short stories, and the seagull reader: poems. 2019-2020 ...short stories, and the seagull reader:...

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Course Catalog 2019-2020 Department: English World Lit | World Literature (F W S) Credits - 3 The course is devoted to the study of composition and literature. In addition there is work in vocabulary and grammar. A variety of writing assignments is required; the novel, the short story, poetry and drama are studied. Readings: Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet; Candide by Voltaire; Animal Farm by George Orwell; The Iliad by Homer; All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, The World's Greatest Short Stories, and The Seagull Reader: Poems. Prerequisite: None Basic course for ninth graders. Power/Justice | Power, Justice and Authority (F W S) Credits - 3 Themes of power, justice, and authority are inherent to humankind and, in turn, permeate literature. Through the works studied in this course, students will explore what it means to seek and to wield power, the recognition, use, and abuse of authority, the perspectives of those who have, or perceive to have, neither, and the varying definitions of justice and injustice. Students will continue to hone their composition and critical-thinking skills through sustained study and practice of the writing process and the expository essay. Students will apply the principals of classic, positive-case argumentation to formulate a clear, concise principal assertion that is supported by ample, accurate evidence and enhanced by thoughtful, original, confident commentary. Particular emphasis will be placed on the careful evaluation and crediting of sources, the ethics of sound research and scholarship, and the importance of effective hooks, topic sentences, and transitions. Students will also be challenged to demonstrate a heightened awareness of audience, the refinement of a unique and compelling personal voice, and an increasing mastery of diction and syntax. Increasing vocabulary will also be a priority. Texts include a variety of short stories and poems, 1984, Fahrenheit 451, Macbeth, and Catcher in the Rye. Prerequisite: None For most tenth graders. Power/Justice H | Honors Power, Justice and Authority (F W S) Credits - 3 The course provides extensive work in composition and reading; student compositions need to reflect strong competence and careful reading of the works studied. In studying classical, Elizabethan, and modern literature, students explore some of the principal questions of the humanities. Reading: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury; Macbeth by Shakespeare; Antigone by Sophocles; Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe; Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and 1984 by George Orwell. Prerequisite: Approval of the English Department based on performance in ninth grade English and performance on standardized tests. Open to tenth grade students who have done superior work in English. 50 on verbal PSAT or at least a 695 on the critical reading secton of the SSAT. A 90 or better in World Lit at Mercersburg. Evidence of strong achievement in work in English. Also, teacher’s approval is required. Must maintain an 85 average (unweighted) in this course or placement is subject to review. American Lit: W&I | Wanderlust and Identity in American Literature (F W S) Credits - 3 Wanderlust and Identity in American Literature examines how the wide open and diverse lands of America left an indelible mark on those living here, inspiring them to travel and confront their own identity. The variety of experiences—from the wilds of Alaska to the austerity of New England—play a role in shaping how Americans view the world and themselves. Through novels, short stories, and poems, we will focus our attention on the construction of the American Identity and how America’s diversity inspires different voices to expand on the meaning of the American experience. Prerequisites: None. Basic course for 11th graders. June 13, 2019 Page 1

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Page 1: Short Stories, and The Seagull Reader: Poems. 2019-2020 ...Short Stories, and The Seagull Reader: Poems. Prerequisite: None Basic course for ninth graders. Power/Justice | Power, Justice

Course Catalog2019-2020

Department: EnglishWorld Lit | World Literature (F W S) Credits - 3 The course is devoted to the study of composition and literature.In addition there is work in vocabulary and grammar. A variety of writing assignments is required; the novel, the shortstory, poetry and drama are studied. Readings: Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet; Candide by Voltaire; Animal Farm byGeorge Orwell; The Iliad by Homer; All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, The World's GreatestShort Stories, and The Seagull Reader: Poems. Prerequisite: None Basic course for ninth graders.

Power/Justice | Power, Justice and Authority (F W S) Credits - 3 Themes of power, justice, and authority areinherent to humankind and, in turn, permeate literature. Through the works studied in this course, students will explorewhat it means to seek and to wield power, the recognition, use, and abuse of authority, the perspectives of those whohave, or perceive to have, neither, and the varying definitions of justice and injustice. Students will continue to honetheir composition and critical-thinking skills through sustained study and practice of the writing process and theexpository essay. Students will apply the principals of classic, positive-case argumentation to formulate a clear, conciseprincipal assertion that is supported by ample, accurate evidence and enhanced by thoughtful, original, confidentcommentary. Particular emphasis will be placed on the careful evaluation and crediting of sources, the ethics of soundresearch and scholarship, and the importance of effective hooks, topic sentences, and transitions. Students will also bechallenged to demonstrate a heightened awareness of audience, the refinement of a unique and compelling personalvoice, and an increasing mastery of diction and syntax. Increasing vocabulary will also be a priority. Texts include avariety of short stories and poems, 1984, Fahrenheit 451, Macbeth, and Catcher in the Rye. Prerequisite: None Formost tenth graders.

Power/Justice H | Honors Power, Justice and Authority (F W S) Credits - 3 The course provides extensive workin composition and reading; student compositions need to reflect strong competence and careful reading of the worksstudied. In studying classical, Elizabethan, and modern literature, students explore some of the principal questions ofthe humanities. Reading: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury; Macbeth by Shakespeare; Antigone by Sophocles; ThingsFall Apart by Chinua Achebe; Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salingerand 1984 by George Orwell. Prerequisite: Approval of the English Department based on performance in ninth gradeEnglish and performance on standardized tests. Open to tenth grade students who have done superior work inEnglish. 50 on verbal PSAT or at least a 695 on the critical reading secton of the SSAT. A 90 or better in World Lit atMercersburg. Evidence of strong achievement in work in English. Also, teacher’s approval is required. Must maintain an85 average (unweighted) in this course or placement is subject to review.

American Lit: W&I | Wanderlust and Identity in American Literature (F W S) Credits - 3 Wanderlust andIdentity in American Literature examines how the wide open and diverse lands of America left an indelible markon those living here, inspiring them to travel and confront their own identity. The variety of experiences—from thewilds of Alaska to the austerity of New England—play a role in shaping how Americans view the world and themselves.Through novels, short stories, and poems, we will focus our attention on the construction of the American Identity andhow America’s diversity inspires different voices to expand on the meaning of the American experience. Prerequisites:None. Basic course for 11th graders.

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Mercersburg’s course catalog2019-2020

Engl Lang AP | [AP Engl Lang] American Literature (F W S) Credits - 3 Open principally to eleventh graderswho have demonstrated the ability to do very rigorous work in English. This course prepares students to take the APLanguage and Composition Exam. AP American Literature is primarily a course in both effective writing and criticalreading, designed for the student with an honor's level command of composition and grammar skills. Departmentalpermission required. Open principally to eleventh graders who have demonstrated the ability to do very rigorouswork in English. 60 on verbal PSAT or 600 on SAT critical reading. An 85 or better (unweighted) in Power/Justice H or90 or better in Power/Justice at Mercersburg. Evidence of strong achievement in English. Also, teacher’s approval isrequired. Must maintain an 85 average (unweighted) in this course or placement is subject to review.

Engl Lit AP | [AP Engl Lit] British and World Literature (F W S) Credits - 3 The Engl Lit AP reading list focuses onthe sort of established texts found on the AP exam. In addition to the challenging composition work, vocabulary study,and oral presentations that deepen the understanding of the literature, AP English also prepares students to write, eachMay, the Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition Examination. � Prerequisite: Department approvalrequired based primarily on performance in 11th grade English and on standardized test scores. Open to seniors whohave attained a clearly superior record in English. 60 on verbal PSAT or 600 on SAT critical reading. An 85 or better(unweighted) in Engl Lang AP or 90 or better in Amer Land or Voices Am Lit at Mercersburg. Evidence of strongacademic achievement in English. Also, teacher’s approval is required. Must maintain an average of 85 (unweighted) inthis course or placement is subject to review.

Senior Electives

American Plays | American Plays (F) Credits - 1 This course will introduce students to some of the greatestplays of the modern American theatre. The class will be taught using interdisciplinary, project-based methods thatinteract with the texts not only as dramatic literature, but as works of art written to be performed. In addition toreading, discussing, analyzing, and writing about these works, students may choose to prepare a scene for in-classperformance in place of taking a written final exam. The class will also make at least one trip to see a professionalproduction of one of the plays, playwrights, or topics studied. Texts include All My Sons, Buried Child, Lost In Yonkers,Proof, Other Desert Cities, and August: Osage County. Prerequisite: successful completion of Amer Land, Voices AmLit or Engl Lang AP and permission of the department. A senior elective.

Journalism | Introduction to Journalism (F) Credits - 1 In this course, the class will investigate the way news isdefined and reported as well as how news organizations function. The focus will be on how to write effective news,feature, editorial and sports articles. Students will learn how to develop story ideas, how to gather information and howto write clearly and meaningfully. Students will be encouraged to identify and cultivate their own area of interest,whether it is news writing, magazine writing, or another area of writing to convey information and/or entertain.Students are encouraged to develop their own personal style of writing. Both lecture and discussion of theory will beapplied. Prerequisite: successful completion of Amer Land, Voices Am Lit or Engl Lang AP and permission of thedepartment. A senior elective.

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Mercersburg’s course catalog2019-2020

Pursuit of Essay | In Pursuit of the Essay (F) Credits - 1 This term class focuses on a variety of readings, literarygenres and writing techniques. The selected readings, both novels and short stories, are used to inspire a variety offorms of student writings that focus on clarity, diction, organization, creativity, and the development of a personalwriting voice. These readings encourage students to connect with their world, to examine contemporary ideas andissues, and to address philosophical questions. Studied texts raise questions not only related to the story, but also tothe student's assumptions and understanding of the way the world works. Students will be required to writeappropriately about emerging themes, ideas and issues in a variety of formats including the personal essay, theexpository essay, and the persuasive essay. This class will probe beyond the expository essay writing style to focus ontone, creativity, and alternate approaches to creating voice in their writing. Selected stories have included AmericanHunger by Richard Wright, The Weak Shall Inherit the Gym by Rick Reilly, and Fat by Raymond Cover. Current texts:Kilter: 55 Fictions and The Fault in Our Stars. Prerequisite: successful completion of Amer Land, Voices Am Lit or EnglLang AP and permission of the department. A senior elective.

Postmodernism | Postmodernism (F) Credits - 1 We currently live in the "postmodern" era, a time in whicheverything from politics and film to humor and even knowledge are permeated by a sense of relativism. Can we saythat something is true, or only that it is true for us? This trend has had far-reaching implications. Think of the 2016 U.S.presidential election and "fake news," for example.

By looking at literature, art, philosophy, religion, film and other media, we will examine what it means to be human atthis moment in history. Big questions will animate this course: does God exist? Is there a right and wrong? Is truthobjective? How do I find meaning in life? This course is designed for students who like questioning the world aroundthem. Prerequisite: successful completion of Amer Land, Voices Am Lit or Engl Lang AP and permission of thedepartment. A senior elective.

Existentialism | Existentialism in Literature (W) Credits - 1 Though today considered a major philosophicalmovement, Existentialism began predominately as a literary movement. Following the rise of modernism and ridingon the heels of the Great War, existentialist writers explored questions of meaning and order in human existence.Concerned with the isolation and alienation they observed in the wake of modernization and urbanization,existentialists brought renewed energy to the puzzle of individual identity and the meaning of the human self. Warand poverty fueled doubt in the existence, benevolence or omnipotence of God. This challenge to Providence openedthe door to the threats of chaos, absurdity and, ultimately, meaningless.

Students in this course will read works of drama and fiction to develop an understanding of the discourse ofexistentialism. By the end of the term, students will understand both the philosophical basis of existentialism and thechallenge it presents to traditional religious worldviews. Prerequisite: successful completion of Amer Land, Voices AmLit or Engl Lang AP and permission of the department. A senior elective.

Fiction | The Art of Fiction (W) Credits - 1 By focusing on plot, setting and character, this course will offer thestudent practical experience in the creative process of crafting short stories beginning with dialogue and scene paintingto plotting and fully-drafted stories. It will focus on the construction of short fiction from foundations of voice, tone,diction and syntax, and include emphasis on plot, dialogue, description, pacing and sound. It will review variousconventions of the short story and methods of work shopping for revision. Prerequisite: successful completion ofAmer Land, Voices Am Lit or Engl Lang AP and permission of the department. A senior elective.

