518 Personal and Business Law

Full Year 1 Unit

Students in Personal and Business Law will gain a genuine respect for and understanding of the areas of law that affect them in personal and business applications. The curriculum in law includes careful consideration of the broad basis of law, an analysis of civil wrongs and crimes, and the sources and methods of enforcing the law. Other topics include special laws pertaining to minors, automobile insurance, and contracts. The midterm and final assessments are departmental. This course is open to students in grades 10-12.

526 Career Development (P)

Full Year 1 Unit

Prerequisite: By supervisor permission only. 

This course will build students’ knowledge about the world of work, explore career options, and relate personal skills, aptitudes and abilities to future career decisions. Students will demonstrate how academic knowledge and skills are applied in the workplace and other settings. Students will demonstrate mastery of the foundation skills and competencies essential for success in the workplace. These competencies will include: basic skills, thinking skills (i.e. problem solving, applying knowledge to new and unfamiliar situations), personal qualities (i.e. self-management, planning, organizing), interpersonal skills, technology, managing information, managing resources, and systems (understanding and working within natural and constructed systems). Semester one will be classroom oriented, while semester two will focus on work-based learning opportunities at Shaker High School. This course is open to students in grades 10-12.  

**This course is applicable to those students pursuing a NYS CDOS Commencement Credential. 

540 UHS Microsoft Office Certification

Full Year 1 Unit 

This course provides students with hands-on experience learning and applying intermediate and advanced features and functions related to word processing, spreadsheets, presentation development and database management using the Microsoft Office Suite (specifically Access, Excel, PowerPoint and Word) and cloud-based programs on the Google platform. To be successful in this course, students should have some familiarity with Microsoft Office Applications. The final examination is a departmentally-developed computer project.  The first semester of this full year course carries three Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) credits (a tuition fee is required for this option). At the conclusion of the course, students will be prepared to take the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification exams in Access, Excel, PowerPoint and Word. The MOS Certification exams will be administered at Shaker High School at no cost to students.  

This course is open to students in grades 10-12.

509 Keyboarding & Business Communication Essentials 

Either Semester ½ Unit

This course is designed to develop alphabetic and numeric keyboarding skills.  Students will develop proficiency in formatting various business documents using Microsoft Teams and Google Docs.  Students will learn key concepts in business communication with a focus on digital citizenship. The professional business communication skills discussed are essential for the world of work. The final assessment is departmental. This course is open to students in grades 9-12.

511 Introduction to Business I

First Semester ½ Unit

Recommended for 9th and 10th graders

This course provides an introduction to the topics of economics, business law, business ownership, ethical decision-making, and social responsibility. Emphasis is placed on the importance of effective human relations skills, teamwork, collaboration, and problem solving. The final assessment is departmental. This course is open to students in grades 9-12.

527 Social Media Marketing & Advertising  

Either Semester ½ Unit

Social media has helped give consumers a voice, connecting them with their friends and other like-minded consumers and giving them considerable power over marketers and brands. This course takes an in-depth look at social media platforms, Internet businesses, Internet marketing and advertising and the role social media, marketing and advertising play in a global environment. Students will learn how social media strategies can be used effectively in marketing programs, how to create them, and how to measure, track, and evaluate their performance and effectiveness. This course is open to students in grades 10-12.

520 American Entrepreneur

Either Semester ½ Unit

In this course students will gain an understanding of how to start and successfully run a small business. Over the course of the semester students will develop a business model/plan which includes (but is not limited to) creating their own product/company, developing a logo and slogan, conducting customer discovery, identifying target markets and presenting their business model/plan as if they are on “Shark Tank.” Students will learn about the impact of the economy on business, what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur, different types of business ownership, how to identify customers, marketing plan development, how to build and maintain customer relationships, methods for generating revenue and much more! Concepts are taught utilizing project-based learning and practical application assignments. This course is open to students in grades 10-12.

558 Career Exploration Internship Program (CEIP)

Either Semester ½ Unit

Prerequisite: Senior year, by application only

This course allows students to complete an unpaid internship experience in one or two different careers that are of interest to them. Students will need to complete 54 hours in their internship experience and 27 hours of classroom instruction. In the past, students have explored careers in the fields of: business, criminal justice, education, engineering, health care, journalism, law, and many other occupations. Students planning to enroll in CEIP are required to have and provide their own transportation to and from their placements. They will also be required to make a commitment of four to five hours per week to meet their internship obligation. In addition, students will also have one or more class meetings a week for classroom instruction. Students who choose to enroll in this elective course are expected to demonstrate a high level of responsibility and commitment appropriate for the workplace. Applications to enroll in this program may be obtained from the school counselors. Students will then be interviewed by members of the Business Education Department. This course is open to students in grade 12.

522 UHS Principles of Marketing

Either Semester ½ Unit

Recommended for 11th and 12th graders

This course provides students an introduction to Business Marketing. The marketing planning process and the market environment will be discussed. Students will learn about consumer behavior and gain an understanding of targeting and positioning. Additionally, the elements of the marketing mix including new product development, promotion, pricing, and distribution will be covered. This course carries three Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) credits for those students who choose this option. A tuition fee is required. This course is open to students in grades 10-12.

513 UHS Math and Finance (P)

Either Semester ½ Unit

Prerequisite: Passing grade on Common Core Algebra Regents Exam 

This half-year college level Mathematics of Finance course includes algebra-based calculations and analysis of business investment situations. Included are simple compound interest, annuities (ordinary due, deferred, complex, perpetuity and forborne), applications of present value and future value and conceptual discussions of business investments. Students will learn how to use the financial functions in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets to complete classroom and homework assignments. The final examination is departmental.  Students taking this course may receive three college credits at Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC). A tuition fee is required for this option. This course is open to students in grades 10-12.