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Course Name: AP Seminar (AP Capstone Schools Only)
Prerequisite: Literature 1 and Writing 1
Course Description: This course will equip students with the skills to analyze and evaluate
information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence-based
arguments. Students will have the opportunity to explore real-world issues from multiple
perspectives and consider varied points of view to develop a deep understanding of complex
issues and topics in order to make connections between these issues and everyday life.
Students gain a rich appreciation and understanding of issues by reading articles, listening
to speeches or broadcasts, and experiencing artistic and literary works. The primary goals of
the AP Seminar course are to help students understand how to study an issue from multiple
perspectives, evaluate source information, and then develop and communicate a logical,
evidence-based point of view effectively. Students will practice and apply these skills through
the exploration of complex topics and by examining a variety of often divergent or competing
perspectives.
Course Name: AP Research (AP Capstone Schools Only)
Prerequisite: AP Seminar
Course Description: AP Research allows students to deeply explore an academic topic,
problem, or issue of individual interest. Through this exploration, students design, plan,
and conduct a year-long research-based investigation to address a research question. In
the AP Research course, students further their skills acquired in the AP Seminar course by
understanding research methodology, employing ethical research practices; and accessing,
analyzing, and synthesizing information as they address a research question. Students
explore their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of the
development of their scholarly work in a portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper
of approximately 4000–5000 words (accompanied by a performance or exhibition of product
where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense. This fulfills the Research Project
graduation requirement.