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General Studies Course Offerings
Course Descriptions
GRADES 9,10,11,12
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
Subject: English
Name: Ninth Grade English
Sections: 102,103 |
| The objectives of the course are to improve writing and communication skills, to develop strategies for reading comprehension and to develop critical and creative thinking. Each section adapts to the level of mastery and concentration of its students; each includes grammar, vocabulary, classic and contemporary literature, summer reading, writing proficiency and learning to support a thesis statement, with emphasis on learning to organize cohesive unified paragraphs, short essays and skills necessary for college application essays. |
Subject: English
Name: Tenth Grade English
Sections: 202,203 |
| The objectives of the course are to concentrate on logical, critical and creative thinking, to improve writing proficiency, communication skills and to continue to develop strategies for reading comprehension. Each section adapts to the level of mastery and concentration of its students; each includes: building a stronger foundation of grammar, vocabulary, classic and contemporary literature, summer reading, and learning to write a biography, with emphasis on learning to perfect cohesive, unified paragraphs and short essays and skills necessary for college application essays. |
Subject: English
Name: Eleventh Grade English
Sections: 301,302,303 |
| The objectives of the course are to continue to organize cohesive paragraphs and essays in preparation for college admission testing, to expose students to test taking strategies, to continue to explore themes and literary devices as they occur in American Literature, to further broaden vocabulary, and to use critical reading and research skills to develop a literary analysis based on American Authors. Each section adapts to the level of mastery and concentration of its students; each includes: grammar as necessary, vocabulary, classic and contemporary literature, summer reading, and skills and practice necessary for college admission testing and the college application essay. |
Subject: English
Name: Twelfth Grade English
Sections: 401,402 |
| The objectives of the course are to continue to organize cohesive paragraphs and essays in preparation for college admission testing and college application essays, to reinforce students’ test-taking strategies, to use critical reading and research skills to develop a literary analysis based on British and other World authors. Each section adapts to the level of mastery and concentration of its students; each includes: grammar as necessary, vocabulary, classic and contemporary literature, summer reading, and skills and practice necessary for the college application essay and college admission. |
Subject: English
Name: AP Twelfth Grade English
Section: 403 |
| The objectives of the course are to continue to perfect writing skills in preparation for college admission, to perfect students’ test-taking strategies, to use critical reading and research skills to develop a literary analysis based on British and World authors. This section is taught on an intense and advanced level and includes perfection of grammar and vocabulary, extensive reading and analysis of difficult and eclectic classic and contemporary literature, summer reading, and skills and practice necessary for the college application essay, college admission and Advanced Placement Exams of Language and Composition and Literature and Composition to enable students to receive college credit for the course. |
HISTORY DEPARTMENT
Subject: History
Name: World History
Sections: 102,103 |
| This is a required freshman course. It is a survey course that begins with a short introduction to Prehistoric times and concludes with a look at the Medieval World. This course traces the development of both Western and non-Western civilizations. The course includes the political changes, the economic development, the influence of geography on cultures, the growth of science and technology and the effects of contracts between cultures. Basic skills such as reading, writing, spelling, vocabulary, chart and map reading, as well as note taking, are stressed. |
Subject: History
Name: American History I
Sections: 202,203 |
| This is the first of two required American history courses. It is a survey course that begins briefly with exploration and proceeds through the remaining years of the 17th century and through most of the 18th century. Emphasis in the classroom is placed on “cause and effect” where the students are expected to understand the relationship between people and events. Basic skills such as reading, writing, spelling, vocabulary, chart and map reading are stressed. |
Subject: History
Name: American History II
Sections: 301,302 |
| This is the second of two American History courses. Although it begins with a review of the 19th century, its main emphasis is the history of the 20th century. Emphasis is placed on the major wars, the depression, civil rights and the growing role of the United States on the world stage. Before entering the class, students should have successfully completed one year of American History I. Basic skills such as reading, writing, spelling, vocabulary, chart and map reading are stressed. As in American History I, emphasis once again will be placed on the idea of “cause and effect” so that students may be able to understand the relationship between people and events. |
Subject: History
Name: AP American History
Section: 303 |
| This course is meant to be the equivalent of a freshman college course and can lead to earning college credit. Although it is traditionally a survey course that begins with the age of exploration and colonization, our AP American History course begins with the conclusion of the 19th century and runs to the present day. Students should possess strong reading and writing skills along with the desire to spend much time on outside reading assignments as well as research. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking skills, interpretation of primary source documents and essay writing. Special attention is given to the document based question as well as the free response essay in preparation for the Advanced Placement exam. |
Subject: History
Name: AP European History
Sections: 302,303,402,403 |
| This course is meant to be the equivalent of a college course and can lead to college credit. It is a survey course that begins with a review of the Middle Ages and culminates with the 20th century. Before entering the class, students should have already successfully passed at least one year of World History and have some background knowledge of Medieval Europe. Students should possess strong reading and writing skills along with a desire to dedicate much of their time to outside reading assignments as well as individual research. Students are expected to demonstrate their critical thinking, as well as their interpretation of primary source material, particularly in a written manner. Special attention is given to the document based question as well as the free response essay in preparation for the Advanced Placement exam. |
MATH DEPARTMENT
Subject: Math
Name: Algebra I
Sections: 102 |
| This is an elementary course introducing the fundamental concept of variable representation, computation with algebraic expressions, the solution of linear and simple quadratic equations, and graphing of linear equations. All techniques are employed in the solution of simple word problems. |
