General Electives
All potential course offerings in the area of General Electives are listed alphabetically below. Please Note: In any given year, whether a course is offered depends on the number of requests received for that course.
AP ART ‐ HISTORY OF ART | Credits: 1 | Terms: 2 | Course #: 51530
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: Students will complete a detailed and intensive college level survey of art history from Pre-History through the contemporary art world. Art of the non-European tradition is covered. Emphasis will be placed on understanding art within the context of social, political, and economic conditions throughout human history. Critical thinking, visual analysis, interpretive writing, and test-taking skills will also be emphasized.
AP PSYCHOLOGY | Credits: 1 | Terms: 2 | Course #: 42540
Grades: 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: This course explores the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students examine the facts, principles and phenomena associated with each of the major fields within psychology, as well as the ethics and methods of psychology. Emphasis will be on critical thinking, sophisticated analysis, college level writing, and test-taking skills.
ATHLETIC TRAINING | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 140621
Grades: 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: This course provides students with the knowledge and skills to understand and perform therapeutic tasks that would be designated by an athletic or fitness trainer. Topics covered may include taping and bandaging, proper use of protective padding, treatment modalities, anatomy and physiology, and medical terminology. Students may learn to measure cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, body composition, and blood pressure. More advanced topics may include injury assessment, the phases of healing, and the use of exercise and equipment to help in the reconditioning of injured athletes.
AVID 1 | Credits: 1 | Terms: 2 | Course #: 220032
Grades: 9
Prerequisites: Application and Interview
Description: AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college readiness program to increase student learning and performance. It is designed to ensure preparedness for college and career by developing the habits and behaviors needed to succeed in rigorous curriculum. Students learn effective note-taking, assignment organization, critical reading, effective class discussion, and other college-readiness skills.
AVID 2 | Credits: 1 | Terms: 2 | Course #: 220033
Grades: 10
Prerequisites: Application and Interview
Description: AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college readiness program to increase student learning and performance. It is designed to ensure preparedness for college and career by developing the habits and behaviors needed to succeed in rigorous curriculum. Students learn effective note-taking, assignment organization, critical reading, effective class discussion, and other college-readiness skills.
AVID 3 | Credits: 1 | Terms: 2 | Course #: 220034
Grades: 11
Prerequisites: Application and Interview
Description: AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college readiness program to increase student learning and performance. It is designed to ensure preparedness for college and career by developing the habits and behaviors needed to succeed in rigorous curriculum. Students learn effective note-taking, assignment organization, critical reading, effective class discussion, and other college-readiness skills. The primary focus of this class is preparing students for the SAT and ACT college entrance exams, and ensuring students understand the college application process.
AVID 4 | Credits: 1 | Terms: 2 | Course #: 220035
Grades: 12
Prerequisites: Application and Interview
Description: AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college readiness program to increase student learning and performance. It is designed to ensure preparedness for college and career by developing the habits and behaviors needed to succeed in rigorous curriculum. Along with continued critical reading, effective class discussion, and other college-readiness skills practice, students will have support in completing their college application essays, paperwork, and scholarships during the class.
BRIDGE | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 220541
Grades: 11, 12
Prerequisites: NHS student OR successful completion of AVID 1, 2 or 3
Description: Bridge is a class where students work within the 9th and 10th grade AVID classroom to support the academic program and address student needs during the tutorial process.
GUIDANCE ASSISTANT | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 220521
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: By Counselor Approval
Description: Guidance Assistant provide students with the opportunity to work in the campus guidance office. Duties may include typing, filing, record-keeping, assisting students, answering the telephone, and making copies. Students may also act as guides to new students. This course emphasize appropriate work attitudes, human relations, and proper office procedures.
LEGAL SYSTEM | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 41650
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: This course explores teenagers’ rights and responsibilities in our current society, as well as civil rights and the basic elements of the judicial system. Students will learn from participation in mock trials, guest speakers, hands on activities, field trips, and community involvement.
LIBRARY ASSISTANT | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 220531
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: By Counselor Approval
Description: The student assists the library staff with various functions such as checking in and checking out of materials, processing new materials, shelving and other tasks. The student will also learn other library skills such as reading promotion and cataloging.
OFFICE ASSISTANT | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 220511
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: By Counselor Approval
Description: Office Assistant provides students with the opportunity to work in campus offices, developing skills related to clerical office work. Duties may include typing, filing, record-keeping, receiving visitors, answering the telephone, and making copies. This course emphasizes appropriate work attitudes, human relations, and proper office procedures.
PEER INFLUENCE | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 220542
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: By Counselor Approval
Description: Peer Influence will provide students the opportunity to learn about disabilities, diversity, and acceptance. Students will support students with disabilities in their classes and assist them by helping them complete class assignments and participate in class. Students will receive assistance from the Exceptional Student Services staff. It is very important that students are willing to ask questions and give staff feedback to ensure a successful experience. You will be provided with the necessary materials and information for the specific student(s) and class(es) at that time.
PSYCHOLOGY | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 42540
Grades: 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: Psychology is the scientific study of human behavior. This course will enable students to better understand human behavior and develop respect for individuals through the study of behavior. Areas of study will include human development, theories of learning and personality, emotions, motivation, and other topics of interest.
SAT PREP | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 220011
Grades: 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: This course helps students prepare for the SAT test by strengthening test-taking skills while reviewing high school math, science, reading and writing. The course also works in conjunction with the Counseling & Academic Advisement Department to help students with the college application process.
SCHOOL LEADERSHIP | Credits: 1 | Terms: 2 | Course #: 221011
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Election or appointment to position
Description: This course gives the students hands-on school leadership experience. Presentations and discussions cover such topics as self-awareness, group process, communication skills, evaluations and parliamentary procedure. Students serve on various activity and service planning committees. Extensive time outside of the classroom is required for the implementation of planned activities. Students may also serve on adult school district committees, such as ex-officio representative on Durango 9-R School board and various school improvement committees.
SOCIOLOGY | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 42580
Grades: 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: This course will provide students with the opportunity to understand the interactions of humans through the study of group relations and issues in our society. The emphasis will be on human behavior within groups. Students will examine such issues as: the basis of culture, socialization, social structure, groups and formal organizations, deviance, social stratification, racial inequality, gender inequality, the family, and educational reforms.
TEACHER ASSISTANT | Credits: 0.25 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 229951
Grades: 11, 12
Prerequisites: By Teacher Approval
Description: Students are assigned to work with a teacher for one class period during the school day, assisting the teacher with tasks as needed.