R-C-S
COURSE SELECTION GUIDE
2008-2009
This Course Selection Guide is prepared for the
purpose of assisting students and parents in the selection of courses for their
next school year. A brief description of all courses offered at the high
school as well as other helpful information is included.
The guidance department will conduct small group
meetings and individual conferences throughout the school year to assist each
student with course selections. In addition, special evening sessions are
scheduled for parents. The entire R-C-S teaching staff is available to
provide further guidance and information covering specific course offerings.
This guide, along with the Parent-Student Handbook,
provides information on grouping for instruction, early graduation, early
admission to college, advanced placement courses, and independent study
credit. Building and district policies covering every aspect of student
life are covered in these two documents.
Registration and Enrollment:
When entering from another school district, a birth
certificate (or other proof of age), transfer documentation, and proof of
inoculations as prescribed by Public Health Law #2164, must be presented to the
guidance and health office. The student should provide a transcript of
previous grades and other pertinent information. All families should
register with Mr. Patterson in the Middle School, room 108.
An enrolled student must carry a minimum of five (5)
courses plus physical education. Students are encouraged to take courses
beyond the minimum requirements. Seniors who want to have a modified
schedule must have a recommendation from their guidance counselor and written
permission from parent as well as the high school principal.
Homeroom Placement:
The number of units of credit listed below must be
accumulated by the end of the school year or via additional summer school
credit.
To be a sophomore - 5 ½ or more credits needed
To be a
junior - 11 or more
credits needed
To be a senior
- 16 or more credits needed
Making System and Report Cards:
Report cards will be issued every ten weeks.
Report cards and Interim Reports are mailed home. Ten week and final
grades in the courses taken are numerical and may be interpreted as follows:
High Honor Roll
Grades
90-100
Honor Roll
Grades
85-89
Passing
Grades
65+
Incomplete
Inc.
A final average is computed by adding the first,
second, third, and fourth ten-week grades and the final exam grade or Regents’
exam grade and dividing by five. In half-year courses, the final average
is computed by doubling each quarter grade, adding the final exam grade, and
dividing by five. The final test mark will never count more than 1/5 of
the final grade. A student who does not complete all required projects
and class assignments will not be allowed to take his/her final exam until all
course work has been completed.
A student may receive a grade of incomplete (Inc.) in
the event there is a continued absence immediately prior to a marking period
and there is no time to make up the assigned work. Please refer to the Parent-Student
Handbook for additional information.
Parent/Teacher/Counselor Conferences:
You may call the guidance office at 756-5200, ext.
2007, between the hours of 7:30 am and 3:00 pm each school day.
Students are divided alphabetically between the counselors in the following
manner:
Mr. Peter Dwyer:
Gr. 9-12 (A-G) pdwyer@rcscsd.org
Mr. Laraine
Gell: Gr. 9-12
(H-O) lgell@rcscsd.org
Ms. Joan
Kratz: Gr. 9-12
(P-Z) jkratz@rcscsd.org
The counselor will arrange a meeting between the
parent and a team of teachers at a convenient time after normal classes; or the
parent may request a meeting with a counselor during the regular school day.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
To graduate from R-C-S, twenty-two (22) units
of credit including Physical Education are required for a Regents, Advanced
Regents and Local diploma.
Types of Diplomas.
(i) Except as provided in subparagraphs (vi) and (vii) of this
paragraph, for students first entering grade nine in the 2001-2002 school year
and thereafter, there shall be no diplomas or certificates other than the
following:
(a) Regents diploma; or Local (for certain C.S.E. and 504 students)
(b) Regents diploma with an advanced
designation; or
(c) State high school equivalency diploma as provided in section
100.7 of this Part; or
(d) High School Individualized Education Program Diploma as
provided in section 100.9 of this Part.
(e)
Regents diploma, or Regents diploma with an advanced designation, with an
affixed technical endorsement awarded upon completion of an approved career and
technical education program pursuant to section 100.5(d)(6) of this Title.
