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Course Descriptions |
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Senior Elective are found within their departments as are Advanced Placement Courses
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A College Preparatory School For Young Women Serving The Community since 1917 S t. Saviour High School, which was founded in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn in 1917, continues to educate young women by offering a college preparatory program. St. Saviour endeavors to educate the whole person in the tradition of the School Sisters of Notre Dame.St. Saviour provides quality education in an atmosphere where Christian faith and freedom develop under the care of a competent faculty, both lay and religious, and each student is encouraged to develop her potential to its fullest. ACADEMIC POLICY GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS To satisfy the requirements for the St. Saviour High School diploma, a minimum of twenty-six and ½ units must be earned. RELIGION 4 years 2 credits ENGLISH 4 years 4 credits MATHEMATICS 3 years 3 credits SOCIAL STUDIES 4 years 4 credits SCIENCE 3 years 3 credits LANGUAGES 5 years 5 credits HEALTH 1 year ½ credit ART 2 years 1 credit MUSIC 2 years 1 credit PHYSICAL ED. 4 years 2 credits COMPUTER 1 year 1 credit In addition to the St. Saviour diploma, a student may receive a Regents endorsement by fulfilling the requirements set forth by the New York State Board of Regents. Students are required to take Regents examinations in all major subjects. GRADING SYSTEM Report Cards are issued quarterly. Midterm and Final exams are administered after the 1st and 2nd semesters. The correlation of numerical grades to letter grades is as follows: 90 - 100 = A 80 - 89 = B 70 - 79 = C 65 - 70 = D below 65 = F The semester grade is calculated as follows: Courses with semester exams: Courses without semester exams: First quarter....................….40% Third quarter....................….. 50% Second quarter.................…40% Fourth quarter.................… 50% Final exam....…………..….20% Yearly averages are computed by averaging the 1st and 2nd semester grades. A failing grade in either the final average or Regents examination will result in mandatory summer school. HONOR ROLL The Honor Roll is published on a semester basis. First Honors - grade average of 90% or above in major subjects with no grade below 85% Second Honors - grade average of 85% or above with no grade below 80% WEIGHTED GRADES IN CALCULATING RANK IN CLASS • ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES ARE WEIGHTED ON A 1.06 QUALITY INDEX • HONORS LEVEL COURSES ARE WEIGHTED ON A 1.04 QUALITY INDEX • REGENTS LEVEL COURSES ARE WEIGHTED ON A 1.02 • ALL OTHER COURSES ARE ON A 1.00 QUALITY INDEX ADVANCED PLACEMENT STUDIES Advanced Placement (A.P.) courses are offered for those students who wish to pursue college-level studies while still in secondary school. Courses are offered in American History, Calculus, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, European History, Latin and Psychology. Students enrolled in these classes are required to take the A.P. Examinations. Placement in an A.P. course is subject to the requirements set forth by the respective departments. The High School Extension Program with St. John’s University provides qualified students with the opportunity to enroll concurrently in their high school courses and in college-credit bearing courses from the university. The program is offered in French, Spanish, and European History. To be eligible to enroll in the program, seniors must have an 80% cumulative average and 1100 combined SAT or PSAT scores; juniors must have an 85% average and 1100 PSAT. The Guidance Department serves the needs of the school and student body in a variety of ways. The guidance counselors help students with course selection, coordinate standardized testing, disseminate career and college information, counsel students, provide opportunities for parent-teacher conferences, assist parents/guardians and students who may need specialized services from outside agencies, etc.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS Fundamentals of Art: One Semester; Required for all Freshmen This course opens with an introduction to advertising terms, making students aware of how art and graphic design saturate the world in which they live. Through interactive class participation, students are exposed to the fundamental principles of design and the elements of art theory--the basic tools and techniques with which students are able to create good artwork. The second quarter presents a chronological overview of artistic styles from prehistoric to modern times . Application of Media: One Semester; Required for all Sophomores Students' knowledge of principles of design and elements of art is brought to fruition through the use of various media. All students are encouraged to create good design regardless of their artistic ability. The first projects are designed to develop basic skills in color mixing, advancing towards more refined projects focusing on distinctions of value and intensity. Elements of line, pattern, texture and composition are reinforced through the discipline of scratchboard art. Classes led by the instructor in one-two- and three-point perspective