ADVANCEMENT COURSES
BUSINESS
COURSE TITLE:
ECONOMICS
DURATION: Summer Session Online
3 1/2 weeks
EQUIVALENT: Term Microeconomics
CREDIT: 0.5
This course serves as an introduction to the field of economics within the context of mathematics. Topics include fundamental economic concepts such as scarcity, opportunity, cost, and incentives. Students will examine both microeconomic and macroeconomic principles: supply and demand, markets and prices, competition, unemployment, monetary and fiscal policy, and the role of government. Technology, written and mathematical work, and daily class discussion are used to educate students on current topics, such as the costs and benefits of international trade, how wages are determined in labor markets, and why countries develop at different rates. The course allows students to apply graphical and statistical methods of analysis and create a greater understanding of economic systems.
COURSE TITLE: BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
DURATION: Summer Session Online
3 1/2 weeks
EQUIVALENT: Term Business & Entrepreneurship
CREDIT: 0.5
Entrepreneurs are individuals who utilize and combine factors of production, such as land, labor and capital, and use their knowledge, skill, and creativity to produce a good or service that is wanted or needed by society and which allows the entrepreneur to make a profit. This class introduces students to the basic principles of business
which are needed to start and own a business. Students in this class will learn to explore the characteristics and traits of an entrepreneur, to identify the characteristics of different economic systems, to recognize and assess economic resources, to understand the concept of the free market in a mixed economy, to understand the components of an effective business plan, to identify competition, to know how to develop a marketing plan, to recognize business risk, and to understand how to effectively grow a business.
COURSE TITLE: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
DURATION: Summer Session Online 3 1/2 weeks
EQUIVALENT: Term International Relations
CREDIT: 0.5
This course will focus on how different sovereign nations may approach situations and problems in the modern world. The concepts of balance of power and national security will be explored. Students will study international conflict and cooperation on issues of human rights, warfare and weapons of mass destruction, migration, trade, health, and the environment. The role of treaties, agreements, and cooperation in specific issues as relations among nations shift from internationalism to globalization will be analyzed through case studies and group discussion.
ENGLISH
COURSE TITLE: JOURNALISM
DURATION: Summer Session Online 3 1/2 weeks
EQUIVALENT: Additional English Elective
CREDIT: 0.5
Embark on a journey through the dynamic world of journalism in this comprehensive introductory course. From the principles of reporting to the ethics of storytelling, students will explore the landscape of journalism and its pivotal role in shaping public discourse and understanding. This course is designed to equip students with the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the fast-paced realm of journalism. Through a combination of theoretical discussions, practical exercises, and real-world case
studies, participants will develop a deep understanding of the key concepts and practices that underpin journalistic excellence. Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to apply their newfound skills in practical exercises and assignments, culminating in the creation of their own journalistic portfolio.
COURSE TITLE: CREATIVE WRITING
DURATION: Summer Session Online
3 1/2 weeks
EQUIVALENT: Introductory Course to Senior Elective: Creative Writing
CREDIT: 0.5
Creative Writing is a course that offers students an introduction to the art of writing through creative exercises (fiction, poetry, and play) and analysis (including works from more than one genre), with special attention given to a writer’s way of reading. This course is designed to build upon vocabulary, interpretive, and formal comprehension skills. In addition, students will learn to articulate constructive feedback through workshop and peer edits. Although primarily focused on the practice of generating new work, reading course texts will be regular. These texts are meant to inspire and include books concerning craft, contemporary and classical texts, and, most importantly, one another’s work. Participants are expected to be actively engaged and prepared to share their writing. Lastly, revision and reflection will play key roles in helping students understand the process of writing, providing effective strategies for synthesizing feedback toward completion.
ENGINEERING
COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING
DURATION: Summer Session Online 3 1/2 weeks
EQUIVALENT: Introductory Course to COE Requirement: Engineering & Design
CREDIT: 0.5
This course is an experience for students interested in the Engineering field of study. Students will develop engineering design and project management skills. They will build physical and computer-aided design
(CAD) models to solve problems brought forth in the class. Students will work in small groups to produce a satisfactory product that improves the client’s situation in some way. Groups will receive guidance in the form of lessons designed to spark inspiration and bring to light major strategies or considerations for the design process, as well as constant feedback on designs. For success, students will be encouraged to have good communication with their teammates and their client, to perform research individually to better understand problems and how to address them, to thoughtfully balancing between the limitations in time and resources and the assortment of potential solutions, and to continually model, test, and evaluate their ideas as they continue to develop them towards a final application.
FINE ARTS
COURSE TITLE: DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
DURATION: Summer Session Online 3 1/2 weeks
EQUIVALENT: Term Digital Photography
CREDIT: 0.5
This course will immerse students into the world of digital art and photography. Students will learn how to use the digital darkroom to enhance their work but will still be focused on the artistic principles of photography. Upon completion, students will know the difference between traditional print media and digital media, digital color correction, and printmaking. Students will be expected to produce finished work and participate in real world scenarios. The course will be instructor driven for the first half of the term. By the end of the term, students will be expected to produce finished pieces that are presented to the class. Students are required to exhibit their work.
COURSE TITLE: CONTEMPORARY WORLD ISSUES
DURATION: Summer Session Online
3 1/2 weeks
EQUIVALENT: Contemporary World Issues
Trimester Course
CREDIT: 0.5
This course explores the current issues and crises that exist in America and the world. The class focuses not only on understanding the historical causes and current manifestations of these issues but also the philosophical questions modern controversies engender. Topics will range from domestic issues (such as the state of the American economy, immigration policy, etc.) to international (globalization, refugee crises, and the rise of terrorism.) Students will simultaneously study a variety of perspectives on any given issue, acknowledging and accounting for bias.
