English

the AP Physics- Mechanics exam in May. Prerequisite: 75 average in AP Physics. (NCAA)

2520 Anatomy/Physiology (11, 12) 5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester

This is an introductory lecture/lab course in Anatomy & Physiology of the human body designed to give students a selective overview of human anatomical structures and the physiology of those structures. This course is for students who are highly interested in the fields of medical or biological sciences. Prerequisite: Completion of a Biology and Chemistry offering. (NCAA)

2530 Exercise Physiology (11, 12) 5 credits 80 minutes, 1 Semester

This course is designed as an introduction to the branch of Physiology that deals with the function of the body during exercise and the adaptations that occur within. Knowledge and application of scientific principles will help explain how to develop peak performance in athletes and maintain health in the general population. Included will be an examination of the scientific theories behind the body’s responses to exercise. Topics will include exercise metabolism, respiration, circulation, neuromuscular, hormonal and environmental influences on exercise. The factors that limit exercise performance and the role of genes in determining athletic performance will also be considered. Through laboratory investigations, students will gain a better understanding of current evidence-based interventions that help to improve overall health. The lab component of class will include inquiry-based analyses into a multitude of physiological processes and an exploration of the students’ own physiology. Prerequisites include: completion of Biology and Chemistry. (NCAA)

2540 AP Environmental Science (11, 12)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester

AP Environmental Science is interdisciplinary, embracing topics from geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography. This course concerns itself with both the ecological principles by which the environment works and the human relationship with that environment and prepares students to sit for the College Board AP exam in May. Topics include: ecology, ecosystem sustainability, population, public policy, resources, land, air and water pollution. Through inquirybased laboratory investigations, students will gain a greater understanding of ecological principles including management of natural resources and sustainability. This is a Spring semester course. Prerequisite: Minimum 80 average in Honors Biology or completion of AP Biology, AND minimum 80 average in Honors Chemistry or completion of AP Chemistry. (NCAA)

ENGLISH

3040 McAuley English 1 (9)

2.5 Credits 40 Minutes, 1 Semester

Students will focus on literacy, writing, and self-efficacy skills. Students will be provided remediation by engaging in minilessons, small group instruction, teacher/student conferencing, and implementation of personalized learning using the IXL online program. Executive functioning skills will help develop students’ organization skills, communication skills, goal setting, time management, and metacognitive strategies. This course will run concurrently with English 1 as students

will receive academic support in conjunction with English 1 units of study. Placement is determined by the Administrative Admissions Committee. This course will receive a Pass/Fail grade.

3050 McAuley Enrichment Seminar (10, 11, 12)

2.5 Credits 40 Minutes, 1 Semester

McAuley Enrichment seminar is a semester course designed to support students with the skills necessary for academic success at Notre Dame High School. The course will address literacy, writing, and selfefficacy skills. This will be accomplished in four units with an emphasis on mini-lessons, small group instruction, and teacher/student conferencing. These units will address organization skills, communication skills, goal setting, annotating, decoding prompts, test taking skills, study skills, and reading and writing strategies. Placement is determined by the Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction and the Counseling Department Chairperson.

3090/8090 Foundations of Writing/Integrated Technologies (9)

2.5 Credits 40 Minutes, 1 Semester

All freshman students will be registered for these two fundamental courses. Every freshman will spend 8 weeks in the technology class and 8 weeks in the writing class. The freshman Integrated Computer Technology course presents a fundamental understanding of technology. Students will learn the valuable use of technology needed to accomplish the tasks necessary to achieve academic success at Notre Dame High School.

Foundations of Writing is designed to help students improve their writing and language arts skills, especially those in persuasive writing. Students will create a writing portfolio that documents their growth as writers. The course will incorporate informational literacy learning that will be done by regular instruction in the Library Media Center. The culminating work of writing will be a five-paragraph research essay including parenthetical citations and works cited page. At the end of the marking period, students are ready to progress onto their Sophomore year as stronger, more proficient writers.

3100 English 1 (9)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester

Students will be utilizing the SpringBoard Curriculum for College Readiness from The College Board. The overarching theme for the first year of high school is “coming of age.” Students will work with multiple texts as they develop an understanding of narrative and argumentative elements. Students will be introduced to key learning strategies, which they will apply throughout the semester. Studies in poetry, prose, and nonfiction will enable students to critically analyze the form and content of classical and contemporary literature while strengthening their critical thinking skills in written and oral exercises. They will develop interdependent responses to themes, assess attitudes expressed in literature, and defend conclusions with rational argumentation. Both reading and writing skills will be a priority. (NCAA)