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Mercersburg’s course catalog2019-2020

Graphic Novels | Graphic Novels (W) Credits - 1 This course will introduce students to some of the mostmature and compelling examples of the literary-visual hybrid popularly known as 'comics.' Students will not onlydeliberate upon the themes and topics explored in the course's texts, but will also be asked to apply critical-thinkingskills to complete multi-disciplinary projects that include researching historical and cultural contexts, composingliterary analyses, and collaborating on original graphic literature pieces, either by illustrating the work themselves orthrough the use of technology. Graphic Novels is designed for students who enjoy sophisticated stories, seek toimprove their visual literacy, and wish to explore the extent to which this genre allows us to decode language, interpretart, and understand our world. Texts include Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, American Born Chinese, Pride ofBaghdad, This One Summer, Understanding Comics, and Watchmen. Prerequisite: successful completion of AmerLand, Voices Am Lit or Engl Lang AP and permission of the department. A senior elective

Lit & Lang of Sports | Literature and Language of Sports (W) Credits - 1 Whether a fan realizes it, sports play adramatic/literary/narrative role in American culture. Our pastimes include characters playing out scenes within acontrived setting that allows for timely triumph and failure. Therefore, the games we play often feed and inform worksof literary merit, allowing readers and viewers to explore and consider what William Faulkner called the 'problems ofthe human heart.'

In this term-length course, books, poems, films, paintings, and songs featuring American sports will provide asignificant literary gateway, allowing students an intense study of American motivations, mores, beliefs, and values.Prerequisite: successful completion of Amer Land, Voices Am Lit or Engl Lang AP and permission of the department.A senior elective.

Beyond Borders | Beyond Borders (S) Credits - 1 Why do we wander? What is it about distant landscapes andcultures that draws us to them? Why are harrowing journeys often the most rewarding? When we find ourselves in anexotic land, what is it then that fills our senses, that conjures memories well into the future? That transforms us fromwayfarer to storyteller? In Beyond Borders, we will explore the nomadic impulse, the tales spun from some of theearliest 'great journeys,' and the evolution of the modern genre. We will read both travel essays and longer works, likePeter Matthiessen's The Snow Leopard. And in doing so, we will address some of the most profound questions everposed about human restlessness. Prerequisite: successful completion of Amer Land, Voices Am Lit or Engl Lang APand permission of the department. A senior elective.

Film Studies | Introduction to Film Studies (S) Credits - 1 For over a century, film has developed as anextension of literature, theater, and art. As literature presents complex ideas to an audience on paper, film echoes thisthrough the medium of celluloid. Literature uses syntax, diction, dialect, and numerous literary tools to translatemeaning to an audience. Film has an arsenal of tools from the literature, theater and art worlds at its disposal: lighting,music, framing, lens type, editing, film stock, sound, acting, and many more are all used to create meaning.Understanding how these tools are used gives students a vocabulary for visual literacy, and allows them to gainmeaning from a film as they would from literature, theater, or art. With forms of media permeating our lives, our waysof interpreting the world are deepened by an understanding of their meaning and place.

Through works in this course, students will learn how to analyze films in a similar manner to literature, theater, or art.Additionally, students will study landmark and groundbreaking films, the history of film, genres, and film-making tolearn how to dissect story for a deeper understanding of the work. One full feature length film will be taught per week,and students will be required to participate in class discussion, complete writing and reading assignments, take quizzesand tests, and write papers. Prerequisite: successful completion of Amer Land, Voices Am Lit or Engl Lang AP andpermission of the department. A senior elective.

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Mercersburg’s course catalog2018-2019

Poetry | The Art of Poetry (S) Credits - 1 By introducing students to the various intricacies of poetry by exploringthe depth of poetic conventions of figures and forms, particularly on the level of the line and the stanza, this course willoffer students the opportunity to explore poetry from the vantage point of the creative process. It will focus on theconstruction of a poem from foundations of voice, tone, diction and syntax, and include emphasis on metaphor, simile,abstraction, rhythm and sound. It will also include instruction in the elements of work shopping. Prerequisite:successful completion of Amer Land, Voices Am Lit or Engl Lang AP and permission of the department. A seniorelective.

Post-Apocalyptic | Post-Apocalyptic Fiction (S) Credits - 1 Since well before the atomic age, authors haveexplored the notion of the end of modern civilization, ravaged by anything ranging from a global pandemic tocataclysmic natural events. Whether due to the long-term effects of living in a post-9/11 world, or our growing sense ofpolitical and economical uncertainty, this literature has permeated our culture, becoming increasingly popular over thepast decade. This English term course will introduce students to characters struggling to retain their humanity amidstthe chaos and corruption of post- apocalyptic worlds. Our thematic investigations will consider good and evil, themoral costs of survival, redemption and salvation, loneliness and longing, hope in the face of despair, governmentalcollapse, and gender roles. Prerequisite: successful completion of Amer Land, Voices Am Lit or Engl Lang AP andpermission of the department. A senior elective.

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Mercersburg’s course catalog2019-2020

Department: HistoryAncient Med Wld | Ancient Mediterranean World (F W S) Credits - 3 This introductory history coursefamiliarizes students with a worldview that incorporates an understanding of the roots of Western civilization and theadoption of a global perspective. Students grapple with fundamental issues of world history and learn how to thinkcomparatively about the past and to recognize large-scale patterns, including a broad geographical view of the worldwith emphasis on the pervasive impact of climate, vegetation, and natural resources on historical developments.Prerequisite: None. Required for ninth graders.

World History | World History (F W S) Credits - 3 World History builds on the foundations of Ancient Historyestablished in the 9th grade and brings the study of history into the modern era. Beginning in the Middle Ages, WorldHistory examines the interconnectedness of human development over the past 1500 years. Political events provide acore for the study of history in this course, but social, intellectual, and cultural movements are also examined to givestudents a sense of how ideas develop and spread across the planet. A major focus of the course is showing howmodern human civilizations have always had important interactions and impacts on one another, and that this processhas accelerated in recent centuries. Rather than study different regions and nations in isolation, World Historyattempts to weave these stories together into a global narrative. Prerequisite: None. For tenth graders who elect totake History.

Human Geography | Human Geography (F W S) Credits - 3 This course examines the complicatedrelationship between people and the land on which they live.' The course utilizes geographic processes to understandhow the environment affects people and, in turn, how people change their surroundings.''Though the course ismodeled on the AP Human Geography curriculum, it is based on a seminar approach with intense writing assignmentsso that students can explore issues more completely.' The course closely follows current events and students arerequired to keep up with the news throughout the school year.'Through relevant case studies and independentprojects, students will gain a deep understanding of the modern world in which they live.'' With extra work, it is possiblethat a student could take the AP exam in the spring.

In the fall term students spend the first five weeks learning geographic terms and gaining skills in geographictechnologies such as GIS and Google Earth.' Students are required to learn the locations of countries, US states andimportant geographic features during this first unit.' The fall term finishes with an examination of the issues surroundingpopulation changes and migration.' During the winter term students learn about food, shelter and language in an effortto understand how these factors reflect geographic issues.' The term ends by looking at the complex topics of religionand ethnicity.' The spring term focuses on political, economic and environmental topics ranging from micro-loans toglobal warming.' As a culminating project, students are required to design and produce a research essay based on anissue that they found to be compelling during the year. Open to all 10th graders and to 11th and 12th grade who havebeen approved by the department. The course will be modeled closely after the AP Human Geography course withthe addition of relevant local history elements. With extra work, it is possible that a student could take the AP HumanGeography Test.

Amer Studies | American Studies (F W S) Credits - 3 As a way of looking at the past, American Studiescombines traditional aspects of historical inquiry with consideration of art, literature, music, and religion as theycontribute to making and in turn reflecting America. Students in American Studies probe the material more deeplythan is customary in courses with a survey approach and grapple to make the connections which exist across traditionaldisciplinary lines. Offered as an alternative to the US History course, this offering will approach the development ofthe American nation by focusing closely on the nation at six critical historical points. Prerequisite: None. Open to alleleventh grade students.

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Mercersburg’s course catalog2019-2020

US History | History of the United States (F W S) Credits - 3 The United States History survey course isdesigned to teach students how to “be historians.” This dynamic class will investigate and discuss what historians doand how historians create with limited U.S. content as the vehicle. History is not static information to be learned, but afluid emergence of ideas and events to be explored. The goal of the class is to get the students to approach history inthis manner through the examination of various sources and by completing analytical projects.

U.S. History will stray away from the “traditional” approach in a few ways. A text book will not be required for thiscourse, as the teacher will supply either digital or paper handouts to address the various areas of content, providingstudents the opportunity to perfect their annotation skills in both the digital (using google docs) and paper platforms.The content will focus on 3 major events in U.S. history per term. Context will be given to set up the deeper dive intothe particular event, eliminating the “race” through the chronology of U.S. history and allowing a greater focus ondeveloping the skills of an historian. Therefore, lectures and traditional assessments will be limited or eliminated.Small multiple-choice quizzes will be a minor part of the assessments; however, no traditional objective questions,such as true and false, fill in the blank or matching will be used. The majority of assessments will be designed to apprisehow the students are engaging content in relation to the historical skills being taught. The end goal is to have activestudents creating and reacting to history, not reciting historical trivia.

Topics to be covered:Fall Term: 1. Revolution, 2. Manifest Destiny, 3. Civil WarWinter Term 1. Gilded Age, 2. Progressive Era 3. Great DepressionSpring Term 1. World War II, 2. 1968, 3. Post Cold War - 9/11 Prerequisite: None. Open to all eleventh gradestudents.

Q-F Seminar | The Making of the 21st Century: The Quinn-Ferguson Honors Seminar (F W S) Credits - 3 Thisunique honors seminar offers a select group of upper-middlers and seniors who have demonstrated a significant abilityto work independently and to contribute meaningfully to a seminar style class the opportunity to study key historicaldevelopments beginning with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The seminar will be broad in scope andinterdisciplinary in nature. Students will analyze major political, economic, social and cultural developments that haveshaped the past two decades and that will likely shape the coming decades. Students will engage in research andproblem solving in collaborative ways with the goal of gaining depth of understanding and the ability to problem-solveas part of the response to the topics and issues being studied.

The seminar will be mainly be taught by one teacher but will also involve numerous presenters, including currentfaculty and other experts in their fields of study. In addition to readings and discussions, many of which will be studentled, participants in the Quinn-Ferguson Honors Seminar will also engage in significant group projects that may take theform of a debate before the school community, a documentary film, a musical or other artistic performance, or thecreation of a website. It is also expected that travel for lectures, performances or other course-related reasons will bean important part of the seminar experience. Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in or completion of US History orAmerican Studies. Requires an application be completed to gain entry into this course. Therefore this course is notavailable to new students.

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Mercersburg’s course catalog2019-2020

World His AP | AP World History (F W S) Credits - 3 AP World History follows the College Board descriptionand syllabus and prepares students to take the AP Exam in World History in May. A major emphasis of this course isdeveloping the skill to make connections between human cultures and across various time periods. Students mustfully engage with the readings and the class discussions in order to participate in the process of following the progressof mankind. There are several themes and habits of mind that are emphasized throughout the year, and extensivepractice will be given in developing the skills required to write the 3 types of World History essays which are: 1)Document-Based Question 2) Change and Continuity Over Time and 3) Compare and Contrast.

The course is organized around a limited number of key concepts instead of a perceived list of facts, events, and datesmakes teaching each historical period more manageable. The three to four key concepts per period define what is mostessential to know about each period based upon the most current historical research in world history. This approachenables students to spend less time on factual recall, more time on learning essential concepts, and helps themdevelop historical thinking skills necessary to explore the broad trends and global processes involved in their study ofAP World History.

The major historical thinking skills include using historical evidence, recognizing cause and effect,comparison/contextualization, and interpreting and synthesizing historical information. The major themes includeinteractions between man and the environment, development and interactions of cultures, social structures, andeconomic systems, and the creation and expansion of states and political systems. AP World History requires a largevolume of reading, both in the textbook and primary sources, and a significant amount of in-class writing to master theAP rubrics. Students who are ready to challenge themselves and explore the interconnectedness of mankind will dowell in AP World. Prerequisite: permission of the department. Offered for students who have distinguishedthemselves in history and whose general profile demonstrates their capability to handle a more complex anddemanding syllabus. This course was created with 10th grade students in mind but is open to students in 11th and 12thgrade.

Art History AP | AP Art History (F W S) Credits - 3 This thorough survey of art through the ages, involvingarchitecture, painting, sculpture and the related arts, follows Advanced Placement guidelines. Reading material, slides,active class discussion, and museum visits are the tools used to aid the student's knowledge. It prepares students toidentify art from specific cultures, periods, and styles and develops the ability to verbally articulate the comparison ofconceptual themes between cultures and artwork. This course also concentrates on improving the student's writing tobe descriptive in a clear and concise format. The course prepares students for the Advanced Placement Exam in ArtHistory. Prerequisite: successful completion of US History. This course may be taken for fine arts credit. Fairlystrong reading and comprehension skills suggested.

US History AP | AP United States History (F W S) Credits - 3 This course provides a brief survey of the Colonialperiod followed by a detailed study of the principal events, personalities, and movements responsible for thedevelopment of the United States from colonies into a world power. The course prepares students for the AdvancedPlacement Examination in American History. Prerequisite: Permission of the department. US History or US HistoryAP is required for eleventh graders.

