Course Selections

By Bonnie Deal '12

It’s that time of year again: the familiar yellow and white forms are floating around the school, whether they are in the hands of students, being filled out by teachers, or being shuffled through by guidance counselors. Freshmen are being introduced to the necessary process of selecting classes for the 2012-2013 school year while sophomores and juniors are going through the same steps once again. Students walk off campus in June with the good feeling of knowing what classes they will be taking come September and can expect some interesting choices.

Freshmen are able to add some variety to their schedules by choosing classes and electives that go beyond the required core classes taken during freshman year. One of the most intriguing classes offered for sophomores is Mr. Blanc’s Global Insights. Taken in place of U.S. History, Global Insights is an in-depth course which allows students to delve deeper into the topics learned and knowledge acquired during freshman year Global Civilizations. Revolution is the basis for study in Global Insights, and the course focuses strongly on an introduction to revolution, Middle Eastern issues, and the totalitarian state. Being an honors course, Global Insights requires hard work and an open mind. It’s a different kind of class, but one that sophomores will surely find highly enjoyable.

While many freshmen are already used to taking Honors classes, they are unfamiliar with the even more challenging AP courses. Soon-to-be sophomores have been given the option of taking AP Biology during their second year at THS. AP classes easy to enroll in, but require dedication and extreme concentration from students. AP Biology is taught as a complete survey of all major biological theories, so sophomores who are brave enough to tackle a class tougher than an Honors class, this might be a good choice.

If sophomore year allowed for expansion upon schedules, junior year goes a step farther. A variety of AP classes are allowed to be added to junior year schedules and social studies classes are no longer the typical geography- and U.S. History-based courses.

Juniors can fill their social studies requirement with Justice and Law or Justice and Law Honors if they took U.S. History during their sophomore year. Justice and Law provides students with an understanding of the major aspects of the United States legal system, and students spend a good amount of time focusing on the First and Fourth Amendments, modern Supreme Court decisions, and a plethora of current topics. The Honors class of Justice and Law focuses on the United States legal system as well, but students enrolled in Honors are required to participate in the Connecticut High School Mock Trial Competition.

Another Social Studies substitute offered during junior year is AP Psychology. This course allows students to study the brain in-depth as well as learn about the origins of various psychological disorders and their effects on everyday life. Throughout the year, psych students conduct experiments and work on projects that help further their understanding of the brain and the human mind. No self-diagnosing allowed!

Senior year is the year that many students cannot wait to get to. Since many students have already completed some of their required credits (i.e.: math, foreign language) for graduation, senior year is the time for a schedule full of fun electives. While Political Systems and Economics are mandatory classes, seniors are still able to add interesting and exciting classes to their schedules.

The English department offers seniors with an awesome variety of classes to choose from. Whether it’s Film as Literature, Science Fiction, World Literature, Honors Journalism, or Shakespeare, seniors have more than enough options to choose from to satisfy their necessary English credits.

Another course offered during senior year that current juniors definitely need to consider taking is AP U.S. Government. Also known as Bicen, this class prepares its students for the We the People competition. As it is a full-year course, Bicen takes the place of the required half-year Political Systems and half-year Economics courses. For students who enjoy politics and already have a firm grasp on the history of the United States and its government, this class is perfect. It allows students to further expand their knowledge of the United States government while preparing for a competition at the same time.

Students here at THS are lucky to have such a great variety of classes to choose from each year. The course selection book is organized, informative, and it provides students with an abundance of choices when it comes to classes. Choosing classes for the 2012-2013 school year might seem like a simple task, but it is easier said than done, especially when our school has so much to offer!