Bridgton Academy - The nation's only all postgraduate private school for young men

The academic program at Bridgton Academy is designed to meet the specific needs of the postgraduate student. The goals, both of the curriculum and of the teaching methods, are to foster intellectual curiosity, to spark an excitement for learning, and to initiate a desire to fulfill individual potential.

The Academy provides a core curriculum which emphasizes writing, computation, and critical reading. This curriculum offers a range of courses, from college credit courses, like calculus, to basic writing. Students work with the Academic Dean to design a course of study which meets the needs and desires of the individual student.

To view course descriptions for our classes, click on the appropriate department below.

English

Math

Science

Social Sciences/History/Other Electives

Computer Science

Academic Support

English

College Prep English

The College Prep English course is a full-year course designed to simulate a college English class in order to better prepare students for the expectations and rigors that a college classroom presents. Students will refine reading, speaking, and writing skills by learning how to practically apply general principles of interpretation to a variety of situations. Furthermore, by incorporating such skills as grammar, vocabulary development, process writing, and paragraph exercise, students will learn to expand your knowledge of written expression and apply it to essays.

English Composition/English Literature

During the first semester, the emphasis of the course is writing and grammar, and, during the second semester, the emphasis is literature. During the first semester, students read selections from various genres of literature: short story, novel, and drama. Class discussions and writing assignments are often related to the reading, and all students are required to produce a major research paper.

Specific topics for the second semester courses are not yet determined, but for the 2007-2008 school year, the topics of the English Literature courses were baseball writing in America, Roald Dahl, memoirs, historical fiction, and the philosophy of Zen. This level of English is taught as two sequential semester- long courses, and students earn separate grades for each semester.

CAP English

A full year of college-level English is available for exceptionally strong students. In the first semester, Composition is the equivalent of the same course at Plymouth State College (EN 1200). In the second semester, students who successfully complete Compositionwill be eligible to enroll in a literature-based course that will also carry college credit through Plymouth State College (ENDI 1450). As with English Composition/Literature, this level of English is taught as two separate courses.

Composition

Offered in the first semester, this course focuses on the student's ability to develop a strong thesis, to write clear prose, and to contact and persuade an audience through the expository and critical essay forms. Research methods and persuasive writing are used in the preparation of several research papers. As in the same course at Plymouth State College, students write a variety of compositions, study grammar, and explore the interrelationships among writing, thinking, and speaking. In addition to weekly written assignments, the course requires long-term projects that necessitate careful planning. Successful completion of this course qualifies a student for three (3) hours of transferable college credit from Plymouth State College.

Literature (CAP)

Offered in the second semester, this course explores literature by the examination of specific objects and texts in this area. Students work to improve their abilities to appreciate, understand, and interpret literature, and are given extensive practice in reading and writing analytically. Successful completion of this course qualifies a student for three (3) hours of transferable college credit from Plymouth State College.

The objective of the math department is to teach an understanding of the basic mathematical skills and the application of these skills for use in future math courses, other subject areas, and practical applications. Most math courses are full-year, two-semester offerings; students receive a grade for each semester, but also receive a final course grade at the end of the year. Trigonometry is a first semester course, and Probability and Statistics is a second semester course; students receive separate semester grades in both courses.

This is a full-year course. This course includes a review of algebra skills and a study of Euclidian geometry. Problem-solving strategies are emphasized, and relationships between algebra and geometry are explored, but the main emphasis of the course is on traditional topics in geometry.

This is a full-year course. After a brief review of Algebra 1, this course studies the structure of the real and complex number systems. Algebra 2 emphasizes linear and quadratic equations, exponential properties, rational expressions, and fractional equations, along with solving associated word problems.

This course is offered in the first semester. It begins with a review and enrichment of basic algebra skills, and the application of these skills. It then explores Trigonometry through a triangular approach with applications.

This course is offered in the second semester. It is designed to acquaint students with statistical methods of data analysis. Topics include: descriptive statistics; probability and probability distributions; hypothesis testing and statistical inference; analysis of variance; and regression. This course is intended as the second semester math course for students who have successfully completed Trigonometry in the first semester. Successful completion of this course may qualify a student for college credit through the University of Southern Maine.

This is a full-year course. This course provides the mathematical background necessary for calculus. Topics include: equations and inequalities; functions and graphs; exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions; and identities and inverse functions. Successful completion of this course (the equivalent of MAT 180 at University of New England) may qualify a student for 3 hours of college credit. Students are required to use a TI 89 Titanium graphing calculator. Students are strongly urged to purchase their calculators prior to arrival at Bridgton Academy.

