AP Course Catalog

+ English Language Arts

AP English Language and Composition (American Literature)

This course focuses on the study of American literature, embracing its rhetorical nature and recognizing the literature as a platform for argument. It also emphasizes a variety of writing modes and genres and the essential conventions of reading, writing, and speaking. The students will develop an understanding of how historical context in American literature affects its structure, meaning, and rhetorical stance. The course will enable students to become skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts. The students will encounter a variety of informational, literary, and non-print texts from across the curriculum and read texts in all genres and modes of discourse, as well as visual and graphic images. Instruction in language conventions and essential vocabulary will occur within the context of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The students will demonstrate an understanding of listening, speaking, and viewing skills for a variety of purposes. This course will focus on the consideration of subject, occasion, audience, purpose, speaker, and tone as the guide for effective writing, as well as the way generic conventions and resources of language contribute to writing effectiveness. The students will compose a variety of writing, including expository, analytical, and argumentative writings, which support the academic and professional communication required by colleges; and personal and reflective writings, which support the development of writing facility in any context. The students will produce responses to timed writing assignments, as well as writing that proceeds through several stages or drafts, which include opportunities for revision guided by feedback from teacher and peers. Students will analyze primary and secondary sources and develop the research skills needed to effectively synthesize these sources for their writing. This course requires students to take the Georgia Milestones End of Course Test as well as the AP English Language Exam. For more information, please visit: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-english-language-and-composition?course=ap-english-language-and-composition.

AP English Literature and Composition

The course focuses on an intensive study of representative works from various literary genres and periods. The focus is on the complexity and thorough analysis of literary works. The students will explore the social and historical values that works reflect and embody. The textual detail and historical context provide the foundation for interpretation: the experience of literature, the interpretation of literature, and the evaluation of literature. Writing to evaluate a literary work involves making and explaining judgments about its artistry and exploring its underlying social and cultural values through analysis, interpretation, and argument (e.g. expository, analytical, and argumentative essays). The writers will develop stylistic maturity: strong vocabulary, sentence variety, and effective use of rhetoric to maintain voice. This course requires students to take the AP English Literature exam. For more information, please visit: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-english-literature-and-composition?course=ap-english-literature-and-composition.

AP Seminar

In AP Seminar, students learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in research based written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual perspectives, both individually and as part of a team. Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence based arguments. AP Seminar is a foundational course that engages students in cross curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Using an inquiry framework, students practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies, and foundational, literary, and philosophical texts; listening to and viewing speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; and experiencing artistic works and performances. By offering AP Seminar as the most rigorous option for 10th grade English Language Arts, students prove mastery of each 9th/10th grade standard for the state of Georgia while receiving phenomenal preparation for AP Lit & Lang, AP Research, and post-secondary writing courses. https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-seminar?course=ap-seminar.

+ Mathematics & Computer Science

AP Calculus A/B

AP Calculus AB is roughly equivalent to a first semester college calculus course devoted to topics in differential and integral calculus. The AP course covers topics in these areas, including concepts and skills of limits, derivatives, definite integrals, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. The course teaches students to approach calculus concepts and problems when they are represented graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally, and to make connections amongst these representations. Students learn how to use technology to help solve problems, experiment, interpret results, and support conclusions. This course requires all students to take the AP Calculus exam. For more information, please visit: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-calculus-ab?course=ap-calculus-ab.

AP Calculus B/C

AP Calculus BC is an introductory college-level calculus course. Students cultivate their understanding of differential and integral calculus through engaging with real-world problems represented graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally and using definitions and theorems to build arguments and justify conclusions as they explore concepts like change, limits, and the analysis of functions. https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-calculus-bc?course=ap-calculus-bc.

AP Statistics

The AP Statistics course is equivalent to a one-semester, introductory, non-calculus-based college course in statistics. The course introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. There are four themes in the AP Statistics course: exploring data, sampling and experimentation, anticipating patterns, and statistical inference. Students use technology, investigations, problem solving, and writing as they build conceptual understanding. This course requires all students to take the AP Statistics exam. For more information, please visit: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-statistics?course=ap-statistics.

AP Computer Science Principles

The AP Computer Science Principles course is designed to be equivalent to a first- semester introductory college computing course. In this course, students will develop computational thinking skills vital for success across all disciplines, such as using computational tools to analyze and study data and working with large data sets to analyze, visualize, and draw conclusions from trends. The course engages students in the creative aspects of the field by allowing them to develop computational artifacts based on their interests. Students will also develop effective communication and collaboration skills by working individually and collaboratively to solve problems, and will discuss and write about the impacts these solutions could have on their community, society, and the world. Major topics include: Creativity; Abstraction; Data and Information; Algorithms; Programming; the Internet; Global Impact. This course requires all students to take the AP Computer Science Principles exam. For more information, please visit: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-computer-science-principles?course=ap-computer-science-principles.

