Humanities

Humanities I, English and History

These courses address the same topics as the corresponding CP courses described below. However, they focus on skills and approach the content in a more thematic style. Hands-on work, accessibility of texts, and adjusted pace are important elements of the Humanities I course. (1 credit English, 1 credit History).

Humanities I College Preparatory, English and History

Students will study world history focusing primarily on important events from prehistory to the Reformation. In addition, students will learn about world geography and current events as they connect thematically to course topics. Similarly, English students will learn about major literary works from prehistoric stories to Shakespeare in Elizabethan England.

History, religion, geography, literature, art, music, architecture, government, and technology will be integrated throughout both courses. Students will continue to develop reading, writing, speaking, research, analysis, study and citizenship skills. (1 credit English, 1 credit History)

Humanities I Honors, English and History

This course will begin to prepare students for Advanced Placement (AP®) courses offered in the junior year. Students enrolled in Honors should have self-discipline, solid academic skills and habits, and be intrinsically motivated to study and learn. The instructors expect above average ability and maturity from Honors students, so they will move through curriculum faster and expect more self-directed pupils. Students can expect extensive reading assignments and a focus on essay writing. (1 credit English, 1 credit History)

Prerequisite: academic contract with instructor, writing and reading proficiency (formally evaluated), teacher recommendations, evidence of academic success (grades) and on-going evidence of scholarly habits.

Humanities II, English and History

This course will be organized thematically and will include history, literature, art, music and architecture of 20th Century United States. Students will continue to develop reading, writing, speaking, research, study, analysis and citizenship skills. (1 credit English, 1 credit History)

Humanities II College Preparatory, English and History

Students will study U.S. culture from the Spanish American War to the present. American history, literature, art, and music will be integrated throughout the course. Students will write expository essays and practice the fundamentals of research. They will continue to develop reading, writing, speaking, analysis, and study skills. (1 credit English, 1 credit History)

Humanities II Honors, English and History

This course will prepare students for Advanced Placement (AP®) courses offered in the junior year. Students enrolled in Honors should have self-discipline, solid academic skills and habits, and be intrinsically motivated to study and learn. The instructors expect above average ability and maturity from Honors students, so they will move through curriculum faster and expect more self-directed pupils. Students can expect extensive reading assignments and a focus on essay writing. (1 credit English, 1 credit History)

Humanities III, English and History

Students will study American civilization and United States history from pre-European contact through the 19th Century. History, literature, art, architecture, and music will be integrated throughout the curriculum. Students will research and present a major paper in this class. Writing, reading, analysis, group work, and presentations will be emphasized. (1 credit English, 1 credit History)

Humanities III College Preparatory, English and History

Students will study American civilization and United States history from pre-European contact through the 19th Century. American history, literature, art, architecture, and some music will be integrated throughout the course. Students will research and present a major paper. Writing, reading, analysis, discussion, and presentations will be emphasized. (1 credit English, 1 credit History)

Humanities III, Advanced Placement (AP®) English Language and Composition and Advanced Placement (AP®) U.S. History

Students will study American history from pre-European contact to the end of the twentieth century. Rhetoric and history will be integrated throughout this college-level course. Argumentation, synthesis and analysis of non-fiction are emphasized in this course. There will be frequent writing assessments and demanding homework expectations. Students will research, write, and orally present a major paper. Writing, reading, analysis, and discussion are emphasized. This course is taught as a seminar, which requires much independent work. Taking the AP® exam (and payment of the AP exam fee by the student) is a requirement for successful completion of each course. Qualified students may receive AP exam fee assistance through The College Board. (1 credit English, 1 credit History)

Humanities IV College Preparatory, English and History

This course is for students intending to further their education after high school, with the goal of promoting self discovery, active citizenship, and global awareness. Students will study world culture from 1850 to the present. Contemporary issues, history, philosophy, religion, literature, art, and music will be integrated throughout the course. Analysis, synthesis, and communication skills will be emphasized. Students will read, write, discuss, and debate. They will work independently and collaborate on layered projects. Each student will initiate, develop, implement and present a senior project during the fourth quarter. (1 credit English, 1 credit History)

Humanities Vocational English IV

This course is designed for students who will enter the workforce directly after high school. Students will investigate viable career paths, prepare resumes, practice writing job application cover letters, and develop job search and interview skills.

