Course Catalog 2023

GraduationRequirements

St.Joseph'sCatholicSchool(SJCS)isfullyaccreditedbyCognia/AdvancEd(formerlytheSouthern AssociationofSchoolsandColleges)andisamemberoftheSouthCarolinaIndependentSchoolAssociation (SCISA).

ToreceiveanSJCSdiploma,studentsmusttakeandcompletetwenty-fiveandone-half(25.5)creditswhich include:

Studentswillnotbeallowedtoschedulemorethanonestudyhallpersemester.St.Joseph’srecommendsthat studentstakeafullslateofacademicclasseseveryyeartotakefulladvantageofourcollegepreparatory curriculum.Collegesanduniversitiesoftenconsiderthestrengthofscheduleasanimportantindicatorof studentsuccessandmotivation.

AllstudentsmusttakeeithertheSATortheACT(bythestartofthespringsemesteroftheirsenioryear) andapplytoatleastonecollegeoruniversityaspartoftheirgraduationrequirements.

1 MostcollegesanduniversitiesrequirestudentstotakeanEnglishandMathcourseeveryyear

2.Mathcreditsmustcomefromthelistofcoursesthatsatisfytherequirementsidentifiedinthiscatalog.Mostcollegesrequire studentstotakeaMathcourseeveryyearinhighschool.

3.Studentsarerequiredtotake4creditsinHistory,includingafullcreditinU.S.Historyandhalf-crediteachinGovernmentand Economics TheHistoryDepartment’scurriculumreflectsthiscourseofstudy

4 Studentsarerequiredtotake3yearsofthesameWorldLanguage

5 PEcreditmaybeearnedbytakinganSJCSclassorparticipatinginanSJCSteamsport EachseasonplayedateithertheJVor Varsitylevelwhileingrades9-12earns 5credits Iftherequirementisnotfulfilledbytheendof1stsemestersenioryear,students willbeplacedinaPEclass.

6.CreditsearnedbeyondtheminimumrequirementslistedineachsubjectareawillfulfilltheAdditionalCreditrequirement.

7 Somecollegesrequire4yearsofLabScience SJCSrequires3LabSciencecreditsthatincludeBiology,Chemistry,and1otherfull yearLabScienceclass

CollegeCounseling

College Board School Code: 410902

SJCSoffersafull-serviceCollegeCounselingOfficethatisavailabletohelpstudentswithcoursescheduling, collegeselection,collegeapplications,standardizedtesting,andtranscripts.Studentsandparentsareintroduced totheservicesprovidedbytheCollegeCounselingOfficeasfreshmen,withformalandindividualizedservices beginninginthesecondsemesterofthejunioryear.Upperclassmenshouldseetheircounselorsregularlyas theybegintomaketheircollegeselections.

GradingandPromotionRequirements

SJCSusesanumericalgradingscalerangingfrom0-100thatisreflectiveofourcollegepreparatorycurriculum. Eachcourseisgradedonthe100-pointscale,withthegradesfromallcoursesaveragedtogetherattheendof eachacademicyeartocalculatetheCumulativeWeightedGPA.Advancedcoursesareweightedwithan additional3pointsforcoursesattheHonorsleveland7pointsforAdvancedPlacementcourses.Theweighted scoresareONLYusedincalculatingtheGPAandarenotreflectedinindividualcoursegrades.SJCSemploys theUniformGradingPolicyrequiredbySouthCarolinaUGPGPAforallin-statescholarships,including PalmettoFellows,LifeScholarships,andHopeScholarships.

St.Joseph’sCatholicSchoolisacollegepreparatoryschool.Assuch,oneofourprimaryacademicgoalsisto ensurestudentsarepreparedforcollege-levelwork.Ourstudentsdemonstratethatreadinessbyachievinga masteryscoreof70orbetterinallclassesrequiredforgraduation.Anystudentwithascorebetween60and 69inaclassrequiredforgraduationisrequiredtocompleteaSt.Joseph'sprogramofsubject-specific remediationasdeterminedbyindividualdepartments.Theoriginalaverageearnedintheclasswillstillbe recordedonthetranscript.Forfreshmen,sophomoresandjuniors,remediationmustbecompletedbytheendof summerinorderforstudentstoprogresstothesubsequentgradelevel.Forseniors,remediationmustbe completedinorderforstudentstoreceiveadiplomafromSt.Joseph’sCatholicSchool.Studentswhoearn59or belowinacourserequiredforgraduationmustretakethecourseeitherthroughanapprovedsummerschool programoratSt.Joseph’sCatholicSchoolthefollowingyear Coursesretakenthroughanapprovedsummer programwillshowonthetranscriptbutarenotcalculatedintotheGPA.

Bn

Asemesteraverageof90oraboveineachclassisrequiredforplacementontheHighHonorRoll,andan85or aboveisrequiredfortheHonorRoll.

Pass/Failgradesandgradesearnedinhighschoolcoursesduringthemiddleschoolyearsarenotincludedinthe CumulativeWeightedGPA.

DualDepartmentCourses

Forsomecourses,creditcanbeearnedindifferentdepartments,e.g.ModernDancecanbecountedforeither PEorFineArtscredit.Itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytoinformtheRegistrarwhichschoolrequirementoneof thesecoursesisintendedtosatisfy

CourseSchedulingProcess

● GradeLevelMeetingswillbeheldinFebruarytodistributeinformationanddetailedinstructions regardingthecourseschedulingprocess.

● StudentswillmaketheircourserequestsforclassesthroughFamilyPortalinFACTSinmid-February.

● StudentsshoulddeterminetheireligibilityforcoursesbaseduponprerequisitesintheCourseCatalog.

● SophomoresandJuniorswillmeetwithaCollegeCounselortoreviewtheirselectionsaftertheyhave beenmade.AStudentSupportCounselorwillmeetwith8thgradersingroupmeetings.Individual meetingswith8thand9thgradersandtheirparentsarealsoavailable.

● Allappealsmustbesubmittednolaterthanthemeetingbetweenthestudentandtheircounselor

● AllHonorsandAPcourserequestswillbereviewedbydepartmentchairsand/orteachersforfinal approval.

CourseSchedulingConferences

CurrentSophomoresandJuniorsshouldscheduleameetingwithaCollegeCounselortoreviewtheircourse requestsandmakeanynecessarychanges.CompletedCourseAppealRequestFormsmustbesubmittedatthis meeting.FreshmenshouldmeetwiththeDeanofStudentSupporttoreviewtheircourserequestsandany necessaryCourseAppealRequestForms.The MiddleSchoolCounselorwillmeetwithparentsandstudentsin 8thgradeiftheywishtosubmitCourseAppealRequestForms.

ScheduleChangePolicies

Whenastudentchooseshis/hercourses,thestudentismakingacommitmenttothatproposedschedule.The masterscheduleofcoursestakesrequestsintoaccount,soeverystudentrequestimpactstheavailableoptions forotherstudents.Therefore,oncestudentshavecompletedtheircourserequests,schedulechangesarenot generallymade.Classschedulechangesforlegitimatereasonscanbemadeinaccordancewiththefollowing:

● EachsemesterthereisadesignatedAdd/Dropwindowforcoursesbeginningthatsemester Students seekingtomakeachangeshouldconsultwiththeCollegeCounselingOfficeandtheinstructor Full-yearcoursescannotbemodifiedatthesecondsemesterandswitchingbetweensectionsofthesame courseatthesemesterchangeisnotpermitted.StudentsseekingtotakeadvantageoftheAdd/Drop shouldbeginwiththeCollegeCounselingoffice.AfterAdd/Drop,coursechangesarepossibleonlyafter thecompletionofaPlacementReview PlacementReviewscanoccurinoneofthetwofollowing ways:

○ TeacherswhobelieveastudentismisplacedmayrequestaPlacementReviewbythe departmentchairpersonortheAcademicDean.Thisincludesareviewofthestudent’s performanceinthecourseaswellasameetingwiththestudentandtheirparents.Withparental anddepartmentapproval,thestudentmayenrollinalowerlevelofthesamecourse(for example,fromtheHonorsAlgebraIItoCPAlgebraII).Studentsmaynotenrollinanentirely differentcourseafterAdd/Drop.A“W”willberecordedonthestudenttranscript.Placement Reviewscanextenduntilthreeschooldayspastthereleaseofthefirstquarterprogressreports.

○ Studentsand/ortheirparentswhowishtoenrollinalowerlevelcourse(seeabove)mayrequest aPlacementReviewbythespecificteacher Ifapproved,a“W”willberecordedonthestudent transcript.PlacementReviewscanextenduntilthreeschooldayspastthereleaseofthefirst quarterprogressreports.OtherschedulingrequirementsnotedintheHandbookremainineffect.

○ IftherequestforPlacementReviewisinitiatedbythestudentsand/ortheirparents,changeswill nottakeeffectuntilthebeginningofthefollowingquarter

○ StudentswhohaveappealedintoacoursearenoteligibletorequestaPlacementReview.

CourseAppealRequest

Courseplacementwillbedeterminedbysuccessfulcompletionofaprerequisitecourseandachievinga minimumgradeaverageinapreviousclass.TheprerequisitesforeachcoursecanbefoundintheCourse Catalog.Studentsmaypetitiontoappealcourseplacement,inwhichcasetheymustbringtheirAppealFormto theirmeetingwithaCollegeCounselororaStudentSupportCounselor,dependingonthegradelevel,to discussenrollmentinahigher-levelcourse.Students’onlinecourserequestswillbereviewedbyfacultyineach department,whowilldetermineiftherequestisappropriate,andplacementwillbemadeaccordingly. Departmentchairpersonsortheirdesigneesmayrequestameetingwiththestudentandtheirparentsbefore approvinganAppeal.StudentsseekingplacementintoHonorsorAPcoursesmustperformexceptionallywell inthesubject(orprerequisitesubjects);theymustdemonstrateastrongworkethicandshowapassionforthe subject.Beawarethattheclasswillmoveatabriskpaceandthatsignificantadditionalworkonyourpartmay benecessarytoensureyoursuccess.CourseAppealRequestsarenotaguaranteeforadmittanceintoa course.Allcoursesaresubjecttoclasssizeandschedulingconflicts.TheAcademicDeanwillmakethefinal decisionastowhetherornotastudent’sappealisapproved.

TheAppealProcessfollows:

● ObtainaCourseAppealRequestFormavailablefromtheRegistrar.

● AppealformsmustbesubmittedatthetimeofthecourseschedulingmeetingwithyourCollege Counselor(currentsophomoresandjuniors)oryourStudentSupportCounselor(currenteighthgraders andfreshmen.) Appealformsreceivedafterthismeetingwillnotbeconsidered.

● Studentsarelimitedto2CourseAppealRequestsperschoolyear.

● TheHighSchoolDirectorwillmakeafinaldecision.

● TakingtwocoreclassesinthesamesubjectareaattheHonorsorAPLevelautomaticallyrequires aCourseAppealRequest.

● Taking4ormoreAPclassesrequiresaCourseAppealRequest.Thisrequestdoesnotcount towardstheappeallimit.

AuditingaClass

St.Joseph’sdoesnotpermitstudentstoauditclasses.

HighSchoolCreditforEighthGradeCourses

CreditsforhighschoolcoursestakenduringmiddleschoolareonlyawardedinthesubjectareasofMathand WorldLanguage.Inregardstothesecourses,studentsmustmeetthefollowingrequirementstobeplacedinthe nextlevelandreceivecreditintherelateddiscipline.Whilecreditwillbeawardedfortheseclassesandappear onthehighschooltranscript,thegradewillnotfactorintothestudent’shighschoolGPA.

Allstudentsseekingcreditforahighschoolcoursetakenbeforematriculationintoninthgrademusthave passedthecourseinmiddleschool and takeSt.Joseph’ssubjectspecificplacementtests.St.Joseph’sMiddle SchoolstudentswilltakethetestsaspartoftheirregularAlgebraand/orWorldLanguagecurriculum.

CoursePlacementfor9thGradeStudents

Allotherincomingstudentswilltakeplacementtestsononeofthespecifiedtestingdaysinthelatespring beforethestartoftheirninth-gradeyear.Forallstudents,St.Joseph’swillconsiderthefollowingindetermining placement:

● Finalreportcardgradesaspartoftheirapplicationpacket.

● Subject-specificteacherrecommendationsaddressingthestudent’sreadinesstoadvancetothenextlevel courseinthedepartment.

● Placementtestresults.

