2015-2016 olin academy course catalog · graduation with the academic skills they need to succeed...

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The Olin Virtual Academy for the 2015-2016

school year provides courses in a wide range of

core subjects and elective offerings. These cours-

es are designed to be effective online options to

achieve real academic results. Engaging and

award-winning courses, they are aligned to state

and national standards and based on leading re-

search and proven best practices.

Course Areas

• English Language Arts

• Mathematics

• Social Studies

• Science

• Health/Physical Education

• World Languages

• Fine Arts

• Career/Technical Education

Courses in this catalog are grouped by academic

area and then further categorized by course type:

Credit Recovery courses meet graduation re-

quirements and are intended to assist students

trying to recover credits for past failed courses.

College Prep courses meet both graduation re-

quirements and college admission requirements.

This is the standard core curriculum offered in

most high school programs. They are appropriate

for students who are looking to continue on to

college or who plan to enter a vocation upon

graduation with the academic skills they need to

succeed in life.

Advanced Placement courses are the most aca-

demically-intensive courses designed for the stu-

dent who has had comprehensive success in the

course prerequisites, wishes to earn college credit

while in high school and continue on to a com-

petitive college or university.

Elective courses are designed for students across

all academic abilities to explore particular inter-

ests or to further knowledge in a particular sub-

ject area. These courses meet the electives gradu-

ation requirement.

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English Language Arts Credit Recovery English I English II English III English IV College Prep English I English II English III English IV Advanced Placement AP English Language AP English Literature Electives Creative Writing* Gothic Literature* Journalism* Public Speaking* Mathematics Credit Recovery Algebra 1 Geometry Algebra 2 Remedial Pre-Algebra College Prep Algebra 1 Geometry Algebra 2 Pre-Calculus Advanced Placement AP Calculus Electives Personal & Family Finance*

Social Studies Credit Recovery World History US History Economics* Government* College Prep World History US History Economics* Government* Advanced Placement AP US History Electives Human Geography* Psychology* Sociology* World Religions* Science Credit Recovery Earth & Space Science Biology College Prep Earth & Space Science Biology Chemistry Physics Electives Forensic Science* Health/Physical Educ. Health* Physical Education 9 Physical Education 10 Student Athlete

World Languages College Prep French I French II Spanish for Spanish Speakers

Spanish I Spanish II Spanish III Fine Arts College Prep/Electives Art in World Cultures* Digital Photography I & II Music Appreciation* Performance Studio Career/Technical Education Electives Computer Programming Criminology* Driver Education* Introduction to Computers* Law and Order* Senior Project* (Required for Seniors) Thinking and Learning Strategies*

Web Design*

Course offerings are dependent upon enrollment.

Course catalog is subject to change. * 5 credit semester course

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English I Prerequisite: None

In English I, students take a journey through im-portant concepts–the Unknown, Equality, Identity, Opportunity, and Understanding–to learn the foun-dations of communication and analysis. In each unit of the course, students explore a variety of STEM-related literature, including genre fiction, poetry, non-fiction, and speeches. Through the study of this writ-ing, students hone their own skills in communication and analysis. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.

English II Prerequisite: None

In English II, students learn how the human experi-ence - real life - is the foundation of the best stories, plays, poems, films, and articles. In each unit of the course, students explore a specific aspect of the hu-man experience such as laughter, obstacles, betrayal, fear, and transformation. Through the study of litera-ture, nonfiction, and life, students explore what it means to be human, what it means to be fulfilled, tri-umphant, empowered, and transformed. Whether reading a poem or a novel, writing a story or an anal-ysis, or studying a Shakespearean tragedy or a mod-ern suspense film, students explore what it means to be human, a subject on which they are already ex-perts! A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.

English III Prerequisite: None

"Extra, extra, read all about it!" It's all right here in black and white, in the pages of The Virtual Times newspaper. Published at key periods in our American history, The Virtual Times takes us right into the ac-tion. The writing is clear and concise. The stories and opinions give us perspective. The sports and enter-tainment sections give us the color and flavor of the times. In English III, the writing and insights of au-thors throughout our history are collected in the fast-paced pages of The Virtual Times. You'll gain an ap-preciation of American literature and the ways it re-flects the times in which it was written. You'll discov-er how people thought and lived and wrote about

their experiences. You'll also be asked to observe, in-vestigate and report on stories of today. The goal is to be thorough, accurate and compelling in your writ-ing. Perhaps in times to come, people will want to read what you thought and wrote. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.

