2014-2015 Olin Academy Course Catalog · 2015-04-17 · with equations and inequalities, graphing, functions, and mathematical modeling. You will build on your knowledge of variables,

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The Olin Virtual Academy for the 2014-2015

school year provides courses in a wide range of

core subjects and elective offerings. Provided by

Plato Courseware, these courses are designed to

be effective online options to achieve real aca-

demic results. Engaging and award-winning

courses, they are aligned to state and national

standards and based on leading research and

proven best practices.

Course Areas

• English Language Arts

• Mathematics

• Social Studies

• Science

• Health/Physical Education

• World Languages

• Fine Arts

• Career/Technical Education

Courses in this catalog are grouped by academic

area and then further categorized by course type:

Credit Recovery courses meet graduation re-

quirements and are intended to assist students

trying to recover credits for past failed courses.

College Prep courses meet both graduation re-

quirements and college admission requirements.

This is the standard core curriculum offered in

most high school programs. They are appropriate

for students who are looking to continue on to

college or who plan to enter a vocation upon

graduation with the academic skills they need to

succeed in life.

Advanced Placement courses are the most aca-

demically-intensive courses designed for the stu-

dent who has had comprehensive success in the

course prerequisites, wishes to earn college credit

while in high school and continue on to a com-

petitive college or university.

Elective courses are designed for students across

all academic abilities to explore particular inter-

ests or to further knowledge in a particular sub-

ject area. These courses meet the electives gradu-

ation requirement.

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English Language Arts Credit Recovery English 9 English 10 English 11 English 12

College Prep English 9 English 10 English 11 English 12

Advanced Placement AP English Literature

Mathematics Credit Recovery Pre-Algebra Algebra 1 Geometry Algebra 2 Pre-Calculus

Remedial Math 7 Pre-Algebra

College Prep Algebra 1 Integrated Math Geometry Algebra 2 Pre-Calculus

Advanced Placement AP Calculus

Electives Intro to Accounting* Personal & Family Finance* Probability & Statistics* Principles of Finance*

Social Studies Credit Recovery World History US History Economics* Government*

College Prep

World History US History Economics* Government*

Advanced Placement AP US History

Electives African Amer. Studies* Anthropology I & II Archeology* Intro to Philosophy* Personal Psychology I & II Social Issues* Sociology I & II World Geography World Religions*

Science Credit Recovery Earth & Space Science Life Science Biology Chemistry Physics

College Prep Earth & Space Science Life Science Biology Chemistry Physics

Advanced Placement AP Biology AP Chemistry

Electives Forensic Science* Veterinary Science*

Health/Physical Educ. Credit Recovery Health*

Core Health* Physical Education 9 Physical Education 10 Student Athlete

Electives Principles of Health Science

World Languages College Prep French I French II German I German II Spanish I Spanish II Spanish III

Fine Arts College Prep/Electives Art History & Appreciation* Digital Art* Digital Photography I & II Music Appreciation* Performance Studio

Career/Technical Education Electives Academic Success* Career Explorations* Computer Apps & Tech* Criminology* Game Development* International Business* Intro to Business Admin* Intro to Fashion Design* Intro to Marketing* Intro to Social Media* Law & Order* Principles of Architecture & Con-struction* Principles of Arts, Audio/Visual Technology* Principles of Engineering & Technology* Principles of Information Technology Principles of Law, Public Safety, & Corrections* Web Design

Course offerings are dependent upon enrollment.

Course catalog is subject to change. * 5 credit semester course

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English 9 Prerequisite: None

In English 9A, you will read and analyze a variety of genres in literature with an emphasis on poetry. In English 9B, you will also read and analyze a variety of genres in literature. This course places an empha-sis on reading and writing letters and conducting research. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.


English 10A, you will read and analyze a variety of genres in literature with an emphasis on social sci-ences and historical fiction. You will also complete writing activities to persuade an audience and pre-pare yourself for the workplace. In English 10B, you will read and analyze a variety of fictional genres in literature with an emphasis on poetry. You will also study the components of a science publication, a non-fictional genre. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.


In English 11A, you will read and analyze a variety of genres in literature with an emphasis on works from early American literature (to 1800), American Romanticism literature (1800-1860), and the Ameri-can Masters in literature, primarily Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson. In English 11B, you will read and analyze a variety of genres in literature with an emphasis on American literature from three distinct time periods: Civil War through the early twentieth century, start of World War I through the Great De-pression, and the mid-twentieth century through today. You will also read a variety of poetry passag-es, primarily written by Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.