AP Human Geography

The Advanced Placement (AP) course in Human Geography is a year-long course intended for qualified students who wish to complete studies in secondary school equivalent to a one semester college introductory course in Human Geography. AP Human Geography prepares the student to pass the AP Examination in May. The AP program in Human Geography is designed to prepare and challenge students with the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems of the physical and human geography of the world. Students will examine the interactions between groups of people, their influences on the environment and world around them and the contributions and consequences of these influences. This course requires all students to take the AP Human Geography exam. For more information, please visit: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-human-geography?course=ap-human-geography.

AP United States Government and Politics

AP United States Government and Politics introduces students to key political ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the political culture of the United States. The course examines politically significant concepts and themes, through which students learn to apply disciplinary reasoning, assess causes and consequences of political events, and interpret data to develop evidence-based arguments. This course requires students to take AP Government and Politics exam. For more information, please visit: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-united-states-government-and-politics?course=ap-united-states-government-and-politics.

AP Comparative Government and Politics

AP Comparative Government and Politics is an introductory college-level course in comparative government and politics. The course uses a comparative approach to examine the political structures; policies; and political, economic, and social challenges of six selected countries: China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Students cultivate their understanding of comparative government and politics through analysis of data and text-based sources as they explore topics like power and authority, legitimacy and stability, democratization, internal and external forces, and methods of political analysis. https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-comparative-government-and-politics?course=ap-comparative-government-and-politics.

AP United States History

AP United States History focuses on developing students’ abilities to think conceptually about U.S. history from approximately 1491 to the present and apply historical thinking skills as they learn about the past. Seven themes of equal importance — identity; peopling; politics and power; work, exchange, and technology; America in the world; environment and geography; and ideas, beliefs, and culture — provide areas of historical inquiry for investigation throughout the course. These require students to reason historically about continuity and change over time and make comparisons among various historical developments in different times and places. This course requires students to take the Georgia Milestones End of Course Test as well as the AP United States History exam. For more information, please visit: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-united-states-government-and-politics?course=ap-united-states-government-and-politics.

AP World History

AP World History focuses on developing students’ abilities to think conceptually about world history from approximately 8000 BCE to the present and apply historical thinking skills as they learn about the past. Five themes of equal importance — focusing on the environment, cultures, state-building, economic systems, and social structures — provide areas of historical inquiry for investigation throughout the course. AP World History encompasses the history of the five major geographical regions of the globe: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, with special focus on historical developments and processes that cross multiple regions. This course requires all students to take the AP World History exam. For more information, please visit: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-world-history?course=ap-world-history.

AP Macroeconomics

AP Macroeconomics is an introductory college-level course that focuses on the principles that apply to an economic system as a whole. The course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination; it also develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics. Students learn to use graphs, charts, and data to analyze, describe, and explain economic concepts. This course requires all students to take the AP Macroeconomics exam. This is a 1 semester course. For more information, please visit: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-macroeconomics?course=ap-macroeconomics.

AP Microeconomics

AP Microeconomics is an introductory college-level course that focuses on the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual economic decision-makers. The course also develops students’ familiarity with the operation of product and factor markets, distributions of income, market failure, and the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. Students learn to use graphs, charts, and data to analyze, describe, and explain economic concepts. This course requires all students to take the AP Microeconomics exam. This is a 1 semester course. For more information, please visit: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-microeconomics?course=ap-microeconomics.

AP Psychology

The AP Psychology course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. While considering the psychologists and studies that have shaped the field, students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts, and phenomena associated with such topics as the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatment of abnormal behavior, and social psychology. Throughout the course, students employ psychological research methods, including ethical considerations, as they use the scientific method, analyze bias, evaluate claims and evidence, and effectively communicate ideas. This course requires all students to take the AP Psychology exam. For more information, please visit: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-psychology?course=ap-psychology.

+ Science

AP Biology

AP Biology is an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics: evolution, cellular processes — energy and communication, genetics, information transfer, ecology, and interactions. This course requires students to take the Georgia Milestones End of Course Test (if applicable) as well as the AP Biology exam. For more information, please visit: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-biology?course=ap-biology.

