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  REQUIREMENTS


Freshmen Sophomores Juniors Seniors

Requirements
Theology
English
Electives
SAT Prep—English
Journalism I; Journalism II; Journalism III
Public Speaking
Pre-Calculus
Introduction to Calculus with Pre-Calculus
Computer—Microsoft Office
Computer—Web Page Design
Graphic Art
Psychology
French III/IV
Spanish III/IV
Physics
Anatomy and Physiology
Introduction to Business
Accounting
Economics
Business Law
Studio Art I; Studio Art II

041/01 - Mystery of Suffering, Death, And Resurrection

The first semester senior theology course begins with an examination of the inescapable reality of suffering and death in human existence – a reality that many students have come to know firsthand, through the death of a family member or close friend. Students then explore the meaning of this suffering and death. As creatures that suffer and die, what are human beings? Do suffering and death render our lives worthless and without meaning? Students should come to appreciate that the Christian tradition understands suffering and death only in the light of Jesus’ Resurrection.
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041/02 - Lifestyles

Students in this second semester senior theology course explore how human nature is intrinsically ordered toward community. Having been created in the image and likeness of God, humans are created to give of themselves, in imitation of God. Each human being is called to give of himself or herself in a unique way, according to one’s unique vocation. Students will explore how to discern one’s vocation in life and study some of the vocational paths to which humans might be called, including marriage, single life, and the religious life.
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141 – Senior English

Senior English focuses on the major works of British literature including selections from the Anglo-Saxon period, Chaucer, Shakespeare, the romantic poets, and the empire/colonial period. Students study and understand the impact of historical events and shifts of thought on British literature, and also the role that literature plays in shaping people’s beliefs and values. This course places a major emphasis on honing writing skills, especially those of a formal literary essay. Students must complete one research paper, either on a self-selected topic, or, if applicable, a topic assigned by the science department. Students continue to build their vocabularies with weekly lists. Additionally, each student develops at least one college essay with the help of instruction and peer review. For each of the first three academic quarters, students must read one outside-reading book and watch one outside-reading film per quarter.
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152 – SAT Preparation

In this elective course, students prepare for the Verbal section of the Scholastic Achievement Test by examining each of the three types of verbal questions that appear on the exam. Students learn techniques which help them to break down the sentence completion, analogy, and reading comprehension questions and determine a correct answer. Students also study roots and prefixes, understand the scoring and use of the test, and learn exercises meant to lessen anxiety. Students should expect to take practice tests frequently.
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153 – Journalism 1

Journalism 1 is a one semester elective course open to juniors and seniors. It focuses on the major components of journalism and the role journalism plays in society. It is designed to provide a general overview of newspaper structure, news elements, media ethics, and history of the press. Students are also introduced to technical aspects of journalism such as interviewing, news writing, and editorial writing. Technology plays a major role in the classroom and in student work with outside media sources. Students supply copy for the school newspaper, The Anchor.
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154 – Journalism 2

Journalism 2 is a one semester elective course open to juniors and seniors. It builds on the skills learned in Journalism 1 and focuses on news, editorial and review writing, and media ethics. Technology plays a major role in the classroom and in student work with outside media sources. Students learn newspaper layout and design and are introduced to copy editing techniques. Students in this class serve on the editorial board of the school newspaper and are required to contribute articles and editorials to the school newspaper. Department approval is required and Journalism 1 is a prerequisite.
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155 – Journalism 3

Journalism 3 is a one semester elective course open to seniors. It builds on the skills learned in Journalism 1 and 2 by honing skills in editorial writing, layout and design, and copyediting. Technology also plays a major role in the classroom and in student work with outside media sources. It develops skills in feature writing, headline writing, and editing. Students in this course serve as editors for the school newspaper and are required to write news articles, feature stories, and editorials for the school newspaper. They also learn how to write press releases and submit them to local papers. Department approval is required and Journalism 1 and 2 are prerequisites
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174 – Public Speaking