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Mercersburg’s course catalog2019-2020

Economics AP | [AP Macro/AP Micro] Economics (F W S) Credits - 3 AP Economics will be a full-year course inMacroeconomics and Microeconomics which follows the AP syllabus to prepare students for two AP examinations inMay. The class will be broken into Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. The year will begin with basic concepts ineconomics, including opportunity cost, production possibilities curves, and analysis of the margin. Immediatelyfollowing the general introduction, the course will move to a section on Microeconomics, to be followed by a sectionon Macroeconomics. Discussion of pertinent current events will complement the textbook. The subject matter ofeconomics relies heavily upon mathematics, and this course will present all necessary economic content along with asolid background of the mathematical concepts. Graphs and equations will be integral aspects of many topics coveredin the course. In situations when calculus will be handy, those concepts will be presented only to solidify the math forthose who have taken calculus. No prior knowledge of calculus will be necessary. Prerequisites: successfulcompletion of Algebra II and a combined SAT score (CR & M) of 1100 is required. Open to 11th and 12th graderssubject to department approval.

Comp G&P AP | AP Comparative Government and Politics (F W S) Credits - 3 AP Comparative Governmentand Politics takes a detailed look at the political, economic, and social characteristics of seven countries: the UnitedStates, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, Mexico, Iran, and Nigeria. In addition, the course focuses on the roles ofsupranational organizations such as the European Union, NATO, the United Nations, and others. Key topics andconcepts include the nature of political power, the reasons why some states succeed and others fail, the purposes ofdifferent institutions of government, the development of political culture, the importance of effective economic policy,and the crucial roles played by civil society, media outlets, political parties, policy-makers, and shifting demographics.In addition to preparing students to take the AP Comparative Government & Politics exam, the course also providesstudents with a framework for understanding how nations work and how they interact with each other. To aid indeveloping such a nuanced understanding, weekly print editions of The Economist magazine are provided to eachstudent. Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in or successful completion of US History. Department permissionrequired for all students. This course is an 11th or 12th grade elective.

20th Century History

TC-IR & War 20th C | International Relations and War in the 20th Century (F) Credits - 1 The fundamentalgoal of this course is to introduce students to the ideas and concepts of international relations and war. Students willneed to critically analyze different theories and arguments, identifying the strengths and weaknesses, and be able tothink about the implications of these arguments. This will provide a basis for better understanding the past, present,and future conflicts in a global society. In short, this course is designed to help students become critical thinkers aboutinternational relations and conflicts. Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in or successful completion of US History or American Studies.

TC-Tot Regimes | Totalitarian Regimes in the 20th Century (W) Credits - 1 The 20th century produced manysingle-party states. The origins, ideology, form of government, organization, nature and impact of these will be studiedin this topic. Students will be guided in the study of several regions including South America, Europe, Asia, theCaribbean, and Africa. Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in or successful completion of US History or AmericanStudies.

TC-Cold War | The Cold War (S) Credits - 1 This course addresses East'West relations from 1945 to 1995. Itincludes superpower rivalry and events in all areas affected by Cold War politics such as spheres of interest, wars,alliances and interference in developing countries. It will aim to promote an international perspective andunderstanding of the Cold War, which overshadowed world affairs during this period. Prerequisite: concurrentenrollment in or successful completion of US History or American Studies.

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Department: Interdisciplinary StudiesMAPS

TKB - MAPS | Thought, Knowledge, and Belief - MAPS Core Course (F W S) Credits - 3 How do we bothunderstand and engage with the world around us? The essential questions in the TKB course are fundamentallyevaluative. MAPS students cannot be content with a mere awareness of global issues, but rather they must activelyengage in a critical analysis of vital topics facing the world today. Through the study of moral philosophy, students inTKB will examine how essential questions about ethics, society, and the inherent obligations that exist withincommunities influence their understanding of world affairs. Students will consider such questions as whether there issuch a thing as objective good, are there fundamental moral responsibilities, or when do ends justify means. Throughthe study of ethics and its application to current events, students will also investigate how such ways of knowing asintuition, language, memory, and reason influence perspectives on morality, society, and the obligations of humanity.In sum, TKB asks its students to look critically at themselves, at the world around them, and to form clearly expressedand supported opinions regarding vital issues of the day. Students must be in the MAPS program in order to take thiscourse.

SEARCH - MAPS | Global Studies Research Thesis - MAPS Core Course (F W S) Credits - 3 The capstoneexperience inside MAPS is a senior research project entitled S-E-A-R-C-H, which stands for Study-Engage-Apply-Research-Create-Help. All MAPS students must complete a S-E-A-R-C-H project using the principles of ChallengeBased Learning.

Senior Year Capstone ProjectThe purpose of the SEARCH capstone project is to engage with a global issue in a critical, analytical & innovative way.

There are three major deliverables over the course of this year.1. Research Paper - Each student will write an original thesis paper.

Each research paper will consist of 25 - 30 pages of text (roughly 7,500-10,000 words excluding cover pages,bibliographies, etc.).

2. Proposal - Each student will create an actionable proposal.Each proposal will be a call to action based on the student's research. It may range from proposed legislation to abusiness proposal to a grant proposal, etc. This proposal will be 10 -15 pages in length.

3. Oral Presentation - Each student will orally present his or her thesis and proposal to a panel.Each presentation will last between 45-60 minutes including a question and answer period.

In addition, students will continue their study of global topics, ranging from geo-political issues, selected areas inhuman geography to discussions of socio-economic matters. Most students will also present their "Pathfinder" topicearly in the fall term and all students will take the Global Assessment Profile. The program director, as well as the TKBand SEARCH coordinators, will meet regularly with students, as a class or individually, for self assessment and review ofthe overall progress and adherence to the programs requirements. Students must be in the MAPS program in order totake this course.

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Springboard

Commarts | Commarts: The Art and Business of Graphic Design (F W S) Credits - 3 Commarts provides ayearlong investigation of working in the commercial arts. The students will learn and explore 2-D design and interactivemedia while developing the business skills of a commercial artist. Students will develop a body of self-directed work aswell as a portfolio of client-based material. The students will have the opportunity to learn the hard and soft skills ofworking with clients as a commercial artist. Students will delve deeply into the principles and elements of design. Theywill create conceptual art and develop skills with current technology and methodology.

A major component of this course will be learning the principles and elements of design. The course will provide thestudents a set of tools ranging from technical to conceptual that will allow them to appreciate graphic design as a fineart. Prerequisite: None.

Entrepreneurship | Applied Economics (F W S) Credits - 3 The Applied Economics course is designed tointroduce students to the workings of small and larger business startups. The course will ask students to design abusiness from the ground up, starting with a detailed business plan. The student's business will be evaluated in the falland students will then self-divide into groups to strategize and detail parts of the plan to further structure andformalize the business's numbers, model, advertising, and organization. A mentor will be established to help organizeand critique the plan and structure of the targeted business. These groups will work to complete the business plan,design a marketing campaign, and prepare a presentation for the final review of the business. The final plan will bepresented to a panel of business experts for review and critique. In addition, each term students will complete projectsthat will offer insights in budgeting, marketing, and event planning. By working in groups, students will learn leadershiptechniques that will be instrumental in their business pursuits and in working on their business plans and presentation.Students will also be required to visit area businesses; attend talks and luncheons by local entrepreneurs and businessleaders. Through targeted analysis, in-depth study and research in existing businesses, the class will produce actablebusiness plans, marketing plans, and funding-ready student designed businesses.

Fight Disease | The Fight Against Disease (F W S) Credits - 3 Disease is an important topic facing humanpopulations. Students will work to become experts in a particular disease through their own research and then identifyand answer a challenge related to that disease.

Maker’s Lab | Maker’s Lab (F W S) Credits - 3 Critical Making/Maker Lab will operationalize and critique thepractice of “making” through both foundational literature and hands on studio culture. As hybrid practitioners, studentswill develop fluency in readily collaging and incorporating a variety of physical materials and protocols into theirpractice. With design research as a lens, students will envision and create future computational experiences thatcritically explore social and culturally relevant technological themes such as community, privacy, environment,education, economics, energy, food, biology, democracy, activism, healthcare, social justice, etc. More information canbe found from the links above. Prerequisite: None.

Open Topic | Springboard: Open Topic (F W S) Credits - 3 Students will take a deep dive into a topic that theyhave chosen or, if they are unsure of their topic, they will first explore possibilities. Through substantive, applicableresearch, students will generate unique ideas or solutions to a well-defined challenge that they will design, manage,and tackle during the rest of the course.

The only difference between this course and the other Springboard courses is that it has no predetermined theme.

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Parallel Histories | Parallel Histories: Connecting Mercersburg’s Past to World Events (F W S) Credits - 3Students will learn the connection between historical events both national and international and the parallel effectthey had on the Mercersburg Academy or that the Mercersburg Academy had on them. But beyond learning thehistory, students will develop the skills necessary to tell the compelling stories of the men and the women who were apart of some of the most interesting times in history since 1893, both on our campus and around the world. By May,students - using various media - will use the tools in a storyteller's workshop to synthesize archived documents,personal interviews, and broad investigative research in a way that reflects the work of many recent and popularhistory writers, documentary filmmakers, and radio producers.

P Psych | Positive Psychology (F W S) Credits - 3 Positive psychology is a relatively new field that examines whypeople flourish. It expands psychology's traditional focus on pathology (what's "wrong" with people) to include anemphasis on human strength and virtue. Based on rigorous scientific experimentation, positive psychology explorestraits like courage, optimism, empathy, honesty, humility, gratitude, and faith in an attempt to foster a life of meaningand value. This course is modeled on the most popular course in the history of Harvard University.

We will start by introducing the basic tenets of positive psychology through readings, activities, and application tostudents' lives. After engaging in significant self reflection on their own strengths, students will ultimately be involvedin creating something -- whether at the personal, institutional, or social level -- that draws on those strengths to makeour lives fuller and more meaningful. Student interest will drive each individual final project, with the stipulation that itfalls in the framework of positive psychology.

Rapid App Devo | Rapid Application Development (F W S) Credits - 3 Rapid Application Development is acomputer programming course designed to give students the ability to quickly develop small programs that solveproblems or inefficiencies the students have previously identified. By using a variety of hardware and softwarecombinations, students will be exposed to multiple programming and scripting languages as well as the varioushardware supported by those languages. In some cases, the solution may be done in a matter of minutes or hours. Inothers the solution may take a few weeks. Languages will include C++, Java, JavaScript, Perl, Python, VisualBasic, Alice,as well as any other established languages students show interest in researching and receive instructor approval.Prerequisite: None.

Write Your Novel | Write Your Novel... (F W S) Credits - 3 …or a collection of stories, a play, a screenplay for amajor motion picture, or a series of teleplays.

By April, each student would produce at least a working draft of one of the following:- a 35,000 word novel- 25,000 words of short stories- a three-hour play- a screenplay for a two-and-a-half hour film- teleplays for four episodes of a television series, including a one-hour pilot

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Department: LanguageChinese

Chinese I | First Year Chinese (F W S) Credits - 3 This course in Chinese language (Mandarin) introduces Pinyin (asound-transcribing system using a roman alphabet), components of Chinese characters in simplified (as opposed totraditional) forms, and basic grammatical features and sentence patterns. It emphasizes acquiring a solid command ofChinese sounds and tones and developing conversational skills through classroom exercises and continual exposure toaudio-video texts. The learning of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills is conducted in the contexts that areboth culturally informative and relevant to everyday life in general. Prerequisite: None.

Chinese II | Second Year Chinese (F W S) Credits - 3 Chinese II reinforces the content covered in the previousyear and continues to inform grammatical knowledge and develop language skills in all areas. It is intended for studentsto reach a higher level of precision in pronunciation and fluency in aural-oral communication on familiar topics. Inconjunction with a decreased dependency on Pinyin, which is basically a tool for learning of Chinese sounds, the coursedeals with reading and writing more intentionally and systematically to allow students to become well-roundedlearners and communicators in the Chinese language. Prerequisite: Chinese I.

Chinese III | Third Year Chinese (F W S) Credits - 3 Like the other Chinese courses, Chinese III continues to placea strong emphasis on the development of students' oral proficiency. Without compromising the importance of usingrelevant and day-to-day contexts to facilitate learning, the course orients students toward a higher level of emotionaland evaluative expressions in all skill areas. Over the course of the year, students tackle an increasing number ofgrammatical and syntactic features that are Chinese-specific to enhance accuracy and expressiveness incommunication. They also engage in the exploration of a changing China in the 20th and 21st centuries through libraryresearches, movies and short stories in both Chinese and translations. Prerequisite: Chinese II.

Chinese IV | Fourth Year Chinese (F W S) Credits - 3 This course strengthens and further develops students'aural-oral communication skills required for daily functions and authentic expression of ideas as results of higher orderthinking. In conjunction with this goal, the course also emphasizes the acquisition of more Chinese characters andvocabulary to enhance reading and writing Chinese texts of different genres. It continues the introduction of newlexical and syntactical features to help students toward the mastery of a core Chinese grammar. Students in thecourse approach learning through disciplined practice and communicative tasks in and outside of class. Prerequisite:Chinese III.

