Humanities

Modern Language

Spanish I is a comprehensive coverage of basic language skills – listening, speaking, reading and writing. This course incorporates TPR, grammar exercises and practical vocabulary building to help lay a strong foundation for the student’s study of a second language.

The second year of Spanish study provides advanced work in listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.  Level II work includes the production and use of all important grammatical concepts along with a broadened Spanish lexicon used in authentic contexts.  Students will gain conversational competence in Level II using a variety of valuable grammar and vocabulary.  (Prerequisite:  Spanish I)

This course provides advanced practice in oral and aural skill building as well as in reading and writing. Emphasis is placed on advanced grammar and conversation. The history and culture of Spanish-speaking people and original writings are studied. This course is intended for the student who has exhibited interest and ability in the language learning process and in Spanish in particular.  (Prerequisite:  Recommendation of Spanish II teacher) 

This is an advanced Spanish course that provides further practice and mastery of speaking, writing, listening and reading in the target language. Advanced skills, such as spontaneous discourse and literary analysis, are emphasized. During semester 1, students read, interpret, and analyze Latin American fiction and cultures; students also comprehensively review advanced Spanish grammar.

Religion

This course introduces students to the God of the Bible, major stories and themes of the Bible, and issues raised by those. It also help students explore what the stories and teachings of the Bible can mean for a person’s life.

This course covers a number of the major world religions, helping students explore a Christian perspective on this pluralistic world and what it means for someone to follow Jesus.

This course is designed to give the student an understanding of basic moral, religious, and ethical issues we are faced with as members of society; each student will have the opportunity to evaluate his/her stance on these same issues.

Philosophy introduces students to the history of Western Philosophy, as well as basic concepts in academic philosophy: logic and critical thinking, how ideas influence society, integration of faith and reason, and Christian apologetics. The course seeks not only to introduce these ideas but to help students personally use them to consider basic question of life and to become a more effective critical thinker in all of their studies and life.  (Grades 11,12) 

 

Social Studies

This course concentrates on the evolution of African Americans in North American society, from their beginnings in western Africa to the realities of modern day. The course focuses on the challenges faced by African Americans, how they have overcome them, and the importance of African American history to and influence on United States history and culture.  (Semester Elective)

This political science course will focus on the study of political structure at the national level in the United States. Emphasis will be placed on the study of Congress, the executive and administrative agencies, and the judiciary. Additionally, students will learn how political parties, interest groups, and formal institutions help shape the American political landscape.  Students will think like political scientists while developing their analytical and writing skills.

This course provides a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of our economic system: production, distribution, marketing, etc. are all studied.  Students are also given instruction and practical demonstrations of such consumer concerns as buying goods/services, credit, employment, insurance, home ownership, bank services, savings, and investment.  (One semester)

This course will focus on the founding era of the United States and the ideas that helped to shape the country in the late eighteenth century. Emphasis will be placed on the detailed analysis and evaluation of primary source material. All members of this class will be expected to participate in seminar discussion based on primary and secondary source readings. Additionally, this course will look at contemporary applications of the founding ideas and how they have endured over two centuries. (Open only to seniors and juniors who have completed Honors World History)

This course provides both a foundation in physical, human, and political geography as well as a primer in American civic education. Using a comparative approach, this course evaluates the various regions of the world in light of American political development. Specifically, this course focuses on understanding the political institutions, democratic processes, and current events that shaped and continue to shape the American democratic tradition. These areas will be examined with an eye to how geographical factors have shaped both the United States and the world.

This class will explore the structure, function, and role of government and law in our society. By looking at specific federal and state laws, students will examine the process of enacting laws, the executive departments and agencies charged with enforcement of the laws, and the ways the courts have expanded or contracted the original intent of the legislation. Students will study trial cases and may participate in a mock trial.

U.S. History is the story of freedom. Students will explore the various meanings of “freedom” and the inclusion and exclusion of Americans by race, gender, class, and religion from before Columbus arrived through the Obama Administration. The primary goal of the course is to engage students to do the work of historians. Students will utilize primary documents, documentary and film clips, American art and literature, document-based questions, and small and large group discussions and debates to study the issues surrounding the development and exercise of freedom in America.