English IV Prerequisite: None

Come explore the world of big ideas in English IV, where you are able to choose which path you will travel first as you explore highly-engaging, thematic units. Each path will guide you through a series of literary pieces that allow you to analyze the political, social, economic, and cultural messages of its time as well as its relevance to the world you live in today. Each path revolves around a central theme. The works in the course span a period of over 1000 years and have been written by authors who share common ideas, but employ a variety of literary genres to ex-press their views. Whether it is the dramatic ending of a play, or the colorful images in a verse of poetry, the words of these authors will leave you with a new un-derstanding of the world around you. As you travel down each path, you will create authentic work piec-es that will engage you in higher-level learning and provide you with a greater understanding of litera-ture and its connection to the world. A Credit Recov-ery version of this course is also available.

AP English Language Prerequisite: English II (or equivalent) and teacher/school coun-selor recommendation

An AP course in English Language and Composition engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetor-ical contexts and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Both their writing and their reading should make students aware of the interactions among a writer's purposes, audience ex-pectations, and subjects, as well as the way generic conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing.

* 5 credit semester course Course offerings are dependent upon enrollment.

Course catalog is subject to change.

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AP English Literature Prerequisite: English III (or equivalent) and teacher/school coun-selor recommendation

For a year, participate in an AP upscale dining experi-ence in the AP Literature and Composition course. Students act as food critics of exquisite literary cui-sine. Menu items include reading, analyzing, writing, rewriting, and discussing creations by the master chefs, renowned authors. With intensive concentra-tion on composition skills and on authors' narrative techniques, this dining experience equips students with recipes for success in college, in a career and the AP exam.

Creative Writing* Prerequisite: None

This course provides students with a solid grounding in the writing process, from finding inspiration to building a basic story to using complicated literary techniques and creating strange hybrid forms of poet-ic prose and prose poetry. By the end of this course, students will learn how to discover their creative thoughts and turn those ideas into fully realized piec-es of creative writing.

Gothic Literature* Prerequisite: None

From vampires to ghosts, these frightening stories have influenced fiction writers since the 18th centu-ry. This course will focus on the major themes found in Gothic literature and demonstrate how the core writing drivers produce, for the reader, a thrilling psychological environment. Terror versus horror, the influence of the supernatural, and descriptions of the difference between good and evil are just a few of the themes presented. By the time students have complet-ed this course, they will have gained an understand-ing of and an appreciation for the complex nature of dark fiction.

Journalism* Prerequisite: None

Understanding the role of the free press in America helps us to be better informed and more able to ana-lyze media. In this course, you will explore the histo-ry of journalism in the United States from its incep-tion in the colonies and its key role in the first amend-ment, all the way up to present day issues regarding "right to know" and the changing landscape of jour-nalistic media in the 21st century. You will acquire the skills and information needed to actively partici-pate in the consumption, analysis, and creation of news media and will have the opportunity to investi-gate the constantly evolving career opportunities within the field of journalism.

Public Speaking* Prerequisite: None

The art of public speaking is one which underpins the very foundations of Western society. This course ex-amines those foundations in both Aristotle and Cice-ro’s views of rhetoric, and then traces those founda-tions into the modern world. Students will learn not just the theory, but also the practice of effective public speaking, including how to analyze the speeches of others, build a strong argument, and speak with con-fidence and flair. By the end of this course, students will know exactly what makes a truly successful speech and will be able to put that knowledge to prac-tical use.



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Pre-Algebra Prerequisite: None

The instruction in this course will focus on three criti-cal areas: (1) analyzing two- and three-dimensional space and figures, through the use of distance, angles, similarity, congruence, and Pythagorean Theorem; (2) using functions to describe quantitative relationships; (3) formulating expressions and equations, including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation, solving linear equations, and systems of lin-ear equations.

Algebra 1 Prerequisite: None

The skills acquired in this course contain the basic knowledge needed for all future high school math courses. The material covered in this course is im-portant, but everyone can do it. Everyone can have a good time solving the hundreds of real-world prob-lems algebra can help answer. Hands-on labs make the numbers, graphs, and equations more real. The content in this course is tied to real-world applica-tions like sports, travel, business, and health. This course is designed to give students the skills and strategies to solve all kinds of mathematical problems. Students will also acquire the confidence needed to handle everything high school math has in store for them. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.