8thgradeSJCSstudentsinAlgebraI whopassthecoursewillreceiveagradeandhighschoolcreditontheir transcriptforAlgebraI,butthegradewillnotbecalculatedintothestudent’sGPA.

CoursePlacementforHighSchoolTransferStudents

Risingsophomores,juniors,andseniorsmusttakeplacementexamsinWorldLanguageclassestoensure accurateplacement.TheresultsoftheSJCSplacementexamcannotbeoverturned.

IfastudenttakestheWorldLanguageplacementtestandplacesinalevelbeyondthefirstyearandtheyhave notactuallytakentheclass,theycaneitherbeginatthehigherlevelwithnocreditissuedforearlierlevelsor theycanopttostartatthelowerlevel.StudentswhoareadvancedarestillrequiredtoobtainthreeWorld Languagecredits.

CoursesOfferedOutsideSt.Joseph’s

ForstudentsenrolledatSJCS,nocreditwillbeissuedforcoursestakenatoutsideinstitutions,withthe exceptionofcoursesthatareretakenthroughanapprovedsummerprogramasaresultofafailedgrade(59or below).Assuch,theydonotappearonthetranscriptandshouldbeconsideredtheequivalentofan outside-the-schoolextracurricularactivity AllcoursesnecessaryforgraduationfromSJCSmustbetakenatthe highschool.StudentsarenotpermittedtoaltertheircourserequirementswithinSt.Joseph’sinorderto takecourseworkoutsidetheschool.StudentswishingtoenrollintheFineArtsCenterduringtheirsenioryear maybegrantedaschedulemodificationatthediscretionoftheAcademicDeaninconjunctionwiththeCollege CounselingOffice,butallgraduationrequirementsremaininplace.Otherpoliciesregardingcourseworkand graduationrequirementsalsoremainineffect.EnrollingintheFACmustbeworkedoutwithSJCSteachersto ensurestudentschedulesarenotnegativelyimpacted.Studentsmustbeenrolledinatleast4credithoursduring theschooldayatSJCS.

Incompletes

StudentswhohavetotakeanIncompletehavetwoweeksfromthedatereportcardsareissuedtocontactthe teacherandbeginworkingtoresolvetheIncomplete.Itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytocontacttheteacherand toworkwithhim/hertosetupaworkableschedulefortheremainingassignments.Incaseswherean incompleteremainsunresolved,thestudentwillreceiveazerofortheassignmentsinquestion.Inthecaseof ongoingillness,injury,orextenuatingcircumstances,contacttheDeanofStudentSupporttocreateaworkplan forresolvingIncompleteworkinatimelymanner

SummerSchoolforFailedCourses

Studentswhohavereceiveda59orbelowinanacademiccoursewillberequiredtorepeattheclassatSJCSthe followingschoolyear.Insomecases,studentsmayhavetheopportunitytotakethecourseduringthesummer throughanoutsideinstitution.TheDeanofStudentSupportmustapproveasummerschoolprogramin advance.CreditforapprovedsummerschoolcourseswillbeacceptedbySt.Joseph’sandthegradewillappear onthetranscript,butthegradewillnotbefactoredintothehighschoolstudent’sGPA.Theoriginalgrade earnedintheSt.Joseph’scoursewillremainonthetranscriptandbefactoredintotheGPA.Ifthecourseis repeatedatSJCSthehighergradewillbefactoredintotheGPA.Anytheologycourseinwhichastudent receivesa59orbelowmustbemadeupatSt.Joseph’sCatholicSchool.Informationonsummerschoolis availablefromtheDeanofStudentSupport.Allsummercourseworkmustbecompletedpriortothestartofthe fallsemesterorthestudentwillberequiredtoretakethecoursethatschoolyear.

SeatTimeRecovery

Studentswillbeexpectedtocomplete45minutesofseatrecoverytimeforeach unexcused absencefromaclass period after exceeding 10misseddaysorperiodsforanyreason.Studentswhohavean excused absencepast10 dayswillnotberequiredtocompleteseatrecoveryforthoseparticularabsences. Recoveryhourscanbecompletedduringthefollowingtimes:

● DesignatedSaturdays

● Anyafter-schooldetentionperiod

● Mandatorystudy-helpperiod

● MakeupExamperiods

Studentswhoarerequiredtocompleteseatrecoverytimewillbenotifieddirectlybytheacademicdean.

AdvancedPlacement(AP)CoursesandExams

AnySJCSstudentenrolledinanAPcourseisrequiredtotaketheAPexamgiveninMay Dependingupon spaceandavailability,studentswhodidnotenrollinanAPcoursemaybepermittedtotaketheAPexam dependingonteacherrecommendation.Non-APenrolledstudents,iftheyarepermittedtotaketheexam,will dosounderthehomeschoolcode.Thecostofthisexamwillbebilledtothestudent’saccountandmustbepaid byMarch31st.

SummercourseworkinanAPclassisnecessarytoensurethatstudentsprogressthroughthecurriculum atapacethatensurestheyarethoroughlypreparedtosucceedontheAPexam.Studentswhofailto completesummerassignmentspriortothefallsemesterduedatewillautomaticallybemovedtoalower levelclassbasedonavailability.Alternativearrangementsmaybemadewithstudentswhohaveenrolled atSt.Joseph’safterJuly15.

Minimester

AllstudentsareexpectedtoparticipateinMinimesterbysigningupforandparticipatinginafaculty-led Minimesteroffering.Whilenotgraded,highschoolstudentsdoreceive.25academiccreditsforMinimester, andthesearecountedineachstudent’searnedadditionalcredits.

Notes

● Thoughacoursemaybelistedinthecatalog,studentinterestandinstructoravailabilityarethe determiningfactorsinwhetherornotacoursewillbescheduledinagivenacademicyear.

● ItisrecommendedthatSJCSfamilieslookattheHighSchoolportionofthe7-yearcourseof study(availableontheAcademicstabontheschoolwebsite)toseepossiblecoursesequencesand electiveoptions.

THEOLOGYDEPARTMENT

● AllstudentstakeTheology101,102,and103/105duringtheirfreshman,sophomore,andjunioryears respectively.

● Fortheirsenioryear,studentsmaytakeTheology104,114,or115(allofwhichare1-creditclasses), ORthecombinationof108and110(.5creditclasses)asofferedbytheschool.

● Studentswhotakethe.5creditclassesMUSTtaketwotheirsenioryeartocompletetheTheology graduationrequirementof4fullcredits.

REQUIREDCOURSES

101-FundamentalsofChristianity: WhoisJesus? Grade9 1Credit

Prerequisite: None

ThefreshmantheologycourseoffersstudentsafoundationalunderstandingofChristianity.Setinthecontextof theOldTestamentrevelationofGod,thiscourseseekstobringoutthepurposeofthecomingofChristsothe studentswillrecognizethatHeistheauthenticanswertothefundamentalquestionsandneedswhichareinside everyhumanbeing.

102-TheologyoftheChurch Grade10 1Credit

Prerequisite: None

Thesophomoretheologycoursebeginswherethe9th-gradecourseends,withanexaminationoftheChurchas anoutgrowthofChrist’smissionandwork.Theaimofthiscourseistoanswerthequestions: Whatisthe church?Whydoesitmattertome? ThisisacourseinecclesiologyratherthanahistoryoftheChurch, althoughstudentswillbecomefamiliarwiththesignificantpersons,issues,andeventsofChurchhistory.

103-Morality

Prerequisite: None

Grade11

.5Credit

God’snormsforourmoralconductandreligiouspracticearepresentedwithinthecontextoftheTen Commandmentsandsacraments.The Catechism –emphasizingthepurposeofthemagisterium–augmentsthe studenttext.Real-lifestrugglestoliveChristianmoralityarediscussedandpracticalhelpisoffered.Theplace andstructureofmarriageandthefamilyarevigorouslydefendedascentraltoasociety’smorals.Currentnews itemsprovideadditionalfodderforclassdiscussion.

105-CatholicSocialTeaching Grade11

Prerequisite: None

.5Credit

Thiscourseisprimarilyconcernedwiththesocialvocationofman. Studentswillbeintroducedtothebasic principlesofCatholicsocialteachingtoaddresscertainquestionssuchashowshouldsocietybestructuredto protectthedignityandrightsofthehumanperson,tofosterjusticeandtolimitoreliminateinjustice,andto encourageandpromotethecommongood?Theanswersinvolvenotonlymyindividualmoralchoices;italso involveseveryoneelseinoursocietyatthecivil,economic,andpoliticallevel. Thepurposeofthiscourseisto introducethereasonablenessofCatholicsocialprinciplesasawaytobegintoaddresssocietalissues.

ADDITIONALCOURSESTHATMEETTHETHEOLOGYREQUIREMENT

104-Apologetics

Prerequisite: None

Grade12

1Credit

A“defenseofthefaith,”apologeticsleadsstudentsthroughacriticalreviewofChristiandoctrine.Becausefaith isbelief,apologeticsoftenseeksnotsomuchtoprovebeliefbuttorefuteobjectionstobelief.Thisisdone throughthecontextofcreed(whatwebelieve),code(howwelive),andcult(howweworship).Thecourse includesacomparisonwithotherreligions,adetailedexplorationoftheApostles’Creed,andanexaminationof the“saddivisionsinChristianity”andwhatcanbedonetogetherinChrist.

114-HonorsApologetics

Grade12

Prerequisites: 90 average in previous Theology course and departmental approval

1Credit

Thegoalofthiscourseistogivestudentsthenecessarytoolsto defend theirFaithinaworldthatisoftenhostile toit.Thefirstsemesterwillfocusonthe“larger”religiousquestionssuchas;“Whatproofisthereforthe existenceofGod?”and“Isn’titintoleranttobelievethatChrististheonlywaytoHeaven?” Inthesecond semester,wewillfocusonissuesmorespecifictoChristianity,like;“WhydoCatholicspraytosaints?”and “HowcantheChurchbelievethatthepopeisinfallible”? Periodically,wewillengageinin-classdebates, wherestudentswillbeaskedto“thinkontheirtoes”andtogivea“reasonforthehopethatisinthem”(1Peter 3:15).Throughouttheyear,wewillbelookingatcurrentevents,forapologeticsisnothingifitisnot“current.”

Thegoalofthiscourseisnotonlytoenablethestudentstoarguetheirfaithmoreeffectivelybutalsoforthem torealizethattheirfaithis worth theargument.Alongwithreadingtheassignedtexts,studentswillbeaskedto completewrittenaswellasoralassignmentstodemonstratetheycancogentlyexpresstheirfaithtofair-minded skeptics.

115-HonorsFaithandReason Grade12 1Credit

Prerequisites: 90 average in previous Theology course and departmental approval

ThiscoursewillfocusheavilyonPapalwritings,particularlyfromPopesBenedictXVIandJohnPaulII.There willalsobeanextensiveinvestigationofthenaturallaw,withspecialemphasisonthethoughtofSt.Thomas Aquinas.Summerreadingisrequired,witha3-pagepaperdueduringthefirstweekofthecourse.

108-TheologyoftheBody

Prerequisite: None

Grades12

.5Credit

Isthereaconnectionbetweensexualityandthesearchformeaninginourlives? FollowingPopeJohnPaulII’s theologyofthebody,thestudyofGodasrevealedthroughourbodies,thiscourseisdesignedtohelpthe studentsunderstandthemeaningoftheirbodies,thesignificanceoftheirsexuality,thepurposeoftheirlives, andhowtheywereuniquelycreatedforgreatness. Thecoursewillendwithstudentsplanningand implementingaretreatdayforthesophomoresonthethemeof“DatingandRelating.”

110-BiblicalStudies Grade12

Prerequisite: None

.5Credit

Thisone-semestercourseexaminestheorigins,development,andinterpretationofBiblicaltexts.Studentswill examineseveralinterpretiveandhermeneuticalapproachestoScripture.Specialemphasiswillbegiventothe historicalsignificanceofthefirstfivebooksoftheBible,Wisdomliterature,theGospels,andthelifeandworks ofPaul.

MATHEMATICSDEPARTMENT

● Sincemathisfoundationalandprogressive,itisespeciallyimportantthatstudentsenrollinthecourses forwhichtheyqualify.