Public speaking is an elective course open to juniors and seniors. Students who opt to take this course experience writing, delivering, and evaluating various kinds of discourse. Each week includes professional and peer evaluation throughout the process of drafting and perfecting a piece. The course offers exercises in drama, persuasive speech, commemorative speech, and storytelling. Each student should expect to speak in front of fifty to eighty people at least five times during the course. Students also get a chance to explore anxiety-lessening techniques and learn to understand the role that body language plays in communication. Most importantly, students leave this course with plenty of experience speaking in front of larger crowds.
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241–- Pre-Calculus

This senior elective course is designed for the student who has a solid algebra background. It provides a foundation of pre-calculus concepts, techniques, and applications to prepare students for college level mathematics. The topics studied include polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions, sequences, combinatorics (counting techniques), and probability. Students will use graphing calculators to facilitate learning. Pre-requisite: successful completion of Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. The approval of the department is required.
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242 – Introduction to Calculus with Pre Calculus

This senior elective course is designed for the advanced student who has a solid Algebra background. The course reinforces algebraic skills and transitions students into calculus. Included in the course are a review of pre-calculus and an in-depth, systematic study of each basic class of functions: algebraic, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic. Students master differential calculus and apply the differentiation rules to a variety of problems, including real life applications. Each student is required to have a graphing calculator. The course is not intended to prepare students for the AP exam. Pre-requisite: successful completion of Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. The approval of the department is required.
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253 - Computer—Microsoft Office

This is a one semester elective course open to juniors and seniors. This course delves into Microsoft Excel (a spread sheet program) and Access (a data base program). Toward the end of the semester, Microsoft Publisher and Front Page are introduced.
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255 - Computer—Web Page

Design This is a one semester elective course open to juniors and seniors. This course introduces the student to the various aspects that go into making a good Web site. It also introduces the structure and use of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), the backbone of a Web page. Later in the semester the students will create a Web page using Microsoft FrontPage—a program that displays text on the screen as it will appear on the printed Web page.
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256 – Graphic Art

Graphic art is a one semester, introductory level, elective course open to juniors and seniors. Students in graphic art learn to use the computer as a tool for creating artwork. This course consists of long-term projects, weekly quizzes, and weekly homework assignments designed to introduce students to the language of graphic art. Students use Adobe Photoshop, and various hand techniques to study typography, graphic literacy, photo manipulation, communication design, and illustration. All students are required to maintain a digital portfolio and compile a Visual Reference Journal (VRJ), both of which are used on the class final.
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353 – Psychology

This one semester elective course, open to juniors and seniors, introduces the students to the study of psychology, beginning with an overview of the field of psychology and its historical roots and ending with a discussion of psychotherapy. Videos and students activities help the student comprehend psychological ways of viewing the behavior of individual human beings. Emphasis is placed on reading comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, understanding of the scientific method as applied in psychological research, and retention of information about key historical figures and general psychological concepts.
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451 – French III/IV

This elective course is designed for students who have successfully completed high school level French II. Skills already developed are expanded so that students are able to function using the language in a greater number of situations encountered in daily life or while traveling. More creative use of the language begins to replace highly structured situations. Reading of simple stories with more idiomatic expressions is introduced along with the accompanying grammar. Culture continues to be an integral part of the curriculum. The emphasis in this course on acquiring the practical usage of the language in a variety of settings requires daily practice in and out of the class. Classroom exercises and homework are assigned every day, and are an essential part of a student’s success in French III and IV.
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452 – Spanish III/IV

This elective course focuses on the development of functional skills in the students. More creative use of the language begins to replace structured situations. Reading of simple stories and idiomatic expressions is introduced along with the accompanying grammar. Students are expected to write simple, creative communication in the language within the limits of their experience. Culture continues to be an integral part of the curriculum. Aural and oral exercises are used constantly, since acquiring practical usage of the language requires frequent practice.
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623 – Introduction to Business

This elective course, open to juniors and seniors, introduces students to the world of business, including the concepts, functions, and skills required for meeting the challenges of operating a business in the twenty-first century. It also covers units that focus on business in general. Areas of concentration include: banking, investments, insurance, consumerism, business and economic structure, entrepreneurship, management, and marketing. Students participate in business simulations.
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541 – Physics

