This elective course emphasizes problem solving and modeling using advanced mathematical topics. This course will examine how mathematics can be applied to disciplines such as finance, statistics and data analysis, voting methods, scheduling, and graphs and networks. Students will not only be assessed using traditional quizzes and tests, but also through regular projects and presentations. This course is open to all students who have completed Algebra 3/Trig, Precalculus, or Honors Precalculus. (one credit)
This course surveys major global themes in World History from 1500 CE to the present (nationalism, imperialism, revolution, industrialization, independence, and globalization). Students focus on essential questions to build upon the important skills of social studies (reading for content, writing effectively, thinking analytically, working cooperatively, communicating orally) needed to examine patterns in the intellectual, political, economic, and social arenas of history. Students will have many opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of the material through visits to various cultural sites in Washington, DC. (one credit)
This course surveys major themes in World History from 1500 CE to the present (nationalism, imperialism, revolution, industrialization, independence, and globalization). Students will gain a deeper understanding of the global themes through extensive primary source analysis with a focus on essential questions that examine the patterns in the intellectual, political, economic, and social arenas of history. This course provides the opportunity to refine the skills required of historians (analytical reading, complex synthesis, text-based formal discussions, and research-based writing). Students will have many opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of the material through visits to various historical/cultural sites and institutes in Washington, DC. By department permission. (one credit)
This one-semester elective course will examine the geographic, scientific, economic, environmental, and political issues surrounding the generation and consumption of energy, both nationally and globally, through power plants and automobiles. Current energy policy will be evaluated, especially with respect to the environment and the economy, and students will be empowered with tools to participate in the solution. Media, outside experts, and up-to-date resources will guide the work in this class, culminating with a major, real world, hands-on project. (one-half credit)
One aspect of the American identity is imagining ourselves as belonging to some smaller region of the United States. This year the course will examine the myths and realities of the American South through historical monographs, literature, and films. (one-half credit)
This class will explore how the traditions of Islam have interacted with modern nationalism to create extremely explosive situations in the Middle East—from the Balkans to Afghanistan—and to investigate ways that American foreign policy may help to diffuse tensions and help avoid wars like those that have rocked the region and the world since 1945. (one-half credit)
In this course students are introduced to and explore the dominant ideas and personalities of the Western intellectual tradition. Sample course topics include the interplay of faith and reason, science and religion, from the pre-Socratics to post-modernism. (one-half credit)
Who we "are" and how we present ourselves is becoming more a part of our daily lives. With the suffocation of social media surrounding us, it's important that we know and control what we create and not just in the fine arts realm, but in everything we produce. This course will give students a context of historical and current graphic design. The students will use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign as tools to both create work AND as a platform to showcase their work. Projects will include print- and web-based assignments for invented and actual goods, services, and events. Prerequisite: Photography 1 (one-half credit)