English and Social Studies Electives
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English Electives
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SaberDigital Magazine 1 credit year or .5 credit semester
English or Technology, Grades 9-12
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What does it mean to develop effective communication skills for the 21st Century?
The evolution of digital media has created emerging markets in digital publication and varying forms of communication. SaberDigital Magazine incorporates 21st century digital storytelling tools to create internet content for The Claw, our online digital magazine . Students learn various written forms such as short stories, poetry, and journalism supplemented with digital storytelling techniques to accomplish a dynamic reading/viewing experience for a live audience. Students taking this class can choose to write stories based on personal interests, create videos or photo montages, or explore the world of digital journalism. If a student chooses the English track, they will focus on writing and reporting competencies. Students choosing the technology track will focus on video and audio storytelling competencies. Students will create, evaluate, and collaborate to meet publication deadlines. Students will participate in small group and full class discussions, as well as writing and media production workshops. Students may choose to earn Technology credit.
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Writer as Creator .5 credit semester Grades 9-12
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What is the most effective way to tell a story?
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This course is designed for anyone who has had an interest in creative writing and storytelling. We will explore how to use the most important narrative writing skills—including character development, dialogue, setting, and structure—to create our own engaging stories. We will practice with multiple prompts and activities, draw inspiration from examples both classic and modern, produce edited and polished work, and develop our own voice and confidence as writers. If you have ever wanted to write your own stories, books, or movies, this is the perfect place to learn the essentials.
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Re-loading the Canon:
A Study in Award-winning Literature .5 credit semester, Grades 10-12
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Why does a book become an award winner? How does a book enter the Canon of great works of literature? Who gets to decide?
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In this course we embark on a journey; we join the devoted and the casual readers, the masses and the critics, all who are defining today’s Classics – new and popular books that will form tomorrow’s Literary Canon – those books considered the most important and influential. New classics are being made every day, books that will redefine “The Canon” for generations to come. Let us join the troupe of readers who together are defining today’s best sellers, award winners and soon-to-be classics. Re-loading the Canon brings students into the conversation of today’s award-winning books and into the larger community of readers who are defining great literature. By studying award-winning literature and publishing our own analyses, critiques, and reviews, by joining in book discussions both within our class and with the larger community, we will participate in the process of re-loading the Literary Canon.
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Social Studies Electives
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Advanced Placement Human Geography 1 credit year, Grades 11-12
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What are the patterns and distributions of human activity on the earth? How is this human activity evident in the landscape?
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The Oxford Dictionary of Geography defines human geography as the study of “relationships between human activities and the physical environment.” This class will reflect this orientation in the context of a challenging elective associated with the Advanced Placement Program, equivalent to an introductory level college class in Human Geography. The course will investigate the following topics: population, cultural patterns and processes, political organization of space, agriculture, industrialization and economic development, and urbanization. We will use an introductory college text and students will be expected to engage in research, critical thinking, writing, and content acquisition activities. Students are expected to complete summer reading and assignments and take the Advanced Placement exam.
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Advanced Placement U.S. History 1 credit year, Grades 11-12
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What are the events, philosophies, policies, and personalities that have shaped the United States?
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The AP U.S. History course provides students with the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in U.S. history. This course prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those made by an introductory college level course. Students will learn to assess historical materials and to weigh the evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship. Extensive reading and writing is required of students enrolled in this course. Students will be expected to successfully complete summer reading assignments and take the Advanced Placement exam.
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Understanding Psychology 1 credit year, Grades 10-12
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Why do we behave the way we do?
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In this course, we will explore ourselves as humans – observing, predicting, and explaining why we behave, feel, and think the way we do. Looking at why we react to certain stimuli helps us better understand our everyday experiences in a new light. If you have ever wondered, “Why?” then this course can offer an explanation. Why and how do we remember things? Why do we dream and what do dreams mean? Why do we behave certain ways and how can motivation help us change our behavior? What is normal human behavior and what happens when things do not go right? Seeking answers to these questions helps us gain insight into our lives and the lives of those around us, and ultimately, enriches us. Topics of study will include Human Development, Biological Bases of Behavior, Consciousness, Memory, Thinking, Motivation, Sensation and Perception, Personality, and Psychological Disorders. College credit is available through the Running Start dual enrollment program.
Humans as Subjects: .5 credit semester, Grades 9-12
A Social Science Overview
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What is the scientific basis of studying humans? How are societal patterns and human behaviors developed, sustained, and changed?
This course will explore elements of human behavior as it is reflected in everyday life. This includes intellectual, emotional, psychological, cultural, and social development through social interaction, organization, institutions, and change. Students will explore major themes, such as how an individual interacts with society, how society can be both stable and changing, and the causes and effects of social inequality. Some of the topics explored include: workings of the mind, human development, gender, race, counterculture, and conformity and deviance.
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Introduction to Philosophy .5 credit semester, Grades 9-12
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What is true wisdom?
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This course offers students a basic understanding of the history of western philosophy, its scope, terms, and methods. Time is spent on the basic constructs of philosophical interpretation and thinking, the basics of philosophical study, the issue of knowledge, the dilemma of interpretation of that knowledge, the complexity of the philosophical mind, evaluation and judgments, the debate contingent on free will, and interpretation of the supernatural with correlation to the concept of good and evil.
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Current Issues: A World of Controversy .5 credit semester, Grades 9-12
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Where do you stand on the global issues of today?
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The world is a fascinating and controversial place that can at times, be overwhelming and confusing. This course will choose topics that pique your interest and delve deeply into them in order to gain a better understanding of where the issue derives from historically, why it is important in the present, and what are the future implications. At the end of each unit, we will participate in assessments that emphasize taking a stand on the issue and offering up your informed opinions. This could include, but is not limited to, writing position papers, participating in simulations and debates, or using creative mediums to present your argument. For example, you could create a proposal to the President of the United States on drone warfare, hold a summit between Israel and Palestine, or even write a speculative fiction on Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.