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Ms. Baumfalk, Mr. Kruse, Ms. Nelson-Loupee –

Principles of Accounting

Code:  2509-2510

Credit:  1 credit

Elective/Required:  Elective 10-12                           

Prerequisite:  None

Course Description: Principles of Accounting is for students who wish to begin a study in the field of accounting:  to pursue a profession in the accounting field, to work as an accounting clerk, or to gain more knowledge for personal accounting.  The accounting cycle is taught for three different business settings:  proprietorship, partnership, and corporation.  Some work will also be done with the computer. 

Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class: Students must have average or above average grades, be neat and accurate in their work, like to work with numbers, and have good problem-solving skills.

Learning Goals:  The student will be able to:

  1. Analyze business transactions.

  2. Post from journals to ledger.

  3. Prepare a worksheet.

  4. Make adjusting and closing entries.

Careers related to content

Accounting clerk, bookkeeper, junior accountant, general office workers, accountant, etc., and any jobs of a financial nature in sales, marketing, retail, etc.

Business Law

Code: 2513

Credit: ½ credit

Elective/Required: Elective 10-12

Prerequisite: None

Course Description: A general understanding of how the law affects us as citizens, workers, and consumers.  Students will find the content of this course interesting, practical, and relevant to today’s business practices. Topics include: Criminal vs. civil law, contract law, property law, employment law, and consumer protection law.

Skills needed to be successful in the class: Students must be able to read, write, and express opinions and ideas clearly and concisely; must be willing to work independently and with others.

Learning Goals: The student will be able to:

  1. Understand their basic legal rights and responsibilities and apply them to their lives.

  2. Understand how the legal system functions.

  3. Understand the legal implications of a variety of business transactions.

  4. Possess a working vocabulary of the most frequently used legal terms.

Careers Related to Content

Business Law is related to careers such as law enforcement, court reporting, legal assistants, legal secretaries, lawyers, clerks of court, FBI agents, judges, insurance claims adjusters, title searchers and examiners, business owners, and any career associated with business administration.

Career Strategies

Code: 2527

Credit: ½ Credit 

Elective/Required:  Elective 11-12

Prerequisite:  None.  Not intended for students who have taken Career Development.

Course Description:  Career Strategies is a class that is designed to help you make the transition from high school to retirement. Whether you go to a university, community college, technical school, military, or straight to the jobsite, this class has valuable information for you. You will take  interest tests and evaluate the information to help you make positive decisions now that will impact the future. You will be utilizing the decision making process to guide you through the steps to finding a career you love.

Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class:  Be able to:

  • Read, write, and express opinions and ideas verbally, visually, and in writing. 

  • Use basic mathematics. 

  • Use basic computer skills. 

  • Maintain excellent attendance. 

  • Be motivated to work independently and cooperatively. 

  • Have a willingness to learn. 

  • Demonstrate maturity.

Learning Goals: The student will be able to: 

  1. Create a well thought out vision board.

  2. Identify personal skills, interests, and abilities. 

  3. Explore the current labor market and examine how the economy affects career choices. 

  4. Develop the steps necessary for getting a job. 

  5. Create short term, intermediate and long term goals. 

  6. Analyze positive, effective employment qualities and characteristics. 

  7. Describe advantages and disadvantages of working for yourself and working for others. 

  8. Create a clear well thought out vision from High School through Retirement.  

Careers Related to Content 

All careers. 

Computer Systems and Applications

Code: 2517

Credit: ½ credit

Elective/Required: Elective 10-12

Prerequisite:  None

Course Description: Students considering careers in information technology will use multiple learning formats, including Simulations, to acquire foundational concepts, knowledge and skills. This course is designed to prepare you to pass the TestOut PC Pro and CompTIA A+ certifications. The TestOut PC Pro certification is the first exam of the TestOut Pro certifications. This certification measures not just what you know, but what you can do. It measures your ability to install, manage, repair, and troubleshoot PC hardware and Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems.

Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class: Proficient reading ability, strong self-motivation, ability to work independently at all times and time management skills. This is a SELF-paced course with instructor guidance and support. 