(iii) Earning a Regents or local high
school diploma shall be deemed to be equivalent to receipt of a high school
diploma pursuant to Education Law section 3202(1) and shall terminate a
student's entitlement to a free public education pursuant to such statute.
Earning a high school equivalency diploma or an Individualized Education
Program Diploma shall not be deemed to be equivalent to receipt of a high
school diploma pursuant to Education Law section 3202(1) and shall not
terminate a student's entitlement to a free public education pursuant to such
statute.
(iv) Earning a Regents diploma. Students first entering grade nine
in 2001 and thereafter shall meet the commencement level New York State
learning standards by successfully completing twenty-two units of credit and
five New York State assessments distributed as specified in (a) through (k)
below. After passing the required
(a) English, four units of credit and the Regents comprehensive
examination in English or an approved alternative pursuant to section 100.2(f)
of this Part.
(b) Social studies, four units of credit including one unit of
credit in American history, the Regents examination in United States history
and government or an approved alternative pursuant to section 100.2(f) of this
Part, the Regents examination in global history and geography or an approved
alternative pursuant to section 100.2(f) of this Part, and a half unit of
credit in Economics and a half unit of credit in Participation in Government or
their equivalent as approved by the local public school superintendent or his
or her designee or by the chief administrative officer of a registered
nonpublic high school.
(c) Mathematics, three units of credit and the Regents
examinations in mathematics designated by the commissioner or an approved
alternative pursuant to section 100.2(f) of this Part. Students must pass
either the Regents examination titled Mathematics A, or until January 2002,
both Regents examinations titled Course I and Course II or both Course I and
Mathematics A.
(d) Science, three units of credit and one of the Regents
examinations in science or an approved alternative pursuant to section 100.2(f)
of this Part. In order to qualify to take a Regents examination in any of the
sciences a student must complete 1200 minutes of actual hands-on (not
simulated) laboratory experience with satisfactory documented laboratory
reports. The 1200 minutes of laboratory experience must be in addition to the
required classroom instruction associated with earning a unit of credit.
(e) The Arts (including visual arts, music, dance and theatre),
one unit of credit, which may be a specialized course that meets the arts
standards at the commencement level as established by the commissioner. Any
arts course for which credit will be awarded to meet the one unit of credit
requirement for graduation must be taught by a certified teacher and must
follow a State-developed or State-adopted syllabus or a locally-developed or
locally-adopted syllabus approved by the commissioner.
(f) Health, one half unit of credit which may be a specialized
course which meets the health standards at the commencement level as
established by the commissioner. Any health course for which credit will be
awarded to meet the one half unit of credit requirement for graduation must be taught
by a certified teacher and must follow a State-developed or State-adopted
syllabus or a locally-developed or locally-adopted syllabus approved by the
commissioner.
(g) Languages other than English, one unit of commencement-level
credit which can be earned by passing the State second language proficiency
examination pursuant to section 100.2(d) of this Title. A student identified as
having a disability which adversely affects the ability to learn a language may
be excused from the language other than English requirement set forth in this
subparagraph if such student's individualized education program indicates that
such requirement is not appropriate to the student's special educational needs.
Such a student need not have a sequence in a language other than English but
must meet the requirements for the total number of credits required for a
diploma.
(h) Physical Education, two units of credit, except that a student
who has completed the diploma requirements in fewer than eight semesters shall
not be required to continue enrollment in high school for the sole purpose of
completing the physical education requirements.
(i) Additional units in English language arts, mathematics, social
studies, science, the arts, languages other than English, career and technical
education, or any other subject area approved by the commissioner to a total of
twenty-two units of credit.
(v) Earning a Regents diploma with advanced designation. To
earn a Regents diploma with an advanced designation a student must complete, in
addition to the requirements for a Regents diploma:
(a) Additional Regents examinations in mathematics as determined
by the commissioner or approved alternatives pursuant to section 100.2(f) of
this Part. Students must pass the two Regents examinations titled Mathematics A
and Mathematics B, the three Regents examinations titled Course I, Course
II and Course III or the two Regents examinations titled Mathematics A and
Course 111.