This course is a college-level survey of American History that emphasizes College Board aligned historical thinking skills. All students in this class take the AP U.S. History exam in May. Students earning a passing score may qualify for college credit.

 

World History presents a chronological survey of history from prehistory to the present. The focus of this class is on civilizations that have had a global impact and on patterns of cultural diffusion, which have created today’s multicultural world. 

This course focuses on a chronological survey of history from prehistory to the present, using the content from World History. In this honors course, students use primary source analysis, thesis creation, and seminar to analyze and evaluate civilizations. Students connect past civilizations and their global impacts to the creation of today’s multicultural world. Several research projects are added to the course load.

English

This course is an introductory study of high school grammar, usage, and sentence structure/variety applied to a range of analytical and narrative writing assignments. Essay composition assignments will emphasize effective use of claims, support, and text structure. Readings will cover a variety of genres, and will emphasize comprehension and analysis in addition to vocabulary.

The honors class is tailored for advanced students familiar with the basics of grammar, reading comprehension, and essay composition. This course incorporates critical analysis and pre-AP skills through the study of works of various genres.  (Permission of teacher required)

World Literature provides a thorough review of standard grammar, usage, sentence structure, and essay composition, with an emphasis on organization, clarity and persuasive thesis. Readings focus on critical analysis of world literature and drama.

The honors class is tailored for advanced students familiar with standard grammar, usage, sentence structure, and essay composition with an emphasis on organization, clarity, and persuasive thesis. This course maintains a focus on pre-AP skills through the study of world literature. (Permission of teacher required)

This course extends our study of standard grammar/usage as well as effective use of text structure, word choice, and sentence structure/variety. Writing assignments will emphasize research skills as well as literary analysis and critical thinking. Readings- both fiction and nonfiction- will cover essential American authors and literary movements, and will center on themes of community and conformity.

This course offers a thorough review of grammar and usage. College-level vocabulary is studied weekly. Frequent seminars, class discussions, and short presentations will be required and will be combined with critical analysis of works of literary merit.  Students will complete a weekly metacognitive paper on the readings. Research skills, critical analysis, effective argumentation, and writing skills will be required to complete the Capstone Senior Paper.  

This is a college-level course integrating the analysis of works of literary merit and critical writing skills. Students can receive college credit through the AP Literature Exam in the spring. Rigorous analysis, writing, and class discussion skills are required for success in the course. Research skills, critical analysis skills, effective argumentation, and writing skills will be required to complete the capstone Senior Paper.  (Permission of the teacher required)

Creative Writing is a semester course that introduces original composition of poetry, short fiction, and memoir through the reading and study of published classic and contemporary works of literature.

This course is designed to familiarize students with the fundamental principles of journalism, including copy, layout, interviewing, and photojournalism. Expressions of student efforts will include production of the school newspaper and yearbook. Course requirements involve extensive computer work.  (Permission of teacher required)

 

This semester course is designed to provide students with the necessary skills to become confident and successful public speakers. Students will learn how to format and and properly execute a speech, spend time learning the logistics of public speaking, and give approximately six speeches throughout the semester. Students will conduct research, write speeches, and present them to the class. The semester will end with the application of persuasive and public speaking skills in a debate.

This course offers a thorough review of grammar and usage. Frequent seminars, class discussions, and short presentations will be required and will be combined with critical analysis of works of literary merit.  Students will complete a weekly metacognitive paper on the readings. Research skills, critical analysis, effective argumentation, and writing skills will be required to complete the Capstone Senior Paper.

This semester course will enable students to develop skills in oral communication which are fundamental to all other learning and to all levels of human interaction. Students will understand concepts and processes involved in sending and receiving oral messages, evaluating messages, using nonverbal communication, and listening for a variety of purposes. Students will develop communication competence in interpersonal, group, and public interaction to establish and maintain productive relationships and function effectively in social, academic, and citizenship roles. This course will introduce students to the critical principles of public speaking, concentrating on content, organization, audience motivation, language, and delivery. Students are required to research their topics and present well-prepared speeches.