teach students to be aware of vanishing points, proportionally diminishing space, line, balance and symmetry. Developing Artistic Potential: Senior Elective; Departmental permission required. This course focuses on developing techniques in pencil drawing, painting, fabric dyeing, charcoal, pastel, and pen-and-ink illustration. Other explorations of media may include, but are not limited to, plaster casting, batik, sculpture, clay, acrylic and oil painting. Portfolio development is incorporated for students wishing to pursue an art major in college. Prospective students must complete and submit a simple application packet, demonstrating ability and comprehension of the basic principles and elements of art, before the end of June of their junior year. Computer I: Required for all Freshmen Course begins with introduction to hardware and computer maintenance. Taking the computer apart, cleaning them and learning how the hardware works. Exploring the history of computing and women's roles in science and technology. A tour of the Microsoft suite, beginner to more advanced techniques in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and FrontPage. Introduction into Photoshop. Back to hardware to explore more advanced techniques in maintenance and extending the life of the pc. How the BIOS keeps it all together. How does Windows work, a guide to the operating system of yesterday and today. Exploring the concept of Digital Citizenship and the importance of appropriate behavior. Introduction of server concepts and the web bridging into HTML using FrontPage. Computer IV: Senior Elective Unit 1: Hands on, advanced hardware and maintenance techniques
introduced and discussed. Configuring and building computers in our
lab with the learned knowledge of the major parts and how they function together. Comparing
those systems with popular computers available for sale today. We
will also investigate women in computing and delve into the importance of
equity for all. Introduction to Literature: Required for all Freshmen English Nine Introduction to Literature: Required for all Freshmen English Nine The ninth grade English course is designed to help students develop effective language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension) while broadening knowledge of important literary texts and genres and strengthening analytic skills. A variety of materials are employed, including grammar and literature texts, a vocabulary/grammar workbook, as well as supplemental readings. English Nine Honors: Departmental approval required. The Ninth Grade Honors English course introduces students to the four main literary genres: drama, poetry, short fiction, and the novel. Beginning with an in-depth examination of the required summer reading texts, students learn skills necessary for close reading and literary analysis. New vocabulary is introduced regularly, through literary selections as well as a vocabulary text. The writing skills necessary for effective communication in every aspect of life are taught with emphasis on the literary essay. Grammar skills are strongly emphasized and taught in tandem with writing, some lessons growing directly out of student writing, and others as a separate strand of the course using a grammar text. Survey of American Literature: Required for all Sophomores English Ten English ten includes a study of American literature from historical and thematic perspectives. Beginning with the writings of the Puritan settlers and indigenous peoples and continuing to contemporary texts, the literary selections reflect the experience of all who have contributed to the intricate pattern of American life and literature. In addition to a chronologically arranged anthology, students read a variety of supplemental selections, both classic and contemporary, during the year and as summer reading. Writing is emphasized and each student is encouraged to continue to develop her individual voice through a variety of creative and academic writing activities. Again, vocabulary is taught through literary selections as well as through a vocabulary workbook. Time and consideration are devoted to preparation for the verbal portion of the PSAT. English Ten Honors: Departmental approval required. The Sophomore Honors English course focuses on the students' appreciation and analytic understanding of American literature, their firmer grasp of principles of grammar and style, experimentation with creative writing, and systematic expansion of their vocabulary. Therefore, the daily assignments range among these studies, and the almost daily class discussions provide students the opportunity to display their developing skills. Survey of British Literature: Required for all Juniors English Eleven The course covers literature, writing, and basic grammar skills. We focus on British literature, analytic essay writing, and standard English conventions of punctuation, spelling and usage. To prepare for the PSAT exam, we scrutinize earlier tests and decode ways to respond to all sections of the PSAT: analogies, critical reading, and sentence completion, as well as Test of Writing Skills. To prepare for the New York State Regents Examination in English, students practice the four types of analytic essay responses they will be required to write for this exam. English Eleven Honors: Departmental approval required. The