2 Semesters, .5 Credit, Part-Time

This course is designed to provide the actor with the fundamental tools of voice, movement, and acting technique.  Beginning with a focus on healthy vocal production and physical relaxation, the students will move into the development of a personal acting technique using methods developed by Robert Cohen, in the Stanislavski tradition.  The final exercise of the year will be a unit of basic stage combat and safety.

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part-Time

This course is designed to enhance the actor’s development and personal technique by exploring three major styles theatre: early-Realism with Henrik Ibsen, High Comedy using the principles of Maria Aitken and practiced with Noel Coward, and finally William Shakespeare (with a  bit of dialect work popping up for fun).   Through research projects, actor journals, and practical application through scene and monologue work, the actor will gain a variety of tools for their craft.
Prerequisite: Completion of Acting I

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part Time Course

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part-Time

This course will build upon the Drawing and Painting experience. Students will be granted greater freedom in selecting media, choosing subject matter, and developing a more personal style. Students will explore issues and make connections between modern works and those of various periods. Peer and instructor-based critiques provide regular feedback to the developing artists. A final exhibition will be required involving students installing their artwork.

Prerequisite:  Drawing and Painting

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part-Time

Prerequisite: Photography I   

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part Time Course

This class builds on the lessons learned in the introductory Woodworking course. Students learn how to hone their developing skills to design and build more complex and involved wood projects from furniture to sculpture. Emphasis is placed on originality and the skills necessary to bring a level of sophistication to the ideas themselves and to the finished product.
Prerequisite: Woodworking
Note: A studio fee of $175 is required.

2nd Semester, .5 Credit, Full Time Course

1st semester, .5 Credit, Full Time Single Semester Course

This semester course will explore the historical, cultural, and gastronomical importance of a variety of cuisines from Francophone countries around the globe. The influence of traditions, as well as regional and cultural perspectives on food choices and culinary practices in the francophone world, will be emphasized. Through this exploration, students will compare and contrast cuisines, ingredients, and preferred cooking methods of those various francophone cultures. Lectures, student work, films, and additional materials will all be in French. The class will, of course, include several tastings. The students should be prepared to prepare at least one Francophone dish to share with their classmates.
Prerequisite: French III

2nd Semester, 0.5 credit, Full-Time

This course will explore the highlights of the development of Latin American film. The class will explore the origins of Latin American film from the early 20th century through today, including classics that won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and Oscar nominees and winners. We will explore the works of the great directors and actors of the 20th century. The class will be entirely in Spanish, with lectures, student work, films, and additional materials all being in the target language. A few films will be rated R for serious subject matter related to war, human suffering, or references to sexuality, all of which will be addressed maturely in the context of understanding changing historic and cultural contexts. Prerequisite: Spanish III or SIP

1st Semester, 0.5 Credit, Single Semester Full Time Course

The course will allow students to apply the Spanish that they have learned in previous courses to practical conversations and translations of everyday life. The intent is to work with local organizations in order for students to gain positive and meaningful experiences while learning the nuances of the  language. We also hope to work closely with the MA immersion program, including, for example,  creating a bilingual website, admissions materials, and marketing materials and activities. Topics will  include cultural dialects and lexicon, social systems and how they affect language, and the similarities  and differences of all of these among various Spanish-speaking countries, as well as those of Spanish  speakers in the U.S. This course provides an advanced high school level of Spanish but truly an  important introduction of advanced Spanish conversation and translation for students to be more  integrated and impactful in today’s globally competitive society. Prerequisite: Spanish III or PSIP

1st Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time

This course will explore the historical, cultural, and culinary importance of a variety of different types of cuisines from Latin America. We will explore the origins of various types of cuisine of the Latin American continent, reaching beyond the comfortable acquaintance students may have with Tex-Mex. We will look at traditional Mexican cuisine from various regions of the country, as well as traditional cuisine from Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile, Guatemala, and Argentina, among others. The class will include explorations off campus during the long lunch period and/or outside the normal school day. The course will be entirely in Spanish, with lectures, student work, films, and additional materials being all in the target language.
Prerequisite: Spanish III or PSIP

2nd Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time Course

This course will explore the highlights of the great works of contemporary Latin American authors such as Isabel Allende, Pablo Neruda, Rosario Castellanos, Gabriel García Márquez, and others. Students will explore some of the most important movements such as Modernismo, Vanguardismo, and el Boom, as well as literary devices such as Magic Realism. The course will be entirely in Spanish, with lectures, student work, songs, and additional materials all being in the target language.
Prerequisite: Spanish III or PSIP

2nd Semester, .5 Credit, Full Time Course

This course will explore the highlights of the development of Latin American music in the late 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. The class will explore the manner in which Latin American music engaged and continues to engage with important historical and social moments. We will explore works by important performers and songwriters and their intersection with the Cuban Revolution, the Mexican Revolution, the Dirty Wars in Chile and Argentina, as well as social issues dealing with immigration, poverty, and sexism. The course will be entirely in Spanish, with lectures, student work, songs, and additional materials being all in the target language.

