Advanced Placement Courses
Aventa
Learning and WVS have teamed up to provide online
AP®
courses for Wisconsin Schools. The cost is
$325 per semester course (per student).
Wisconsin certified teachers will facilitate the
courses, and a technical help desk is available
also. Any
required textbooks will not be
included, and must be procured by the sponsoring
district. Please see the course
description for textbook information.
Course Schedule:
|
Semester |
First
Day to Register |
Last
Day to Register |
First
Day of Class |
| Spring
2008 |
December 17, 2007 |
February 1, 2008 |
January 2, 2008 |
| Fall
2008 |
August
18, 2008 |
Sept.
12, 2008 |
Sept.
2, 2008 |
| Spring
2009 |
December 15, 2008 |
January 30, 2009 |
January 5, 2009 |
These courses are equivalent to undergraduate level
college courses and will prepare students for the
College Board examinations given in the Spring. School
districts (NOT WVS) are responsible for ordering AP
exams from the College Board.
All
courses are year-long, divided into two semesters,
unless marked with a * (those are 1 semester courses).
Students must register for each semester separately,
during the term they plan to take that course.
Download a WVS
AP Brochure
AP®
Art History
This course is designed to foster in students an
understanding and knowledge of architecture,
sculpture, painting, and other art forms within
diverse historical and cultural contexts. Students
examine and critically analyze major forms of artistic
expression from the past and the present from a
variety of cultures. In addition to visual analysis,
this course emphasizes understanding works in context,
considering such issues as patronage, gender and the
functions and effects of works of art. Prior art
training is not a prerequisite nor does the course
cater exclusively to future Art History majors. This
course was designed to meet the requirements of the
Advanced Placement Art History requirements precisely.
Textbook Required.
Download
Syllabus in Adobe PDF format
AP®
Biology
AP
Biology is a year long course taught at the same level
as a first year college biology class. This course
adheres closely to the College Board standards for AP
Biology and will prepare you to take the AP Biology
Exam. The two main goals of this course are to help
you develop a framework for biology and to help you
gain a deeper understanding of science as a process.
In this course, we will be developing higher level
thinking in terms of biology rather than just
memorizing terms and facts. Some
major themes that are covered include:
Science as a Process, Evolution, Energy Transfer,
Continuity and Change, Relationship of Structure to
Function, Regulation, Interdependence in Nature, and
Science, Technology, and Society.
Textbook Required.
Download
Syllabus in Adobe PDF format
AP®
Calculus AB
This is the beginning course in the college calculus
sequence. Students will cover analytic geometry,
functions, limits, continuity, the derivative and its
applications, the integral and its applications. PI 83
Plus Calculator required.
Optional Text-see list
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Syllabus in Adobe PDF format
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AP®
Calculus BC
This course introduces and explores integral calculus
and explores further topics in differential and
integral calculus. Topics include parametric
equations, Riemann sums, indefinite integrals,
applications of integration, formal development of
limits and derivatives, power series, and simple
differential equations.
PI 83 Plus Calculator required.
Optional Text-see list
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Syllabus in Adobe PDF format
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AP® Chemistry
Advanced Placement Chemistry is designed to duplicate
an equivalent full-year introductory college course
covering all aspects of general Chemistry. Students
will learn fundamental analytical skills to logically
assess chemical problems proficiently. Through
fascinating and elaborative lessons, students will
develop the skills necessary to arrive at conclusions
based on informed judgment and present evidence in
clear and persuasive essays.
Textbook Required;
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Syllabus in Adobe PDF format
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AP® Computer Science A
This advanced course emphasizes object-oriented
programming methodology with a concentration on problem
solving and algorithm development and is meant to
be the equivalent of a first semester college-level
course in Computer Science. It also includes the study
of data structures, design, and abstraction, but these
topics are not covered to the extent that they are in
Computer Science AB. Free online text included.
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Syllabus in Adobe PDF format
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AP®
English Language
This course
explores the relationship between what authors say and
how they are trying to say it. The literary component
of the course provides a range of genres, including
nonfiction, fiction, drama and poetry, and in the
analysis of these works students are exposed to the
analysis of both style--the more language-based
approach to exploring meaning--and rhetoric-the
analysis of author argument and structure. Writing
assignments cover both the expository and
argumentative aspects of writing. In addition to the
exploration of American and global themes of
literature, students will discern how styles of
writers have evolved over the last several centuries.
Selected readings-
available online or local library.
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Syllabus in Adobe PDF format
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AP®
English Literature and Composition
IThis
college level course provides students with skills
associated with the most advanced classes in high
school English, including research skills. When they
have completed the class, students will have acquired
the reading and critical thinking skills necessary for
understanding challenging new material, analyzing that
material to deduce meaning, and applying what they
have learned to our world. They will have the
composition skills needed to communicate their
understanding effectively to a variety of audiences.
Students will read and analyze classic works of
literature because these works contain literary
qualities that merit study and provoke thinking, not
because of a requirement to know a particular work or
author. They will also look at modern and contemporary
works as they examine all genres: plays, short
stories, poetry, essays, and novels.
Selected readings-
available online or local library.
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Syllabus in Adobe PDF format
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AP® Environmental
Science
(1 semester course)
This course is designed to acquaint students with the
physical, ecological, social, and political principles
of environmental science. The scientific method is
used to analyze and understand the interrelationships
between humans and the natural environment. The course
shows how ecological realities and the material
desires of humans often clash, leading to
environmental degradation and pollution. The course
consists of six chapters covering the following
topics: Earth's Systems, Human Population Dynamics,
Natural Resources, Environmental Quality, Global
Changes and Environment and Society. Chapters are
divided into several subsections, each of which
contains text, animations, laboratory simulations and
video presentations by experts.
Textbook Required.
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AP®
European History
This course is a study of the social, economic,
cultural, intellectual, political and diplomatic
history of Modern Europe and its place in the history
of the world from the fall of Constantinople to the
fall of the Berlin wall and the Soviet Union. The
course objective is to develop an understanding of the
major periods, ideas, movements, trends, and themes
that characterize European history from approximately
1450-the high Renaissance-to the present. Students
develop the ability to analyze historical evidence and
express understanding and analysis in writing. The
course will be taught at a level and rigor equivalent
to that required of students in a college freshman or
sophomore Modern European History course.
Textbook Required.
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Syllabus in Adobe PDF format
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AP®
French
AP
French Language students apply their French grammar
and vocabulary knowledge and their listening, reading,
speaking, and writing skills to a wide variety of
real-world contexts. Students learn to speak fluently
and accurately, write complicated compositions, and
comprehend native speakers. The equivalent of a
college-level language course, AP French Language
prepares students for the AP Exam and for further
study of French language, culture, and literature. The
course does not use a specific text. Rather, a variety
of poems, short stories, essays, and plays are
provided within the course.
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Syllabus in Adobe PDF format
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AP®
Macroeconomics (1 semester course)
This course gives students a thorough understanding of
the principles of economics that apply to an economic
system as a whole. The central topics of national
income and price determination are emphasized. Economic growth,
government taxation, regulatory policy and
expenditures, fiscal and monetary policy, and
international trade and finance are also covered.
Textbook
and Workbook Required.
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Syllabus in Adobe PDF format
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AP®
Microeconomics (1 semester course)
AP
Microeconomics focuses on how economic decisions are
made by individuals, firms, and organizational
structures. Demand and supply analysis is developed to
demonstrate how market prices are determined, how
those prices determine an economy’s allocation of
goods and services, how factors of production are
allocated in the production process, and how goods and
services are distributed throughout the economy.
Students evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of
economic decision makers by using the concepts of
efficiency and equity. Students also analyze and
evaluate the effects of government intervention.
Emphasis is placed on reasoned logical argument so
that we can use economics as a method and model for
decision making.
Textbook
and Student Workbook Required.
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Syllabus in Adobe PDF format
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AP®
Physics B
Physics is the science of matter and energy - how the
universe is put together. This course is a
non-calculus survey course covering five general
areas: Newtonian mechanics, thermal physics,
electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, and
atomic and nuclear physics. Students will get an
understanding of the core principles involved and
learn to apply these principles in the solution of
problems. This course includes 18 mandatory hands-on
labs which require a school lab facilitator.
