This required senior course is an introduction to and survey of government, in general, and focuses on American, federal, state, and local government.  It begins with the historical perspective of America and the establishment of the government, as well as focuses on the Christian perspective of the subject.  The course examines the Constitution, civil rights and liberties, politics and elections, and the three branches of government.  The instructor will guide the students through the subject, encouraging them to think critically as Christians, and impress on them the importance of a Christian worldview as they prepare to participate in government as adults.

A.     Materials:  American Government for Christian Schools; Bob Jones University Press; Greenville, SC 29614

B.     Testing:  Tests are given at the end of each chapter or group of chapters.  Grades are averaged based mainly on test results, as daily assignments are for reinforcement of material.  Review sheets are given before almost every test and extra credit is available.

C.     Daily Work:  Points from daily work/assignments are averaged into the grade, just as test results are.  Daily work may or may not be collected, as it serves as reinforcement for material covered in the chapter, and knowledge of the material will be assessed in the test.  Daily work/assignments may consist of assignments from the text, Internet work, and other miscellaneous assignments.

D.     Major Projects:  Students will be expected to do an outside reading report.  This can be done in two ways:  students can either read one book and write a response paper, or students can choose a topic related to Government (elections, world governments, etc) and read a variety of material from which they put together a response paper.

E.      Assessments:  Using total earned points divided by total possible points will assess grades.  Extra credit can be earned by submitting information that reflects anything we have discussed in class.  I have found that this helps students become more aware of how the information we learn in class is really used in the “real world.”  We spend the first few minutes of class sharing extra credit information.  The teacher reserves the right to adjust the grade for behavior, attitude, and/or performance. 

F.      Miscellaneous:  The students take a major field trip to the SD State Capital to observe the State Legislature in session.  Also, students will take advantage of any local government activities, such as elections, meeting candidates, registering to vote, etc.

G.     Final Grade:  Final grade is determined by averaging each nine-week grade along with the final test in this way:  1^st 9 wks=40%, 2^nd 9 wks=40%, Final=20%

We are created in God’s image!  So, to better understand God’s creative nature, we study or psyche.  Psychology class offers students the opportunity to understand themselves and others through studying personality, self-image, and self-concept.  Students become acquainted with the study of the mind by learning of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, BJ Skinner, and John B. Watson.  Sensation, perception, motivation, and emotion are also covered as well as developing an understanding of mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and paranoia.  Personality tests, surveys, and quizzes help students gain insight into how they function God’s creation.  Students will see how a Christian worldview of such a topic offers a clearer picture of self than today’s cultural perspective.  (one semester/elective junior or senior course)

 A.     Materials:  Invitation to Psychology; Scott, Foresman and Company; Glenview, IL

B.     Testing:  Tests are given at the end of each chapter or group of chapters.  Grades are averaged based mainly on test results, as daily assignments are for reinforcement of material.  Review sheets are given before almost every test and extra credit is available.

C.     Daily Work:  Points from daily work/assignments are averaged into the grade, just as test results are.  Daily work may or may not be collected, as it serves as a reinforcer for material covered in the chapter, and knowledge of the material will be assessed in the test.  Daily work/assignments may consist of assignments from the text, Internet work, and other miscellaneous assignments.  Often quizzes are given the day after an assignment is given.

D.     Major Projects:  Psychology students may be asked to complete a 3-5 page research paper each nine weeks on a topic related to psychology.

E.      Assessments:  Using total earned points divided by total possible points will assess grades.  Extra credit can be earned by submitting information that reflects anything we have discussed in class.  I have found that this helps students become more aware of how the information we learn in class is really used in the “real world.”  We spend the first few minutes of class sharing extra credit information.  The teacher reserves the right to adjust the grade for behavior, attitude, and/or performance.