In English 12A, you will read and analyze a variety of genres in literature with an emphasis on English literature from the Anglo-Saxon and Medieval peri-ods and plays from the English Renaissance. In Eng-lish 12B, you will read and analyze a variety of gen-res in literature with an emphasis on European liter-ature from the Age of Reason, the romantic and Vic-torian ages, and contemporary Britain. You will also develop your research skills culminating with writ-ing a research essay. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.

AP English Literature Prerequisite: English 11 (or equivalent) and teacher/school coun-selor recommendation

In this course you will become skilled readers and writers through the study, analysis, and evaluation of literature. The course will teach you how to perform close readings of literature, as well as develop and strengthen your writing skills. Advanced English Lit-erature & Composition follows the curricular require-ments described in the AP English Course Descrip-tion. You will deepen your understanding of the ways authors use language to bring meaning and entertain-ment to their readers. You will also consider the struc-ture of a work as well as its themes and literary devic-es. Readings in this course will be active and exten-sive. The types of writing in the course are varied and include writing arguments, analysis, interpretations, evaluations, and even college application essays/letters. Writing is an essential part of this course, and the writing instruction will include elements of style as well as elements of precision and correctness. The writing you do in this course will reinforce and sup-port the your reading.

* 5 credit semester course Course offerings are dependent upon enrollment.

Course catalog is subject to change.

English is the study of the creation and analysis of literature written in the English language. In our English courses you will study a variety of techniques to improve your reading comprehension, writing skills, and grammar and mechanics. The instruction covers a variety of writing modes: creative, descriptive, expository, narrative, and persuasive. You will learn to understand your

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Math 7 Prerequisite: None

In Math 7A you will develop your knowledge of variables and how they are used in equations. You will also be developing your skills at working with integers, fractions, decimals, and ratios. It is im-portant to continue to practice these skills since they can be difficult to master, but are very powerful tools once learned with fluency. Math 7B will explore top-ics that you’ve seen before, but in greater depth. These topics include connecting measurements to numbers in equations, interpreting the measure-ments, examining geometric shapes in order to meas-ure real-world objects, and graphing techniques which provide context for mathematical relationships. All these tools are important, since you’ll encounter them throughout your studies in mathematics.

Pre-Algebra Prerequisite: None

Pre-Algebra is a course designed to prepare you for future work in algebra. In Pre-Algebra, you will strengthen your knowledge of numbers as you look to transition from numbers to variables. A variable is a letter or symbol used to represent a number. By pairing your foundational knowledge of numbers with new ideas on variables, you’ll develop more so-phisticated ways of solving a variety of real-world problems. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.

Algebra 1 Prerequisite: None

Algebra is a branch of mathematics that uses symbols in place of numbers to describe and generalize rela-tionships. In Algebra 1A, you will explore relation-ships between mathematical quantities, how to reason with equations and inequalities, graphing, functions, and mathematical modeling. You will build on your knowledge of variables, exponents, expressions, and algebraic terminology by applying algebra to real-world situations. . In Algebra 1B, you’ll extend these ideas to factor and perform operations on polynomi-als which are expressions with more than two terms. Until now, many of the equations that you’ve solved have been linear, or proportional. In Algebra 1B,

you’ll begin to solve quadratic equations. These are equations where the highest power on any variable is two. You’ll look closer at the parabola, a conic section defined by a quadratic equation. Additionally, you’ll build your graphing skills by analyzing and plotting different types of functions: absolute value, piecewise, exponential, and logarithmic. Finally, you’ll learn more about statistics as you interpret the shapes of data distributions and delve into correlation and cau-sation. A Credit Recovery version of this course is al-so available.

Integrated Math Prerequisite: None

Integrated Math is a comprehensive collection of mathematical concepts designed to give you a deeper understanding of the world around you. It includes ideas from algebra, geometry, probability and statistics, and trigonometry, and teaches them as interrelated disciplines. In Integrated Math A, you will begin with algebra. You will build on your un-derstanding of ratio and proportion by studying the equations and graphs of linear relationships. In Inte-grated Math B, you will study the connections be-tween algebra and geometry. You will learn about geometric theorems, or rules, and write proofs to sup-port them.

Geometry Prerequisite: Algebra 1

Geometry is a branch of mathematics that uses logic and formal thinking to establish mathematical rela-tionships between points, lines, surfaces, and solids. In Geometry A, you will explore rigid and non-rigid transformations of figures in the coordinate plane and use them to establish congruence and similarity of triangles and other shapes. In Geometry B, you will review the volume formulas for some common solid figures as you extend your knowledge of two-dimensional shapes to three-dimensional shapes. You will also transition from primarily Euclidean geome-try to analytical geometry—a segment of geometry focused on numerical measurements and coordinate algebra. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.



