AIA Course Catalog

Al Ihsan Academy

Course Catalog

2012-2013

Al Ihsan Academy Course Catalog 2012-2013

www.aiacolorado.net1

Al-Ihsan Academy Mission StatementAl-Ihsan Academy is a Muslim college preparatory high school designed to develop leaders for not only the community but the world at large. Al-Ihsan Academy intends for its graduates to be well rounded individuals who are grounded in the principles of Islam and who enjoin good and forbid evil.

Al-Ihsan Academy Promises to keep three principles at all times...

1) To Act According to the Quran, Sunnah and the Understanding of Our Pious Muslim Predecessors.

2) To Provide the Best Possible College Preparatory Education

3) To Develop Leaders.



Contents

Arabic Department | Page 3

Qur’an and Islamic Studies Department | Page 4

English Department | Page 5

Math Department | Page 7

Science Department | Page 9

Social Studies Department | Page 11

Arabic DepartmentArabic 1 (Year Long)

This course is designed for beginning students in Arabic. Its main objective is to enable students to develop a measurable degree of proficiency in the four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. The focus of the course is on communication rather than simply on grammatical knowledge. The basic structures and Arabic alphabet are stressed in this course so that students develop the ability to read Arabic. At the same time, the course aims to increase the students’ knowledge and appreciation of the cultures of the countries whose language they are studying. The students will gradually be introduced to more complex grammatical forms including the past tense, followed by a variety of activities that promote increased proficiency in many new situations.

Arabic 2 (Year Long)

The focus of this course will be on verbal communication. The student will be presented with simple verb tenses to allow them to speak in the past and present. Their conversational skills will be applied to a variety of situations. Eventually students will be introduced more complex forms of grammar. Knowledge and appreciation of the various Arabic cultures will continue.


This course is designed to bring students from the novice level to the intermediate level in the four language skills. Grammar and structures learned in Arabic 1 and 2 are reviewed and broadened. Opportunities are provided for the student to communicate in a wide variety of situations. Students are also introduced to samples of the great literatures of the Arabic-speaking world and will eventually become familiarized with a variety of historical periods and genres. The writing portion of the course focuses on composition that incorporates the grammar and vocabulary presented in the corresponding chapter. Reading, speaking, writing and projects required.


This course begins by introducing the students to specific authors of the Arabic-speaking world. This is a survey of works from the classical period to the present. The course takes into account that the students must be provided with the necessary background information in order to study, analyze and evaluate the literary works. The students’ progress in the development of the four language skills continues while deepening insight into the cultures of the Arabic-speaking world.



Quran & Islamic Studies DepartmentIslamic Studies & Quran 9 (Year Long)

Islamic Studies & Quran 9 is required for graduation from AIA. All students who enter Al-Ihsan Academy regardless of class year will automatically be enrolled in this course. The goal of this course is: to develop students understanding of the Islamic concept of God through the study of Tawheed, to accelerate their understanding of the Quran by studying the Tafsir, to acquaint students with Islamic rights, obligations and clear principals by studying the sciences of Hadith and Fiqh, and to construct a strong Islamic character within the student by studying and applying the concepts of Islamic manners (adab). Students will begin or continue the process of memorizing the Quran. Students who enter AIA without any previous knowledge of the Quran will be expected to learn Juz Amma by the end of the year. Students who enter with previous knowledge of the Quran will be expected to memorize an equivalent amount of Quran or more.

Islamic Studies & Quran 10 (Year Long)

This course will continue Islamic Studies and will apply the High School Islamic Studies program of Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips. The subjects of Tawheed, Tafsir, Hadith and Fiqh will be examined in greater detail. Students will also study the Seerah of Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W), beginning with his birth and infancy and culminating with his death.


This course continues the Bilal Philips Islamic Studies series and continues to encourage students tomemorize Quran. Topics of Tawheed, Tafseer, Hadith and Fiqh will continue to be covered. The course will also cover the history of Islam beginning with the leadership of the Rightly Guided Caliphs and will continue with the biographies of the Scholars of Islam.


The senior level Islamic Studies and Quran will complete the Bilal Philips Islamic Studies series. Topics of Tawheed, Tifseer, Hadith and Fiqh will be expanded upon. Seniors will also be familiarized with concepts of Dawah. By the completion of this year students who arrived without prior knowledge of the Quran will be expected to have memorized five Juz.