Chinese AP | AP Chinese Language and Culture (F W S) Credits - 3 This will be a year-long course comparableto a fourth-semester university-level Mandarin course. The course “prepares students to demonstrate their level ofChinese proficiency across the three communicative modes (interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational) and thefive goal areas (communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities) as outlined in the Standards forForeign Language Learning in the 21st Century. Its aim is to provide students with ongoing and varied opportunities tofurther develop their proficiencies across the full range of language skills within a cultural frame of reference reflectiveof the richness of Chinese language and culture” (excerpted from “AP Language and Culture Course Description”, firstdraft). Prerequisite: Chinese IV or by permission of the department.

French

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French I | First Year French (F W S) Credits - 3 The activities in First Year French engage students culturally aswell as structurally while they develop skills in listening, reading, speaking, and writing. French is used in class from thevery first day, and listening activities with native as well as non-native speakers are part of students' daily practice. Theystart speaking French in class through guided but authentic dialogue, conducted in pairs or triads, as vocabulary andverbs are learned and reinforced through daily practice. Students read short poems, articles, and cultural essays. Theybegin learning to write in French using notes, postcards, and later, letters and poems. Prerequisite: None.

French II | Second Year French (F W S) Credits - 3 Students continue to practice daily application of the fourskills in French: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. French is the language of instruction. Emphasis continues to beplaced upon listening and speaking proficiency through frequent small-group activities. Exercises promotingunderstanding of culture are integrated with mastery of elementary verb conjugation and grammatical structures.Vocabulary is studied in context of both visual and textual reading material. Ability in writing grows from simplesentences to the beginnings of paragraph-length discourse. Authentic situations for the use of French are providedwherever possible. The book series is supplemented by readers to promote discussion. Prerequisite: French I.

French II H | Honors Second Year French (F W S) Credits - 3 While the lexical themes, cultural topics, andstructural content of this course are similar to those in French II, the pace of this course is considerably faster.Supplementary readings are included, such as short stories, poetry, drama, newspaper and magazine articles. Smallgroup work is a daily expectation, allowing students to practice speaking and listening in authentic conversationaldynamics. The second term culminates in a project involving a skit or a formal oral report on a researched culturaltopic. French IIH students typically continue in French IIIH due to their increased interest and motivation to learn andengage in French. Prerequisite: French I and permission of the department.

French III | Third Year French (F W S) Credits - 3 Students speaking French at level III can use the present,immediate future, and pass' compos', as well as other past tenses plus the conditional and the subjunctive modes.Their ability to understand spoken French is honed through daily exposure to native and non-native speakers via videoand audiocassette work. Short stories and newspaper articles are included in the reading curriculum. Students practicewriting summaries and interpretations in an organized manner in all tenses. Although successful completion of level IIIwork satisfies Mercersburg Academy's language requirement in French, students with permission are encouraged tocontinue their study at the advanced level. Prerequisite: French II or French II H.

French III H | Honors Third Year French (F W S) Credits - 3 This course challenges advanced intermediatestudents to master almost all elements of French in preparation for advanced study. They work with partners and insmall groups, speaking on cultural themes and familiar topics. Students' listening abilities are developed daily throughintensive work with the teacher as well as with audio and video of native speakers. They read stories, poetry,biographical portraits and articles from newspapers and magazines. Writing assignments are appropriate to advancedFrench ability, and include cultural research as well as literary interpretation. Some students are successful enough inIIIH to take AP French without taking French IV. Prerequisite: French II H, or French II and permission of thedepartment.

French IV | Fourth Year French (F W S) Credits - 3 French 4 is the first elective course beyond the graduationrequirement. A historical and literary survey, it begins with farce in the Middle Ages, continues with art and poetry ofthe Renaissance, presents plays and philosophy of the 17th century, and explores the Enlightenment. The poetic 'uvresof the 19th century provide elements for greater semantic and syntactic study. Francophone selections of the 20thcentury conclude the readings. It is essential to note that (a) grammatical and lexical activities are explored via thereadings, and (b) the literary selections are presented in conjunction with historical events that formed their backdrop. Prerequisite: French III or French III H.

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French Lang AP | AP French Language and Culture (F W S) Credits - 3 AP' French Language is conductedentirely in French. Students develop a strong command of the language, with proficiency in integrating language skillsand synthesizing written and aural materials, both formal and informal writing styles, extensive interpersonal andpresentational speaking practice, and aural comprehensive skills through quality, authentic, and level-appropriate audioand video recordings. Students speak French in and out of the classroom. Students are also exposed to various stylesof literature as well as to international current events. Students are expected to present, explore and react to theseevents before their peers. Excerpts from literary texts are used to develop students' comprehension and analyticalskills. To understand and discuss contemporary issues, students read, discuss, and write about excerpts frommagazines, newspapers, and websites. Students who don't enjoy reading will not encounter success in this course.Prerequisite: Permission of the department after completion of French III H or French IV.

French Civ pAP | French History and Civilization (F W S) Credits - 3 Interaction among countries in thefrancophone world is the course theme. Political and popular cultures create unified attitudes, as well as conflict. Whatdoes it mean to be French today, wherever one may live? How does that meaning inform the engagement of theFrench in world events? How is French identity ' a complex and organic element ' revealed in printed media and film?How are French institutions (political, economic, religious) reflected in 21st century French attitudes? Students in thiscourse increase their intercultural awareness, making connections between historical events, political practices, andcontemporary behavior among the world's 220 million francophones. Prerequisites: AP French Language andCulture, and permission of the department. As the course will be conducted entirely in French, students' languageskills as well as their reading and writing skills will be honed through cultural and literary study.

German

German I | First Year German (F W S) Credits - 3 The activities in First Year German engage students culturally aswell as structurally while they develop skills in listening, reading, speaking, and writing. German is used in class fromthe very first day, and listening activities with native as well as non-native speakers are part of their daily practice. Theystart speaking German in class through guided but authentic dialogue, conducted in pairs or triads, as vocabulary andverbs are learned and reinforced through daily practice. Students read short poems, articles, and cultural essays. Theybegin learning to write in German using notes, postcards, and later, letters and poems. Prerequisite: None.

German II | Second Year German (F W S) Credits - 3 Students continue to practice daily application of the fourskills in German: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. German is the language of instruction. Emphasis continuesto be placed upon listening and speaking proficiency through frequent small-group activities. Exercises promotingunderstanding of culture are integrated with mastery of elementary verb conjugation and grammatical structures.Vocabulary is studied in context of both visual and textual reading material. Ability in writing grows from simplesentences to the beginnings of paragraph-length discourse. Authentic situations for the use of German are providedwherever possible. The book series is supplemented by readers to promote discussion. Prerequisite: German I.

German III | Third Year German (F W S) Credits - 3 Students speaking German at third-year level will use thepresent, future, and present perfect, as well as other past tenses plus the conditional and the subjunctive modes. Theirability to understand spoken German is honed through daily exposure to native and non-native speakers via video andaudiocassette work. Short stories and newspaper articles are included in the reading curriculum. Students practicewriting summaries and interpretations in an organized manner in all tenses. Although successful completion of third-year level work satisfies Mercersburg Academy's language requirement in German, students with permission areencouraged to continue their study at the advanced level. Prerequisite: German II.

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German AP | AP German Language and Culture (F W S) Credits - 3 Advanced Placement German is intendedfor qualified students interested in completing studies comparable in content and difficulty to a full-year collegecourse in Advanced German Composition and Conversation. Students increase their ability to understand spokenGerman in various contexts. Their vocabulary is sufficient for reading articles, literary texts, and other non-technicalwritings without dependence on a dictionary. Students enhance their ability to express themselves in both spoken andwritten German, with coherence and with reasonable fluency and accuracy. They take the AP exam in May.Prerequisite: German IV and permission of the department.

LatinClassical Language

Latin I | First Year Latin (F W S) Credits - 3 This course introduces students to the fundamentals of classicallanguage study through vocabulary acquisition, grammar instruction, and translation of culture-based passages.Students learn to compare the mechanics of the Latin language with their native language and also develop a widerEnglish vocabulary through their exposure to Latin roots. The primary skill of reading is emphasized, thoughpronunciation of the language and manipulation of the Latin language support the overall goals of the course. Using atechnology-based curriculum, Latin students research and present aspects of Roman culture and history in preparingto take the first level of the National Latin Exam. Prerequisite: None.

Latin II | Second Year Latin (F W S) Credits - 3 Students continue their study of Latin grammar and Romanculture and begin to translate longer and more complex prose. By reading and discussing interesting authentic andgraded texts, students develop their interests in mythology and Republican and early imperial era Roman culture andbecome familiar with the uses of the subjunctive, infinitives, and all case uses. Students learn to break down andetymologize Latin words in order to expand their reading vocabulary. Activities include web based practice andresearch, word derivation, and more advanced presentation skills. Prerequisite: Latin I.

Latin II H | Honors Second Year Latin (F W S) Credits - 3 Students will master the basic vocabulary andadvanced grammatical structures of classical Latin while making a swift transition from 'made' Latin into authenticRoman texts. The pedagogy of this course will favor the grammatical method rather than the reading method in orderto utilize the students' strengths in memorization and linguistic acquisition. Prerequisite: Latin I and permission of thedepartment.

Latin III | Third Year Latin (F W S) Credits - 3 Students in the lyric class get a wide exposure to poetry and prosein Latin from the imperial to later Latin, including medieval writing. Students enter with a strong grammar backgroundand review more advanced grammatical concepts and forms including gerunds, subjunctive constructions, and indirectdiscourse. Genres within Latin lierature are sampled and compared, but with an emphasis on the lyric tradition andmock epics of Catullus and Ovid. Student learn how to evaluate and recognize meter in poetry and its significancewithin the poem, as well as how to recognize and comment on rhetorical devices used by the authors. Prerequisite:Latin II or Latin II H.

Latin III H | Honors Third Year Latin (F W S) Credits - 3 This course reviews all grammatical and morphologicalinfo covered in Latin II and covers the basic third-year level course materials in the first two terms, moving into AP levelwriting skills and texts in the spring term. This will be a year-long accelerated course in which students will master theadvanced grammatical structures of classical Latin while making the transition from 'made' Latin into authentic Latintexts. The pedagogy of this course will favor vocabulary acquisition and grammatical structures using the subjunctive,indirect statement, and the passive periphrastic. Prerequisite: Lat II

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Latin IV | Fourth Year Latin (F W S) Credits - 3 This course studies the traditions of Latin lyric poetry especially aspracticed by Catullus, Ovid, and their contemporaries. The texts include Carmina Catulli and Ovid's Metamorphosesand Amores. Students learn to use primary and secondary sources for critique and analysis of the text and developessay-writing skills in order to analyze the authors' different approaches and goals. They build an understanding ofmeter and rhetorical devices used by the lyric poets and, more importantly, discover how such secondary techniquessupport the authors' purposes. The course presupposes a fairly sophisticated understanding of Latin forms andvocabulary as well as competency in translating basic Latin texts, though some review continues through the course ofthe year. Prerequisite: Latin III or Latin III H or permission of the department.

Latin AP | AP Latin (F W S) Credits - 3 This course follows the Vergil AP syllabus, studying the traditions of Latinlyric and epic poetry in their historical and literary contexts. The course relies on primary and secondary sources forcritique and analysis of the literature and stresses essay-writing skills and technical analysis of the text. Prerequisite:Latin third-year level or by permission of the department.

Latin Lit pAP | Latin Literature (F W S) Credits - 3 This course studies the traditions of Latin lyric poetryespecially as practiced by Catullus, Ovid, and their contemporaries. The texts include Carmina Catulli and Ovid'sMetamorphoses and Amores. Students learn to use primary and secondary sources for critique and analysis of the textand develop essay-writing skills in order to analyze the authors' different approaches and goals. They build anunderstanding of meter and rhetorical devices used by the lyric poets and, more importantly, discover how suchsecondary techniques support the authors' purposes. The course presupposes a fairly sophisticated understanding ofLatin forms and vocabulary as well as competency in translating basic Latin texts, though some review continuesthrough the course of the year. Prerequisite: Latin AP or by permission of the department.

Spanish

Spanish I | First Year Spanish (F W S) Credits - 3 The activities in this beginning level course engage studentsculturally while they develop listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills. Spanish is used in class from the very firstday, and classroom immersion games are part of students' exposure to the language. Vocabulary and verbs are learnedand reinforced through daily practice. The course emphasizes the learning of the present tense and basic grammaticalstructures with an introduction to other tenses. Students read short cultural articles and stories that serve as acontinuous point of departure for the introduction and discussion of cultural topics related to Spain and Latin America.Prerequisite: None.

