Junior+and+Senior+Course+Catalog+for+School+Year+2014-2015


 * 2015 Course Options ** These courses are offered to upcoming seniors only. Note: homework estimates are estimates only and are subject to change.
 * __Senior ENGLISH Options: __**
 * AP English Literature and Composition: **The AP English Literature and Composition course engages students in the close reading and critical analysis of literature in order to deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. Successful students will be able to regularly read and analyze complex novels, construct original and thoughtful arguments, and consistently work hard, persisting through any challenges. While not mandatory for admission into the course**, students should only consider this course if they have earned an A average in American Literature or an A or B average in AP Language and Composition and expect a 3 or higher on the AP exam.** Students who struggled in either course, are inconsistent in attendance, or do not demonstrate a strong work ethic will have difficulty handling the workload and rigor of this course. __Students should expect at least an hour of reading homework each night, as well as regular writing assessments and exams.__ While this course will benefit all college students, it is mostly geared for students who plan on applying to a liberal arts college or studying an English-related field such as law or communications.


 * English Literature and Composition ****: **In this course, you will complete daily writing and reading assignments/activities with the hope that you grow together as a reading and writing community. To love reading, it is essential to appreciate language and just enjoy the WORDS! Thus, every day we will focus on “winning lines” from a variety of texts and each week we will learn new vocabulary. Sharing our writing is essential, so everyone, including me, will be a part of our writing community. This course is meant to prepare you with the critical thinking, discussion, reflective and analytical skills needed to succeed in college, so it will be rigorous. That being said, each of our units will be grounded in the idea that the story, the novel, the play, the poem etc. are windows, which allow readers to examine themselves as they do the world around them. If you meet the course’s rigorous expectations with excitement, you will find yourself engaging not just as a student of literature, but as an investigator and philosopher of the human condition, society and the world. **There are no prerequisites to this course**. __Students should expect an hour of homework each night.__


 * __Senior MATH Options: __**
 * AP Calculus: **Tuesday, May 5th, this day, you will take and pass the AP Calculus AB exam. In the months leading up to this day, we will be flying through a strangely beautiful and traverse world of curves. Therein lies the answer to the question that you so long to ask: What is Calculus? Simply put, Calculus is the study of curves, including finding the rate of change of curves and areas under curves. However, by the 5th of May, you will gain an insatiable hunger for knowledge and this wretched, insignificant “answer” will no longer appease your ravenous mind. For on this day, you will come to realize all of your prior thoughts, dreams, and aspirations were and are for nothing. It is on this day you will learn the truth. Calculus is the answer to the question you have never had the courage to ask. Also, in case you are interested, AP Calculus will prepare you for a variety of college majors. **The pre-requisite for this course is Pre-Calculus.** __Someone taking AP Calculus can expect to have 4-5 hours per week of preparation.__


 * Honors Calculus: **In Calculus, we will be flying through a strangely beautiful and traverse world of curves. Therein lies the answer to the question that you so long to ask: What is Calculus? Simply put, Calculus is the study of curves, including finding the rate of change of curves and areas under curves. However, by the final day, you will gain an insatiable hunger for knowledge and this wretched, insignificant “answer” will no longer appease your ravenous mind. For on that day, you will come to realize all of your prior thoughts, dreams, and aspirations were and are for nothing. It is on that day you will learn the truth. Calculus is the answer to ALL the question you have never had the courage to ask. Also, in case you are interested, Calculus will prepare you for a variety of college majors. **The pre-requisite for this course is Algebra II with a high B or A as a final grade or Honors Pre-Calculus. **


 * Pre-Calculus: **Serving as an important bridge between Algebra II and Calculus, Pre-Calculus equips students with the tools necessary to succeed in higher mathematics. Topics such as functions, families of graphs, logarithms, trigonometric functions and identities, analytic geometry, limits, and basic derivatives are studied in depth. Other topics include induction, sequences and series, the conic sections, polar coordinates, and probability. Students are challenged to show their proficiency both with and without the use of a graphing calculator. In addition, students deal with real-life applications and problem solving, and must communicate orally and symbolically about mathematics. Students interested in fields relating to science, technology, and business fields should highly consider taking this course. **The pre-requisite for this course is Algebra II.** __Someone taking Pre-Calculus can expect to have 2-4 hours per week of preparation.__