(b) One additional Regents examination in science, for a total of
two Regents examinations, with at least one in life science and at least one in
physical science; and
(c) Two additional units in a language other than English for a
total of three units and the Regents comprehensive assessment in that language.
A student identified as having a disability which adversely affects the ability
to learn a language may be excused from the language other than English
requirement set forth in this subparagraph if such student's individualized
education program indicates that such requirement is not appropriate to the
student's special educational needs. Such a student need not have a sequence in
a language other than English but must meet the requirements for the total
number of credits required for a diploma. Students completing a five-unit
sequence in career and technical education or the arts (visual arts, music,
dance, and theatre) are not required to complete the additional two units of
the language other than English requirement for the Regents diploma with advanced
designation but must still meet the requirements for the total number of units
of credit.
|
(vi) For students with
disabilities who first enter grade nine in or after September 2001 and prior
to September 2010 and who fail required Regents examinations for graduation
but pass Regents Competency Tests in those subjects, as provided for in
paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of this section, a local diploma may be
issued by the local school district. This provision shall apply only to
students with disabilities who are entitled to attend school pursuant to
Education Law sections 3202 or 4402(5). |
ART
ART EXPLORATION (1 Credit)
This is a full year course
for students who are not planning to take additional art classes and would like
to satisfy the art requirement. The elements of art and principles of
design are addressed through various art and craft projects.
STUDIO IN ART (1 Credit)
This is a foundation course
and prerequisite for the art program. It is required of art majors and open to
all students. It acquaints students with the elements of art through
basic design and drawing problems. The principles of design are related
to two-dimensional and three-dimensional work. A wide variety of
materials, techniques, and vocabulary are presented. Prerequisite: Studio in Art
STUDIO IN DRAWING 1 :(1/2 Credit)
This course, offered in the fall semester, allows students to explore a broad range of approaches to
art through sketching and formal drawing techniques. Contour drawings, black
and white value studies, still life, portraits, and figure drawing are some of
the ways students will delve into this art form. Students will work with
a variety of media including pen and ink, pastel, pencil, and charcoal.
There is an emphasis on the development of technical skills and artistic
vocabulary. In addition, alternative approaches are introduced to further
encourage students to take ownership of the creative process of art making. The
history of this art form will also be covered through the study of relevant
artists, cultures, and historical movements.
STUDIO IN DRAWING II: (1/2 Credit)
This course, offered in the spring semester, advances students’ learning of drawing techniques, media, and history previously introduced in Drawing I. The material presented will demand a high level of skill and commitment on the part of students.
Prerequisites: Studio in Art and Drawing I
STUDIO IN PAINTING 1: (1/2 Credit)
This course, offered in the fall semester, introduces
students to various painting techniques, methods of application, and color
theory. Watercolors, tempera, acrylics, and mixed-media paintings are
created in both realistic and abstract styles. The
history of this art form will also be covered through the study of relevant artists,
cultures, and historical movements.
Prerequisite: Studio in Art
STUDIO IN PAINTING II :( 1/2 Credit)
In this course, offered in the spring semester, students will further explore painting and its history first introduced in Painting I. The more complex design principles and techniques will demand higher levels of skill and commitment on the part of students. Prerequisites: Studio in Art and Painting I
STUDIO IN GRAPHICS (YEARBOOK) :( 1 Credit)
Student will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and a realistic understanding of graphic design by working to create the school’s yearbook. Various computer graphic programs will be used to complete the project. This is an excellent opportunity to gain real-world, practical experience in commercial graphic design, writing, and advertising. Prerequisite: Studio in Art
SCULPTURE (1/2 Credit)
This course offered in the
fall semester introduces students to three–dimensional art through relief
casting, clay modeling, plaster carving, and gauze construction.