REQUIREDCOURSES

201-AlgebraI

Prerequisite: Pre-Algebra

Grades9

1Credit

AlgebraIisthefirstcourseinthesystematicstudyofcollege-preparatorymathematics.Studentsbeginthe studyofnumbersets,equationsandinequalities,andpatternsusingtheirpriorknowledgeofarithmetic.Setting upandsolvingwordproblemsisavitalpartofthisclass,andstudentswillexaminesampleproblemswitheach newtypeofalgebraicsentenceintroduced.StudentswillgraphsimplefunctionsontheCartesiancoordinate planeanddiscovertherelationshipbetweenanequationanditsgraph.Studentswillcorrectlyusemathematical termsandsymbolswhenspeakingand/orwriting.Accuracy,neatness,andorganizationarestressedinthis class.Thedevelopmentofhigher-orderthinkingskillsisaprimaryobjective,includingestimation.

202-Geometry

Prerequisite: Algebra I

Grade9/10

1Credit

Geometryisthesecondcourseinthesystematicstudyofcollege-preparatorymathematics.Studentswillbuilda mathematicalsystemfromthegroundupbasedonthreeundefinedtermsandasystemofpostulatesand theorems.StudentswillusereasoningtoconstructthetheoremsofGeometry,firstbyunderstandinginformal proofswrittenbyothersand,eventually,bywritingconcise,logicalproofsoftheirown.Studentswilldevelop theirpowersofspatialvisualizationintwoandthreedimensions.StudentsofGeometrywilldiscoverthe relationshipsamongandbetweenpropertiesofvariousgeometricfigures.Studentswillcorrectlyuse mathematicaltermsandsymbolswhenspeakingand/orwriting.Accuracy,neatness,andorganizationare stressedinthisclass.Thedevelopmentofhigher-orderthinkingskillsisaprimaryobjective,includingthe necessityofpreciselanguage.

212-HonorsGeometry Grade9/10 1Credit

Prerequisites: Eligible score on Algebra I Placement Test for freshmen or Algebra I with 93 average and departmental approval

Thiscourseisafaster-paced,morein-depthstudyofGeometrythancollege-prepGeometry.Studentsenrolled inthisclasshavedemonstratedanaptitudeformathematicsandthewillingnesstocommitextratimeandeffort instudyingforthequalitypointstheyearn.ThoseexpectingtotakeCalculusinhighschoolshouldbeeligible toenrollinthiscourse.Geometryisthesecondcourseinthesystematicstudyofcollege-preparatory mathematics.Studentswillbuildamathematicalsystemfromthegroundupbasedonthreeundefinedtermsand asystemofpostulatesandtheorems.StudentswillusereasoningtoconstructthetheoremsofGeometry,firstby understandinginformalproofswrittenbyothersandeventually,bywritingconcise,logicalproofsoftheirown. Studentswilldeveloptheirpowersofspatialvisualizationintwoandthreedimensions.StudentsofGeometry willdiscovertherelationshipsamongandbetweenpropertiesofvariousgeometricfigures.Studentswill correctlyusemathematicaltermsandsymbolswhenspeakingand/orwriting.Accuracy,neatness,and organizationarestressedinthisclass.Thedevelopmentofhigher-orderthinkingskillsisaprimaryobjective, includingthenecessityofpreciselanguage.

203-AlgebraII

Prerequisite: Geometry

Grade10/11

1Credit

AlgebraIIisthethirdcourseinthesystematicstudyofcollege-preparatorymathematics.AlgebraIIisthestudy offunctions.Studentswillinvestigatepolynomial,rational,quadratics,andothersecond-degreefunctionsand performthebasicoperationsoneachtype.Studentswillcompareandcontrastsetsofnumbers,e.g.,irrational, imaginary,andcomplex.InAlgebraII,studentswillsolveavarietyofalgebraicequations,inequalities,and wordproblemsusingtheappropriatealgorithm(s)foreach,includingsolvingwiththeaidofagraphing calculatorwhereappropriate.Studentswillcorrectlyusemathematicaltermsandsymbolswhenspeakingand/or writing.Accuracy,neatness,andorganizationarestressedinthisclass.Thedevelopmentofhigher-order thinkingskillsisaprimaryobjective,includingmulti-stepproblem-solving.

213-HonorsAlgebraII

Grade10/11

1Credit

Prerequisites: Honors Geometry with 85 average or Geometry with 90 average and departmental approval

Thiscourseisafaster-paced,morein-depthstudyofAlgebraIIthancollege-prepAlgebraII.Studentsenrolled inthisclasshavedemonstratedanaptitudeformathematicsandthewillingnesstocommitextratimeandeffort instudyingforthequalitypointtheyearn.ThoseexpectingtotakeCalculusinhighschoolshouldbeeligibleto enrollinthiscourse.AlgebraIIisthethirdcourseinthesystematicstudyofcollege-preparatorymathematics. AlgebraIIisthestudyoffunctions.Studentswillinvestigatepolynomial,rational,quadratics,andother second-degreefunctionsandperformthebasicoperationsoneachtype.Studentswillcompareandcontrastsets ofnumbers,e.g.,irrational,imaginary,andcomplex.InAlgebraII,studentswillsolveavarietyofalgebraic equations,inequalities,andwordproblemsusingtheappropriatealgorithm(s)foreach,includingsolvingwith theaidofagraphingcalculatorwhereappropriate.Studentswillcorrectlyusemathematicaltermsandsymbols whenspeakingand/orwriting.Accuracy,neatness,andorganizationarestressedinthisclass.Thedevelopment ofhigher-orderthinkingskillsisaprimaryobjective,includingmulti-stepproblem-solving.

ADDITIONALCOURSESTHATMEETREQUIREMENTS

Grade11/12

1Credit

Prerequisite: Algebra II

AdvancedAlgebraforCollegeisthefourthcourseinthesystematicstudyofcollegepreparatorymathematics. Studentswillcontinuetoexaminethedifferenttypesofalgebraicequationsanddiscovermethodsforsolving each.Recognizingandgraphingmanytypesofequationsandinequalitiesisanessentialpartofthiscourse.The secondsemesterofAdvancedAlgebraforCollegeisastudyoftrigonometry Studentswillusethegraphingand conversioncapabilitiesoftheircalculatorswhenappropriate.Studentswillcorrectlyusemathematicalterms andsymbolswhenspeakingand/orwriting.Accuracy,neatness,andorganizationarestressedinthisclass.The developmentofhigher-orderthinkingskillsisaprimaryobjective,includingrecognizingpatterns.

204-Pre-Calculus

Prerequisites: Algebra II

Grade11/12

1Credit

Pre-Calculusisthefourthcourseinthesystematicstudyofcollege-preparatorymathematics.Studentsin Pre-Calculuswillcontinueinvestigatingthesimilaritiesanddifferencesofvariousfunctions.Studentswill examinetherelationshipbetweenafunctionanditsgraph.ThesecondsemesterofthePre-Calculuscourseisan in-depthstudyoftrigonometry Studentswillcorrectlyusemathematicaltermsandsymbolswhenspeaking and/orwriting.Accuracy,neatness,andorganizationarestressedinthisclass.Thedevelopmentofhigher-order thinkingskillsisaprimaryobjective,includingrecognizingmathematicalpatternsandmakinginferences.

214-HonorsPre-Calculus

Grade11/12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Honors Algebra II with 85 average or Algebra II with 90 average and departmental approval

Thiscourseisafaster-paced,morein-depthstudyofPre-Calculus.Studentsenrolledinthisclasshave demonstratedanaptitudeformathematicsandthewillingnesstocommitextratimeandeffortinstudyingfor thequalitypointtheyearn.ThoseexpectingtotakeCalculusinhighschoolshouldbeeligibletoenrollinthis course.Pre-Calculusisthefourthcourseinthesystematicstudyofcollege-preparatorymathematics.Students inPre-Calculuswillcontinueinvestigatingthesimilaritiesanddifferencesofvariousfunctions.Studentswill examinetherelationshipbetweenafunctionanditsgraph.ThesecondsemesterofthePre-Calculuscourseisan in-depthstudyoftrigonometry.Studentswillcorrectlyusemathematicaltermsandsymbolswhenspeaking and/orwriting.Accuracy,neatness,andorganizationarestressedinthisclass.Thedevelopmentofhigher-order thinkingskillsisaprimaryobjective,includingrecognizingmathematicalpatternsandmakinginferences.

250-APCalculusAB

Grade12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Honors Pre-Calculus with 85 average or Pre-Calculus with 90 average and departmental approval

Recommended: PSAT math section score of 600 or better. Thisisacollege-levelcourseofferedforstudentswhohaveahighdegreeofinterestandskillinmathematics. APCalculusintroducestheideaofalimittoPre-Calculustopicstoinvestigatenewconceptsusingderivatives andintegrals.

252-APCalculusBC

Grade12

1Credit

Prerequisites: AP Calculus AB with 85 average and scoring a 4 or higher on the AP Calculus AB Exam

Thisisacollege-levelcourseofferedforstudentswhohaveahighdegreeofinterestandskillinmathematics. APCalculusBCfurtherdevelopsthestudyofCalculus,withmoreintegrationtechniques,infiniteseries, conics,parametricequations,andpolarcoordinates.

251-APStatistics

Grade12

1Credit

Prerequisite: Advanced Algebra for College with 93 average or Pre-Calculus with 90 average or Honors

Pre-Calculus with 85 average and departmental approval

Recommended: PSAT combined score of 1100 or better

Thiscollege-levelcoursewillexamineavarietyofproblemsdealingwithgathering,organizing,andanalyzing data.Studentswillinvestigateaveragesandvariances,regressionandcorrelation,elementaryprobability, normaldistributions,scientificsampling,andmakinginferences.Studentswillusethestatisticalandgraphing capabilitiesoftheircalculator.Studentswillcorrectlyusemathematicaltermsandsymbolswhenspeaking and/orwriting.Accuracy,neatness,andorganizationarestressedinthiscollege-levelclass.

208-FundamentalsofStatistics

Prerequisite: Algebra II or Honors Algebra II

Grade11/12

.5Credit

Thisintroductorycoursewillexamineavarietyoftopicsdealingwithgathering,organizing,andanalyzing data. Studentswillinvestigateaveragesandvariances,regressionandcorrelation,elementaryprobability, normaldistributions,scientificsampling,andmakinginferenceswithbothconfidenceintervalsand hypothesis-testing. Studentswillusethestatisticalandgraphingcapabilitiesoftheircalculator,aswellas computersoftware.Thegoalforthecourseistoprovidestudentswithanintroductiontoacoursethatisfast becomingtheprevalentrequiredmathformostcollegemajors.

209-Statistics

Grade12

Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus, Honors Pre-Calculus or Advanced Algebra for College

1Credit

Thisintroductory-levelcoursewillexamineavarietyoftopicsdealingwithgathering,organizing,and analyzingdata.Studentswillinvestigateaveragesandvariances,regressionandcorrelation,various probabilitymodels,normaldistributions,scientificsampling,andmakinginferenceswithboth confidenceintervalsandhypothesistesting.Studentswillusethestatisticalandgraphingcapabilitiesof theircalculator,aswellascomputersoftware.Thegoalforthecourseistoprovidestudentswithan introductiontoacoursethatisfastbecomingtheprevalentrequiredmathforalmostallcollegemajors.

210-HonorsFundamentalsofCalculus

Grade12

.5Credit

Prerequisites: Pre-Calculus with 85 average or Honors Pre-Calculus with 80 average or Advanced Algebra for College with 90 average

Thisisanintro-levelcourseofferedforstudentswhohaveaninterestintakingCalculusatthecollegelevel,but maynotbeabletoenrollinAPCalculus.Limitsandderivativeswillbeintroducedtofamiliarizethestudents withtheconcepts,vocabulary,andproblem-solvingtechniquesofacollege-levelCalculuscourse.

ELECTIVES

207-PersonalFinance

Prerequisite: None

Grade11/12 .5Credit

Thisone-semestercourseisdesignedtoeducatethestudentontheimportanceofpersonalfinancial responsibility.Itwillcovertopicssuchasfinance,credit,collegeplanning,avoidingdebt,andunderstanding insuranceandhomemortgages.Thiscoursedoesnotsatisfyamathrequirement.

SCIENCEDEPARTMENT

● SJCSrequires3LabSciencecreditsthatincludeBiology,Chemistry,and1otherfull-yearLabScience class.

REQUIREDCOURSES

301-Biology

Prerequisite: None

Grade9

1Credit

Thisintroductorycourseisdesignedtoprovideasurveyofbiologicaltopicsforcollege-boundstudents.The coursewillincludeunitsofstudyonthenatureoflife,basictaxonomicorganization,plantstructureand function,biochemistry,cellstructureandfunction,ecologicalinterrelationships,evolutionarytheory,andan introductiontoenergytransformationsandgenetics.Thecoursewillfocusonecologicalinterrelationships throughouttheyear.

