2012 Course Selection Information
For Ms. Barben’s Students
Her analysis and recommendations
• AP US History:
– This is a challenging and independent course for students
who like to work solitarily and tests well on multiple choice
questions and DBQs.
– You will be covering the entire span of American History
between September and early May.
– On average, you will read one to two chapters a week. It is
your responsibility to read each chapter and take detailed
notes on the content.
– There is usually a test every Friday. Most tests are multiple
choice.
– Every few weeks there is a DBQ or a traditional thesis essay
writing assignment.
– After the May AP Exam, you will then go through the
Research Paper Process writing an argumentative thesis
paper based upon primary source research.
– This course is taught by Ms. Sargent.
• AP US History Continued:
– To qualify for this course, you must have the following:
• B+ or higher average in your Modern European History and
English classes
• Received a letter from Mr. Morabito indicating that your PSAT
scores qualified you for the AP Potential Criteria
• Teacher recommendation
• If you do not have all three and still want to take the class,
you will have to sign a waiver indicating that you are electing
to take a class that is not completely appropriate for you and
do not have the option of dropping out of the course your
junior year if you are struggling.
• American Studies:
– This is a thematically team-taught American Literature and American History
course. It is taught by Mrs. Druckenmiller and Mr. Verna.
– The literature covered is the same as High/Honors American Literature, but it
is taught in combination with American History, so you study the literature in
a historical context.
– It allows for more in-depth study and better understanding of both the
literature and history.
– In eleventh grade, you are to write an argumentative thesis paper in both
American Literature and American History.
– With American Studies, the papers are combined, so while it is a longer
paper, you are only writing one instead of two.
– Since this is a large group instruction class of about 50 students that is then
often broken down into smaller groups, there are many thoughtful and
creative projects utilizing technology, interacting with the community, etc….
– If you enjoy projects, working with groups, and are not as strong as a testtaker as others, this is a good match for you.
– All of my former students who I recommended for American Studies have
come back to tell me how much they are enjoying the course and so glad they
took the class.
• American Studies Continued:
– To qualify for this course, you must have the
following:
• B+ or higher in both your Modern Western
Civilizations and English courses
• Teacher recommendations from both your
Modern Western Civilizations and English
teachers
• If you are inconsistent with homework
completion, not as strong with Talking to the
Text, and writing, I will not recommend you
for this course.
• High American History:
– This is a traditionally taught course covering the entire
span of American History.
– This class, while taught by a few different teachers, all
use a very similar approach.
– There are common assessments all three teachers use.
– It is more lecture-based with the expectation that the
students are reading and taking good notes on each
chapter.
– Most of your grades will come from tests and quizzes.
– The argumentative thesis research paper begins at the
end of September or beginning of October. The final
draft is usually due around the beginning of February.
• Standard Level American History:
– This course covers the entire span of American History.
– It is a traditionally taught course where most of
instruction comes from lecture, reading the textbook,
completing worksheets, and tests and quizzes.
– There are a few group projects.
– There are a few creative art or writing projects.
– You begin the argumentative thesis research paper
process the begins at the end of September or
beginning of October.
– The final draft of the research paper is due around the
beginning of February.
– This is where the emphasis is placed.
Electives
• AP Psychology:
– This is a fascinating course, year-long course
– It is the study of the human brain, human development,
mental disorders, and learning disabilities.
– This course follows a national curriculum, a college-level
textbook, and many supplemental readings.
– The assessments range from multiple choice tests, essays,
talking to the text, reading journals, and a few research
projects.
– For students considering careers in the medical profession,
law enforcement, political science, and education, this will
prepare you for some of your courses in college.
– You will take the AP Pysch Exam in May.
• AP Psychology Continued:
–To qualify for this course, you must
have the following:
• B+ or higher in Modern Western
Civilizations
• Received a AP Qualification Letter
from Mr. Morabito based upon your
PSAT score and their AP Potential
Scoring
Electives
• Psychology:
– This is an unleveled course.
– It is a semester course.
– It is the study of the human brain, human
development, mental disorders, and learning
disabilities.
– Since it is an unleveled course, it is much more projectbased than AP Psych.
– The projects are hands-on, interactive, and creative.
– For students considering careers in the medical
profession, law enforcement, political science, and
education, this will prepare you for some of your
courses in college.
Electives
• American Civil War:
– This is an unleveled course.
– It is a semester course.
– It is an in-depth study of the causes, battles, and
effects of the American Civil War.
– This course uses a number of sources ranging from
films, documentaries, primary sources, and secondary
source readings.
– There will be a focus on the research process.
– You go on two field trips…one is to Gettysburg.
– For those American History or Military History buffs,
this is the course for you.
Electives
• Law and Justice:
– This is an unleveled course.
– It is a semester course.
– It is a study of the American legal and criminal systems.
– You learn about police enforcement, civil liberties,
prisons, etc…
– With this course, you will visit a nearby prison for a
fieldtrip.
– There will be a research process focus with this
elective.
– For those students who are considering a career in law,
police, or social work, this is a good course to take to
prepare you for your college work.
Electives
• Current Issues:
– This is an unleveled course.
– It is a semester course.
– This course is based upon utilizing technology to
track global and local current events.
– It will be focusing next year on the presidential
election.
– It is based primarily around your current events
portfolio.
– There is a research process emphasis within this
elective.
– If you enjoyed Global Studies, like to follow politics,
and are a news-junkie, this is the course for you.
Denmark
• This is a special elective unique to Great Valley.
• It is taught on Wednesday nights by Ms. Carlino and Ms. McGregor.
• It is a detailed study of the history, government, economy, and culture of
Denmark.
• You will be assigned a Danish student to correspond with.
• In the second semester, you will visit Denmark and stay with your Dane
for ten days. You get to live and study like a Dane.
• Also in the second semester, your Dane will come to Great Valley and stay
with you for ten days. Your Dane will get to live like an American.
• This is an amazing, life-changing experience.
• This is a great way to see if you would like to do a semester study abroad
in college.
• Most of my former students still keep in touch with their Danes and go
one to visit them again.
• One former student, Jill Curley, actually met her future husband who was
one of the Danes in the program. They are currently married and living in
Denmark.
• If you are concerned about financial costs, there are ways that this can be
addressed to help your family.