Program of Studies 2011-2012 - Gorham High School!

480 AP Modern European History 1 Credit
This year-long course is open to Juniors and Seniors and, as a collegiate level class, is presented in a lecturediscussion-seminar
based format. Beginning with the Renaissance and ending with the present day, it covers
European and world history topics in significant depth in preparation for the AP Modern European History exam.
Students taking the course must be able to maintain a rigorous pace and can expect a significant amount of
textbook and supplemental readings. An emphasis is also placed on advanced analytical writing, and written
essays form a large part of the assessments. A summer reading of material is necessary for course preparation,
and a short essay on the same.
Prerequisite: World History 1 and American Studies or equivalent.
485 AP Comparative Government & Politics 1 Credit
The course in Comparative Government and Politics introduces the student to fundamental concepts used by
political scientists to study the processes and outcomes of politics in a variety of country settings. Six countries
form the core of the course: China, Great Britain, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria and Russia. Using these countries allows
for concrete examples to be used in discussions. Additionally, the course will allow students to participate in
Model United Nations at a variety of different conferences and in different capacities. This course is a senior
elective and students will be encouraged to use senior internship opportunities to work in some way that offers
connections outside the United States. Seniors only.
Prerequisite: Seniors only.
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
500 Introduction to Technology 0.5 Credit
Introduction to Technology is a team-taught class which will incorporate career preparation skills such as resume
development, filling out applications and interviewing techniques, along with exposures to a variety of
technological processes and fields. Required areas of study will include: Materials Processing (woods, metals,
plastics); Communications (mechanical drawing, CAD); Electronic Media (financial literacy, digital media).
505 Back to Basics 0.5 Credit
This is a hands-on lab class. Areas of instruction will be project based and include the safe use of hand and
power tools traditionally used in careers involving woodworking, metalworking, residential construction, and tools
often used for common home repairs. Students enrolled in the class will be required to use a variety of materials
to build small projects, which are appropriate for the time constraints of the semester class. (Due to the cost of
materials, students will also be required to purchase materials for individual projects that go above and beyond
the scope of the class projects.)
517 Architect Draw/Resident Design 0.5 Credit
Students will be introduced to residential home design and basic construction techniques. They will complete a
floor plan and evaluation drawing for a basic structure. They will then complete a set of house plans for a home
which they design. Students will be introduced to two different Architectural Drawing Computer Programs. One of
these programs will be utilized when students transfer their house plans from a traditional hand-drawn form to a
computer drawing.
530 Pre-Engineering 0.5 Credit
Pre-Engineering is designed for the student who wishes to pursue a career in some form of engineering or high
level technical field. The class will incorporate science, math, and physics concepts used to solve technical
problems. In addition, students will be exposed to introductory drawing techniques necessary to develop
sketches, orthographic, isometric and two point perspective drawings. The class will concentrate on a systematic
approach to design and problem solving used by engineers. Following instruction on the safe use of tools and
equipment, students will work in the materials processing lab to complete activities which will investigate:
mechanical linkages, simple machines, strength of materials and transportation.
Program of Studies: 2011-2012 Page 23