English Department

Composition (Fall)

Composition is a foundation course and is required to be taken by all incoming AIA students. This course provides students with a strong foundation in written and oral communication to promote success in their high school and post-secondary endeavors. Five competencies will be addressed. 1) Instruction in reading skills to meet the intensive reading requirement of high school and college. 2) Instruction in writing skills to help students express their ideas fluently, clearly, and creatively. This includes instruction in correct grammar, spelling and punctuation. The use of the expository and persuasive essays as well as vocabulary improvement will be stressed. 3) Instruction in oral communications to help the student organize and express ideas effectively. 4) Instruction in research and study skills, time management, test-taking skills, and preparation for college entrance exams. 5) Instruction in reasoning, decision making, problem solving, and life-long learning skills. These competencies will be developed through thematic units, and integrated where appropriate with other disciplines. Students will be expected to complete daily homework, often consisting of writing assignments, reading, and completing reading logs.

English 9 (Winter, Spring)

This course blends the enhanced rigor of college preparatory literature with composition in a twoterm-taught setting. The English course emphasizes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, as well as oral presentations, the study of grammar, and critical thinking skills. It will also emphasize college preparatory development of English content standards including reading, writing, speaking, listening, and information literacy. Students are expected to complete outside reading, studying, and writing assignments as well as in-class seminars, group work, and projects. The use of both the expository and persuasive essays will continue to be emphasized.

English 10 (Fall, Winter)

The course emphasizes improvement in writing and the study of American literature through thematic units. During the fall trimester the relationships among history, art, music, and language arts are emphasized as students read, respond to, and write about topics within these various areas of study. Students are exposed to American literature thematically through novels, short stories, poetry, plays, essays, and newspaper/magazine articles.

During the winter trimester students will continue to study American literature and will be introduced to the argumentative and analytical essays and will apply them to both to topics related to American literature and American history.



Speech (Spring)

Speech is designed to better familiarize students with public speaking concepts. A variety of topics will be reviewed including special occasion, personal experience, panel discussion, impromptu, informative and persuasive speaking. Students will also focus on techniques to help manage anxiety, write speeches, reach a diverse audience and actively research topics. Interpersonal Communication topics will be briefly taught. These topics include: non-verbal communication, conflict resolution, active listening, and communication ethics.

English 11 (Fall, Winter)

English11 is designed to expand students understanding of writing through a broad survey of Englishliterature and poetry. Emphasis throughout the course is placed on close reading and composition. Students will review the works of English authors, including but not limited to: Shakespeare, Chaucer, Wordsworth, Shelley, Dickens and Hardy.

Creative Writing (Spring)

This course is designed for students to continue exploring and developing writing talents in the areas offiction, poetry, and prose. Analysis of literature and use of creative techniques will enhance and strengthen the student’s writing abilities. Classroom activities will include: small and large group work, peer evaluation, and self-reflection. Written work and daily participation are vital. The student’s writings will be compiled into a portfolio demonstrating the student’s growth as a writer.

English 12 (Fall, Spring)

During the fall seniors will focus on writing personal narrative essays in preparation for writing collegeapplication essays. Students will also read and analyze one classic novel and one contemporary novel. During the winter students will focus on research essays in preparation for college assignments and will again read and analyze one classic novel and one contemporary novel.

Media Concepts (Spring)

Students in this course produce several video productions and broadcasts using the Digital Video Format. Class activities include: planning broadcasts, gathering information for productions, interviewing, writing scripts, filming, producing effective character generation, designing layouts, and producing a final product by broadcast deadlines. The skills learned in Literature to Film/Composition will help students achievesuccess in this class.



Math DepartmentPre-Algebra (Fall):

Students who enroll at Al-Ihsan Academy are expected to be prepared to take Algebra I. Those whose placement exam scores indicate that they need to polish their math skills will be placed in Pre-Algebra. This one trimester class will cover rational numbers and proportional relationships, and will reinforce student’s elementary math skills to begin the learning process for algebraic concepts. The applications of mathematics to everyday life will be stressed.

Algebra 1 CP (Two Trimesters)

Prerequisite: Pre-Algebra or proficiency on placement exam.Algebra 1 is a two trimester course but it is offered year round. Students taking Algebra will work with linear equations and use tables, graphs, and equations as methods for solving linear equations, inequalities and systems of linear equations and inequalities. Students will extend their knowledge of the number system to include irrational numbers. They will also learn to generate equivalent expressions and use formulas, simplify polynomials and begin to study quadratic relationships. The applications of mathematics to everyday life will be stressed.

Geometry CP (Two Trimesters)

Prerequisite: Algebra 1 or proficiency on placement exam.This course covers the structure of Euclidean geometry. Geometric theorems and formulas will be used to solve problems. Students will develop geometric concepts, understand geometric relationships, and formulate conjectures. Students will employ deductive logic to construct formal logical arguments and proofs. Students will extend their pre-existing experiences with algebra and geometry to trigonometry and coordinate geometry.

