Junior

CLASSICAL LANGUAGES

A.P. LATIN

A. P. Latin is an elective course open to juniors and seniors. The classical epic is studied as a unique literary form. The Latin text of Vergil’s Aeneid and Caesar’s Gallic War is analyzed and substantial portions carefully examined with emphasis on poetic technique and literary merit. Supplementary reading in contemporary journals and in critical evaluations is required. Students will prepare for the College Board A.P. Latin Examination. Students will develop skills in analysis and critical thinking as they are asked to translate, analyze, and interpret the Latin text. Through frequent essays students demonstrate their comprehension of the Latin text and the major themes of the works. This course carries eligibility for college credit at the University of Scranton.

LATIN LITERATURE

Latin Literature is an elective course open to juniors and seniors. The literature read in the course rotates from year to year and includes works by Vergil, Ovid, Catullus, Horace, and Cicero. Students further develop their analytical skills by reading longer passages in Latin, while keeping up with their forms, syntax, and grammar. In addition, frequent essays give students a chance to display their understanding of the works. This course carries eligibility for college credit at the University of Scranton.

ENGLISH

ENGLISH III

The emphasis in English III is on the study of the short story, novel, and selected poetry, and drama in British literature. Students increase their ability to apply critical analyses to these genres, and this ability is demonstrated through class discussions and through cohesive analytical compositions. Complementing class discussions and written evaluations, small group discussion and peer review offer students alternate modes of examining and reflection upon their reading. During the year, students read Macbeth as a continuation of their study of Shakespeare. Critical study and examination of individual works allow students to address timeless and universal themes and to enhance their personal appreciation of classical literature. In English III, there is a minimal stress on the instruction of grammar. Sentence structure is reviewed and basic sentence patterns are reinforced through their on-going study of writing based on the core program. Weekly vocabulary drills enhance word skills for the purpose of improving SAT verbal skills.

HONORS ENGLISH III

Honors English is a course available to a selected number of juniors who plan to culminate their English studies in senior A.P. English Literature. They engage in an intensive survey of British literature from Beowulf to twentieth-century classics and read Oedipus Rex, three Shakespearean plays, novels, and a wide variety of poetry. During their year in Honors English, students use their core writing skills to analyze, parody, and rebut the major authors. A major part of Honors English involves active participation in class discussion, weekly writing assignments, a term paper, and individual reading and analysis. Other modes of instruction include lecture, oral presentations, small group discussions, board work, peer evaluation, and informal debate.

CREATIVE WRITING

Creative Writing is an alternative elective selection to Junior English, Honors English, and AP English Language and Composition and subsequently fulfills the requirement for English III. Juniors selected for this course continue their study of literature by examining selected writings of British authors. These selections give students the opportunity to emulate the finest examples of each genre in their own writing. The course work focuses on the added dimension of writing for students with a specific interest in, or talent for, writing by giving them the opportunity of writing in the four generic areas of writing: poetry, the short story, essay, and drama.

A.P. ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION

A.P. English Language and Composition is an elective in English in the junior year, and it fulfills the English requirement for that year. Qualified students study and analyze the language, rhetoric, and composition of selected readings. Subsequent to their discussion and examination of selected works, students will demonstrate their proficiency in the areas of language, rhetoric, and composition in writing weekly analytic, persuasive, and expository essays, all using MLA style. AP English Language and Composition emphasizes rhetoric and composition with attention to particular forms: narrative, exposition, and argument. This AP course engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of times, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Reading selections for the course come from fiction, nonfiction, and nonliterary works, namely sociology, history, politics, anthropology, and the sciences.

FINE ARTS

ART/MUSIC/SPEECH

This is a required course for all juniors. This course examines three major facets in a fine arts curriculum – art, music, and speech / public speaking. In this yearlong course, students will have 1 full quarter of art, 1 full quarter of music, and 1 full quarter of speech / public speaking. In their art quarter, students will develop their ability to think creatively and manipulate various 2D and 3D mediums. Students will begin to examine what inspires them and create various art pieces in accordance with their interests and aspirations. In their music quarter, students will be provided with knowledge necessary to develop a lasting appreciation of music. The course offers insight and an introduction to various musical forms, styles, genres, and periods, as well as the lives and individual styles of various composers. In their speech / public speaking quarter, students will develop and hone their ability to speak in front of a group. Students will focus on each facet of effective communication, namely, tone, volume, tempo, articulation, conciseness, body language, and eye contact. Students will execute these communication skills with various practical assignments and projects, specifically speech giving, interviewing, and debates. The fourth and final quarter will result in a culminating project that synthesizes student learning and invites them to apply their knowledge of each of the three content areas.

MATHEMATICS

Following their second year, students are placed in Algebra II or Algebra II/Trigonometry depending on their strength in mathematics over the past two year. Students in the accelerated program continue to Pre-Calculus. To remain in the accelerated program, students must maintain a sound academic record.

ALGEBRA II

This course is a continuation of Algebra I with the repeated topics covered in greater depth than in the first year. New topics include complex numbers, radical functions, and quadratic functions.

ALGEBRA II/TRIGONOMETRY

Students in Algebra II/Trigonometry cover the same topics as Algebra II in the first semester. The second semester covers newer topics of exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. Significant time is devoted to the study of angle measurement, trigonometric properties and graphs, and right triangle trigonometry.