Spanish I ac | Accelerated First Year Spanish (F W S) Credits - 3 Spanish I accelerated targets the needs ofthree groups: capable students whose previous academic Spanish study falls short of our level two placement;students whose knowledge of Spanish is primarily non-academic ("heritage learners"); and international students whohave already mastered another language. Highly mixed knowledge of Spanish words and cultures is typical of groupsone and two. International students' more traditional language learning tools may offer balancing factors. Thus, onegoal of the course is to blend respect for all students' valid but diverse experiences with standardized learningoutcomes. This results in the more likely advent of literacy for all. Approval by the department is required.

Spanish II | Second Year Spanish (F W S) Credits - 3 Students continue to practice the daily application of thefour skills in Spanish: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. After a brief review of the present tense, students learnto use more complex grammatical structures and additional vocabulary and verb tenses. Emphasis is placed upon thestudy of the two past tenses in Spanish, the preterit and the imperfect. Readings are continued as a medium toexplore cultural themes of Spain and Latin America. Prerequisite: Spanish I.

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Spanish II H | Honors Second Year Spanish (F W S) Credits - 3 The Spanish II H level is designed for studentswho have demonstrated mastery of the skills employed in Spanish I at an advanced level. Students must demonstratehigh interest and motivation for this level of study. This course is not solely text-centered; instead it relies on outsidereadings, music, cultural texts and other realia. Spanish is used exclusively in the classroom. Oral and writtenproficiency is stressed in preparation for the third-year composition and conversation curriculum. Prerequisite:Spanish I and permission of the department.

Spanish III | Third Year Spanish (F W S) Credits - 3 This is an intermediate course in which students read anddiscuss authentic short stories, news items, poetry, art and popular culture from Spain and Latin America. In this coursethe students sharpen their skills in the present, past tenses, future, compound tenses, and the subjunctive mood andacquire more complex vocabulary. An emphasis is placed on the equal practice of the four uses of language: listening,writing, reading and speaking. Although the successful completion of third-year level work satisfies MercersburgAcademy's graduation requirement, students with permission are encouraged to continue their study at the advancedlevel. Prerequisite: Spanish II or II H.

Spanish III H | Honors Third Year Spanish (F W S) Credits - 3 This course, conducted entirely in Spanish, is anadvanced intermediate language course designed to meet the needs of students who have demonstrated superiorskills and interest in learning the Spanish language. The primary learning objectives of the course are fluency andcultural competence. Through aural/oral communication, grammar review, literature, and composition, students willhave an active experience while learning. Students read, discuss, and write about a variety of current topics of interest,read materials including but not limited to short stories, poetry, and plays highlighting various regions of Spanishspeaking heritage. The active study of grammar and language structure is an important component of the course, withthe goal being to employ advanced grammar in creative compositions and conversation. Successful completion ofSpanish III H may allow students to enroll in Advanced Placement Spanish Language (Spanish Lang AP). The class isconducted entirely in Spanish and students are expected to be able to participate accordingly. Prerequisite: Spanish IIor II H and permission of the department.

Spanish IV | Fourth Year Spanish (F W S) Credits - 3 This course is a survey of different literary genres foundwithin Spanish and Latin American written works. Students will explore prose and verse from the 16th century to thepresent along with links to folkloric music while developing their language skills and honing their vocabulary throughround table discussions of their readings, follow up essays, and investigative projects. Existing parallel themes with thehistory, culture, and contemporary ideas of the Hispanic world are also examined. Authentic materials such as articles,web sites, films, software, and videos are used to provide further listening and speaking practice. Successful studentscan continue their studies in Spanish by moving into the AP Spanish Language course. Prerequisite: Spanish III or IIIH.

Spanish Lang AP | AP Spanish Language and Culture (F W S) Credits - 3 This is a demanding language courseoffered by the Spanish Section, second only in difficulty to the AP Spanish Literature course. Its rigorous aim andobjective makes it equivalent to a third-year college course. The course develops intense listening skills with texts ofdifferent lengths, detailed reading comprehension, effective composing of essays based on both written and oralsources, and spontaneous creating of formal and informal oral responses corresponding to both conversational andpresentational situations. Upon its completion and after numerous repetitions of each of the exam tasks, students arethoroughly prepared to take the AP Language Examination. Prerequisite: Spanish IIIH or Spanish IV and permissionof the department.

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Department: MathematicsAlgebra I | Algebra I (F W S) Credits - 3 In this course, emphasis is divided between gaining understanding ofconcepts and the development of technical ability. There is adherence to logically sound mathematics in thepresentation of topics, but the student's own ability to reason logically is allowed to develop gradually whilemechanical skills are stressed. There is an early and continued emphasis on the usefulness of mathematics inmodeling real-world situations. Prerequisite: None.

Geometry | Geometry (F W S) Credits - 3 A course consisting of traditional topics in plane geometry and reviewand extension of notions of elementary algebra, with particular emphasis on geometric applications and introductorycoordinate geometry. Prerequisite: Algebra I.

Geometry ac | Accelerated Geometry (F W S) Credits - 3 This course, offered by invitation of the departmentto students with strong aptitude in mathematics, will examine additional topics in geometry and will approach thereview and further study of algebra in preparation for Algebra II. Prerequisite: Algebra I and permission of thedepartment. Students with grades above 95 in Algebra I, SSAT quantitative score at 725 or above, and excellent workethic.

Algebra II | Algebra II (F W S) Credits - 3 A standard course in second-year algebra which includes anintroduction to logarithms. Acquisition of skills is emphasized with use of the graphing calculator. This coursecompletes the graduation requirement in mathematics. Prerequisite: Algebra I and Geometry. For students withconsistently low grades in Algebra or SSAT scores below 650. The department may recommend this course forstrengthening important skills in preparation for Precalculus.

Algebra II ac | Accelerated Algebra II (F W S) Credits - 3 In this course, real and complex numbers, algebraicexpressions, and solutions of mathematical statements are applied to the study of elementary functions and theirapplication to a variety of problem situations. This more rigorous course in topics of algebra completes the graduationrequirement in mathematics, and includes an introduction to statistics. Prerequisite: Algebra I and Geometry. Forstudents with SSAT scores between 650 and 725 or PSAT scores below 610, or by recommendation from thedepartment.

Algebra II H | Honors Algebra II (F W S) Credits - 3 This honors course moves at a faster pace and in greaterdepth than standard courses. Enrollment is by invitation of the department. When considering students for thiscourse the department seeks evidence of strong aptitude, quick and in-depth comprehension, and a distinguishedperformance in past mathematics courses. Prerequisite: Algebra I and Geometry and permission of the department.For highly motivated students who were outstanding in algebraic aspects of Accelerated Geometry, AND have hightest scores (SSAT at least 725 or PSAT at least 610) AND a very strong grasp of Algebra I.

Precalculus | Precalculus (F W S) Credits - 3 A precalculus course with emphasis on data analysis, properties offunctions, logarithms, and trigonometry. Emphasis is placed on using graphing calculators to do calculations accuratelyand to learn mathematical principles. Prerequisite: Algebra II or the equivalent. This course is for students who hadlow grades in Algebra II, modest interest in math, and lower testing ability.

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Precalculus ac | Accelerated Precalculus (F W S) Credits - 3 This is a course for students who havedemonstrated solid ability and motivation in their study of intermediate algebra. In addition to the extension of thework with the elementary functions from the third year, topics include elementary statistics, trigonometry, polynomialand rational functions, inverses, logarithms, and recursive functions. Graphing calculators are used extensively. Thecourse is designed to foster the mathematical maturity needed for the study of AP math courses at Mercersburg andmathematics and related courses in college. Prerequisite: Algebra II or the equivalent. For students who hadconsistently low grades in Algebra II H at Mercersburg or students who had grades consistently above 88 in Algebra IIAcc at Mercersburg. PSAT scores above 560 are recommended.

Precalculus H | Honors Precalculus (F W S) Credits - 3 This honors course moves at a fast pace with muchgreater expectations than standard courses. Enrollment is by invitation of the department. When consideringstudents for this course, the department seeks evidence of strong aptitude, sustained effort, quick and in-depthcomprehension, and a distinguished performance in past mathematics courses. Prerequisite: Algebra II H andpermission of the department. For highly motivated students who were outstanding in Algebra II H at Mercersburg,this course is the second in a two-year series. SSAT at least 725 or PSAT at least 610.

Calculus | Calculus (F W S) Credits - 3 This class serves the student who wishes to study calculus at a lessdemanding pace than that of the Advanced Placement level. Before delving into limits and the fundamentals ofdifferential and integral calculus, this introductory course begins with a brief review of key function behavior.Technology will be utilized to teach the practical applications of calculus. The course will thoroughly prepare studentsfor a first-year college course in calculus, and will provide a sound culminating experience for students whose futureplans do not include additional study of mathematics. Prerequisite: successful completion of Precalculus andpermission from the department. This course offers an ideal alternative for 11th and 12th graders who do not qualifyfor AP Calculus, but who are interested in studying advanced math topics in preparation for college. Some provensuccess in a precalculus course is required.

Statistics | Statistics (F W S) Credits - 3 This course addresses the fundamentals of exploratory data analysis orhow to 'let data speak.' Students will learn key elements of elementary data analysis, experimental design, surveydesign, the normal model, linear modeling, probability, and an introduction to inference. The emphasis in this coursewill be on the statistical thinking behind data gathering and interpretation. Statistical techniques will be applied to awide variety of subjects, including natural science, economics, business, psychology, and politics. Students will engagein numerous hands-on activities in class to reinforce topics and will also be asked to conduct several statistical projectsthroughout the course of the year. The reasoning process involved in statistical analysis will be emphasized more thanthe computational methods. This course will help students become discerning consumers of statistics, teaching themto analyze the numbers from surveys, election polls, and medical studies. Prerequisite: successful completion ofAlgebra II. Open to 11th and 12th graders not pursuing advanced math courses, but who are interested in theimportant, practical topics of statistics. Also for students whose algebra skills need to be strengthened, had grades inAlgebra II below 80, modest interest in math, and lower testing ability.

Calculus AB AP | AP Calculus AB (F W S) Credits - 3 These courses follow the syllabi of the AdvancedPlacement Program of the College Board. It is expected that all students enrolled are candidates for advancedplacement and will write the AP examination in May. The courses are rigorous and presume a very solid background,demonstrated aptitude, and a strong commitment on the part of the student. The appropriate section for eachstudent is determined based on background and aptitude. Prerequisite: Precalculus and permission of thedepartment. SAT-M at least 600, ACT at least 27, PSAT at least 560, grades at least 88 in Precalculus Acc, and strongmotivation to work hard.

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Calculus BC AP | AP Calculus BC (F W S) Credits - 3 These courses follow the syllabi of the AdvancedPlacement Program of the College Board. It is expected that all students enrolled are candidates for advancedplacement and will write the AP examination in May. The courses are rigorous and presume a very solid background,demonstrated aptitude, and a strong commitment on the part of the student. The appropriate section for eachstudent is determined based on background and aptitude. Prerequisite: Precalculus or the equivalent and permissionof the department. SAT at least 700, ACT at least 32, grades at least 90 in Precalculus H, and strong motivation towork hard.

Economics AP | [AP Macro/AP Micro] Economics (F W S) Credits - 3 AP Economics will be a full-year course inMacroeconomics and Microeconomics which follows the AP syllabus to prepare students for two AP examinations inMay. The class will be broken into Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. The year will begin with basic concepts ineconomics, including opportunity cost, production possibilities curves, and analysis of the margin. The curriculum onMicroeconomics is covered through December, while the curriculum on Macroeconomics lasts from January to April.Discussion of pertinent current events will complement the textbook. The subject matter of economics relies heavilyupon mathematics, and this course will present all necessary economic content along with a solid background of themathematical concepts. Graphs and equations will be integral aspects of many topics covered in the course. Insituations when calculus will be handy, those concepts will be presented only to solidify the math for those who havetaken calculus. No prior knowledge of calculus will be necessary. Prerequisites: successful completion of Algebra IIand a combined SAT score (CR & M) of 1100 or ACT score of 27 is required, along with permission from thedepartment. Open to 11th and 12th graders. This course can also be taken to earn credit in History.

Statistics AP | AP Statistics (F W S) Credits - 3 This course follows the syllabus of the Advanced PlacementProgram of the College Board. It is expected that all students enrolled will write the AP examination in May. Dataanalysis, probability and probability distributions, and statistical inference are among the topics covered. This course isexcellent preparation for college-level courses in a number of disciplines. This is a rigorous course that demands strongreading comprehension as well as sound mathematical reasoning. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Precalculusand combined SAT score (CR & M) of 1100 or ACT score of 27 is required, or permission of the department. Open to11th and 12th graders.