Geometry Prerequisite: Algebra 1

Geometry is everywhere. Engineers use Geometry to build highways and bridges. Artists use geometry to create perspective in their paintings, and mapmakers help travelers find things using the points located on a geometric grid. Throughout this course, students travel a mathematical highway illuminated by spatial relationships, reasoning, connections, and problem solving. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.

Algebra 2 Prerequisite: Algebra 1

This course allows students to learn while having fun. Interactive examples help guide students’ journey

through customized feedback and praise. Mathemati-cal concepts are applied to everyday occurrences such as earthquakes, stadium seating, and purchasing movie tickets. Students investigate the effects of an equation on its graph through the use of technology. Students have opportunities to work with their peers on specific lessons. A Credit Recovery version of this class is also available.

Pre-Calculus Honors Prerequisite: Geometry and Algebra 2

Students, as mathematic analysts, will investigate how advanced mathematics concepts can solve prob-lems encountered in operating national parks. The purpose of this course is to study functions and devel-op skills necessary for the study of Calculus. The Pre-calculus course includes analytical geometry and trig-onometry. Pre-calculus is an Honors level course.

AP Calculus Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus and teacher/school counselor recom-mendation

Calculus is the mathematics of change. It is used to solve complex problems that are continuously evolv-ing and would otherwise be unsolvable with only al-gebra and geometry. This online advanced placement course is designed to prepare you to become deep mathematical thinkers. You will explore the calculus concepts of limits, differentiation, and integration and apply those concepts in meaningful ways.

Personal & Family Finance* Prerequisite: None

How do personal financial habits affect students’ fi-nancial futures? How can they make smart decisions with money in areas of saving, spending, and invest-ing? This course introduces you to basic financial habits such as financial goals, budgeting, and creating financial plans. You learn about topics such as taxa-tion, financial institutions, credit, and money manage-ment. The course also addresses how occupations and educational choices can influence personal finan-cial planning, and how individuals can protect them-selves from identity theft.



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World History Prerequisite: None

How did we get to where we are today? In Segment I, students will learn how the Roman Empire developed in two very distinct directions. Next, students will discover the great intellectual and cultural contribu-tions of Islamic Empires. Journey through the Middle Ages of Europe and Japan to learn how knights and samurais lived. You will also investigate the rise and fall of some of the great kingdoms of the Americas and Africa and then travel back to the Europe of the Renaissance and Reformation era. Hang on tight, be-fore you dive into the Age of Discovery when eastern and western hemispheric encounters created for some turbulent times. Segment II begins with a bang as stu-dents will learn about advancements in science and thought during the Age of Enlightenment and the so-cial and political revolutions that followed as a result. As students meander through the 19th century, they will learn about the transformation from an agricul-tural to an industrial world and the many changes that resulted from that shift. Students will then learn about the interconnectedness of nationalism and colo-nialism and the two massive world wars were the end result. As students approach the finish line, they will learn about development in our modern world and the implications that historical events have on us to-day. A Credit Recovery version is also available.

US History Prerequisite: None

The United States began as an experiment in freedom and democracy. Since its establishment, the country and its people have endured social, political and eco-nomic revolutions. In this course, students will inves-tigate the people, events and ideas that have shaped the United States from the end of the Civil War through today. Students are asked to analyze and evaluate decisions made by political, business and military leaders. Emphasis is placed on connections between events of the past and present. This course also gives students the opportunity to conduct re-search and apply their learning to current, real-world problems. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.

Economics* Prerequisite: None

Economic decisions affect us every day of our lives. Understanding economics means thinking about how scarcity, or limited resources, requires us to make choices and evaluate one option against others. In this course, students will recognize examples of econom-ics in your daily life. Students will see how the eco-nomic choices of larger groups, like businesses and governments, affect students and others. As students progress through the course, students will recognize that the costs and benefits of choices connect individ-uals and groups around the world. The purpose of this course is to help students become smart consum-ers who understand the flow of an economy between individuals, businesses, governments, and the rest of the world. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.