Prerequisite: Studio
in Art
GRAPHICS (PRINTMAKING) (1/2 Credit)
This course offered in the
spring semester includes a variety of printmaking techniques including
monoprinting, linoleum block printing, and silkscreen.
ART EDUCATION FOR THE
HANDICAPPED: (1 credit)
This course was developed in
response to a need for a more individualized, in-depth approach to teaching the
districts students with the most severe disabilities. The curriculum is
designed to address the unique needs of theses students of multiple
disabilities and provides the extra time and attention the students need.
Prerequisites: Students
identified by teachers.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT ART (1 Credit)
This course is for highly motivated students who are
committed to serious study of the visual arts through drawing, painting,
sculpture, printmaking, and ceramics. This intensive course concentrates
on developing an advanced, in-depth knowledge and skill level necessary for the
required portfolio. The course allows students to pursue an area of special
interest.
Prerequisites: Studio in Art, and any other
four half-year art courses.
ART HISTORY & CULTURE A (1/2 Credit)
This course is offered in the fall semester. It
is a survey of world art from the Stone Age through the Italian
Renaissance. It covers not only the artwork, but also reasons for the
creation of art and the cultural world, which produced it. All of this is
covered within the context of world history.
No prerequisites
ART HISTORY AND CULTURE B (1/2 Credit)
This course is offered in the spring semester.
It is a survey of world art from the Northern Renaissance through the
1990’s. It covers not only the artwork, but the various reasons for the
creation of art and the cultural world, which produced it. All of this is
covered within the context of world history.
No prerequisites
CERAMICS I (1/2 Credit)
This course is offered in
the fall semester and spring semester. It emphasizes hand-build methods
of construction such as pinch pot, slab, coil, and pottery wheel. Various
aspects of glazing are included.
Prerequisite: Studio
in Art
CERAMICS II (1/2 Credit)
This course is offered in
the fall and spring semester. It is a continuation of Ceramics I with the
inclusion of more advanced hand-building and glazing techniques.
Prerequisites: Studio
in Art and Ceramics I
ADVERTISING DESIGN (1/2 Credit)
This course is offered in the spring semester.
It involves techniques of layout, lettering, and design of various forms of
commercial art including posters, magazine, and newspaper adds.
Prerequisite: Studio in Art
REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR SEQUENCE IN ART
Students may select major sequences from any of the
sequences listed below and pass Regents examinations in subjects (see your
guidance counselor) to obtain a Regents diploma.
Studio in
Art
1 unit
Advanced Placement
Art
1 unit
Ceramics
I
½ unit
Ceramics
Ii
½ unit
Drawing
I
½ unit
Advertising
Design
½ unit
Sculpture
½ unit
Graphics
½ unit
Painting
I
½ unit
Painting
II
½ unit
Drawing
II
½ unit
Art History & Culture
A
½ unit
Art History & Culture
B
½ unit
(Of these nine one-half credit courses, any four are
required WITH Studio in Art for a sequence/Regents diploma)
Business &
Marketing
In today’s global economy,
it is important that all students have knowledge of the economic and financial
world in which they live. Business Education provides students with the
foundation to pursue programs such as; business administration, accounting,
marketing/management, law, and finance. Many business courses provide students
with the opportunity to develop computer skills necessary to be competitive in
both college and the workplace.
Students may take courses for elective credit, or choose
to complete a five-unit sequence as part of the requirements for an Advanced
Regents Diploma.
Students may earn a five-unit sequence in one of the
following Business & Marketing sequence areas:
Business Administration
Business & Marketing Exploration
It should be noted that for
students earning a five-unit sequence in CTE, the Business and Personal Financial Math course meets
the SED criteria for the 3rd unit of Math for Local and Regents Diploma students.
In order to receive a five–unit sequence in any CTE
area students must take and pass:
Career & Financial
Management
Required For Both Sequences:
Career and Financial Management ½
unit ’08-’09
Recommended to be taken during your junior or senior
year of high school.
