LAS:AP courses offered

Subject Area: English

AP English Literature or Language and Composition

The focus of Advanced Placement English Language and Composition is rhetorical analysis and argumentative writing. Students will be trained in analyzing texts for tone, purpose, syntax, rhetorical strategies, diction, and figures of speech. At the same time, students will analyze persuasive speeches and essays for their validity in reasoning and effectiveness in persuasion. Student will become skilled synthesizers of information, utilizing a variety of sources to support an assertion. One of the benchmarks of the course is the researched argumentative research paper. The course will emphasize nonfiction, since this is the genre that appears on the College Board’s examination. However, novels will also be used to aid students in linguistic analysis. The desire to read and research current events will be helpful to any student enrolled in Advanced Placement Language and Composition. Advanced Placement Language and Composition is an intensive writing course that prepares students for the type of argumentative and analytical writing that is expected of them at the college level. (Prerequisite: Departmental approval)

Subject Area: Social Studies

AP World History

The purpose of the Advanced Placement World History course is to develop greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts, in interaction with different types of human societies.

AP US History

Advanced Placement U.S. History is designed to develop the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials concerning the history of the United States. The class prepares students for intermediate college courses by demanding skills equivalent to those acquired in a full-year introductory college program. Students will learn to assess historical material according to relevance, reliability, and importance by weighing the evidence presented in historical scholarship. Advanced Placement U.S. History develops the skills necessary to arrive at conclusions based on informed judgment and the ability to present evidence clearly and persuasively in essay format. This course includes materials from discovery and settlement to present day America. (Prerequisite: Departmental approval)

AP Human Geography

Advanced Placement Human Geography introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of the 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: Departmental approval)

AP European History

The study of European history since 1450 A.D. introduces students to cultural, economic, political, and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live. Without this knowledge, we would lack the context for understanding the development of contemporary institutions, the role of continuity and change in present-day society and politics, and the evolution of current forms of artistic expression and intellectual discourse. 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. (Prerequisite: Departmental approval)

AP Psychology

Advanced Placement Psychology provides an overview of current psychological theory and practice. Students will explore the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of humans and other animals. Students will be exposed to the principles, concepts and phenomena associated with major subfields within psychology, including biological bases of behavior, cognitive and emotional processes, and diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders. In accordance with the driving principles of current psychological practice, this course will emphasize scientific method and procedure, ethical standards in research, and critical thinking skills. Student academic performance is expected to meet or exceed the rigorous requirements of an introductory-level college survey course. (Prerequisite: Departmental approval)

AP Government and Politics

Advanced Placement Government is designed to present students with an analytical perspective of government and politics in the United States. This course involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific case studies. This course will include the various institutions, groups, beliefs and ideas that constitute U.S. political reality. (Prerequisite: Departmental approval)

Subject Area: Math

AP Calculus (Section: AB)

Advanced Placement Calculus AB will develop students’ understanding of the concepts of calculus and provide experience with its methods and applications. This course will emphasize a multi representational approach to calculus, with concepts, results, and problems being expressed graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally.

Subject Area: Science

AP Biology

Advanced Placement Biology is designed to be the equivalent of a first year introduction college biology course. Advanced Placement Biology is designed for students who have successfully completed foundation courses in biology and chemistry. This course aims to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology. Primary emphasis of the course is on developing an understanding of concepts rather than on memorizing terms and technical details. As part of the course work, students will participate in a variety of hands-on and virtual labs that meet the laboratory objectives for Advanced Placement Biology as required by the College Board.

AP Chemistry

Advanced Placement Chemistry is designed to be the equivalent of the first year college course in Chemistry. Students will attain a depth of understanding in the fundamentals and competence in dealing with chemical problems. This course will contribute to a student’s ability to think clearly and express their ideas both orally and in writing with clarity and logic. The topics will emphasize chemical calculations and mathematical formulation of principles. The online laboratory experience will be equivalent to that of a typical college course. (Prerequisite: Departmental approval)

AP Environmental Science

Advanced Placement Environmental Science is designed to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. (Prerequisite: Departmental approval)

AP Computer Science

The purpose of AP Computer Science A is to lay the foundation for object-oriented programming. The course aims at teaching the students computer science concepts. Java is used as the vehicle to teach them. The focus is more on the concepts and abstract ideas rather than on the syntax. The course is about design of classes, algorithms, programming techniques and introduction to data structures like arrays and array lists.

Subject Area: Fine Arts

AP Art History

The Advanced Placement offering in Art History is designed to provide the student with an understanding and knowledge of architecture, sculpture, painting, and other art forms within diverse historical and cultural contexts. Students will examine and critically analyze major forms of artistic expression from the past and the present from a variety of cultures. While visual analysis is the fundamental tool of the art historian, art history also emphasizes understanding works in context, considering such issues as patronage, gender, and the functions of and effects of works of art. (Prerequisite: Departmental approval)

 Subject Area: Foreign Languages

AP French Language

In this course students will continue to develop their skills in text handling (both written and spoken), written production (aiming to be able to write at least 400 words) and spoken interaction. To this end, students will be involved in comprehensive personal research and the study of literary texts. Students will be expected to express more complex ideas in an even more varied number of situations. Students will continue to develop an appreciation of French-speaking cultures during the year. (Prerequisite: Departmental approval)

AP Spanish Language

In this course students will continue to develop their skills in text handling (both written and spoken), written production (aiming to be able to write at least 400 words) and spoken interaction. To this end, students will be involved in comprehensive personal research. The study of literary texts is much more comprehensive than in previous years enabling students to express more complex ideas in a varied number of situations. Students continue to develop an appreciation of Hispanic-speaking cultures during the year. (Prerequisite: Departmental approval)

AP Latin: Catullus and Ovid

The Advanced Placement Latin Literature offering requires students to be able to translate accurately from Latin into English the poetry or prose they are reading and to demonstrate a grasp of grammatical structures and vocabulary. Stylistic analysis is an integral part of the advanced work in Advanced Placement Latin Literature. Students will study the poetry of Catullus paired with selections from Ovid. Students will be able to read and understand Latin poetry and prose at sight and will be able to understand and analyze passages from these authors. (Prerequisite: Departmental approval)