311-HonorsBiology

Grade9

Prerequisites: 8th-grade Science with 93 average and departmental approval

1Credit

FreshmanHonorsBiologyisdesignedforhigh-achievingandhigh-performingstudentsandwillprepare studentsforhigher-levelAPcourses.Thiscourseinvolveslecture-discussion,presentationsandlaboratory activities.Thecoursewillcoverfourmajorthemes:evolution,energetics,informationstorageandtransfer,and systeminteractions.

302-Chemistry

Prerequisite: Algebra I

Grade10

1Credit

Chemistryisthestudyofmatter,itsproperties,andhowthosepropertiesresultfromtheatomicstructure.The courseisdesignedtobeusefultostudentshavingwidelydifferingbackgroundsandcareerplans.Laboratory workisanessentialpartofthiscourse.Topicscoveredincludescientificmeasurement;chemicalperiodicity; atomicstructure;chemicalnamesandformulas;bonding;behaviorofgasses;chemicalreactions;stoichiometry; propertiesofsolutions;acidsandbases;oxidation-reductionreactions;andthermochemistry Thedevelopment ofcriticalthinkingandproblem-solvingskillsisstressedthroughoutthecourse.

312-HonorsChemistry

Grade10

1Credit

Prerequisites: Algebra I with 90 average or Honors Geometry with 85 average or CP Geometry with a 90 average and departmental approval

ThiscourseisanintroductiontothestudyofatomsandchemicalreactionsthatwillpreparestudentsforAP Chemistry.Topicscoveredincludescientificmeasurement;thestructureoftheatomandmolecularbonding; chemicalperiodicity;statesofmatter;nomenclature;stoichiometry;thermodynamics;equilibrium;propertiesof gasses;propertiesofsolutions;acidsandbases;andelectrochemistry.

ADDITIONALCOURSESTHATMEETREQUIREMENTS

303-Physics

Grade11/12

Prerequisites: Geometry and Algebra II or concurrent enrollment in Algebra II

1Credit

Thiscourseisanintroductiontoclassicalandmodernphysics.Topicscoveredincludemechanics;vectors; forcesandthelawsofmotion;workandenergy;momentumandcollisions;gravityandsatellitemotion; vibrationsandwaves;soundandlight;andelectricityandmagnetism.Thiscoursefocusesonaconceptual understandingofphysics.Laboratoryexperiencesareanintegralpartoftheclass.

313-HonorsPhysics

Grade11/12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Pre-Calculus or concurrent enrollment in Pre-Calculus with Honors Algebra II with 85 average and departmental approval

HonorsPhysicsisamoremathematicallyrigorousintroductiontoclassicalandmodernphysics.Thiscourseis aimedatthestudentinterestedinmath,sciences,andengineering.Topicscoveredincludemechanics;energy; propertiesofmatter;soundandlight;electricityandmagnetism;andabriefintroductiontoatomicandnuclear physics.Laboratoryexperiencesareanintegralpartoftheclass.

353-APPhysics1

Grade11/12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Honors Geometry, and Honors Algebra II with 90 average, Pre-Calculus or concurrent enrollment in Pre-Calculus, and departmental approval.

Recommended: PSAT section score 620 or higher

Thiscourseistheequivalentofafirst-semestercollegecourseinalgebra-basedphysics.Topicscoveredinclude Newtonianmechanics(includingrotationaldynamicsandangularmomentum);work,energy,andpower;and mechanicalwavesandsound.Itincludesthebasicuseoftrigonometricfunctionsandwillalsointroduce electriccircuits.

354-APPhysics2

Prerequisites: AP Physics 1 and departmental approval

Grade11/12

1Credit

Thiscourseisequivalenttoasecond-semestercollegecourseinalgebra-basedphysics,anditcoversfluid mechanics;thermodynamics;electricityandmagnetism;optics;andatomicandnuclearphysics.Thecourseis offeredasasupportedonlineindependentstudycourse.Studentshavetheprimaryresponsibilityforbuilding understanding,withtheinstructorasaresourceandguide.Studentswillspendinstructionaltimeengagingwith thetextbook,onlinelecturevideos,simulations,onlinediscussions,hands-onlabs,problem-solvingscreencasts, onlinehomeworkproblems,andtests/exams.Hands-onlabswillbedoneatschoolwiththesupportofanSJCS teacher.Thereisasubstantialextrafeeassociatedwiththiscourse.Pleaseinquireifyouareinterested.

350-APBiology

Grade11/12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Biology with 90 average or Honors Biology with 85 average and Chemistry with 90 average or Honors Chemistry with 85 average and departmental approval

Thiscourseisacollege-levelsurveyofbiologicaltopics.Studentsshouldbeawareofthedemandingnatureof thiscourseintermsofthedifficultyofthematerialpresented,theamountofpreparationrequired,andthe difficultyofunitexaminations.Topicscoveredincludechemistryoflife;cellstructureandfunction;cellular energetics;cellcommunicationandcellcycle;heredity;geneexpressionandregulation;naturalselection;and ecology.Criticalthinkingandanalyticalskillsareemphasizedandinquiry-basedlaboratoryinvestigationsare required.Priortothefirstdayofschool,studentsarerequiredtocompleteasummerassignment

351-APChemistry

Grade11/12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Honors Chemistry with 90 average and Honors Algebra II or Pre-Calculus with 90 average or concurrent enrollment in Pre-Calculus and departmental approval

ThiscourseisdesignedtobetheequivalentofthegeneralChemistrycoursetakenbyscienceandengineering majorsintheirfirstyearofcollege.TheframeworkofthiscourseisquantitativelydifferentfromHonors Chemistry,goingintogreaterdepthinsomeconceptsandintroducingnewones.Theemphasisofthecourse reliesonchemicalcalculationsandmathematicalformulationsofchemicalprinciplesaswellaslaboratory techniques.Thedevelopmentofthesethemesintroducesstudentstothestudyofchemistryonalevelthat preparesthemforsubsequentcoursesinchemistrytakenatthecollegelevel.Priortothefirstdayofschool, studentsarerequiredtocompletesummerreading.

304-EnvironmentalScience

Grade11/12

Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry or concurrent enrollment in Chemistry

1Credit

EnvironmentalScienceisayear-longelectivethatincorporateslaboratoryactivities,virtualactivities,projects, andclassroomexperiencestointroducestudentstotheapplicationsofenvironmentalscience.Studentswill explorereal-worldissuesandunderstandtheimpacthumanshaveontheenvironment.Thereareseveral unifying,interdisciplinarythemesthatcutacrossthetopicswithinEnvironmentalScience.Ninemajortopics arecovered:ecosystems;biodiversity;populations,earthsystems,andresources;landandwateruse;energy resourcesandconsumption;atmosphericpollution;aquaticandterrestrialpollution;andglobalchange.

317-HonorsHumanAnatomy&Physiology

Grade11/12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry, most recent science average of 80 in an Honors class or 85 in a CP class, and departmental approval

Thisrigorous,year-longscienceelectiveprovidesstudentswithadetailedstudyofthehumanbodysystems. Homeostaticbalance,therelationshipbetweenstructureandfunction,andtheinterrelationshipsbetweenbody systemsareafocusthroughoutthecourse.Laboratoryworkrequirestheefficientuseofmicroscopesand participationindissections.Thiscourseisrecommendedforstudentsinterestedinpursuingeducationin health-carerelatedfieldsincollege.

323-HonorsAerospaceScienceI

Grade11/12

.5Credit

Prerequisites: CP Algebra II of 90 or Honors Algebra II of 85 and Geometry, and departmental approval

AerospaceScienceIintroducesstudentstocriticalthemesinthefieldofaviationandspacescience.Topics coveredincludemeteorology,aerodynamics,ballistics,telemetry,propulsion,andaerialnavigation.Laboratory workwillfocusontheapplicationofconceptslearnedinclass,toreal-worldexperiencesincludingweather observationandforecasting,flight-vehicledesign,andnavigation.ThiscourseisaprerequisiteforAerospace ScienceII. Must take Honors Aerospace I & II in the same year to meet science requirements or the class will be counted as an elective.

324-HonorsAerospaceScienceII

Prerequisites: Aerospace Science I and departmental approval

Grade11/12

.5Credit

AerospaceScienceIIbuildsontheconceptslearnedinAerospaceScienceIandseekstopreparethestudentto passtheFAAPart107writtenexaminationleadingtotheircertificationasacommercialdronepilot.Topicswill includeaerodynamics,robotics,aerospacehumanfactors,flightoperations,andU.S.aerospacelawand regulationspertainingtothesafeandlegaloperationofunmannedaerialvehicles.Laboratoryexperienceswill focusonintegratingtheconceptslearnedinclassintothestudent’spracticalknowledgeofdroneflight operations.Althoughthecourseisgearedtowardssuccessfulcertification,studentswillnotberequiredtotake theFAAwrittenexam. Must take Honors Aerospace I & II in the same year to meet science requirements or the class will be counted as an elective.

ELECTIVES-Thesecoursesdonotmeetsciencerequirementfora3rdfullyearclass

305-ForensicScience

Grade11/12

Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry or concurrent enrollment in Chemistry

.5Credit

Thisisaone-semestercoursethatinvolvestheapplicationofbiological,chemical,andphysicalprinciplestothe investigationofphysicalevidenceincriminalcases.Thecoursefocusesonleading-edgetechnologiespolice andcrimelabsrelyontoapprehendcriminals.Thecourseincludescasestudiesandvideosofactualcriminal cases.Topicscoveredincludefingerprints;hairandfabricanalysis;glass;serology;andfirearms.Critical thinkingandanalyticalskillsareemphasized.Laboratoryisincluded.

309-HumanAnatomy&Physiology

Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry

Grade11/12

.5Credit

Thisintroductory-level,semestercourseprovidesasurveyofthehumanbodysystems.Throughlecturesand labs,studentswillgainin-depthknowledgeoftheintegumentary,skeletal,muscular,nervous,cardiovascular, respiratory,digestive,andreproductivesystems.Laboratoryworkrequiresstudentstobeefficientwith microscopesandtoparticipateindissections.Thiscourseisrecommendedforstudentsinterestedinpursuing educationinhealth-carerelatedfieldsincollege.

316-HonorsAstronomy

Grade11/12

.5Credit

Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry, most recent science average of 80 in an Honors class or 85 in a CP class, and departmental approval

Thiscoursewillprovidethestudentwithanintroductiontotheconceptsofmodernastronomy,theoriginand historyoftheUniverse,theformationoftheEarthandthesolarsystem,andahistoryofhumanity’sexploration ofspace.Thisclassdoesnotmeetthe3rdyearlabsciencerequirement.

REQUIREDCOURSES

405-WorldHistory

Prerequisite: None

HISTORYDEPARTMENT

Grade9

1Credit

Thisfreshman-levelcourseisasurveyofthemajorculturesthatdevelopedinAfrica,Asia,Europe,andthe Americasfromthebeginningsofhumancivilizationuptothepresentday Political,social,cultural,economic, andintellectualhistoryarecovered,particularlyastheyshapecontemporaryworldevents.

415-HonorsWorldHistory

Grade9

1Credit

Prerequisite: 8th-grade History with 93 average, current instructor recommendation, and an acceptable score on a written essay to be given at a set time prior to scheduling

Thiswriting-intensive,freshman-levelcourseisanin-depthstudyofthemajorcultureswhichdevelopedin Africa,Asia,Europe,andtheAmericasfromthebeginningsofhumancivilizationuptothepresentday Political,social,cultural,economic,andintellectualhistoryarecovered,particularlyastheyshape contemporaryworldevents.Thedepthofanalysisisgreaterinthecourse,asistheexaminationofprimary documents.Studentswillreceivedirecttraininginthewritingofresearchpapersandberesponsibleforthe productionoftworesearchpapersduringtheschoolyear

402-ModernEuropeanHistory

Prerequisite: World History

Grade10

1Credit

Thissophomore-levelcourseisasurveyexaminationthatbeginswiththeadventoftheModernAgeinEurope andtracespolitical,economic,andculturalinfluencesthataffectedtheglobalpopulationsovera500-year period.ParticularattentionisgiventotheinfluenceofintellectualmovementssuchastheRenaissanceandthe Enlightenment,aswellasmajorsocialchangesthatflowedfromboththeFrenchandIndustrialRevolutions. Thecourseexaminesmajoreventsthatoccurredduringthe20thcenturyandculminateswithmore contemporarydevelopmentsinthe21stcentury Studentswillreceivedirecttraininginthewritingofresearch papers.