Prerequisite: Spanish III or SIP

1st Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time

Mythology of Northern Spain aims to explore the vast and rich subcultures that comprise the northern portion of the Iberian peninsula (Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia) through the lens of legends, myths, and stories that precede the Roman occupation, all the way to contemporary traditions and cultures that still exist in the north. Students study the regions, legends, and mythology tied to the area, and try their hand at writing their very own myths/legends in Spanish inspired by the mythology they study in class. Prerequisite: Spanish III or SIP

1 Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time
This course will explore the importance of Soccer and other sports in the Spanish speaking world. The class will explore the origins of soccer in Latin America as well as the intersection of sports and other important historical events. We will explore important sports rivalries and how they are reflected in the population, the Soccer War, the rise of Narco Soccer, as well as the impact of the Wet Foot/Dry Foot policy on MLB. The class will be entirely in Spanish, with lectures, student work, films, and additional materials all being in the target language. Prerequisite: Spanish III or PSIP

2nd Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time

From the Islamic Period (8th to 15th century) to the Renaissance to the 19th Century and beyond, Spanish Inventions from Astronomy to Lollipops focuses on the contributions that came from the Iberian Peninsula that are still a part of life today. Students learn the origins and diversity of these developments and how they have been adapted or incorporated into contemporary culture.
Prerequisite: Spanish III or SIP

1st Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time

This course offers an introduction to art in Spain and Latin America over the past 450 years. We will begin Mannerism of the late 16th century and conclude with modern art in  the 20th century. Students will examine major works of Spanish painters, beginning with El Greco, through the Baroque era featuring Velazquez, Zurbarán, and Murillo, continuing on to the era of Romanticism with Goya. For the 19th to the 20th centuries, we begin with Spanish Impressionism, featuring Sorolla’s masterworks, then continue on to Spanish symbolism in painting, featuring de la Torre. Finally, we enter the 20th century with Pablo Picasso’s and Juan Gris’ innovative cubist style. Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró will also be the focus of 20th century Spanish painting.  New directions in 20th century Modernist architecture in Barcelona will offer a visual feast with its bold innovations. Mural painting and  innovative surrealist photography in Mexico and Cuba will conclude the last month of the course. All artists will be studied from a variety of interpretative points of view including iconography, style, technique, social and economic circumstances, and the relationship of the visual arts to other cultural productions such as literature and music. Lectures, student presentations, songs, cortometrajes (short films) and 2-3 full-length movies, and literary works will all be in Spanish.

1st Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time

In the Writing and Reading Lab, students dive into various texts, from news articles to reviews and personal testimonies, focusing on enhancing their writing and reading skills. They learn to analyze and synthesize information through interactive activities, discussions, and writing workshops, fostering strong critical thinking abilities. Each session includes practical exercises encouraging students to craft their texts, such as reviews and essays, promoting clear and coherent expression of ideas. By the end of the course, students are equipped not only to interpret information from the world around them but also to communicate their thoughts effectively and persuasively.
Prerequisite: Spanish III or SIP

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full Time Course
A continuation from the Algebra I study of linear equations. Topics include: linear systems and inequalities, the complex number system, irrational and imaginary numbers, rational and polynomial expressions, linear, rational, and quadratic functions, including their graphs, and methods for solving equations. Students in this course are expected to purchase a TI-84 graphing calculator.
Prerequisite: Geometry or Geometry Honors

A rigorous and fast-past continuation from the Algebra I study of linear equations. Topics include: linear systems and inequalities, the complex number system, irrational and imaginary numbers, rational and polynomial expressions, linear, rational, and quadratic functions, including their graphs, and methods for solving equations. An exposure to exponential and logarithmic functions as well as sequences and series will be included. Students in this course are expected to purchase a TI-84 graphing calculator. Prerequisite: Minimum grade of B+ in Geometry Honors or minimum grade of A- in Geometry

2 Semesters, 1.0 Credit, Full-Time
Anatomy and Physiology is a study of the structure and function of the human body and mechanisms for maintaining homeostasis within it. The course will include the study of cells, tissues, and the integumentary, skeletal, muscular and nervous systems. In addition the student will examine the endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems, as well as the concepts of development, metabolism, fluid and electrolyte balance, and acid-base balance. The student will examine the gross, microscopic and developmental anatomy of structures and study their relationships among body systems. The functional aspect is examined by using various laboratory procedures. Prerequisites: Completion of Biology and Chemistry

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part-Time

This course follows the AP 2D Art and Design curriculum with a particular focus in advanced photography. The primary purpose of this course is to explore one’s personal creative process through the creation of a refined and robust collection of works created throughout the year. Central to the work of the year is the development of a collection of 15 images through Sustained Investigation through a self-identified concept using various artistic processes. Additionally, artists develop a curated selection of 5 of their best works of photographic art for The Selected Works portion of AP submission. The first questions to ask oneself as an artist are, “Who am I? What is my story? What is my creative vision and how might I share it with others?” Students who sign up for this course set out on the ambitious yearlong practice of exploring these questions while experimenting, creating, developing good practices and building a regular artistic practice with processes that are self determined. Each student artist in this course has a subscription to Adobe Creative Suite and will study digital editing. Students have the option of utilizing historic and experimental photographic processes in the darkroom and photo chem lab if they had prior experience and training in our darkroom and chem labs. By course end, artists have filled a sketchbook of planning, research, and reflection of their works in progress, they have built a fine art portfolio and will submit an 2-D Portfolio of 15-20 final works with a concentration in Photography to the College Board. All students will exhibit works in the annual Art Show.
Note: All equipment and course materials provided. A studio fee of $175 is required.
Prerequisite: Digital or Darkroom Photography or a Portfolio of past work. Approval by instructor required.

2 Semesters, 1.0 Credit, Full-Time
This AP Biology course is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester college introductory biology course usually taken by science majors during their first year. This rigorous course includes topics regularly covered in a college course and the curriculum follows the requirements of the College Board in scope and sequence. As a second-year biology class in high school, AP Biology uses knowledge gained in a first year course and dives deeper into the content and incorporates laboratory and research studies as essential components of the course. Students are expected to work both independently and collaboratively with peers and assume responsibility for their learning both in class and outside of the classroom. The course work in the AP Biology course can be quite demanding and a desire to learn scientific content is paramount. Prerequisites: Department recommendation and completion of Biology and Chemistry

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full Time Course (Grades 10-12)

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full Time Course (Grades 10-12)

Curriculum for this course follows the AP Calculus BC curriculum set by the College Board and is designed to prepare students for the AP Calculus BC exam in May. This is a rigorous course covering the topics included in the AP Calculus AB course in greater detail and completely covering the calculus of a single variable. Additional topics include: properties of functions given in parametric, polar, and vector form, more applications of integrals and integration techniques, and a thorough study on infinite series. Students in this course are expected to purchase a TI-84 graphing calculator. Prerequisite: Minimum grade of A in Precalculus Honors or Calculus. Department recommendation required.