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Algebra 2 Prerequisite: Algebra 1

In Algebra 2A, you will perform operations and iden-tify restrictions on rational expressions. You will also analyze and graph polynomial functions. Algebra 2A will introduce you to a new concept—complex num-bers. In Algebra 2B, you will begin with a study of trigonometry, how the sides and angles of a triangle are related. You will examine trigonometric functions and graphs in the context of the unit circle. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.

Pre-Calculus Prerequisite: Geometry and Algebra 2

Pre-calculus is a course designed to prepare you for future work in calculus. You’ll learn about numbers outside the real number system, and you’ll begin to treat functions and polynomials like numbers—plugging them into equations as you would a num-ber. Pre-calculus B wil introduce you to calculus—it gives you the basic tools you need to take a limit and teaches you how to find a limit. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.

AP Calculus Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus and teacher/school counselor recom-mendation

Calculus is the mathematics of change. It is used to solve complex problems that are continuously evolv-ing and would otherwise be unsolvable with only al-gebra and geometry. This online advanced placement course is designed to prepare you to become deep mathematical thinkers. You will explore the calculus concepts of limits, differentiation, and integration and apply those concepts in meaningful ways. The first semester focuses on the concepts of functions, limits, and differentiation and their applications. The second semester builds off the first semester to focus on inte-grations. It will cover topics such as the definite and indefinite integral and their applications, inverse function, and techniques for integrating.

Introduction to Accounting* Prerequisite: Algebra 1

The Bureau of Labor Statistics identifies accounting as

on of the best careers for job growth in the next dec-ade. This course empowers you with essential skills needed to understand accounting basics. Lessons in-clude Account Type (assets, liabilities, expenses, etc.), The Accounting Cycle, and Balance Sheet Elements. Engaging and relevant, this course particularly helps both students with an accounting career orientation and those in need of an overview of essential account-ing principles.

Personal & Family Finance* Prerequisite: None

How do personal financial habits affect students’ fi-nancial futures? How can they make smart decisions with money in areas of saving, spending, and invest-ing? This course introduces you to basic financial habits such as financial goals, budgeting, and creating financial plans. You learn about topics such as taxa-tion, financial institutions, credit, and money manage-ment. The course also addresses how occupations and educational choices can influence personal finan-cial planning, and how individuals can protect them-selves from identity theft.

Probability & Statistics* Prerequisite: Algebra 1 & Geometry

Probability is the study of the likelihood that an event will occur. In Statistics, you will practice the science of collecting and analyzing numerical data in order to make decisions. The study of statistics upholds that of probability. In this course, you will represent and interpret data using data plots, histograms, box plots, two-way frequency tables, and scatter plots. You will study normal distribution and distinguish between correlation and causation.

Principles of Finance* Prerequisite: Algebra 1

Financial literacy is an increasingly essential capabil-ity as students prepare for the workforce, and this 18-lesson course provides the information needed to de-termine if a career in finance is right for you. The course uses games and online discussions to effective-ly facilitate learning, while introducing you to a varie-ty of topics, including investment strategies, money management, asset valuation, and personal finance.



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World History Prerequisite: None

In this course you will study human events from the first use of agriculture 15,000 years ago until present day. Included are lessons on the ancient civilizations of Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Lessons examine the great periods of global exploration and expansion, as well as scientific discovery. Later topics covered include the Industrial Revolution, the African and Asian colonial experience, the rise of European Nationalism, and the horrors of World War I. You will also read about the rise of totalitarian ideologies of Fascism and Communism, World War II, the Cold War, Post-Colonial Africa, the Rise of Asian Econo-mies, and the Global War on Terror. A Credit Recov-ery version of this course is also available.

US History Prerequisite: None

US History is the study of the events, people, and cul-ture of the United States over time. In US History A, you will learn about the process of historical inquiry, review the events and principles behind the founding of the United States, and then apply historical inquiry to analyze societal issues, trends, and events from the Civil War through the Great Depression. In US Histo-ry B, you will apply historical inquiry to analyze soci-etal issues, trends, and events of US history from World War II to the present, including the Cold War, Civil Rights and other social movements, the Vietnam War, modern presidencies, and responses to global terrorism. You’ll explore timelines to gain an under-standing of how events link to each other, and you’ll analyze historical documents for a firsthand sense of how events unfolded. You’ll also gather evidence from relevant documents and historical texts in order to develop credible explanations of events in US his-tory. You’ll then use that evidence to evaluate change and continuity over time. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.

