Social Studies Department
The Social Studies Department at University High School Charter works to prepare our students to be active participants in a thriving democracy and observers of culture and behavior. Students develop their abilities to use fact and evidence-based argumentation in the public arena; to compare and corroborate competing narratives in order to deduce historical truths; to connect with the stories that shape their identity; and to reflect on the choices that face them and our society in the context of the human experience. Our classes promote critical thinking, respectful discussion, civic participation, and using creative potential to represent the past.
LAUSD high school students are required to take Ethnic Studies, World History in 9th or 10th grade, U.S. History in 11th grade, and U.S. Government and Economics in 12th grade. We offer the following advanced courses:
*Honors and Advanced Placement World History
*Honors and Advanced Placement U.S. History
*Honors Government/ Economics, Advanced Placement U.S. Government/ Macroeconomics
*Advanced Placement Psychology (elective)
Social Studies Programs:
Speech and Debate Team:
Uni’s Speech and Debate team develops students’ abilities to persuade and inform in the public arena. Our students compete and place at the local, state and national level, and build lasting bonds with one another by training, traveling, and competing side-by-side.
Kuruvungna Springs:
Uni’s social studies department creates opportunities to connect students with Uni’s local indigenous history at one of Los Angeles’ cultural gems, the Kuruvungna springs. The site, which is directly adjacent to Uni’s campus, gives students a chance to learn indigenous history and local ecosystems as they participate in the restoration of the springs under the guidance of the Tongva Springs Foundation.