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full Time Course (Grades 10-12)

Curriculum for this course follows the AP Computer Science A curriculum set by the College Board and is designed to prepare students for the AP Computer Science A exam in May. This course introduces students to computer science through programming. Fundamental topics in this course include the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures to organize large sets of data, the development and implementation of algorithms to process data and discover new information, the analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing systems. The course emphasizes object-oriented programming and design using the Java programming language.
Prerequisite: Algebra II or Algebra II Honors and completion of a computer science course with a minimum grade of B+. Department recommendation required.

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full Time Course (Grades 10-12)

2nd Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time
A single-semester AP English Language and Composition course is offered in Semester 2 to students in Grade 11 only. Students are exempt from a final exam and are required to take the AP English Language and Composition exam in May. The AP English Language and Composition course focuses on the development and revision of evidence-based analytic and argumentative writing, the rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts, and the decisions writers make as they compose and revise. Students evaluate, synthesize, and cite research to support their arguments. Additionally, they read and analyze rhetorical elements and their effects in nonfiction texts—including images as forms of text—from a range of disciplines and historical periods. PREREQUISITE:  Students must FIRST be recommended by their Grade 10 English teacher. Any recommended student who wishes to take the course must THEN submit a persuasive and well-written argument explaining why they wish to take the course and how they believe they would benefit from taking the course (due to Mr. Molloy by March 5 at 10 PM EST by email).

1st Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time
A single-semester AP English Literature and Composition course is offered in Semester 1 to students in Grade 12 only. This course focuses on reading, analyzing, and writing about imaginative literature (fiction, poetry, drama) from various periods. Students engage in close reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature to deepen their understanding of how writers use language to provide meaning and pleasure. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, themes, and use of figurative language, imagery, and symbolism. Writing assignments include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays that require students to analyze and interpret literary works. PREREQUISITE: Students must FIRST be recommended by their Grade 11 English teacher. Any recommended student who wishes to take the course must THEN submit a persuasive and well-written argument explaining why they wish to take the course and how they believe they would benefit from taking the course (due to Mr. Molloy by March 5 at 10 PM EST by email).

2 Semesters, 1.0 Credit, Full-Time
This AP Environmental Science course is intended for students who are interested in pursuing science in college and would like to explore environmental topics through a problem-based approach. The course helps students acquire and apply AP course content and skills through engagement in project work. Problem-based learning (PBL) challenges students to learn as active problem-solvers while they identify and analyze natural and human-produced environmental problems, evaluate risks, and examine alternative solutions for resolution or mitigation. Environmental science is an applied science and utilizes concepts from other science disciplines such as,but not limited to; geology, biology, chemistry, demography, physics, meteorology and geography Students should expect to work individually and collaboratively during this PBL course. The teacher's role is that of a facilitator and coach of student learning, acting at times as a resource person and liaison throughout the process. This allows for the development of both scientific knowledge and 21st century skills including problem solving, collaboration, communication, and creativity. Prerequisites: Department recommendation and completion of Biology and Chemistry

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full Time Course


Prerequisite: 1 credit in Advanced French semester courses

2 Semesters, 1.0 Credit, Full-Time
AP Physics C is designed for students interested in pursuing science, engineering, or related fields in college, and approaches the subject using calculus as a basis. This is a college course focusing on problems in Newtonian Mechanics, including but not limited to motion, forces, torque, energy, momentum, angular momentum, center of mass, gravity, orbital mechanics, and oscillations of springs and pendula. The laboratory component is a central feature of the course, which involves collecting and analyzing data using Vernier sensors, using Excel to create tables and graphs, and writing scientific lab reports. Prerequisite: Department recommendation and completion of Biology and Chemistry. We recommend that students complete a year of Physics and/or AP Calculus before taking AP Physics. Co-requisite: AP Calculus AB or BC.

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full-Time

The AP Spanish Language and Culture course is comparable to fifth- and sixth- semester college and university courses that focus on speaking and writing in the target language at an advanced level.  Students develop proficiency across three communicative modes: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational. It is assumed that students qualifying for this course have already learned grammar and have acquired skills in speaking, writing, reading, and aural comprehension in Spanish. Therefore, the curriculum strives to meet the five goal areas outlined in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century: communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities by providing students access to authentic materials representative of Spain and Latin America.

Prerequisite: 1 credit of Advanced Spanish semester courses

2 Semesters, 1.0 Credit, Full-time
In AP US History, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in nine historical periods from approximately 1491 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change. The course also provides eight themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: American and national identity; work, exchange, and technology; geography and the environment; migration and settlement; politics and power; America in the world; American and regional culture; and social structures. Because this course prepares students to take the Advanced Placement Examination in mid-May (all students enrolled in the course are required to take the exam), this version of the US History requirement moves more rapidly than the college preparatory course, assumes a higher level of academic skills, and expects more independence from the student. Following the College Board’s framework for AP US History, the course emphasizes major themes including economic and demographic development, environment, American ideas and culture, and foreign relations, while also emphasizing skills in reading, writing, and historical thinking by covering nine chronological periods within American history. PREREQUISITE: Students must FIRST be recommended by their sophomore history teacher. Any student who is recommended and intends to take the course then must submit a persuasive and well-written argument explaining why they wish to take the course and how they believe they would benefit from taking the course (due to Dr. Engl by March 5th at 10 PM EST to APUSH Google Classroom). UPON APPROVAL to take the course, students must also complete the summer reading requirement in advance of the start of school in August.