Government* Prerequisite: None

Responsible citizenship, including civil and political participation is essential to maintain a representative government that truly represents the people of the United States. In this course, students learn about the structure of government and how it shares power at the local, state and federal levels. This course also ex-plores founding principles that inspired the Constitu-tion and Bill of Rights, preserving the freedoms that students experience daily. Students will examine the processes of each branch of government, the election process, and how citizens can impact public policy. The media, interest groups and influential citizens provide examples of how the government can be ef-fected by informed and active participants. Students will examine the U.S. Court system, and become a part of the process by participating in the judicial de-cision making process. They will also discover ways the United States interacts with countries around the world, through domestic policy, foreign policy and human rights policy. Completion of this course will allow you to act as an informed citizen who is ready to participate in the American democracy! A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.



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AP US History Prerequisite: Teacher/school counselor recommendation

AP United States History focuses on developing stu-dents’ abilities to think conceptually about U.S. histo-ry from approximately 1491 to the present and apply historical thinking skills as they learn about the past. There are seven themes of equal importance built into this course: identity; peopling; politics and power; work, exchange, and technology; America in the world; environment and geography; and ideas, be-liefs, and culture that provide areas of historical in-quiry for investigation. These require students to rea-son historically about continuity and change over time and make comparisons among various historical developments in different times and places.

Human Geography* Prerequisite: None

How do language, religion, and landscape affect the physical environment? How do geography, weather, and location affect customs and lifestyle? Students will explore the diverse ways in which people affect the world around them and how they are affected by their surroundings. Students will discover how ideas spread and cultures form, and learn how beliefs and architecture are part of a larger culture complex. In addition to introducing students to the field of Hu-man Geography, this course will teach students how to analyze humans and their environments.

Psychology* Prerequisite: None

What do you feel? How do you behave? What are your thoughts? Feelings, actions and thoughts are closely related and in this Psychology course, you will see how! Do you wonder things like why you learn the way you do, how you forget, and what makes you remember? Are you curious about mental disorders and what traditional and non-traditional therapy is all about? If experiments and role plays and dream inter-pretations sound interesting, then this is the class for you! In this course you will learn more about yourself and others including how to break a habit and how to cope with stress. The purpose of this course is to in-troduce you to the psychological facts, principles, and

phenomena associated with each of the subfields within psychology.

Sociology* Prerequisite: None

The world is becoming more complex. How do your beliefs, values and behavior affect the people around you and the world in which we live? Students will examine social problems in our increasingly connect-ed world, and learn how human relationships can strongly influence and impact their lives. Exciting online video journeys to an array of areas in the socio-logical world are an important component of this rele-vant and engaging course.

World Religions* Prerequisite: Completion of World History recommended

Throughout the ages, religions have shaped the politi-cal, social, and cultural aspects of societies. This course focuses on the major religions that have played a role in human history, including Buddhism, Christi-anity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Shin-toism, and Taoism. Students trace major develop-ments in these religions and explore their relation-ships with social institutions and culture. The course also discusses some of the similarities and differences among the major religions and examines the connec-tions and influences they have.



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Earth & Space Science Prerequisite: None

Be captivated by the wonders and beauty of the third planet from our Sun, Earth. Be amazed by what awaits your discovery within our solar system and beyond. It is your turn to explore the universe. Earth & Space Science is a laboratory course focusing on the study of space, geologic structures and forces, the wa-ters on our planet, and the atmospheric forces that shape our world. Through experimentation and in-vestigation, students will explore the earth cycles in-cluding the geosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, at-mosphere, and the carbon cycle. Students will learn about scientific inquiry, geologic time, space explora-tion, the solar system, and the universe. Students will use Web 2.0 tools, interactive experiences, higher-order thinking, collaborative projects, and real-world application through labs and a variety of assessments. Upon completion of the course, students will have a clear understanding of the dynamic forces at work in the world around them, becoming better caretakers of our planet, Earth. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.

Biology Prerequisite: None

This Biology course guides students through the study of living and non-living systems and how they interact with one another. Students explore the world they live in by posing questions and seeking answers through scientific inquiry. Discovery takes place through observation and data collection. The students will be introduced to the structure, function, diversi-ty, and evolution of living matter. This is a course with real relevance. It encourages curiosity and pro-vides opportunity for students to work on hands on lab activities and develop relationships through col-laborative learning. Engaging in the study of biologi-cal science broadens the picture of the world around us. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.