Learning Goals: The student will be able to:

  1. Set up a new computer.

  2. Identify system requirements when purchasing a new computer.

  3. Understand the technology and specifications used to describe computer components.

  4. Make informed choices about which device characteristics are required for your situation.

  5. Install or upgrade the operating system.

  6. Manage external devices.

Careers Related to Content

In today’s world, most jobs utilize computers in some capacity.  Jobs in management, customer service, payroll, engineering, and billing are just a few.

Business Communication and Application (previously Technology Applications I)

Code: 2610

Credit: ½ Credit 

Elective/Required:  Elective 9-12

Prerequisite:  None.  This course is highly recommended for all students.  

Course Description:  Empower students to understand the importance of appropriate business communication. This course will teach you how to effectively use and create a variety of business communication tools including Microsoft Word and Excel. This course will give you the abilities to manage your communication process to more effective and productive in the world of business through written and verbal form.   

Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class:  Students must possess the ability to follow oral and written directions.

Learning Goals: The student will be able to:

  1. Key and format business documents.

  2. Apply proofreading and editing skills.

  3. Input data at an acceptable rate of speed with acceptable accuracy.

  4. Perform Internet searches efficiently.

  5. Utilize electronic communication effectively and responsibly.

  6. Use Microsoft Excel to create charts to display spreadsheet data.

  7. Utilize Microsoft Word document-editing and formatting tools.

  8. Insert images into your documents and presentations.

  9. Share documents securely.

  10. Demonstrate appropriate business communication both verbally and in written form.  

Careers Related to Content

In today’s society, the computer is an integral part of all sectors of the workforce, and virtually every career requires a working knowledge of technology applications and appropriate business communication.

Microsoft Office for Business

Code: 2611

Credit: ½ credit 

Elective/Required: Elective 9-12

Prerequisite: None

Course Description: This course is recommended for students who wish to learn the more advanced features of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.  Students will use the Microsoft IT Academy curriculum which will prepare them to take the MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) certification exams.  Students may retake the certification exams as many times as they need to.  Microsoft Certification is the IT industry’s most respected validation of skills. Technology is everywhere and there is a need to provide students the appropriate business productivity and technology skills necessary in everyday life. MOS certification looks impressive on a job application, and the skills obtained will also be valuable to students in college.

Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class: Students must be able to follow oral and written directions in addition to solving problems and being self-directed learners.

Learning Goals: The student will be able to:

  1. Be able to utilize the features of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

  2. Pass the certification exams for Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

  3. Apply proofreading and editing skills.

  4. Become a self-directed learner producing quality work using critical thinking skills.

Careers Related to Content

In today’s society, the computer is an integral part of all sectors of the workforce, and virtually every career requires a working knowledge of productivity software.

Computer Network and Repair I

Code: 5045

Credit: ½ credit

Elective/Required: Elective 10-12

Prerequisite: Successful completion of PC Pro online modules

Course Description: The TestOut IT Fundamentals Pro course was designed for students who are interested in Information Technology but have limited technical knowledge of computing systems. Students learn foundational concepts related to computer hardware and software, networking, databases, programming, Information Systems, and data security. In addition to instructional videos and textual content, the course includes over 100 hands-on labs/simulations to reinforce the concepts students are learning. It covers all objectives necessary to pass the TestOut IT Fundamentals Pro exam as well as the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (FC0-U61) exam.

Skills Needed to be successful in the Class: Proficient reading ability, strong self-motivation, ability to work independently at all times and time management skills. This is a SELF-paced course with instructor guidance and support.

