Andrew Aja
Social Studies
PetalumaHigh School
World History
World History is a survey course that covers the major political, economic, cultural, and social developments from the Renaissance to modern day. Students will develop an understanding of the human condition and historical processes that have shaped the modern world. Major themes include the rise of democracy, competing economic and political systems, societal responses to change, and globalization. This course meets the subject area "a" requirement for the UC/CSU approved course list.
Honors World History
Honors World History is a survey course that covers the major social, political, cultural, and economic developments of the last 10,000 years. This study of the human experience will span the whole of our globe, bringing to light the structure and evolution of varied cultures. Students will be challenged with an advanced level workload that is supported by instruction in and the practice of relevant skills. This course meets the subject area "a" requirement for the UC/CSU approved course list.
United States History
United States History is a survey course that covers the major political, economic, cultural, and social developments from Reconstruction to modern day. This course picks up where their studies left off in 8th grade. Students also build upon their 10th grade study of history by focusing on global themes that intersect with the American experience. Major themes include the growth of American democracy, westward expansion, the nation's rise as a global power, and struggles for equality. This course meets the subject area "a" requirement for the UC/CSU approved course list.
Advanced Placement United States History
AP U.S. History is a survey course that covers the major political, economic, religious, social, intellectual, and artistic developments of the United States, from the initial colonization of North America in the early 1600s to modern day. Students will be challenged with a college level workload that is supported by instruction in and the practice of relevant skills. The expectation is that students will take the nationally given AP Exam at the end of the course, which offers the possibility to earn college credit. This course meets the subject area "a" requirement for the UC/CSU approved course list.
Government & Economics
All seniors take semester-long classes in economics and government. American government is a survey of America’s fundamental governing documents, the structure of government, political practices, and proactive citizenship. Economics is a survey of fundamental micro- and macroeconomic concepts and practices.
Advanced Placement Government & Economics
Senior students take AP Gov/Econ to increase understanding of the American political system and the U.S. economy, their frameworks, traditions, and values with the goal of having each student pass the AP exams. These courses are concerned with the nature of the American political and economic systems, and their development over the past two centuries. We will examine in detail the principle processes and institutions through which the political and economic systems function, as well as some of the public policies which these institutions establish and how they are implemented.
Sociology | Junior or Senior Year
The course is an introduction to the discipline of Sociology. Students will become acquainted with the basic tenets and vocabulary used in the study of the individual as a group member. Strong emphasis will be placed on our inter-cultural understanding. This is a semester course complemented by Psychology. This course meets the subject area "a" requirement for the UC/CSU approved course list
Introduction to Psychology | Junior or Senior Year
The course provides juniors and seniors with fundamental studies and theories of psychology as they are applied to the complexities of human behavior. We will learn to examine and evaluate human behavior as it applies to our lives. This class can be the springboard for further study into the broad field of psychology. Through guest speaker presentations, the students will learn about psychology as a profession and become aware of the educational requirements that must be met to pursue such careers. Topics covered include biology and behavior, Social Psychology, personality, history and approaches, abnormal behavior and therapy, and consciousness. This is a semester course complemented by Sociology. This course meets the subject area "a" requirement for the UC/CSU approved course list.
Advanced Placement Psychology | Junior or Senior Year
AP Psychology is a year long course designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with the major sub fields within psychology. Students will be able to recognize and apply psychological principles when they encounter them in everyday situations. Through the course of study, students will become aware of the danger of blindly accepting or rejecting any psychological theory without careful, objective evaluation. Students will also build their reading, writing, and discussion skills. There is the expectation that students will take the nationally given AP Exam at the end of the course, which offers the possibility to earn college credit. This course meets the subject area "a" requirement for the UC/CSU approved course list.