Algebra 2 CP (Two Trimesters)

Prerequisite: GeometryA primary goal of Algebra 2 is for students to understand relationships among functions, and develop proficiency in analyzing and solving quadratic functions using complex numbers. The course will also investigate absolute value, radical, exponential, logarithmic and sine and cosine functions algebraically, numerically, and graphically, with and without a graphing calculator. Students will extend their algebraic skills to compute with rational expressions and rational exponents. Students will analyze statistical data and apply concepts of probability using permutations and combinations.



Trigonometry CP (One Trimester)

Prerequisite: Algebra 2Trigonometry focuses on the unit circle, the six trigonometric functions, applications of the law of sines, cosines and tangents, inverse trigonometric functions, identities, and trigonometric form of complex numbers.

Pre-calculus CP (One Trimester)

Prerequisite: TrigonometryThe main goal of Pre-calculus is for students to gain a deep understanding of the fundamental concepts and relationships of functions. Students will expand their knowledge of quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic functions to include power, polynomial, rational, piece-wise, and trigonometric functions. Students will analyze various representations of functions, sequences, and series. Students will analyze bivariate data and data distributions.

Calculus AB (Year Long)

Prerequisite: Pre-calculus Calculus AB students will study limits and continuity, derivatives, applications of derivatives, integration, applications of the definite integral, transcendental functions, and techniques of integration. Students should develop an appreciation of calculus as a coherent body of knowledge and as a human accomplishment. A graphing calculator is required.

Calculus BC (Year Long)

Prerequisite: Calculus AB Calculus BC students will study limits and continuity, derivatives, applications of derivatives, integration, applications of the definite integral, transcendental functions, techniques of integration, improper integration, parametric, polar, and vector functions, convergence and divergence of series, Taylor and Maclaurin series. A graphing calculator is required.



Science DepartmentPhysical Science CP (Fall and Winter)

Physical science is a foundation course designed to familiarize students with the scientific method and lab work. The fall trimester includes the metric system, scientific notation, significant figures, measurement and analysis, the study of matter, the atomic structure, and the periodic table, balancing reaction, equilibrium. All of these subjects are designed to give students a background in chemistry.

During the winter trimester students will shift their focus to the fundamentals of physics. Topics will include motion, forces, gravity, work, power, energy, simple machines, mechanical waves, sound, the electromagnetic spectrum and planetary motion. During both trimesters students will perform hands-on laboratory experiments to investigate concepts studied in class.

Ecology CP (Spring)

Ecology Is a single trimester class intended to introduce students to the science of ecology and familiarize them with concepts of evolution, adaptation, inter-actions between species, how eco-systems work and the impact that humanity has on the environment. Field work will be conducted within local habitats to further illustrate topics discussed in class.

Biology CP (Fall, Winter)

Biology is designed to familiarize students with major biological concepts. During the fall students will review the scientific method, the metric system, adaptation, evolution, lab procedures, and basic chemistry. Students will then study in depth: the use of microscopes, the chemistry of living things, cell structure, cell processes, taxonomy, basic genetics, and protein synthesis. The fall semester of biology will include a lab work to supplement all of the concepts that are covered. The Winter Trimester will focus on: plant structures and functions, the anatomy of insects, the anatomy of amphibians, the human nervous system, the human circulatory system, the human respiratory system, the human digestive system, the human muscular and skeletal systems, and the human reproductive system. The winter trimester is more lab oriented and a significant portion of the class involves dissection, a course requirement.



Genetics CP (Spring)

Genetics explores the principles and applications of modern genetics. Topics include: DNA structure and chromosome organization, transmission thermodynamics and genetics, pedigree analysis, genes in popula-tions, cancer, metabolic disorders, genetic screening and a discussion about eugenics. Basic probability and statistical concepts are also covered.

Chemistry CP (Fall, Winter)

The fall trimester will begin by reviewing the study of matter, the atomic structure, the periodic table, balancing reaction, equilibrium. The focus of the course will then shift to: types of chemical reactions, molecular polarity as it relates to the properties of solids, liquids and gases, molar relationships stoichiometry, Kinetic theory, gas formulas, names of chemical compounds gas laws, atomic structure, periodic law, bonding, states of matter, thermodynamics, solutions, equilibrium, and acids and bases. The calculations require basic algebra. Laboratory work parallels and augments the class material. Formal lab reports are an integral part of the course.

Organic Chemistry CP (Spring)

The goal of organic chemistry is to familiarize students with concepts of organic chemistry. Topics of study include but are not limited to: hydrocarbons both saturated and unsaturated, stereoisomerism, alcohols, phenols and ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, functional derivatives of acids, amines, and inter-molecular forces. If time permits concepts of biochemistry will be briefly introduced.

