March 17, 2010
COURSE SELECTION GUIDE
FOR STUDENTS, BY STUDENTS
BY ANDREW KOO AND LAURA NYMAN
Course selection week, beginning this year on the 22nd, can be a time to rejoice at newfound control over our own educations, or a time of intense self-doubt. Despite the surplus of course pamphlets, brochures, pres-entations and handbooks, in those last few moments the choice is left entirely up to us. Choice is a freeing thing, until we‘ve had too much of it.
The first thing to remember when selecting your courses is to do what you love. While it‘s important to study-up on prerequisites (especially for university and college bound students), high school is the beginning of exploration. Everyone should take at least one course they love, and one they have no experience in. For your general enjoyment, we‘ve written a sort of anti-course guide to help you out along the way.
SAP (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology) (HSP3U)
SAP is always a popular elective among grade elevens at Mac, with as many as four separate classes running every year. The textbook is generally boring and outdated, but the pic-tures of 90s youth culture (street gangs and basketball) are entertaining, and the exam is only an hour and a half. Class discussions are pretty much daily.
Financial Accounting Fundamentals (BAF3M) and Fundamental Accounting Principles (BAT3M)
The grade 11 and 12 accounting courses are arguably the most useful for life outside of school, as they teach basic, practical skills. As anticipated, classes can be bor-ing and slow at times, but in-class work periods offer great opportunities to listen to music. A workbook is provided for each course, including a study guide and working papers, and much of each course is completed independently. An ideal course for anyone interested in enrolling in a university or college business program.
Guitar Music (AMG2O or AMG3O)
Mackenzie‘s guitar course is aimed at rein-forcing basic skills and teaching new tech-niques. While the class is ideal for students with an interest in music, it isn‘t the best place for slackers looking for an easy credit. ―At first I wasn‘t great, but I practiced really hard and in the end I could fluently play many chords,‖ says one student.
Computer Science (ICS2O, ICS3U, and finally IC-S4U)
For those enthusiasts into computer programming, this string of courses emphasizes plenty of thinking and teamwork. Though it requires a lot of patience and hard work, the effort can pay off with writing the advanced placement exam, and possibly earning a university credit. ―It‘s a great environment to work in every day. I had a lot of fun, but I also had to put a lot of time into it,‖ says once grade 12 student.
Studies in Literature (ETS4U1) or The Writer’s Craft (EWC4U1)
The English department offers two courses separating the compulsory course into specialized disciplines: litera-ture and writing. Generally, the former consists of ex-amining and interpreting literature (course texts include Findley‘s The Wars, Morrison‘s The Bluest Eye, Ibsen‘s A Doll House, and Gilman‘s ―The Yel-low Wallpaper‖), while the latter allows one to explore the skills necessary in writing. This past year, the Writer‘s Craft course included an online component, in which students were asked to publish a specific piece of writing on a class blog every week.
Media Studies (EMS3O and ASM4E)
The grade eleven media studies and grade 12 new media courses offer a unique look into the different aspects of media, including the deeper meanings behind advertising campaigns. ―You get a rare perspective of the nuts and bolts behind media production, and what makes them tick‖, one student says. Much of each course is oral and presentation based. Last semester, the Media Studies class took a class trip to MuchMusic‘s MOD!
Canadian and International Law (CLU3M and CLN4U)
These two courses stress developed thinking and a criti-cal approach to current legal issues. Students also got to examine historical beginnings and the evolution of law. The grade 11 course is significantly lighter, and is not required for the senior course. ―Even though law is a good class to pick up on legal jargon and learn about famous Canadian cases, none of these things are actually put to use in the course until the exam,‖ according to one student.
Course selection week, beginning this year on the 22nd, can be a time to rejoice at newfound control over our own educations, or a time of intense self-doubt. Despite the surplus of course pamphlets, brochures, pres-entations and handbooks, in those last few moments the choice is left entirely up to us. Choice is a freeing thing, until we‘ve had too much of it.
The first thing to remember when selecting your courses is to do what you love. While it‘s important to study-up on prerequisites (especially for university and college bound students), high school is the beginning of exploration. Everyone should take at least one course they love, and one they have no experience in. For your general enjoyment, we‘ve written a sort of anti-course guide to help you out along the way.
SAP (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology) (HSP3U)
SAP is always a popular elective among grade elevens at Mac, with as many as four separate classes running every year. The textbook is generally boring and outdated, but the pic-tures of 90s youth culture (street gangs and basketball) are entertaining, and the exam is only an hour and a half. Class discussions are pretty much daily.
Financial Accounting Fundamentals (BAF3M) and Fundamental Accounting Principles (BAT3M)
The grade 11 and 12 accounting courses are arguably the most useful for life outside of school, as they teach basic, practical skills. As anticipated, classes can be bor-ing and slow at times, but in-class work periods offer great opportunities to listen to music. A workbook is provided for each course, including a study guide and working papers, and much of each course is completed independently. An ideal course for anyone interested in enrolling in a university or college business program.
Guitar Music (AMG2O or AMG3O)
Mackenzie‘s guitar course is aimed at rein-forcing basic skills and teaching new tech-niques. While the class is ideal for students with an interest in music, it isn‘t the best place for slackers looking for an easy credit. ―At first I wasn‘t great, but I practiced really hard and in the end I could fluently play many chords,‖ says one student.
3
Computer Science (ICS2O, ICS3U, and finally IC-S4U)
For those enthusiasts into computer programming, this string of courses emphasizes plenty of thinking and teamwork. Though it requires a lot of patience and hard work, the effort can pay off with writing the advanced placement exam, and possibly earning a university credit. ―It‘s a great environment to work in every day. I had a lot of fun, but I also had to put a lot of time into it,‖ says once grade 12 student.
Studies in Literature (ETS4U1) or The Writer’s Craft (EWC4U1)
The English department offers two courses separating the compulsory course into specialized disciplines: litera-ture and writing. Generally, the former consists of ex-amining and interpreting literature (course texts include Findley‘s The Wars, Morrison‘s The Bluest Eye, Ibsen‘s A Doll House, and Gilman‘s ―The Yel-low Wallpaper‖), while the latter allows one to explore the skills necessary in writing. This past year, the Writer‘s Craft course included an online component, in which students were asked to publish a specific piece of writing on a class blog every week.
Media Studies (EMS3O and ASM4E)
The grade eleven media studies and grade 12 new media courses offer a unique look into the different aspects of media, including the deeper meanings behind advertising campaigns. ―You get a rare perspective of the nuts and bolts behind media production, and what makes them tick‖, one student says. Much of each course is oral and presentation based. Last semester, the Media Studies class took a class trip to MuchMusic‘s MOD!
Canadian and International Law (CLU3M and CLN4U)
These two courses stress developed thinking and a criti-cal approach to current legal issues. Students also got to examine historical beginnings and the evolution of law. The grade 11 course is significantly lighter, and is not required for the senior course. ―Even though law is a good class to pick up on legal jargon and learn about famous Canadian cases, none of these things are actually put to use in the course until the exam,‖ according to one student.