2 Semesters, 1.0 Credit, Full-Time
Astronomy, offered in alternating years, is a semester-long science elective designed to be taken upon completion of Biology and Chemistry. With the renewed interest in the space program provided by commercial companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin, along with the successful launch of the James Webb space telescope, interest in astronomy has spiked. This course serves to introduce students to planetary properties, stellar birth and development, space exploration and astronomical objects of interest such as planetary nebulae, galaxies and clusters. Students learn to use the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram to classify stars, examine data from the James Webb telescope, and participate in citizen-science astronomy research. Prerequisites: Completion of Biology and Chemistry

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full Time Course

1st Semester, .5 Credit, Full Time Course (Grades 11-12)

A continuation of the AP Calculus AB syllabus, covering those topics in the BC course not covered in the AB course. Topics include: further techniques and applications of integration, improper integrals, differential equations, infinite series, and functions given in parametric, polar, and vector form. If time allows, further vector topics will be considered. Students enrolled in this course will take the AP Calculus BC exam in May. Students in this course are expected to purchase a TI-84 graphing calculator. Prerequisite: Minimum grade of B- in AP Calculus AB with a grade of 3 or more on the the AP Calculus AB exam

2nd Semester, .5 Credit, Full Time Course (Grades 11-12)

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part-Time

Camerata (formerly the Moravian Academy Chamber Singers) is a small, select vocal ensemble chosen by audition from members of the Chorale. Emphasis is given to the preparation of more advanced choral literature in an appropriate musical style, and the perfection of group vocal technique through ensemble, sectional, and individual rehearsal. Camerata is a musical ambassador of Moravian Academy, performing at school functions and throughout the community.
Prerequisite: Audition   Corequisite:  Chorale

2nd Semester, .25 Credit, Part-Time

Camerata (formerly the Moravian Academy Chamber Singers) is a small, select vocal ensemble chosen by audition from members of the Chorale. Emphasis is given to the preparation of more advanced choral literature in an appropriate musical style, and the perfection of group vocal technique through ensemble, sectional, and individual rehearsal. Camerata is a musical ambassador of Moravian Academy, performing at school functions and throughout the community.
Prerequisite: Audition   Corequisite:  Chorale

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part-Time

This course is designed to introduce students to the excitement of working with clay in a variety of ways: functional, non-functional and sculptural. Techniques taught include both hand-building and an introduction to the potter’s wheel. Emphasis is on the technical and aesthetic considerations as well as historic and cultural perspectives. After groundwork is laid with basic pottery techniques and processes, projects become gradually more student-generated and include clay selection, multi-piece constructions, and glaze applications.

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part Time

This course is designed to introduce students to the excitement of working with clay in a variety of ways: functional, nonfunctional and sculptural. Techniques taught include both hand-building and an introduction to the potter’s wheel. Emphasis is on the technical and aesthetic considerations as well as historic and cultural perspectives.

Prerequisite: Art & Design

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part-Time 

Having laid the groundwork with basic pottery techniques and processes in Ceramics I, students achieve a more advanced mastery in both their hand-built and wheel-thrown pieces (and combination of both) allowing for further development of their own unique styles. Projects in this class are gradually more student-generated, with emphasis being placed on clay selection, complex multi-piece constructions and glaze applications.

Prerequisite: Ceramics I or permission of instructor

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full Time Course

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full Time Course

Chinese IV reinforces and expands the skills acquired in the first three years of Chinese instruction. The class is conducted mainly in Mandarin Chinese. Cultural elements are introduced through videos, films, supplementary readings, and festival celebrations. To strengthen students’ understanding of sentence structure and grammar, as well as to practice oral and writing skills, students submit monthly journals, which they revise and record. Although the course is taught primarily with simplified characters, students expand their knowledge of traditional characters, which helps them to better appreciate and understand the language. The Ni Hao series includes a textbook, a workbook, and a listening CD. In addition, songs, dictations, videos, games, skits, authentic learning materials, newspaper articles, and other reading selections help to reinforce concepts and skills learned. Students are expected to do three book reports and complete several individual and group projects throughout the year.

Prerequisite: Chinese III
Prerequisite: Chinese III

2 Semesters, .5 Credit, Part Time Course

The Chorale is the principal choral performing ensemble of Moravian Academy.  It is open to students in grades 9 to 12 who demonstrate musical ability and an interest in singing.  A wide variety of choral literature is prepared for public performances at Coffeehouse, the Moravian Academy Christmas Vespers, and the Academy’s Spring Concert.  Members are required to participate in all performances to receive credit. An audition may be required by the instructor for students new to the group.

2nd Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time
Cityscapes: London and New York in Literature examines the enduring hold the great cities of Britain and the United States have on the imaginations of writers and readers. The course considers the influence and impact of city life on writers and their work from sixteenth-century London to twenty-first century New York. Immigration, industrialization, isolation, ambition, class struggle, political corruption, crime, culture, communication, and gender issues are among the topics that are addressed. Readings may include novels, poems, short stories, and nonfiction by British and American writers such as Charles Dickens, Zadie Smith, William Blake, Edith Wharton, Ralph Ellison, Walt Whitman, Margaret Fuller, Herman Melville, Langston Hughes, Elizabeth Bishop, William Carlos Williams, Tom Wolfe, Allen Ginsburg, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Joan Didion, Oscar Hijuelos, and Colson Whitehead, among others.

