Course Descriptions

Course Descriptions

Accounting - Level II 
Two Semesters, Grades 10-12
  Prerequisites:  None

Accounting skills are valuable to people in both their professional and personal lives.  This course presents the basic theory of accounting principles with the opportunity for students to apply these principles in real-world scenarios.  Emphasis is placed on how these principles pertain to proprietorships and corporations.  Accounting involves understanding, analyzing, and recording business transactions; and preparing, analyzing, and interpreting financial reports as a basis for decision-making.   

Technical Communications - Level II 
One Semester,  Grades 11-12
  Prerequisites:  None

Technical Business Communications provides students with the communication and problem-solving skills to function effectively in the workplace and in academic and social settings.  Areas of study will include written, verbal, and visual communication; listening, Internet research/analysis, and communication technology.  Concepts addressed will include adapting communication to the situation, audience, and purpose.  Instructional strategies will include team projects, partner activities, class or small group discussions, case studies or scenarios, computer technology, and real-world communication experiences. English fundamentals are integrated throughout the course.  

Computer Applications - Level II
One Semester, Grades 9-12
Prerequisites:  Skills Workshop or Digital Communication Tools 

In Computer Applications students will learn the basic skills needed to use a Windows-based professional suite (Microsoft Office 2003), which includes word processing, spreadsheet, database, graphics, and presentation applications.  Instruction in basic computer hardware and operating systems that support software applications is provided.  Additional concepts and applications dealing with software integration, Internet use, and information about future technology trends are included.   ($15 computer lab fee in lieu of textbook)  

Advanced Computer Applications - Level II
One Semester, Grades 10-12 
Prerequisites:  Skills Workshop/Digital Communication Tools  and Computer Applications  

In Computer Applications, Advanced, students will continue to learn the programs in Microsoft (MS) Office.  They will learn the advanced features of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.  Students will also learn how to use emerging technology such as voice recognition software (Dragon NaturallySpeaking), which will allow them to operate a computer hands-free.  Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification preparation is integrated into MS Word lessons.  Students are encouraged to take either the Word Specialist or Word Expert level MOS certification exam* during the course.  Students are required to take the MOS practice test.   ($20 computer lab fee in lieu of textbook) *Additional fee applies for MOS certification exam (either Specialist or Expert levels).  

Web Design - Level III
One Semester , Grades 10-12
Prerequisites:  Skills Workshop/Digital Communication Tools  and Computer Applications

Web Design provides instruction in the principles of web design using HTML/XHTML and a powerful tool for professional Web developers, Macromedia Studio MX 2004.  Students will use Dreamweaver to create and manage websites and webpages, build animations with Flash, and create and edit sophisticated images for the Web with Fireworks.  ($15 computer lab fee in lieu of textbook)

International Business - Level II
One Semester, Grades 11-12
Prerequisites:  None

Because our society needs to be internationally competitive and to demonstrate international leadership, it is imperative that students have the opportunity to study international business relations and their impact on the United States.  As foreign companies become increasingly involved in the United States and U.S. companies expand or move business operations to foreign countries, students must be prepared to associate with people and businesses of other countries.  Topics to be discussed will include travel, languages, geography, cultural aspects, marketing strategies, imported and exported products and exchange rates.  Guest speakers from business and diverse cultures and backgrounds will present much of the information.  Students will conduct research on certain aspects of the international business world.  

Business Foundations - Level II
One Semester, Grades 9-10
Prerequisites:  None  

Business Foundations is an introductory business course which provides the framework for all future business courses. By taking this course, students will acquire valuable lifetime skills. Topics to be covered are:  banking, consumer credit, money management, savings and investment strategies, insurance, consumerism, economics, entrepreneurship, business careers, business etiquette, and ethics.

Digital Communication Tools (Learning Tools) - Level II
One Semester, Grades 9-10
Prerequisites:  None  

Digital Communications Tools prepares students to use computerized devices, software programs, and other learning tools to effectively handle communication-related school assignments and to develop communication competencies needed for personal and professional activities after graduation.  Students will further develop their touch keyboarding skills and use speech and handwriting recognition technology.   The projects included in this course will enable students to identify their learning styles and develop their skills in goal setting, time management, listening, test taking, note taking, and critical thinking. In addition, students will look at their interests, skills, personality, and attributes and use what they discover to make a viable career decision.  Students will then prepare for some of the demands that the world of work will place upon them, such as interviewing for a job, getting along with employers and co-workers, having and keeping a job, decision making, and coping with peer pressure. Students will also format documents as they relate to the world of work.  This course is highly recommended for all freshmen.  Digital Communication Tools must be taken before Computer Applications or Computer Programming.   ($30 fee in lieu of textbook)

Computer Programming - Level III  
One Semester, Grades 11-12
Prerequisites: Skills Workshop/Digital Communication Tools, Computer Applications, Geometry--Level III with a grade 3 or above, and Instructor Approval  

Computer Programming is designed primarily to introduce students to writing instructions that a computer can understand.  Students will explore computer concepts, use logic procedures, and implement programming procedures using Visual Basic.NET.  Instructional strategies may include individual and team hands-on development and scenario-based activities.  Emphasis is on problem solving and analysis using logical thinking processes.  ($15 computer lab fee in lieu of textbook)