Prep Talk
Application Process for AP Courses for 2013-2014
Posted February 26th, 2013
Applications for AP courses for the 2013-14 school year are available in the bookcase outside the Academics Office in Augustinian Hall. Any student interested in taking an AP course should complete the form and submit it to the Academics Office by Friday March 1. The Department Chairs and Academic Office will review the applications for approval by March 12.
AP Courses for 2013-14
AP Literature
Pre-requisite needed: 93 average in Honors World Literature and a Faculty member’s Signature: Current English Class & English Department Chairperson
An AP course in English and Composition engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose and poetry written in a variety of periods, disciplines and rhetorical contexts and in becoming skilled writers who can critically analyze a variety of imaginative literature. Both their writing and reading should make students aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations and subjects as well as the way generic conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing. AP Literature covers literature from 449 to the present including 25 major works of literature and over 30 minor works incorporating reading comprehension and subjective analysis writing. The tests are at least 50% essay with a major essay written at least every two weeks.
AP Psychology
Pre-requisite Needed: 90 in Honors Biology or Honors Chemistry or a 93 in Introduction to Psychology and a Faculty member’s Signature: Current Science teacher and Science Department Chairperson
We will explore Psychology as the science of behavior and mental processes. This systematic study will follow the course of studies prescribed by the AP curriculum. As a science we will study the scientific principles, carefully defined methods and precise procedures used by psychologists to present an organized body of knowledge. In addition to chapter exams, the course will lead to the presentation of a case study as a final exam that endeavors to integrate the knowledge gained with “real life” situations.
AP Music Theory
Pre-requisite Needed: Faculty member’s Signature: Current Music class & Fine Arts Department Chairperson
This course is designed for the serious and experienced musician. The students must have a strong foundation in piano, orchestral music, private instrumental lessons, or choir experience. The course will teach sight singing, melodic and harmonic dictation and harmonic analysis.
AP Studio Art
Pre-requisite Needed: Portfolio approved by Art Teacher and Faculty member’s Signature:Current Art class & Fine Arts Department Chairperson
This course is designed for the serious art students wishing to achieve mastery as they develop their skill in composition, problem solving, and execution. This course requires students to produce a minimum of twenty four works of art. It addresses a broad interpretation of two dimensional design issues and three dimensional design issues which utilize the elements and principles of art.
AP Modern European History
Pre-requisite needed: 93 average in Honors/AP U.S. History II or 95 in U.S. History IIand a Faculty member’s Signature: Current history teacher & History Department Chairperson
The study of European history since 1450 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, the goals of the AP program in European History 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.
AP US History
Pre-requisite Needed: 93 in Honors U.S. I or 95 in U.S. History I and a Faculty member’s Signature: Current history teacher and History Department Chairperson
The AP U.S. History course is a challenging course that is meant to be the equivalent of a college course and can earn students college credit. The course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement test which takes place in May. It is a two-semester survey of American History from the Age of Exploration and Discovery to present American society. Emphasis is placed on critical and evaluative thinking skills, essay writing, and the interpretation of primary documents. A selection process is necessary for admittance.
AP Calculus
Pre-requisite Needed: Minimal grade of 93 in Honors Pre-Calculus and a Faculty member’s Signature: Current Math teacher and Math Department Chairperson
This course consists of a full year of work in calculus and related topics and is comparable to two semesters of calculus in a college or University. The first semester is a course in differential calculus and the second semester is a course in integral calculus. Upon successful completion of this course students will be prepared and required to take the calculus advanced placement test or apply for the dual credit program. A graphics calculator is required.
AP Spanish IV – Language
Pre-requisite Needed: 93 average in Spanish III; 90 in Honors Spanish III and a Faculty member’s Signature: Current Spanish teacher and World Languages Department Chairperson
This course emphasizes the use of Spanish for active communication. It encompasses aural/oral skills, reading comprehension, grammar, and composition. Students will use Spanish short stories as a starting point for study of vocabulary and grammatical structures. These stories will also give students topics for writing both formally and informally and for listening and speaking activities. Additional materials include historical and cultural topics and a variety of authentic resources, from literary texts to newspapers, magazines, films, and music. All material is in preparation for the AP Spanish examination held in May.
