New Courses Coming to Dublin Schools Fueled by Growth

At the Dublin Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting last night a slate of new courses, primarily at the secondary level, were introduced as expanding enrollment supports more choice for students.

The proposed changes and additions include revising middle school math (including Algebra 1 and Geometry) for the Common Core standards (impacting grades 6-8) as well as adding the following courses at Dublin High School:

• Principals of Biomedical Science: meets UC / CSU “d” requirement. In this course, part of the Project Lead the Way Engineering and Design Academy, students investigate various health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, sickle-cell disease, hypercholesterolemia, and infectious diseases. Students will determine the factors that led to the death of a fictional person, and investigate lifestyle choices and medical treatments that might have prolonged the person’s life. The activities and projects introduce students to human physiology, medicine, and research processes. This course provides an overview of all the courses in the Biomedical Sciences program and lay the scientific foundation for subsequent courses. Future courses that may be proposed: Human Body Systems (year 2), Medical Interventions (year 3) and Biomedical Innovation (year 4).

• Intermediate Drawing and Painting: meets UC / CSU “e” requirement. This course is intended for students who have had significant instruction and practice in various 2-D drawing media. The class is designed to prepare students for the rigorous depends of the AP Art class and art school portfolio requirements. Students will be given diverse opportunities to further develop their skills in 2D media, including graphite, charcoal, ink, watercolor, and tempera paint. Students will draw and paint from observation both in class and on their own. They will also develop a critical vocabulary for defending and critiquing their artwork, and will be given opportunities to do so in class. Finally, they will prepare work for public display in gallery shows, contests, and their own portfolios.
• Introduction to Forensics: meets UC / CSU “d” requirement. This is a lab-based investigative course that teaches students the how and why of evidence collection. Forensic science is important in many careers from the legal system to the medical field. This course fits with both Dublin High School’s emerging Bio / Medical Pathway and its existing Criminal Justice course.
• Honors Human Anatomy and Physiology: UC / CSU approval pending. This course explores the systems comprising the human body by emphasizing physiological mechanisms and a thorough understanding of human anatomy. Physiology of body systems is covered in much more depth and the course moves at a faster pace than regular Human Anatomy and Physiology. The course will include literature review, research, and a substantial laboratory component, which includes fetal pig and cat dissection, in addition to several organ dissections. This course is recommended for those pursuing a career in the Health Science field.
• American Sign Language Level 1: Students will learn basic ASL communication. Course includes sign vocabulary, finger spelling, numbers, and expressive and receptive signing activities as well as a history of ASL, and becoming knowledgeable of aspects of Deaf Culture. ASL 1 is designed to give students a good basis for signed communication.
• AP Spanish Literature and Culture: This course is designed to introduce students to the formal study of a representative body of literature, written in Spanish, from Spain, Latin America and the United States. The course provides students with ongoing and varied opportunities to develop proficiency in Spanish across a full range of skills, with emphasis on critical reading and analytic writing. The course also encourages students to reflect on the many voices and cultures included in a rich and diverse body of literature written in Spanish.
• AP Chinese Language and Culture: The main objective for this course is to refine and further develop students’ abilities with spoken and written communication in Chinese. The course also expands what students know about Chinese culture and provides them with an introduction to Chinese literature.
• International Cuisine: meets UC / CSU “g” requirement. This course, which replaces Foods 3 + 4, is a comprehensive course on International Cookery. This courses provides the student with an explanation of the development of cuisines, as well as a historical background and recipes from the cookery of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and Latin America. The course also includes multiple research opportunities for students to explore cuisine of the world.
• Production Management 1: This course is intended for students aspiring to be musicians, sound designers, audio editors, mixing engineers, and other aspects of the production management industry. The course will incorporate Pro Tools Digi Design Software certification program 101 and 110. Students will learn software, be involved with school performances and editing, and also learn other aspects of managing a “house”.
• Walking for Fitness: fulfills the second year requirement for Physical Education. This course introduces students to the performance of fitness walking as a lifelong activity that maintains and enhances physical health and psychological well-being. This course provides the information that the student needs to understand, organize, plan, and implement a physical fitness program that features walking as a primary activity. The centerpiece of this course is a series of small group and individual walks of varying lengths that are conducted over various terrains.