Learning Goals: The student will be able to:

  1. Define Information Technology, Information Systems, and Computer Science.

  2. Explain the purpose of other types of system software, such as the BIOS, device drivers, and utility software.

  3. Describe standard networking devices, interfaces, and protocols.

  4. Compare and contrast different types of programming languages and paradigms.

  5. Describe common threats to data confidentiality, data integrity and availability.

Careers Related to Content

Occupational areas include computer consultant, computer technician, computer programmer, systems analyst, business and office support

Computer Network and Repair II

Code: 5050

Credit: ½ credit

Elective/Required: Elective 10-12

Prerequisite: successful complete of Computer and Repair Network I

Course Description: The TestOut Security Pro Certification exam measures not just what you know, but what you can do. This exam measures your ability to implement processes to protect an organization’s assets against danger, damage, loss, and criminal activity. Prepares you for the Successful completion of PC Pro and IT Fundamentals Pro online modules. In addition to TestOut’s Network Pro exam, this course also prepares you for the CompTIA Network+ certification exam. The Network+ is a vendor-neutral certification. This means it covers mostly generic IT concepts. It is not focused on one particular vendor’s hardware or software. The Network+ certification exam tests more on what is known and less on what a person can do. TestOut’s Network Pro exam fills in the gaps. It expects you to know about computer networking and show what you can do with computer networking.

Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class: Proficient reading ability, strong self-motivation, ability to work independently at all times and time management skills. This is a SELF-paced course with instructor guidance and support. 

Learning Goals: The student will be able to:

  1. Configure Windows Defender protections to secure a network from malware.

  2. Secure environmental systems.

  3. Configure a VPN.

  4. Recognize internal and external attacks.

  5. Select and install components to connect to a network.

  6. Select and install appropriate networking hardware.

  7. Configure IP addresses.

Careers Related to Content

Occupational areas include computer consultant, computer technician, computer programmer, systems analyst, business and office support

Computer Network and Repair III

Code: 

Credit: 1⁄2 credit

Elective/Required: Elective 10-12

Prerequisite: Successful completion of PC Pro, IT Fundamentals Pro, Network Pro and Security Pro online modules

 Course Description: This course is designed to prepare you to pass the TestOut Routing and Switching Pro and the Cisco CCNA 200-301 certifications. This course is designed for anyone interested in managing and deploying Cisco products in a business environment.

 Learning Goals: The student will be able to:

  1. Use the Command Line Interface (CLI) .

  2. Configure route summarization. 

  3. Configure a DHCP server.

  4. Explore TCP/IP communications.

  5. Configure passive interfaces and default routes.

Careers Related to Content

Occupational areas include computer consultant, computer technician, computer programmer, systems analyst, business and office support

Entrepreneurship I

Code: 2604-2605

Credit: 1 credit

Elective/Required: Elective 9-12

Prerequisite: Successful completion of a business course that covers finance, management, communications or operations.  (Financial Literacy, Principles of Business, Accounting, Business Law, etc.) 

Course Description: A year long course that dives into the nuts and bolts of owning your own business by exploring the fundamentals of starting your own business.  This course is designed to provide students with hands on learning opportunities within the high school and local businesses.  Students may work with different clients to help facilitate their business.  Students will collaborate with each other to effectively run all aspects of the business including finance, design, management, communications, and operations.  Entrepreneurship is designed to be an extension of student’s prior learning from other business courses to enhance individual talent and provide new learning opportunities.

Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class: The student must have basic computer comfort and knowledge, and must possess key work skills such as willingness to learn, communication, problem solving and independent work and teamwork skills.

Learning Goals: The student will be able to:

  1. Understand fundamental factors about entrepreneurship to recognize its role and importance in the economy.

  2. Employ entrepreneurial discovery strategies to generate feasible ideas for business ventures.

  3. Develop concept for new business venture to evaluate its success potential.

  4. Determine needed resources for a new business venture to contribute to its start-up viability.

  5. Actualize new business venture to generate profit and/or meet objectives.

  6. Select harvesting strategies to identify entrepreneur’s role in the business venture.

Careers Related to Content

Business consultant, Sales, Research and development, Not-for-profit fundraiser, teacher, recruiter, business reporter

Entrepreneurship II

Code: 2612/2613

Credit: 1 credit

Elective/Required: Elective   

Prerequisite:  Junior or Senior status

Course Description: Students build on the business concepts they have in Entrepreneurship I. Students continue to explore the different functions of business, while refining their technology and communication skills in speaking, writing, networking, negotiating, and listening. The purpose of this course is to prepare students to launch a small business venture with real-world application and project-based learning.  Entrepreneurship II will cover the following topics:

  • Types of Businesses

  • Types of Business Ownership

  • Entrepreneurship Basics

  • Financing

  • Marketing

  • Business Law

  • Business Plan

  • Sales

This class will be completing the CITY COLLABORATIVE PROJECT.  This project is a truly immersive experience for the class.  Creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration is key to the success of this project. Grading will be project-based with little to no formal tests.  Therefore, it is important to exhibit mastery of concept  in all aspects of this project to show understanding and mastery.  

