ACADEMY COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
3114 Academy English
1-2: This course is designed to encourage students
to appreciate a variety of literature (prose, poetry, drama) and authors. Students continue to build their vocabulary
skills through SAT vocabulary and learn to apply their knowledge in their
writing. Writing skills are developed
with an emphasis on the development of a clear, concise thesis statement
leading to a thoughtful essay. Critical
thinking is an integral component to the class discussions, essays, and
creative presentations of works studied.
3124 Academy English 3-4: This course targets an in-depth analysis of various types of
literature through psychology and criticism.
Students are introduced to a variety of authors and specialists while working
to master a mature style of writing.
Through a clear focus on individuality, students are enabled to develop
and define a personal niche in the realms of think and imagination. Students also develop their ACT and SAT test
taking skills by in-depth practice for the PSAT.
3134 Academy AP English 5-6: Prerequisite: Academy standing or approval of instructor. Junior Academy Advanced Placement English
combines enough skill-building and practice to help the student to score
successfully in the spring on the Language and Composition Examination with the
Academy emphasis upon both the acceleration and enrichment suitable for the
gifted student. The literature spans as
many genres, as many historical periods, as many philosophies, as many cultures
possible within the academic time limitations.
Assessments vary among shorter and longer written analytical arguments,
group teaching of the class, reading quizzes, and creative visual
presentations. Emphasis falls upon the
determinants of good writing, namely conscious control of sentence structure,
logical organizational flow, skillful enunciation of thesis position, and
assemblage of rational, concrete proof for the argumentative stance. Written assignments strive to be open-ended,
allowing each student to locate his own meaningful stance regarding each
literary work. The course introduces
the views of reality held by other cultures in contrast with the Western
hegemonic position. All positions are
subjected to equally close scrutiny.
3144 Academy AP English 7-8:
Prerequisite:
AP English 5-6
Senior
Academy Advanced Placement English leads the student through a conceptual
recapitulation of his or her evolution through distinct stages of linguistic
awareness in his or her past while it concomitantly broadens and deepens skills
in close reading of demanding works of prose and poetry and in written
responses to such works from personal, creative, and critical
perspectives. The students individually
research and collectively assemble a class text of over thirty separate
critical methodologies applicable to any text in need of interpretation and
understanding. The literary offerings
allow for class choice in addition to certain set pieces. A breadth of historical periods, genres, and
individual authors of past and contemporary merit are grounded in enriched
supplementation from current related fields, such as fractal geometry, particle
physics, anthropology, psychology, philosophy, history, linguistic
studies….Assessments are varied and open-ended, ranging from individual
creative response to the more structured writing and close reading demanded of
the English Literature and Composition test given by the Advanced Placement
division of the College Board in the spring.
3147 Creative Writing: (Semester only) . Prerequisite: C or
better in sophomore/junior Academy English or consent of instructor. Creative writing seeks to move beyond
using language as merely a tool of communication; rather, students will learn
to use language as an instrument to express their unique and individual
voices. This semester-long elective
course is designed for students who love reading and have an interest in
writing poetry and short fiction. In
the writers’ workshop format, the teacher assumes the role of a facilitator as
the class works together to form a community of readers and writers. As we read published poems and short
stories, we’ll work on exercises to stimulate creativity. We’ll focus first on playing with language
and breaking down barriers to writing.
Once we’ve learned to silence our internal censors, we’ll work on
finding our own voices and sharing them with others. Because writing is a process of revision, we’ll learn how to
critique others’ work and accept critiques of our own work. In so doing, we become not only more
critical writers, but also more critical readers
3148 Speech Communication: (Semester only) Prerequisite: C or better in
sophomore/junior Academy English or consent of instructor. This course is designed to
provide students with the valuable tool of successful oral expression. Not only does the possession of this skill
provide the student with an improved means of communication that will be useful
in both professional and personal lives, but also in developing the confidence
that will enable the student to present himself successfully. Students will develop listening skills as
well as speaking skills in the area of impromptu, informational, persuasive,
demonstration speeches and oral interpretation.
3149 Academy Latin for
English Power: Prerequisite: Grade 11-12.
Latin for English Power is a language course under the aegis of the
English Department, open first to Academy, honors and traditional juniors and
seniors, then to underclassmen. It is
designed for all who wish to strengthen and solidify their command of English
vocabulary, grammar and spelling. One
and one half years of content are telescoped into one year so that the full
range of Latin grammar can be laid before the tudents, all the way through uses
of the subjunctive mood of the verb.
3690 Academy Advisory: (Not
available for 2004-2005) This course exists as a
pass/fail credit class of no homework fitted each year to the particular
scholastic difficulties of incoming freshmen.
The course exists as a support to allow freshmen to achieve greater
success in the core curricular classes.
The class will focus on strengthening basic algebra skills and
developing logical critical thinking skills to enhance written and oral communication.
3372 Academy AP Economics: This college preparatory economics course emphasizes a
macroeconomics approach, which gives students a thorough understanding of the
principles of economics that apply to an economic system as a whole. The study includes national incomes and
price determinations along with money and banking, public finance, and
international economics. Students are
also encouraged to participate in a national stock market game which enhances
their understanding of an integral component of an economic system. Students
will prepare for the AP exam.