412-HonorsModernEuropeanHistory

Grade10

1Credit

Prerequisite: CP World History with 90 average or Honors World History with a 85 and departmental approval.

Recommended: PSAT 8/9 Reading score of 28 or better

Thiswriting-intensivesophomore-levelcourseisanin-depthexaminationoftheModernAge.Thedepthof analysisisgreaterinthiscourse,asistheexaminationofprimarydocuments.Studentswillreceivedirect traininginthewritingofresearchpapersandberesponsibleforproducingtworesearchpapersduringthe schoolyear

452-APEuropeanHistory

Grade10

1Credit

Prerequisites: Honors World History with 90 average and departmental approval. Students seeking admittance into this course against departmental recommendations will be required to sit for a timed essay based on an historical prompt

Recommended: PSAT 8/9 Reading score of 29 or better APModernEuropeanHistoryisacollege-levelsurveycoursethatexploresthemajorthemesofEuropean historyfrom1450tothepresentera.ThecurriculumfollowsthelatestrequirementsoftheCollegeBoardand willincludeextensivetrainingtoadvanceacademicskillsasacriticalreaderandanalyticalwriter.Theuseof primarydocumentsandextensiveassessmentsareanimportantfocusofthisclass,whichwillpreparestudents topasstheCollegeBoardAPtestattheendofthespringsemester.

404-Economics

Prerequisite: None

Grade10/11/12

.5Credit

Thisone-semestercoursecoversthebasicprinciplesandtheoriesofeconomics.Italsoexaminesthepractical applicationofthesetheoriesincontemporarysocietyandgovernment.Taxforms,personalbudgeting,anda stockmarketsimulationareallpartofthecourse.

403-U.S.History

Grade11

1Credit

Prerequisites: Modern European or AP European Thisclassbuildsuponnote-takingandessaywritingskillsinpresentingasurveycourseinAmericanhistory. ThefirstsemesterwillbespentcoveringAmericanhistoryuptotheReconstructionerathatfollowedtheCivil War.Thesecondsemesterwillfocusonpost-ReconstructiondevelopmentsandcoverAmericanhistorical eventsintothemodernera.Studentswillbeexpectedtoreadhistoricalessays,biographies,andprimarysource materials.Researchpaperswillalsobeassigned.Inaddition,studentswillbetrainedtomastermapskillsfor theperiodsstudied.Summerreadingisrequired.

413-HonorsU.S.History

Grade11

1Credit

Prerequisites: Modern European History with 90 average or Honors Modern European History with 85 average or AP European History of 80 average and departmental approval

Recommended: PSAT Verbal score of 28 or better AttheHonorslevel,studentsshouldbeadeptatwritingessaysandtakingnotes.Thisclassbuildsuponthese skillsandpresentsasurveycourseinAmericanhistory.Itismoredetailedandacceleratedthanthecollege preparatoryU.S.History.ThefirstsemesterwillcoverAmericanhistoryuptotheReconstructionerathat followedtheCivilWar.Thespringsemesterwillfocusonpost-Reconstructiondevelopmentsandcovermajor historicaleventsintothemodernera.Studentswillbeexpectedtoreadhistoricalessays,biographies,and primarysourcematerials.Researchprojectsandpaperswillalsoberequired.Inaddition,studentswillbe expectedtomastermapskillsfortheperiodsstudied.Allstudentswillconstructamajorresearchpaperinthe secondsemester.Summerreadingisrequired.

450-APU.S.History

Grade11

1Credit

Prerequisites: 90 average in previous Honors level History and English courses or 85 in AP European History and departmental approval. Students seeking admittance into this course against departmental recommendations will be required to sit for a timed essay based on an historical prompt..

Recommended: PSAT Reading score of 31 or better.

Thiscourseisforadvancedhistorystudentswhohaveachievedhighperformanceinprevioushistoryclasses. Studentswillstudyacollegecurriculumwithcollegiate-levelexpectationsandworkload.Theprimaryfocusis topreparethestudentsforthenationalAPexam;thus,theclassisconductedinamoreteacher-directedmanner thannon-APclasses.Americanhistoryfrompre-colonialtimesthroughthe1970siscoveredindepth.Students willbecomewell-versedinessaywritingandhigher-levelthinkingskillsofevaluation,analysis,andsynthesis. Theinterpretationofprimarysourcesanddifferingmethodsofdatapresentationareincorporatedateverylevel, asaremapskills.Summerworkisextensiveandrequired.

408-Government

Prerequisites: None

Grade11/12

.5Credit

UnitedStatesGovernmentisaone-semesterhistorycoursethatwillexaminethebasicprinciplesofour government:theworkingsofthelegislative;theexecutiveandjudicialbranches;andthesharingofpower betweenthestateandfederalgovernments.Aportionoftheclassisdedicatedtoadiscussionofcurrentevents anddebates,aswellasafurtherexaminationofconstitutionalprinciplesasappliedtotoday’sissues.Students mustremaincurrentonnationalevents.

451-APU.S.Government&Politics

Grade12

1Credit

Prerequisites: AP U.S. History with 85 average or Honors U.S. History with 90 average and departmental approval

Recommended: PSAT Reading score of 31 or better

Thisisacollege-levelcourseforthosestudentswhohaveachievedhighperformanceinprevioushistoryclasses andareavidlearnersofhistory.Itisacollegecurriculumwithcollegiate-levelexpectationsandworkload.The primaryfocusistopreparethestudentforthenationalAPexam;thus,theclassisconductedinamore teacher-directedmannerthannon-APclasses.Thephilosophyandstructureofgovernmentalongwitheconomic issuesandprinciplesarethoroughlystudied.Primarysourcematerialsandcurrenteventresourcesareheavily utilized.Summerworkisextensiveandrequired.

ELECTIVES

407-PrinciplesofPsychology

Prerequisite: None

Grade11/12

.5Credit

Thisone-semestercourseisanintroductory-levelexaminationofthesystematicstudyofindividualhuman behaviorandexperience.Thepurposeofthiscourseistointroducethestudenttothecontent,terminology, methodology,andapplicationofthediscipline.Thissurveycoursecontainsanintroductionfollowedbyfour unitsbasedonthephysiological,cognitive,behavioral,andaffectivedomainsofpsychology

409-IntroductiontoSociology

Prerequisite: None

Grade11/12

.5Credit

Thisone-semestercourseisanintroductorycoursethatemphasizesfundamentalconceptsinsociologyandtheir applicationtocontemporarysocietytoenhancethestudent'sunderstandingoftheworldinwhichtheylive.The classwillincludesignificantdiscussionsofthemeslikesocialization,stratification,populationdemographics, familylife,andtechnology

453-APArtHistory

Grade11/12

1Credit

Prerequisites: AP U.S. History with 85 average or Honors U.S. History with 90 average and departmental approval

Recommended: PSAT Reading score of 31 or better

Thisisacollege-levelclassthatexaminestheroleofartwithinhistoryandtheeffectofthathistoryuponart. ThestudyofArtHistoryinvolvescriticalthinkingandwilldevelopanunderstandingandknowledgeofdiverse historicalandculturalcontextsofarchitecture,sculpture,painting,andothermedia.Italsowillcreate opportunitiesforstudentstostrengthenanareaneglectedinmostcurricula.Inthiscourse,studentswillexamine majorformsofartisticexpressionfromthepastandpresentfromavarietyofcultures.Whilevisualanalysisisa fundamentaltoolofthearthistorian,arthistoryemphasizesunderstandinghowandwhyworksofartfunction incontext,consideringsuchissuesaspatronage,gender,andthefunctionsandeffectsofart. Summerworkis required.

This class can fulfill 1.0 credit in Fine Arts instead of 1.0 History elective credit (does not meet History requirement).

420-HonorsHolocaustHistory

Prerequisite: Departmental approval

Grade11/12

.5Credit

ThiscoursewillexplorethoseeventsthatledtothesystematicmurdersofsixmillionJewsduringWorldWarII andcreatedcountlessothervictimsduringthatperiod.Studentswillencounterthestoriesofsurvivors, witnesses,andrescuersthatcontinuetoraiseessentialquestionsaboutthenatureofhumanbehavior Thecourse willexploretheconsequencesofhowdestructivepoliciesareconstructedandimplementedandhowindividuals andcommunitiesareaffectedbymalevolentdecisionsandactions.Thecurriculumrequiresextensivereadingof primaryandsecondarysourcesandwillemphasizeclassdiscussions.Bystudyingthehistoricaldevelopmentof theHolocaustandsimilarexamplesofgenocide,studentswillbeinvitedtomaketheessentialconnection betweenhistoryandthemoralchoicestheyconfrontintheirpersonallives.Byutilizingsourcesthatilluminate victimexperiences,perpetratorperspectives,andbystanderresponses,theclasswillinvestigatetheNaziracial statethatsystematizedmasskillingsanddemandedcollaborationandcomplicity Finally,thecoursewill examinethememoryoftheHolocaustinwesternculture.

ENGLISHDEPARTMENT

REQUIREDCOURSES

501-Composition&Literature

Prerequisite: None

Grade9

1Credit

Thefocusofthisclassistwo-fold:tostrengthenresearchandcompositionskillsandtodevelopanalytical thinkingskillsthroughtheexaminationofthedifferentgenresofliterature,withanemphasisonancientand medievalliterature,andclassicalthemes.Muchtimewillbedevoted,aswell,tovocabularybuilding.Students willmastertheexpository,persuasive,andcriticalanalysisformsofwriting,aswellastheresearchpaper The literaturestudywillencompassasurveyofepicandlyricpoetry,theshortstory,drama,allegory,andthenovel. Studentsarerequiredtocompletesummerreadingandaccompanyingassignment(s)priortothefirstdayof school.

511-HonorsComposition&Literature

Grade9

1Credit

Prerequisites: 8th-grade English with 93 average, departmental approval, and an acceptable score on a written essay to be given at a set time prior to scheduling

Thehonorscoursebeginswiththeassumptionofagreaterfluiditywithwritingandagreateraptitudefor readingcomprehensionandtextualanalysis.Fromthere,theclassfocusesonconsistentlybuildingvocabulary toenhancethemorechallengingreadingandanalyticalwritingthatwillspringfromthestudyofmanydifferent literarygenres.Theliteraryemphasiswillbeonancientliterature,yetwillincludeworksfromtheRenaissance, theVictorianera,andthe20thcenturyaswell.Studentsarerequiredtocompletesummerreadingandan accompanyingassignmentpriortothestartofschool.

502-EuropeanLiterature

Prerequisite: None

Grade10

1Credit

ThiscoursesurveysseminalworksofEuropeanliterature,includinglyricpoetry,folktales(oldandnew), drama,andtheepic.Specialattentionwillbepaidtodevelopingvocabularyandwritingaboutliterature. Studentsarerequiredtocompletesummerreadingandanaccompanyingassignmentpriortothestartofschool.

512-HonorsEuropeanLiterature

Grade10

1Credit

Prerequisite: Composition & Literature with 90 average or Honors Composition & Literature with 85 average and departmental approval

ThiscoursesurveysseminalworksofEuropeanliterature,includinglyricpoetry,tragedy,theepic,theromance, andtheestatessatire.AuthorsstudiedincludeShakespeare,Dante,andChaucer.Studentswillwriteatleastone analyticalessayperquarter,aswellasstructuredcreativeworksinimitationoftheliteraturetheyarestudying. Studentsarerequiredtocompletesummerreadingandanaccompanyingassignmentpriortothestartofschool.

503-AmericanLiterature

Prerequisite: None

Grade11

1Credit

ThiscoursewillsurveythedevelopmentofliteratureintheUnitedStates.Studentswillreadseveralclassic Americannovelsandplays,inadditiontoavarietyofproseandpoetryselectionsfromtheanthology.In additiontocompletingaresearchproject,studentswillproducenarrativeandliteraryanalysispapers.Priorto thefirstdayofschool,studentsarerequiredtocompleteasummerreadingassignment.

513-HonorsAmericanLiterature

Grade11

1Credit

Prerequisite: European Literature with 90 average or Honors European Literature with 85 average and departmental approval

TheHonorscoursebeginswiththeassumptionofagreaterfluiditywithwritingandagreateraptitudefor readingcomprehensionandtextualanalysis.ThiscoursewillsurveythedevelopmentofliteratureintheUnited States.StudentswillreadseveralclassicAmericannovelsandplays,inadditiontoavarietyofproseandpoetry selectionsfromtheanthology.Poetrywillreceivespecialemphasis.Inadditiontocompletingalonger,in-depth researchproject,studentswillproducenarrative,literaryanalysis,andliteraryargumentpapers.Priortothefirst dayofschool,studentsarerequiredtocompleteasummerreadingassignment.