Linear Alg pAP | Linear Algebra with Applications (F W S) Credits - 3 This is a year-long mathematics electivewhich will cover the theory, practice, and a variety of modern applications of Linear Algebra. The course will continueand deepen the work on matrices begun in the Honors Precalculus courses. Some of the topics covered will besystems of linear equations, the algebra of matrices, Euclidean n-space, abstract vector spaces, determinants, lineartransformations and eigenvalues.

Prerequisite: successful completion of Calculus AB AP or Calculus BC AP and permission of the department. Opento 11th and 12th graders or by permission of the department for younger students who have already completedCalculus AB or BC.

Computer Science

Computer Sci A AP | AP Computer Science A (F W S) Credits - 3 Students in this course will study topics inJava computer programming in preparation for the AP Computer Science Level AB exam. The AP "Acorn Book" for thatcurriculum will be the curriculum guide for the course. Prerequisites: successful completion of Algebra II and acombined SAT score (CR & M) of 1100 or ACT score of 27 is required, along with permission from the department.Evidence of sufficient prior work in programming to be successful in the course is recommended but not required.Student must have permission of the department. A laptop (preferred) or easy access to a desktop computer will beneeded in order to complete the daily expectations of the course and to complete longer term projects. Open to 11thand 12th graders.

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Robotics

Robotics I | Robotics I (F) Credits - 1 This course combines skills in mathematics, physics, and computerprogramming in order to learn the basics of robotics. An introduction to programming, simple machines, sensors, andmovement are studied in order to build autonomous robots. Classtime is spent working on building robots andprojects will be given on a daily and weekly basis. A final project will be given in lieu of an exam. Prerequisite:Completion of Algebra II and completion of the physical science requirement. Open to 11th and 12th graders. Thiscourse can also be taken to earn credit in Science. Interest in math and success in at least Algebra II.

Robotics II | Robotics II (W) Credits - 1 This course builds on the knowledge obtained in Robotics I. Topicscovered will include complex machines, advanced programming algorithms, and complex movement and sensorcapabilities. A focus will be placed on teamwork when completing tasks. Classtime is spent working on building robotsand projects will be give on a weekly and bi-weekly basis. A final project will be given in lieu of an exam. Prerequisite:Robotics I Open to 11th and 12th graders. This course can also be taken to earn credit in Science. Interest in math andsuccess in at least Algebra II.

Robotics III | Robotics III (S) Credits - 1 This course builds on the knowledge obtained in Robotics I and RoboticsII. This course will spend its time focused on complex robotics projects which groups will tackle for the duration of theterm. Teamwork and time management are critical elements to completing the tasks. The course combines elementsof mathematics, programming, and physics in engineering design problems which students must build robots to solve.Classtime is spent working on building robots and projects will be given for the term. Grades will be calculated on thebasis of meeting certain milestones throughout the term. Prerequisite: Robotics II Open to 11th and 12th graders.This course can also be taken to earn credit in Science. Interest in math and success in at least Algebra II.

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Department: ScienceComputer Science

Computer Sci AP | AP Computer Science A (F W S) Credits - 3 Students in this course will study topics in Javacomputer programming in preparation for the AP Computer Science Level AB exam. The AP "Acorn Book" for thatcurriculum will be the curriculum guide for the course. Prerequisites: successful completion of Algebra II and acombined SAT score (CR & M) of 1100 or ACT score of 27 is required, along with permission from the department.Evidence of sufficient prior work in programming to be successful in the course is recommended but not required.Student must have permission of the department. A laptop (preferred) or easy access to a desktop computer will beneeded in order to complete the daily expectations of the course and to complete longer term projects. Open to 11thand 12th graders.

Science Term Courses

Stream Eco | Stream and Estuarine Ecology (F) Credits - 1 Humans have long been fascinated with the oceansand bays leading to them. Eighty percent of the human population lives within 60 miles of an estuary or coastline;water, whether for drinking, irrigation, fishing, or recreation is an important commodity. Using the ConochocheagueCreek and the Chesapeake Bay as models, this class will study how we investigate, monitor, and protect these systems,which are central to human survival.

Freshwater streams, estuaries and coastal zones are among the most productive and diverse ecosystems of the world.With their great variety of environments, these systems provide fascinating sites for study and research. Forming theinterface between land and ocean, the coastal zone with its streams and estuaries is characterized by steep gradients,abundant life, extreme environments, and by significant human impact. The human impact is related to the high socio-economical value of these environments that provide the most prolific fishing grounds, important mineral resources,and are the zones for intense shipping traffic and other commercial activities.

This interdisciplinary course addresses the ecology of streams and estuaries. We will investigate the general ecologicalprinciples that govern their productivity and diversity, including their hydrodynamics, sedimentology, chemistry andplant and animal community structure. The processes in these zones affect coastal and oceanic water quality, shelfproductivity and the global climate. Prerequisite: Bio Molecular or Biology Macro or the equivalent.

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Biotech | Introduction to Biotechnology and Genetics (W) Credits - 1 This course will utilize a hands-onlaboratory based approach to explore the basics of DNA, human genetics and biotechnology.

Knowingly and unknowingly, the products of biotechnology surround us today. Understanding this relatively new andoften misunderstood science will help students to make better choices, whether as a purchaser of food, a voter, or as aconsumer.

Labs will include a DNA extraction, gel electrophoresis including an exploration of DNA in forensics, pcr, bacterialtransformation, and more.

More advanced projects may include fish barcoding, an analysis of genetically modified organism (GMO) products infood, or an analysis of human ancestry through DNA testing. Fish DNA Barcoding allows students to identify thespecies of a fish sample based on its DNA sequence of a gene. With this kit, students will be able to test a piece ofseafood from the dining hall or local market and verify if it is indeed the advertised fish species. A GMO (geneticallymodified organisms) activity allows students to gather sample food items from the grocery store or local fields, extractDNA from the samples, and identify the presence or absence of GMO sequences.

Prerequisite: Bio Molecular or Biology Macro or the equivalent.

Forensic Sci | Forensic Science (S) Credits - 1 The forensic science class will incorporate elements of life science,physical science, mathematics, and criminal justice disciplines to introduce students to the role of science in thecriminal justice system. The class will be lab based, with each lab unit focused around one type of analysis that could beused to solve a crime. Case studies from real life crimes will be read and analyzed and related to lab. Prerequisite:Biology Mol or Biology Eco or the equivalent.

Environmental

APES | AP Environmental Science (F W S) Credits - 3 Environmental Science is the study of the natural sciencesin an interdisciplinary context that includes the consideration of people and how they have influenced theenvironment. Students will use a variety of methods (field studies, case studies, lab analysis and Internet research) toexplore and understand the many aspects of biology, ecology, earth and atmospheric science, chemistry, physics, andhuman population dynamics that are interrelated in the study of environmental science. The course follows theCollege Board's Advanced Placement syllabus with other topics included. Students are prepared to take the AP examin the spring and qualifying scores may enable students to earn college credit or advanced placement. Prerequisites:One year of a life science and one year of a physical science (chemistry or physics) with a grade of 85 or better (or 83or better in an honors class). Note: Open to 11th and 12th graders who had grades of 85 or better in Chemistry orPhysics or who had grades of 83 or better in Chemistry H or Physics H.

Life

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Bio Macro | Biology: Ecology, Evolution and Systems (F W S) Credits - 3 This course is an introductory-levelbiology course for students who are interested in 'big picture' biology (mostly at the system and organism level). Topicsin this course include: (1) Experimentation and the Scientific method—students will learn the theory of research,conduct their own research and present their findings; (2) Ecology—ecosystem structure, symbiosis, energy flow,nutrient cycles, and population dynamics; (3) Human, plant, and animal systems—reproduction, nutrition, andcirculation; Genetics—DNA replication, mitosis and meiosis, Chromosomal abnormalities, mutation; (4) Evolution—thebasics of fossilization and dating, mechanisms of evolution, classification, and nomenclature. This course, like BioMolecular, develops the basic skills that Mercersburg wants all biology students to master: use of the scientific method,proper design of experiments, use of proper sampling methods, ability to collect data and analyze it, scientific writing,microscope use, dissection techniques, and oral presentations with diagrams.

Students who are more interested in studying biology at the cellular and molecular level should choose Bio Molecular.Prerequisite: None. After taking this course students would be able to enroll in the biology term courses, AP Biology,or AP Environmental Science. The “big picture” nature of Bio Macro will better prepare students for AP EnvironmentalScience.

Bio Molecular | Biology: Molecules, Evolution and Genetics (F W S) Credits - 3 This course is an introductory-level biology course for students who are interested in questions about life that can only be answered at the molecularlevel. The topics included in this course are: evolution, the structure of biological molecules, cellular membranes andtransport, enzyme action, the role of DNA in a cell, nuclear and cellular division, and genetics. This course, like BioMacro, develops the basic skills that Mercersburg wants all biology students to master: use of the scientific method,proper design of experiments, use of proper sampling methods, ability to collect data and analyze it, scientific writing,microscope use, dissection techniques, and oral presentations with diagrams.

Students who are more interested in “big picture” biology (studying biology at the level of the organism) should chooseBio Macro. Prerequisite: None. After taking this course students would be able to enroll in the biology term courses,AP Biology, or AP Environmental Science. The in-depth, molecular nature of Bio Molecular will better prepare studentsfor AP Biology.

Anatomy & Phys | Applied Human Anatomy & Physiology (F W S) Credits - 3 The subject matter of thiscourse is designed to build on a student's previous experience in Biology and delve deeper into the individual systemsof the human body. In addition to the anatomy of each system, students will learn the physiological basis for therespiratory, circulatory, excretory, musculoskeletal, endocrine and nervous systems. Students will then use thisknowledge to recognize, evaluate and treat common wilderness injuries. These conditions include, but are not limitedto, soft tissue and skeletal injuries, head and spine trauma, infections, and environmental injuries. This course is labintensive and will include field trips for extensive practical application and evaluation of knowledge and skills. At thecompletion of the course students will be certified in CPR from the American Red Cross and also potentially receiveAdvanced Wilderness First Aid certification, recognized by DOT departments nation wide, from SOLO, the leader inwilderness and emergency medicine. MOE instructors will be involved in the teaching and evaluation of all of theseskills. Prerequisite: Biology. A course for 11th and 12th grade students.

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Biology AP | AP Biology (F W S) Credits - 3 This course follows the newly redesigned College Board's AdvancedPlacement syllabus with certain other topics included. The AP Biology course is designed to offer students a solidcurriculum in evolutionary biology concepts centered around four 'Big Ideas:'' Big Idea 1: Evolution drives the unity & diversity of life.' Big Idea 2: Biological systems utilize energy to maintain homeostasis for survival.' Big Idea 3: Living systems store, retrieve, and transmit information generation to generation.' Big Idea 4: The interaction of biological systems with each other and abiotic factors possess complexproperties.The revised AP Biology course shifts from a traditional 'content coverage' model of instruction to one that focuses onenduring, conceptual understandings and the content that supports them. Students will spend less time on factualrecall and more time on inquiry-based learning of essential concepts which will help them to develop the reasoningskills necessary to engage in the science practices. Students are prepared to take the AP exam in the spring andqualifying scores may enable students to earn college credit or advanced placement. Prerequisite: Bio Molecular orBio Macro and Chemistry each with a yearly average of 90 or above (or Honors Chemistry with an average of 85 orabove). Permission of the department is required. This course is designed for students who wish to waive biologycourse requirements in college via AP credit.

Physical

Chemistry | Chemistry (F W S) Credits - 3 Students in this course will be learning the traditional chemistrytopics while exploring environmental and societal issues. Each unit in this course introduces a practical application thatserves as an outline to guide the learning of chemistry concepts and problem solving. The course is highly laboratorybased which will require students to apply what they have learned. Corequisite: Geometry or higher.Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology and Algebra I Ninth graders are discouraged from taking this course.

Chemistry H | Honors Chemistry (F W S) Credits - 3 Honors Chemistry (Chemistry H) is a year-long coursewhich explores the physical and chemical properties of matter, developing an understanding of the composition ofmatter and the changes in composition which matter undergoes. It puts special emphasis on quantitative calculationsusing models of physical behavior developed through laboratory experience. The main focus of the course is to helpstudents become confident, independent problem solvers. This course is designed to move at a fast pace. Studentswho do well in this course will be prepared to take AP Chemistry. Corequisite: Geometry ac, Algebra II H, Algebra IIac, Precalculus ac or higher.Prerequisite: High grades in math and biology; demonstrated strong work ethic.

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Chemistry AP | AP Chemistry (F W S) Credits - 3 This course follows the College Entrance Examination BoardAdvanced Placement syllabus. Adequate performance on a written examination in the spring may enable the studentsto earn college credit.

