Core Subject Areas
Language Arts
Phoenix Courses:
ENG English/Language Arts I (9th grade)
Includes aspects of language use: reading, vocabulary, writing, speaking, and listening which are typically linked to various types of informational text and literature. Prepares student to improve OAKS reading and writing proficiency (a graduation requirement).
ENG English/Language Arts II (10th grade)
Offers a balanced focus on composition and literature with writing for a purpose and audience using persuasive, expository, and creative forms of composition and exploring different types of literature. Students improve their reading rate and comprehension of both informational text and literature and develop skills to determine the author’s intent, theme, and techniques to deliver his or her message. Prepares student to improve OAKS reading and writing proficiency (a graduation requirement).
ENG English/Language Arts III (11th grade)
This course continues to develop students’ writing skills with an emphasis on style (clear and logical writing patterns, word choice and usage, rhythm, and voice) and begin to learn the techniques of writing research papers. Students continue to read works of literature and literary conventions and stylistic devices receive greater emphasis than in previous courses.
ENG English/Language Arts IV (12th grade)
This course blends composition, literature, and speech into a cohesive whole as students write critical, argumentative, and comparative analyses of selected short fiction and one or more major research papers.
ENG Creative Writing
This course cultivates a form of artistic expression, draws on the imagination to convey meaning through the use of imagery, narrative, and drama. This is in contrast to analytic or pragmatic forms of writing. This genre includes poetry, fiction (novels, short stories), scripts, screenplays and creative non-fiction.
ENG Healthy Living
This course will examine the concept of media literacy and its effect upon children and teens, especially in regard to healthy living. Students will explore a variety of articles concerning nutrition, media literacy, and components of healthy living, and perform different activities and projects. Students will also learn the different elements of persuasive advertising techniques.
ENG Wilderness Literature
This course will examine the concept of “wilderness” in the American mind, as documented in environmental literature. Students will read and analyze works by American nature writers, with the goals of: gaining an understanding of history from an environmental perspective; exploring themes that tie writers together; and improving reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.
ENG Journalism-Yearbook
This course exposes students to the profession of writing for newspapers, magazines, broadcasting news on radio/television and producing an annual yearbook. Pre-requisite of English II, or English I & Instructor Approval.
ENG College Preparation English
This course exposes students and prepares them for the rigor of college writing. Writing intensive, students will explore all the “typical” modes of writing, including literary analysis. The course will support students to reach college-level critical reading and writing skills fundamental to college preparation. While writing is at the center of the course, class members pursue reading and writing as an integrative and recursive process. Pre-requisite of English IV or Instructor Approval.
Umpqua Community College Dual Credit Courses:
SP 111 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (UCC course)
UCC Instructor approval or a Compass reading score of 85 or above in Reading is required. Preparation and delivery of effective extemporaneous communications with emphasis on content, organization, audience adaptation, delivery, and listening. This course may be offered through College Now for 3 college credits and one trimester (0.33) Phoenix credit at either the English III or English IV credit level.
WR 121 English Composition: Intro to Argument (UCC course)
Instructor approval or an appropriate Compass score is required. This course improves writing, reading, and critical thinking skills, preparing students to succeed in future college classes. In a collaborative environment, student write a variety of essays focusing on various aspects of argumentation. The MLA documentation system is employed and the quality of ideas, effective reasoning, and presentation of subject matter is the primary focus of the course. This course may be offered through College Now for 3 college credits and one trimester (0.33) Phoenix credit at the English IV credit level.
ENG 104 Introduction to Literature (UCC course)
Instructor approval or an appropriate Compass score is required. English 104 Is the first of a series of three courses designed to interpret, analyze, critically evaluate, and appreciate a variety of literature. In this course students are introduced to the conventions and characteristics of short fiction. This course may be offered through College Now for 3 college credits and one trimester (0.33) Phoenix credit at the English IV credit level.
Math
Phoenix Courses:
MT Algebra I (UCC Dual Credit Option for MTH 065 Elementary Algebra & MTH 095 Intermediate Algebra)
Algebra I is a term long mathematics course which reinforces and builds upon mathematical skills taught in previous classes with additional advanced computation, including an emphasis on algebraic concepts. Students study algebraic expressions, factoring, using the distance formula and are introduced to geometry concepts. In this course students develop and expand problem solving skills, creatively and analytically, in order to solve word problems.
MT Algebra for the Trades (UCC Dual Credit option for MTH 052 Intro to Algebra for Trades)
Technical Math is an Algebra I level course designed to extend students’ proficiency in mathematics by applying these skills to professional-technical situations and uses. Technical math topics may include but are not limited to rational numbers, systems of measurement, tolerances, numerical languages, geometry, algebra, statistics, and using tables, graphs, and other data displays. Technology is integrated as appropriate.
MT Geometry (UCC Dual Credit option for MTH 75 Applied Geometry)
This course is designed to emphasize the study of the properties and applications of common geometric figures in tow and three dimensions. It includes the study of transformations and right triangle trigonometry. Inductive and deductive thinking skills are used in problem solving situations, and applications to the real world are stressed. It also emphasizes writing proofs to solve (prove) properties of geometric figures. Pre-requisite of Algebra I or Instructor Approval.