This is a full-year course. This course is modeled on a college freshman calculus course taught at University of Southern Maine (USM). The topics include: analytical geometry; functions; continuity; limits; derivatives and applications; and integrals and applications. This course is the equivalent of USM's MAT 152D and carries 4 college credits. Students are required to use a TI 89 Titanium graphing calculator. Students are strongly urged to purchase their calculators prior to arrival at Bridgton Academy.

This is a full-year course. This course parallels the two-semester sequence course taught at University of Southern Maine, Calculus A (MAT 152D) and B (MAT 153), for 4 credit hours for each semester. Students are required to use a TI 89 Titanium graphing calculator. Students are strongly urged to purchase their calculators prior to arrival at Bridgton Academy.

This is a one-semester course offered in both semesters. It explores a broad range of fundamental social, economic, and political issues that shape modern America. The focus is on understanding current events from multiple perspectives and within an historical context. Students are required to read extensively from a variety of sources including texts, periodicals, and newspapers. Student evaluation is based largely upon frequent short writing assignments, reflections, and the quality of classroom discussion.

This is a one-semester course offered in both semesters. It traces the development of modern conflict looking at the historical background of the Middle Eastern, European, and Far Eastern conflicts in the news today. Examination of the issues of terrorism, ethnic cleansing, famine, and dictatorship are examined from economic, cultural, and political perspectives.

This is a one-semester course offered in both semesters. It focuses on journalism as a profession, and will explore the ways in which information flows through our everyday media outlets, from the daily newspaper to the Internet. Daily reading and writing will be expected, and students will use individual and group projects to demonstrate their understanding of the material.

This is a one-semester course offered in both semesters. It covers a comparative analysis of legal systems and the role of law in society; including an introductory examination of several discrete areas of law including constitutional law, civil law, criminal law and administrative law. From a cultural perspective, we will be examining law as a central feature of all social institutions and popular culture. Included are views and examinations of how law affects economics, politics and the social process.

This is a one-semester course offered in both semesters. It covers the principles of sociology and is designed as an introductory course in the subject. The class uses discussion and lecture to promote a dialogue about current topics, and focuses on the more traditional examination of classic sociological theory and models.

This is a one-semester course offered in the first semester. It begins with the study of the causes of the Civil War, and moves through a study of the war, its battles, and the social climate of America during the War. The course format will be a combination of lectures and discussion. Reading is expected both in the text and in outside sources.

This is a one-semester course offered in the first semester. It begins with the study of the causes of the American Revolution, and moves through a study of the war, its battles, and the social climate of the individual Colonies during the war. The course format will be a combination of lectures and discussion. Reading is expected both in the text and in outside sources.

This is a one-semester course offered in the first semester. It considers the American West as a shifting location, a social process, and a potent ongoing idea. Topics, explored in film, literature, and art, include Native American groups and colonizing encounters; the Lewis and Clark expedition; Manifest Destiny, the Texas Revolution, and the Mexican-American War; the Gold Rush; the Oregon Trial; diversity; the West's natural resources and economic development. Equivalent to HIDI 1207 at Plymouth State University.

This is a one-semester course offered in the first semester. It provides students with an overview of the principles governing Economics. This is a course that covers the basics of micro and macroeconomics, as well as market forces, and discusses the critical economic factors facing the world today.

This is a one-semester course offered in the first semester. It takes a two-fold introductory approach to the realm of communication as it exists in current society. First, through lecture and discussion, the course explores the many different forms of mass communication as it examines both print and electronic forms of mass media. Second, through interactive class sessions, the course will discuss interpersonal communication through speech development, and will build a skill set for effective public speaking. Various assignments are given, including: reading, writing papers, and group presentations.

This is a one-semester course offered in the first semester. The course offers the Bridgton Academy student the opportunity to express himself through the written word. Various literary genres, including the short story, the memoir, the essay, and the poem, will be both examined and created. Students will be expected to read a great deal outside of class, while the majority of class time will be spent writing and sharing. The aims of the course are to sharpen writing skills, expand literary knowledge, and develop as reflective observers.

This is a one-semester course offered in the first semester. It focuses on major themes within the political science discipline including philosophy, economics, social issues, and history. Several texts are utilized as a starting point for a re-examination of traditional United States government policy. Students are challenged by the multiple perspectives and liberal bent of the course that serve to create an engaging classroom environment. Student evaluation is ultimately based on a full body of semester work including required essays, major exams, and classroom participation.