Junior Honors English course focuses on the students' appreciation and analytic understanding of British literature as well as developing the skills necessary to write competent expository essays. Daily assignments include readings, writing exercises, reviews of grammar and style, and vocabulary exercises. The almost daily class discussions require the students to express and explain what they are learning. World Literature: Required for all Seniors English Twelve This course covers literature, writing, and advanced grammar skills. We concentrate on literary works of non-Western origin. As preparation for the SAT exams, we practice analogies, critical reading, and sentence completion, using study aids and prior SAT exams. We expand our analytic essay writing skills to encompass an annotated, MLA style research paper of 1500-2000 words supporting an original thesis. English Twelve Honors: Departmental approval required. Similar to English Twelve in content, but with greater analytic emphasis and a. 2500-3000 word research paper. Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition: Departmental approval required. The Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition course focuses on, first, the students' attainment of college-level appreciation and analytic understanding of literature, expressed orally and in writing; and, second, the students' mastery of those skills necessary to produce a college-level research paper. Daily assignments involve reading a wide range of poetry and prose as well as writing analytical and creative essays. Daily discussions call upon the students to respond critically to these assignments. Advanced Placement English Language and Composition: Departmental approval required. This course, which prepares students for the Advanced Placement Language and Composition Exam, emphasizes a study of non-fiction, including biography, memoir, essays of persuasion, epistolary writing, satire/humor, journalism/reportage, reverie, and the prose poem. Writings from many disciplines constitute the reading portion of the course. These include hard science and natural science, art and architecture, music, literary theory, anthropology, psychology, mythology, politics, and linguistics. We will analyze the rhetorical elements of the works considered, with a view to understanding the connection between form and content. Students then practice writing in these various modes, both imitating the master writers and striving to develop a voice and style of their own. Poetry, drama, and fiction are included in the reading list, but with less emphasis as compared with the AP Literature and Composition class. Creative Writing: Senior Elective; one semester This course affords young writers the opportunity to explore various forms of literary expression, including poetry, song, performance art, memoir, fiction, and drama, while gaining understanding of the relationship between form and content. Through meditation and creative visualization, students gain access to a rich store of memories, images, feelings, and ideas that lie dormant in the mind. The course is structured as a workshop. Students share their work regularly with the other members of the class and learn to give and receive constructive feedback. Language as the writer's ultimate tool underlies everything that the course seeks to impart. Students are encouraged to experiment with language to strive to use language in ways that are evocative and rich and resonant and textured. Each student is required to create a semester long project in addition to the daily/weekly exercises and activities. Drama Workshop: One-year elective is a hands-on, active course that provides a place for imagination as well as an arena to improve skills in speaking, body language and critical eye. Rather than a course in playwriting, Drama Workshop is a laboratory where students learn to be stage worthy (Re: audience-ready, whatever the audience) through improvisation, clowning, & puppetry as well as performing set pieces in a theatrical setting. First-Year Language: One course required of all Freshmen (unless placed into higher level) and all Juniors First-Year Language: One course required of all Freshmen (unless placed into higher level) and all Juniors
French I A beginning course in which the speaking, listening, writing and reading skills are introduced and practiced, with the goal of attaining level-one proficiency in a second language as defined by the New York State Department of Education. Students are familiarized with basic grammatical structure, vocabulary, and the conjugation of regular verbs in the present, immediate future, and recent past tenses. Discussion of the French-speaking world and major cultural differences between France and America, and folkloric songs provide cultural enrichment. Spanish I This class provides the basic foundation (level-one proficiency in a second language as defined by the New York State Department of Education) to develop Spanish language skills. Vocabulary, basic grammar, writing, reading, listening and speaking skills are learned and practiced. The class also provides an introduction to Spanish and Hispanic cultures. Latin I This course covers basic Latin grammar and syntax up to level-one proficiency in a second language as defined by the New York State Department of Education (declension, all