Economics* Prerequisite: None

In Economics, you will learn about your role as a consumer and also the basic principles of the U.S. free-enterprise system and how that system ties into the

global market. Additionally, you will learn about the role that business and industry plays in a nation’s economy and the relationships that industry has with the government. You’ll also learn more about the peo-ple who initiate businesses and the ups and downs that occur in a business cycle. Furthermore, you’ll study important historical events surrounding labor laws and the responsibilities you have as a consumer in an economic system. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.

Government* Prerequisite: None

Many systems of government existed before the Unit-ed States established its government, and these sys-tems had an impact on how the Constitution was formed. This course will explore the conditions under which the United States was formed, how this affect-ed its view of the allocation of power between states and the federal government, and how the civil rights movement further changed how U.S. citizens are pro-tected by their government. This course will also de-tail the structure, organization, and powers of the leg-islative and judicial branches of the federal govern-ment. You will also learn more about how your gov-ernment represents you in the world with foreign pol-icy. The second half of the course will cover topics which directly impact citizen’s daily lives. Topics such as economic policies, social welfare, government regulations, and how to participate in civic life are discussed. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.

AP US History Prerequisite: Teacher/school counselor recommendation

This course is designed to provide you with the op-portunity to think critically and to gain factual knowledge about US history. You will learn to ana-lyze and critique historical materials and evaluate his-torical interpretations presented in research. This course will help you acquire the necessary skills to come to conclusions based on informed judgments and provide sound reasoning and evidence for those judgments.



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African American Studies* Prerequisite: None

Throughout US history, African Americans have faced great adversity in the form of enslavement and institutional racism. They fought for their freedom and worked to right a broken system, but their strug-gle continues today. This course studies the treatment of enslaved Africans as they were brought to Ameri-ca, the prejudices African Americans have experi-enced, and their important role in the social, political, and economic development of the United States.

Anthropology I: Uncovering Human Mysteries* Prerequisite: Completion of World History recommended

Anthropology uses a broad approach to give you an understanding of our past, present, and future and also addresses the problems humans face in biologi-cal, social, and cultural life. This course explores the evolution, similarity, and diversity of humankind through time. It looks at how we have evolved from a biologically and culturally weak species to one that has the ability to cause catastrophic change.

Anthropology II: More Human Mysteries Uncovered* Prerequisite: Completion of World History recommended; An-thropology I

This course continues the study of global cultures and the ways that humans have made sense of their world. It examines ways that cultures have under-stood and given meaning to different stages of life and death. The course also examines the creation of art within cultures and how cultures evolve and change over time. Finally, you will apply the con-cepts and insights learned from the study of anthro-pology to several cultures found in the world today.

Archeology: Detectives of the Past* Prerequisite: Completion of World History recommended

The field of archeology helps us better understand the events and societies of the past that have helped to shape the modern world. This course focuses on the techniques, methods, and theories that guide the study of the past. You will learn how archaeological research is conducted and interpreted, as well as how artifacts are located and preserved. Finally, you learn

about the relationship of material items to culture and what we can learn about past societies from these items.

Introduction to Philosophy: The Big Picture* Prerequisite: Completion of World History recommended

This course is an exciting adventure that covers more than 2.500 years of history. Despite their sometimes odd behavior, philosophers of the Western world are among the most brilliant and influential thinkers of all time. As you learn about these great thinkers, you’ll come to see how and where many of the most fundamental ideas of Western Civilization originated. You’ll also get a chance to consider some of the same questions these great thinkers pondered.

Personal Psychology I: The Road to Self-Discovery* Prerequisite: None

Self-Knowledge is the key to self-improvement. Sam-ple topics include the study of infancy, childhood, adolescence, perception and states of consciousness. The course features amazing online psychology ex-periments dealing with our own personal behavior.

Personal Psychology II: Living in a Complex World* Prerequisite: Personal Psychology I

This course enriches the quality of your lives by teaching you to understand the actions of others. Topics include the study of memory, intelligence, emotion, health, stress and personality. This course features exciting online psychology experiments in-volving the world around us.

Social Issues* Prerequisite: None

Because the specifics of social issues change rapidly, this course is designed to have you discover contem-porary and relevant perspectives on issues that may have been around for centuries. You engage in signif-icant research and each lesson ends with an essay as-signment that encourages you to express your opin-ions. Topics include media, government, civil liber-ties, poverty, terrorism, crime, the environment, and many more.