550-APEnglishLiteratureandComposition

Grade11

Prerequisites: Honors European Literature with 85 average and departmental approval

1Credit

Note: The recent average PSAT Reading score for AP students has been 32. APEnglishLiteratureandCompositionisacollege-levelcoursedesignedtoengagestudentsinthecritical analysisofliterature.Itrequiresstudentstointeractanalyticallythroughintensivestudyofrepresentativetexts fromvariousgenresandperiods,concentratingonworksofrecognizedliterarymerit.Throughtheclosereading ofselectedtexts,studentsshoulddeepentheirunderstandingofthewayswritersuselanguagetoprovideboth meaningandpleasurefortheirreadersthroughawork’sstructure,style,andthemes,aswellastheuseof figurativelanguage,imagery,symbolism,tone,etc.Inthespring,studentswillcompletetheAPEnglish LiteratureandCompositionexam.Summerreadingandwrittenwork(duethefirstweekofclass)arerequired tomaintainenrollment.

504-ModernLiterature

Prerequisite: None

Grade12

1Credit

Thiscoursewillexamineanarrayofliterarygenres,includingthenovel,shortstory,personalessay,sermon, songlyrics,Biblicaltext,memoir,andpoetry,fromadiversearrayofculturesandauthors.Studentswillbe requiredtowriteavarietyofessaysandothermodalities,includinganacademicsynthesisessayinafilmunit,a finalreflectiveessay,literaryanalysisparagraphs,andpoetry Priortothefirstdayofschool,studentsare requiredtocompletesummerreading.

514-HonorsModernLiterature

Grade12

1Credit

Prerequisite: American Literature with 90 average or Honors American Literature with 85 average and departmental approval

Thisfast-paced,rigorouscoursewillexamineanarrayofliterarygenres,includingthenovel,shortstory, personalessay,sermon,songlyrics,Biblicaltext,memoir,andpoetry,fromadiversearrayofculturesand authors.Studentswillberequiredtowriteavarietyofessaysandothermodalities,includinganacademic synthesisessayinafilmunit,afinalreflectiveessay,literaryanalysisparagraphs,andpoetry Priortothefirst dayofschool,studentsarerequiredtocompletesummerreading.

551-APLanguageandComposition

Grade12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Honors American Literature with 85 average or AP English Literature and Composition and departmental approval

Note: The recent average PSAT Reading and Writing and Language scores for AP students have been 32. Thiscoursefocusesonwritingandanalysisofnon-fictionprose.Studentswillexplorehowotherswrite effectivelythroughastudyofrhetoricalanalysisandvariousmodesofwriting,suchasjournalistic,evaluative, persuasive,satirical,narrative,descriptive,argumentative,analytical,compareandcontrast,andsynthesis.In addition,studentswillfocusoncriticalreadingskillssothattheywillbeabletonotonlyunderstandwhatthe textiscommunicatingbutalsohowwritersusetheEnglishlanguageandartistsuseimagestomanipulatethose effectsconvincingly.Inthespring,studentswillcompletetheAPEnglishLanguageandCompositionexam. Summerreadingandwrittenwork(duethefirstweekofclass)arerequiredtomaintainenrollment.

ELECTIVES

507/770-CreativeWriting

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Studentswillexploretheartofcreativewritingbyinvestigatingvariousgenresofliteratureandwriting;reading closelywithaneyeontechnique,style,andvoice;writingcreativelyinavarietyofgenresandwithvarious foci;andpresentingtheirownworkthroughpeerediting,author’schairreadings,andpublishing.Studentswill keepawritingjournalandwillsubmitaportfoliooforiginalcompositionsatthecourse'send.

510-FilmandMedia

Prerequisite: None

Grade11/12

.5Credit

Thisone-semester,seminar-style,inquiry-basedcoursewillanalyzeselectedfilms,emphasizingtherelevance ofthesefilmstoAmericanculture.Issuesofpersonalandculturalidentity,assimilation,segregation,and politicalstruggleareparticularlyexplored.Filmsareexaminedbothasculturalproductsandasavehiclefor personalandgroupexpression.

518-LiteratureandMusicoftheAmericanCivilRightsMovement Grade11/12

Prerequisite: None

.5Credit

Thisone-semesterelectivewillcovertheliteratureandmusicoftheAmericanCivilRightserafromits beginningsinAmericanspiritualsandblues,throughReconstructionandafter(1865-1919),theHarlem Renaissance(1919-1940),andModernismtothepresent.Studentswillreadandlistentoavarietyofspeeches, songs,sermons,poems,shortstories,andplaysinthecontextofmajoreventsoftheAmericanCivilRights movement.Authorsinclude,butarenotlimitedto,FrederickDouglass,theRev.MartinLutherKing,Jr., MalcolmX,SojournerTruth,BookerT.Washington,WEBDuBois,ZoraNealeHurston,LangstonHughes, GwendolynBrooks,JamesBaldwin,LorraineHansberry,DanielBerrigan,NikkiGiovanni,andMayaAngelou. Alongwiththetexts,studentswillgainanunderstandingoftheroleofmusicintheCivilRightsmovement, includingtheblues,spirituals,rhythm&blues,gospel,jazz,andhiphop.TheclasswillintegratetheCatholic socialteachingthemesofsolidarity,thedignityofeveryhumanperson,andcareforthepoorandvulnerable, especiallyinrelationtothecivilrightsidealoftheBelovedCommunity.

Prerequisite: None

Thisone-semesterelectivecoursewillexploretheartofstorytellingandthepleasureofchildren’sliterature, surveyingvariousauthorsandillustrators.Genressurveyedwillincludefolkandfairytales,picturebooks,early readers,fantasy,fiction,poetry,andhistoricalfiction.Studentswillkeepawritingjournal,leadaclass discussiononthethematicpatternsfoundinclassicalandcontemporaryliterature,andpresentauthorsand illustratorsasbookreviews.

WORLDLANGUAGEDEPARTMENT

● Pleaserefertopg6foranexplanationof8thgradeandtransferWorldLanguagecreditsandplacement.

● ThedepartmentstronglyrecommendsthatstudentstakethreeyearsofthesameWorldLanguage.

● CurrentSJCSstudentsmusthavean80averageorbettertoadvancetothenextlevelofaWorld Language.Ifastudenthasanaverageof70-79,thestudentmustmakearrangementstomeetwiththe DepartmentChairpersontodiscusshowtomoveforward.Inmostcases,summerimprovementwork and/oraplacementtestwillbenecessarytoensurethestudentispreparedforthenextlevel.TheWorld LanguageChairmustapproveallsummerprograms

601-SpanishI Grade9/10/11/12

Prerequisite: None

1Credit

ThisisabeginningSpanishcourseemphasizingthedevelopmentofthefourlanguageskills:listening, speaking,reading,andwriting,withstressonaural/oralcomprehensionandculturalawareness.Vocabulary acquisitionisemphasized,andbasicgrammarwillbestudied,includingverbtenses.

602-SpanishII Grade9/10/11/12

1Credit

Prerequisite: Spanish I with 80 average or acceptable score on Spanish placement test for incoming students

ThiscourseinvolvesareviewandextensionofSpanishI,withcontinuedemphasisonthedevelopmentofthe fourlanguageskills:listening,speaking,reading,andwriting,withstressonaural/oralcomprehension.It includesdetailedverbstudyandgrammarapplications,aswellasnewvocabulary ConversationalSpanishand writingarefurtherdeveloped.Continuedemphasisisplacedoncommunicativecompetenceandcultural awareness.

1Credit

Prerequisite: Spanish II with 80 average or acceptable score on Spanish placement test

ThiscourseisareviewofandamoreadvancedstudyoftheSpanishlanguage,withanemphasisonspeaking andwritingskills.Anin-depthstudyofSpanish/Spanish-Americancivilization,culture,andliteratureare included.SelectionsfromSpanishandLatinAmericanauthorswillberead.Thereislessemphasisongrammar andmoreemphasisonconversationandcomposition.TheclassisconductedmostlyinSpanish.

613-HonorsSpanishIII

Grade10/11/12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Spanish II with an 90 average, or acceptable score on a Spanish placement test, and departmental approval

Thiscoursecoversanacceleratedandmorein-depthstudythanSpanishIII.InadditiontotheSpanishIIIcourse work,HonorsSpanishIIIwillgivespecialemphasisonmoreadvancedliteraryselectionsandcompositions. AdditionalemphasisisplacedontheuseofSpanishforactivecommunication.Theclassisconductedmostlyin Spanish.

614-HonorsSpanishIV

Grade11/12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Honors Spanish III with an 85 average, or Spanish III with a 90 average, or acceptable score on a Spanish placement test, and departmental approval

Emphasiswillbeplacedonconversationandcomprehensionaswellascomposition.Studentswillread excerptsofliteraryworksandmaterialdrawnfromtheSpanishmediaandotherauthenticselectionstodevelop theirreadingskillsandprovideexperiencesintheareasofeverydayneeds,languagecareers,andcontemporary culture.Areviewofgrammarwillbeincluded.TheclassisconductedmostlyinSpanish.

650-APSpanishLanguage

Grade11/12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Honors Spanish IV with 90 average, a student writing sample, and departmental approval

ThisclassisconductedentirelyinSpanish.Itisassumedthatstudentshavealreadylearnedthegrammarand syntaxofthelanguageandhaveacquiredstrongskillsinspeaking,writing,reading,andunderstandingSpanish. Therefore,thecurriculumforthiscourseisdesignedtoreinforceandsharpentheseskills,withthegoalof achievingmasteryasdefinedbytheAPSpanishLanguagecoursedescription.

605-FrenchI

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12

1Credit

ThiscoursewillintroducestudentstotheFrenchlanguageandfrancophoneculture.Theemphasisisonthefour languageskills:listening,speaking,reading,andwriting.Basicgrammarandvocabularywillbestudied, includingverbtenses.

606-FrenchII

Grade9/10/11/12

1Credit

Prerequisite: French I with 80 average or acceptable score on French placement test for incoming students

ThiscourseexpandstheknowledgeoftheFrenchlanguageandcultureandincludesathoroughreviewof conceptslearned.Itbroadenstheexposuretothefourskillsoflistening,speaking,reading,andwriting.It includesdetailedverbstudyandgrammarapplications,aswellasnewvocabulary.ConversationalFrenchand writingarefurtherdeveloped.

617-HonorsFrenchIII

Grade10/11/12

1Credit

Prerequisite: French II with 85 average or an acceptable score on French placement test for incoming students, and departmental approval

ThiscourseisareviewofandamoreadvancedstudyoftheFrenchlanguage.Studentswillbeginreading excerptsofliteraryworksandmaterialdrawnfromtheFrenchmedia.Thisclasswillbeconductedmostlyin French.FrenchIIIisonlyofferedasanHonorscourse,soanadvancedlevelofstudyshouldbeginin FrenchI.

618-HonorsFrenchIV/V

Grade10/11/12

1Credit

Prerequisite: Honors French III with 85 average or Honors French IV with 85 average, an acceptable score on French placement test for incoming students, and departmental approval

HonorsFrenchIV/Visanopportunityforstudentstofamiliarizethemselveswiththehistory,literature,and cultureof FranceandtheFrancophoneworldwhileexpandingandfine-tuningtheirlanguageandgrammar skills.Workfromthetextbookisconstantlysupplementedwithauthentichistorical,cultural,andliterary materials.TheclassisconductedinFrenchandstudentsareexpectedtospeakFrenchinclass.

640-APFrenchLanguage

Grade11/12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Honors French IV with 90 average, a student writing sample, and departmental approval

This course is holistically designed to offer students a proficiency-based, rigorous, college-level experience to maximize their potential in interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational skills in French. It is assumed that students have already learned the grammar and syntax of the language and have acquired strong skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Therefore, the curriculum for this course is designed toreinforceand sharpen these skills, with the goal of achieving mastery as defined by the AP French Language and Culture coursedescription.