indicative forms of the verb, and participial constructions). Students are introduced almost immediately to the reading of extended passages of Latin prose, and by the end of the course read brief, edited passages of standard authors. Students also receive some basic instruction in history, mythology, archaeology, and art history. Second-Year Language: One course required of all Sophomores (unless placed into higher level) and all Seniors French II This is an intermediate course with greater emphasis on oral communication. After a review of material covered in French I, more advanced grammar structures (level-two proficiency in a second language as defined by the New York State Department of Education) are presented and practiced. The students learn past tenses and read longer texts, such as fairy tales. They continue to explore the French-speaking world through research projects. Spanish II This class continues the study of Spanish language begun in Spanish I to level-two proficiency in a second language as defined by the New York State Department of Education. Oral communication, writing and reading skills are further developed. Intermediate-level grammatical structures are learned and practiced. Latin II This course continues instruction in Latin syntax (indirect discourse and subjunctive constructions) up to level-two proficiency in a second language as defined by the New York State Department of Education. Historical and cultural topics continue to be studied, and in more detail. Upon completion of the course (roughly equivalent to two semesters of intensive, college-level Latin instruction), students are able, with the aid of a dictionary, to read any standard prose author. Third-Year Language: One course required of all Juniors (unless placed into higher level) French III This class develops the content introduced in French II in preparation for the New York State Regents' Examination (level-three proficiency in a second language as defined by the New York State Department of Education) in French, which students take upon completion of this course. Conversational fluency is emphasized. Students learn and practice more complex grammatical structures with greater emphasis on composition and reading comprehension. Spanish III This class develops the content introduced in Spanish II in preparation for the New York State Regents' Examination (level-three proficiency in a second language as defined by the New York State Department of Education) in Spanish, which students take upon completion of this course. Conversational fluency is emphasized. Students learn and practice more complex grammatical structures with greater emphasis on composition and reading comprehension. Latin III: Survey of Latin Prose Students, now at level-three proficiency in a second language as defined by the New York State Department of Education, read substantial portions of Caesar's Gallic Wars; one oration of Cicero in its entirety, selections from other orations, and extensive selections from Cicero's letters; selected letters of Pliny; and brief selections from other authors (e.g.: Livy, Sallust, Tacitus). Considerable attention is paid to the historical and literary context of the texts read, to conventions of oratorical and historical writing, and rhetorical technique. All students take the New York State Regents' Examination in Latin upon completion of this course. French IV: Elective; Departmental permission required This course employs the Yale University French video method "French in Action" to lay a very strong foundation to facilitate further advanced studies in French. Concentration is on conversational fluency, and study of the language is approached through civilization, film, and current events. Students who successfully complete this course receive 6 college credits through the St. John's University Bridge Program. French V: Elective; Departmental permission required A very advanced course for students who wish to deepen their fluency and knowledge of the French language through the study of literature and civilization. Through the study of literary texts, films, current events and the exploration and practice of complex grammatical structures, students will gain understanding of the universality of human behavior. Spanish IV: Elective; Departmental permission required This class is designed for the appreciation of the culture of the Spanish speaking peoples and to increase proficiency in the Spanish language. Students will concentrate on the study of the language through civilization, literature, films and current events of Spain and Latin America. Students who successfully complete this course receive 6 college credits through the St. John's University Bridge Program. AP Latin: Elective; Departmental permission required This course offers in-depth study of one of the four syllabi tested by the College Board's Advanced Placement examinations in Latin (Virgil's Aeneid; selections from the lyric poets Horace and Catullus; selections from Catullus and Ovid's Metamorphoses; Catullus and Cicero's Pro Caelio). Careful attention is devoted to the poetic and rhetorical devices employed by the authors, and to the cultural and historical context and ramifications of the works studied, but, above all, students are encouraged to appreciate these texts as enjoyable and accessible works of