Grades: 9–12
Credits: 5
Length: Semester
Prerequisite: None
Course Number: 1499
Department: Applied Arts
Course Recognition: UC/CSU “G” Elective/NCAA
Graduation Requirement: California Ethnic Studies
Ethnic Studies is a one-semester course that highlights the political, social, cultural, and economic contributions of Native Americans, Asian Americans, Latina/o/x Americans, and Black/African Americans.
Additional units explore identity, the intersectionality of American identity, and service learning. The course helps students develop civic-minded and empathetic perspectives about their surrounding communities.
Students explore historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups through a cultural lens that presents multiple narratives of each group’s experiences. They study the perspective of each ethnic group through a thematic approach designed to build cultural understanding.
Course themes include:
Identity
Migration
Government Action and Marginalization
Social Action and Cultural Influence
Impact Today
This course fulfills the state-mandated ethnic studies requirement established by California Assembly Bill 101 (2021).
Grades: 9–12
Credits: 5
Length: Semester
Prerequisite: None
Course Number: 1198
Graduation Requirement: District Health Requirement
Health focuses on personal health education, growth, and development. The course addresses the physical, mental, emotional, and social aspects of health and examines how responsible decision-making affects each area.
Topics include wellness, healthy relationships, violence prevention, stress management, physical fitness, nutrition, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, reproduction, and sexually transmitted infections.
The course meets state requirements for instruction related to addictive substances and sexual health education. It is offered primarily to freshmen but is also available to students in other grade levels based on need.
Grades: 9–12
Credits: 5
Length: Semester
Prerequisite: Election to student government or permission from the Activities Director
Course Number: 1555
Department: Applied Arts
Repeatable for Credit: Yes
This course is designed for students involved in student government and student affairs. Students develop an understanding of school law, parliamentary procedure, school management, and organizational practices.
Grades: 9–10
Credits: 10
Length: Year
Prerequisite: None
Course Number: 1501
Course Recognition: UC/CSU/NCAA
Students explore the major issues and turning points that have shaped the modern world. The course begins with the rise of democratic ideas in ancient Greece and Rome, continues through the late 18th century, and extends to the present day.
Students examine the social, political, geographic, and economic factors that have transformed governments, societies, and cultures throughout the world. They also study the development and expansion of the Western world and the growing interdependence of people and cultures.
Major areas of study include:
Rise of Democratic Ideas
Industrialization
Imperialism
Major Revolutions
World War I
World War II
The Cold War
The Contemporary World
Grade: 10
Credits: 10
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in AP Seminar
Course Number: 1520
Course Recognition: UC/CSU*/NCAA
Graduation Requirement: World History
AP European History develops the analytical, factual, reading, and writing skills needed to understand the development of Europe from the Renaissance through the present day.
This year-long college-preparatory course requires intensive reading and writing. It prepares students to take the optional AP European History examination in May. A satisfactory examination score may result in college credit.
This course fulfills the World History graduation requirement.
Grade: 11
Credits: 10
Length: Year
Prerequisite: None
Course Number: 1502
Course Recognition: UC/CSU/NCAA
This course reviews major events in American history, beginning with the nation’s origins and continuing to the present day. The primary emphasis ranges from the post-Civil War period through contemporary times.
Students study immigration following the American Industrial Revolution of the late 19th century, the growth of American cities, and the challenges created by urbanization.
Additional areas of study include the Great Depression, the New Deal, World War II, the Cold War and its effect on postwar policy, social and cultural changes during the 1960s, and contemporary issues in the United States.
Grades: 9–12
Credits: 10
Length: Year
Prerequisite: None
Course Number: 1551
Course Recognition: UC/CSU*/NCAA
Graduation Requirement: California Ethnic Studies
AP African American Studies is an interdisciplinary course that examines the diversity of African American experiences through direct engagement with a variety of sources.
Students explore topics extending from early African kingdoms to the ongoing challenges and achievements of the contemporary era. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of African American Studies, students develop skills across multiple fields, with an emphasis on historical, literary, visual, and data analysis.
The course centers on the diversity of Black communities in the United States within the broader context of Africa and the African diaspora.
This course fulfills the state-mandated ethnic studies requirement established by California Assembly Bill 101 (2021).
Grade: 11
Credits: 10
Length: Year
Prerequisites:
A grade of “A” in Modern World History or a grade of “B” or higher in AP European History
A grade of “A” in English II or a grade of “B” or higher in AP Seminar
Course Number: 1528
Course Recognition: UC/CSU*/NCAA
This course develops analytical, factual, reading, and writing skills related to United States history.
Topics include:
Colonization
The Revolutionary Period
Federalism
The Jacksonian Era
Antebellum America
The Civil War and Reconstruction
The Gilded Age
Progressivism
Imperialism
World War I
The Roaring Twenties
The Great Depression and New Deal
World War II
The Cold War
The Turbulent Sixties
The Vietnam War
The 1970s
This year-long college-preparatory course requires intensive reading and writing. Students write traditional and document-based essays and investigate primary and secondary historical sources.
The course prepares students to take the optional AP United States History examination in May. A satisfactory examination score may result in university or college credit.
Grade: 11
Credits: 5
Length: Semester
Prerequisites:
Enrollment in the International Baccalaureate Programme
Completion of 10th-grade Modern World History with a grade of “B” or higher
Recommended Preparation: Completion of AP European History during the sophomore year
Course Number: 1534
Course Recognition: UC/CSU*/NCAA
This course is part of a program of study that fulfills the Group 3 requirements of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and the California standards for United States history.
