SENIOR YEAR – COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
ENGLISH IV
This curriculum focuses on the application of literary and informational texts, the evaluation of communication between various audiences, the creation of written products without the use of a template, the application of reading comprehension strategies, the production of a plan to problem solve, the ability to attribute the impact of cause and effect, the generation of a viewpoint based on the analysis of a situation, and the creation of informational products for use in employment, post-secondary education/training, and independent living domains.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION
This college-level course provides an analytical and historical study of British and world literature in a comprehensive program of reading, writing, and critical thinking. It fulfills the NC graduation requirement for English III. As preparation to take the Advanced Placement Test in Literature and Composition, students read, discuss, analyze, and write about challenging works of recognized literary merit to develop honest, concise, and effective use of language and the ability to organize ideas in a clear, coherent, and persuasive way. Independent literary analysis and a total mastery of writing skills are the goals of the course. Because this course meets the needs of academically gifted or highly motivated advanced students who hope to bypass introductory courses in composition and literature when they enter college, students in an AP course should expect assignments and instruction paced at the college level. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take The College Board Advanced Placement test.
CIVICS AND ECONOMICS
This course provides students with a framework for understanding the basic tenets of American democracy, practices of American government as established by the US Constitution, basic concepts of American politics and citizenship, and concepts in micro- and macroeconomics and personal finance. The goal of this course is to help to prepare students to become responsible and effective citizens in the interdependent world.
ECONOMICS AND PERSONAL FINANCE
This is a new graduation requirement for current freshmen (Class of 2024) and incoming freshman. The standards and objectives in the Economics and Personal Finance course will provide students the opportunity to engage in intensive application of the skills, concepts, processes, and knowledge gained in previous social studies courses and prepare them to be college, career, and civic ready.
CTE ADVANCED STUDIES INFO (HONORS)
This culminating course is for juniors and seniors who have earned two technical credits, one of which is a completer course, in one Career Cluster. The Advanced Studies course must augment the content of the completer course and prepare students for success in transitioning to postsecondary education and future careers. Students work under the guidance of a teacher with expertise in the content of the completer course in collaboration with community members, business representatives, and other school-based personnel. The four parts of the course include writing a research paper, producing a product, developing a portfolio, and delivering a presentation. Students demonstrate their abilities to use 21st century skills. Competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the High School Program Planning Guide 2021-2022 96 opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences.
ADOBE VIDEO DESIGN
In addition to the standard course requirements for Adobe Video Design, this honors-level course extends the standard course of study to a more challenging level for the student who is highly motivated, able to work independently, and has a history of high academic achievement. Honors credit will be awarded to students that successfully complete an Honors portfolio for the course that consists of college/career-themed projects and assessments.
AP COMPUTER SCIENCE
This is a college-level introductory course in computer science. Because the design and implementation of computer programs to solve problems involves skills that are fundamental to the study of computer science, a large part of the course is built around the development of computer programs that correctly solve a given problem. These programs should be understandable, adaptable, and when appropriate, reusable. At the same time, the design and implementation of computer programs is used as a context for introducing other important aspects of computer science, including the development and analysis of algorithms, the development and use of fundamental data structures, the study of standard algorithms and typical applications, and the use of logic and formal methods. In addition, the responsible use of these systems is an integral part of the course. The course is designed to be the equivalent of a first-semester college course in computer science. Mathematics is reinforced throughout the course. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course include apprenticeship, cooperative education, entrepreneurship, internship, mentorship, school-based enterprise, service learning, and job shadowing. Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences. Further information about the course and the AP Computer Science Exam can be found at http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_compscia.html.