Subject: Math
Name: Algebra II & Trigonometry
Section: 103 |
| The first semester covers advanced topics in algebra. These include permutations and combinations, arithmetic and geometric sequences and series, and an in-depth study of polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic functions. The second semester covers the foundations of calculus. This includes the notions of limits, the definition of the derivative, and the application of derivatives to curve sketching and to the study of motion. |
Subject: Math
Name: Geometry
Sections: 202 |
| The students will learn the basic concepts of geometry: congruent triangles, parallel lines, circles, and areas. We will do geometric proofs using deductive reasoning and some coordinate geometry. |
Subject: Math
Name: Honors Geometry
Section: 203 |
| This is an honors course which emphasizes the use of logical proof to solve geometric problems. By employing a system of deductive reasoning, students will develop the geometric principle necessary to solve problems involving angles, segments, lines, circles, polygons and solids. |
Subject: Math
Name: Algebra II
Section: 301 |
| This is an algebra course which reviews and extends the topics covered in elementary algebra. |
Subject: Math
Name: Algebra II & Trigonometry
Sections: 302 (Section 303 see Section 403) |
| This is an intermediate level algebra course which reviews and extends the topics covered in elementary algebra. Topics included are properties of real numbers, solving absolute value equations, inequalities and quadratic equations, systems of equations, imaginary numbers, graphing, conic sections, exponential and logarithmic functions. Trigonometric functions are included time permitting. |
Subject: Math
Name: Concepts in Math
Section: 401 |
| This course reviews and reinforces the concepts covered in algebra and introduces the topics of probability, statistics, sequences and series. |
Subject: Math
Name: Pre-Calculus and Statistics
Section: 402 |
| This course will teach pre-calculus and then begin an intensive course in statistics. |
Subject: Math
Name: AP Calculus
Section: 403, 303 |
| This course covers all of the topics required for the Advanced Placement examination in Calculus AB. This includes the concepts of definite and indefinite integrals, applications to area and volume, and exponential growth. The month of April is devoted to review of previous AP examinations. During the last month of school, after the AP exam, we study further advanced topics including infinite series and Taylor expansions. |
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Subject: Science
Name: Biology
Sections: 102 |
| The course begins with an overview of the underlying themes of Biology and with the importance of cellular function as a basis of life. The student becomes acquainted with the major cell organelles. In subsequent chapters, the function of each cell structure is covered in detail. General laboratory techniques are also stressed in the weekly labs. The course ends with a discussion of the interrelationship of cellular components as evidenced in the behavior of one-celled animals and plants. |
Subject: Science
Name: Honors Biology
Section: 103 |
| This course is designed for the academically advanced student. Higher-level thinking is stressed along with personal responsibility for meeting class schedules and completing activities on time. The main focus of the course is an overview of biological principles, cellular biology and fundamentals of genetics and evolution. Class discussion and inquiry methods are supplemented by frequent laboratory protocols designed to augment curricular concepts. |
Subject: Science
Name: Chemistry
Section: 202 |
| Using demonstrations, experiments, problem solving sessions and student board work, an attempt is made to help students understand the concepts of chemistry and to apply those concepts to interpreting results of lab work. Problem solving is stressed with each problem set designed to extend as well as test the student’s grasp of chemical concepts. |
Subject: Science
Name: Chemistry
Section: 203 |
| This is an advanced class; students will be presented with basic chemical concepts associated with an introductory chemistry courses. Students will conduct over 23 experiments, complete prepared problem sets, answer selected questions from the text and conduct research and some experiments using the computer lab. One of the goals of this class is to provide students with enough background and understanding of chemistry that they may perform well on the Chemistry SAT II. |
Subject: Science
Name: Human Biology
Section: 301 |
| Science Concepts is a course in Human Biology, its major systems and their function. The course begins with the class Mammalia, to which humans belong. The organs of each system are covered within the context of the function of the system and of the human body as a whole. The students have lab at least once a week. There is a varied lab experience including dissection, microscopy, and forensic lab problems. |
Subject: Science
Name: AP Biology (elective)
Sections: 303,302,403,402 |
| This course assumes a successful completion of first year Biology. The focus of the course parallels the requirements necessary to prepare for the AP Examination in Biology, in scope, level of complexity of thought and course content. Frequent use of laboratory protocol, AP-mandated and also instructor-selected, further reinforce and clarify course content. Exposure to former AP exam questions, by topic, allows each student the opportunity to evaluate his/her potential for taking the AP Exam in Biology, offered in May. |
Subject: Science
Name: AP Chemistry (elective)
Sections: 303,302,403,402 |
| The AP Chemistry students have had a year of basic chemistry already. During this course we will refine and extend their knowledge of chemistry to meet the more rigorous requirements associated with the AP test. Basic chemistry will be reviewed quickly and new labs and problem sets will be presented to challenge students. With each topic, a selected set of old AP test questions will be assigned and reviewed. The goal, of course, is to prepare students to do well on the AP test without “teaching to the test”. |
Subject: Science
Name: Environmental Science (elective)
Sections: 303,302,403,402 |
| This course is designed to explore the complex relationship between people and their environment, to make students aware of the ecological diversity in the world and to be conscious of methods of conservation of our natural resources. The basic knowledge of these ecological principles is then applied, by chapter, to practical environmental problems. Workable solutions are proposed, discussed and modified as needed. Frequent use of laboratory simulations allows students to view concepts realistically and to try out and evaluate their proposed solutions in a safe, minimal-impact setting. |
Subject: Science
Name: General Physics (elective)
Sections: 303,302,403,402 |
| The primary objective of this course is to build a conceptual base for understanding the laws of nature. Topics covered will include mechanics, sound, electricity, magnetism and light. Additional topics will be explored as time permits. Mathematics will be used as a tool in solving related problems. Laboratory experiences will be provided whenever possible to enhance comprehension. |
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