literature. Mythology: Senior Elective This course familiarizes students both with the stories and iconography of Classical Mythology which figure so prominently in Western art and Literature and with the theoretical and comparative approaches employed in the academic study of mythology. No foreign language proficiency is required for this course. Global Studies I: Required for all Freshmen Global Studies I Global Studies I: Required for all Freshmen Global Studies I This course covers world history from the earliest civilizations to the Age of Exploration. Political, social, and economic issues are examined across the seven continents. Emphasis is placed on the development of document-based essays and critical writing. Global Studies I Honors: Departmental approval required. This course covers the same content as Global Studies I but emphasizes analytical and writing skills. Global Studies II: Required for all Sophomores Global Studies II This course proceeds with investigations of world civilizations as a continuation of Global Studies I. The course begins with the 15th century and concludes with the present day. Topics include exploration, industrialization, imperialism, and global conflicts. Students take the New York State Regents' Examination in Global Studies upon completion of this course. Global Studies II Honors: Departmental approval required. This course covers the same content as Global Studies II but emphasizes analytical and writing skills. Students take the New York State Regents' Examination in Global Studies upon completion of this course. U.S History: Required for all Juniors United States History This course examines the political, social, and economic history of the United States from the colonial period to the present day. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of primary documents within the context of American studies. There is also discussion of American Government and the effects of the Constitution on American life. Students take the New York States Regents Examination in U.S. History upon completion of this course. Advanced Placement United States History: Departmental approval required. This course examines the political, social, and economic history of the United States from the colonial period to the present day. Emphasis is placed on understanding history through primary documents and critical essays. Prospective students must have received a grade of 90 or above in Global Studies and must have completed a satisfactory interview and essay. Upon completion of this course students take the New York States Regents Examination in U.S. History of this course as well as the College Board Advanced Placement Examination. Economics: One Semester; Required of all Seniors This course covers key topics such as banking and finance, business and labor, as well as government and global economic influences on our everyday lives. Through such exercises as hypothetical investment in the stock market and product marketing projects, students receive a hands-on experience that aids them in understanding a constantly changing subject which touches their lives everyday. Government: One Semester; Required of all Seniors This course is an in-depth study of the United States government. Using the Constitution as a major source, this college-level class explores the workings of our three branches of government. Political parties and interest groups are explored and discussed. Advanced Placement European History: Senior Elective; Departmental approval required. This course analyzes European History from 1400 to the present. There is an emphasis on the rise of the nation state and the evolution of the European Union. The contributions of Europe to architecture, art and the social sciences are also studied. All students are required to take the AP European History Examination at the end of the year. Prospective students must have received a grade of 90 or above in American History and must have completed a satisfactory interview and essay. Psychology: Senior Elective This course is a general study of major topics in the field of psychology. Topics studied include major theorists (i.e., Freud, Jung, Skinner, and Rogers), developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, and career/vocational studies. Opportunity is also given for research and discussion of current trends in the field of psychology.
Advanced Placement Psychology: Senior Elective The aim of the course is to provide the student with a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in most college introductory psychology courses. The curriculum will introduce students to various topics with emphasis on theoretical and scientific approaches to the study of human behavior. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement Examination in May for college credit. Sociology: Senior Elective This course is designed to familiarize students with the basic principles of Sociology and the ideas of major theorists (Freud, Weber, Mead, Comte, Durkheim). Major sociological paradigms studied include Functionalism, Conflict Theory and Symbolic Interaction. Students are given the opportunity to examine their own culture and society in comparison to others around the world. Students
graduating in 2009 and 2010 will have taken two NYS Regents Exams:
Mathematics A and Mathematics B, over three years of HS math.
