Non-Department Course Curriculum

ASB/ Student Council Leadership
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credits: 10
Prerequisites: 

• Election by the student body (ASB) or class level (Class Level officers grades 10-12). 
• Or by application for class level commissioner (9-12)

College Prep: CSU/UC “g” College-Preparatory Elective

The ASB/Student Council Leadership class is designed to promote leadership skills at all levels.  ASB Officers, Class Level Officers, and Class Level Commissioners will learn and practice valuable leadership and life skills such as goal setting, time management, organization, problem solving, team building, project management, creating a budget, advertising, and communicating effectively.  Students in this class will be planning, advertising, and hosting events that cater to individuals of all interest groups and act as a liaison between the administration, teachers, and students.  Student Leaders will be required to complete 20 hours of service to the Pres community each semester.  

ASB Officers (grades 11-12) must be elected by the entire student body and Class Level Officers (grades 10-12) must be elected by their class level in the spring of the previous school year.  Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors will elect 4-6 class officers and have 1 or 2 commissioners per class level. Freshmen will have 6 commissioners selected based on their application and interview. Class Level Commissioners will be selected by the Leadership Director based on applications and interviews in the spring of the previous school year.   Freshmen will be selected as class level commissioners based on their applications.

Rhetoric I
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
College Prep: CSU/UC “g” College-Preparatory Elective

This course focuses on rhetoric, the art of effective and persuasive speech. Over the course of the
semester, we will explore three key questions: What is rhetoric? How does one persuade? What is the power of persuasion? In doing so the assignments will be designed to unlock your public speaking skills, empower you to be effective and ethical orators, and understand the role persuasion plays in our society. In addition, the work completed in this course will help prepare anyone interested in participating in competitive speech & debate.

Rhetoric II
Grades: 10-12
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Completion of Rhetoric I, or a full year of speech and debate experience.

This one-semester, elective course builds upon the Rhetoric I class. This is an advanced course in public speaking and argumentation that challenges students to build upon their critical thinking skills by analyzing language, philosophy, and politics. Students will learn to synthesize information, confront differing and nontraditional argumentation and advocacies, and will be able to employ these skills for effective oral communication and advocacy. Students will be required to deliver speeches in interesting and creative methods. Competitive opportunities will be available to students, but will not be required.