Course Descriptions

English Department

Students are required to pass four consecutive years of English to graduate.

English 9
This course covers basic literary elements, a broad survey of literature from classical to contemporary, different literary genres, and composition. Students will strengthen writing skills, primarily working on autobiographical, analytical, and persuasive essays. Emphasis will be placed on writing as a process and in developing a strong voice and perspective in their writing. Students will learn to outline, edit and revise.

English 10
This course covers basic literary elements, a broad survey of literature from classical to contemporary, different literary genres, and composition. Students will gain a more complex understanding of metaphor, allegory, symbol, irony, and allusion. There is a strong emphasis on poetry.

English 10 Honors
This course covers the same material as English 10, plus a stronger emphasis is placed upon literary analysis skills--especially in poetry. Students are expected to be able to recognize and discuss more subtle and complex meanings in the literature. They should have mastered basic writing skills. The reading requirements are more rigorous. Teacher recommendation is required for enrollment in this class. There will be additional books to purchase for this course.

English 11
This course is a comprehensive survey of American literature from a Christian perspective. The survey is chronological, with literature divided into four major time periods. The writing emphasis is on narrative, literary analysis, and reflective compositions. We will study the political and social influences of each time period. Students will employ MLA standards for documentation and presentation.

English 11 Honors
This course covers the same material and concepts as English 11 at a much quicker pace, plus additional novels and dramas are also studied. The concepts of archetypes, existentialism, and more subtle literary analysis are covered. Students in this class should expect a significant amount of reading and homework. Teacher recommendation is required for this class.

English 12
This is a comprehensive chronological survey of British literature and a sampling of European literature. Students will learn to evaluate a work's literary artistry and consider the social and historical values it reflects and embodies. In composition, we will focus on literary analysis, reflective, and business writing. Students will be required to do multimedia presentations in class.

AP English Literature and Composition (for 12th grade only)
This is approved for AP status by the College Board. First semester is a broad survey of literary genres with extensive readings in short stories, poetry, and drama. Second semester focuses on literary novels and some additional poetry analysis. All students are required to take the AP English Literature and Composition exam in May. Students who pass the exam may earn credit for their freshman year in college. This class is open to all students who wish to enroll. There is a mandatory summer reading list, and an additional class fee of $85.00 for exam administration.

Science Department

All students must pass two years of science to graduate.

Basic Science
This course is a general review of physical science first semester and health second semester.

Biology
This course is required for all students to graduate. They must have successfully passed Algebra I. This is a life science course. There is an additional $50 lab fee for this class.

Chemistry
Algebra II is a co-requisite for this class. This is a physical science course. There is an additional $50 lab fee for this class.

Physics
Students must have successfully passed Algebra II with at least a grade of "C" to take this class. This is a physical science course. There is an additional lab fee of $50.

Anatomy and Physiology
Students must have successfully passed a lab Biology class with a grade of at least "C" to take this class. This is a life science course. There is an additional $60 lab fee for this class.

AP Biology
Pre-requisites: Students must have successfully passed Biology, Chemistry, and Anatomy and Physiology with grades of "C" or better to take this class. This class will require intensive studying and homework. There is an additional $235 fee for this class--$150 for lab fees and $85 for the exam administration. Students are required to take the AP Biology exam in May. This course is approved by the College Board for "AP" status.

Math Department

All students are required to pass three years of math for high school graduation

Algebra 1A and Algebra 1B
Each of these classes is two semesters. These classes are designed for students who may need more time to learn foundational algebra skills. Taken sequentially, these two years equal one year of Algebra I.

Algebra I

Geometry
Students must have successfully passed Algebra I to take this class.

Algebra II
Students must have successfully passed Algebra I and Geometry to take this class.

Pre-Calculus
Students must purchase the calculator designated by the teacher for this class. (Texas Instrument T89--the same calculator will be used for AP Calculus.) Students must have successfully passed Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II to take this class.

Advanced Placement Calculus AB
This course is approved by the College Board for "AP" status. Students must have successfully passed Advanced Math to take this class. This class will require intensive study and homework time. Students must have the Texas Instrument T89 calculator. Students are required to take the AP Calculus AB exam in May. There is an additional class fee of $85 for this class to cover the cost of the exam.