Chemistry Prerequisite: Biology and Algebra 1

This course is designed as an interactive, 21st century course focusing on Chemistry. Topics include the composition, properties, and changes associated with matter and their applications. This course is designed to serve as a foundation for the study of Chemistry. The utilization of scientific inquiry, web 2.0 tools, in-teractive experiences, higher order thinking, collabo-rative projects, real world application through labs and a variety of assessments all aid the student in ul-timately demonstrating a vast understanding of the importance of Chemistry in the world around them; enabling them to apply these properties to their eve-ryday lives.

Physics Prerequisite: Algebra 2; Geometry recommended

In each module of this Physics course, students dis-cover the contributions of scientific geniuses like Gali-leo, Newton, and Einstein. Through their work, stu-dents learn the concepts, theories, and laws that gov-ern the interaction of matter, energy, and forces. From tiny atoms to galaxies with millions of stars, the uni-versal laws of physics are explained through real-world examples. Using laboratory activities, videos, software, and website's, students follow in the foot-steps of some of the world’s greatest thinkers.

Forensic Science* Prerequisite: Biology

Fingerprints. Blood spatter. DNA analysis. The world of law enforcement is increasingly making use of the techniques and knowledge from the sciences to better understand the crimes that are committed and to catch those individuals responsible for the crimes. Forensic science applies scientific knowledge to the criminal justice system. This course focuses on some of the techniques and practices used by forensic scien-tists during a crime scene investigation (CSI). Starting with how clues and data are recorded and preserved, the student will follow evidence trails until the CSI goes to trial, examining how various elements of the crime scene are analyzed and processed.



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Health* Prerequisite: None

Each day hundreds of decisions are made, including important decisions that have a huge impact on per-sonal life. Making good decisions is a whole lot easier for those who have the correct information before making those decisions. Being equipped with correct information will empower students to manage real issues, like quality nutrition, substance abuse, coping with stress, and sexual abstinence. Good health is both mental and physical. Making good decisions starts with knowing the facts, understanding the con-sequences, and having the confidence to choose well. A series of signposts take students through the course, providing information, direction, and a little encouragement. Students learn to use important tools for communicating feelings and opinions. Other tools provide a foundation for becoming a savvy consumer in a world of advertising, credit cards, and focusing on earth-friendly practices that will help the environ-ment. This course comes with a long-term payoff. Learning to make good decisions now will set a posi-tive direction to follow for the future.

Physical Education 9 Prerequisite: None

Each community is full of fitness opportunities that enable students to achieve new levels of fitness through sports, dance, aquatics, and more! This course provides a foundation of knowledge, skills, and values students need to develop a physically ac-tive lifestyle. A friendly cast of course characters helps guide and enhance each student's experience. Knowledge about safety rules for exercise, how to im-prove sport skills, how different activities target dif-ferent body parts, and how to set and achieve a goal are all part of student learning and participation. Ac-tivity choices are plentiful, leading to a healthy and physically active lifestyle. Students keep a log of physical fitness activities while they explore topics such as diversity in sports, nutrition, peer pressure, and making good choices. A few PE projects deepen students’ understanding of individual health and skill-related fitness, and the world as it relates to games and sports. Students choose various activities to reach goals they may have only dreamed about!

Physical Education 10 Prerequisite: None

Team sports, extreme sports, and outdoor sports are among the types of activities students learn about and participate in during this course! This interactive, highly animated course helps students learn safety rules for exercise, how to improve skills, and how to establish and accomplish goals. It also provides an overview of many dual, team, extreme, and outdoor sports. Practicing game strategy to improve the chance of winning in competition, improving sport skill and performance, diversity in sports, nutrition, peer pressure, and making good choices balance out the topics students discover in this course. Fitness logs help students monitor physical activities. Students complete projects that lead to the knowledge, skills, and values they need to implement and maintain a physically active lifestyle.

Student Athlete Prerequisite: Recommendation

This course option allows you to get academic credit for your extracurricular athletic activities. Students participating in this course option will be responsible for logging hours and activity descriptions and check-ing in with the course advisor on a regularly sched-uled basis. This course may be taken for one or two semesters.