Learn financial survival skills. During this
course, you will discover how to efficiently handle personal finance as you
make the transition to independent living.
Topics include budgeting, bankcards (debit, credit and ATM), checking and
savings accounts, electronic banking, insurance (life, property, health, and
auto), and investments (stocks, bonds, mutual funds and real estate). Students will continue their career planning,
write a resume, fill out a job application and handle job interview skills.
Recommended For Both Sequences:
Computer Applications 1 Unit ’08-‘09
(Includes the former Keyboarding/Word Processing and
Computer Literacy)
This class provides a practical background in
microcomputer basics. Students will receive hands-on experience while learning
the Microsoft Suite of applications including word processing, spreadsheet,
database management, presentation graphics and desktop publishing design as
well as applicable hands-on projects.
Students will learn how to integrate word processing documents with
spreadsheets, graphics and database files. The
skills learned are useful for both work and college.
Computer Applications can be
taken for college credit by registering with SCCC. Upon successful
completion of the course, students will receive three college credits for
Introduction to Computers.
Work-Based Learning* ½ Unit
TBA *SED
title will be forth coming
Recommended to be taken during your junior or senior
year of high school.
This program provides a link
between school and possible career. Students gain an understanding of a
positive work ethic, timelines, and good study habits. In addition, they will have an opportunity to
improve their teamwork and human relation skills. Participants must
successfully complete 54 hours of worksite internship and 27 hours of
supporting in-school instruction, complete weekly journals and time sheets as
well as mentor evaluations and a final report describing the internship
experience. Open to all students, grades
11 & 12. Priority will be given to
CTE majors.
Required for Business Administration Sequence:
Accounting 1
Unit ’08-’09
This course is necessary if you are considering
career in business. Accounting is the language of business.
Develop real-life accounting skills necessary to understand the bookkeeping
cycle of a sole-proprietorship and a partnership. Learn the principles and procedures of
processing transactions through the entire accounting cycle using Microsoft
Excel.
College Accounting 1 unit ’08-‘09
Pre-Req:
Accounting
Are you interested in pursuing a business degree in
college? Do you want to expand your skills from Accounting? This course concentrates on the accounting
cycles of corporations. Applications
include internal controls, the recording and reporting cycle and the nature of
assets, liabilities and equity. In
addition, the course will focus on topical issues and the impact of changing
regulatory environment on both corporations and the accounting profession.
Business Law * 1
unit ’08-‘09
* For students earning a 5-unit sequence in business
& marketing this course will meet SED criteria for 3rd unit of Social
Studies
The study of business law
will introduce you to our legal system, court procedures and jury process. Students will develop a respect for and
understand of law enforcement as it affects your personal, family and
occupational studies. Topics include:
contracts, warranties, consumer protection, bailment’s, buying and insuring a
car, employment, marriage, divorce, renting/and or buying a home, insurance
protection, credit, and wills. Students
will prepare and perform a mock trial.
The use of videos enhances the class.
This course is recommended for juniors and seniors. Freshman and
sophomores may take it will the approval of the instructor. Business Law can be
taken for college credit by registering with SCCC. Upon successful completion
of the course, students will receive three college credits for Business Law I.
Students may complete their five-unit sequence in
Business Administration by taking a course in any other CTE sequence. It is recommended that the student choose a
course closely related to their future career plans.
Required for Business & Marketing Exploration
Sequence:
Business & Personal Financial Math * 1 unit ’08-‘09
*For students earning a 5-unit sequence is CTE this
course meets SED criteria for 3rd unit of Math for a Local and Regents Diploma
This course is designed to
help students understand the complex financial world they will encounter, to develop the specific skills required to
solve a wide variety of mathematical problems commonly found in career and
personal lives, as well as prepare students for more complex college level
business courses. Topics include banking, budgeting, investing, and
insurance, credit, bankruptcy, taxes, employment laws and issues, income taxes,
loans and fraudulent financial practices
Communication Systems I ½ Unit
’08-‘09 (Includes the former Web Design and Desktop
Publishing)
This is the first half of
two-part hands on course. Students will learn various skills in both web and
graphic design. The course
introduces professional design programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft
Publisher. Students will lean the basic
and intermediate skills on the programs that are necessary to complete
assignments such as websites, posters, magazine covers and billboards.