MT Algebra II (UCC Dual Credit option for MTH 111 College Algebra)
This course is designed to build on algebraic and geometric concepts. It develops advanced algebra skills such as systems of equations, advanced polynomials, imagery and complex numbers, quadratics and concepts and includes the study of trigonometric functions. It also introduces matrices and their properties. The concept of this course are important for students’ success on both the ACT and college mathematics entrance exams. Pre-requisite of Algebra I or Instructor Approval.
MT Elementary Functions
This course focuses on functions and their application including polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, circular, and trigonometric functions. Strong emphasis is placed on graphing and the use of graphs as an aid in problem solving. Pre-requisite of Algebra II or Instructor Approval.
MT Probability & Statistics
This course introduces students to the basics of statistical testing. Students learn to organize, display and analyze data and to explore the elements of probability. Pre-requisite of Algebra II or Instructor Approval.
MT Trigonometry
Trigonometry is a field of mathematics in which the geometric properties of the angles and edges of triangles are used to measure lengths. Real-world problems involving trigonometry are common in engineering, physics, construction and design. This course provides the trigonometry skills and concepts essential to success in calculus courses. Pre-requisite of Algebra II or Instructor Approval.
Science
Phoenix Courses:
SC Integrated Science: Goop, Gadgets & Gizmos
The specific content of Integrated Science courses varies, but they draw upon the principles of several scientific specialties—earth science, physical science, biology, chemistry, and physics—organize the material around thematic units. Common themes covered include systems, models, energy, patterns, change and constancy. These courses use appropriate aspects from each specialty to investigate applications of the theme.
SC Unified Science: Fuel for Thought
The Unified Science course combines earth science, physical science, biology, chemistry, and physics into a cohesive study and/or may integrate science with another discipline. General scientific concepts are explored, as are the principles underlying the scientific method and experimentation techniques.
SC Agricultural Science
This course will examine the mutual relationships between organisms and their environment. In studying the interrelationships among plants, animals, and humans, these courses usually cover the following subjects: photosynthesis, recycling and regeneration, ecosystems, population and growth studies, pollution, and conservation of natural resources.
SC Conceptual Biology: Natural Resources
This course provides students with a basic understanding of living things. Topics covered may include ecology and environmental problems such as overpopulation and pollution as well as cells, types of organisms, evolutionary behavior, and inheritance.
SC Technological Inquiry
Coming soon!
Social Studies
Phoenix Courses:
SOC Revolution: A worldwide investigation into how we govern (World Government)
This class begins by exploring how the great philosophers of our past have influenced the course of government. We will examine revolutionary moments in history that defied and evolved our understanding of how to govern people. This class is largely Socratic and project based in nature. This portion of the class will end in a debate in which students defend each philosopher’s idea of government.
USH US History: From Andrew Jackson to the present
Students will examine the life and time of one of Andrew Jackson, our 7th president. They will debate his actions and conclude whether he should be considered an American hero. This will set the stage for our journey through our history from the Civil War to present day. This course will include group projects, class discussion, examination of primary and secondary documents, as well as world views on our actions. Pre-requisite of Revolutions or global studies course.
GOV U.S. Government: Building Government
The first half of this course is an exploration and examination of how America’s government was created, has changed, and how it works today at federal, state and local levels. Additionally, we will be looking at how individual citizens and groups work within our government system and examine their importance. The second half of the course will analyze other countries’ and fictional governments and see what we can learn from them. The class will be built around examining primary documents, class discussion, debate, government creation projects, and team research.
EC Economic Investigation
Economics is essential to understanding current events, time, historical watershed moments, and how to succeed. This class explores how it has helped the human race grow over the last couple of centuries and become a tool in interpersonal relations. We will examine personal finance issues that are important to our everyday lives; including, balancing checking accounts, direct deposit, credit cards, bonds, 401 k, insurance, loans, and stocks. Finally, we will analyze the cost of doing business and importance of supporting local business.
ARH Art History
The critical evaluation of art as it relates to society and history. We will explore ancient to modern works as they reflect the power of expression, religion, and politics in a given moment. The question of what is art and what makes it art will be a tenet of the course.
SOC Pharmacology
A historical, sociological, and pharmacological evaluation of drugs and alcohol in American society — values, costs, problems, and solution seeking to one of America’s greatest issues. The course will also cover development of prohibition, the penal and rehabilitation industry, as well as the development of narco cartels and governments.
SOC Fact or Fiction: An investigation into history’s myths and legends
Though we live in the most information rich period in history one of the most difficult things in our lives today is to distinguish fact from fiction. The goal of this course will be to gain the research skills necessary to distinguish fact from an exaggeration or flat out lie. During the course we will be looking at some of history’s greatest mysteries and legends (e.g., King Arthur and Columbus), urban legends, conspiracies, claims of corporations, and internet current events and lore.
Umpqua Community College Dual Credit Courses:
ECON 115 Introduction to Economics (UCC course)
This introduction to economics course focuses on the definition of economics and the application of economic analysis within the student’s own life, business applications, product and labor markets, monetary and fiscal policy, and trade. Current issues and research will be used to illustrate fundamental concepts and an option for lifelong economic literacy and research. This course may be course may be offered for dual credit through College Now for 3 college credits and one-half Phoenix credit and apply toward high school graduation requirements. This course offers a UCC Instructor for 3 lecture hours weekly and two days a week with a Phoenix instructor to offer guided support for reading and research assignments.