 * __<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 14pt;">Senior SPANISH Options: __**
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">Spanish 2: **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">This course will help each student attain an acceptable degree of proficiency in the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish. It will present the language within the context of the contemporary Spanish-speaking world and culture. Our program is based on the belief that the purpose of learning Spanish is to communicate with the people who speak it and to understand their varied cultures. Students will learn to communicate in the following specific contexts and topics: clothing, leisure and vacation, health, community, movies and TV, restaurants, the environment, and parties & celebrations.
 * __<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">HW Expectation: 30 Minutes per night. __**<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;"> This is the course designed to follow Spanish 1 for beginning Spanish learners. **


 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">Spanish 3: **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">Students will become skillful in using the Spanish language to understand grammar, conversations, newspaper and internet articles, personal correspondence, short stories, and novellas, as well as to express themselves and engage in appropriate spoken discourse through making inquiries, describing things, and putting forth persuasive arguments in favor of their points of view. Both the teacher and students will conduct the course entirely in the target language, both in classroom conversations as well as in formal discussions, debates, and written assignments.
 * __<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">HW Expectation: 30 Minutes per night; __<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;"> **students who have an 80% or above in Spanish Language and Culture should take Spanish 3.**
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">Future College Major Options: Language Studies, International Relations, Political Science, Latino Studies, Business, Communications, Education, Anthropology, Sociology, Journalism, Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism, Entertainment, Marketing, Public Health


 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">Spanish 4: **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">The Spanish 4 course is designed to develop interpersonal communicative competency in the Spanish language. Both the teacher and students will conduct the course entirely in the target language, both in classroom conversations as well as in formal discussions, debates, and written assignments. Class time will be spent cultivating language skills and analytical skills to synthesize information given to them in written or oral form. Students are encouraged to maintain the target language outside of class time with their peers.
 * __<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">HW Expectation: 30 Minutes per night. __<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;"> **Students must have taken Spanish 3 or AP Spanish.**
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">Future College Major Options: Language Studies, International Relations, Political Science, Latino Studies, Business, Communications, Education, Anthropology, Sociology, Journalism, Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism, Entertainment, Marketing, Public Health


 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">AP Spanish Language: **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">The AP Spanish Language course is designed to develop interpersonal communicative competency in the Spanish language equivalent to a fifth- or sixth-semester Spanish language course at the college level. Both the teacher and students will conduct the course entirely in the target language, both in classroom conversations as well as in formal discussions, debates, and written assignments. Class time will be spent cultivating language skills and analytical skills to synthesize information given to them in written or oral form. At the end of each quarter, students will take exams modeled after the AP Spanish Language Exam to further expose them to the type and caliber of questions that can appear on the exam itself. Students are encouraged to maintain the target language outside of class time with their peers.
 * __<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">HW Expectation: 60 Minutes per night. __<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;"> **Students must have received at least an 80% in Spanish 3.**
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">Future College Major Options: Language Studies, International Relations, Political Science, Latino Studies, Business, Communications, Education, Anthropology, Sociology, Journalism, Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism, Entertainment, Marketing, Public Health
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">2013-2013 diagnosed 100% of AP Spanish Language students passing the AP test with a 3 or higher


 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">AP Spanish Literature: **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">The AP Spanish Literature and Culture course is designed to provide students with a learning experience equivalent to that of an introductory college course in literature written in Spanish. The course introduces students to the formal study of a representative body of texts from Peninsular Spanish, Latin American, and U.S. Hispanic literature. The course provides opportunities for students to demonstrate their proficiency in Spanish across the three modes of communication (interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational) and the five goal areas (communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities) outlined in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century. The overarching aims of the course are to provide students with ongoing and varied opportunities to further develop their proficiencies across the full range of language skills — with special attention to critical reading and analytical writing in college level Spanish— and to encourage them to reflect on the many voices and cultures included in a rich and diverse body of literature written in Spanish.
 * __<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">HW Expectation: 1.5 hours per night. __<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;"> **Students must have taken AP Spanish Language.**
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">Future College Major Options: Language Studies, International Relations, Political Science, Latino Studies, Business, Communications, Education, Anthropology, Sociology, Journalism, Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism, Entertainment, Marketing, Public Health


