World History is a survey course where students will be offered an overview of historical trends and events that shape our current world. Over the course of the year, students will learn about ancient Greece and Rome, the French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, the age of Imperialism, World War I, the Russian Revolution, World War II and its aftermath, and the Cold War. The course stresses the development of analytical thinking and writing skills through reading the textbook and primary source documents, individual research projects, presentations, lectures, use of multimedia, and group work. This course (or its AP equivalent) is required for graduation. Pre-Requisites: Student must be a freshman or sophomore.

This is a college-level survey course that exposes students chronologically to a wide range of World History. Preparation for AP exams requires additional participation in coursework outside of the regular school day, particularly during the second semester. Students will demonstrate command of a large body of factual detail acquired through the assigned readings and through intensive lecture sessions. They will also learn to interpret primary sources, read maps and statistical tables, to interpret works of art, works of literature, and other pictorial and graphic materials, and to skillfully execute a wide variety of essay formats that require students to analyze and synthesize major developments in world history. Students must take the Advanced Placement examination for World History offered in the spring. Students who earn a C- or higher receive an extra point towards their grade point average. This course (or its non-AP equivalent) is required for graduation. Pre-Requisites: Student must be at least a sophomore, and have earned an A- or higher in World History and Introduction to English Language and Literature. Students who have not taken World History must have earned an A- or higher in Introduction to English Language and Literature and have approval from their current English teacher. All students must submit the online application by the published deadline and receive department approval. Estimated homework load / types of homework required: Students should expect about 45 minutes to an hour of homework per class. This work would include a good deal of reading, as well as analytical writing. There is also one additional class per week during morning flex period. The work load increases in the spring as the AP test approaches, and students should expect to devote more time out of class to weekly review seminars in March and April.

This survey course in American History is organized around a single major theme: the struggle for equality and full participation of certain segments of American society who began participation in the American experience as outsiders, as "have-nots" and who have suffered severe economic, political, and social disadvantages. The social groups to be examined will include African-Americans, Native Americans, European immigrants, Asian and Hispanic immigrants, labor groups, and women. Each unit of study will follow the various groups from their early status and condition, and then follow, as history unfolds, their progress, or lack of progress, in their struggle to achieve an equal place in American society. Pre-Requisites: Student must be a junior and have passed World History.

This is a college level survey course that exposes students chronologically to a wide range of the history of colonial America and the United States in preparation for the Advanced Placement United States History Exam. Preparation for AP exams requires additional participation in coursework outside of the regular school day, particularly during the second semester. Students will demonstrate command of a large body of factual detail acquired through assigned readings and intensive lecture sessions. They will also learn to interpret primary sources, read maps and statistical tables, interpret works of art, political commentary, and other pictorial and graphic materials, synthesize a variety of sources into a work of supported exposition, and respond meaningfully to a wide variety of essay questions through the preparation of thematic essays. Students must take the Advanced Placement examination for United States History offered in the spring. Students who earn a C- or higher receive an extra point towards their grade point average. This course (or its college preparatory equivalent) is required for graduation. Pre-Requisites: Student must be a junior, have earned grades of A- or higher in World History and Introduction to English Language and Literature, and either an A- in Coming of Age Literature or a B- in Pre-AP Language and Literature Students must also submit the online application by the published deadline, and receive department approval. Estimated homework load / types of homework required: Students should expect to spend at least one hour per class meeting on reading assignments. About every two weeks, students should spend at least two to three hours studying for a test and preparing formal essays. In class work consists almost entirely of note-taking from formal lectures. Finally, students will prepare a major research project during the spring semester. Regular class attendance may be supplemented by mandatory attendance at a morning flex period lecture once every two weeks.

This is a college-level survey course that provides students with a learning experience equivalent to that of an introductory college course in United States government and politics. It gives the students an analytical and historical perspective on government and politics in the United States, including the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific examples. Through assigned readings, lecture, document analysis, video presentations, and in-class discussions, the course will develop students' familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. politics. Preparation for AP exams may require additional participation in coursework outside of the regular school day, particularly during the second semester.  Students must take the Advanced Placement examination for Government and Politics offered in the spring.  Students who earn a C-or higher receive an extra point towards their grade point average.  Pre-Requisites:  Student must be a senior, have earned a B- or higher in AP United States History, received a “3” or higher on the AP United States History exam, and receive departmental approval.  Students who took AP US History and did not receive a “3” on the AP US History exam must complete a written advisory exam.  Students who have earned an A- or higher in United States History, must complete a written advisory exam, and receive departmental approval.All students must submit the online application by the published deadline.  Estimated homework load / types of homework required: Students should expect to spend at least one hour on homework per class meeting, at least two hours on nights before tests studying for tests and two to three hours preparing formal essays (approximately every three weeks). Students have reading assigned before nearly every class. Once each quarter students are required to prepare and orally present a current event report. Students have to prepare a formal essay of approximately 750-1000 words twice each quarter.