Consumer Math
This course is a math elective, but it can count toward high school graduation requirements. This class covers basic accounting skills.

Social Studies Department

UCA requires four years of social studies classes for high school graduation.

Geography
This 9th grade class is an introductory survey of physical and social geography that covers all major world areas.

World History
This 10th grade class covers the Age of Exploration to the 20th century.

U. S. History
This 11th grade class is a chronological survey of the United States from Reconstruction to the present day.

Government
This class is one semester required for seniors. It is an introductory class to understanding our federal government.

Economics
This introductory semester class for seniors covers the basics of micro and macroeconomics. It is required for graduation.

AP U.S. Government
The main purpose of this course is to prepare students for the AP Exam in U.S. Government and Politics. Another important purpose is to give students a number of current and historical examples to relate the course material to.  The main areas of study in the course are aligned to the AP test: The Constitution and its underpinnings, political parties, interest groups, the media, Institutions of American Government, public policy, political behaviors and beliefs, and civil rights and liberties.

Bible Department

UCA requires all students to take Bible each year they are enrolled at our school. If a student earns an "F" in any semester of Bible, he or she will be placed on probation. If the student fails any subsequent semester of Bible, he/she may be asked to withdraw from UCA.

Fine Arts Department

All students are required to take one year of a performing art class for graduation.

Choir
This class places a strong emphasis on performance. Students' grades are closely tied to attendance in class and performances. Students must also purchase a performance outfit. This class is open to all students but requires teacher approval. This class may be repeated for elective credit.

Ensemble
This class is for our performing vocal group and is by teacher selection only. All interested students must audition with Mr. Porterfield in the spring. Students must be able to participate in a rigorous performance schedule and purchase performance outfits. All students in this class must also be enrolled in Choir.

Art I This class is introductory art appreciation and student project oriented. Students may need to purchase additional necessary materials for projects. There is a class fee of $35 for this class.

Art II
This class requires teacher approval and the successful completion of Art I. There is a strong emphasis on art appreciation/analysis and student projects. There is a class fee of $35 for this class.

Art III
This class requires teacher approval and the successful completion of Art I and II. It is designed for the self-directed student who is looking to develop style and content, and gain experience in a wider variety of artistic processes. Students are expected to already have a strong foundation in the elements and principles of design.

Jazz Band
Enrollment in this class requires teacher approval. Students must play an instrument and be able to participate in required concerts and festivals. This class teaches music appreciation and emphasizes student performance. This class may be repeated for elective credit.

Drama
This class emphasizes the technical aspects of drama production and student participation. All students are required to participate in the yearly school drama productions.

Foreign Language Department

UCA requires two years of foreign language for graduation.

Spanish I and Spanish II
These classes focus on vocabulary, grammar, cultural appreciation, and conversational skills. Students must participate verbally in class. Each class is one full year.

Spanish III
This class emphasizes language, culture, traditions, and arts throughout the Latin American world. Students are expected to have fairly advanced verbal and writing skills.

Other Electives

These classes do not meet the UC requirements, but count for high school electives credit.

AP Psychology 
This course is approved by the College Board for "AP" status. Students should expect a significant amount of reading and studying. All students are required to take the AP Psychology exam in May. There is a class fee of $85 to cover the cost of the exam.

Speech
In this class, students develop the skills needed to be confident and articulate speakers. Types of speaking covered in the course range from informative speaking to persuasive speaking and business presentations. In April students attend a national speech meet where they will compete against other Christian school speech teams.

Yearbook
This class is by teacher approval only. Students must be able to work independently, and attend various extracurricular events to cover them for the yearbook. Students must be able to work late if necessary to meet all deadlines. Basic computer skills are required. This class may be repeated.

Web Design
This course may be offered if there is enough student interest. Students should list this class as an elective preference when they receive their course selection list in June.

Music Appreciation
The Music Appreciation course provides a historical overview of the way music has developed in our culture. It is designed for non-musicians so previous musical training is not reqired in order to take this course. This course may be offered if there is enough student interest. Students should list this class as an elective preference when they receive their course selection list in June.