26-27 BPS Course Catalog - Flipbook - Page 82
Excel 10: American Studies (Groves)
Honors Excel 10: American Studies (Groves)
From the era of Reconstruction to the economic, social, and geopolitical developments at the end of the 20th century,
students will be engaged in those persisting questions which directed America’s historical, literary, and cultural
development. Key areas of study include Post Civil War Reconstruction, Westward expansion, American Imperialism, World
War 1, the Progressive Era and women’s rights, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression and the New Deal, World War 2,
the Cold War, the Vietnam War, Civil Rights, and America’s role as a world superpower. Alongside these eras, modes of
American literary trends and expression, inspired by social phenomena and geographical connections, will be explored.
Students will take an active part in their education by participating in mock trials, recreating Senate debates, conducting oral
histories, analyzing artifacts, refashioning constitutional amendments and government policies. Students will react to the
literature and historical materials of 19th and 20th century America, by recording their responses in a variety of modes
including journal reflections, editorials, formal essays, creative projects, position papers, critical reviews, and literary analyses.
An honors student will complete additional project expectations, writing requirements, and test questions that require the
student to demonstrate cognitive understanding and skill development at a deeper level than academic students.
Additionally, standards and expectations on essays and assignments will exceed those of Academic level. Honors students
will also read an additional novel or non-fiction book each semester and compose a synthesis essay that connects this
reading to Excel topics and themes. Students must earn a B- final grade to earn Honors credit.
Prerequisites: Excel 9 or English 9 and World History
Grades Taught: 10
Credit: 2
NCAA Approved
Excel 11: Global Studies (Groves)
Honors Excel 11: Global Studies (Groves)
Excel 11 offers an interdisciplinary course that blends English, Economics, and Global Issues. The overall objective of this
interdisciplinary course is to develop students into strategic critical thinkers and problem solvers in an interdependent world
of competition and conflict. Through the study of literature, essays, and films, the class analyzes how American foreign
policy has attempted to navigate issues of war, human rights, envi-ronment, and economics with the powers of China and
Russia. The work of the class pushes students to assess the options of a “weak player” under the jurisdiction of a group that
does not consider them to be citizens. Ultimately, students will consider how much we should care about
“righting” wrongs in the world versus prioritizing our security in a world that is permanently interconnected.
Excel 11 will fulfill the credit requirements for English 11, Global Issues, and Economics. Students will have the option to take
the class for AP/honors credit.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Excel 10 or equivalent
Grades Taught: 11
Credit: 2
NCAA Approved
Excel 12: Contemporary American Studies (Groves)
Honors Excel 12: Contemporary American Studies (Groves)
Excel 12 offers students an interdisciplinary, project-based learning approach to studying the concepts of government,
psychology, and English, analyzing of the major challenges that threaten our ability to trust each other and solve our
problems. The class will compare the visions of government according to the framers, literature, and contemporary essays,
exploring the relationship between our ability to govern ourselves and research on our collective and individual psychology.
The course will assess what securing our rights to “Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Happiness” looks like as a citizen in this
modern society, utilizing Harvard’s Case Method Institute. The work of the course will emphasize the skills of critical thinking,
case analysis, writing, and problem-solving, analyzing the various logics and perspectives for how to improve our
communities, workplaces, relationships, and livelihoods. Excel 12 will fulfill the credit requirements for English 12A & 12B,
Psychology, Government, or a social studies elective. Students will have the option to take the class for honors credit.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Excel 11 or English 11
Grades Taught: 12
Credit: 2
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NCAA Approved