 * __<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 14pt;">Every Day Electives: __**
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">AP Psychology: **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">AP Psychology focuses on the history of psychology research, the biological bases supporting human development, and various aspects of human interactions within a society (personality, emotion, family dynamics, standardized testing, etc.). An open mind, readiness to participate in reading-based discussions, and a love for the study of the psyche will steer you through this course. Lectures and in-class activities will require students to have fulfilled their nightly reading, which may range from scholarly articles to textbook chapters. We will be making tons connections between the neurobiological, chemical, theoretical and social aspects of the human life cycle and development; critical thinkers welcome! **Prerequisite: at least a 21 on Reading section of ACT.** __Students should expect between 3 and 5 hours of homework per week.__

<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; line-height: 20px;">**Psychology:** <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">This psychology course will have a little more room to stretch its legs and focuses on the history and research surrounding abnormal psychology and human interactions. We will read primary resources from renowned psychologists, debate theoretical claims, and develop collegiate-level discussion skills. An open mind, readiness to participate in reading-based discussions, and a love for the study of the psyche will steer you through this course. **Students who are interested in why people make the decisions they make, feel the way they feel, and do what they do should sign up for this class; there are no prerequisites.** __Students should expect between 2 and 3 hours of homework per week.__

<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; line-height: 20px;">**AP Physics:** AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course that explores topics such as Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion); work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound; and introductory, simple circuits. Through inquiry-based learning, students will develop scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills. AP Physics also has a lab component where students will engage in inquiry investigations to solve problems. Students with a strong mathematical background, students who enjoyed 11th grade physics and have a strong work ethic, and students interested in majoring in a science or engineering field should consider this course. __Students should expect between 3-4 hours of homework per week.__ This course will cover the first semester of college physics. **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">The pre-requisite for this course is physics with a high B or an A. **


 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">AP Biology: **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">The AP Biology 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 in this AP Biology class will be on developing a conceptual understanding of the following: a grasp of science as a process rather than as an accumulation of facts; personal experience in scientific inquiry; recognition of unifying themes that integrate the major topics of biology; and application of biological knowledge and critical thinking to environmental and social concerns. Successful students will be able to read daily from a college biology textbook, construct understanding based on reading, perform well on daily quizzes, and persisting through any challenges. **Students should ONLY consider this course if they have earned a B+ or higher average in AP Chemistry and expect a 3 or higher on the AP exam. Students who struggled in 9th grade biology or AP Chemistry, are inconsistent in attendance, or do not demonstrate a strong work ethic should not consider this course.** __Students should expect at least an hour and a half of homework each night on reading and working on problems, as well as regular lab reports, daily quizzes, weekly tests, and biweekly exams.__ While this rigorous course will benefit all college students, it is mostly geared for students who plan on applying to be a Science or Engineering major in college.

**<span style="font-family: 'TradeGothic Light',sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">2014 & 2015 Every-Other Day Elective Course Options ** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'TradeGothic Light',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Note: homework estimates are estimates only and are subject to change.
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">(CHOOSE ****<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">ECOLOGY & ZOOLOGY ****<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">) AP Biology Applications Course: **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">This course runs concurrently with the standard AP Bio course. This class is mandatory for all students taking AP Bio. Students will be learning about and participating in career focused and real world applications of the content and material they are learning in their AP Bio class. In addition, this course will run similarly to a college science course where lab preparation will occur within your lecture, and actual lab practice will occur in our Applications course. **This course requires that the scholar is also enrolled in the regular AP Bio course.**


 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">Intro to Engineering: **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">Engineering will explore the engineering design process through hands-on activities, such as a computer simulated bridge design, the creation of a model helicopter, and the exploration of basic robotics**. There are no prerequisites for this course, however, students who enroll should exhibit an interest in science and mathematics and possess desire to learn more about the world around them.** Assessments will consist primarily of design challenges and a student’s ability to create a project that meets the constraints. __There will be times when projects will require work outside the classroom; however, the majority of the work will be completed in class.__


 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">(CHOOSE ECOLOGY & ZOOLOGY)Urban Ecology: **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">The Urban Ecology course will expose students to an engaging and critical analysis of urban environments and their place and function as an ecosystem. Students will learn about the variety of wildlife that has learned to thrive in urban environments and will examine the impacts of our urban environment on the natural world as well as the impacts to our own health. Students will be engaged in thoughtful city design and critical thinking regarding urban health issues facing our city today. **There are no prerequisites for this course.** This class will be highly beneficial for students hoping to go into a biological science career such as veterinary medicine, wildlife management, behavioral research or psychology. __<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">There will be times when projects will require work outside the classroom (data collection within student neighborhoodss, observation journals, etc); however, the majority of the work will be completed in class. __