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Sociology I: The Study of Human Relation-ships* Prerequisite: None

The world is becoming more complex. How do be-liefs, values and behaviors affect people and the world in which we live? You will examine social problems in our increasingly connected world, and learn how human relationships can strongly influence and impact your lives.

Sociology II: Your Social Life* Prerequisite: Sociology I

Sociology is the study of people, social life, and socie-ty. By developing a “sociological imagination” you are able to examine how society itself shapes human action and beliefs, and how in turn these factors re-shape society itself.

World Geography Prerequisite: None

Geography is the study of where things are in the world. It is important to know why people settled where they did: sometimes this is for weather-related reasons, and sometimes it’s because of bountiful natural resources nearby. In this course, you will learn about these special features which drive economic development and form the locales where people settle.

World Religions: Exploring Diversity* Prerequisite: Completion of World History recommended

Throughout the ages, religions have shaped the politi-cal, social, and cultural aspects of societies. This course focuses on the major religions that have played a role in human history, including Buddhism, Christi-anity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Shin-toism, and Taoism. Students trace major develop-ments in these religions and explore their relation-ships with social institutions and culture. The course also discusses some of the similarities and differences among the major religions and examines their related connections and difference.



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Earth & Space Science Prerequisite: None

Earth and Space Science A discusses the composition of the earth. Earth and Space Science B discusses the composition of the earth and the place that it has within the Solar System and the Universe. You will study the earth as a dynamic system of related parts and how you play an important role in the system. Using the scientific method, you’ll uncover answers to important questions. By studying the makeup of Earth and its surroundings, you’ll gain an under-standing of the significant impact that you can have on tomorrow’s world. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.

Life Science Prerequisite: None

Life Science is a branch of natural science that deals with the structure and behavior of living organisms. In Life Science A, you will begin by studying the most basic unit of life, the cell, and work your way towards more complex organisms that include plants and ani-mals. In Life Science B, you will begin by studying how traits are passed from one generation to the next. You’ll follow the flow of energy and matter in an en-vironment as you study relationships among organ-isms in an ecosystem. You will study ways to prevent disease, and understand the stages of human repro-duction and development. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.

Biology Prerequisite: None

Biology is a science dedicated to studying all forms of life on Earth. This course will teach you about the smallest building block of life—the cell. You will learn what makes a cell, how cells are built and their func-tions, as well as how mutations in cells can cause them to change genetically. This course will show you how scientists categorize various types of life, as well as the structure of plants and animals. You will also learn about how ecosystems support different life forms, and how the systems change to cater to the life forms that live within them. A Credit Recovery ver-sion of this course is also available.

Chemistry Prerequisite: Biology and Algebra 1

Chemistry A, you will learn some of the “basics” of chemistry: the atomic and molecular structures that result in different chemical properties and the con-cepts and tools that will enable you to predict chemi-cal properties and chemical reactions. In Chemistry B, you will learn about key types of chemical relation-ships and reactions, including solutions, reversible reactions, acid-base reactions, thermochemical sys-tems, and electrochemical systems. You will use your knowledge to analyze new situations and make quali-tative and quantitative predictions. Finally, you will extend your chemical knowledge into the areas of nu-clear chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also avail-able.

Physics Prerequisite: Algebra 2; Geometry recommended

Physics is the scientific study of matter, energy, and their most fundamental physical interactions, includ-ing attractions, repulsions, and collisions. In Physics A, you will learn about the “basics” of physics: how to describe and analyze motion, how forces interact with matter, and how to further describe these inter-actions with the aid of the concepts of energy and mo-mentum. Finally, you’ll explore one more specialized topic, thermodynamics, the physics of heat. In Phys-ics B, you will use your physical understanding of motion, forces and energy and apply that knowledge to some important, specialized topics in physics: the behavior of waves, applications of wave theory to light and optics, the interaction of electrical and mag-netic forces, and the special “non-Newtonian” proper-ties of energy and matter described by quantum theo-ry. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.



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AP Biology Prerequisite: Biology & Chemistry

In this online course, you will be taught and encour-aged to continually pose questions about the subject matter. Through exploration and discovery of the phenomenon at the core of each lesson, you will be guided to answer your own questions and be able to discuss the phenomenon in ways that reflect sound scientific practices. Biology is presented as a living process, one that carries a body of current under-standings and a method of building on those under-standings to either deepen them or replace them with better explanations.

