RRHS New/Pilot Courses for 22-23
New/Upcoming Courses in Social Science and Global Studies
African American History (Honors)
A unique opportunity for year-long in-depth study of African American history with an accompanying capstone project that engages students in research and encourages them to build connections with the world around them. In this course, students will examine key themes, issues, and debates in African American History from its African origins to modern day. They will complete a capstone opportunity to dig deeper in a research question of their choice, create a product, and share their learning with the community.
AP Human Geography
AP Human Geography helps students analyze the world, their relationship to it, and the interactions of people in it. Students will learn how to look for geographic causes for events in different regions, compare geographic features and their effects on human life and see how their lives are connected to and affected by human and geographic conditions all over the world. Students will be able to answer the major geographic questions of “where is it happening?”, “why is it happening there?” and “what is the effect of the event?”. In this course, students write, read, discuss, present and analyze issues of global and local significance, with a focus on population and migration studies, language and religion and urbanization. AP Human geography prepares students to be part of the solution to the challenges facing humanity in the 21st Century. Students have the opportunity to take the AP Human Geography Exam in May with the possibility of earning college credit.
Global Social Issues (Semester Elective)
In Global Social Issues, students learn that people on this planet have numerous differences yet face issues and challenges which are connected. Issues that may seem to impact only one area may actually impact other people and societies across the globe. In this course, students study how humans behave and interact with each other. In some instances, people and nations work together on environmental concerns, and in others, people and nations work at cross-purposes on the environment.
Furthermore, with issues such as women’s rights, students discover a wide spectrum of views and approaches according to particular society’s culture and history.
Try YOGA!
Fine and Performing Arts
United Sound (260000) - Do you love music and want to help others experience it? This coming school year students will have the opportunity to share their passion for music with other students at Rock Ridge. This program is a Non-Credit course called United Sound and it will take place during the first 45 minutes of a student's study hall. Interested students should register for a total of 8 courses including Music Appreciation (260000) as that will ensure they are placed in the correct block for study hall. Once schedules are created and students are placed in the correct study hall, students' schedules will be changed to list Study Hall for that block. Click here for a short video about this awesome opportunity!
PILOT COURSE: Theater Makeup Grades: 9-12 (Costume, Hair, Wigs, and Make-Up Design)
Prerequisite: None
This technical theater design and production class focuses on three specific design areas: costuming, wig/hair design, and make up design. In class you will learn how to research for design, draw fashion figures, sew, style and care for wigs, design makeup looks. This class creates real-world designs by creating complete costume looks for RRPA productions. Your works will be used on stage for the audience to see. This is a great class if you are interested in fashion design, drawing, cosplay, hair, beauty makeup, special effects makeup, and sewing.
NEW COURSE TITLE AND DESCRIPTION: Technical Theatre Design and Production 1: Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisite: None
2541000
The course is an exploration of technical design and production within the entertainment industry, specifically theater. Students in this course will have the opportunity to explore 21st-century global citizen skills and real-world applications of technical theatre skills, including scenic design, scenic construction, scenic painting, lighting design, props design and management, special effects, sound design, makeup, and hair design, costume design, and careers in the entertainment industry. This is an introductory course with a hands-on in-class lab component and an opportunity to create for the school’s theatre program. This course helps students build their academic portfolios and resume building. Students begin to explore skills in Engineering, Drafting, Construction Management, Interior Design, Fashion Design, & Technical Theatre through tangible experiences in the arts. **No requirement to participate in the after-school program. All lab hours are completed in the course.
NEW: STUDENTS INTERESTED IN GOING TO SCHOOL IN CALIFORNIA AND NEED A FINE ARTS CREDIT TAKE THIS COURSE
DUAL ENROLLMENT: Introduction to Theatre: Grades 10 - 12
Prerequisite: Approval from Teacher
Course Codes: 258006
Elective Surveys the principles of drama, the development of theatre production, acting styles, performance and selected plays to acquaint the student with various types of theatrical presentations. Further study of the playwright, actor, director and designers aims to increase the knowledge and enjoyment of theatre. Study of theatre arts will focus on process, rehearsal, performance and organization from text to production. Students will apply their chosen pathway in STEM related to fields to the fine and performing arts. NO after school commitment required. This class will fulfill the requirement for a fine arts credit for students who are interested in applying to colleges in California. ***California requires students to have a fine and performing arts credit. This class also provides a GPA BUMP as well as College Credit.
Try Photojournalism!
Photojournalism (Yearbook) 10th-12th Grade
Students will work together as a team to design and create the award-winning yearbook. Students will learn the basics of journalistic writing, layout and design, infographics, theme development, photography and the business of publications. Students will become adept at using computer programs such as Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop to produce the yearbook. Emphasis is also placed on team building, leadership, and group communications skills essential to the workplace. Students who are interested in photography, graphic arts/design, or the business end of yearbook production (marketing, selling ads, keeping records) are also encouraged to join the class. If you have any questions about the course, please email Michelle Meena at Michelle.Menna@lcps.org. Application for the yearbook staff is here.
Calculus Addition!
CTE - Project Management
New English Courses!
2. Creative Writing II
3. Mythology
4. Reason and Rhetoric
5. Public Speaking II
Science and Geospatial!
Geospatial science involves the use of geographic information systems (GIS) which integrate hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically-referenced information. In this course, GIS is used to organize, analyze, and communicate spatial-data relationships. In the first semester, students learn about GIS tools and acquire the essential skills necessary to use GIS software and hardware effectively. These computer/software skills form the foundation of the course and are used extensively as students conduct independent research later in the course. Teacher-directed activities gradually lead
to more student-directed research.
All students are expected to complete an in-depth research project as a required part of their course work during the second semester.
Students may also choose a Dual Enrollment option offered through a partnership with James Madison University’s Department of Geology and Geography. Students have the opportunity to earn 6 college credits from JMU while completing the in-depth research project. The project (mandatory for all students regardless of whether they choose the Dual Enrollment option requires students to apply all skills acquired during the first semester, identify a suitable independent research topic, and demonstrate their ability to complete and present their project to school faculty, members of the GIS community, and JMU faculty and staff. To earn the 6 credit hours, students must meet or exceed the project expectations established by JMU.
This course cannot be used to satisfy one of the science requirements for the Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma.