ELECTIVES

2008-2009


ACADEMIC

CREATIVE WRITING – If you like to write this is the course for you.  The focus will be on writing poetry and short stories, but students will also write (rewrite) fairy tales, children’s stories, travel articles, and short plays.  There will also be selected readings.  This course will use a writer’s workshop approach and follow specific guidelines for reader response groups.  Students will keep portfolios and writers’ notebooks to store ideas and observations.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN LITERATURE – This class focuses on African-American literature from the colonial era to the present.  The class will study poetry, fiction, drama, essays, songs and autobiographical writings, ranging from such classic authors as Frederick Douglass and W.E.B. DuBois to contemporaries like Nikki Giovanni, Rita Dove and Amiri Baraka.  The reading will include major novels by Richard Wright, Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin, and Toni Morrison.  A research paper and term paper will be required.

MASS MEDIA – This introductory, elective course is designed for those academic students who have the desire to enter the ever-expanding communications field.  Major emphasis will be placed on improving their journalistic writing skills, interviewing techniques and basic digital photography.  Those students who exhibit a continuing interest will be encouraged to continue in this field by taking Journalism I and II.  During this course, students will view many of the fine films available in journalism and related topics.  Their best writing and photography will be used in our school paper and yearbook.

JOURNALISM /PHOTOJOURNALISM I/II/III – These more advanced Journalism/Yearbook classes are for motivated students who will be responsible for our school newspaper, The Blue and Gold, and our yearbook.  Here students will operate under deadlines, write clear, concise copy and take thousands of useful photographs for both publications.  For ambitious students, and those who wish to pursue journalism in college, the positions of Editor and Associate Editor of our publications are available to enhance their applications. Prerequisite: Mass Media and teacher recommendation.

PSAT/SAT  PREP - Students in grades 10 and 11 may take this course in preparation for the PSAT test given in Oct.   After the administration of the PSAT, the focus of this class will switch to a preparation for the SAT test. If the course is offered in the spring semester, priority is given to 11th graders. Approximately two-thirds of this course will be spent on Reading and Writing and the other third of the class on Math skills.

MYTHOLOGY –  Students will study Classical mythology of the Greeks and Romans as well as Norse mythology.  Emphasis will be placed upon the fact that mythology provides allusions for literary works of all centuries.  Therefore, selections from a wide variety of literary periods will be included in the course readings: Homer’s Odyssey;  Sophocles’ Oedipus the King; Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream; and works from 19th and 20th century literature.  Edith Hamilton’s Mythology will also be used as a sourcebook for the course.  Students will have an opportunity to do both creative writing and expository writing within the structure of the course.

MYTHOLOGY II – This course will thematically compare mythologies from around the world and from various cultures.  The focus of the course will be on students enhancing their knowledge of classical mythology.  Students will discover similarities between the new myths they will study from around the globe and the myths they have previously studied in Mythology I.  The emphasis of Myth II will be to broaden the students’ awareness of the cultures and mythologies of people from around the world, as well as to recognize the mythologies that grow out of their own culture.  Prerequisite: Mythology I

SHAKESPEARE - This course will focus entirely on the life and works of William Shakespeare.  Student will start with a study of the history of the Elizabethan Age and the Renaissance Period, making connections to what was happening in America in the early 1600’s.  They will begin the literature with several of Shakespeare’s sonnets, comparing his style to the styles of other sonneteers.  The course will study Shakespeare’s literary techniques, dramatic conventions, and poetic choices.   This course will allow for approximately five weeks of study each in Shakespeare’s histories, tragedies, and comedies.  This course will require both home reading and in-class oral reading and discussion.

SPEECH – Public speaking and related activities will be taught in this course.  Students will learn how to utilize the tools for effective speech by making a variety of speeches.  Several weeks of performing speech-related projects will be included, from effective communication skills during a job interview to reading for elementary children.

WOMEN’S LITERATURE - A CHRONOLOGICAL APPROACH - From ancient Greece to Japan to the United States to Russia, this course will take a chronological approach to many fine works written by women and even peruse the first novel ever written.  Novelists will include Jane Austen, Willa Cather, etc. and poets: Sappho, Anna Akhmatova, etc.

READING FOR 9TH GRADERS - This course is for students who were not successful on the 8th grade Reading SOL. Teachers will concentrate on reading comprehension and critical reading skills that students need to be successful in the high school.

WRITING FOR 9TH GRADERS -  This course is for students who were not successful on the 8th grade Writing SOL.  This true composition class will focus on grammar and writing to improve those skills the students need to be successful in the high school.

SOCIOLOGY -  Sociology is a generalized investigation and analysis of human relationships.  The study is activity-oriented and includes an understanding of the influence of culture, organization of society, basic social institutions, (including the family) and social problems.  11th and 12th grade

PRACTICAL LAW - This class will introduce students to the basics of the legal system, which may be applied in one’s everyday life.
 