The AP Chemistry curriculum focuses on the following 6 Big Ideas:Big Idea 1: The chemical elements are fundamental building materials of matter, and all matter can be

understood in terms of arrangements of atoms. These atoms retain their identity in chemical reactions.Big Idea 2: Chemical and physical properties of materials can be explained by the structure and the

arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules and the forces between them.Big Idea 3: Changes in matter involve the rearrangement and/or reorganization of atoms and/or the transfer of

electrons.Big Idea 4: Rates of chemical reactions are determined by details of the molecular collisions.Big Idea 5: The laws of thermodynamics describe the essential role of energy and explain and predict the

direction of changes in matter.Big Idea 6: Any bond or intermolecular attraction that can be formed can be broken. These two processes are in

a dynamic competition, sensitive to initial conditions and external perturbations. Prerequisites: Honors Chemistrywith a yearly average of 90 or above; 600 SAT math score; concurrent enrollment in Precalculus ac or higher.Departmental permission required.

Physics | Physics (F W S) Credits - 3 A full-year course designed to introduce students to the concepts of physicswithout using the high level of mathematical complexity that is involved in most introductory physics courses, such asAP Physics 1. All of the traditional introductory topics are covered: mechanics, motion, gravitation, relativity, soundlight, electricity and magnetism. The course prepares students to take a mathematically complex physics course in thefuture. Labs and demonstrations are a prominent part of the course. Algebra II, Algebra II ac, Precalculus, orPrecalculus ac. Students in Algebra II H, Precalculus H, or AP level Math may not take this course. Ninth and tenthgraders are discouraged from taking this course.

Physics H | Honors Physics (F W S) Credits - 3 A more advanced year course whose principal emphasis is thedevelopment of the students' understanding of the physical world. Understanding of traditional high school physicstopics will be developed through the extensive use of the laboratory and through observation of natural phenomena.There is an expectation of facility and comfort with geometry, trigonometry, and algebra, without which students couldhave great difficulty, especially in the second term. Corequisite: Math Precalculus ac or higher; 600 Math SAT or 26Math ACT (minimum) Ninth graders are discouraged from taking this course.

Physics C AP:M | AP Physics C: Mechanics (F W S) Credits - 3 This course follows the College EntranceExamination Board Advanced Placement syllabi with certain other topics included. Adequate performance on awritten examination in the spring may enable the students to earn college credit.

Topics covered: Motion in one dimension, vectors, motion in two dimensions, forces, Newton's Laws of Motion, workand energy, power, conservation of energy, linear momentum, collisions, impulse, statics and equilibrium, rotation,torque, angular momentum, gravitation, oscillations Prerequisite: Honors Physics (with an average of 90 or above), 650 SAT Math score. Concurrent enrollment inCalculus (AB). Demonstrated excellent work habits. Permission of the department is required.

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Physics C AP:EM&M | AP Physics C:Electricity and Magnetism/AP Physics C:Mechanics (F W S) Credits - 3This course follows the College Entrance Examination Board syllabus. Adequate performance on the AP Exam mayenable the student to earn college credit.

Mechanics Topics Covered: Motion in one dimension, vectors, motion in two dimensions, forces, Newton's Laws ofMotion, work and energy, power, conservation of energy, linear momentum, collisions, impulse, statics and equilibrium,rotation, torque, angular momentum, gravitation, oscillations

Electricity and Magnetism Topics Covered: Electric charge, electric fields, Coulomb's Law, Gauss' Law, electric potential,capacitance, current and resistance, circuits, Kirchoff's Laws, RC circuits, magnetic fields, Ampere's Law, Faraday's Law,induction, RL circuits. Prerequisites: Honors Physics with an average of 90 or above and an AP Exam score of 3 orabove. 700 Math SAT or 31 Math ACT. Concurrent enrollment in AP Calculus (BC) OR completion of AP Calculus (AB)with an average of 90 or above OR completion of Precalculus Honors with a year average of 85 or above andconcurrent enrollment in AP Calculus (AB). Demonstrated excellent work habits. Permission of the departmentrequired. AP Physics C Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism

Robotics

Robotics I | Robotics I (F) Credits - 1 This course combines skills in mathematics, physics, and computerprogramming in order to learn the basics of robotics. An introduction to programming, simple machines, sensors, andmovement are studied in order to build autonomous robots. Classtime is spent working on building robots andprojects will be given on a daily and weekly basis. A final project will be given in lieu of an exam. Prerequisite:Completion of Algebra II and completion of the physical science requirement. This course can be taken to earn creditin Mathematics. Interest in math and success in at least Algebra II.

Robotics II | Robotics II (W) Credits - 1 This course builds on the knowledge obtained in Robotics I. Topicscovered will include complex machines, advanced programming algorithms, and complex movement and sensorcapabilities. A focus will be placed on teamwork when completing tasks. Classtime is spent working on building robotsand projects will be give on a weekly and bi-weekly basis. A final project will be given in lieu of an exam. Prerequisite:Robotics I This course can be taken to earn credit in Mathematics. Interest in math and success in at least Algebra II.

Robotics III | Robotics III (S) Credits - 1 This course builds on the knowledge obtained in Robotics I and RoboticsII. This course will spend its time focused on complex robotics projects which groups will tackle for the duration of theterm. Teamwork and time management are critical elements to completing the tasks. The course combines elementsof mathematics, programming, and physics in engineering design problems which students must build robots to solve.Classtime is spent working on building robots and projects will be given for the term. Grades will be calculated on thebasis of meeting certain milestones throughout the term. Prerequisite: Robotics II This course can be taken to earncredit in Mathematics. Interest in math and success in at least Algebra II.

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Department: ReligionOld Testament | Intro to Hebrew Bible/Old Testament (F) Credits - 1 This course focuses on importantthemes in the Hebrew scriptures, themes which are basic to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam today: the relationshipbetween God and humanity; the idea of the Promise to Israel and the constant "Threat to the Promise"; and theconcept of the Covenant between God and humanity. Students will gain an understanding of the ancient history ofIsrael from the Exodus to the post-Exilic period (roughly from 1300 BCE to 300 BEC) and will be reading the Torah,the Prophets, and some Wisdom Writings. The course will discuss among other things the nature of faith, suffering andhope, moral law and social responsibility. Students should look forward to active participation in the discussion ofthese themes. The NRSV Bible is the primary text for the course. Prerequisite: None. Open to all students in 10th,11th, and 12th grade.

New Testament: SG | Introduction to New Testament: The Gospels Through Stained Glass (S) Credits - 1This course examines the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth through the stained glass in the Irvine Memorial Chapel.Emphasis will be placed on the four Gospels and understanding their depictions in the Chapel. Students will not onlylearn the political/religious/social context of the teachings of Jesus, but the criticism that surrounds this figure. Attentionwill also be focused on basic elements of stained glass, their role in the church, and the history of the MercersburgChapel. Prerequisite: None. Open to all students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade.

N&M Universe | The Nature and Meaning of the Universe (F or W) Credits - 1 This course will includediscussions of the following areas: understanding the nature of truth, proof, and knowledge; faith vs. empiricism;cosmology vs. mythology; the question of design; the origin of life, evolution vs. creation; and scientific/medical ethics.While the course will earn credit in and fulfill the requirements of the religion department, it will frequently be team-taught with a member of the science department. Prerequisite: Bio Molecular, Bio Macro, or its equivalent.Corequisite: Power/Justice H or higher. Other students must obtain permission from the department to enroll in thiscourse. This course is most suitable for 10th, 11th, and 12th graders with a strong interest in philosophy, science, andreligion.

World Religions | Introduction to World Religions (F or W or S) Credits - 1 This course explores the religiousdimension of human existence by close examination of three major non-Western faith traditions. With carefulattention to particular religious themes and existential questions common to each of the traditions, we aim to developan understanding of the theory and vocabulary necessary to engage critically religious faith and practice as embodiedin individuals and communities. Emphasis will be given to the study of doctrinal beliefs, religious histories, sacred texts,and cultural expressions. This course is not designed to inspire faith or conversion. Rather, it aims to provideintellectual challenge, and to encourage deeper levels of understanding and appreciation for the religious dimension ofhuman existence. In particular, we will attend to the existential questions: Where did we come from? Where are wegoing? How are we to live as authentic human beings? Prerequisite: None Open to all students in 10th, 11th, and12th grade.

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Department: Fine ArtsDance

Dance Intro | Introduction to Dance (F or S) Credits - 1 This course will provide students with the opportunity toacquire proficiency in dance regardless of previous training and background. From the athlete looking to improvebalance and flexibility to the student with prior knowledge wanting to develop their interest in dance, this course isdesigned to incorporate all levels of ability. The content includes application of fundamental principles of modern,ballet and jazz technique. Including barre, center floor, axial center, and locomotor and physiologically soundmovement progressions. Class will primarily consist of technique; however, a variety of dance related topics (includingthe introduction of the history and terminology of these idioms) will be covered in lecture format. Prerequisite: None.Open to all students.

Dance Comp I | Dance Composition I (F or S) Credits - 1 This course provides students the opportunities tolearn the fundamentals of choreography. Students come to recognize that a dance has a beginning, a middle and anend, and that the form of a dance must be related to its content if it is to be an aesthetic whole. Throughexperimentation and improvisation, compositional elements are gradually introduced (space, time energy, etc.) andstudents attempt to incorporate these elements into their compositional work. After school rehearsals, specialengagements and performances may be required. Prerequisite: None. Open to all students.

Dance Comp II | Dance Composition II (S) Credits - 1 This course provides students the opportunities tofurther extend the acquisition of knowledge of techniques of choreography and performance. The content includesexperiences in dance critique, research on periods in dance history, lighting design, costumes and dance choreographyfor performance. After school rehearsals, special engagements and performances may be required. Prerequisite:Dance Composition I or permission of the instructor.

Dance Comp III | Dance Composition III (S) Credits - 1 This course will provide students the opportunity tofurther extend the knowledge of techniques of choreography and performance. Students will express theirunderstanding of choreographic elements (space, time and energy) through use of both traditional and inventedmovements. Group work, including partnering, as well as solo work, is explored. Prerequisite: Dance Composition II orpermission of instructor.

Music

Band | Band Performance (F W S) Credits - 1 This course is designed for students who play brass, woodwind andpercussion instruments. Students practice performance skills both individually and as an ensemble. Required publicperformances are an important part of the work for this course. The course encourages an understanding of theaesthetics of music and also teaches the skills of intonation, sight reading, blending, tone quality, and basicmusicianship. Students are enrolled into this course upon recommendation of the music faculty. Prerequisite:Permission of the department. This course earns 2/3 credit per term.

Chorale | Choral Performance (F W S) Credits - 1 This course is designed for singers - sopranos, altos, tenors, andbasses. Students will practice performance skills both individually and as an ensemble. Public performances will be animportant part of the work for this course. The course will encourage an understanding of the aesthetics of music andwill also teach basic music theory and sight reading. Students will be enrolled into this course upon recommendationof the music faculty. Prerequisite: None. This course earns 2/3 credit per term.

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Strings | String Performance (F W S) Credits - 1 This course is designed for string players - violins, violas, cellos,and string bass players. Students will practice performance skills both individually and as an ensemble. Publicperformances will be an important part of the work for this course. The course will encourage an understanding of theaesthetics of music and will also teach basic music theory and sight reading. Students will be enrolled into this courseupon recommendation of the music faculty. Prerequisite: Permission of the department. This course earns 2/3credit per term.

Mixing Music | Mixing Music in the Digital Age (F or W or S) Credits - 1 This course introduces students to theworld of music production using contemporary music software like Garage Band and Logic Express. Mixing Musicprovides a project-based, hands-on experience in loop-based music production, MIDI basics, audio recording, digitalsignal processing and effects, live and post-recording mixing, and digital mastering. Students do not need to have amusic performance or music-reading background. Projects will include live performances, audio recording, and videorecordings. Open to all students.

Mixing Music II | Mixing Music in the Digital Age II (S) Credits - 1 This course continues work completed in thefirst level of Digital Music For the Modern Age. We move from a basic DAW (digital audio workstation) in Garagebandto a more professional workstation in Ableton. More advanced compositional techniques and more advanced musictheory will be explored, building on what was learned in Level I. Additional emphasis will be placed on techniques inmixing tracks via an analog mixer. At the end of the term, the students’ final projects will be reviewed by a facultypanel. The top projects will be performed at the term’s student recital. Prerequisite: Mixing Music I and permission ofthe department. Students with past experience with DAWs may qualify based on a project they submit.

Theatre

Acting I | Acting I (W or S) Credits - 1 Performing truthful action on stage is the actor's essential task. This courseintroduces students to basic acting skills, focusing on character development through improvisational theater gamesand increasingly more complex open scene projects. Students are exposed to a wide variety of techniques focusing onbuilding skills of concentration, spontaneity, imagination, physicalization and vocal dexterity. Prerequisite: None.Open to all students.

Speech | Speech (F or W) Credits - 1 This class will introduce students to the speaker's basic tasks: clear, full, freevocal and physical communication. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of exercises and techniques, focusingon building skills of articulation, phrasing, rhythm, tempo, concentration, spontaneity, imagination, physicalization, andinterpretation.