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part Time

This is the foundation course in Photography using analog film photographing and darkroom printing processes. We are fortunate to run a full darkroom lab at Moravian Academy during a time when few places still have these facilities available for students. This is an artistic opportunity rooted in a hands-on experience connecting with history. In this course students are introduced to the technical, aesthetic, and historical foundations that established the current art form of Photography. Darkroom Photo introduces fine art practices of observation, documentation, self-expression, and self-reflection through a robust practice of the historic analog photographic art medium. This course is taught using SLR, Medium Format Holgas, and handbuilt pinhole cameras and an Alternative & Historic Process Chem Lab and Darkroom Printing facility. Photographers explore historic and alternative photographic processes in our traditional chem lab and darkroom. A goal for each artist is to introduce the history, tools, basic functioning and good practices of those tools. Artists study and research the history of photography to help them gain an understanding of how and why these tools were developed. Students shape their personal photographic process and creative interests through the development of their work. They learn how to run and care for the MA Darkroom Studio and use it to create their art. By year’s end, photographers will have built a developed autonomous studio practice. All students share and exhibit their work in our annual Art Show.
Note: All equipment and course materials provided. A studio fee of $175 is required.

2nd Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time
This course offers students opportunities for in-depth dialogue about contemporary issues of literary and social import. Students learn to identify and exercise elements of classical rhetoric--ethos, logos, and pathos--as well as more modern approaches to argument and communication, such as the Toulmin Method. In addition to meeting course requirements of reading, writing and critical thinking, students are also strongly encouraged to participate in regular debates, including Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum, and Big Questions modes. (Special attention is paid to forms of conflict resolution, emphasizing Rogerian Argumentation.) Music, film, and related visual arts supplement traditional text selections and are also valued for their own rhetorical merits. Likewise, this course seeks to promote 21st-century modes of rhetorical delivery through multimedia projects, such as story maps, podcasts, and website production. Students are provided with a broad range of opportunities for closer rhetorical analysis and for their own development as critical and creative thinkers.

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part-Time

This is the foundation course in Photography using digital cameras and editing tools. It is an introduction to contemporary methods of photographic artistry and commercial professional practice and an opportunity to gain access to the full Adobe Creative Suite. Student artists are introduced to basic handling and functions of the (D)SLR camera. Exploration aids in establishing an awareness of aesthetics through a practice which utilizes compositional techniques. Artists begin to make images that explore personal creative processes, styles, and interests. Artists study and research influential master photographers to help them shape their own process and creative interests. Students experiment, create, research, develop a keen understanding of the technical aspects of the medium, and research historical methods, exploring the work of kindred artists. A goal for each artist is to have a basic understanding of how to utilize photographic technologies and methods and to develop an autonomous studio practice by year’s end. All students share and exhibit their work in our annual Art Show.
Note: All equipment and course materials provided. A studio fee of $175 is required.

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part Time Course

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part-Time

This course builds upon the concepts and skills of self-expression practiced in Art & Design but with a focus on the development of the drawing and painting mediums while working both from observation and self-generated reference materials. The sketchbook process is central to developing and testing ideas to not only bring about the most successful result and reflect the established methods found in the professional world. Using value-oriented materials such as graphite, ink, and charcoal students will establish drawing foundation explorations of the figure, self-portraiture, and still life. Color theory will be incorporated through projects that will include a variety of materials including but not limited to watercolor, acrylic, and pastel with projects ranging from figure to landscape and abstracted statements. Students are encouraged to bring their voice to each project through choice and experimentation.

2nd Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time
Exercise physiology explores the physiological responses and adaptations of the human body to various forms of physical activity and exercise. This course examines the physiological effects of exercise on key systems, including the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and metabolic systems. Students will analyze how these adaptations enhance health, fitness, and athletic performance, as well as their role in injury prevention and rehabilitation. Through a combination of lecture-based learning and hands-on experiences, students will explore the principles of exercise and training. This course provides foundational knowledge for those interested in health professions, sports performance, or understanding the relationship between physical activity and lifelong health and wellness. Prerequisite: Completion of Biology and Chemistry

2nd Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time
This dynamic and highly participatory course will unlock the creative voice of each writer. Students will learn how to mine their own experiences for the sources of fiction and build imaginative and compelling stories that matter. Specifically directed writing exercises will help writers explore the elements of fiction, while examination and analysis of exemplar works by master storytellers will address questions of structure and theme. Our focus will be the creation and completion of original short stories by a process of composition, peer and instructor review, and revision. In addition to growing as writers, students will develop their abilities to give, take, respond to, and work with feedback and critique. The course will culminate with each student’s submission of an original short story to an outside online or print publication.

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full Time (Grades 11-12)

2 Semesters, 1.0 Credit, Full-time

In this course, students examine masterful examples of historic and contemporary filmmaking methods to create original short films of their own. Student filmmakers work individually and as a crew filming and editing short films on video. Together they explore and discuss concepts in media studies and digital storytelling as they apply to their artistic work, and creative and intellectual interests. Video and media production are introduced through hands-on experiences. From start to finish, filmmakers create short films following effective methods in pre-production planning, cinematography, editing, and post-production. Thematically, the year-long immersive exploration will cover methods from four primary filmmaking modes: documentary, narrative, experimental process, and basic animation. Students watch and study films from these modes and engage in discussion and team activities together to explore filmmaking concepts, methods, and themes in cinematic works. This study informs the creative processes of their student film production experience. Filmmakers are provided with a range of digital tools, each student is outfitted with a DSLR camera, STM cinematic lens, video editing laptop, and the full Adobe Creative Suite. All filmmakers will screen original works publicly throughout the year at various opportunities.
Complete Traveling Editing Suite provided: MacBook Pro, DSLR Cinematic Cameras, Adobe CS.  Counts as a major course.  Prerequisites: Digital Photography and Departmental Approval.