3110 Honors English 1 (9)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester

Students will be utilizing the SpringBoard Curriculum for Advanced Placement/College Readiness from The College Board. The overarching theme for the first year of high school is “coming of age.” Students will work with multiple texts

as they develop an understanding of narrative and argumentative elements. Students will experience key learning strategies, which they will apply throughout the semester. Studies in poetry, prose, and nonfiction will enable students to critically analyze the form and content of classical and contemporary literature while strengthening their critical thinking skills in written and oral exercises. They will develop interdependent responses to themes, assess attitudes expressed in literature, and defend conclusions with rational argumentation. The pacing is accelerated. Supplemental reading texts will augment the curriculum. Placement is by the Department Chairperson using the following criteria: 7th and 8th grade grades, standardized test scores, placement test scores, writing sample, and Language Arts teacher recommendation letter. (NCAA)

3200 English 2 (10)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester

The focus for English 2 is “explorations of culture and its components— nationality, family, ethnicity, gender, race, and subgroups.” Students will develop an understanding of their own culture and the culture of others so that they can evaluate different perspectives. Students will also explore the concept of cultural identity and diverse cultural perspectives by examining a variety of texts that range from personal reflections to short stories and art. Both reading and writing skills will be a priority. (NCAA)

3210 Honors English 2 (10)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester

The focus for Honors English 2 is “explorations of culture and its components—nationality, family, ethnicity, gender, race, and subgroups.” Students will develop an understanding of their own culture and the culture of others so that they can evaluate different perspectives. Students will also explore the concept of cultural identity and diverse cultural perspectives by examining a variety of texts that range from personal reflections to short stories and art. The pacing is accelerated. Supplemental reading texts will augment the curriculum. Prerequisite: 85 average in Honors English 1. Students not enrolled in Honors English 1 who wish to take Honors English 2 must have an average grade of 93 in English 1 for consideration. (NCAA)

3300 English 3/American Literature (11)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester

The American Dream is a concept that has shaped the national character. The literature studied in this course will blend selections that correspond chronologically or correlate thematically to the study of our heritage from Puritanism through the present day. Throughout the course, students will contemplate the development and idiosyncrasies of the American voice as distinctive, unique, and reflective of the history, cultures, and values of our diverse and dynamic nation. (NCAA)

3310 Honors English 3: American Literature (11)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester

This course is designed to correlate a vigorous experience in written composition with an in- depth study of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and drama. The literature studied in this course will blend selections that correspond chronologically or correlate thematically to the study of our heritage from Puritanism through the present day. Throughout the course, students will contemplate the development and idiosyncrasies of the American voice as

distinctive, unique, and reflective of the history, cultures, and values of our diverse and dynamic nation. The pacing is accelerated. Supplemental reading texts will augment the curriculum. Prerequisite: 85 average in Honors English 2. Students not enrolled in Honors English 2, who wish to take Honors English 3, must have an average grade of 93 in English 2 for consideration. (NCAA)

3400 English 4: Contemporary Shakespeare (12)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester

This course will analyze why Shakespeare is as relevant today as he was in his lifetime. Students will study Shakespeare’s poetry and drama from multiple and varied perspectives. Students will acquire an understanding and appreciation of universal themes that shape and reflect the human condition and the world at large. (NCAA)

3410 English 4/British Literature (12) 5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester

Students will study western literary movements and their historically-intellectual contexts in order to appreciate how history, geography, and some universal themes shape and reflect the human condition. Seniors will start by studying classics such as Beowulf and The Canterbury Tales and move through different genres up to current 21st century works. They will strengthen their critical thinking skills in written and oral exercises. They will respond to the themes of good vs. evil and humanity vs. nature; and they will assess the feelings, attitudes, and values of characters related to their own personal experiences. (NCAA)

3420 Honors English 4: British Literature (12)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester This course introduces some of the major literary voices, themes, genres and movements of Western literature from Anglo-Saxon England, the Medieval Period, Renaissance, Enlightenment, Romanticism, Realism, Modernism, and Post Modernism era. Students will study representative authors and forms of creative expression critically recognized as influential in shaping the Western literary heritage not only in the past but also currently. Students will study Modern Western literary movements, their historical-intellectual contexts, and the cultural voices that continue to resonate in the canon of literature. Prerequisite: 85 average in Honors English 3. Students not enrolled in Honors English 3 who wish to take Honors English 4 must have an average grade of 93 in English 3 for consideration. (NCAA)

3430 Honors English 4: Heroes in Literature (12)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester

Heroes in Literature examines the hero’s journey as outlined in Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces and applies that lens while examining archetypes as they appear in both classical literature and popular culture. Students will trace the evolution of the hero in literature, beginning with the epic hero, Odysseus, and progressing through the Medieval, Romantic, and Modern hero, as the hero transitions into an antihero and eventually an Existential and Absurd hero. The course culminates with an examination of the feminist hero and the heroine’s journey. Campbell’s monomyth will be a starting point but the limitations of his model will also be addressed, and variations of his model that offer a less male-centric approach will be considered as well. Prerequisite: 85 average in Honors