Current events, reading, writing, mechanics and communications skills practice will be ongoing as it pertains to success in the workforce. Each student will initiate, develop, implement and present a senior project during the fourth quarter. (1 credit)

Advanced Placement (AP®) English Literature and Composition

This college level literature course emphasizes understanding and analysis of imaginative writing, the college essay, and senior project. Students will read and write frequent lengthy works. Taking the AP® exam (and payment of the AP exam fee by the student) is a requirement for successful completion of the course. Qualified students may receive AP exam fee assistance through The College Board. (1 credit)

Humanities Electives

Creative Writing

Students will explore several different forms of creative writing. Topics include poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, mixed genre, drama, and digital creative writing. Students will also take part in the writing workshop process, where they will work with their peers to critique and review their writing. (.5 credit)

Film Studies I & II

This course encourages students to explore films as texts. As a medium of presentation, films convey narrative and employ many of the same elements of literature and art in a beautiful combination that is enhanced by the dramatic performance and functional form and style. The artistic construction can be appreciated along the lines of its individual elements as well as its original medium. This course will involve various activities to explore film techniques and analysis of films, create original films, and enjoy watching films as a classroom community. Students completing the first course may opt to continue their study in Film Studies II. (.5 credit each)

Gender Studies

This course is a multidisciplinary course designed to introduce students to contemporary gender issues in the U.S. and around the globe. Students will read articles, watch film documentaries, and research to examine diverse gender topics and connect them to identity, politics, economics, and society. Students will write journals, debate, discuss, develop blogs or create on other media platforms to both discover for themselves and educate others. This course is open to junior and senior students. (.5 credit)

Introduction to Journalism and Publishing

This class will result in a school newspaper/video news program in which students can investigate, record, and disseminate information about the school, on-campus people or events of interest, and local community news. Students will collaborate with other students and adults frequently, they will learn professional writing skills, source evaluation and crediting, and web publishing and/or video creation and editing. (.5 credit)

United States Government and Politics (with Advanced Placement [AP®] exam option)

This introductory course will study constitutional underpinnings, civil liberties and civil rights, political culture and socialization, citizen participation and influence, political institutions and policy making that are the foundation of modern U.S. government and politics. An AP® exam fee is required for students. Some may receive AP exam fee assistance through College Board. (1 credit)

Economics

This is a comprehensive introductory course to economic concepts and skills that students will need in today's environment. Economics offers study of major concepts behind both microeconomics, the study of effects of personal decisions about money, and macroeconomics, which examines general economic factors, like interest rates, taxes, and productivity. This course is open to juniors and seniors only and will be in the Fall semester. (.5 credit)

Personal Finance

This course will be focused on the financial literacy of the individual, preparing people for basic life events such as finding and applying for a job, managing a budget, buying a house, and planning for retirement. Students will focus on factors that go into deciding on careers, managing household finances (paying for rent, mortgages, managing debt, etc.), and buying and selling assets such as stocks and bonds. We will also dedicate a portion of the class to paying for college. This course is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors and will only require very basic math skills. This course is offered in the Spring semester only. (.5 credit)

Model United Nations

In this course, students will examine social, political, scientific, and economic issues and how they influence decision-making on the global stage. Students will explore multiple perspectives on these diverse topics in order to generate solutions. Throughout the semester, students will cultivate research, writing, debate, and collaboration skills. This course will also serve as a preparatory time for the school’s Model UN team, which will compete at a conference in the spring. This course is offered in the Spring semester only. (.5 credit)

Psychology

Psychology is a discussion-based course in which students learn many psychological theories and terms and use them to analyze current events, life, and film. Most work for the course will be done in class. This class is intended to give students a deep understanding of human motivations and behavior. This course is intended for juniors and seniors. (.5 credit)

College-Preparatory Psychology

Similar to Psychology, CP Psychology is a discussion-based course in which students learn many psychological terms and theories and use them to analyze current events, life, and film. While much of work for the course will be done in class, students will also write two formal film analysis papers which count for a significant portion of final grades. These papers are intended to prepare students for the rigors of college courses. This course is intended for juniors and seniors. (.5 credit)

Sociology

MCI's Sociology course combines an introduction to sociology with the study of crime and social psychology. The course is discussion based, with students leading discussions as often as possible. Students will use social theory to analyze their lives, society, current events and film. Most of the work for this course will be done in class. This class is intended for juniors and seniors. (.5 credit)

College-Preparatory Sociology

MCI's CP Sociology also course combines an introduction to sociology with the study of deviance and social psychology. This course is also discussion based, with students leading discussions as often as possible. Students will use social theory to analyze their lives, society, current events and film. While much of the work for this course will be done in class, students will also write two formal film analysis papers. These papers count for a large percentage of final grades and are intended to better prepare students for the rigors of college classes. This class is intended for juniors and seniors. (.5 credit)

Sports and Society

This semester-long elective course will look at sports using sociological skills to understand how sports are a microcosm of a greater society. Students will also look at the impact sports has had on different groups and vice versa. This course will cover world sporting topics such as the Olympics and World Cup along with more North American topics such as high school football and Little League. Issues of race, gender, ethics, and economics as they relate to sports will also be reviewed. (.5 credit)

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Humanities