California Social Studies — Grade 11
Comprehensive Course Syllabus
Course Overview
The California Grade 11 Social Studies course follows the California History–Social Science course “United States History and Geography: Continuity and Change in the Twentieth Century.” Students examine major turning points in American history from the nation’s founding through the twentieth century and into contemporary America. The course explores industrialization, immigration, economic transformation, the rise of the United States as a world power, reform movements, the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, civil rights, changing demographics, and major domestic and social issues.
Foundations, Reconstruction & Industrial America
Enlightenment & Democratic Ideas
Explore Enlightenment ideas such as natural rights, liberty, equality, and representative government that influenced the founding of the United States.
American Revolution & Founding Principles
Examine the causes of the American Revolution and the political ideas expressed in the Declaration of Independence.
Constitution & Bill of Rights
Study the creation and ratification of the Constitution, the structure of government, federalism, and the addition of the Bill of Rights.
Civil War & Reconstruction
Examine the causes and effects of the Civil War and Reconstruction and their impact on American political and social development.
Industrial Revolution & Economic Transformation
Explore how industrialization transformed production, transportation, business, employment, and the American economy.
America Becomes a World Power
Analyze demographic, economic, and technological changes that contributed to the emergence of the United States as a major world power.
Immigration, Urbanization & Progressive America
Immigration & the Changing Population
Examine large-scale immigration and how newcomers contributed to the growth and changing ethnic composition of American society.
Urbanization & City Growth
Explore the rapid growth of American cities and the effects of rural-to-urban migration on communities and daily life.
Industrial Working Conditions
Study working conditions, labor challenges, workplace safety, and the social consequences of rapid industrialization.
Corporations, Trusts & Economic Power
Understand the growth of large corporations, trusts, monopolies, and the influence of industrial leaders on the economy and government.
Progressive Era Reform
Examine reform movements that addressed political corruption, working conditions, consumer protection, poverty, and other social problems.
Women’s Suffrage & Social Reform
Explore the women’s rights movement, the struggle for voting rights, and broader efforts to expand equality and participation in American society.
The United States & the World
American Expansion & Global Influence
Analyze the factors that increased American economic, political, and military influence around the world.
World War I
Study the causes, major developments, and consequences of World War I and the changing role of the United States in international affairs.
The Treaty of Versailles & Global Consequences
Examine the peace settlement following World War I and its effects on international relations and future conflicts.
The Roaring Twenties
Explore economic growth, consumer culture, technological change, entertainment, and social transformations during the 1920s.
Cultural Change & Social Tensions
Examine changing attitudes toward race, ethnicity, religion, immigration, gender, and cultural identity during the early twentieth century.
The Harlem Renaissance & African American Culture
Explore the growth of African American literature, music, art, and intellectual life and its influence on American culture.
Great Depression & New Deal
Causes of the Great Depression
Examine economic conditions and historical factors that contributed to the stock market crash and the Great Depression.
Life During the Great Depression
Explore unemployment, poverty, migration, economic hardship, and the experiences of American families and communities.
The New Deal
Study major New Deal programs and how the federal government expanded its role in addressing economic and social problems.
New Deal Debates & Federal Power
Analyze different perspectives on the New Deal and debates about the appropriate role of the federal government in American life.
Labor Movements & Workers’ Rights
Trace the development of organized labor, major labor movements, and efforts to improve wages, working conditions, and workers’ rights.
California & the United Farm Workers
Explore agricultural labor, migrant workers, and the development of the United Farm Workers movement in California.
World War II & Postwar America
Causes & Early Years of World War II
Examine the international conditions that led to World War II and the expansion of conflict across Europe and Asia.
The United States Enters World War II
Study the factors that brought the United States into the war and the nation’s military and economic mobilization.
The Home Front
Explore changes in American industry, employment, society, and daily life during wartime mobilization.
Japanese American Internment
Examine the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II and the constitutional and civil-rights questions surrounding the policy.
The Holocaust & Human Rights
Study the Holocaust, its historical context, the consequences of discrimination and persecution, and its significance for human rights.
World War II & the New World Order
Analyze the consequences of World War II and the emergence of the United States and Soviet Union as major global powers.
Cold War, Civil Rights & Social Change
Origins of the Cold War
Understand the ideological and political conflict between the United States and Soviet Union and its influence on international affairs.
Cold War Conflicts & Foreign Policy
Explore major Cold War events, containment, international alliances, military conflicts, and the changing role of the United States in the world.
Civil Rights Movement
Examine the struggle for racial equality, landmark court decisions, civil rights organizations, and major federal civil rights legislation.
Voting Rights & Equal Access
Study efforts to expand voting rights and equal access to education, employment, public services, and political participation.
Women’s Rights Movement
Trace the development of women’s rights from the suffrage movement through the major social and political movements of the twentieth century.
Social & Cultural Transformation
Explore major changes in American society involving race, gender, youth culture, immigration, family life, technology, and popular culture.
Contemporary America, Government & Historical Thinking
Postwar Economic & Social Change
Examine economic growth, suburbanization, demographic shifts, technological development, and changes in American communities after World War II.
Immigration & Demographic Change
Analyze changing immigration policies and how immigration transformed the population, culture, economy, and communities of the United States.
Government Responses to Social Issues
Examine how federal, state, and local governments have responded to changing social, economic, demographic, and environmental challenges.
Modern Domestic Policy
Explore major domestic policy debates involving education, civil rights, economic policy, healthcare, the environment, and social welfare.
Contemporary Social Problems
Analyze major social challenges and examine their historical causes, effects, and possible responses.
Historical Evidence & Primary Sources
Use primary sources, historical documents, photographs, maps, statistics, speeches, and other evidence to investigate historical questions.
Continuity, Change & Historical Analysis
Evaluate how American institutions, ideas, communities, and society have changed over time while identifying important patterns of continuity.
Teaching Methodology
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to: