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Category: Course Catalog

Gothic Literature: Monster Stories

Course Length:

One semester

Course Description:  Vampires, ghosts, and werewolves have lived in our collective imagination since the 18th century, and they continue to influence the world of fiction even today. Gothic Literature: Monster Stories focuses on the major themes found in Gothic literature and demonstrates the techniques writers use to produce a thrilling psychological experience for the reader. The themes of terror versus horror, the power of the supernatural, and the struggle between good and evil are just a few of the classic Gothic subjects explored in this course. Are you brave enough to go beyond the fear and find an appreciation for the dark beauty of Gothic stories.

Prerequisites: None, however; this course is designed as a junior/senior level elective English course.

Comprehensive Syllabus:  

Gothic Literature Public Syllabus

Required Materials:

None

Specific Technical/Software Requirements in Addition to General Requirements:

Please review the general original credit software requirements at http://mtda.link/techreq

Course Availability (subject to resource and teacher availability):

Fall: Available
Spring: Available
Summer: Not available

Lead Teacher:

Kramer Wilson, Kalispell Public Schools, kramer.wilson@montanadigitalacademy.org

PLEASE SEE YOUR LOCAL COUNSELOR TO REGISTER FOR MTDA COURSES

MTDA Book Club: Utopian/Dystopian

Course Length:

One semester

Course Description: 

Have you wanted to read interesting books and talk to others about them? Have you ever wondered what The Hunger Games, “The Lottery” and 1984 have in common? Have you found dystopian literature and films fascinating? If so, this discussion-based book club is for you! This class will introduce you to the concepts of utopia and dystopia, show you how to discuss books productively and help you develop your analytical skills while you apply these themes to our current world.

Prerequisites: none

Comprehensive Syllabus:  

MTDA Book Club: Utopian/Dystopian Literature Syllabus

Required Materials:

Students will need to acquire the following novels, available in most school and public libraries:
  • Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
  • Animal Farm by George Orwell
  • Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Additionally, you will choose ONE of the following books to read as part of a book circle:

  • 1984 by George Orwell
  • Matched by Ally Condie
  • The Scourge by A.G. Henley
  • Feed by M.T. Anderson

Specific Technical/Software Requirements in Addition to General Requirements:

Please review the general original credit software requirements at http://mtda.link/techreq

Course Availability (subject to resource and teacher availability):

Fall: Available
Spring: Available

Lead Teacher:

Giordano Lahaderne, Great Falls Public Schools, giordano.lahaderne.teacher@mtda.org

PLEASE SEE YOUR LOCAL COUNSELOR TO REGISTER FOR MTDA COURSES

AP® Art History A & B

Course Length:

Two one-semester courses (students must independently register for each semester)

Course Description:

Within AP Art History, students will explore the interconnections between art, culture, and historical context using critical analysis through the critical lenses of artistic expression, cultural awareness, and purpose. Using a defined art historical skill set and reflective learning, students will analyze relationships across cultures with a global lens. The examination of how people have responded to and communicated their experiences through art will enable students to think conceptually about art ranging from prehistoric to contemporary. Students will be active participants, engaging with art and its context as they read, research, and collaborate to learn about art, artists, art making, and responses to and interpretations of art.

Follow the link below for the College Board description of this course:

http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/ap/ap-art-history-course-description.pdf

Prerequisites:

None. However, the course does require a high degree of commitment to academic work and to the purposes of a program designed to meet college standards. Students who have done well in other courses in the humanities, such as history and literature, or in any of the studio arts are especially encouraged to enroll.

Comprehensive Syllabus:  

AP® Art History Public Syllabus

Required Materials:

Teacher approved Art History book.

Specific Technical/Software Requirements in Addition to General Requirements:

Please review the general original credit software requirements at http://mtda.link/techreq

Course Availability (subject to resource and teacher availability):

Fall: A semester available
Spring: B semester available
Summer: Not available

Lead Teacher:

Nicole Whitescarver, Missoula Country Public Schools, nicole.whitescarver@montanadigitalacademy.org

PLEASE SEE YOUR LOCAL COUNSELOR TO REGISTER FOR MTDA COURSES

AP® Computer Science A A & B

Course Length:

Two one-semester courses (students must independently register for each semester)

Course Description:

AP* Computer Science prepares students for the AP* exam in May. This course is comparable to a college-level introductory computer programming course. The course develops the skills required to write programs or parts of programs used to correctly solve specific problems. Students will learn design techniques to make programs understandable, adaptable, and reusable. The focus is on the Java programming language, a cross-platform language that will enable students to develop programs that can be run in a variety of environments (Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, etc.). Skills learned in this course will aid in many ways, regardless chosen professional field. And, perhaps most importantly, studying computer science opens up a creative world to students unlike any other. https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-computer-science-a

Prerequisites:

Students should be at a junior-level reading and writing level.

Comprehensive Syllabus:  

AP Computer Science A Public Syllabus

Required Materials:

All required materials are provided in the course.

Specific Technical/Software Requirements in Addition to General Requirements:

Please review the general original credit software requirements at http://mtda.link/techreq

This course requires students to have access to desktop development platforms.  ChromeOS/Chromebooks are not compatible with this course.

Course Availability (subject to resource and teacher availability):

Fall: A semester available
Spring: B semester available

Lead Teacher:

Paul Furthmyre, Montana School for the Deaf and Blind, paul.furthmyre.teacher@mtda.org

PLEASE SEE YOUR LOCAL COUNSELOR TO REGISTER FOR MTDA COURSES

Middle School Spanish

Course Length:

One-semester course

Course Description:

Middle School Spanish teaches foundational language skills designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of the Spanish language and to prepare students for high school language courses. Students learn pronunciation, useful communicative expressions, an introduction to verb conjugation, and the principles of gender agreement – all through weekly topics such as numbers, age, calendar, descriptions, places, and likes/dislikes. Cultural and historical lessons are featured throughout the semester and contemporary music relative to the current target structures is likewise used throughout the semester. Authentic resources are used whenever possible, with special regard to listening activities for learning and early speaking practice.

Prerequisites:

None

Comprehensive Syllabus:  

Middle School Spanish Public Syllabus

Required Materials:

  • A working computer with reliable access to the internet is required. 
  • You will need to be able to listen to audio, watch video, and to record both audio and video. Check your headphones, webcam,  and microphone.  Check with your MTDA school facilitator or a parent to assist you with checking your microphone and listening capabilities.

Recommended:

  • A digital or traditional paper notebook is advisable – to record and study the class content, consisting of weekly vocabulary and grammar.

Specific Technical/Software Requirements in Addition to General Requirements:

Please review the general original credit software requirements at http://mtda.link/techreq

All world language courses require the ability to record oral language using the computer.  A headset and microphone are required.

Students are required to call their teacher during the course of the class. They must have access to a phone and be able to call outside of regular school hours.

Course Availability (subject to resource and teacher availability):

Fall: available
Spring: available
Summer: not available

Lead Teacher:

Carrie Anderson, Missoula Public Schools, carrie.anderson@montanadigitalacademy.org

PLEASE SEE YOUR LOCAL COUNSELOR TO REGISTER FOR MTDA COURSES