SOCIAL STUDIES
COURSE TITLE: LEGAL STUDIES
DURATION: Summer Session Online
3 1/2 weeks
EQUIVALENT: Term Legal Studies
CREDIT: 0.5
This class will introduce students to the nature and functions of law in a society. Law, when legitimately developed by a society, provides order, structure, and limits to those living in that society. Law takes essentially two forms: civil law, which addresses issues, disputes, and grievances between individuals in their role as private individuals, and criminal law, which addresses violations that individuals, in their role as public citizens, commit against the order of political society. Students in this class will explore a broad range of law related topics including: the nature and functions of law in a society, legal principles and fundamentals, civil law, criminal law, international law, law in a mixed market economy, and government regulation.
COURSE TITLE: PSYCHOLOGY
DURATION: Summer Session Online
3 1/2 weeks
EQUIVALENT: Introductory Course in Psychology
CREDIT: 0.5
This course will provide a broad introduction to the field of psychology, one of the social sciences. Among the topics we will cover are: gathering data on the causes and correlations of behavior, key figures in psychology and their theories, examples of research findings from the major subareas of the field, and using psychological knowledge to improve the quality of our lives. This survey of psychology will acquaint the students with the major concepts and terminology of the discipline and give them a better understanding of self and others. It is the hope that it will encourage students to want to learn more about psychology.
COURSE TITLE: SOCIOLOGY
DURATION: Summer Session Online
3 1/2 weeks
EQUIVALENT: Introductory Course in Sociology
CREDIT: 0.5
The goal of this course is to introduce students to Sociology – the study of human relationships. Students will not only learn the basic principles, concepts, and theories that constitute the core study of Sociology, but will also be given the knowledge to better understand society. Students will hopefully be encouraged to see the world through the eyes of others and draw connections between what they are studying in class and the events that are taking place today. This Sociology course will provide students with the basic concepts and tools necessary for understanding human social behavior in a complex world. The focus of this course examines the structures and functions of society from a purely sociological perspective and then examines current social issues in the world. Topics to be covered include: culture, socialization, formal organizations, deviance, as well as global, gender, race stratification, economics and politics, urbanization, and social change.
COURSE TITLE: BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE
DURATION: Summer Session Online
3 1/2 weeks
EQUIVALENT: Introductory course in the Behavioral Sciences
CREDIT: 0.5
The goal of this course is to introduce students to the Behavioral Sciences of Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology. Students will learn basic principles, concepts, and theories from all of these social sciences. The emphasis of this course will be to better understand human behavior from a psychological, biological, and social approach. In addition, students will gain perspective from a variety of cultural perspectives and practice cultural relativism. This course will survey a number of topics including the historical background of the social sciences, research methods and ethics, culture, learning theory, developmental psychology, social stratification, social psychology, and deviant behavior.
RELIGIOUS STUDIES
COURSE TITLE: BIBLICAL STUDIES
DURATION: Summer Session Online
3 1/2 weeks
EQUIVALENT: Term Biblical Studies
CREDIT: 0.5
Biblical Studies is an introductory course to the Scriptures of the Jewish and Christian traditions. The writings of the Old Testament and New Testament are surveyed, utilizing literary and historical criticism. Moreover, there will be a historical and thematic introduction to Christian thought and practice. Students will be exposed to major questions raised in interpreting the Bible in the 21st century.
COURSE TITLE: WORLD CULTURES
DURATION: Summer Session Online 3 1/2 weeks
EQUIVALENT: Term World Cultures
CREDIT: 0.5
This course is offered as a part of the International Student experience and done so through the scheduling process. What makes a religion a world religion is the
fact that it has a powerful appeal and influence on many people over time. These religions have shaped and been shaped by every culture. To study the major world religions is, in truth, to study the history and culture of the human race over the centuries. The main points of emphasis in this course are to acquaint each student with the basic answers each religion gives to the fundamental questions of life; to expose students to the basic elements of all religions; to help students appreciate the areas of similarity and diversity found in world religions; to help students to examine their own religious beliefs and practices in light of other religions.
COURSE TITLE: MORAL & ETHICAL DILEMMAS
DURATION: Summer Session Online
3 1/2 weeks
EQUIVALENT: Term Moral & Ethical Dilemmas
CREDIT: 0.5
This term course explores moral theology, ethics, and the moral decision-making process. In examining how they would act in a given situation, students compare and contrast the psychological, humanistic, and philosophical decision making process with the Catholic approach leading to whether decisions are based on societal values or faith based values. Students will look at the life of Christ, Christian and non-Christian commentators on society, and the problems of the world, and then decide how good moral and ethical decision making can change the world for the better. Students will explore their position on capital punishment, war, beginning and end of life issues, medical dilemmas, and various aspects of sexual morality.
COURSE TITLE: PEACE & JUSTICE
DURATION: Summer Session Online
3 1/2 weeks
EQUIVALENT: Term Social Justice
CREDIT: 0.5
This course will explore Catholic teaching on a variety of ethical and social justice issues. As discussion of such issues has become increasingly prominent in the Church during the modern period, some historical surveys of the Church from the Renaissance to the present will be integrated into the course. Particular attention will
be paid to contemporary Church perspectives on such issues as racism, work, poverty, and the right to life.
ENRICHMENT COURSES
COURSE TITLE: SAT PREPARATION
DURATION: Summer Session Online 3 1/2 weeks
The SAT Prep course is designed to help students prepare for the rigors of taking the SAT tests offered by the College Board. Our primary goal is to identify and implement test taking strategies using prerequisite knowledge to increase student performance. Students in this course should have passed Algebra 2 or are taking it concurrently.