750StudioArtI

Prerequisite: None

FINEARTSDEPARTMENT

Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Thisisaone-semestercourseforstudentswhodesiretolearnaboutthefoundationsofvisualart,explored throughtheuseofvariousmedia.Studentswillstudy:ElementsofArtandPrinciplesofDesign;graphite drawing,includingstilllifeandfigures.Usingthe8HabitsofStudioArt,studentswilldrawandpaint,focusing onform,value,andcolortheory

751StudioArtII

Grade9/10/11/12

Prerequisite: Studio Art I (Exploring Art I also applies) and departmental approval

.5Credit

Thisisaone-semestercourseforstudentswhoshowadesiretofurthertheirexplorationinVisualArt.The elementsofartareexploredinamorein-depthmannerthroughtheuseofvariousmedia.Projectsmayinclude watercolor,acrylic,andnon-traditionalpainting,aswellasoilpastels,printmaking,3Ddesign,ceramics,and portfoliopreparation.Studentswillexplorevarioustechniquesofartproductionusingthe8HabitsofStudio Art.

752 StudioArtIII

Grade10/11/12

.5Credit

Prerequisite: Studio Art I & Studio Art II (Exploring Art I & Exploring Art II OR Drawing also apply) and departmental approval

Thisisaone-semestercoursedesignedforstudentswhomaybeinterestedinpursuingVisualArtinhigher educationorhaveadesiretofurtherpursueartisticopportunities.Mostprojectsaretwo-dimensionalandallow studentstoexploretheuseofavarietyofmedia,includingcharcoal,pen,penandink,chalkpastel, professional-grademarkers,andcoloredpencils,aswellaswatercolor,acrylic,andanintroductiontooil painting.Thestudentisresponsibleforchoosingmostsubjectmatterandapplyingthe8HabitsofStudioArt independentlywithintheirwork.Extrastudiotimemaybeneededforprojectcompletion.

760Art&DesignAppreciationI

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Thisisaone-semestercourseforstudentswhoaremoreinterestedindesignthantraditionalart.Allprojects willbebasedontheElementsofArtandPrinciplesofDesignandtheprocessofcreativeproblemsolving. Studentswillberesponsibleforchoosingsubjectmatterandcomposition.Subjectmattermayincludecanvas collage;abstractlandscape;woodburning;fabricpaintinganddesign;andpapercutting.Studentswillalso completeanindependentartprojectinspiredbytheirartistofchoice.Studentswilllearnthevalueoffollowing theprocesstoarewardingoutcome.

761Art&DesignAppreciationII

Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Prerequisite: Art & Design Appreciation I OR Studio Art I (Mixed Media I or Exploring Art I also apply) and departmental approval

Thisisaone-semestercourseforstudentswhoshowadesiretofurtherpursuemixingmediatypesandworking withtheirhands.StudentswillcontinuetofocusontheElementsofArtandPrinciplesofDesignwhile producing3Dformsandwillberesponsibleforchoosingsubjectmatterandcomposition.Projectsmayinclude 3Dletterdesign,watercolorresist,block-printing,figuresculptures,ceramics,andfurtherstudyinfabricdesign andprinting.

705-PortfolioDevelopment(IS)

Grade11/12

Prerequisites: Completion of three Visual Art courses offered, and departmental approval

For transfer students: application, interview, and departmental approval

.5Credit

Thisisanindependentstudycourse,focusingontheproductionofeachstudent’sArtportfolio.Artwork createdwillalsobeincludedinaschool-wideartexhibit.Thiscourseisdesignedtopreparestudentsfortheir pursuitoftheVisualArtsatthecollegiatelevel.

718/902-GraphicApplications

Prerequisite: Computer Applications

Grade10/11/12

.5Credit

Recommended: Students take Studio Art I before taking this course or in conjunction with this course. Thisisaone-semestercourse.ThetechniquesofAdobe’sIllustratorvectorgraphicsprogramwillbelearned. Theseskillswillallowastudenttocreategraphicscontainingtextandimagesthatcanbeusedforvaried purposes.Theskillsandtechniqueswillthenbeusedinanend-of-semesterproject,wherethestudentswill createanillustrationandthenmodifyittomeetthestatedcriteria. This course can count as a Computer Science credit instead of Fine Arts.

719/919-GraphicApplicationsII

Prerequisite: Graphic Applications

Grade10/11/12

.5Credit

Thisone-semestercoursebuildsontheskillslearnedinGraphicApplications.Studentswilllearnmoretoolsin AdobeIllustrator.InadditiontoIllustrator,studentswilllearnhowtoaddtexture,cutouts,andmoreusing AdobePhotoshop.Usingbothapplications,studentswillcreateaportfolioof5-7designsbytheendofthe semester. This course can count as a Computer Science credit instead of Fine Arts.

707/905-YearbookStaff

Prerequisite: Computer Applications and departmental approval

Grade11/12

1Credit

Thisclassallowsstudentstopursuetheircreativetalentsbeyondtheregularclassroom.Thecourseisorganized asaclass,withstudentsworkingonindividualandgroupassignmentsfortheyearbook.Thestudentwilllearn tousesoftwaretopulltogetheralloftheelementsofayearbook,includingphotography,layoutdesign,and copywriting.Classislimitedto12. This course can count as a Computer Science credit instead of Fine Arts.

710–IntrotoTheatreArts

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Thisisaone-semestercourse,arrangedprimarilyasatheatrehistoryandplaysurveyclass.Studentswill explorevariousscripts,discoveringtheevolutionoftheatrefromAncientGreecetothecontemporarystage. Studentswillalsostudytheatrehistory,buildingtheircomprehensionoftheproduction’sconnectiontothetime period.Emphasiswillbeontheatrehistory,scriptreading,discussion,andperformancecritique.Basicacting andopportunitiesforplaywritingwillalsobeincludedintheclassprojects;however,thisisexploredingreater detailinAdvancedTheatreArts.

711-AdvancedTheatreArts

Grade10/11/12

.5Credit

Prerequisite: Intro to Theatre Arts or departmental approval and performance in at least two high school productions

Thisone-semestercoursepresentsdetailedinstructioninactingtechniques,aswellasanoverviewofother technicalelementsinvolvedinatheatricalproduction: setdesign,costumedesign,anddirecting.Studentswill gainastrongerunderstandingofusingtheactor’stools-mind,body,andvoice-inbringingcharacterstolife throughgenuineandtruthfulstorytelling.Studentsinthisclassarealsoencouragedtobedirectlyinvolvedinthe statetheatrecompetitions.Emphasiswillbeonstudentparticipation,performance,evaluation,andcritique.

712-PropConstruction

Prerequisite: Departmental approval

Recommended: Intro to Theatre Arts or Stage Crew

Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Thisisafall-semestercourseinwhichstudentswilllearnthebasicskillsformakingtheatricalproperties.In usingcolortheoryandbasicshoptools,studentswilllearnavarietyoftexturepaintingskills,buildprop candles,rockformations,andfakefood.Studentswillalsolearntheskillsofmold-makingbybuildingand designingahingedboxandwalkingbaubledcane.Throughtheseprojects,studentswillacquirefoundational knowledgeintheatricalconstructionusedinprop,scenic,andcostumingwork.Emphasiswillbeonclass projectsandstudentevaluationofwork.(Classlimit10)

713-StageCrewPracticum

Prerequisite: Safety contract on file

Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Thisisaone-semestercoursedesignedforstudentswhowanttolearnaboutorbeinvolvedwiththetheatrical productionprocess.Thiscoursewillusethecurrentmainstageproductionasalab,withpracticalapplication coveringtheelementsoftechnicaltheatre,includingscenicconstruction,costuming,scenicpainting,sound,and lightingoperation.Tobeeligibleforthis½credit,studentsmustacquireatleast60crewhoursandfulfillarole asapartoftheproductioncrew,asassignedbytheDirector.(Pass/Fail) This course is held after school.

714–Directing

Prerequisite: Application, interview, and departmental approval

Grade12

.5Credit

Thisisaone-semesterindependentstudycourse.Interestedstudentswillselectaone-actplayandcomplete theproposalandinterviewprocess.Thestudentassignedtodirectwillprepare,cast,anddirectthisone-actplay tocompeteinoneofthetwostatetheatrefestivals(oneinthefallandoneinthespring.) Underthedirectionof theinstructor,thestudentwillprepareascriptandcharacteranalysis,planandexecuteauditionsandcasting, rehearsethecast,andholddesignmeetings.Thesestudentdirectorsareresponsibleforthepreparationofthe productionandwillattendthefestivalstoleadthetechrehearsalsandoverseetheperformances.Emphasiswill beonprojectdeadlines,communication,leadership,andcollaboration. This course is held after school.

715-ProductionDesign Grade11/12

Prerequisites: Application, interview, and departmental approval

1Credit

Thisisafull-yearindependentstudycourse.Studentsareselectedforthiscoursebasedonasubmitted applicationandapersonalinterview.Thebasisforthisindependentstudycourseistheproductionand independentdesignwork.StudentsworkdirectlywiththeteacheronallFineArtsproductionsandevents throughoutthecurrentseason,intherolesofstagemanagers,scenicdesigners,costumedesigners,property designers,orsoundandlightingtechnicians.Thestudentswillalsobeginbuildingapersonalresumeforcollege admissionsandworktowardevolvingandimprovingtheefficiencyofthedesignteam. This course is held after school.

716-SpeechandImprovisation

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Thisone-semestercoursewilltrainstudentsintheartofimprovisationandpublicspeaking.While improvisationaltheatrewillbeaddressed,thefocusoftheclasswillbeonintuitiveresponsesthatbuildthe skillsofthinkingquicklyandcreatively;dealingwiththeunexpected;communicatingclearly;focusing attention;andteamworkthroughexercises,scene-building,andclasspresentation.Basicvocalworkandtheuse ofspeechandthevoicewillalsobeaddressedtoaidindividualstudentsinunderstandinghowtousetheir voicesmoreeffectively.(Classlimit10)

721-HighSchoolChorus

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Studentswillfocusonthedevelopmentofvocalskillsandlearnbasicmusicianshipthrougheartraining,music history,andmusictheory.Studentswillhavetheopportunitytofurtherimproveandrefinetheirvocaltechnique whileexploringavarietyofmusicalstyles,bothsacredandsecular.StudentswillperformintheChristmasand SpringconcertsandsingforweeklyschoolMass. Students may enroll for one or two semesters each year.

725-MusicLiterature

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Thiscourseisdesignedtoacquaintstudentswithvariouselementsofmusic,tracingthehistoricaldevelopment ofmusicwithanemphasisonformsandstyles,particularlyWesternArtmusic.Studentswillgainanoverview offamouscomposersthroughclasslectures,studyingmusicscores,listeningtomusicalexamplesinclass, readingandfillinginthetextbook,activelyparticipatinginclassdiscussions,attendingliveperformances,and formingawritinganalysisofpiecesstudied.

731/804-IntrotoModernDance

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Thisone-semesterclassisanintroductiontoallformsofmoderndance.Itexploresthemovementofthebody inrelationshiptospace,form,andrhythm.Theclasswillconsistofawarm-up,stretching,exercisestodevelop coordinationofmovements,andchoreographytoavarietyofroutines.Studentswillbeexpectedtodressin comfortable,yoga-typeclothingfortheclass.Noperformancewillberequired.Theclasswillbelimitedto18. Students can only take this course once. This course can count as a PE credit instead of Fine Arts.

732/805-IntrotoSocialDance

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Thisone-semester,beginningdanceclassteachesmanyofthesocialdancesofourcultureandothers.Itcovers basicballroomdancing,likeswing,thewaltz,andthetango.Thestudentswillalsoparticipateincontra dancing,squaredancing,andotherfolkdances.Manynewerlinedanceswillalsobetaught,likecountry,disco, andpop.Theclasswillbelimitedto18.(Pass/Fail) Students can only take this course once. This course can count as a PE credit instead of Fine Arts.

742-StringsEnsemble Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Prerequisites: Ability to perform Grade 2.0 literature and departmental approval. ThisclassisforstudentswhohavecompletedtwoyearsofstringsclassatSt.Joseph’soranotherschool. Studentsenrolledinthisclasshaveauditionedforthedirectorandhaveshownthattheyareadvancedenoughto jointhehighschoolensemble.Studentswillbelearningawiderangeofrepertoireconsistingoforiginal, classical,pop,andsacredmusic,writtenforchambersizeensembles.Studentswillbeexpectedtoparticipatein theirsemesterconcert(s). Students may enroll for one or two semesters each year.