Before a student graduates from DCHS, he or she will be challenged to think critically about the Christian faith, and come to understand the Christian worldview.  Students make a comparative study of Christianity and other world philosophies, as well as study apologetics, faith, and discipleship.  Students struggle to answer “What do I believe?”  Class time is also given to relating to others as Christians, in terms of dating, marriage and parenting.  (one semester/required senior course)

A.     Materials:  How Now Shall We Live; Lifeway Press; Nashville, TN.  Exploring Faith and Discipleship/Apologetics; Christian Schools International; Grand Rapids, MI 49512; Other materials include videos, Bible, websites, Christian magazines, study material. 

B.      Testing:  Tests are given at the end of each chapter, group of chapters or unit.  Grades are averaged based mainly on test results, as daily assignments are for reinforcement of material.  Review sheets are given before almost every test and extra credit is available.

C.     Daily Work:  Daily work consists of assignments from a variety of texts, reading periodicals, writing in journals.

D.     Major Projects:  Major projects in Philosophy include the Marriage project, where students will be “married” to a classmate, and the Parenting project, in which students will be given a baby simulator for two days.

E.      Assessments:  Using total earned points divided by total possible points will assess grades.  Extra credit can be earned by submitting information that reflects anything we have discussed in class.  I have found that this helps students become more aware of how the information we learn in class is really used in the “real world.”  We spend the first few minutes of class sharing extra credit information.  The teacher reserves the right to adjust the grade for behavior, attitude, and/or performance. 

While only half of the coursework specifically addresses “Social Problems”, this course does help students begin to solve one of the biggest challenges for students: choosing a college and career.  The first nine weeks is devoted to discovery of career options, college exploration, financial aid options, job skills and job shadowing.  The second nine weeks focuses on problems facing society today, including sexual harassment, drugs/alcohol, and school violence.  (one semester/required junior course)

A.     Materials:  No text is used; material is gathered from a variety of places, including the ASVAB Career Exploration Guide, websites set up for career exploration, guidance from the Bible, and other various sources.

B.     Testing:  Tests are given at the end of each unit.  Tests are based mainly on class discussion, notes, and projects. 

C.     Daily Work:  Daily work consists often of working on on-going projects, preparing for presentations.  Homework is not text-based, since no text is used.

D.     Major Projects:  Much of what takes place in this course is considered a project.  Students prepare a career presentation, complete a personal folder of career and college information, a job-shadowing booklet, etc.

E.      Assessments:  Using total earned points divided by total possible points will assess grades.  Extra credit can be earned by submitting information that reflects anything we have discussed in class.  I have found that this helps students become more aware of how the information we learn in class is really used in the “real world.”  We spend the first few minutes of class sharing extra credit information.  The teacher reserves the right to adjust the grade for behavior, attitude, and/or performance.

F.      Miscellaneous:  The instructor tries to have as many speakers and guests as possible.

Music Appreciation is a required course for freshmen.  Students will be introduced to the five concepts of music.  They are taken through a survey of the history of music, including Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Viennese, Romantic and Modern music. Students gain in-depth knowledge of a variety of composers, such as Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart.  Time is given to exposing students to different styles of music such as opera, oratorio, musical, jazz and symphony.  All is taught in light of God’s Word, and emphasis is placed on using the Christian worldview to discern in music, media, and elsewhere.  (one semester/required freshman course)

A.     Materials:  Music, An Appreciation; Roger Kamien, 4th Ed., McGraw Hill, New York. Various listening activities, videos, etc.

B.     Testing:  Tests are given at the end of each chapter or group of chapters, or unit.  Grades are averaged based mainly on test results, as daily assignments are for reinforcement of material.  Review sheets are given before almost every test and extra credit is available.  Tests often include listening examples that must be audibly identified.

C.     Daily Work:  Daily work/assignments are given as reinforcers for the unit information.  Daily work comes from the text, and other worksheets, websites, listening assignments, and creative projects.

D.     Major Projects:  No major projects are assigned.

E.      Assessments:  Using total earned points divided by total possible points will assess grades.  Extra credit can be earned by submitting information that reflects anything we have discussed in class.  I have found that this helps students become more aware of how the information we learn in class is really used in the “real world.”  We spend the first few minutes of class sharing extra credit information.  The teacher reserves the right to adjust the grade for behavior, attitude, and/or performance. 

