Global Studies

American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual non-verbal language used by Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind and Hearing people of all ages in the United States and some parts of Canada. Derived from French sign language and homogenous language, ASL is now the third most commonly used language in the United States. ASL is both a complex language with its own distinct grammatical structure which, contrary to popular belief is not similar to English syntax. ASL provides national opportunities for employment with professional career advancement in Human Services, the Medical Field, Deaf Education and Interpreting. ASL also offers a rich history of technological innovation, literature, art and film.

American Sign Language 1

Introductory

French 1     

Level 3 French is a year-long course in which students work to further internalize the language and understand its culture, building mastery on previously learned material. We will begin working with the more advanced elements of the French language to create and interpret complex expressions of thought in both written and spoken language. We will concentrate heavily on developing and strengthening the reading and writing skills. Level 3 course instruction is conducted almost exclusively in the target language and students will be expected to use it. Language use will increase as the course progresses, with an end goal to use it in class 95% of the time or more. Heritage speakers considering this course should consult with an instructor to determine the appropriate level of placement.

21st Century Issues

Advanced

The 21st Century Issues course gives students the opportunity to pursue their passion and create their own project.  Students will examine some of the dramatic and controversial topics facing our rapidly changing world and create their own original action plan to learn and share their findings.. All projects will be problem-based and solution oriented with a global or local emphasis..

French 4

Advanced

Level 4 French is a year-long course in which students build on their developing written and spoken language skills and expand their cultural knowledge to increase their meaningful fluency. They do this through guided and cooperative exploration of relevant cultural themes based on authentic texts, including prose, poetry, fiction, film and music. The course includes study of grammar and vocabulary to support communication. This class is conducted nearly exclusively in the target language and students will be expected to use it in class 95% of the time or more.

AP French Language & Culture

Advanced 

AP French Language & Culture is a year-long course in which students have a language learning experience equivalent to that of a third year college course. Students will actively develop communicative and cultural proficiency through extensive written and spoken work with a variety of authentic texts, based on relevant cultural topics. This work will prepare students to take the AP French Language Exam, given in the spring. Students enrolling in this course should be willing to accept the challenge of a rigorous academic curriculum. Please refer table of contents for important AP information.

German 1                                                                                                                                         

Level 3 German is a year-long course in which students work to further internalize the language and understand its culture, building mastery on previously learned material. We will begin working with the more advanced elements of the German language to create and interpret complex expressions of thought in both written and spoken language. We will concentrate heavily on developing and strengthening the reading and writing skills. Level 3 course instruction is conducted almost exclusively in the target language and students will be expected to use it. Language use will increase as the course progresses, with an end goal to use it in class 95% of the time or more. Heritage speakers considering this course should consult with an instructor to determine the appropriate level of placement.

21st Century Issues                                                                                                                         

The 21st Century Issues  course gives students the opportunity to pursue their passion and create their own project.  Students will examine some of the dramatic and controversial topics facing our rapidly changing world and create their own original action plan to learn and share their findings. Projects will problem-based, solution oriented, and have either a global or local emphasis drawing from the social sciences

AP German Language & Culture                                                                                                

AP German Language & Culture is a year-long course in which students have a language learning experience equivalent to that of a third year college course. Students will actively develop communicative and cultural proficiency through extensive written and spoken work with a variety of authentic texts, based on relevant cultural topics. This work will prepare student to take the AP German Language Exam, given in the spring. Students enrolling in this course should be willing to accept the challenge of a rigorous academic curriculum. This class is conducted nearly exclusively in the target language and students will be expected to use it in class 95% of the time or more. Read the section “Advanced Courses: Advanced Placement” for more information.

German 5                                                                                                                                            

Level 5 German is a year-long course in which students build on their developing written and spoken language skills and expand their cultural knowledge to increase their meaningful fluency. They do this through guided and cooperative exploration of relevant cultural themes based on authentic texts, including prose, poetry, fiction, film and music. The course includes study of grammar and vocabulary to support communication.

This class is conducted nearly exclusively in the target language and students will be expected to use it in class 95% of the time or more.

Level 3 Spanish is a year-long course in which students work to further internalize the language and understand its culture, building mastery on previously learned material. We will begin working with the more advanced elements of the Spanish language to create and interpret complex expressions of thought in both written and spoken language. We will concentrate heavily on developing and strengthening the reading and writing skills.

Level 3 course instruction is conducted almost exclusively in the target language and students will be expected to use it.  Language use will increase as the course progresses.

21st CENTURY ISSUES                                 

Advanced

The 21st Century Issues course gives students the opportunity to pursue their passion and create their own project.  Students will examine some of the dramatic and controversial topics facing our rapidly changing world and create their own original action plan to learn and share their findings. Projects will problem-based, solution oriented, and have either a global or local emphasis drawing from the social sciences.

SPANISH 4

Advanced

Level 4 Spanish is a year-long course in which students build on their developing written and spoken language skills and expand their cultural knowledge to increase their meaningful fluency. They do this through guided and cooperative exploration of relevant cultural themes based on authentic texts, including prose, poetry, fiction, film and music. The course includes study of grammar and vocabulary to support communication. This class is conducted nearly exclusively in the target language and students will be expected to use it in class.

Spanish 5 

Advanced

This year-long course will continue building skills learned in Spanish levels 1-4 and is designed to help students obtain greater proficiency in the core skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing in Spanish. Students will get a comprehensive grammar review with emphasis on the subjunctive mood and compound tenses. Students will enhance and apply their language skills with a strong emphasis on oral communication through guided discussions, debates, projects and presentations related to cultural, historical and literary topics. This class is conducted nearly exclusively in the target language and students will be expected to use it in class.

AP Spanish Language & Culture

Advanced 

AP Spanish Language & Culture is a year-long course in which students have a language learning experience equivalent to that of a fifth semester college course. Students will actively develop communicative and cultural proficiency through extensive written and spoken work with a variety of authentic texts based on relevant cultural topics. This work will prepare students to take the AP Spanish Language & Culture Exam, given in the spring. Students enrolling in this course should be willing to accept the challenge of a rigorous academic curriculum. This class is conducted nearly exclusively in the target language, and students will be expected to use it in class. Read the section “Advanced Courses: Advanced Placement” for more information.

AP Spanish Literature & Culture

Advanced 

Spanish Literature & Culture is designed to provide students with a learning experience equivalent to that of an introductory college course in literature written in Spanish. One of the objectives of this course is to help students see the connections between literature and art works produced in different times and places, as well as the connections between these works and students’ own experiences. 

This course is conducted exclusively in Spanish and students are encouraged to think critically about the readings in the broad context of the five major course themes, as well as in the specific historical, social, and cultural contexts they represent.  This work will prepare students to take the AP Spanish Literature & Culture Exam, given in the spring.  Students enrolling in this course should be willing to accept the challenge of a rigorous academic curriculum.