AP Chemistry Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry, & Algebra 2

The Advanced Chemistry course is designed around the AP Chemistry Curriculum Framework established by the College Board. The course is presented through the lens of scientific inquiry—the process of channeling human curiosity into purposeful explora-tion, discovery, and application of observable natural phenomena. In this course, you will grow to under-stand your physical world in a deep way. At the same time, an inquiry and STEM-oriented approach to chemistry offers you a shared method of asking ques-tions about the world around you. Your experience and knowledge from this course—tied to a strong em-phasis on qualitative and quantitative analysis and communication—is designed to enable you to under-stand important scientific and societal problems and to creatively grapple with such problems.

Forensic Science* Prerequisite: Biology

In this course, we discuss what forensic science con-sists of and how the field developed through history. Topics covered include some of the responsibilities of forensic scientists and about some of the specialty are-as that forensic scientists may work in. Objective and critical thinking questions are combined with lab ac-tivities to introduce you to analyzing the crime scene, a wide variety of physical evidence such as firearm and explosion evidence, and DNA evidence.

Veterinary Science: The Care of Animals* Prerequisite: Biology

As animals play an increasingly important role in our lives, scientists have sought to learn more about their health and well-being. This course examines some of the common diseases and treatments for domestic an-imals. Toxins, parasites, and infections diseases im-pact not only the animals around us, but at times hu-mans as well. Through veterinary medicine and sci-ence, the prevention and treatment of diseases and health issues is studies and applied.



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Health* Prerequisite: None

Everyone needs to take care of their body, but we aren’t necessarily born with the knowledge of how to go about it. It’s important to invest time and energy into understanding what it means to be healthy. There are many activities you can engage in which are dangerous for your long-term health, so you need to know how to identify and avoid these activities. It’s also important to identify lifestyles which will lead to a longer, more enjoyable life. This course will guide you through lifestyle choices you will make which will ultimately impact your life in meaningful ways. A Credit Recovery version of this course is also available.

Physical Education 9 & 10 Prerequisite: None

Your body is a machine that has certain needs—if you treat it well, it should be able to serve you well. But what can you do to promote a fit and healthy body? A course in physical education can show you. By defini-tion, physical education is instruction in exercise and physical activity. It teaches you how to maintain your personal fitness, how to measure different aspects of physical fitness, and how to avoid injury while exer-cising. It’s all about getting active and setting your body in motion. By measuring health and fitness with objective data, it’s possible to improve your health in a methodical way. Exercise helps you feel good about yourself and helps you sidestep the health problems that often accompany poor levels of fitness.

Student Athlete Prerequisite: Recommendation

This course option allows you to get academic credit for your extracurricular athletic activities. Students participating in this course option will be responsible for logging hours and activity descriptions and check-ing in with the course advisor on a regularly sched-uled basis. This course may be taken for one or two semesters.

Principles of Health Science* Prerequisite: Completion of Biology recommended

This course provides you with a comprehensive over-view of health science topics and careers. Health sci-ence professionals are in increasing demand and of increasing interest, and this semester-long course is an effective way to introduce you to the wide array of health science careers. Beginning with medical termi-nology, the course includes an overview of physiolo-gy and human homeostasis and more.



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French I Prerequisite: None

In this course you will begin your introduction to French with fundamental building blocks in four key areas of foreign language study: listening comprehen-sion, speaking, reading, and writing. Each week con-sists of a new vocabulary theme and grammar con-cept, numerous interactive games reinforcing vocabu-lary and grammar, reading and listening comprehen-sion activities, speaking and writing activities, and multimedia cultural presentations covering major French-speaking areas in Europe and across the globe.

French II Prerequisite: French I

In this course you will continue your introduction to French with fundamental building blocks in four key areas of foreign language study: listening comprehen-sion, speaking, reading, and writing.

German I Prerequisite: None

In this course you will begin your introduction to German with fundamental building blocks in four key areas of foreign language study: listening com-prehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Each week consists of a new vocabulary theme and gram-mar concept, numerous interactive games reinforcing vocabulary and grammar, reading and listening com-prehension activities, speaking and writing activities, and multimedia cultural presentations covering major German-speaking areas in Europe and across the globe.

German II Prerequisite: German I

In this course you will continue your introduction to German with fundamental building blocks in four key areas of foreign language study: listening com-prehension, speaking, reading, and writing.