Students
graduating in 2011 and there after will take three NYS Regents Exams:
Integrated Algebra, Geometry and Algebra II/Trigonometry. First year HS math course v
Integrated Algebra v
Integrated Algebra Honors:
Departmental approval required. Topics
designated by NYS Board of Regents: algebra;
geometry; probability and statistics; number sense and operations; and
measurement. NYS Integrated Algebra
Regents Exam is taken in June. v
Math A v
Math A Honors:
Departmental approval required. The real number system is
investigated through the study of equations, inequalities, polynomials,
factoring, radicals and graphing lines. Some topics in geometry (congruence,
parallelism, perpendicularity, triangle classification, and quadrilaterals),
statistics and probability are introduced. Second year HS math course v
Geometry v
Geometry Honors:
Departmental
approval required. Topics
designated by NYS Board of Regents: informal
and formal proofs; coordinate geometry; transformational geometry; geometric
relationships; locus; and constructions. NYS
Geometry Regents Exam is taken in June. v
v
This course is a continuation of
Math A. Topics studied include:
rational expressions and equations, graphing parabolas and circles, systems of
equations, probability, transformations, logic, and locus. Euclidean geometry is
emphasized in the spring. The NYS Mathematics A Regents Exam is taken in
January. Third year HS math course v
Algebra 2 and Trigonometry v
Algebra 2 and Trigonometry
Honors: Departmental
approval required. Topics designated by NYS Board of
Regents: operations; equations and
inequalities; algebraic and trigonometric functions; coordinate geometry; and
probability and statistics. NYS
Algebra 2 / Trigonometry Regents Exam is taken in June. v
Math B v
Math B Honors:
Departmental approval required. This course is a continuation of A fourth year of
Mathematics is strongly suggested for all students. Electives: v
Pre-college Math Designed for students who wish to
review the basic principles of algebra and trigonometry and study additional
topics. Time will be spent in preparation for the SAT and college entrance
exams. Some topics include functions, equations, inequalities, series and
sequences, matrices, polynomials, logarithms.
Students qualifying for
pre-calculus should not register for this course. v
Pre-Calculus:
Departmental approval required. This course covers advanced
algebra and advanced trigonometry including functions, conics, matrices;
sequences and series, limits and derivatives. v
Introduction to Calculus:
Departmental approval required. This two semester course will
cover Pre-calculus and Trigonometry (SJU 1050) and University Calculus I (SJU
1730). Students will have the
opportunity to earn up to six credits from v
Calculus Advanced Placement AB:
Departmental approval required. This course includes an in-depth
study of functions: polynomial, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic;
their inverses; derivatives; integrals; and graph applications to area, volume,
velocity and acceleration. All
students must take the AP Exam in May. Fundamentals of Music: One Semester; Required for all Freshmen This course introduces the student to the language of music. It develops theoretical knowledge (reading music notation) as well as ear training skills through singing. The recorder (flute) is used to help develop students' fluency in reading musical notation and to strengthen skill on a musical instrument. The course concludes with the study of past composers and by listening to their works. Keyboard Studies: One Semester Required for all Sophomores The sophomore musical experience continues the development of students' instrumental skills, focusing on the keyboard. The student will strengthen her technique through various exercises, and as her skill and coordination grow, various pieces of music of various difficulty will be introduced. Theoretical knowledge will be strengthened and the study of past composers and their works will continue. Developing Musicianship: Senior Elective; Departmental approval required. The course is designed for students who excel in this art. Starting where sophomore year left off, students' performance skill on the keyboard is developed. Classical, Broadway, Jazz, and Popular musical genres are introduced to build the students' repertoire while strengthening their grasp of music theory. Material covered includes major and minor scales and chords, key signatures, sight reading, ear training, and rhythm exercises. The second semester will focus on music technology. With the aid of the computer the student will develop music notation, sequencing, and digital recording skills. Physical Education: Required for all Freshmen Physical Education: Required for all Freshmen (Twice weekly) Students will be introduced to the basic rules and skills of various sports. The importance of proper stretching before engaging in any physical activity is also emphasized. Basic exercise tapes are used as teaching tools to enhance the learning experience. Physical Education: Required for all Sophomores (Twice weekly) This course includes a review of the basic skills and rules of the sports introduced in the first year of Physical Education. The course continues to stress the importance of physical fitness in individual life. Team tournaments will be introduced, and intermediate exercise tapes will be used to enhance fitness. Physical Education: Required for all Juniors (Twice weekly) The junior year course will continue to stress the importance of exercise and fitness in living a normal healthy life. Skills and rules of all sports will be reviewed, and more advanced activities will be required of all students. Physical Education: Required for all Seniors (Twice weekly) This course stresses the importance of lifetime fitness. Students will participate in team tournament play, and should have a firm knowledge of the skills and rules of all sports. Advanced exercise