Physics, a senior elective, examines motion, matter, and energy from both a conceptual and a mathematical viewpoint. The focus of this course is on motion, energy, light, mechanics, and electricity. Throughout the year, students learn strategies to approach problem solving throughout the year and complete projects, such as an egg drop and building a structurally sound bridge, that focus on physics concepts. There is also a laboratory component of this course, which accounts for a portion of the overall grade. Emphasis is placed on problem solving strategy, mathematics, physical concepts, and lab work.
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543 – Anatomy and Physiology

This is an elective course for seniors who have maintained a minimum of a B average in life science courses. Students cover all of the human systems, beginning with anatomical structures, and learn how all of these structures are related to the form and function of each component and how each ultimately will become interrelated with every other part of the body. A term paper is required, and labs and activities are assigned. The course culminates with the dissection of the fetal pig, which brings the study of all of the systems together.
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651 – Accounting

This elective course, open to juniors and seniors, provides students with an understanding of basic accounting principles and practices. The course covers accounting activities from beginning balance sheets through the post closing trial balance. It includes a study of specialized business transactions as they apply to both service and merchandising businesses. In addition, the completion of two major projects gives objective evidence of progress each student is making.
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655 – Economics

This elective course, open to juniors and seniors, introduces students to essential terminology and concepts of macro and microeconomics and to the economic way of thinking. Students learn to understand and evaluate the complex economic problems encountered in modern society. Topics include: business cycles, economic growth, exchange rates, pricing and output decisions in a market economy, and the impact of governmental policies on the economy. Concepts are explained by means of lecture, illustrative examples and class activities.
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658 – Business Law

Business Law is an elective course open to juniors and seniors. It emphasizes the basic principles of law that underlie the everyday personal and business transactions made by individuals and companies. The course is designed to cover the following topics: law and society, the legal implications of buying and selling goods, consumer protection, credit, insurance, financial institutions, and property. Concepts are explained by means of lecture, illustrative examples, and mock-court activities.
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712 – Studio Art I, Semester 1

Studio art I, semester 1 is an introductory level, elective course open to juniors and seniors. Students in this course are exposed to a variety of art media with a particular emphasis on drawing media. Throughout the course of the semester students complete a variety of long-term workshops and projects addressing portfolio design, drawing techniques, artists study, art history, self-portraits, and mural design or special project. Students also complete a variety of short-term exercises used as additional practice. All students are required to maintain a sketchbook with weekly homework assignments, as well as a portfolio of class work used to complete the class mid-term.
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712 – Studio Art I, Semester 2

Studio art I, semester 2 is an introductory level, elective course open to juniors and seniors. Students in this course are exposed to a variety of art media with a particular emphasis on painting media. Throughout the course of the semester, students complete a variety of long-term workshops and projects addressing painting techniques, artists study, art history, perspective, independent study, and a class project. Students also complete a variety of short-term exercises used as additional practice. All students are required to maintain a sketchbook with weekly homework assignments, as well as a portfolio of class work used to complete the class final.
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713 – Studio Art II, Semester 1

Studio art II, semester 1 is an advanced level, elective course open to juniors and seniors with teacher approval. Students in this course follow the same curriculum as students in studio art I, semester 1, but with modifications and additional expectations and requirements. Students in studio art 2, semester 1 are expected to demonstrate a working understanding of art elements, art principles, and composition on all assignments. The work of students in this advanced level course is evaluated with an emphasis on drawing skills and craftsmanship. Students are assigned leadership roles in the classroom and work as mentors to students in studio art I. In addition to all requirements of studio art I, semester 1, students in studio art II, semester 1 are required to complete one long-term independent project outside of class.
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713 – Studio Art II, Semester 2

Studio art II, semester 2 is an advanced level, elective course, open to juniors and seniors with teacher approval. Students in this course follow the same curriculum as students in studio art 1, semester 2, but with modifications and additional expectations and requirements. Students in studio art 2, semester 2 are expected to demonstrate a working understanding of art elements, art principles, and composition on all assignments. The work of students in this advanced level course is evaluated with an emphasis on painting skills and craftsmanship. Students are assigned leadership roles in the classroom and work as mentors to students in studio art I. In addition to all of the requirements of studio art I, semester 2, students in studio art II, semester 2 are required to complete one long-term independent project outside of class.
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