Spanish I Prerequisite: None

In this course you will begin your introduction to Spanish with fundamental building blocks in four key areas of foreign language study: listening comprehen-sion, speaking, reading, and writing. Each week con-sists of a new vocabulary theme and grammar con-cept, numerous interactive games reinforcing vocabu-lary and grammar, reading and listening comprehen-sion activities, speaking and writing activities, and multimedia cultural presentations covering major Spanish-speaking areas in Europe and the Americas.

Spanish II Prerequisite: Spanish I

In this course you will continue your introduction to Spanish with fundamental building blocks in four key areas of foreign language study: listening comprehen-sion, speaking, reading, and writing.

Spanish III Prerequisite: Spanish II

In this expanding engagement with Spanish, you will deepen your focus on four key skills in foreign lan-guage study: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. In addition, you will read sig-nificant works of literature in Spanish, and respond orally or in writing to these works.



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Art History and Appreciation* Prerequisite: None

Art has played a significant role in every major civili-zation throughout the history of man. The emergence of different art forms often reflects the values that a civilization deems important: religion, labor, love, po-litical change, or even commerce. Since artwork and cultural values are so closely related, studying art is a compelling way to learn about the people who pro-duced it.

Digital Photography I: Creating Images with Impact* Prerequisite: None

Digital an effective and comprehensive introduction to careers in the rapidly expanding world of digital art. The course covers creative and practical aspects of digital art. Beginning with a history of digital art, the course goes on to issues of design, color, and lay-out. While you will experience creation of digital art, you will also learn about converting traditional art to digital formats. You will also learn about creating a personal portfolio to prepare yourselves for career opportunities.

Digital Photography I: Creating Images with Impact Prerequisite: None

Digital Photography I focuses on the basics of photog-raphy, including building an understanding of aper-ture, shutter speed, lighting, and composition. You will be introduced to the history of photography and basic camera functions. You us basic techniques of composition and camera functions to build a personal portfolio of images, capturing people, landscapes, close-ups, and action photographs.

Digital Photography I: Discovering Your Crea-tive Potential* Prerequisite: Digital Photography I

In this course, we examine various aspects of profes-sional photography, including the ethics of the profes-sion, and examine some of the areas in which profes-sional photographers may choose to specialize, such as wedding photography and product photography. You also learn about some of the most respected pro-

fessional photographers in history and how to cri-tique photographs in order to better understand what creates an eye-catching photograph.

Music Appreciation* Prerequisite: None

Music is part of everyday life and reflects the spirit of our human condition. To know and understand mu-sic, we distinguish and identify cultures on local and global levels. This course provides you with an aes-thetic and historical perspective of music, covering a variety of styles and developments from the Middle Ages through the 21st Century. You will acquire basic knowledge and listening skills, making your future music experiences ore informed and enriching.

Performance Studio Prerequisite: Recommendation

This course option allows you to get academic credit for your organized extracurricular activities in the arts. Students participating in this course option will be responsible for logging hours and activity descrip-tions and checking in with the course advisor on a regularly-scheduled basis. Students should register for the course that corresponds with their year in school. This course may be taken for one or two se-mesters.



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Academic Success* Prerequisite: None

This one-semester elective course is intended as a practical, hands-on guide to help you improve your study habits and enhance your prospects for academ-ic success, now and in the future.

Career Explorations* Prerequisite: None

Have you ever thought about what job you will even-tually do for living? There are many career opportuni-ties out there, and knowing which one is right for you can be difficult. There are a host of things to consider. What are your natural strengths? What type of work do you enjoy? What kinds of fields or industries inter-est you? Answers to questions like these will deter-mine the first steps toward selecting a career. You will also need to consider the educational requirements of the career you choose and learn how to construct a cover letter and résumé so you can land that ideal job when the time comes.

Computer Applications and Technology* Prerequisite: Completion of Biology recommended

Personal computers are powerful tools that are used extensively at home and in the workplace. This course will teach you about the basic components of a per-sonal computer and how to use the Internet for a vari-ety of purposes. It will also show you how to leverage productivity software, such as spreadsheets and word processing, when creating projects for school or work. Understanding computer applications and technolo-gy is key to navigating your way through the digital age that we live in.

Criminology: Inside the Criminal Mind* Prerequisite: None

Crime and deviant behavior rank at or near the top of many people’s concerns. This course looks at possible explanations for crime from the standpoint of psycho-logical, biological and sociological perspectives, ex-plore the categories and social consequences of crime, and investigate how the criminal justice system han-dles not only criminals, but also their crimes. Why do some individuals commit crimes and others do not? What aspects in our culture and society promote crime and deviance? Why are different punishments

given for the same crime? What factors shape the criminal case process?