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French I Prerequisite: None

In this course, students learn the basic French lan-guage. After one semester, students will be able to engage in conversation in French including greeting people, introducing themselves, and exchanging basic information with others. Students learn to count from one to 1,000 and make simple sentences in both spo-ken and written French. In semester two, new words and phrases are introduced with pictures, audio clips, and examples. Students learn basic French grammar to help them build fluency and understand the struc-ture of the French language. Students have many op-portunities to practice what they learn through inter-active practice activities in the form of games, written practice, and listening and speaking exercises. Stu-dents also explore the cultures of France, Canada, and other French-speaking regions by learning about ge-ography, foods, celebrations, and traditions from each place.

French II Prerequisite: French I

In French II, students are immersed in the French lan-guage and culture. This course is full of engaging and interactive videos, dialogs, presentations, self-checks, and much more! The purpose of this course is to fur-ther develop the French communicative skills of lis-tening, speaking, reading and writing. In French II, students will broaden their French vocabulary and knowledge of grammar. Students will also experience the beauty and expressiveness of a language that is shared by different people and cultures throughout the world.

Spanish for Spanish Speakers Prerequisite: Native or fluent Spanish speaking abilities

The purpose of this course is to enable students whose heritage language is Spanish to develop, main-tain, and enhance proficiency in their home language by reinforcing and acquiring skills in listening, speak-ing, reading, and writing, including the fundamentals of Spanish grammar. Course content reflects the cul-tural values of Spanish language and societies. The course enables students to gain a better understand-ing of the nature of their heritage language. Students

also increase their awareness and appreciation of His-panic cultures. Spanish is used exclusively in the course.

Spanish I Prerequisite: None

In this course, students learn how to greet people, in-troduce themselves, and speak about their home, fam-ily, school, and community. As students learn basic vocabulary and grammar skills, they expand on their knowledge and learn to speak about more complex topics such as shopping, weather, sports, entertain-ment, and leisure activities. The course introduces new words and phrases with pictures, audio clips, and examples. Students learn basic Spanish grammar to help them build fluency and understand the struc-ture of the Spanish language. There are many oppor-tunities to practice through interactive activities in the form of games, written practice, and listening and speaking exercises. Students also explore the cultures of Spain, Cuba, Colombia, and Argentina by learning about geography, foods, celebrations, and traditions from each place.

Spanish II Prerequisite: Spanish I

In this course, you'll broaden your Spanish vocabu-lary and your knowledge of grammar. You'll meet people from many different countries and cultures. The purpose of this course is to strengthen your Span-ish listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. You'll also experience the beauty and expressiveness of a language that is shared by different people and cultures throughout the world.

Spanish III Honors Prerequisite: Spanish II

The purpose of this course is to provide many experi-ences where students can use Spanish. Completely immersed in Spanish, students speak, listen, read, write, and collaborate with other students in Spanish throughout this course. They also gain knowledge and perspectives about Spanish-speaking countries and from Spanish-speaking people. Spanish III is a rigorous honors course and is not intended for credit recovery.



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Art in World Cultures* Prerequisite: None

Who is the greatest artist of all time? Is it Leonardo daVinci? Claude Monet? Michelangelo? Pablo Picas-so? Is the greatest artist of all time someone whose name has been lost to history? You will learn about some of the greatest artists while also creating art of your own, including digital art. We will explore the basic principles and elements of art, learn how to cri-tique art, and examine some of the traditional art of the Americas, Africa, and Oceania in addition to the development of Western art.

Digital Photography I: Creating Images with Impact Prerequisite: None

Have you ever wondered how photographers take such great pictures? Have you tried to take photo-graphs and wondered why they didn’t seem to cap-ture that moment that you saw with your eyes? The Digital Photography I course focuses on the basics of photography, including building an understanding of aperture, shutter speed, lighting, and composition. Students will be introduced to the history of photog-raphy and basic camera functions. Students will use the basic techniques of composition and camera func-tions to build a portfolio of images, capturing people, landscapes, close-up, and action photographs.

Digital Photography II: Discovering Your Crea-tive Potential* Prerequisite: Digital Photography I

In today’s world, photographs are all around us, in-cluding in advertisements, on websites, and hung on our walls as art. Many of the images that we see have been created by professional photographers. In this course, we will examine various aspects of profes-sional photography, including the ethics of the profes-sion, and examine some of the areas that professional photographers may choose to specialize in, such as wedding photography and product photography. We will also learn more about some of the most respected professional photographers in history and we will learn how to critique photographs in order to better understand what creates an eye catching photograph.

