COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

WORLD PHILOSOPHY

Grade – 11 & 12

Prerequisites - None; however, the student is advantaged having taken Logic, and/or Business Communications (Rhetoric).

This course is about ideas. Ideas lie behind every historical event and social policy. Ideas are the guiding force behind every twist and turn in public opinion; they determine what we accept or reject in the arts, media, business, medicine, education, government, church, and family.

This course will help the student understand that everyone has a worldview; a way of interpreting everything that happens in the world. Using the Bible as the foundation, this course discusses how to anticipate the response of a Muslim, Secular Humanist, Marxist, Postmodernist, or New Ager. We will look for the big picture and learn to see ideas from a Biblical Christian perspective. It will help open eyes to the war of ideas competing for the heart and mind. The following is a partial list of subjects covered in this course: Apologetics, Hermeneutics, Worldview, Cults, Proof of God, Religious pluralism, and Theology.

The first goal of this course is defensive; we want to help protect Christian students from being deceived by anti-Christian worldviews. The second goal is offensive; we want to train Christian leaders who can actively champion the truth of Christianity in a culture of relativism, paganism, hedonism, and confusion.

U.S. HISTORY

Grade - 11

Prerequisites - None

Unit titles include: The American Character (1790 - 1860), A Growing Nation (1800 – 1841), Expansion and Conflict (1831 - 1877), The Age of Industry (1865 - 1900), A New Century (1900 - 1940), and The Global Age (1940 – Current Year). Current Year/Events are supplemented with other materials. This class will generally begin with the study of the Civil War.

Memorization is used in class for; States and Capitals, The Preamble of the U.S. Constitution, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, and others. The class is supplemented by various videos covering a wide range of historical topics.

The class material is also supplemented by the local newspaper, The Altoona Mirror, for the purpose of keeping up with current events.

U.S. GOVERNMENT

Grade – 11 & 12

Prerequisites - 77% average or higher in American History

This course includes studies in the following: Foundations of Government, The Constitution (foundational for the entire course), The Legislative Branch, The Executive Branch, The Judicial Branch, and Party Politics.

This class also uses The Altoona Mirror, a local newspaper for study and discussion of current events.

Field trips to Washington, D.C. and Harrisburg, PA are also planned. Various persons in local, state, and national government are invited as special speakers.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS (RHETORIC; SPEECH, WRITING, AND MULTIMEDIA)

Grade – 11 & 12

Prerequisites - 77% or higher in Logic and/or English 11

Rhetoric is defined as, The art of speaking or writing effectively and the study of principles and rules of composition; skill in the effective use of speech. With this in mind, this class is comprised of three elements: Effective Speech, Effective Writing, and Effective Video/Movie Presentations. Speech is studied and practiced the first semester, while writing takes place in the second semester. Video/Movie Presentations occur throughout the school year.

Speech is about oral communication and will concentrate on the following: delivery methods; spontaneous, extemporaneous, and impromptu speaking; identifying audience types; listening skills; and, presenting personal experience, informational, demonstration, persuasive speeches, among others. Also included is listening skills, organization and presentation of information, and a review of other effective speakers and speeches.

The Writing section is about written communication, specifically, business letters. This includes: persuasive arguments, editorials, direct requests, good news letters, bad news letters, letters of complaint, cover letters, and resumes. Other writing examples are also examined.

The Video/Movie Presentation section is designed to introduce students to the art of making videos/TV programs, and examining classic movies for their production and story-telling value. The class may be assigned production of a video which will chronicle the school year.

BUSINESS MATH

Grade – 10, 11, & 12

Prerequisites – None

Textbook: Glencoe's Mathematics With Business Applications

This class covers the skills students need to manage their personal finances and excel at their first jobs and in everyday life. The textbook is composed of three parts: Basic Math Skills, Personal Finance, and Business Math. This three-part program takes students from basic math concepts to sophisticated financial strategies. The material is presented in a personal, practical style that students instantly recognize as relevant to their lives. Students review fundamental math operations and from there go on to personal finance, where they learn money management skills. Business Math provides a thorough primer on launching and running a business.

In addition to mathematics, students also study workplace essentials such as reading and language arts, as well as foundation skills such as critical thinking and problem solving. This class comprises a well-rounded program that will help prepare students for success in work and life.

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS; Keyboarding, Microsoft Office, Open Office

Grade – 9

Prerequisites – None

Textbook:

Material Covered In This Class

This class will cover basic “keyboarding” (typing) during the first semester. For those in the class moving at a faster pace, there is opportunity to work with Microsoft Office products and programs. Opportunity is also given for learning about computer hardware.

During the second semester, students will learn the programs of our in-house Open Office Suite. This will be an opportunity also to work on any presentations assigned for other classes.