, major psychologists, abnormal behavior, abuse, prejudice and discrimination. Students are expected to actively engage in class activities and discussion. The class explores emotions, stress, perceiving, sensation and different conceptions of intelligence. The students write papers and make oral and visual presentations and participate in a class field trip. Back
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