2020-21 Class Schedule

2020-2021 Course Descriptions

Science

Biology
Mary West
This course will give students a general introduction to a range of topics including basic biological concepts, the chemistry of life, cell structure, cell cycle, genetics, human genetics and biotechnology. Studied topics will incorporate current ethical/social commentary around biology and modern science. Students will learn how science works in the real world and discuss the differences between "pure" science and "popular" science. This class will meet the Tennessee high school graduation requirement for biology with a lab and is a prerequisite for upper level science classes at WEB. This class will meet the Tennessee high school graduation requirement for biology with a lab.

Chemistry
Lauren Beihoffer
Students will learn traditional chemistry topics within the context of societal issues and real-world scenarios. Topics of materials science, environmental chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and industrial chemistry will be explored through the use of integrative, hands-on laboratory procedures. High school biology is a prerequisite for chemistry. This class will meet the Tennessee high school graduation requirement for chemistry with a lab.

Literature

Literature 1: 9th & 10th Grades
Jilah Khalil
This course develops student competency in English usage and mechanics, written communication, and classical and contemporary literature. Basic grammar skills are practiced in student writings. Students use analytical and critical thinking skills while examining the various literary forms. This class will meet the Tennessee high school graduation requirement for one year of English.

Literature 2: 10th-12th Grades
Bea Troxel
A survey of a diverse swath of (predominately 20th and early 21st Century) literature. We will be considering each piece of writing on at least a few levels, looking at not only more surface-level questions of plot and tone, but also considering aesthetic and artistic design, symbolism, and context. Readings will mostly be provided by the instructor. The class will take more of a "writing workshop" form, with instructor-guided peer editing and class discussion figuring prominently.  This class will meet the Tennessee high school graduation requirement for one year of English.

Language Arts

Writer’s Toolkit
Becky Sekeres
Designed for the high school writer who needs to shore up their writing mechanics. The course will focus on grammar and expanding a student's vocabulary through study of Greek and Latin roots and will cover the topics tested in the verbal sections of the ACT and SAT college entrance exams.

Social Studies

US History
Adam Nunley
This course provides a one-year survey of American history from the American Revolution to the present. Using the textbook and primary documents and current events, students learn about the various political, social, religious, and economic developments that have shaped and continue to shape the United States. Essay writing and critical thinking are emphasized as integral ways of understanding how the past relates to the present and future. This class will meet the Tennessee high school graduation requirement for one year of social studies.

US Government and Civics
Jenny Conatser
This year-long course will examine the history and philosophy of political theory as it has evolved worldwide, with a weekly spotlight on current events and their political contexts and relevance. In the second semester, the focus of the course will be the United States government and its structure and function. For its duration, the aim of the class will be to foster and encourage critical thought and logical processes. This course is designed to qualify for a high school social studies credit. This class will meet the Tennessee high school graduation requirement for one year of social studies.

foreign Language

Spanish 1
Rachel Miltner
Designed to introduce beginner students to the Spanish language. A communicative approach is taken to gain skills in speaking, comprehension, reading and writing. This course is designed to qualify for a high school language credit and meets on Tuesdays AND Thursdays. This class will meet the Tennessee high school graduation requirement for one (of two consecutive) years of foreign language and meets on Tuesdays AND Thursdays.

French 1
Flore Grunwald
Designed to introduce beginner students to the French language. A communicative approach is taken to gain skills in speaking, comprehension, reading and writing. This course is designed to qualify for a high school language credit and meets on Tuesdays AND Thursdays. This class will meet the Tennessee high school graduation requirement for one (of two consecutive) years of foreign language and meets on Tuesdays AND Thursdays.

mathematics

Algebra I
Becky Gore
Will cover the topics normally covered in a high school Algebra 1 course. This class will meet the Tennessee high school graduation requirement of one year of Algebra and meets on Tuesdays AND Thursdays.

Geometry
Matt Schutz
Will cover the topics normally covered in a high school Geometry course. This class will meet the Tennessee high school graduation requirement of one year of Geometry and meets on Tuesdays AND Thursdays.

Humanities Elective

2D Art & Design
Jessi Goodwin
What makes a compelling composition? Why do some images hold our attention longer than others? How does an artist create a captivating design? Students in this course will explore these questions and more as they analyze effective designs in fine art and advertising and practice applying these methods in the studio and beyond.

This class emphasizes the organization, function and manipulation of traditional design principles and elements within the two-dimensional arts of drawing, painting, printmaking and photography. Students enrolled in 2D Art & Design should be prepared to conduct independent research and document their sustained investigative process as they experiment with various creative methods throughout the course. 2D Art & Design will culminate in a portfolio collection based on advanced placement standards. This class will meet the Tennessee high school graduation requirement for a humanities elective.