AP Macroeconomics taken in conjunction with AP Microeconomics.  It is an introductory college-level course that focuses on the principles that apply to an economic system as a whole; it is taken in conjunction with AP Microeconomics offered in the spring semester.  The course provides students with a thorough understanding of the principles of economics and how economists use those principles to examine aggregate economic behavior. Students learn how the measures of economic performance, such as gross domestic product (GDP), inflation, and unemployment are constructed and how to apply them to evaluate the macroeconomic conditions of an economy. The course recognizes the global nature of economics and provides ample opportunities to examine the impact of international trade and finance on national economies. Various economic schools of thought are introduced as students consider solutions to economic problems.  Prerequisites:  Student must be a senior, have earned a B- or higher in in AP US History or an A- in US History, and a B- or higher in Honors Algebra II or an A- in Algebra II.  All students must submit the online application by the published deadline and receive department approval.  Estimated homework load / types of homework required:  4.5 – 6 hours per week of homework should be expected.  Homework may include reading, note-taking, review questions, test preparation, writing of essays and papers, and research.

AP Microeconomics is taken in conjunction with AP Macroeconomics.  It is an introductory college-level course that focuses on the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual economic decision-makers; it is taken in conjunction with AP Macroeconomics offered in the fall semester. The course provides students with an understanding of the principles of economics as they apply to individual decision-making units, including individual households and firms. The course examines the theory of consumer behavior, the theory of the firm, and the behavior of profit-maximizing firms under various market structures. Students evaluate the efficiency of the outcomes with respect to price, output, consumer surplus, and producer surplus. They examine the behaviors of households and businesses in factor markets, and learn how the determination of factor prices, wages, interest, and rent influence the distribution of income in a market economy. There are ample opportunities to consider instances in which private markets may fail to allocate resources efficiently and examine various public policy alternatives aimed at improving the efficiency of private markets.  Prerequisites:  Student must be a senior, have earned a B- or higher in in AP US History or an A- in US History, and a B- or higher in Honors Algebra II or an A- in Algebra II.  All students must submit the online application by the published deadline and receive department approval. Estimated homework load / types of homework required:  4.5 – 6 hours per week of homework should be expected.  Homework may include reading, note-taking, review questions, test preparation, writing of essays and papers, and research.

This course provides students with an analytical and historical perspective on American government and politics. Through assigned readings, lecture, document analysis, video presentations, and in-class discussions, this course will develop student familiarity with the underpinnings of our system of government, the various formal and informal institutions within the government, and the various groups, beliefs and ideas that constitute and influence American politics.  Pre-Requisites:  Student must be a senior and have passed United States History.

This course will cover the history of California with a special emphasis on Napa Valleys, including pre-colonial and colonial eras, early statehood, 20th century challenges, and current events. Students will study major events, figures, themes, and influences in the history of California highlighting Napa Valley. By the end of the course, students should be able to identify the various cultures that have influenced modern California, identify major events in the chronological history of the state and region, and experience local culture and geography first hand. Pre-Requisites: Student must be a senior and have earned a C- or higher in United States History or a junior enrolled concurrently in United States History or AP United States History.

Criminal Law is an elective course designed to introduce students to the American legal system. Included will be basic legal vocabulary, criminal law processes, and the concept of justice. Through reading assignments and student case brief and current event presentations, students will obtain a broad overview of the foundations, development, and current operation of the criminal justice system; understand and apply critical legal thinking skills to social problems; develop the ability to read and analyze statutory and brief case law; acquire the ability to conduct basic legal research; develop the ability to argue both sides of a legal issue; and prepare and present two written case briefs of California Appellate or Supreme Court cases. Pre-Requisites: Student must be a senior and have earned a C- or higher in United States History or a junior enrolled concurrently in United States History or AP United States History.

This course is designed to deepen student understanding of the economic problems and institutions of the nation and the world. Students will make reasoned decisions on economic issues as citizens, workers, consumers, business owners and managers, and members of civic groups. This course enriches student understanding of the operations and institutions of economic systems. The problem of scarcity and the choices which must be made concerning how to utilize limited resources is a primary focus. This will lead students to the concept of cost-benefit analysis as applied to the students' roles as consumers and producers. Students will learn about comparative economic systems and the benefits and costs of each system studied. Students will examine the operation of markets and the role of supply and demand in determining pricing of goods and services. They will consider in detail the operations of the labor markets, the distribution of income in our economy, the differing costs of living across the United States, and the role of government in economic policy. Pre-Requisites: Student must be a senior and have earned a C- or higher in United States History or a junior enrolled concurrently in United States History or AP United States History.

This course is a general introduction to psychology as the science of behavior. Topics include the history of psychology, research methods, personality, life-span development, the brain and nervous system, consciousness, sensation and perception, learning, memory, social psychology, abnormal psychology, approaches to treatment and therapy, emotions, stress, and motivation. Students will do papers in Child Development. In addition, students will do a Mental Disorder project at the end of the semester and present it to the class. Pre-Requisites: Student must be a senior and have earned a C- or higher in United States History or a junior enrolled concurrently in United States History or AP United States History.