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full Time Course

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full Time Course

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full Time Course


Prerequisite: French II

1st Semester, 0.5 credit, Full-Time

Geology, which will be offered in alternating years, provides an introduction to the processes that have shaped Earth’s history, including those that shape the geosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere. The course will focus on rock and mineral identification, anthropogenic climate change and natural hazards, and to a lesser extent will cover the geology of recognizable landmarks such as natural parks. The geology of the Appalachian mountains, including local geological formations, orogenic processes and sedimentary processes will be explored.
Prerequisites: Completion of Biology and Chemistry

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full Time Course

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full-Time

1st Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time
This course examines literary horror and ghost stories. We ask fundamental questions about what scares us and particular questions about the evolution of literary horror. What enjoyment do readers get from the disturbing content of horror and ghost stories? And what political, ideological, and cultural fears do scary stories articulate? Do they frighten us into accepting the status quo, or do they expose horrifying problems in our world? The course uses short fiction primarily, with one or two longer pieces. Classic horror tales by writers like Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allan Poe, Henry James, and Charlotte Perkins Gilman are studied alongside modern and contemporary stories by such writers as Shirley Jackson, Joyce Carol Oates, Raymond Carver, Stephen King, William Trevor, Anne Rice, and Don DeLillo.

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part-Time

In this elective, students research, design and build their own, unique, working electric guitar. Theme explorations contain (but are not limited to): the history of the electric guitar; the influence of the electric guitar on popular music and culture; design principles and geometry of guitar bodies; wood species effects on the guitar body; CAD and CAM fundamentals; electronics: schematics, components and soldering; wood finishes (their chemistry and characteristics); other science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) themes.
Note: A studio fee of $250 is required.

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part-Time (Grades 10-12)

¡Hagamos arte! (Let’s make art!) is a continuation of the Spanish Immersion Program for 10th graders and any heritage speakers who would like to increase their language proficiency while creating art. Students will read Spanish short stories and poems from Galeria de Arte y Vida and from Leyendas Latinoamericanas and respond to them through guided conversation and then a visually creative project.  If you struggle to draw a straight line–don’t worry! We will explore through photography, film-making, creating a ‘zine, and, of course drawing and painting. On occasion we will depart for the classroom to visit a Lehigh Valley Spanish speaking artist’s studio or visit the Latin American Art collection at Lehigh University’s Art Gallery. Our plan is also to travel to New York City for the day and visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and then do an interactive workshop at the Sorolla Vision of Spain collection at the Hispanic Society of America. By the end of the year we will have collaborated as a class on creating our own graphic novel or mural inspired by one of the works of literature read.
This is a Spanish immersion course for post Spanish immersion program students as well as native or heritage speakers of Spanish.

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part Time Course

2 Semesters, .5 Credit, Part Time Course

2 Semesters, .5 Credit, Part Time Course (Independent Study Only)

2nd Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time
The primary purpose of Introduction to Engineering and Robotics is to learn the basics of design, construction, and coding to prepare for FIRST robotics competition (FRC). The first part of the course is devoted to learning about the fundamentals of robots and design. This includes learning about gear ratios, the relationship between motor torque and speed, and drivetrain fundamentals. The second part of the course involves learning computer-aided design and modeling using Autodesk Fusion 360. Students create generative designs and use 3D printers and CNC routers to make their designs come to life. Finally, students work on the design process and the actual building of the robots which they take to at least two competitions in the Philadelphia/New Jersey district area. Participation in this event is encouraged but not required of students. Open to Grades 10-12; Grade 10 requires teacher recommendation

2 Semesters, .5 Credit, Part Time Course

The course is designed to provide the students with an understanding of the development of written and performed drama with a focus on its roots in Ancient Greece, the Shakespearean era and the present day musical theater. Beginning the year with an exploration of the theatre space and the aforementioned historical examination, the remainder of the year will focus on other separate areas of importance in theatre. Following the history portion, the class will focus on the technical aspects of theatre. With a stress on set shop safety the students will learn the proper use of the tools of the scenic building trade and dabble in a few scenic painting techniques. Finally we will focus on training for the speaking voice and text analysis/presentation. This basic building block of the actor’s trade provides valuable material for every walk of life. Using the work of Kristin Linklater, the goal of this portion is to provide the students with a solid basis in clear vocal production and public speaking. Students are expected to attend the Winter Musical, Spring Drama, and see two productions at the professional, collegiate, or community theatre level.

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part Time (Grades 10-12)
This course introduces students to the basic elements of woodworking. The course includes studying the types, characteristics, properties, and uses of both softwoods and hardwoods. Students learn the proper safety techniques for the use of both power tools and hand tools, including various saws, planers, routers, lathes, chisels, rasps, and sanders. Students learn the proper sanding and finishing techniques, including the advantages of various finishes such as stains, varnishes, and polyurethanes. Students design and create group projects and individual projects throughout the year.

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part Time Course

The Jazz Band is a special ensemble for instrumentalists interested in playing jazz in a group setting, with a strong focus on improvisation.  Members are required to participate in all performances to receive credit.

Prerequisite:  Permission of the instructor 
Corequisite:  Wind Ensemble or String Orchestra  

1st Semester, .5 Credit, Full Time Course (Gr. 11-12)

2nd Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time

This course gives students an introduction to concepts that focus on economics as a whole. Specifically, students will learn how to measure unemployment, inflation, and the gross domestic product. They will also consider how the money supply affects the economy by studying the operations of banks and the Federal Reserve. Students debate the merits of the self-regulating economy and consider the arguments of the economist John Maynard Keynes. Students will also analyze the causes and effects of the recent 2008 recession. At the end of the semester, students will study international trade and the impact of globalization on the world and the United States. The academy-award winning documentary, American Factory, provides a focal point for the analysis of these topics. Throughout the course students connect these concepts with current events, using such resources as National Public Radio’s Planet Money podcasts and various articles. The ten-week “Stock Market Game” provides students with an opportunity to buy and sell stock and to understand how the stock market functions and impacts the economy. At the end, students will have a broader appreciation of macroeconomics and a greater understanding of its concepts and tools.
Prerequisite: Microeconomics or Department Approval

1st Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time
This course gives students an introduction to economic concepts relating to relatively small units – an individual, a firm, an industry, a single market. In addition to learning concepts pertaining to scarcity, opportunity cost, and economic systems, students will also examine the microeconomic fundamentals of supply and demand, price changes, and elasticity. Students will also have the opportunity to apply these concepts to a variety of issues, including finance, labor markets, and taxes. In addition to the primary texts, students will also use such resources as National Public Radio’s Planet Money podcasts, various periodicals, and film clips. The ten-week “Stock Market Game” will provide students with an opportunity to buy and sell securities in real time, as well as to understand how the stock market functions and impacts the economy. Finally, for a culminating project at the end of the semester, students and their stock market team will create and investigate an economic question that connects to at least one concept from the course in a podcast that students will produce. By the end of the course students will have a broader appreciation of microeconomics and be able make more effective and thoughtful decisions.