 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">Literary Journalism - Yearbook: **<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">The goal of this course is to design and publish Muchin College Prep’s Yearbook. Students will learn the basics of design theory, photography, and project management. Students will also become skilled at the yearbook program mechanics. Projects will include photographing school events, creating page layouts, designing themes, and incorporating the voices of our school throughout the yearbook. **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">This course has no prerequisites **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">. __Students should expect some time spent out of class taking photographs at school events.__


 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 11pt;">Performance Choir: **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 11pt;">This course is designed to introduce and develop basic singing techniques and basic music theory concepts, <span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);">and music history as it relates to Blues, Jazz, musical theatre, Gospel, Folk, R&B, Rock, Hip Hop, and other genres. This exploration takes place on a solo, small group, and large group performance level, as well as lecture and extensive listening. In addition, students are expected to work individually and in small groups to explore areas of particular interest in further detail. **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">This course has no prerequisites **, **but you should have some vocal skill.** __Students are expected to participate in performances each quarter as a major part of their grade.__


 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">SPARK FITNESS: **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"> The SPARK Program at Muchin will address four key components to success in life: grit, leadership, zest, and self-confidence. We are looking for a group of scholars who demonstrate a desire to live healthier, more sustainable lives, regardless of what their current fitness level is. SPARK participants will utilize CrossFit-inspired workouts on a daily basis to achieve their workout goals. Throughout the program, students will learn about exercise, nutrition, sleep, and motivation as the key components to living a healthy life as a complement to the daily workouts and preparing for their Noble fitness requirements. **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">This course has no prerequisites **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">. <span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"> Note: You will take this course every day instead of taking an elective every other day and a PE course every other day.


 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">Public Speaking: **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">This course will provide students with the basic communication skills needed for a variety of audiences and purposes (slam poetry, storytelling, sales pitch, job interview, research presentation, etc). Successful students will be open-minded, willing to take risks while presenting, willing reflect on areas of growth, and __supportive towards their peers.__ Students will be expected listen attentively during presentations and offer helpful feedback. This course will be particularly helpful for students who struggle with verbal communication: planned or impromptu. **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">This course has no prerequisites **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">.Although much of the work will be completed in class, __research and rehearsal for presentations may require additional work outside of the classroom.__


 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">Music Appreciation: **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">This course will focus primarily on 20th century developments in popular music, namely Rock and Roll. Students will develop their critical thinking/writing skills while exploring the history of the art form, from the poverty-stricken Southern blues of the early 20th century to the fragmentation of genres in the 1970’s (metal, punk, hip-hop), and its relation to current music. Successful students will have an interest in analyzing and discussing/writing about music with their peers. **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">This course has no prerequisites **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">. __<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">While much of the work will happen in the classroom, students will be expected to attend 1-2 concerts during the semester and compose a brief reflection/review. __

<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">Students will make works of art that explore different kinds of subject matter, topics, themes and metaphors. Students will understand and use sensory elements, organizational principles and expressive images to communicate their own ideas in works of art. A variety of art materials, processes, mediums, and techniques will be used for creating and exhibiting visual art works. **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">This course has no prerequisites **<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">. <span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;"> This course would be beneficial for students who would like to pursue a career in art design/creation. Students will also be able to create works of art for their portfolios that may be needed while applying to colleges/universities Senior Year. <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 10pt;">__Students should expect to spend some time outside of class to work on art creation.__
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">Art Appreciation: **

Technical theater will focus on all of the technical aspects that go into theater production including play writing, costume and set design, lighting, and stage management. Students will work throughout the year to develop a play of their own and create all of the necessary set pieces. Students will be expected to see plays outside of school at least once a semester.**This course has no prerequisites.**
 * Technical Theater:**

<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">Consumer Education helps individuals understand many aspects of the relationships between human beings and their environment. Students may explore many areas in this department for personal use or career direction. Emphasis in all courses relate basic skills learned in Math, Science, and Communication Arts to daily living. Study is accomplished through the application of life skills and research to practical individual and group tasks. Students may explore the areas of study in child development, health careers, personal relationships, nutrition, and financial planning. **This course has no prerequisites.** This course would be beneficial for students who would like to build the necessary consumer skills to be successful in college. __Students should expect to spend some time outside of class completing assignments pertaining to their own personal consumer goals.__
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">Consumer Education: **