3362 Academy AP
Government: This college preparatory
government course includes the study of the development of the Constitution,
the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, and court
cases involving the Bill of Rights. Students
will prepare for the AP exam.
3376 Academy AP
Microeconomics:
(Semester only) The purpose of a course
in micro economics is to give students a thorough understanding of the
principles of economics that applies to the functions of individual decision
maker, both consumers and producers. It
places primary emphasis on the nature and function of product markets, and
includes the study of factor markets and the role of government.
3310 Academy World History: This is an introductory
course in World History for freshmen that emphasizes historical methodology,
critical thinking, and development
of
writing skills. In such a panoramic course, students will be introduced to the
study of anthropology and archeology, then move to the ancient world where through
primary documents we attempt to understand our roots. The course also attempts to examine the historical trends and key
personalities around the world throughout the medieval and modern eras. Students are engaged in multiple levels of
learning and research as they investigate the historical dimensions of
humankind.
3379 Academy AP World
History: Prerequisites: Grade level 11-12, World History.
This
purpose of this course is to examine more carefully a variety of themes that
collectively describe the human experience.
Designed along six major themes: types of interactions among major
societies, change and continuity over historical periods, technology and
demography on people and environment, social structures and gender, cultural
and intellectual developments, and functions and structures of states. These themes serve as the unifying thread
that will allow students to examine World History from 1000 C.E. to today. The course is designed to be 70% non-Western
in its historical content and prepares students to take the AP examination in
May.
3321 Academy AP U.S.
History: An inquiry approach to
history continues in this year long course.
Emphasis is on American history from the Colonial Period to the
present. The class prepares students
for intermediate and advanced college courses plus the AP exam by making
demands upon them equivalent to those made by full-year introductory college
courses. Students will assess
historical materials – their relevance to a given interpretive problem, their
reliability, and their importance – and to weigh the evidence and
interpretations presented in historical scholarship.
3300 Academy AP European
History: This is a college level
introductory course into modern European history that examines the major
events, trends, and chronology from 1450 to the present. Students will examine themes in history and
interrelated categories (political, diplomatic, intellectual, cultural, social
and economic) as they investigate, using primary and secondary sources, the
elites with the experiences of ordinary people. Students that complete this course satisfactorily are recommended
to take the advanced placement exam to receive college credit.
Academy AP Psychology:
3526 Academy Biology 1-2: Academy biology uses a
molecular approach to investigate living things. Students gain an understanding of the chemistry of cells,
relationships between structure and function, and the patterns of inheritance
in all living things. Mendelian
genetics and population genetics are used to explore the evolution of
species. Investigation of genetic
engineering provides an understanding of DNA sequencing, DNA testing,
recombinant DNA, and genetically altered crops and products.
3538 Academy
AP Biology 3-4: . Prerequisite: Biology
1-2 The advanced placement biology
course prepares students to take the AP exam in the spring semester. Students scoring 5, 4, or 3 on the exam earn
college credit in biology and are placed in advanced classes upon entering
college. The course focuses on the relationship
between structure and function in living things, organisms and the environment,
and the morphology and physiology of plant and animal phyla. Students will be encouraged to take the AP
exam
3535 Academy Anatomy &
Physiology 1-2: Prerequisite: Successful
completion of Biology 1-2, Chemistry 1-2, or Chem Com 1-2. This is a one-year
course focusing on the structure and function of the human body. Topics include interrelationship of tissues,
systems, and metabolic relationship to structure and physiology of the
body. Students will do original
research in cardiovascular system. This
is a college preparatory laboratory course designed especially for students
interested in medical careers.
3560 Academy Chemistry
1-2: Academy chemistry is a one-year college prep
class. The building blocks of all
matter are studied. The presentation
follows modern atomic theory. The
periodic table is used to help simplify the study of elements by grouping those
that have common reactions. Writing
formulas for compounds, writing equations for reactions, and working out
stoichiometric relationships using the equations are all components of the
course. The study of energy changes
includes those for phase changes, chemical reactions, and nuclear
reactions. These advanced sections deal
with acid-base reactions, equilibrium, and reaction rates. Deductive and inductive reasoning, problem
solving methods, and higher levels of thought are all used extensively in this
study. Laboratory experiences reinforce
concepts and stress laboratory safety, accurate measurement and accepted
laboratory procedures.
3565 Academy AP Chemistry
3-4: Prerequisite: Academy Biology and Academy Chemistry or Biology 1-2 and Chemistry
1-2.. AP Chemistry is a one-year college chemistry lecture
class. The presentation follows modern
quantum mechanical theory. Writing
formulas for compounds, writing equations for reactions, and working our
stoichiometric relationships using the equations are all part of the
course. The study of thermodynamic changes
includes enthalpy changes, entropy changes, and Gibbs free energy changes. The advanced sections deal with acid-base
reactions, equilibrium, reactions kinetics, coordination compounds, and
oxidation-reduction reactions. This
class will give each student the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skill to
do well in their freshman college chemistry course with less effort than
normally required. The student can also
learn what is needed to be successful on the advanced placement test.