PRE-CALCULUS

This course is designed to lay a sturdy foundation for success in Calculus. Relying on a solid understanding of Algebra and Geometry, the course begins with a review of Algebra II concepts, continues with a thorough study of the trigonometric functions, their properties, and their graphs, and concludes with a study of vectors, lines, and conic sections in Analytical Geometry.

THEOLOGY

THEOLOGY III: THE MAKING OF MORAL DECISIONS

The third year of Theology presents a philosophical and theological inquiry into the nature of morally good acts. Through examination of theological, philosophical, and ethical principles, the students in this course are encouraged to confront moral issues on a personal and global scale. With particular attention given to the study of Catholic ethics, students will explore and reflect upon morality in the context of human relationships.

SCIENCE

CHEMISTRY II/ PHYSICS

Chemistry II/ Physics is a course designed to round out a student’s exposure to chemistry and some of the more advanced topics that were not covered in Chemistry I, as well as, give a basic understanding of kinematics in physics.  The course will consist of a half year of Chemistry II and a half year of Physics.  Each part of the course will have a lab component that will enrich the students understanding of classwork being covered.

HONORS CHEMISTRY II

Chemistry II Honors is course that picks up where Chemistry I left off.  The content of the course will begin with a brief review of Chemistry 1 topics then move on to cover topics such as stoichiometric relationships, acid-base calculations, kinetics, equilibrium and redox.  The lab experience for this course will be rich and an in-depth study to mirror the topics covered in the class.  The objective of the course is to prepare students to be successful in their first year of college chemistry.

A.P. CHEMISTRY

Students with outstanding aptitude and interest in science may select A.P. Chemistry which follows the comprehensive course of study designated by the College Board. This is a college-level course in chemistry intended to provide an extensive foundation and competence in dealing with chemical principles. A complementary lab course is also completed. This course is a part of the seven-year cooperative program with the University of Scranton. Students will sit for the A.P. exam at the conclusion of the academic year.

PHYSICS

This in-depth physics course is for students with widely differing career plans (i.e., scientific or non-scientific career plans). The course follows the traditional approach to physics with major emphasis on mechanics, light, electricity and magnetism. Lecture topics are reinforced with a well-coordinated laboratory program. Problem solving is emphasized throughout the course.

SOCIAL STUDIES

A.P. EUROPEAN HISTORY

A.P. European History is an elective course for juniors and seniors. Following the College Board A.P. syllabus, A.P. European History provides students with an academic experience equivalent to an introductory college survey of Western Civilizations. The course is specifically designed to provide students with an in-depth study of European history from the 15th century through the modern day. As students study course content, A.P. European History is specifically designed to enhance their analytical skills through critical thinking, document analysis, interpretive reading, information organization and synthesis, participation in a seminar format class discussion, and research and essay writing. Students successfully mastering this course material may earn college credit by passing the annually administered AP European history exam. All students will take the A.P. exam in May.

A.P. HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

A.P. Human Geography is an elective course open to juniors and seniors. Following the College Board A.P. Syllabus, A.P. Human Geography introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice. All Students will take the A.P. exam in May.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

The intent of the International Affairs course is to give the student an understanding of the inter-relationship of nations on the regional and global level. There is a three-level program of concepts and terminology, historical highlights, and current developments. Through this program, students will develop critical thinking and expression along with advanced reading and writing skills.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT & ECONOMIC SYSTEMS

American Government and Economic Systems (A.G.E.S.) is an elective course offered on the Junior and Senior-Level. It is divided into two parts. In the first semester, American Government, the focus will be on identifying the origins and purposes of government, law, and politics in the United States. It will discuss the purposes and provisions of the U.S. Constitution and the amendments. It will examine citizenship, civil rights, voting rights, political parties, and the effect media has on public policies and political agendas. This part of the course will study the United States’ federalist system of government. It will detail the structures and functions of the federal and state legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government and will examine independent federal agencies, constitutional powers, and national affairs.
In the second semester, American Economic Systems, the emphasis will be on economic policies. It will discuss the fundamentals of a market economy including economic systems, production possibilities curve, supply, demand, and price, business organizations, market structures, and the role of money. It will also address the national economy including economic goals, and fiscal and monetary policy. Attention will be placed on the Federal Reserve System, taxation, budgeting, deficit and debt. Areas of personal finance will also be discussed.

WORLD LANGUAGES

GERMAN II

The course is designed to complete the study of basic German grammar begun in the first year. There is a complete and detailed review of grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. Slides, filmstrips, tapes, outside reading, magazines, and other audio-visual aides are used. German history, geography, and culture continue to be an essential part of the course.

SPANISH II

Spanish II is designed to review, build upon, and continue with proficiency begun in Spanish I. Students practice, refine, and improve the four skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. These goals are achieved using practical, communicative, participatory activities which follow the guidelines of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. Our language lab helps students to improve listening comprehension and pronunciation and to experience the various accents of the Spanish-speaking world. The rich culture of the Americas and Spain is enjoyed via readings, slides, videos, music, and guest speakers. All instruction and assessments are in compliance with world-readiness standards for language learning.