Music Appreciation* Prerequisite: None

Music is part of everyday lives and reflects the spirit of our human condition. To know and under-stand music, we distinguish and identify cultures on local and global levels. This course will provide stu-dents with an aesthetic and historical perspective of music, covering a variety of styles and develop-ments from the Middle Ages through the Twentieth First Century. Students will acquire basic knowledge and listening skills, making future music experiences more informed and satisfying.

Performance Studio Prerequisite: Recommendation

This course option allows you to get academic credit for your organized extracurricular activities in the arts. Students participating in this course option will be responsible for logging hours and activity descrip-tions and checking in with the course advisor on a regularly-scheduled basis. Students should register for the course that corresponds with their year in school. This course may be taken for one or two se-mesters.



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Computer Programming Prerequisite: None

How can we control the most powerful tool ever in-vented if we cannot speak its language? Computer Programming is a two-semester course that enables students to learn two modern programming lan-guages: Python and Java. The course teaches pro-gramming using real-world, practical examples. Stu-dents learn Python by controlling the motion and sen-sory capabilities of a robot. They learn Java by manip-ulating graphics, images, and audio. Programming is easier than most students think, and students show what they know by choosing projects that are of inter-est to them. Major colleges and universities are now using this approach to teach introductory computer programming, so students in this course learn the skills necessary to tackle advanced work.

Criminology: Inside the Criminal Mind* Prerequisite: None

In today’s world, crime and deviant behavior rank at or near the top of many people’s concerns. In this course, we will study the field of Criminology – the study of crime. We will look at possible explanations for crime from the standpoint of psychological, bio-logical and sociological perspectives, explore the cate-gories and social consequences of crime, and investi-gate how the criminal justice system handles not only criminals, but also their misdeeds. Why do some indi-viduals commit crimes why others do not? What as-pects in our culture and society promote crime and deviance? Why are different punishments given for the same crime? What factors…from arrest to punish-ment…help shape the criminal case process?

Driver Education* Prerequisite: None

This course emphasizes the mechanics of driving op-erations and the rules of safe driving. Among other topics, students learn how to assess and manage risk, understand signs and signals, comprehend the rules of the road, and start, steer, stop, turn, and park a car. They also learn how to contend with driving environ-ments including light and weather conditions, share the roadway, and respond to an emergency. By the end of this course, students will be prepared to take the CA written driving test.

Introduction to Computers* Prerequisite: None

This course is designed to familiarize students with computers and their applications. Students will learn fundamental concepts of computer hardware and software and become familiar with a variety of com-puter applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and multimedia presentations.

Law and Order* Prerequisite: None

Every society has laws that its citizens must follow. From traffic laws to regulations on how the govern-ment operates, laws help provide society with order and structure. Our lives are guided and regulated by our society’s legal expectations. Consumer laws help protect us from faulty goods; criminal laws help to protect society from individuals who harm others; and family law handles the arrangements and issues that arise in areas like divorce and child custody. This course focuses on the creation and application of laws in various areas of society. By understanding the workings of our court system, as well as how laws are actually carried out, we become more informed and responsible citizens in our communities and of our nation.

Senior Project* Prerequisite: None; Required for Graduating Seniors

In this course, students will research and develop a project based on a career path or life-long passion. They will be required to log hours with a mentor in their chosen field, as they further explore their day to day activities. To assist with career choices, students will participate in career research and personality as-sessments. The Senior Project course also includes units that explore the college admissions and financial aid processes and assists students with deciding what their next steps will be. By the end of this course, stu-dent will also have received knowledge on preparing for the world of work and developing a quality re-sume.



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Thinking and Learning Strategies* Prerequisite: None

Train your brain's thinking skills and get fit for aca-demics! In this course, you will "coach" your "team" of thinking skills to meet academic challenges. Through reading, writing, and math activities, students devel-op critical thinking skills and test-taking strategies. Students also gain reading, writing, organization, and study strategies--a powerful one-two punch for any student at any level!

Web Design* Prerequisite: None

This course will teach students how to create websites entirely by hand-coding XHTML and CSS. Students engage in a variety of project-based assessments to evaluate their understanding and progress. After completing the course, students are able to under-stand the planning and organization of a website, the elements of design and HTML, and basic web design principles.



2015-2016 olin academy course catalog · graduation with the academic skills they need to succeed...

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