Students examine significant events in the early development of the United States. Twentieth-century American history is integrated with contemporary world issues, including peacemaking and peacekeeping during the early 20th century, the beginning and resolution of the Cold War, and the significant role warfare has played in the development of the modern world.
The course emphasizes the synthesis and application of interpretive historical thought, an in-depth study of 20th-century national, ethnic, and state identities, and the role of the United States in the modern world.
Grade: 12
Credits: 10
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Completion of History IB SL
Course Number: 1535
Course Recognition: UC/CSU*/NCAA
This course is the second year of a two-year sequence that fulfills the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme requirements for Higher Level History.
The Grade 12 course begins with a six-week study of Mexican history. The remainder of the year focuses on contemporary world issues, including peacemaking and peacekeeping during the early 20th century, the beginning and resolution of the Cold War, and the significant role warfare has played in the development of the modern world.
The course emphasizes the synthesis and application of interpretive historical thought, an in-depth study of 20th-century national, ethnic, and state identities, and the role of the United States in the modern world.
Students take their International Baccalaureate examinations at the end of Grade 12.
Grade: 12
Credits: 5
Length: Semester
Prerequisite: None
Course Number: 1532
Course Recognition: UC/CSU/NCAA
Students develop a deeper understanding of the institutions of American government. They compare systems of government used throughout the world and analyze the history and changing interpretations of the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Students also examine the current structure and responsibilities of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Emphasis is placed on the relationships among federal, state, and local governments, with particular attention to significant historical documents such as The Federalist Papers.
The course represents the culmination of civic literacy as students prepare to vote, participate in community activities, and assume the responsibilities of citizenship.
Grade: 12
Credits: 5
Length: Semester
Prerequisites:
A grade of “B” or higher in Modern American History or a grade of “C” or higher in AP United States History
A grade of “B” or higher in 11th-grade English
Course Number: 1523
Course Recognition: UC/CSU*/NCAA
Graduation Requirement: Civics
This course examines the constitutional foundations of the United States government, political beliefs, political parties, interest groups, the public policy process, civil rights, and civil liberties.
It is designed for qualified students who want to complete coursework equivalent to a one-semester introductory college course in United States government or political science.
The course fulfills the Civics graduation requirement and prepares students to take the AP United States Government and Politics examination. A satisfactory examination score may result in university or college credit.
Grade: 12
Credits: 5
Length: Semester
Prerequisite: None
Course Number: 1525
Course Recognition: UC/CSU “G” Elective/NCAA
This course provides students with an understanding of economic principles and theories, including comparative economic systems, microeconomics, and an introduction to macroeconomics.
Students develop an awareness of the historical and contemporary development of United States economic policies. They examine the role of the individual within an economic system and learn to recognize and interpret economic events in society.
Grade: 12
Credits: 5
Length: Semester
Prerequisites:
A grade of “B” or higher in Modern American History or a grade of “C” or higher in AP United States History
A grade of “B” or higher in 11th-grade English
A grade of “B” or higher in AP Precalculus or Advanced Survey of Math
Course Number: 1543
Course Recognition: UC/CSU* “G” Elective/NCAA
Graduation Requirement: Economics
AP Microeconomics provides a rigorous introduction to the factors that affect the basic model of supply and demand. Students use abstract theories, economic models, algebraic methods, and graphical tools to analyze market relationships and structures.
The course is designed for qualified students who want to complete coursework equivalent to a one-semester introductory college economics course.
This course fulfills the Economics graduation requirement and prepares students to take the AP Microeconomics examination. A satisfactory examination score may result in university or college credit.
Grades: 10–12
Credits: 10
Length: Year
Prerequisites: Application, interview, and teacher or Grade Level Coordinator recommendation
Course Number: 2350
Department: Applied Arts
Course Recognition: UC/CSU “G” Elective
Repeatable for Credit: Yes
This elective course trains motivated students in fundamental peer-counseling skills. Areas of study include counseling ethics, interpersonal communication, stress and anger management, assertiveness training, strategies for managing crises and change, and other relevant issues affecting teenagers.
Peer counselors continue expanding their knowledge of counseling-related topics and receive training in conflict mediation. They also model effective interpersonal skills while serving as mentors through community outreach projects.
Grades: 11–12
Credits: 10
Length: Year
Prerequisites:
At least one year of proficient peer-counseling experience or service
Interview
Grade Level Coordinator or teacher recommendation
Course Number: 1446
Department: Applied Arts
Repeatable for Credit: Yes
This internship is designed for qualified peer counselors interested in a potential career in mental health or social work.
Interns serve their peers in the DBHS Wellness Center by providing education, resources, and confidential counseling services. They also research and develop resources, collect and analyze data and surveys, organize and facilitate campus-wide wellness events and activities, and serve as positive wellness role models during community outreach projects.
Grades: 11–12
Credits: 10
Length: Year
Prerequisite: None
Course Number: 1557
Course Recognition: UC/CSU “G” Elective/NCAA
This year-long course introduces students to the biological and theoretical foundations of psychology.
Students develop analytical skills, conduct research, investigate the mind-body connection, analyze concepts of consciousness, evaluate theories of personality, develop an understanding of psychological disorders, examine the role and effectiveness of treatments, and analyze theories of intelligence.
Students demonstrate their understanding of psychology through projects, discussions, and assignments.
Grade: 12
Credits: 10
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Successful completion—with a grade of “C-” or higher—of previous Social Science and English courses
Course Number: 1561
Course Recognition: UC/CSU* “G” Elective/NCAA
Psychology is the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. Students study human development, intelligence, personality, abnormal behavior, therapeutic interventions, and social psychology.
The course prepares students to take the AP Psychology examination. A satisfactory examination score may result in university or college credit according to standard Advanced Placement policies.