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part-Time

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part Time Course

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part-Time

Handbell ringing is the ultimate in ensemble performance experiences, as each performer has sole responsibility for the notes that are assigned to them. The Moravian Academy Ringers perform for Upper School chapel programs, Christmas Vespers, and the Spring Concert as well as for occasional concerts in the community. Their performance repertoire consists of arrangements of music written for other instruments as well as original music written especially for handbells.
Membership is restricted to those students with prior handbell experience or permission of the instructor.

2nd Semester, .5 Credit, Full Time Course (Grades 11-12)

1 Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time

This interdisciplinary course investigates the myths, legends, and tales that shaped ancient civilizations across the world. Students read excerpts from seminal works of mythological text including Homer and Hesiod in the Greek tradition, the Poetic Edda in the Norse tradition, the Bhagavad Gita in the Hindu tradition, and the Popol Vuh in the Mayan tradition. Students apply historiological thinking to the context and conditions under which these myths may have been crafted, and apply a critical literary lens to the form, themes, and language of these epochs–defining pieces. In addition, students explore modern retellings of classical myths such as Circe by Madeline Miller, and explore mythologies of their choice through independent research projects. By the end of this course, students develop a deep appreciation for the tales and traditions that built the world and a keen understanding of the similarities, differences, and significance of mythologies around the globe.

1st Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time
Students in this course read essays exclusively, ranging from works by Samuel Johnson and Jonathan Swift to H. L. Mencken and selections from The New Yorker. The goals of this course include introducing the students to well-known essayists, as well as to various styles of essay writing. Students study and emulate forms of essay writing with the goal of developing their writing beyond the basic five-paragraph structure.

2nd Semester, .5 Credit, Full Time Course (open to juniors)

2nd Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time
Film has long had a place in the literature classroom; however, most often cinematic texts are understood and taught as supplements to their literary sources. We move away from an analysis in which the source material remains the privileged text, to more mobile and effective pedagogical strategies teaching across film and literature. This course provides students with a basic knowledge of formal film analysis and offer models for helping students think with and through multimedia narrative forms. Along with an introduction to key filmography terminology and theoretical approaches, students learn how to read and analyze film as they do with traditional literature. In addition, students have the opportunity to explore various aspects and stages of filmmaking from pre-production to post-production. Students write scripts and screenplays, outlines and treatments, create storyboards and shooting schedules, learn how to use cameras and tripods, and shoot and edit their own original films.

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part Time (Grades 10-12)

Note: A lab fee of $175.00 is required

2 Semesters, 1.0 Credit, Full-Time
Physics is a fundamental science that creates a foundation for other natural sciences. It describes the interactions between matter and energy, predicts particle trajectories, provides a foundation for sound, light and electromagnetism, and explains the natural world around us. We will be focusing on a wide range of topics in Physics, and although the course will involve the use of math up to Algebra 2, it is considered to be introductory in nature. Labs will be a significant part of the course, where students learn how to collect and analyze data using Vernier sensors, create tables and graphs in Microsoft Excel, and use scientific writing to write lab reports. Prerequisite: Completion of Biology & Chemistry; Co-requisite: Precalculus or higher math class

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full Time Course
A course designed to prepare students for the study of calculus. Topics include: elementary algebraic functions (polynomial, rational, power) piecewise, logarithmic, exponential, and trigonometric functions, algebraic manipulation skills, and methods for solving equations. Exposure to logarithmic, exponential, and trigonometric functions is at the introductory level. Students in this course are expected to purchase a TI-84 graphing calculator.
Prerequisite: Algebra II or Algebra II Honors

A fast-paced and intensive course in preparation for AP Calculus (AB or BC). Topics include: the properties and techniques of advanced graphing, solutions of the elementary functions (polynomial, rational power, piecewise, exponential, logarithmic, logistic, and trigonometric), complex numbers, sequences and series, and an introduction to limits. Students in this course are expected to purchase a TI-84 graphing calculator. Prerequisite: Minimum grade of B+ in Algebra II Honors

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full Time Course

This course provides students with an opportunity to develop the statistical literacy and critical thinking skills necessary to analyze and interpret data. The various methods used to properly gather, organize, summarize, and graph sets of data are presented. Methods of inferential statistics are utilized to generalize about populations, develop probability distributions, test hypotheses, and determine validity of results.
Prerequisite: Algebra II or Algebra II Honors

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full Time Course

This course provides students with an opportunity to develop the statistical literacy and critical thinking skills necessary to analyze and interpret data. The various methods used to properly gather, organize, summarize, and graph sets of data are presented. Methods of inferential statistics are utilized to generalize about populations, develop probability distributions, test hypotheses, and determine validity of results. Prerequisite: Algebra II or Algebra II Honors

2nd Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time
This course delves into the fascinating intersection of literature and artificial intelligence (AI), examining how AI is represented in literary works and how it influences contemporary storytelling. Students explore a diverse range of texts, from classic science fiction to modern narratives, that grapple with the ethical, philosophical, and societal implications of AI. Additionally, students engage in practical fieldwork to investigate Generative AI (GenAI) technology, gaining hands-on experience with AI tools and their applications.