AP PSYCHOLOGY  - This course is for very independent learners in their 11th or 12th grade years and provides an overview of current psychological research methods and theories. This is a one-semester course and is taught over the internet.  Students will explore the therapies used by professional counselors and clinical psychologists and examine the reasons for normal human reactions: how people learn and think the process of human development and human aggression, altruism, intimacy, and self-reflection. They will study core psychological concepts, such as the brain and sense functions, and learn to gauge human reactions, gather information, and form meaningful syntheses. Along the way, students will also investigate relevant concepts like study skills and information retention. The equivalent of a 100-level college survey course, AP Psychology prepares students for the AP Exam in May and for further studies in psychology and life sciences.   Prerequisite: Students must submit the Governor’s Early Scholars Agreement prior to enrollment into this course

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY – This course is for very independent learners in 10th – 12th grade.  This is a one-semester course taught over the internet and introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration Earth's surface.  Students will study diverse peoples and areas organized around concepts that include location and place, scale, pattern, spatial organization, and regionalization.  They will also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice.  Prerequisite: Students must submit the Governor’s Early Scholars Agreement prior to enrollment into this course

AMERICAN CINEMA - This course follows the development of American Cinema from the days of silent films to modern movie masterpieces.  The social, cultural, technical, and artistic advances in film will be chronicled and explored.  Oral and written evaluations will be expected.  Open only to 11th and 12th graders.
 
AP EUROPEAN HISTORY -  The study of European history since 1450 AD introduces students to cultural, economic, political and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live.  In addition to providing a basic narrative of events and movements, goals of the course are to develop a) an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European history, b) an ability to analyze historical evidence and historical interpretation, and c) an ability to express historical understanding in writing.  Summer assignments are required and students must take the Advanced Placement exam. Prerequisite: World History I/ English grade of B or better and students must have submitted the Governor’s Early Scholars Agreement prior to registering for this course.

 AP MACRO ECONOMICS –Students learn why and how the world economy can change from month to month, how to identify trends in our economy, and how to use those trends to develop performance measures and predictors of economic growth or decline.  The equivalent of a 100 level college-level class, this course prepares students for the AP exam and further study in business, political science and history.  Prerequisite: Students must submit the Governor’s Early Scholars Agreement prior to enrollment into this course

AP MICRO ECONOMICS - This course studies the behavior of individuals and businesses as they exchange goods and services in the market place. Students will learn why the same product costs different amounts at different stores, in different cities, at different times. The equivalent of a 100 level college-level class, this course prepares students for the AP exam and further study in business, political science and history.  Prerequisite: Students must submit the Governor’s Early Scholars Agreement prior to enrollment into this course

AP STATISTICS – This yearlong course is taught via the internet is offered only to juniors and seniors with the appropriate math background. Prerequisite: Algebra II, Math Analysis or Trigonometry The equivalent of a 100 level college-level course and prepares students for the AP Exam.   Students must submit the Governor’s Early Scholars Agreement prior to enrollment into this course

AP PHYSICS B— This non-calculus survey course covers five general areas: Newtonian mechanics, thermal physics, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, and atomic and nuclear physic.  Students will gain an understanding of physics’ core principles and then apply them to problem-solving exercises. The equivalent of an introductory college-level course, AP Physics B prepares students for the AP Exam and for further study in science and engineering. Prerequisite: Algebra II, Math Analysis or Trigonometry and an Introductory Physics course.  The equivalent of a 100 level college-level course and prepares students for the AP Exam.   Students must submit the Governor’s Early Scholars Agreement prior to enrollment into this course

LIFE SKILLS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION – This course is designed to give students information and skills to maintain personal wellness throughout life.  Students will participate in activities such as aerobics, light weight training, golf, tennis, badminton, bowling, archery, and walking.  Nutritional information, public health and disease information, decision-making, problem solving, and coping skills will be developed with an emphasis on self-responsibility for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Prerequisite: HPE 9 and HPE 10 with a “C” or better average.   This course may be taken one time during a student’s junior year and one time during the senior year only. FCHS uniform required.

WEIGHT TRAINING AND CONDITIONING –  Students will improve physical condition, self-esteem and general wellness through a program of weight training and conditioning drills.  Lifting requirements will include dot drill, core lifts, auxiliary lifts, and a stretching program.  Conditioning will involve flexibility work, speed work, and plyometrics.  Prerequisite – HPE 9 AND HPE 10 with a “C“ or better average— This course may be taken one time during a student’s junior year and one time during the senior year only.  FCHS uniform required.

SPORTS MEDICINE – This course will be taught by a certified Athletic Trainer and introduces students to those skills used by a trainer for a sports team.  Students will be expected to participate in after school activities related to athletic teams including but not limited to taping, rehabilitation activities, etc.



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