Textbook
Required
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AP®
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism (1 semester
course)
This
course
introduces electromagnetism utilizing calculus. Topics
include Coulomb’s law, electric potential, electric
current, capacitance, static circuits involving
capacitors and resistors, magnetic fields and forces,
circuits involving resistors, capacitors and
inductors, general AC circuits, and electromagnetic
waves. This course includes 9 hands-on labs that
require a school lab facilitator. You do
not need to take AP
Physics B before taking this course. Textbook Required.
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AP®
Physics C: Mechanics (1 semester course)
This
course is an introduction
to the principles of mechanics utilizing calculus.
Topics include linear kinematics, projectile motion,
Newton’s laws, work-energy theorem, momentum
conservation, rotational kinematics and dynamics, and
simple harmonic motion. This course includes 9
hands-on labs that require a school lab facilitator. This course is typically taken
before the Electricity and Magnetism course but it is
not required. You do
not need to take AP
Physics B before taking this course.
Textbook Required.
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AP® Psychology
(1 semester course)
AP
Psychology provides an overview of current
psychological research methods and theories. Students
will explore the therapies used by professional
counselors and clinical psychologists and examine the
reasons for normal human reactions: how people learn
and think, the process of human development and human
aggression, altruism, intimacy, and self-reflection.
They'll study core psychological concepts, such as the
brain and sense functions, and learn to gauge human
reactions, gather information, and form meaningful
syntheses. Along the way, students will also
investigate relevant concepts like study skills and
information retention. The equivalent of a 100-level
college survey course, AP Psychology prepares students
for the AP Exam and for further studies in psychology
and life sciences.
Textbook Required
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AP®
Spanish Language
AP
Spanish Language students practice perfecting their
Spanish speaking, listening, reading, and writing
skills. They study vocabulary, grammar, and cultural
aspects of the language, and then apply what they've
learned in extensive written and spoken exercises.
By the end of the course, students will have an
expansive vocabulary and a solid, working knowledge
of all verb forms and tenses. The equivalent of a
college-level language course, the two-semester AP
Spanish Language prepares students for the AP Exam
and for further study of Spanish language, culture,
or literature. The course does not use a specific
text, however a variety of poems, short stories,
essays and plays are provided within the course.
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Syllabus in Adobe PDF format
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AP®
Statistics
AP
Statistics is equivalent to an
introductory college level statistics course. Students
are introduced to the major concepts of collecting,
organizing, and drawing conclusions from data. Students
will study four broad areas of introductory statistics:
Exploring Data, Planning a Study, Anticipating Patterns, and
Statistical Infernce.
Prospective students should have completed a second year
of high school algebra and possess a mathematical
maturity that includes quantitative reasoning. Students
also should have writing skills that allow them to
express answers clearly and succinctly. TI 83 Plus
Calculator Required,
Textbook Required.
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Syllabus in Adobe PDF format
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AP® US
Government & Politics (1 semester course)
Students acquire an analytical perspective on
government and politics in the United States. Included
are both a study of the general concepts used to
interpret US politics and the analysis of specific
examples. 2
Textbooks Required.
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Syllabus in Adobe PDF format
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AP®
US History
This college-level course explores the history of the
United States from the first European explorations of
the Americas to present day events and trends.
Students examine political institutions and behavior,
public policy, social and economic change, diplomacy
and international relations, and cultural and
intellectual developments.
Textbook Required.
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Syllabus in Adobe PDF format
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AP®
World History
AP World History covers the history of the world from 600 C.E.
to the present with an introduction unit on the period
before (covering around 8000 B.C.E to 600 C.E.). The
course emphasizes “patterns of change” and the
connections between the various world cultures
throughout the time period being studied. Students
will gain an understanding of the global experiences
of humanity and be able to apply that knowledge to
their growth and development as “world citizens”.
The class has two major goals: 1) to prepare students
to be successful on the AP World History exam and 2)
to provide students with an understanding on why the
world developed the way it did.
Textbook Required.
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