746-HighSchoolBand Grade9/10/11/12

Prerequisites: Two years of instruction and departmental approval

.5Credit

ThisclassisforstudentswhohavecompletedtwoyearsofbandclassatSt.Joseph’soranotherschool. StudentsenrolledinthisclassshouldhavecompletedStandardofExcellenceBookIorhaveauditionedforthe directorandhaveshownthattheyareadvancedenoughtojointheHighSchoolbandclass.Thesestudentswill beworkingonamusicrepertoireappropriatefortheHighSchoolConcertBand.Studentswillbeexpectedto participateintheirsemesterconcert(s). Students may enroll for one or two semesters each year.

747-PepBand

Prerequisite: One year of instruction

Grade9/1011/12

.5Credit

ThisfallsemesterclassmeetsafterschoolonceaweektoprepareforperformancesatselecthomeVarsity FootballgamesandFallPepRally.Creditisdependentonstudentpresenceatallrehearsalsanddesignated games(unlessalternativearrangementsaremadewiththeBandDirector).Attendanceatsummerbandcampin Augustisrequired. This course is held after school.

748-AdvancedBand

Grade11/12

Prerequisites: Two years of High School band and departmental approval

1Credit

ThiscourseisforstudentswhohavecompletedtwoyearsofHighSchoolbandatSt.Joseph’soranother school.ThisclasswillrunconcurrentlywithBand746andAdvancedBandstudentswilljointheminpreparing amusicrepertoireappropriateforHighSchoolConcertBand.Inadditiontoparticipatingintwoschool concerts,Advancedstudentswillalsoberequiredtocompleteasemesterproject. Students may enroll for one or two semesters each year.

770/570-CreativeWriting

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Studentswillexploretheartofcreativewritingbyinvestigatingvariousgenresofliteratureandwriting;reading closelywithaneyeontechnique,style,andvoice;writingcreativelyinavarietyofgenresandwithvarious foci;andpresentingtheirownworkthroughpeerediting,author’schairreadings,andpublishing.Studentswill keepawritingjournalandwillsubmitaportfoliooforiginalcompositionsatthecourse'send.

PHYSICALEDUCATIONDEPARTMENT

● StudentscanearnPEcreditbyparticipatinginSJCSsports.One-halfcreditcanbeearnedforeach seasonplayedattheJVorVarsitylevelduringthehighschoolyears.

803-AthleticTraining

Grade10/11/12

Prerequisite: CPR/AED certification and attendance of the Athletic Training Workshop

.5Credit

Thiscoursewillintroducestudentstotapingandbracing;bandagingcutsandabrasions;usinguniversal precautions;assistingwithtreatmentsandrehab;equipmentsafety;andassistingwiththehydrationlevelof athletes.Thestudentwillberequiredtoattendallhomeeventsforthedesignatedsportandputinaminimumof 6hoursaweekforthedurationofthesportsseason.Thisclasstimewilloccurafterschoolhoursduringsports practices.Studentsmustparticipateforonefullseasonofanathleticsport.

804/731-IntrotoModernDance

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Thisone-semesterclassisanintroductiontoallformsofmoderndance.Itexploresthemovementofthebody inrelationshiptospace,form,andrhythm.Theclasswillconsistofawarm-up,stretching,exercisestodevelop coordinationofmovements,andchoreographytoavarietyofroutines.Studentswillbeexpectedtodressin comfortable,yoga-typeclothingfortheclass.Noperformancewillberequired.Theclasswillbelimitedto18. Students may only take this course once. This course can count as a Fine Arts credit instead of PE.

805/732-IntrotoSocialDance

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Thisone-semester,beginningdanceclassteachesmanyofthesocialdancesofourcultureandothers.Itcovers basicballroomdancing,likeswing,thewaltz,andthetango.Thestudentswillalsoparticipateincontra dancing,squaredancing,andotherfolkdances.Manynewerlinedanceswillalsobetaught,likecountry,disco, andpop.Theclasswillbelimitedto18.(Pass/Fail) Students may only take this course once. This course can count as a Fine Arts credit instead of PE.

808-StrengthTraining

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Thisone-semestercourseisavailabletoallhighschoolstudents.Thecoursewillprovidefamiliarizationwith theweightroom,includingsafety,exerciseterminology,andtechnique.Thestudentswillbestrengthtestedto determineabaselineastheybegintheirstrengthprogram.Theprogramculminatesinastrengthtestassessing growth.

809-HealthandExerciseScience

Prerequisite: Biology

Grade10/11/12

.5Credit

Thisone-semesterclassfocusesonunderstandingthephysiologicalresponsesandadaptationstoexerciseby examiningbasicprinciplesofphysicalfitnessandexploringthehumanbodysystems,includingthe cardiovascular,muscular,respiratory,digestive,andnervoussystems.Studentsareintroducedtohealthissues suchascancer,diabetes,cardiovasculardisease,andnutrition.

REQUIREDCOURSE

901-ComputerApplications

Prerequisite: None

COMPUTERSCIENCE

Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Thisisaone-semester,requiredcoursethatwillfocusonfilemanagementanddifferentmethodsofdata storage,bothlocalandcloud-based.SoftwarepackagesincludeMicrosoftWordandExcel,aswellasGoogle DocsandSheets.Inaddition,theclasswillbeintroducedtobasicHTMLandCSS,AdobePhotoshop,and AdobeIllustrator.

ELECTIVES

902/718-GraphicApplications

Prerequisite: Computer Applications

Grade10/11/12

.5Credit

Recommended: Students take Studio Art I before taking this course or in conjunction with this course. Thisisaone-semestercourse.ThetechniquesofAdobe’sIllustratorvectorgraphicsprogramwillbelearned. Theseskillswillallowastudenttocreategraphicscontainingtextandimagesthatcanbeusedforvaried purposes.Theskillsandtechniqueswillthenbeusedinanend-of-semesterproject,wherethestudentswill createanillustrationandthenmodifyittomeetthestatedcriteria. This course can count as a Fine Arts credit instead of Computer Science

919/719-GraphicApplicationsII

Prerequisite: Graphic Applications

Grade10/11/12

.5Credit

Thisone-semestercoursebuildsontheskillslearnedinGraphicApplications.Studentswilllearnmoretoolsin AdobeIllustrator.InadditiontoIllustrator,studentswilllearnhowtoaddtexture,cutouts,andmoreusing AdobePhotoshop.Usingbothapplications,studentswillcreateaportfolioof5-7designsbytheendofthe semester. This course can count as a Fine Arts credit instead of Computer Science.

905/707-YearbookStaff

Prerequisite: Computer Applications and departmental approval

Grade11/12

1Credit

Thisclassallowsstudentstopursuetheircreativetalentsbeyondtheregularclassroom.Thecourseisorganized asaclass,withstudentsworkingonindividualandgroupassignmentsfortheyearbook.Thestudentwilllearn tousesoftwaretopulltogetheralloftheelementsofayearbook,includingphotography,layoutdesign,and copywriting.Classislimitedto12. This course can count as a Fine Arts credit instead of Computer Science.

910-IntroductiontoWebDesign

Prerequisite: Computer Applications or departmental approval

Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Thisisapracticum-basedcourse,inwhichstudentswillnotonlylearntheprincipleofwebpagedesignbutalso getthehands-onexperienceandskillofwritingwebpages.Studentswillhavetheopportunitytolearnthe terminologyandbasicprinciplesofcreatingwebpagesthroughpracticalassignmentsandafinalproject.They willlearnandgainexperienceinHTMLandCSSfordesigningwebpagesandgaintheskillandconfidencein creatingwebpagesusingtheAdobeCreativeSuite,withapplicationssuchasDreamweaverandPhotoshop.

911-WebDesignII

Prerequisite: Introduction to Web Design or departmental approval

Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Thiscourseaimstoequipstudentswiththeadvancedskillsneededtodevelopinteractiveandresponsive websites.EmphasiswillbeplacedonadvancedCSS,bootstraps,andJavaScript.Bytheendofthecourse, studentswillbecompetentindevelopingadvancedand professionalwebsites.

912-IntroductiontoPythonProgramming

Prerequisite: Computer Applications or departmental approval

Grade11/12

1Credit

Pythonisoneofthemostpopularcomputerprogramminglanguages.Itiswidelyusedinalmosteveryarea, suchasscience,engineering,finance,dataanalysis,andwebdevelopment.Studentswillnotonlylearnthe principlesofprogrammingwithPythonandgaintheskillofwritingprogramsthroughexercisesanda mini-project,butalsodeveloptheirsystematic,logicalthinking,andproblem-solvingskills.

913-PythonProgrammingII

Grade12

Prerequisite: Introduction to Python Programming or departmental approval

1.0Credit

ThiscourseenablesstudentstodeepentheirknowledgeofthePythonprogramminglanguageandtodevelop moreadvancedprogrammingskills.Emphasisisplacedondatabaseanalysis,scientificstatistics,graphic interfaceprogramming,andmachinelearning.Thecourseultimatelyseekstopreparestudentsforfurther studiesincomputerstudiesorcomputerengineeringatthecollegelevel.

Prerequisite: Approval of Dean of Student Support

Thiscourseisdesignedtoservequalifiedstudentswhoneedadditionalacademicsupportduetothe diagnosisofalearningdifference.Classesmeetoneperioddailyandaredesignedtoaddresseachstudent’s individualneeds,including,butnotlimitedto,organizationalskills,studystrategies,test-takingskills,and contentsupport.

Prerequisite: Approval of Dean of Student Support

FreshmanFocusisaprogramthataimstosupportat-risk9thgraderswiththetransitiontoHighSchool.The coursemeetsdailyduringthefirstsemesteronlyandisavailabletothosestudentsreferredbytheirteachers and/oradministration.

Prerequisite: Approval of Dean of Student Support

AcademicSuccessservesstudentswhodesireadditionalacademicsupportintheircoreclasses.Classtimeis designedtofacilitatestudents’continueddevelopmentofacademicandorganizationalskillsandtoguide eachstudentindividuallyashe/shebecomesamoreindependentlearner.Thissectionmeetstwodaysper weekinsteadoffour.Studentsparticipatinginthetwice-weeklyAcademicSuccessclassareconcurrently enrolledinstudyhall.

1.0Credit

Prerequisite: Approval of Dean of Student Support

AcademicSuccessservesstudentswhodesireadditionalacademicsupportintheircoreclasses.Classtimeis designedtofacilitatestudents’continueddevelopmentofacademicandorganizationalskillsandtoguide eachstudentindividuallyashe/shebecomesamoreindependentlearner.Thissectionmeetsfourdaysper week.

APCapstoneProgram

TheAPCapstoneprogramisintendedtoprovideinterestedstudentswithastrongfoundationinresearchand analyticalskillsthatarecriticaltoengagingininnovativeindependentworkattheundergraduateandgraduate level.Itiscomprisedoftwoyear-longAPlevelcourses:APSeminarandAPResearch.Thesecoursesare interdisciplinaryandfocusondevelopingcriticalthinking,collaborativeabilities,timemanagement,andthe abilitytosystematicallyconductresearchandsynthesizeinformation.StudentswhoearnapassingscoreinAP SeminarandAPResearchinadditiontofourotherAPexamsatSt.Joseph’swillbeeligiblefortheAP Diploma.

StudentsmaytaketheAPSeminarcoursebeginningtheirsophomoreyear Successfulcompletionofthisclass isaprerequisitefortheAPResearchcourse.IndividualsinterestedinenrollingintheCapstoneprogrammust submitanapplicationtotheDeanofAcademicspriortoregisteringfortheAPSeminarcourse.

APSeminar(FullYear)

Grade10/11 1.0Credit

Prerequisite: Application and Approval from Dean of Academics. Sophomores: Honors World History with 90 and Honors Composition and Language with 90. Juniors: AP European History with 85, Honors European History with 90 and Honors English II with 90.

APSeminarisafoundationalcoursethatengagesstudentsincross-curricularconversationsthatexplorethe complexitiesofacademicandreal-worldtopicsandissuesbyanalyzingdivergentperspectives.Usingan inquiryframework,studentspracticereadingandanalyzingarticles,researchstudies,andfoundationalliterary andphilosophicaltexts;listeningtoandviewingspeeches,broadcasts,andpersonalaccounts;andexperiencing artisticworksandperformances.Studentslearntosynthesizeinformationfrommultiplesources,developtheir ownperspectivesinresearch-basedwrittenessays,anddesignanddeliveroralandvisualpresentations,both individuallyandaspartofateam.Ultimately,thecourseaimstoequipstudentswiththepowertoanalyzeand evaluateinformationwithaccuracyandprecisioninordertocraftandcommunicateevidence-basedarguments.