This is a one-semester course offered in the first semester. The course examines the period between the world wars, and the various causes of the 2^nd World War, before studying the War as it developed and ended in both European and Pacific Theaters. The course format will be a combination of lectures and discussion.

This is a one-semester course offered in the first semester. The course traces the rise of the West's consumer society from the Renaissance to the Wal-Martization of the world. Students will develop research and interpretive skills as they study the relationships of independence, wealth, trade, art, and government in an increasingly interdependent world.

This is a one-semester course offered in the second semester. It examines contemporary issues and events in the political arena. It is intended as a follow up for students in Introduction to Political Science but does not require it as a prerequisite. The focus of the course is a dialogue shaped around the "hot button" issues that seem to be so prevalent in the twenty-first century. Student evaluation is based upon a genuine effort to grapple with the issues, generate a portfolio of quality written work, and contribute to a positive exchange in the classroom

This is a one-semester course offered in the second semester. It focuses on the interactions between 17th and 18th century Native Americans and Europeans. It will interpret North American settlements and conflicts from both the European and the Native American perspectives. Readings will be taken from both sources. Successful completion of this course qualifies a student for three (3) hours of transferable college credit from Plymouth State College.

This is a one-semester course taught in the second semester. It focuses on instilling sensitivity for the formal component in language. The aim of the course is for students to begin a critical study of arguments and argument structure. Students will learn to write and analyze formal, propositional, inductive, deductive, and symbolic logical forms, while highlighting the practical usages of logic in natural language and communication. Readings will be assigned primarily from the text, but will also include a variety of secondary sources, such as chapters from books and newspaper articles. This course is recommended only to those students who have completed a level of trigonometry or higher in math. If a student is currently enrolled in a lower-level math and is interested in taking Intro to Logic, he should consult the instructor.

A one-semester course offered in the second semester. It exposes students to some of the major works of the discipline. Assignments will be varied, but students should be prepared to frequently read and write.

This is a one-semester course offered in the second semester. This course will serve as an initial overview to the field of psychology and introduce students to many prevalent historical and current topics. Through a combination of audio-visuals, lecture, and discussions, students will better understand the foundations of psychology and its application in our world today. Topics may include motivation, learning, memory, cognition, personality, and social behavior. This is a CAP course in affiliation with Plymouth State College.

This is a one-semester course offered in the second semester that studies the historical development of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Comparisons and differences between the roots of each religion are stressed. Students will read from texts and other sources, and students will be assessed through tests and papers.

This is a one-semester course offered in the second semester. The course covers the goals, writing and intellectual foundation of the American Constitution with special attention to its application today. How does a two hundred year old document meet the demands of a complex world its creators could not have anticipated? Special attention will be paid to interpretation and the role of the courts, with the class trying an issue facing the current Supreme Court.

This is a one-semester course taught in the second semester. While many courses discuss the atrocities of the Holocaust this course will seek to understand how the Holocaust occurred, why it occurred, and what compelled the perpetrators of the Holocaust to kill. To say that the German nation "inexplicably" performed the greatest genocidal act in modern history is not only failing to seek the truth, it is the easy way out of understanding the details, the circumstances of their deeds, and their motivation. Emphasis on the acts of a nation and the ordinary people involved will be discussed and analyzed. Background information about the rise of the Nazi party will quickly move to the infamous Wannsee Conference where the plans for what the Germans called the "Final Solution" were discussed and implemented. The course will eventually end with the Nuremberg Trials and the German Nation accepting their culpability in the greatest of human tragedies. Discussions and reading during the semester will revolve around textbook assignments, documentary films, additional readings, and primary source material.

This is a one-semester course taught in the second semester. This course focuses on world geography like landmarks, populations, and cultures. It will begin with the geography of the United States and will lead into the rest of the world. The class will be made up of class discussions, quizzes, tests, and papers. Readings will come from the textbook and other outside sources.

This is a one-semester course taught in the second semester that analyzes various conflicts throughout the world through the cinematographic lens. We will research, discuss, analyze and formulate truths about topics in history that involve major conflicts by interpreting major cinematographic works through the dissection of truth from reality. In addition, we will analyze the role of the film media on our conceptual understanding of world affairs. We will complete weekly to biweekly viewings of major films while focusing on the creation and discussion of background knowledge needed to complete our analysis of each film.