In addition to project-based learning, students will have the opportunity to listen to local business owners who are willing to share their experience and advice as entrepreneurs. Students are encouraged to reach out to Marshalltown business owners if there is an industry of interest that they wish to explore.  The instructor can also assist with reaching out and making connections between students and business owners. 

Skills Needed to  be Successful in the Class:  A sincere interest in establishing a connection between education and employment.  The ability and willingness to read, write, listen, speak and acquire appropriate information.

Learning Goals: The students will be able to: 

  1. Identify daily operational procedures within the local businesses.

  2. Demonstrate workplace readiness skills and behaviors essential for workplace success.

  3. Exemplify networking and communication skills appropriate for employment.

Careers related to content

All career clusters 

Fundamentals of Cybersecurity

Code: 4499/4500

Credit: 1 credit

Elective/Required: Elective  

Prerequisite: None

Course Description: Fundamentals of Cybersecurity is the first online blended K12 cybersecurity course. This year-long version is designed for students with some exposure to computer science, but there are no specific course prerequisites. Students will learn foundational cybersecurity topics including networking fundamentals, software security, system administration and the basics of cryptography and programming, all through the CodeHS web-based platform. The entirely web-based curriculum is made up of a series of learning modules that cover the fundamentals of cybersecurity. Each module is made up of short video tutorials, example programs, quizzes, simulations, programming exercises, and free response prompts. This is not a coding intensive course, but students will learn basic SQL and JavaScript, and will utilize basic HTML and JavaScript within specific contexts while being provided with support within those contexts.Students modify and run programs in the browser using the CodeHS online editor.

Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class:

Learning Goals – The student will be able to:

  1. Modify text-based programs in HTML, JavaScript, SQL and simulate shell commands.

  2. Participate in simulated cyber attacks on safe sites in order to learn how to mitigate cyber attacks.

  3. Document their processes and discuss best practices for preventing cyber attacks.

Careers Related to  Content

All Careers

Game Design in Unity

Code: 4498

Credit: 1/2  

Elective/Required: Elective  

Prerequisite: None

Course Description: The Game Design in Unity course teaches the fundamentals of designing a game using the most widely accessed and preferred editing engine in the world. The intent of this course is to prepare high school students with the industry related skills needed for the workplace and higher learning environments. By the end of this course, they will understand the design planning process, be knowledgeable of industry related careers, and be able to navigate the Unity environment in order to create 3D games.

Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class:

Learning Goals – The student will be able to:

  1. Illustrate comprehension of game design skills using the CodeHS platform.

  2. Apply their knowledge using the Unity game engine.

  3. Create their games and configure scripts in the Unity game engine.

Careers Related to  Content

All Careers

Marketing I (Advertising & Promotions)

Code: 2503

Credit: ½ credit

Elective/Required: Elective 10-12

Prerequisite: None

Course Description: Marketing is the process of developing, pricing, promoting, and distributing products to satisfy customers’ needs and wants. Marketing begins with a study of the seven functions of marketing and proceeds to address economics of marketing, promotion, market research, and product planning. The other P’s of marketing are covered in the companion course Marketing II.

Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class: Students must be able to read, write and express opinions and ideas verbally, visually, and in writing. Students must be able to do basic math computation and have basic computer skills that include the ability to use the Internet and create PowerPoint presentations.

Learning Goals: The student will be able to:

  1. Define marketing as it is used today and identify  marketing occupations and opportunities.

  2. State the importance of the marketing concept and describe how marketing research aids in customer orientation.

  3. List and define the four P’s of the marketing mix and develop an understanding of how they contribute to the success in the marketplace.

