Page 24 - 2019-2020-Course-Catalog

6353 – U.S. and Virginia Government Adv. 6457 – History of Media
Grade: 12 Credit: 1.0 Cross listed with Communications/Media Art Dept.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of U.S. Grade: 10, 11, 12 Credit: 0.5
and Virginia History Adv. and English Language Prerequisite: None
and Composition. In this fast-paced elective course, students acquire
This course is designed to meet the needs of stu- understanding of the origins of and development of
dents who can complete tasks with minimum super- mass communication in the United States beginning
vision, and who demonstrate an above average level with the dawn of writing and extending through
of aptitude and achievement. This course is designed modern day mass media in America to include print,
to deal with the civic and political culture of the Unit- electronic, and social media. In addition to learning
ed States. Students will become familiar with the about the chronological and technological develop-
three branches of the federal government as well as ment of mass media, students develop critical think-
with the state and local government. Students will ing skills by examining the impact of mass media on
study the fundamental principles and values underly- American society, education, culture, politics, and
ing our Constitution, laws and legal system and ap- values. As with all history courses, this class seeks
ply them to current issues, especially in the bioethi- to provide civic, intellectual, and moral value for stu-
st
cal field. dents of 21 Century America. Students should ex-
pect to engage in extensive reading and independent
study to master the fundamentals of media history
6354 – U.S. and Virginia Government H in this course.
Grade: 12 Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: A or B+ in AP US History and AP
English Language and Composition, or an A or 6458 – Applied Leadership in the Dominican Tra-
B+ in US/VA History H and English Language
and Composition H, or an A in US/VA Govern- dition
ment Adv. And English Language & Composi- Grade: 11, 12 Credit: 0.5
tion Adv. With Department Recommendation. Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation re-
This course is designed for the student desirous of a quired - testament of desire to grow in holiness
challenging and independently-driven study of gov- and leadership potential and Essay of Interest.
ernment. Topics include the three branches of the In order to help raise a generation of joyful leaders
federal government as well as with the state and and saints, this student driven, project-based elec-
local government. Students will study the fundamen- tive is for 11th and 12th Grade students who desire
tal principles and values underlying our Constitution, to dig deep into the heart of evangelization and the
laws and legal system and apply them to current Christian life. This course includes an in-depth study
issues, especially in the bioethics field. Additionally, of the charism of Saint John Paul the Great Catholic
students must demonstrate their ability to analyze, High School: that of a diocesan school, tasked with
interpret, and evaluate data pertaining to both theo- building up the Kingdom of God through serving the
ry and practice of our nation's government. local community; a school administered by the Do-
minican Order, with a legacy that spans more than
800 years; a school named for a modern saint, a
6355 – AP U.S. Government and Politics pope who teaches us that holiness is the necessary
Grade: 12 Credit: 1.0 measure of ordinary Christian life. Students choose a
specialization within the class, such as service, lead-
Prerequisite: A or B+ in AP US & Virginia His- ership, or prayer.
tory and AP English Language & Composition,
or an A in US and Virginia History H, or an A in
US and Virginia History Adv and English Lan- 6459 – History of the Catholic Church
guage Composition Adv with Department Rec- Cross listed with Religion Dept.
ommendation. Grade: 12 Credit: 0.5
This AP survey course explores the theory and prac- Prerequisite: None
tice of government at the national and state level. This elective course is a survey of the history of the
Students will be assigned independent readings and Church from the time of Jesus until the present. It
will be required to demonstrate the ability to ana- will supply students with a general knowledge of the
lyze, interpret and evaluate data pertaining to both Church’s history, noting for them both the Divine
the theory and practice of our nation’s government. and human elements of the living Body of Christ
Excellent reading and writing skills are necessary for throughout its 2000 years of history.
the course. More independent work is required of the
students. All students are required to take the Ad-
vanced Placement exam in May.

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