F.      Miscellaneous:  One major field trip is taken to the Shrine to Music Museum on the campus of USD in Vermillion, SD.

“When will we ever use this information in real life?”  This is NOT a statement heard in Skills for Living!  Students will spend class time learning valuable skills necessary to rent and maintain a home and prepare meals.  Time is given to personal finance and maintaining clothing purchases through laundry and mending skills.  The course is taught to strengthen the personal decision-making process; when it’s over, you will have a sewing project (pajama pants, etc), a pillow and five extra pounds to show for it!  (one semester/elective senior course)

 A.     Materials:  Information comes from a variety of sources, such as Singer Sewing Machine Company, Haan Craft Company, Mastercard Company, various recipe books.  Text (Used at various times during the course): Goals for Living; Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc

B.     Testing:  Tests are given throughout the course, however the grade does not focus on tests and daily work points.  Tests are generally not given during the sewing unit or cooking information, although quizzes from time to time are used.

C.     Daily Work:  Daily work consists not of assigned questions from chapters in books, but more often centers on current projects and the progress that can be shown from day to day.

D.     Major Projects:  Projects are a major part of the coursework.  Students will complete two sewing projects, a pillow and a kit (pajama pants, locker pockets, etc).  Students will also complete a home design project.  As we cook in this class, students are able to do some “favorites” cooking, which includes planning the recipes for each other’s cooking groups to make. 

E.      Assessments:  Using total earned points divided by total possible points will assess grades.  Extra credit can be earned by submitting information that reflects anything we have discussed in class.  I have found that this helps students become more aware of how the information we learn in class is really used in the “real world.”  We spend the first few minutes of class sharing extra credit information.  The teacher reserves the right to adjust the grade for behavior, attitude, and/or performance.  These characteristics will weigh more heavily than actual assignments and tests.

F.      Miscellaneous:  Students are responsible for the costs in the course.  These include but are not limited to food ingredients, sewing kits, and pillow materials.

Imagine you have just moved to new surroundings and are looking for a church.  A look in the yellow pages will leave you mind-boggled!  How did the band of early Christians at Pentecost evolve through the Apostolic Fathers, the Reformers and Henry VIII?  This course attempts to explain the evolution of Christians and helps provide better understand of the present denominational landscape.  (one semester/required junior or senior course)

A.     Materials:  Christian History Made Easy;  Timothy Jones, Rose Publishing, Torrance, CA

B.      Testing:  Tests are given at the end of each chapter or group of chapters.  Grades are averaged based mainly on test results, as daily assignments are for reinforcement of material.  Review sheets are given before almost every test and extra credit is available.

C.     Daily Work:  Points from daily work/assignments are averaged into the grade, just as test results are.  Daily work may or may not be collected, as it serves as a reinforcer for material covered in the chapter, and knowledge of the material will be assessed in the test.  Daily work/assignments may consist of assignments from the text, Internet work, and other miscellaneous assignments.

D.     Major Projects:  Students will be expected to research a Christian denomination, a cult, or other related area.  This research will result in a 3-page paper and a display/presentation for their classmates.

E.      Assessments:  Using total earned points divided by total possible points will assess grades.  Extra credit can be earned by submitting information that reflects anything we have discussed in class.  I have found that this helps students become more aware of how the information we learn in class is really used in the “real world.”  We spend the first few minutes of class sharing extra credit information.  The teacher reserves the right to adjust the grade for behavior, attitude, and/or performance.

F.      Miscellaneous:  It is the goal of the instructor to help students gain understanding, appreciation of how Christians of all denominations view, approach, and worship God.  This understanding is designed to deepen their understanding of their personal Christian commitment.  Therefore, time is given to visiting pastors, priests, and ministers, as well as taking one field trip to Sioux Falls for a “Tour of Churches.”