English3. Students not enrolled in Honors 3 who wish to take Honors English 4: Heroes in Literature must have an average grade of 93 in English 3 for consideration. (NCAA)

3500 AP English Language and Composition (11, 12)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester

Students in this college-level course will analyze and interpret a variety of texts from different time periods and in different theoretical patterns and genres. Students cultivate their understanding of writing and rhetorical arguments through reading, analyzing, and writing texts as they explore topics like rhetorical situation, claims and evidence, reasoning and organization, and style. The course is designed to help students become skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, discipline, and rhetorical contexts and to become skilled writers who can compose for a variety of purposes. Prerequisite: 93 average in Honors English 3 or Honors English 2. Students not enrolled in Honors English who wish to take Advanced Placement English Language and Composition must have an average grade of 85 in AP English Literature and Composition. (NCAA)

3510 AP Literature and Composition (11, 12)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester

This college-level course focuses on reading, analyzing, and writing about literature (fiction, poetry, drama) from various periods and cultural settings. Students engage in close reading and critical analysis of diverse texts to deepen their understanding of how writers use language to suggest meaning. Students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as its use of figurative language, imagery, and symbolism. Writing assignments include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays that require students to analyze and interpret literary works. This course prepares students for the AP English Literature and Composition Exam given in the spring. Prerequisite: 93 average in Honors English 3 or Honors English 2. Students not enrolled in Honors English who wish to take Advanced Placement English Literature must have an average grade of 85 in AP English Language and Composition. (NCAA)

3600 Academic Writing 1 (10, 11, 12)

2.5 Credits 40 Minutes, 1 Semester

“One thing that is always with the writer – no matter how long he has written or how good he is – is the continuing process of learning how to write.” - Flannery O’Connor

This course is designed to develop and sharpen academic writing skills and strategies. Although the primary aim of this course is to build proficiency and confidence as a writer, time and effort will be devoted to reading, organizational strategies, critical reasoning, and research skills. Assignments will focus on various composition styles such as expository, compare and contrast, cause and effect, persuasion, as well as narrative and descriptive writings. Students will learn the power of diction as they complete a portfolio of their best work. By the end of the semester, students will be writing thoughtful, provocative, and analytical essays.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of the Foundations of Writing course. (NCAA)

3610 Film Studies (11, 12)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester

The primary goals of the Film Studies course is to teach an appreciation of filmmaking as an art form, critical thinking,

formal research, and writing. This course teaches students to approach film analysis using and developing the same skills that are applied to studying literature. The class will screen and analyze full- length films and will read and study a college- level textbook, journal articles and popular reviews. Additionally, students will learn four models of writing about film. This course familiarizes students with basic film production and terminology, it may include a field trip and guest speakers from the professional film world to help elevate the learning and application of concepts.

3620 Introduction to Creative Writing (10, 11, 12)

2.5 Credits 40 Minutes, 1 Semester

Students who have a serious interest in writing creatively will approach writing as a process. They will write daily, analyze the styles of accomplished writers, draw conclusions about the effects of various writing techniques, consider the importance of the audience, practice the steps of the process (thinking, reflecting, organizing, writing, and rewriting), and engage in peer editing. Guided practice will focus attention on establishing purpose, controlling dominant impressions, and selecting details. They will attend to word choice and sentence structure. Students will write poetry, essays, short narratives, dialogue, play scripts, advertising copy, and letters. A workshop atmosphere presupposes a serious approach to writing, critiquing, and building a portfolio of writing samples. (NCAA)

3630 Intro to Mass Communications (11, 12)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester

Intro to Mass Communications will examine the history and evolution of the major mass communication media: books, newspapers, magazines, radio, recordings, film television, and the Internet with a focus on their impact on American Society and beyond. Students will analyze the economic, political, cultural, and behavioral impacts of the mass media and new information technologies. A primary aim of this analysis is to recognize and identify the influence of the media on our perceptions, values, behaviors, and the extent of that effective collaboration, and oral discussion.

3640 Journalism 1 (10, 11, 12)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester

Journalism 1 introduces students to the historical importance of journalism in America, journalistic ethics, and journalistic style writing. Students will gain a broader understanding of the writing process as it pertains to journalism. Students in this course will learn to write and analyze the traditional core forms of journalism: news writing, feature writing, sports writing, and editorial writing. The course also aims at developing students’ understanding of the impact of technology on journalism. It lays the foundation for students who wish to be published in Notre Dame’s digital student publication, The Voice. The course is designed for the highly motivated and responsible student. Journalism 1 emphasizes skills such as critical thinking, writing, technological awareness, organization and communication, that will contribute to every student being a more well‐rounded member of a literacy‐infused global society

3645 Journalism 2 (10, 11, 12)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester

Journalism 2 is a self-paced class for those students who wish to continue the study of journalism and journalistic writing. This