Books, short stories, poems and plays convey messages and feelings that make them great. In this course, you will learn how to look for the message. You will learn how to trust your feelings about that message. And you will learn how to express clearly and convincingly what you think. The purpose of this course is to give you the tools to see and hear with real understanding, and to communicate with real conviction.

In this course, you will sample some storylines. You will also get to create some dreams and stories of your own. In addition to evaluating the plot and characters of well-known writers, you will learn to identify themes, create dialogue, and appeal to emotions. You will study various forms of communication including: oral, visual, electronic and textual. You will also develop your own ability to communicate dreams and aspirations with conviction. Great authors have something to say and the ability to say it well. This course will show you how they do it, and will invite you to do the same.

In this course, you’ll gain an appreciation of American literature and the ways it reflects the times in which it was written. You’ll discover how people thought and lived and wrote about their experiences. You’ll also be asked to observe, investigate and report on stories of today.

In this course you will be asked to choose the literature that interests you, analyze the subject matter as it is presented, and persuasively express your own ideas. Every genre of literature has its own conventions for expressing emotions, perceptions, information and biases. You will develop the tools to critically analyze what is being said, and share your insights with others. As high school seniors, what you choose and what you say becomes very important. The purpose of this course is to provide you with doors to open, ideas to experience, and opportunities to effectively express what you...

In this course, you will explore the history of journalism in the United States from its inception in the colonies and its key role in the first amendment, all the way up to present day issues regarding “right to know” and the changing landscape of journalistic media in the 21st century. You will acquire the skills and information needed to actively participate in the consumption, analysis, and creation of news media and will have the opportunity to investigate the constantly evolving career opportunities within the field of journalism.

For many hundreds of years, literature has been one of the most important human art forms. It allows us to give voice to our emotions, create imaginary worlds, express ideas, and escape the confines of material reality. Through creative writing, we can come to better understand our world and ourselves. This course can provide you with a solid grounding in the writing process, from finding inspiration to building a basic story. Then, when you are ready to go beyond the basics, learn more complicated literary techniques to create strange hybrid forms of poetry and prose. By the end of this cours...

Since the beginning of time, people have gathered around fires to tell stories of angry gods, harrowing journeys, cunning animals, horrible beasts, and the mighty heroes who vanquished them. Mythology and folklore have provided a way for these colorful stories to spring to life for thousands of years. This course will illustrate how these famous anecdotes have helped humans make sense of the world. Beginning with an overview of mythology and different types of folklore, you will journey with age-old heroes as they slay dragons, outwit gods, defy fate, fight endless battles, and outwit clever m...

Does the thought of speaking in front of people makes you break out in hives? Maybe you want tips on how to make that first great impression? In both cases, Public Speaking may be just what you need. In this class you will learn from famous orators, like Aristotle and Cicero, how to communicate effectively, uphold your arguments, and effectively collaborate with others. You’ll master the basics of public speaking through practice—such as building a strong argument and analyzing the speeches of others—even tually learning to speak confidently in front of large groups. Grab your notes and get re...

This course is designed to give you the skills and strategies for solving all kinds of mathematical problems. It will also give you the confidence that you can handle everything that high school math has in store for you.

In this course, you’ll know for certain where you are going. As an employee of the Functional Consulting Company, you’ll travel up the corporate ladder as you succeed with each assignment. You’ll go from Junior Associate to Senior Staff Member as you prove what you can do. Starting with a review of basic algebra, you roll through polynomials, quadratic equations, exponential and logarithmic relations, and arrive at probability and statistics. Algebra II is an advanced course using hands-on activities, applications, group interactions, and the latest technology. You’ll have the algebra you need...

Geometry is everywhere, not just in pyramids. Engineers use geometry to bank highways and build bridges. Artists use geometry to create perspective in their paintings, and mapmakers help travelers find things using the points located on a geometric grid.

This course begins with an in-depth study of probability/statistics and an exploration of sampling and comparing populations and closes with units on data distributions and data analysis. In the second half of the course, students create and analyze scatterplots and study two-way tables and normal distributions. Throughout this course, we’ll take you on a mathematical highway illuminated by spatial relationships, reasoning, connections, and problem solving. This course is all about points, lines and planes. Just as importantly, this course is about acquiring a basic too for understanding and m...