1st Semester, 1.0 Credit, Full-Time
Science Research and Writing Honors is designed to be a rigorous semester elective focusing on scientific research and scientific writing. Students choose a research project in the fields of natural/physical sciences or engineering, conduct a literature review, design experiments and write a 3000-4000 word scientific paper with accompanying figures, tables and graphs. We cover how to do a proper literature search using Google Scholar, how to email professors/researchers to ask for a PDF of their journal article when access is blocked by a paywall, and how to write a scientific paper to satisfy journal requirements. Each student is expected to present a scientific paper that has been published in a peer-reviewed journal, with students asking follow-up questions after the presentation. While it is helpful to have a project in mind prior to joining the class, students may meet with the teacher about potential topics prior to the start of class. Students who sign up for Science Research and Writing Honors must submit a proposed research topic prior to the start of classes. Prerequisite: Completion of Biology and Chemistry

2nd Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time
This course explores all facets of ‘story’; we study its structure, its emotional power, and its ability to communicate ideas and relate experience. We investigate story in two major ways: through our study of stories in our story anthologies and through our field work with others in our community. We read stories, share stories, write about stories, and finally make our own stories.

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full Time Course

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full Time Course


Prerequisite: Spanish 1

2 Semesters, 1 Credit, Full Time Course

Spanish III is an intermediate course designed to strengthen previously learned skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students develop their cultural competency of Spain, Latin America, and the Caribbean through thematic modules. Literary and cultural readings recognize and celebrate the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world and its people. An emphasis is placed on guided communicative activities that foster spontaneity of the language and a natural approach to syntax. In addition to the multimedia approach, supplemental materials in the form of children’s stories, magazine articles, podcasts, audio sources, and online exercises are used to reinforce concepts.
Prerequisite: Spanish II

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part Time Course

1st Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time
In this interdisciplinary semester course, we analyze the plays, delve into the performance context and history of the plays, and explore Shakespeare’s dramatic art, both in the classroom and on the stage. We study his language with an in-depth analysis of his verse and prose and his imagery, symbols, and meter. We uncover and scrutinize the scansion of his verse and explore the nuances of his language through text and explication with the aid of the Oxford English Dictionary. We investigate the historical context of each play, its reception, and its performance history. We are also exposed to the varied and abundant critical material about the social/political/gender issues with which the play contends or may challenge. We understand and appreciate Shakespeare’s dramatic art by studying the Early Modern theater, its dramatic genres (comedy and romance), and the performance of several plays. Supplemental texts we consider: The Elizabethan World Picture, excerpts of performance reviews, criticism, and scholarly works. Evaluation is based on active participation, essays, quizzes, performance analyses, and scenic presentations.

2nd Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time
As Billy Collins, the former poet laureate of the United States so aptly put it, poems can inspire and make us think about what it means to be a member of the human race. By just spending a few minutes reading a poem each day, new worlds can be revealed. If reading a poem can lead to understanding our lives, imagine the power of writing it! This class is a semester-long plunge into the craft and complexity of reading and writing poetry. Reading selections are based on poets from various cultures with an emphasis on modern poetry. Successful completion of the course requires a portfolio of original poetry, a presentation, and analytical and informal writing. Active participation, a love of language, enthusiasm for process and a willingness to explore are necessary prerequisites to the course.

2 Semesters, 1.0 Credit, Full-Time
This history course explores specific events or eras using a variety of historical sources. It follows a chronological structure beginning with the colonial era and concluding with the modern era (or post-WWII). Each unit is framed by an “essential question” that students investigate by actively interrogating a specific type of primary source, such as a written document or visual image. Students also learn about the broader historical context from which the sources originated. Writing and civil discourse are essential elements within this course. Students also have the opportunity to present their arguments through more non-traditional forms of assessments, including visual presentations, drawings, and charts. Students not only gain a greater understanding of how to do history but also develop greater historical empathy. In the end, by understanding how diverse people lived lives that differed from their own, students gain a greater appreciation for diverse experiences today.

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part Time Course

2 Semesters, 0.5 Credit, Part-Time

This course introduces students to the basic elements of woodworking. The course includes studying the types, characteristics, properties, and uses of both softwoods and hardwoods. Students learn the proper safety techniques for the use of both power tools and hand tools, including various saws, planers, routers, lathes, chisels, rasps, and sanders. Students learn the proper sanding and finishing techniques, including the advantages of various finishes such as stains, varnishes, and polyurethanes. Students design and create group projects and individual projects throughout the year.
Note: A studio fee of $175 is required.

1st Semester, 0.5 Credit, Full-Time
This course is designed to study the rhetorical analysis of texts and research-based arguments. Students learn rhetorical principles and learn to identify elements of academic argument in order to gain increasing control over their own writing. The course investigates how culture, society, gender, and language impact the ways we write, speak, and communicate. Students study varied written and visual cultural texts in order to examine the persuasive art of rhetoric.

1st Semester, 0.25 Credit, Part Time Course

1st Semester, 0.25 Credit, Part Time Course

2nd Semester, 0.25 Credit, Part Time Course

2nd Semester, 0.25 Credit, Part Time Course

2 Semesters, 1.0 Credit, Full-Time
AP Chemistry is designed for students interested in pursuing science, engineering, or related fields in college. This course includes advanced topics in chemistry such as: complex ions, molecular orbital theory, spectrophotometry, qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis, chemical thermodynamics, gas phase chemical equilibria, kinetics, catalysis, further study of acid-base equilibria, buffer solutions, solubility equilibria, electrochemical cells, and organic chemistry. Prerequisites: Minimum grade of B in Chemistry Honors or minimum grade of an A in Chemistry, department recommendation and completion of Biology and Chemistry; Co-requisite: Precalculus Honors

1st Semester, 0.25 Credit, Part-Time

2nd Semester, 0.25 Credit, Part-Time