Course Descriptions

Covering art appreciation and the beginning of art history, Introduction to Art encourages students to gain an understanding and appreciation of art in their everyday lives. Presented in an engaging format, this course provides an overview of many introductory themes: the definition of art, the cultural purpose of art, visual elements of art, terminology and principles of design, and two- and three-dimensional media and techniques.

The first part of an elective English course designed to develop critical reading and writing skills while preparing students to meet the demands of college-level work. While students will explore some critical reading skills in fiction and poetry, the focus of this course will be on expository and persuasive texts and the analytical reading skills that are necessary for college success. Students will read a range of short but complex texts, including works by Walt Whitman, Cesar Chavez, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Amy Tan, Langston Hughes, Ayn Rand, Naomi Shihab Nye, Maya Angelou, and Gary Soto.

This is the second part of Expository Reading and Writing, an elective English course, designed to develop critical reading and writing skills while preparing students to meet the demands of college-level work. While students will explore some critical reading skills in fiction and poetry, the focus of this course will be on expository and persuasive texts and the analytical reading skills that are necessary for college success. Students will read a range of short but complex texts, including works by Walt Whitman, Cesar Chavez, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Amy Tan, Langston Hughes, Ayn Rand, Naomi Shihab Nye, Maya Angelou, and Gary Soto.

Beginning with an introduction that builds student understanding of the elements, principles, and characteristics of human communication, this course offers fascinating insight into verbal and nonverbal messages and cultural and gender differences in the areas of listening and responding. Students enrolled in this course will be guided through engaging lectures and interactive activities, exploring themes of self-awareness and perception in communication. The course concludes with units on informative and persuasive speeches, and students are given the opportunity to critique and analyze speeches in the course.

Business English A is the first part of a two part course designed to help prepare students to succeed in the workplace. In this elective course, students will explore various career choices to help determine which field and career options are best suited for their specific interests and personalities. Unlike a typical English course, Business English A is designed to cover a range of topics and skills found in everyday work scenarios, such as: how to build and write a resume and cover letter, tips on how to prepare for an interview, and basic professionalism and workplace etiquette.

Business English B follows Business English A and dives deeper into English as used in business contexts. This course begins by focusing on creating a personal statement to help determine personal goals and help plan for the future. This hands-on course will allow students several opportunities to apply what they have learned by creating various multimedia presentations, including a persuasive email, a speech for a debate, and a museum exhibit. This course will also focus on informational texts and analyzing important workplace documents. Business English communication skills are essential for getting ahead in the workplace, so basic punctuation and grammar rules are covered as well.

Introducing students to the working world, this course provides the knowledge and insight necessary to compete in today’s challenging job market. This relevant and timely course helps students investigate careers as they apply to personal interests and abilities, develop the skills and job search documents needed to enter the workforce, explore the rights of workers and traits of effective employees, and address the importance of professionalism and responsibility as careers change and evolve. Students create a self-assessment profile, a cover letter, and a résumé that can be used in their educational or career portfolio.

This is the continuation of a course helping students learn more about careers as they apply to personal interests and abilities, develop the skills and job search documents needed to enter the workforce, explore the rights of workers and traits of effective employees, and address the importance of professionalism and responsibility as careers change and evolve. Students create a self-assessment profile, a cover letter, and a résumé that can be used in their educational or career portfolio.

Whether pop, classical, or anything in between, music provides a powerful way for
people to celebrate their humanity and connect with something larger than
themselves. Music Appreciation: The Enjoyment of Listening not only
will provide a historical perspective on music from the Middle Ages to the
21st century, but it will also teach you the essentials of how to listen and
really hear (with a knowledgeable ear) the different music that’s all around
you. Learning how to truly appreciate sound and melody is the best way to
ensure a continued love of this delightful art form.

Connecting practical mathematical concepts to personal and business settings, this course offers informative and highly useful lessons that challenge students to gain a deeper understanding of financial math. Relevant, project-based learning activities cover stimulating topics such as personal financial planning, budgeting and wise spending, banking, paying taxes, the importance of insurance, long-term investing, buying a house, consumer loans, economic principles, traveling abroad, starting a business, and analyzing business data. Offered in two parts, this course encourages mastery of math skill sets, including percentages, proportions, data analysis, linear systems, and exponential functions.

This is a continuation of Financial Math A. Relevant, project-based learning activities cover stimulating topics such as personal financial planning, budgeting and wise spending, banking, paying taxes, the importance of insurance, long-term investing, buying a house, consumer loans, economic principles, traveling abroad, starting a business, and analyzing business data. Part B continues to encourage mastery of math skill sets, including percentages, proportions, data analysis, linear systems, and exponential functions.

Fundamentals of Digital Media presents an overview of the different types of digital media and how they are used in the world today. This course examines the impact that digital media has on culture and lifestyle. The course reviews the basic concepts for creating effective digital media and introduces several different career paths related to digital media. Students learn about the tools used as well as best practices employed for creating digital media. In the course, students explore topics such as the use of social media, digital media in advertising, digital media on the World Wide Web, digital media in business, gaming and simulations, e-commerce, and digital music and movies. Students also review the ethics and laws that impact digital media use or creation.

Providing insight into the human dynamics of our diverse society, this is an engaging course that delves into the fundamental concepts of sociology. This interactive course covers cultural diversity and conformity, basic structures of society, individuals and socialization, stages of human development as they relate to sociology, deviance from social norms, social stratification, racial and ethnic interactions, gender roles, family structure, the economic and political aspects of sociology, the sociology of public institutions, and collective human behavior, both historically and in modern times.