Game Development* Prerequisite: None

In this course, you’ll learn the ins and outs of game development to prepare for a career in the field. Whether it is the history of video games, character development, mobile game design, user interface de-sign, social gaming, or the principles of development design and methodologies, this course covers it all. As you might guess, games are included in the course to enhance the learning experience and help assess your progress. While fun and highly engaging, the course focuses on laying a strong foundation for a ca-reer in game development.

International Business: Global Commerce in the 21st Century* Prerequisite: None

From geography to culture, Global Business is an ex-citing topic. This course helps students develop the appreciation, knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to live and work in a global marketplace. Business structures, global entrepreneurship, business manage-ment, marketing, and the challenges of managing in-ternational organizations are all explored in this course. You will cultivate an awareness of how histo-ry, geography, language, cultural studies, research skills, and continuing education are important in business activities and the 21st century.

Introduction to Business Administration* Prerequisite: None

This course is specifically designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in high-demand careers. The wide variety of lessons includes: Entrepreneurship and Management; Organ-izational Behavior; Fundamentals of Finance; and Quality Management.



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Introduction to Fashion Design* Prerequisite: None

From components of Fashion to Haute Couture to Production, this course is focused on the practical as-pects of career preparation in the fashion design in-dustry.

Introduction to Marketing* Prerequisite: None

This course provides a comprehensive overview of marketing principles and practices in today’s dynam-ic digital context. Marketing is a rapidly changing discipline and this course helps prepare you for the challenges and excitement of a career in marketing. Lessons include Branding, Segmentation, Advertising Fundamentals, and Online Marketing.

Introduction to Social Media* Prerequisite: None

This course develops social media skills and knowledge that will have a practical and positive im-pact in helping you succeed in today’s economy. Of course you already engage in social media, but this course enhances your skills and knowledge in order to apply them in a practical way in your careers. Online discussions are a critical aspect of creating a collaborative learning environment, while games and other interactions ensure engagement and promote a strong career orientation.

Law and Order: Introduction to Legal Studies* Prerequisite: None

From traffic laws to regulations on how the govern-ment operates, laws help provide society with order and structure. Our lives are guided and regulated by our society’s legal expectations. Consumer laws help protect us from faulty goods; criminal laws help to protect society from individuals who harm others; and family law handles arrangements and issue that arise in areas like divorce and child custody. This course focuses on the creation and application of laws in various areas of society.

Principles of Architecture and Construction* Prerequisite: None

This interactive course empowers you with the knowledge to appreciate and evaluate career oppor-tunities in architecture and construction. With an em-phasis on developing critical thinking skills, this course includes a variety of activities as you learn about structures and loads, materials and costs, urban design, and other aspects of these fascinating career opportunities.

Principles of Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications* Prerequisite: None

This course appeals your familiarity with a variety of sensory inputs and stimulus. With an emphasis on visual arts, this course introduces you to careers in design, photography, performing arts, fashion, and journalism, among others. This engaging course co-vers inherently engaging topics that will stimulate you as you consider careers in which the arts, technol-ogy, and communications intersect.

Principles of Engineering and Technology* Prerequisite: Biology and Algebra 1 completion recommended

This course provides you with essential STEM knowledge and an effective overview of STEM ca-reers. Topics covered include biotechnology, me-chanics, and fluid and thermal systems. The conclud-ing lessons provide a valuable overview of the overall engineering design process.

Principles of Information Technology Prerequisite: Biology and Algebra 1 completion recommended

This course develops practical skills in the ever-expanding IT industry. Lessons cover the increasing-ly relevant and important areas of privacy and data security, as well as addressing some essential skills such as word processing and spreadsheet software, and then advancing to cutting edge networking and database software concepts.



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Principles of Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security* Prerequisite: None

This course will teach you about careers that make a powerful impact in all our lives. From criminal law to every phase of the trial process, the course moves on to include lessons on the correctional system and the implications of legal ethics and the constitution.

Web Design* Prerequisite: None

This course takes you inside the essentials of web de-sign and helps you discover what makes a site truly engaging and interactive. Lessons such as Elements of Design, Effects of Color, and Typography help you understand the elements of effective and dynamic web design. The course covers the basics of HTML, CSS, and how to organize content, and helps to pre-pare you for a career in web design.



Documents

2014-2015 Olin Academy Course Catalog · 2015-04-17 · with equations and inequalities, graphing, functions, and mathematical modeling. You will build on your knowledge of variables,