The following courses do not fall into any of the specific subject areas required by the SAS graduation requirements. These courses "round out" a high school experience and can be used in meeting the overall SAS 24 credit minimum graduation requirement.

Speech
Number: 41020 Grade: 9-12 Length: Semester Credit: Unspecified

In this course, students will learn the skills of public speaking, including vocal delivery, body language and eye contact. They will acquire these skills through a variety of exercises involving interactions with small and large groups. They will develop an awareness of “self as communicator,” learning to read feedback from an audience in order to develop dynamic communication and to orient all aspects of communication to a specific purpose, specific audience and specific occasion. Students will use these skills in presenting various types of speeches: informative, persuasive, humorous and impromptu. Units on the college and job interview, group processes, and creative problem solving are included. Students will also read selections from literature to convey the textual and emotional meanings of the author. All speeches and exercises will be performed before and critiqued by the student’s peers. At least two formal speeches will be video taped and then critiqued by the speaker and the teacher.

Journalism: Yearbook
Number: 46401 Grade: 9-12 Length: Year Credit: Unspecified/Computer Studies (see below)
Prerequisite: Broadcast or newspaper journalism, photography or instructor’s approval

This is a magazine production course whose final product is the school memory book. Students will study news, feature and sports writing, caption and headline writing, magazine design and layout, photography, graphic design and reproduction processes. All students will write copy and lay out pages in one or more sections of the book. This work requires competence with a word-processing program; students will learn how to use the In Design and Photoshop programs on Macintosh computers. Coverage of all school events and production deadlines will require students to work after school and on some weekends. This course may be repeated and will be listed as Advanced Yearbook (course #46402). Completion of the second year of this course will fulfill the SAS Computer Studies requirement.

Leadership and Organizational Management (Course not offered in 2006-2007)
Number: 48500 Grade: 10-12 Length: Semester Credit: Unspecified

This interactive course is designed to promote individual growth and leadership skills. Students will examine basic leadership theory through the use of research, collaborative interaction, discussion and simulations. Areas of concentration include the identification of personal leadership beliefs and leadership styles, working with school officials on short and long term projects, creativity, goal setting, time management, problem solving, analysis, assertiveness training, and a wide variety of other processes and skills. The course is especially appropriate for students interested in increasing self-awareness and applying learned skills to new situations.

Journalism: Newspaper
Number: 46400 Grade: 10-12 Length: Year Credit: Unspecified
Prerequisite: Broadcast or Yearbook journalism, or instructor’s approval

This is a product-oriented course in journalism. While there will be some analysis of newspapers, study of press ethics and current events, the emphasis is on practical experience gained through the production of the xe "Eagle Eye"Eagle Eye, the school’s newspaper. Students will write news, feature, opinion and sports stories. They will practice interview and note-taking skills, use research tools, study proofreading, copy preparation, photo selection and newspaper layout. Students should know a word-processing program and will learn how to use the In Design layout program on Macintosh computers. This course may be repeated for credit. Students will be required to attend some after-school and weekend production sessions.

Advanced Writing Seminar
Number: 41041 Grade: 11-12 Length: Semester Credit: Unspecified

This course is designed for students with above-average writing ability who desire to improve their writing style and fluency. Students will produce many pieces of writing in a variety of forms, such as profiles, interior monologues, short stories, essays, descriptions, reviews, and saturation reports. The course focuses on the process of writing: pre-writing, rough draft, revisions, and polished final draft. Students learn to identify and develop their individual writing styles, improve their writing skills, and sharpen their critical abilities.