Fundamental principles of speech will be presented through exercises and improvisations. Techniques for freeing anddeveloping the Voice and Body will be integrated into class work and daily warm- ups. A process for vocal andanalytical interpretation of various forms of literature (prose, poetry, drama) will be introduced. Extemporaneouspresentations will be developed as well. Students will rehearse, perform and evaluate their work and that of theirclassmates as work progresses. Students will learn skills leading to a well planned oral presentation. Prerequisite:None. Open to all students.

Stage Combat | Stage Combat (F) Credits - 1 Stage Combat is open to any student who would like to learn howto tell a story through SAFE non-contact combat mime. Work will include hand-to-hand combat, throws, sword andweapons work, and slapstick comedy. Students will increase their flexibility, strength, and physical control while alsostretching their imaginations and learning about the history of combat through the ages. Prerequisite: none.

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Acting II Cont Scene | Acting II: Contemporary Scene Study (S) Credits - 1 This class will continue to developthe skills and theory presented in Acting I. Contemporary Scene Study focuses on the performance of scenes fromrealistic texts and from plays and films using Stanislavsky theory as the basis for character development and sceneanalysis. Students will hone their skills as actors, beginning to develop a personal practice and an understanding ofthemselves as performing artists.

More advanced principles of acting will be applied to realistic texts through scene work, exercises, and improvisations.We will begin our exploration of realistic texts with scenes from plays in the American or European Canon of ModernDrama. Character development practices, scene analysis, and the actor's basic approach will continue to be developed.Exercises for further growth of the Actor's Voice and Body based on Lessac Kinesensics will be integrated into classwork and daily warmups. Prerequisite: Acting I or Stage Combat or permission of instructor. Discussion and critiqueare an integral part of the process as scene work is done in class.

Acting II Shakespeare | Acting II: Shakespeare in Performance (S) Credits - 1 Building on the baseestablished in Acting I this course focuses on performance of Classical texts - primarily Shakespeare and hiscontemporaries. Shakespeare scene work will be approached using the skills and practices of Shakespeare's own actors.Students will work as a self directed ensemble and advance their skills of text analysis, study of verse vs prose, anddevelopment of character using the script as their starting point. Students will also explore the theatre styles thatinfluenced the Early Modern Playwrights and the styles that developed after the Renaissance. These styles may includeGreek Theatre, Commedia Dell'arte, Restoration Theatre, and Melodrama. Prerequisite: Acting I or Stage Combat orpermission of instructor.

Performance Adv | Advanced Performance (F W S) Credits - 3 Advanced Performance is a multi-disciplinecourse for upperclassmen. Students who take Advanced Performance are currently participating in Band, String, orChorale Ensembles but also wish to continue their training in acting. This course allows a student to participate in theiryearlong music ensemble and advance their theatre/musical theatre technique without adding an additional class totheir schedules. This course is particularly helpful to those considering theatre/musical theatre as a future area of study.Students accepted into Advanced Performance will substitute this class for Band, Chorale, or Strings twice a week.Concurrent enrollment in Band, Chorale, or Strings and completion of Acting 1 or previous experience in Stony Batter.

Visual Art

Drawing I | Drawing I (F or W or S) Credits - 1 This course introduces students to the Elements of Design. Line,shape, value, form, texture and color are emphasized in this class through direct observation and exploration. Studentsuse different dry media such as pencil, charcoal, cont' crayon and marker with each lesson and project building uponthe next culminating in a Self-portrait. Prerequisite: None. Open to all students.

Ceramics I | Ceramics I (F or W or S) Credits - 1 This course is an introduction to the fundamental methods andtechniques of ceramics. Students will work four weeks at the wheel and four weeks handbuilding. The assignmentsaddress context and content issues as the students create sculptural and utilitarian objects. Glazing the objects with aninformed understanding will be developed. The course also addresses the nature of art as it relates to the specificobject. Prerequisite: None. Open to all students.

Digital Video | Digital Video Art (W) Credits - 1 This course is an introduction to the principles of interactivity incomputer media, with an emphasis on digital video capture and editing. Students combine 2-dimensional imaging,graphics authoring, as well as audio and video technology for achieving interactivity from multiple source media.Prerequisite: None. Open to all students.

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Digital Illustration | Digital Illustration (W) Credits - 1 This class provides students the opportunity to studyand explore digital illustration. Students will learn how to build a digital illustration using Adobe Illustrator and FlashAnimation. Students will work on self- directed and commercial art projects. They will learn skills to research andprepare for a large creative project. Students will draw using a pressure sensitive pen tablets. They will have theopportunity to create character, landscape, architectural and abstract art design while building a foundation in theprinciples and elements of art and design.Students will develop a portfolio that demonstrates technical, design and conceptual skills. They will develop theirartistic eye using various design techniques like the Rule of Thirds and the Fibonacci Series. Prerequisite: None.Open to all students.

Digital Photography | Digital Photography (F or S) Credits - 1 This class provides students the opportunity tostudy and explore digital photography and learn techniques used in a digital darkroom. Students will learn how toproperly use a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera. Students will explore and learn manual settings, camera optics andfocal lengths, lighting, perspective and exposure. The second half of the course will focus on processing the imagesusing current digital darkroom techniques. Students will learn to process images using Adobe Lightroom and AdobePhotoshop. Students will develop a portfolio that demonstrates technical, design and conceptual skills. Students willhave the opportunity to explore both natural and studio light scenarios. They will develop their artistic eye using variousdesign techniques like the Rule of Thirds and the Fibonacci Series. They will create commercial and fine art whilebuilding the foundations of the principles and elements of art and design.Open to all students. Student capacity: 12 Prerequisite: None. Open to all students.

Digital Photo II | Digital Photography II (W) Credits - 1 This class provides students the opportunity tocontinue studying and exploring digital photography. They will build upon their foundation learned in DigitalPhotography and learn advanced techniques used in camera, with studio lighting and a digital darkroom. Students willuse a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera to create fine art and commercial photography. Students will explore and learnadvanced techniques in shooting, camera optics and focal lengths, lighting, perspective and exposure. The course willfocus heavily on conceptual work and visual literacy. Students will learn to process images using Adobe Lightroom andAdobe Photoshop.

Students will develop a portfolio that demonstrates technical, design and conceptual skills. Students will have theopportunity to explore natural light, studio light and scenarios that require the photographer to balance both. They willdevelop their artistic eye that uses the medium to control the creative voice and concept of the work. The course willfocus on learning and building functional applications of the principles and elements of design. Digital Photographyor permission of the department.

Painting I | Painting I (F or W or S) Credits - 1 This course introduces the student artist to acrylic paint and it'sformal application using the Elements of Design. Student artists will learn how to talk about their work and the work ofothers. Color theory, composition and life rendering will be stressed as visual statements are created. Prerequisite:None. Open to all students.

Sculpture I | Sculpture I (W) Credits - 1 This introductory course addresses the formal elements and thefundamental methods and techniques of sculpture using a variety of materials. Assignments focus on developing astudent's creative thinking relying on personal experience. Materials used are wire, wood, and glass. Prerequisite:None. Open to all students.

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Drawing II | Drawing II (F or W) Credits - 1 Students build on drawing techniques learned in Drawing 1incorporating Elements of Art with Principals of Design. The students will work primarily from observation to explorecomposition, perspective, foreshortening and shading. Creative curiosity is encouraged as students develop visualstatements from conceptual themes. Materials include pencil, pen, charcoal, conte crayon, pastel and ink wash.Prerequisite: Drawing I

Ceramics II | Ceramics II (W or S) Credits - 1 Intermediate ceramic principles and techniques will be taughtthrough the use of hand-built and/ or wheel-thrown objects (students preference). The elements of art, art historicalreference, sources, and personal expression will be addressed. This course is intended to give the student anunderstanding of concepts common to all three-dimensional art forms. Art historical references will be researched tosupport the students personal expression. Prerequisite: Ceramics I

Painting II | Painting II (S) Credits - 1 In this course students build on the techniques learned in Painting 1incorporating Elements of Art with Principals of Design working in traditional and non-traditional application of theacrylic medium. The students work primarily from observation to explore composition, perspective, foreshortening andshading. Creative curiosity is encouraged as students develop visual statements from conceptual themes. In addition,the student will construct a custom workable substrate using stretcher bars and canvas for their final painting.Prerequisite: Painting I.

Ceramics III PN | Adv. Topics in Ceramics: Personal Narrative (S) Credits - 1 The sculpture will entail variousmethods of construction techniques to create an object to represent one’s personal narrative. Mold making isintroduced on a simple level in this Term. Students will understand the basics of plaster and will make a single moldfrom a clay prototype. They will make molded pieces to be incorporated into the sculpture. Historical references ofvarious artists will lend professional examples as a visual library and foundation for the students to spring from. Thisassignment is supported by a final critique. Prerequisite: Ceramics II or permission of the instructor.

Studio Art | Advanced Studio Art (F W S) Credits - 3 This advanced level Studio Art course values the students'creative processes as well as their final art work. Students will develop techniques in a variety of media, and thenconduct thoughtful inquiry into their own thinking and art making processes'recording this learning in written and visualformats in their sketchbooks. Students are expected to be independently motivated as they research artists and artworks throughout history and across cultures. Connecting their research to their own work, students will create aportfolio of artwork that expresses their own personal voice within a cultural context. In addition to learning how toappreciate and evaluate their own work and that of others, students will be required to share their work with anaudience through exhibitions and presentations in the Cofrin and Niche Galleries. Assessment of their sketchbooks andportfolios occurs weekly with the instructor and their studio mates. Prerequisite: Department approval required.

Voice & Vision | Voice and Vision (F) Credits - 1 Through a variety of media, this term course enables studentartists in twelfth grade to more deeply explore and express their visual statements, further weaving investigation,technique, and personal experience with their emerging personal aesthetic—resulting in a unique voice and vision. Tocomplete their study with a culminating event, each student will showcase his or her body of work in the Cofrin Galleryduring the spring’s Senior Art Exhibit. Graduation requirements for Fine Arts must be met prior to enrolling in thisclass. Students must have taken previous classes in the visual arts in which a body of work has already begun. This isa course for seniors.

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Art History AP | AP Art History (F W S) Credits - 3 This survey of selected images of Global art through theages, involving architecture, painting, sculpture and the related arts, follows Advanced Placement guidelines. Readingmaterial, slides, active class discussion, and museum visits are the tools used to aid the student's knowledge. Itprepares students to identify art from specific cultures, periods, and styles and develops the ability to verballyarticulate the comparison of conceptual themes between cultures and artwork. This course also concentrates onimproving the student's writing to be descriptive in a clear and concise format. The course prepares students for theAdvanced Placement Exam in Art History. Prerequisite: successful completion of US History. This course may betaken for history credit. Fairly strong reading and comprehension skills suggested.

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Department: Physical EducationP Fitness 9th | Introduction to Personal Fitness (F W S) Credits - 3 This is an introductory fitness educationprogram that evaluates each student and then introduces them to a variety of exercises, teaches the proper techniquesfor using the equipment in the fitness center and results in an individual personal fitness plan to be utilized throughouttheir time at the academy. Prerequisite: None

P Fitness 10th | Lower Middler Personal Fitness (F W S) Credits - 3 This course is designed to allow studentsthe opportunity to design and implement a year long fitness plan. Students with no previous fitness center experienceare introduced to the principles of health related fitness and the proper use of a variety of exercise equipment availablein the Fitness Center. Students are assisted in setting up an appropriate yearlong fitness routine.

New students should plan to meet with a Physical Education instructor to be tested and to attain a personalizedfitness plan.

All students will participate in three terms of a performance group activity. Depending on the activity, the student willhave to work out, on their own, with guidance from the Physical Education Department. Prerequisite: None

P Fitness 11th | Upper Middler Personal Fitness (F W S) Credits - 3 This course is designed to allow studentsthe opportunity to design and implement a year long fitness plan. Students with no previous fitness center experienceare introduced to the principles of health related fitness and the proper use of a variety of exercise equipment availablein the Fitness Center. Students are assisted in setting up an appropriate yearlong fitness routine.

New students should plan to meet with a Physical Education instructor to be tested and to attain a personalizedfitness plan.

All students will participate in three terms of a performance group activity. Depending on the activity, the student willhave to work out, on their own, with guidance from the Physical Education Department. Prerequisite: None

P Fitness 12th | Senior Personal Fitness (F W S) Credits - 3 This course is designed to allow students theopportunity to design an implement a yearlong fitness plan. Students with no previous fitness center experience areintroduced to the principles of health related fitness and the proper use of a variety of exercise equipment available inthe Fitness Center. Students are assisted in setting up an appropriate yearlong fitness routine.

New students should plan to meet with a Physical Education instructor to be tested and to attain a personalizedfitness plan.

All students will participate in two terms of a performance group activity. Depending on the activity, the student willhave to work out, on their own, with guidance from the Physical Education Department. Prerequisite: None

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