AP Spanish V – Literature
Pre-requisite Needed: 90 average in AP Spanish IV?and a Faculty member’s Signature: Current Spanish teacher and World Languages Department Chairperson
This course is intended to be the equivalent of a third year college level introduction to Spanish Literature. The objective of this Advance Placement course is to prepare students to successfully analyze literature given the necessary tools. Students will learn to develop a high degree of competence in oral language and written skills in the interpretation of literature. This course teaches the techniques of literary analysis, critical terminology and historical context of each required reading as a foundation for genuine understanding. Students are required to read, analyze and discuss verbally and in writing a wide variety of representative works from three major genres: prose, poetry, and drama, using the appropriate terminology and applying the different tools of literary criticism. All works are studied and analyzed in relation to their cultural and historical context. Students will engage in depth reading of all the required readings from the AP Spanish Literature reading list issued by the College Board. The readings include authors from the Middle Ages to the Golden Age and nineteenth century to more contemporary writers of the twentieth century.
AP French Language and Culture
Pre-requisite Needed: 90 or above in Honors French III or Honors French IV and a Faculty member’s Signature: Current French teacher and World Languages Department Chairperson
The AP French Language and Culture course is designed to promote proficiency in French and to explore culture in contemporary and historical contexts. The course focuses on communication and cultural awareness by incorporating the themes of Global Challenges, Science and Technology, Contemporary Life, Personal and Public Identities, Families and Communities and Beauty and Aesthetics. Instructional content will include the arts, current events, literature, and sports. In addition to textbooks, materials include websites, podcasts, films, newspapers, and magazines. The course helps to develop language skills that can be applied beyond the French course in further French study and everyday life.
AP Chemistry
Pre-requisite Needed: 90% Test average in Honors Chemistry and a Faculty member’s Signature: Current Science teacher and Science Department Chairperson
This course is designed to be the equivalent of an introductory college chemistry course for which students are able to receive college level credit. It is a rigorous science course which puts greater emphasis on chemical calculations and the mathematical formulation of principles. Topics to be covered are structure of matter, states of matter, reactions such as acid base, precipitation, and oxidation-reduction, electrochemistry and kinetics. This course will also include an introduction to organic chemistry and nuclear chemistry. Extensive lab work will challenge students to be analytical as they carry out chemical calculations as they relate to various models. Students are encouraged to take the AP test in May.
AP Biology
Pre-requisite Needed: 90 or above in previous science and a Faculty member’s Signature: Current Science teacher and Science Department Chairperson
Advanced Placement Biology is intended to present all the material normally given in a college level introductory biology course. The text used is one which closely follows the suggested syllabus proposed by the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board. All the recommended laboratory exercises are performed. Students who elect this course must have at least a “90%” average in math and science. There must be a willingness and ability to meet the academic challenges of a college level curriculum. Students should expect a significant amount of reading and one to two hours of homework each night. All students are encouraged to take the AP test in May.
AP Physics
Pre-requisite Needed: 600 on Math SAT; 90 or above in Current Science Class and a Faculty member’s Signature: Current Science teacher and Science Department Chairperson
This Physics course includes topics in both chemical and modern physics. The general course outline is adopted from the College Board’s Description for AP Physics B. Knowledge of algebra and basic trigonometry is required for the course. Students must have at least a “B” average in Algebra II and a willingness and ability to meet the academic challenge of a college level curriculum. The major goal of the course is to understand the basic principles involved and to develop the ability to apply these principles in the solution of problems.
**There is a summer problem set requirement for this course**
AP Computer Science
Pre-requisite Needed: a Faculty member’s Signature: Current Computer Science teacher and Math Department Chairperson
This course emphasizes object-oriented programming methodology with a concentration on problem solving and algorithm development. It also includes the study of data structures, design, and abstraction. The course is designed to prepare students to take the College Board Advanced Placement exam in Computer Science.
AP Statistics
Pre-requisite Needed: Minimal grade of 93 in Honors Pre-Calculus and a Faculty member’s Signature: Current Math teacher and Math Department Chairperson
This course takes advantage of the simulation, graphing and computational capabilities of the TI-83/89 calculator to promote active learning. By using the technology, students can rely on statistical concepts rather than on calculations. This course aims to give students an understanding of the main ideas of statistics and useful skills for working with data.