This is a one-semester course taught in the second semester. Music is one of the most powerful yet least understood of all the arts. Music has been used in all aspects of past societies and has even defined many societies, including our own. This course looks at the development of Western Music in culture from the Middle Ages to the present day and will include written papers, listening analyses, and an oral presentation of a chosen genre of Western music. Topics include what "makes" music, how it has evolved through each major time period and how it affects our culture today. Our goal is to deepen our understanding of what "music" is and create a broad perspective on the development of music in culture.

The science department at Bridgton Academy introduces students to a variety of scientific areas. Each course seeks to give the student insight into modern scientific information, to foster an appreciation for the scientific approach to problem resolutions, and to encourage the student to view science as an integral part of modern society. College Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, and Ecology of the Lakes Region all have lab components to them, and all are full-year courses. Introduction to Environmental Issues, Oceanography, and Modern Science and Society are semester courses and do not have a laboratory component.

This is a full-year course. This is an introductory level course in the human sciences that includes examination of the following areas: cytology, histology, genetics, and the major systems of the body. The object of this course is to give each student a basic, working knowledge of the human body's parts and how this anatomy functions to create the living condition. Practical application of the scientific knowledge is stressed. Some background in Biology is strongly recommended for this course.

This is a college freshman-level course in chemistry and is a full-year course. The content and pace of the course prepares the student for either a science or pre-med major in college. The course is the equivalent of General Chemistry I and II (CHE 110 & CHE 111) at University of New England and carries 4 credit hours for each semester. A year or more of high school chemistry is the preferred background.

This is a full-year course that investigates the local environment, and touches upon the scientific principles underlying the unique ecosystem of Maine's Lake Region. Examination of the current social, economic, developmental, conservation, and scientific issues facing this area of Maine are presented during this full-year course.

This is a one-semester course offered in the first semester that studies the origin of and solutions to pressing, current environmental issues. A comprehensive approach to the problems is stressed, which seeks to incorporate the scientific, legal, economic, and social aspects of the issues in order to foster an understanding of the complexity of these problems. This course carries 3 hours of credit as the equivalent of ENV 104 at the University of New England.

This is a one-semester course offered in first semester. It explores the interface of scientific developments and their effects on modern society, and society's effects on the directions and possible limitations of scientific development. The students will learn the basic scientific background inherent to the problem, and study the ramifications of technology on society. Consideration will be given to possible ethical dilemmas and to various religious points of view. Topics may include global warming, cloning, nuclear power and weapons, energy sources, and water use.

This is a one-semester course offered in the second semester that studies the four major disciplines of oceanography: biological, chemical, geological, and physical oceanography. Topics covered will include: global plate tectonics; marine provinces and sediments; and ocean circulation, waves, tides, coastal processes, and estuaries. Successful completion of biology and chemistry in high school is required to enroll in this course. Upon successful completion, this course carries 3 hours of credit through Plymouth State.

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Computer Science

Introducation to the Internet and World Wide Web (CAP)

This is a one-semester course offered in both semesters. After a brief introduction to the Internet and its extraordinary potential for communication, this course will teach students how to construct a Web page using an HTML editor. Students will learn about imaging, animation, and multimedia uses of the Web. Students should have familiarity with the Windows format on a PC before enrolling in this course. The equivalent of ITM 102, a course of the same title, offered at University of New England, this course carries three (3) hours of credit.

Special note: A student who is comfortable in using a PC and who has sufficient computer skill before coming to BA, may consider enrolling in this course for the first semester. If in doubt about what constitutes sufficient skill, a student should call the Academic Dean or the Director of Technology before choosing this course in the first semester. If a student has little or no computer experience before coming to BA, he should opt to carry the Introduction to Microcomputer Software course in the first semester if he wants to carry the Internet/World Wide Web course in the second semester.

Introduction to Microcomputer Software (CAP)

This is a one-semester course offered in the first semester, designed for the student with little or no computer experience. The course focuses on developing computer literacy, and introduces students to working with word processors, spreadsheets, databases, and the Internet. The equivalent of ITM 100 at University of New England, this course carries 3 credit hours for successful completion.

Multimedia Production

This is a one-semester course offered in the second semester. It is not for college credit and is intended to introduce students to the world of computer graphics. The course will use various popular software design packages. Successful completion of Introduction to Computers in the first semester or permission of the instructor is required to take this course.

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