Communication Applications

In this course students are expected to identify, analyze, develop, and evaluate communication skills needed
for professional and social success in interpersonal situations, group interactions, and personal and professional
presentations.

Prerequisites: None

Course Number: LA1279

Credit: 1/2 credit

Grade Placement: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12

Oral Interpretation I

This course is an introduction to the analysis and performance of poetry, prose, dramatic and humorous literature, duet acting and original oratory. Students prepare for UIL competition and TFA State qualifying tournaments. UIL, TFA, or NFL tournament competition is at the discretion of the Director of Forensics.

Prerequisites: None

Course Number: LA1281

Credit: 1 credit

Grade Placement: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12

Oral Interpretation II

This course emphasizes advanced poetry, prose, dramatic and humorous literature, duet acting, and original oratory. Students will compete in UIL contests and TFA state qualifying tournaments. Students are required to compete in two tournaments per semester.

Prerequisites: Oral Interpretation I and Approval of the Director of Forensics

Course Number: LA1282

Credit: 1 credit

Grade Placement: Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12

Oral Interpretation III

This course emphasizes all speech competition events for the advanced third-year student. Students will compete in UIL competition/TFA state tournaments and serve as a role model to prepare novice students for competitive situations. Students are required to compete in three tournaments per semester (if academically eligible).

Prerequisites: Oral Interpretation II

Course Number: LA1283

Credit: 1 credit

Grade Placement: Grade 11, Grade 12

Debate I

This course is designed to give each student an overview of forensics through the development of 37 persuasive and critical thinking skills through class activities and participation in competitive tournaments in Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Cross-Examination Debate, Extemp, and Student Congress. UIL, TFA, or NFL tournament competition is at the discretion of the Director of Forensics.

Prerequisites: None

Course Number: LA1284

Credit: 1 credit

Grade Placement: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12

Debate II

This course is designed with more emphasis on preparing cases in Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Cross-Examination Debate and competition in Student Congress and Extemp. Additional research time will be spent to gain advanced research skills. The student is required to compete in two tournaments per semester.

Prerequisites: Debate I and Approval of the Director of Forensics

Course Number: LA1285

Credit: 1 credit

Grade Placement: Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12

Advanced Debate II

This course further develops skills in communication, logic, and reasoning learned in Debate I. Students continue to refine diction, articulation, enunciation, and projection skills while applying more advanced techniques of public speaking. Students also continue to refine researching, argumentation, questioning, and rebuttal skills. Students exhibit personal responsibility through independent learning as they specialize in at least one area of focus (as needed for events). The added emphasis on research and individualized study leads to the development of comprehensive debate skills needed for TFA and national NSDA competitions.

Prerequisites: Debate I

Course Number: LA1385

Credit: 1 Credit

Grade Placement: Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12

Debate III

This course is designed to integrate the critical thinker into the democratic process. The student acts as a role model
and assistant coach working independently on cases and helping prepare the novice debaters for competition.
Competing in three tournaments per semester is required.

Prerequisites: Debate II

Course Number: LA1286

Credit: 1 credit

Grade Placement: Grade 12

Public Speaking I, II & III

This course is designed to further enhance the student’s communication skills. Emphasis is placed on speech delivery, argumentation and debate, oratory, and group presentations. The student will not compete in tournaments but rather observe and analyze political and social speeches as well as live performances. Courses must be taken in sequence.

Prerequisites: Communication Applications (1/2 credit) or Teacher Approval

Course Number: LA1287, LA1288, LA1289

Credit: 1 credit

Grade Placement: Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12

Literary Magazine

Students in this class will compile and publish the school’s literary magazine. Real-world skills in organizing, evaluating, desktop publishing, fund raising, and editing will be emphasized.

Prerequisites: Application to magazine sponsor

Course Number: LA1298

Credit: 1 credit

Grade Placement: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12

Journalism

This full-year course, an introduction to all forms of mass media, emphasizes the type of writing necessary for publishing a school newspaper and yearbook. The class trains the student in advertising and business management of a publication, helps the student to evaluate news happenings, develops the student’s awareness of his responsibility in learning to meet deadlines, and introduces desktop publishing using Macintosh computers. Students also learn public relations skills. The class publishes a newspaper in the spring.

Prerequisites: None

Course Number: LA1290

Credit: 1 credit

Grade Placement: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12

Newspaper I, II & III

These courses are concerned primarily with publishing a school newspaper. Students study all phases of journalism, including the computerized technology of typesetting. Improving writing skills and interviewing techniques are major concerns, as is perfecting all types of communication. Also included is advanced study of feature, column, editorial, and sports writing. These courses also allow students to work with a printer and become involved in the cost of newspaper production.

Prerequisites: Journalism

Course Number: LA1291, LA1292, LA1253

Credit: 1-2 credits

Grade Placement: Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12

Yearbook / Magazine Production I

This course includes the study and application of the elements and processes of developing and producing the school yearbook. Students learn writing, design, and desktop publishing skills.

Prerequisites: Journalism

Course Number: LA1293

Credit: 1 credit

Grade Placement: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12

Yearbook / Magazine Production II & III

These courses are continued studies of Advanced Journalism and Yearbook Production. Included are the study of the role of advertising in publication cost, the preparation of ads, practice in advertising sales, graphics, design and layout, with emphasis on preparation of press-ready materials. Students will master advanced desktop publishing techniques.

Prerequisites: Yearbook I

Course Number: LA1294, LA1295

Credit: 1 credit

Grade Placement: Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12

Photo Journalism

This course familiarizes students with photographic composition, use of the camera and film processing through the opportunity to take pictures and to work on layout problems for the school newspaper and yearbook. Students automatically become members of the school photography staff.

Prerequisites: Photography: Teacher approval

Course Number: LA1296

Credit: 1 credit

Grade Placement: Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12