tapes are used as a learning instrument, and a fitness aid which students may easily employ after leaving school. Health: Required for all Sophomores (Twice weekly) Using lectures, films, reading assignments and projects, this course teaches students how to lead a healthy life in today's world: physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally. Topics discussed include everyday situations confronting teenagers and the realities of the cycle of life from infancy, through adulthood to old age, in the modern world. Hebrew and Christian Scriptures: Required for all Freshman Hebrew and Christian Scriptures: Required for all Freshman Students are invited to deepen their relationship with God as they read, study and analyze the events of the Old and New Testaments aas the inspired authors intended these sacred writings to be understood and as they apply the Scriptures to their everyday life. World Religions: Required for all Sophomores (One semester) This course honors the history, founders, beliefs, practices, festivals, rituals and important writings of Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. Each religion is compared and contrasted to the Christian faith with an emphasis on their commonality.. Morality and Justice: Required for all Sophomores (One semester) This expression of God's will in both the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures is reviewed and applied to contemporary moral issues. This course emphasizes the importance of acting consistently in accordance with one's beliefs so as to work towards peace and justice. Church History: Required for all Juniors (One semester) Students explore the rich history of the Catholic Church to understand better its mission today. Within their own personal experiences of faith they discover God's Spirit at work throughout the ages. Women of the Spirit: Required for all Juniors (One semester) This course discusses and analyzes historical and contemporary women who have been continually led by their faith so that the students can better understand their own call to holiness. Relationships: Required for all Seniors (One semester) Healthy and unhealthy aspects of the relationship with oneself and with others is presented. Dating, gender issues, communication, intimacy and marriage are discussed in the light of our relationship with God and according to the Church's teachings. Spirituality: Required for all Seniors (One semester) Students are encouraged to analyze their own faith and develop an adult understanding of spirituality in light of some of the great Christian thinkers and to explore contemporary spiritual exercises. Environmental Science: Required for all Freshmen Environmental Science: Required for all Freshmen This course will make connections between Science, Technology, Economics, Policy, People and the environment. It will build skills in problem solving and communication and improve students' awareness of local environmental problems and their solutions as well as global issues. Upon successful completion of this course students receive New York State Regents' credit. Biology: Required for all Sophomores This course follows the New York State Syllabus for the Living Environment to prepare students for the Regents' Examination, which is taken upon completion of the course. It builds on the Environmental Science course to allow students to gain scientific insight into the world of living things. Topics covered include evolution, taxonomy, biochemistry, cellular structure, life functions, body systems, reproduction, genetics, and biotechnology. The required practical component of this course includes all laboratory activities mandated by the New York State Department of Education. Chemistry (The Physical Setting): Required for all Juniors The Chemistry course is designed to provide students with a solid understanding of the nature of matter and its interactions which underlie all other scientific disciplines, preparing students to undertake more advanced study in these fields. Topics include matter and energy, atomic structure, bonding, the periodic table, stoichiometry, solutions, kinetics and equilibrium, acids and bases, redox reactions and electrochemistry, organic chemistry and nuclear chemistry. The required practical component of this course includes all laboratory activities mandated by the New York State Department of Education. Upon completion of this course students take the New York States Regents Examination in Chemistry: The Physical Setting. Advanced Biology: Senior Elective; Departmental approval required. Advanced Biology is a college level study of human anatomy and physiology. A general overview of the biochemistry and anatomy of the cell starts the journey through the human body. Advanced Placement Chemistry: This course covers the same topics as college chemistry, levels 1 and 2. Topics essentially the same as the regular course, but with more rigor and in greater depth. All students must take the AP Exam in May. Physics: Senior Elective; Departmental approval required. A study of the fundamental laws and principles of mechanics, heat, sound, light, electricity and magnetism. The objective is to illustrate the universality of these laws and to provide perspective on physicists' search for universal laws. This course is designed for students who wish to gain a better understanding of the concepts upon which physics is based. Laboratory exercises accompany topics. Forensic Science: Senior Elective; Year Course. As part of this course, the student will learn about the role of science in the criminal justice system and gain insight into the techniques and procedures used by forensic scientists to detect, collect, and analyze evidence. The course includes laboratory experience in analyzing fingerprints, hair analysis, shoeprint casting, chromatography, analysis of documents, and other techniques used in solving crimes.
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