Communication Systems II ½ Unit
’09-‘10 Pre-Req. Communication Systems I
This is the second half of a
two part hands on course. Students will use the TV studio to
participate in audio/video production. This class will cover the basic skills
necessary to run a studio to record and produce professional vides. Computer animation could possibly be covered
as well.
Multimedia Presentations ½
Unit ’08-‘09
This course is for students who desire to increase his or her
computer knowledge and is recommended for all college bound students. This
course approaches the use of computer applications at the advanced level to
continue to challenge students with techniques and strategies for delivering
effective presentations using power point software. The use of digital camera,
scanner, video camera and CDs will be included
Sports & Entertainment Marketing ½ Unit ’08-‘09
If you are planning a career in business
administration, marketing, retailing or would like to own/operate your own
business one day this course is for you. Students will explore the basic
principles (financing, risk management, selling, promotion, pricing,
purchasing, product/service/idea planning and distribution) and apply them one
of the largest exports from the United States; sports and entertainment. Computer technology will be used daily to
support and enrich the curriculum.
Students may complete their five-unit sequence in
Business Administration by taking a course in any other CTE sequence. It is recommended that the student choose a
course closely related to their future career plans.
Future Course Offerings may include:
E-Commerce ½
unit
Explore buying and selling
through the booming industry of electronic commerce. Take this course in order to develop
knowledge, skills and attitudes that you will need in order to navigate the
world of eCommerce, market via electronic communication, and run an ebusiness
Fashion Marketing ½ Unit
This course is designed to
introduce students to the fashion industry.
Focusing on current fashion trends, students will acquire an
understanding of fashion terminology, the consumers of fashion and the specific
marketing strategies used to retail fashion.
College in the High School classes are generally college curriculum covered in
the CTE class. Often time the college
will require texts, specific curriculum outlines, specific assessments
etc. In the college in the high school
model, the students pay for the class, usually at a reduced rate negotiated by
the college and the high school. These
credits are transcripted as opposed to the articulated credits, which are only
offered if the student attends that college after graduation from HS.
Business Law SCCC
Computer Applications SCCC
College Accounting St. Rose/SCCC
E-Commerce HVCC/SCCC
ENGLISH
ENGLISH
9 (1 Credit)
In this full year course, skill building in
the areas of reading, writing, speaking, and listening intensifies as students
work to achieve a commencement level of proficiency by the end of grade
12. Literature will focus on novels,
short story, short drama, poetry, and non-fiction to be studied both
generically and thematically.
Informational reading selections will also provide the background for
writing informal pieces. Other types of
writing emphasized in grade 9 include narrative, persuasive, and
analytical. Research skills focus on
effective note taking, paraphrasing, and citing sources. Standardized units of vocabulary are studied
in addition to learning vocabulary through context. Students are expected to become more proficient
in their use of punctuation, tense consistency, and sentence structure. Practice in delivering effective oral
presentations will also be an integral part of English 9. Final assessment will be based on a series of
writing tasks. Students placed in
English 9-1 will meet all the requirements for the English 9 program as well as:
Complete a full-length research paper, study
more advanced literature and vocabulary, and participate in discussions
requiring advanced cognitive skills.
Criteria for placement of English 9-1
include:
·
90% or higher
average for English 8
·
Level 3 or higher
on the grade 8 NYS English Language Arts Assessment
·
Teacher
recommendation
ENGLISH
10 (1 Credit)
In this full year course, students will
explore a variety of learning strategies.