Physics (Year Long)

Physics is a rigorous calculus-based physics course. Mechanics topics include one and two dimensional kinematics, uniform circular motion, Newton’s Laws, statics, dynamics, work, energy, power, momentum, rotational motion, gravitation and oscillations. Electricity topics include electric force, electric field, electric potential, current, resistance, capacitance and RC circuit analysis. Magnetism topics include magnetic fields and flux, magnetic induction, inductance, and RL circuit analysis. There is a strong emphasis on problem solving and laboratory work. Students who are interested in pursuing a major in physics or engineering are encouraged to take this course.



Social Studies DepartmentGeography CP (Fall)

This course is one of the foundation courses at Al-Ihsan Academy and is designed to provide students essential knowledge that will benefit them throughout their social studies experiences both at AIA and beyond. Students are expected to acquire various cartographic skills, and these will be applied in studying different geographic and cultural regions of the planet. The course is a required class and must be taken either during the freshman year. Any transfer student will be required to take this course as an elective.

American Government (Winter, Spring)

American Government is a foundation course and is a pre-requisite for U.S History. The primary goal of American Government is to provide students with an understanding of how the U.S government functions and its impact on society both historically and currently. This class will begin by examining the drafting of the U.S constitution and the debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The class will then focus on the three branches of the United States government their powers, and how and when they supersede one another. Students will also be familiarized with the general definition and role of government, and the various types of governments within the world. The forms of government discussed will include but not be limited to, Republics, Autocracies, Communism, Democracies, and Theocracies.

U.S History (Fall and Winter)

This is a two part course that will examine the history of the United States. The fall trimester will cover: Native American civilizations, European exploration, the French and British influence, the Atlantic Slave Trade, the American Revolution, the Presidencies of Washington, Adams and Jefferson, The Era of Good Feelings, the Presidency of Andrew Jackson and the road to Civil War. The winter trimester will cover: The Civil War, Reconstruction, the Gilded Age, the Progressive Era, World War I, the Roaring 20’s, the Great Depression, the Presidency of FDR, World War II and the birth of the Atomic age and the Cold War.

Modern U.S History (Spring)

The primary goal of this course is to provide students with an understanding of where they are and theissues that U.S society faces. The course will further examine: the cold war and its affect in Asia and Africa, the Presidencies of John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, the political career of Richard Nixon, the politicalcareer of Robert Kennedy, the Carter Presidency, the rise of Ronald Reagan and Neo Conservatism, the Clinton Presidency, the Presidency of George W. Bush, the Presidency of Barak Obama, and current issues facing America such as the role of the Constitution, foreign relations and budget concerns. The impact of the Civil Rights Movement will be a continual theme throughout the course.



World History (Year Long)

World History will be divided into sections to better facilitate understanding and learning of historical events that took place throughout the world. Most World History programs focus mainly on European History after 1492, but we feel that this is an incorrect approach to history as it relegates the histories of many peoples and cultures to a lower status. While we realize time does not permit all cultures to be properly addressed, we will make our best effort to cover as much as possible without sacrificing quality.

African History CP (Fall)

African History is intended to teach students about the rich history of Africa, a history that is unfortunatelyoften overlooked or glossed over. The course will give an overview of Africa and will focus on six periods within African history: ancient African history, the African empires and kingdoms before the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, the rise of kingdoms after the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, European imperialism in Africa and the end and aftermath of European imperialism in Africa. Whenever possible the course will utilize excerpts from primary texts to illustrate concepts.

European History CP (Winter)

European History will be broken into 6 sections. Ancient, Dark and Middle Ages, Renaissance, the Enlightenment and Revolutions, the rise of Imperialism, and war between the nations in the twentieth century. Whenever possible the course will utilize excerpts from primary texts to illustrate concepts.

Asian History CP (Spring)

Asian History will survey the history of three regions in Asia, the east, the south and the west. Students willbe presented with information that will allow them to compare and contrast these distinct regions. Topics will include but not be limited to: an overview of the dynastic systems that existed in these regions, the influence of neighboring nations, internal conflict, reactions to the arrival of Europeans, WWII and the after-math of WWII. Whenever possible the course will utilize excerpts from primary texts to illustrate concepts.

Economics (Year Long)

Economics is a study of the principles of both micro and macroeconomics. The goal of the course is to achieve a working knowledge of the problems and issues facing the economy of the United States and other countries within the world. Among the concepts covered are: the ways in which land, labor, and capital (the factors of production) contribute to the growth and operation of a market economy, the ways in which supply and demand affect price and output levels of goods, the ways in which government policies alter the natural working of the market, and how international factors influence a nation’s domestic economic conditions.







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