AP Chemistry

The AP Chemistry course provides students with a foundation to support future advanced course work in chemistry. Through inquiry- based learning, students develop critical thinking and reasoning skills. Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry and science practices as they explore topics such as: atomic structure, intermolecular forces and bonding, chemical reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium. This course requires all students to take the AP Chemistry exam. For more information, please visit: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-chemistry?course=ap-chemistry.

AP Environmental

Students cultivate their understanding of the interrelationships of the natural world through inquiry-based lab investigations and field work as they explore concepts like the four Big Ideas; energy transfer, interactions between earth systems, interactions between different species and the environment, and sustainability. https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-environmental-science?course=ap-environmental-science.

AP Physics (Multiple Offerings)

The AP Program offers four physics courses: AP Physics 1: Algebra- Based, AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based, AP Physics C: Mechanics, and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism.

AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based and AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based are the equivalent of the first and second semesters of introductory, algebra-based college courses. Because these courses are intended to be yearlong courses, teachers have time to foster deeper conceptual understanding through student-centered, inquiry-based instruction. Students have time to master foundational physics principles while engaging in science practices to earn credit, placement, or both. For more information, please visit: AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2 .

In addition, there are two AP Physics C courses: Physics C: Mechanics and Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism. Each corresponds to one semester of an introductory, calculus-based college course. Physics C: Mechanics is taught prior to Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism. Each AP Physics course will require students to take the corresponding AP Physics exam. AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism and AP Physics C: Mechanics .

+ World Languages

AP Spanish Language and Culture

The AP Spanish Language and Culture course emphasizes communication (understanding and being understood by others) by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills in real-life situations. This includes vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. The AP Spanish Language and Culture course strives not to overemphasize grammatical accuracy at the expense of communication. To best facilitate the study of language and culture, the course is taught almost exclusively in Spanish. The AP Spanish Language and Culture course engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts. The course develops students’ awareness and appreciation of cultural products (e.g., tools, books, music, laws, conventions, institutions); practices (patterns of social interactions within a culture); and perspectives (values, attitudes, and assumptions). This course requires all students to take the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam.For more information, please visit: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-spanish-language-and-culture?course=ap-spanish-language-and-culture.

AP Spanish Literature and Culture

The AP Spanish Literature and Culture course uses a thematic approach to introduce students to representative texts (short stories, novels, poetry, and essays) from Peninsular Spanish, Latin American, and United States Hispanic literature. Students develop proficiencies across the full range of communication modes (interpersonal, presentational, and interpretive), thereby honing their critical reading and analytical writing skills. Literature is examined within the context of its time and place, as students reflect on the many voices and cultures present in the required readings. The course also includes a strong focus on cultural connections and comparisons, including exploration of various media (e.g., art, film, articles, literary criticism). This course requires all students to take the AP Spanish Literature and Culture exam. For more information, please visit: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-spanish-literature-and-culture?course=ap-spanish-literature-and-culture.

+ Arts

AP Studio Art – Comprised of 2 courses - Drawing and 2D Design

The AP Studio Art portfolios are designed for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art. You will work on creating a portfolio of college-level work in the chosen course to be submitted as your exam in early May. Students may choose to submit either or both of the Drawing and Two-Dimensional Design portfolios. AP Studio Art students create a portfolio of work to demonstrate the artistic skills and ideas they have developed, refined, and applied over the course of the year to produce visual compositions. Each portfolio has the same three sections: Selected Works (Quality), Sustained Investigation (Concentration), and Range of Approaches (Breadth). In the spring, you will upload digital images of your work and commentary online. As well, the Drawing and 2D Design (Quality)portfolio is sent as 5 physical works. A qualifying portfolio score can earn you college credit and/or advanced placement. For more information, please visit: AP Studio Art: Design and AP Studio Art: Drawing .

AP Music Theory

AP Music Theory corresponds to two semesters of a typical introductory college music theory course covering topics such as musicianship, theory, musical materials, and procedures. Students develop the ability to recognize, understand, and describe basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. Development of aural skills is a primary objective. Students understand basic concepts and terminology by listening to and performing a wide variety of music. https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-music-theory/course?course=ap-music-theory.

+ AP Capstone

AP Capstone

AP Capstone™ is an innovative diploma program from the College Board that equips students with the independent research, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills that are increasingly valued by colleges. AP Capstone is built on the foundation of two AP courses — AP Seminar and AP Research — and is designed to complement and enhance the in-depth, discipline-specific study experienced in other AP courses. For more information, please visit: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-capstone?course=ap-capstone-diploma-program.

AP Seminar

AP Research

In AP Research, students cultivate the skills and discipline necessary to conduct independent research and inquiry in order to produce and defend their scholarly work. https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-research?course=ap-research.