Courses Offered

Grade: 10 One year; meets CSU/UC “a” requirement

This course offers a survey of human history. The major emphasis is on the study of significant people, events, and concepts from the earliest times to the present. Traditional historical points of reference in world history are identified as students analyze important events and issues, using primary and secondary sources. Students examine the impact of geographic factors on major historic events and identify the historic origins of contemporary social, political, cultural and economic systems. This course includes elements that meet California Content and Common Core Standards as well as the SAHS ESLR’s.

Grade 10 One year; meets CSU/UC “a” requirement

This college level course is a rigorous journey through world history, with an emphasis on using high level thinking and analytical skills to explore historical questions and concepts. Students use the process of historical inquiry to research, synthesize, and analyze multiple primary and secondary sources of evidence. Development of collegiate reading and writing skills is an integral component of the class. This course includes elements that meet California Content and Common Core Standards as well as the SAHS ESLR’s.  Students are expected to take the AP exam.

Grade: 11 One year; meets CSU/UC “a” requirement

United States History is a two-semester survey of American history from early European exploration to the present. This course will focus on political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of historical events and trends. Students will be expected to use critical and analytical skills while researching historical topics using primary and secondary sources. This course includes elements that meet California Content and Common Core Standards as well as the SAHS ESLR’s.

Grade: 11 One year; meets CSU/UC “a” requirement

This college level course is a rigorous journey through United States history, with an emphasis on using high-level thinking and analytical skills to explore historical questions and concepts. Students use the process of historical inquiry to research, synthesize, and analyze multiple primary and secondary sources of evidence. Development of collegiate reading and writing skills is an integral component of the class. Students are expected to take the AP exam. This course includes elements that meet California Content and Common Core Standards as well as the SAHS ESLR’s. Students are expected to take the AP exam.

Grade: 12 One semester; meets CSU/UC “a” requirement

The focus of this course is on the principles and beliefs upon which the United States was founded, and on the structure, function, and powers of government at national, state, and local levels. This course provides an opportunity to study in depth the foundation of the United States political system; to analyze the political institutions, processes, and values of the system; to analyze the structure and functions of the government on local, state, and federal levels; and to study the major documents which will include the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the Federalist Papers. Students put into practice the content and concepts they have learned about responsibilities on the civic level. This course includes elements that meet California Content and Common Core Standards as well as the SAHS ESLR’s.

Grade: 12 One semester; meets CSU/UC “a” requirement

This is an accelerated course which focuses on the principles and beliefs upon which the United States was founded, and on the structure, function, and powers of government at national, state, and local levels. This course provides an opportunity to study in depth the foundation of the United States political system and to study the major documents. Students put into practice the content and concepts they have learned about responsibilities on the civic level. This course develops the skills necessary to arrive at conclusions on the basis of an informed judgment, and to present evidence clearly and persuasively. Students are expected to take the AP exam. This course includes elements that meet California Content and Common Core Standards as well as the SAHS ESLR’s. Students are expected to take the AP exam.  

Grade: 12 One semester; meets CSU/UC “g” requirement

This course is designed to instill students with the ways in which macroeconomic variables such as national income, employment and the general level of prices are determined in an economic system. This course also shows how the techniques of monetary and fiscal policy are used to achieve national economic stability. Students will also learn and practice everyday economics and basics in business to prepare them for the immediate future. This course includes elements that meet California Content and Common Core Standards as well as the SAHS ESLR’s.

Grade: 12 One semester; meets CSU/UC “g” requirement

This is an accelerated course which is meant to sharpen the honors student’s skills in preparation for the Advanced Placement exam. Emphasis will be placed on the macroeconomic/microeconomic processes such as: GDP, unemployment, inflation, the money supply and banking system, monetary and fiscal policies, the world economy, supply and demand, organization of business firms and markets, and the market system.  Students are expected to take AP Exam. This course includes elements that meet California Content and Common Core Standards as well as the SAHS ESLR’s. Students are expected to take the AP exam.

Grade: 11, 12 One year; meets CSU/UC "g" requirement

Criminal Law and Procedure is a year-long elective course within the Social Science Department. This course is recommended for juniors and seniors, but motivated sophomores are encouraged to apply. The course will cover the nature of crimes, the differences between criminal action and a tort, and the consequences of criminal acts, both socially and personally. We will explore the guarantees the U.S. Constitution gives an accused, and pursue understanding of the law in depth. This course will cover police actions and duties and help students understand the nature of the justice system from arrest through sentencing. This course includes elements that meet Common Core Standards as well as the SAHS ESLR’s.