HS Fine Arts and Social Social Science Course Descriptions

CREATIVE WRITING

GRADES: 9-12

Prerequisite(s): NONE

Credit: 1 ELECTIVE

The primary focus of the creative writing course is to develop the various writing styles of the students. This class explores the writing process through the forms of poetry and short stories. It also focuses on all stages of the composition process including concept formation, drafting, revising, and editing. Student work will be critiqued by the teacher and peers. Upon completion of the course, students will present their writing portfolios.

SAT PREP

GRADES: 9-12

Credit: 1 ELECTIVE

SAT Prep is designed to help prepare students for the SAT test. In addition to reviewing the basic verbal and mathematical skills assessed on the SAT test, students learn test-taking strategies specific to the exam.

INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

GRADES: 11-12

Prerequisite(s): NONE

Credit: 1 ELECTIVE

This class is a survey of major topics in modern psychology including personality, behavior, intelligence, learning, motivation, and group behavior. A major goal of the course is for the student to understand one’s self.

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY

GRADES: 9-12

Prerequisite(s): NONE

Credit: 1 ELECTIVE

This course will survey African American history from precolonial Africa through the present. Students will be introduced to key concepts in African American history from early beginnings in indigenous Africa through the transatlantic slave trade, the Civil War, Emancipation, Reconstruction, the Civil Rights era and into the present. The course, offered in a variety of learning models, will give students an opportunity to explore social events and processes, individuals and agency, documents and institutions, and analyze past and present positions for future implications for African Americans. This course does require students to complete a Capstone project. Students will pursue independent research relative to the content on a question or problem of their choice and produce a learning object that reflects a deeper understanding of African American history.

CAREER STRATEGIES

GRADES: 9-12

Prerequisite(s): NONE

Credit: 1 ELECTIVE

Career Strategies consists of an in-depth study of career clusters through a variety of investigative activities. Students observe, analyze, and report on the demand for workers, worker qualifications, organizational structures, quality control measures, selected policies and regulations, ethical issues, and rewards of work. Students analyze career assessment results, compare various educational options, and develop or revise a plan related to their academic and career-related goals.