3585 Academy Physics 1-2: : Prerequisites:
Chemistry 1-2, Algebra 1-2 and Geometry 1-2
This is a problem solving, critical thinking skills driven on year college
preparatory course. Skill in the use of
a scientific calculator is necessary.
Topics covered include kinematics, dynamic wave theory, sound, optics,
electricity, magnetism, and thermodynamics.
Laboratory work stresses experimental design, an inquiry approach, and
the scientific process.
3590 Academy AP Physics 3-4:
Prerequisites:
Chemistry 1-2 and Physics 1-2. This
is a rigorous, one-year, calculus based physics course designed by the College
Board. Two major topics, Mechanics and
Electricity and Magnetism, are covered.
The necessary calculus will be taught on a “need to know” basis. Upon completion of this course, students may
take the Mechanics and/or the Electricity and Magnetism Advanced Placement
Proficiency Exams with the potential of receiving up to 10 hours of college
credits.
3440 Academy Algebra 1-2: This course presents the
fundamental concepts of algebra. Topics
included are integers, signed numbers, algebraic expression, radicals, first
and second degree equations, inequalities, polynomials, factoring, functions,
graphing, and system of equations. This
course addresses the needs of the gifted students through problem solving
strategies used in real life application problems that enhance the
understanding of the algebraic concepts.
Successful completion of this course will prepare the students for the
challenges of the Academy geometry course.
3475 Academy College Algebra
1-2: Prerequisite: C or better in Algebra 1-2.
This
course is designed for students who have demonstrated success in Algebra
1-2. The course develops the concept of
functions and its graph, inverse functions, exponential functions, and systems
of linear equations as well as the matrix methods to solve those systems. In addition, sequences and series, the
binomial theorem, and mathematical induction will be included to increase the
problem solving capabilities of the academically gifted student. Graphing calculators will also be
incorporated into classroom instruction to prepare the students for ACT/SAT
exams.
3540 Academy Geometry 1-2: Prerequisite: C or better in Algebra 1-2
This
is a college preparatory course with emphasis on proof. Topics include all traditional geometry
components.
3480 Academy Trigonometry: (Semester only) Prerequisite: Geometry, C or better
in College Algebra .This is a college preparatory course with emphasis on the 6
trigonometric functions. Trigonometry
includes verification of identities, graphing the 6 trigonometric functions and
their inverses, solving trigonometric equations, the law of sines and cosines and DeMoivre’s Theorem. Applications
of the topics are included.
3485 Academy Analytic
Geometry: (Semester
only) Prerequisite: C or better in
Trigonometry. This is a college preparatory course with emphasis on conics
(rotation and translation) and vectors in 3-space. Other topics include logarithm and exponential functions and
polar coordinates.
3490 Academy AP JAVA
Programming 1-2:Prerequisite: Academy Geometry 1-2 or currently enrolled in
Academy Geometry 1-2. Strongly recommended: Computer Programming 1-2. Lab fee required. Designed as a second year course for students with a computer
technologies career goal. Can be taken
as a first year course in computer programming in Java. Topics include: class design objects,
control structures, file streams, and applets/HTML. Terminal and GUI input methods students for college courses in
computer science and engineering. Students will be encouraged to take the AP
Java Programming test..
3495 Academy AP Calculus
1-2: . Prerequisite:
Trig, Analytic Geometry, or Pre-calculus.
This is an advanced placement course in calculus. Topics
included are functions, limits, continuity, derivations, applications of the
derivative, integrals, exponential and logarithmic functions, inverse
functions, applications of the definite integral, techniques of integration and
infinite series. If time permits, parametric and polar equations will be
included; otherwise, this can be covered in AP Calculus 3. At the end of the course, students will be
encouraged to take the AP Calculus exam. One semester of credit (5 semester
hours) from Rock Valley College is available for successful completion of this
course
3498 Academy AP Calculus
3-4: . Prerequisite:
Calculus 1-2 with grade of C or better and consent of instructor. This course is an advanced placement in the
second year of calculus. Topics
included are parametric and polar equations, analytic geometry of three
dimensions, vectors, partial derivatives, multiple integrals, vector calculus,
and differential equations. Two
semesters of credit (8 semester hours) from Rock Valley College is available
for successful completion of this course.
Note: If Calculus 1-2 and Calculus 3-4 are successfully completed, the
student can receive a total of 13 semester hours from Rock Valley College.
AP Statistical Concepts: Prerequisite: Academy Algebra, Academy
Geometry and Academy College Algebra or Algebra 1-2, Honors Geometry and
College Algebra. Statistical concepts is a full year course in elementary
statistics intended for students interested in life science, nursing, social
science, or statistics. Students will
master the fundamental skills of statistics such as: interpreting data,
applying probability, calculating sample distributions, and testing hypotheses.
3687 Academy Senior Seminar: (Not available for
2004-2005) This elective course is designed to give Academy students
university-level experience in independent study, primary and secondary
research, seminars on a variety of research-related topics, and the development
and presentation of an original document.
The Senior Seminar follows the dissertation process.
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(revised 11/17/03)