Self-directed activities, teacher-guided lessons, and cooperative modes
of instruction afford students many different opportunities to practice all the
elements of language arts. Progress in
writing, speaking, listening, and understanding literature continues throughout
the 10th grade program.
Activities and assignments related to the “new” English Comprehensive
Regents Examination are also an integral part of this course. The study of classic and modern literature
with the emphasis on novel, short story, non-fiction,drama, and poetry will be
approached generically and thematically.
This study will also focus on the literary terminology relevant to each
genre. Vocabulary enrichment continues
through both the use of a vocabulary text and the ongoing study of
literature. Students will also continue
their development of the skills and style needed for effective expository and
literary/analytical forms of communication.
In addition to the consistent reinforcement of skills, emphasis will be
placed on parallel structure, voice, sentence construction, punctuation, and
agreement. Research skills will be
reinforced and extended through student completion of a short research
paper. Individual and group
presentations are also included throughout the course. All students will complete a final assessment
portfolio. Students placed in English
10-1 will meet all the requirements for the English 10 program, as well as
study more advanced vocabulary, read and analyze more challenging literature,
participate in additional SAT/ACT preparation, and complete an extended
research task.
Criteria for placement in English 10-1
include:
·
85% or higher
average for grade 9
·
teacher
recommendation
ENGLISH
11 (1 Credit)
This full year course further develops and
polishes student reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Emphasis is given to those writing and
analytical skills necessary for success on the Regents Comprehensive
Examination in English and in preparation for the SATs.
Students will work on Regents type tasks and
test taking strategies throughout the year.
Test taking strategies will also assist the students with PSAT and SAT
preparation for the verbal and writing components of the exam.
Students will primarily study American
literature in a variety of genres that reflect our diverse heritage and
culture. A Shakespearean play will also
be studied and vocabulary development will be continuous through the year.
The students will write a multi-source
literacy analysis paper as part of a research project that is in conjunction
with their course portfolio work. The
portfolio will count as one-fifth of the final grade for the course.
INTEGRATED
AMERICAN STUDIES (2 Credits) (1
credit in English 11 and 1 credit in Social Studies 11)***subject to adequate
enrollment***
American Studies is an honors/AP level
course which offers an integrated approach to English and American
History. Classes meet for 80 minutes
each day and are team taught by an English teacher and a social studies
teacher. Each quarter focuses on a
particular phase in American History and includes a variety of literature
reflective of each phase. In addition to
essay writing, which meets the criteria and standards for the Regents
Comprehensive Exam in English, students will also work through the process of
preparing and writing a research paper.
Topics for this 8-10 page paper will be drawn from the historical period
between the American Revolution (1776) and the Civil War (1865). The instructional design of the course allows
for greater student-centeredness and alternative types of assessments ranging
from collaborative projects to individual oral presentations. It also requires weekly lectures and note
taking based on the AP American History text.
As a final assessment for the course, students will complete a
portfolio. Literature selected for this
course includes: To Be a Slave, The
Autobiography of Malcolm X, The Scarlet Letter, The Crucible, two full-length slave narratives (one
by Frederick Douglass and one by Harriet Jacobs) Huckleberry Finn, The
Jungle, Black Boy, Inherit the Wind, Native Son,
Red Badge of Courage, Ragtime, The Things They Carried,
and a Shakespearean tragedy. Students
will also read selected poetry, essays, and short stories including, “A Rose
for Emily;” “The Hound;” “The Minister’s Black Veil;” “Young Goodman Brown;”
“The Devil and Tom Walker.” Poetry
selections are from Whitman, Dickinson, Poe, Bryant, Longfellow, Sandburg, and
poets of the Harlem Renaissance.
*Students taking this course will take the June Regents Exams in Comprehensive English and
Prerequisites: A candidate for American Studies will have:
1.
Completed
Advanced Placement European History and/or received a recommendation from
his/her 10th grade social studies teacher.
2.
Received a
recommendation from his/her 10th grade English teacher.
3.
Completed
English 10-1 earning a minimum average of 85.