  4. Identify trends and issues that affect the current business environment.

Career Related to Content

Over 1/3 of all Americans are employed in marketing-related positions. Thus, the number of possible marketing careers is enormous and the opportunities are open for all academic areas.

Marketing II (Sales & Distribution)

Code: 2502

Credit: ½ credit

Elective/Required: Elective 10-12

Prerequisite: None

Course Description: Marketing II is a course in which the student will learn the basics of sales, buying and distributing, pricing, entrepreneurship, and human resources. The emphasis is learning to become successful salespeople and business professionals.

Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class: Students must be able to read, write, and express opinions and ideas verbally, visually, and in writing. Students must be able to do basic math computation and have basic computer skills that include the ability to use the Internet and create PowerPoint presentations.

Learning Goals: The student will be able to:

  1. Develop awareness of how and why people buy and sell goods/services.

  2. Understand the different types of distribution methods.

  3. Set appropriate prices for specific goods and services.

  4. Be familiar with entrepreneurship.

  5. Understand the importance of human resource.

Career Related to Content

Over 1/3 of all Americans are employed in marketing-related positions. Thus, the number of possible marketing careers is enormous and the opportunities are open for all academic areas.

Principles of Business

Code: 2535

Credit: ½ credit

Elective/Required: Elective 9-12

Prerequisite: None

Course Description: Principles of Business will introduce students to the exciting and challenging world of business.  This course will serve as a background for other business courses a student may take in high school and in college as well as preparing students for future employment or business ownership.

Skills needed to be successful in the class: Students must be able to read, write, and express opinions and ideas verbally, visually, and in writing.

Learning Goals: The student will be able to:

  1. Describe the effect the economy has on businesses on a national and global level.

  2. Propose a new product or business idea for an entrepreneur.

  3. Breakdown the different styles of management.

  4. Determine the different types of risk involved in business.

  5. Analyze the role of producers in the economy and the forms of production.

Careers Related to Content

Principles of Business is general course valuable for anyone interested in working at a business of any kind in any role.

Social Media Marketing

Code: 2499

Credit: ½ credit

Elective/Required: Elective

Prerequisite: None

Course Description: If you thought social media platforms were just a place to keep track of friends and share personal photos, this course will show you how to use these resources in much more powerful ways. Learn the ins and outs of such social media platforms as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and more and how to use them for your benefit personally, academically, and, eventually, professionally. Whether we are unaware or do so consciously, whenever we use social media we are creating and broadcasting a personal brand by the way we represent ourselves when looking for jobs or communicating with colleagues and clients. Look at the significant role social media now plays in marketing and at how popular brands leverage these platforms to gain exposure; to promote their products, services, and brand values; to attract new customers; and to retain their existing ones.

Skills needed to be successful in the class: Students must be able to read, write, and express opinions and ideas verbally, visually, and in writing. Students must have basic computer skills that include the ability to use the Internet and a variety of online digital applications. 

Learning Goals: The student will be able to:

  1. Use social media to communicate with a business’s stakeholders.

  2. Foster positive relationships with customers to enhance company image.

  3. Reinforce the company’s image to exhibit the company’s brand promise.

  4. Develop personal traits to foster career advancement.

  5. Use communication skills to influence others.

  6. Understand marketing’s role and function in business to facilitate economic exchanges with customers.

Careers related to content

Advertising, graphic design, marketing, entrepreneurship, public relations, sales, human resources, and many other business related jobs.

Sports & Entertainment Marketing

Code:  2529

Credit:  ½ credit

Elective/Required:  Elective 11-12

Prerequisite:  None

Course Description: Sports and Entertainment Marketing is a class that will utilize the sports and entertainment industries to explore marketing in a more specific manner.  The basic principles of marketing will be reviewed and then explored in more depth as they relate directly to the marketing of sports and entertainment events.

Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class: Students must be able to read, write and express opinions and ideas verbally, visually, and in writing.  Students must have basic computer skills that include ability to use the Internet and to create PowerPoint presentations.

Learning Goals:  The student will be able to:

  1. Differentiate between sports, entertainment and recreation marketing. 

  2. Explain the marketing mix for recreation, travel and tourism.

  3. Identify sports and entertainment marketing strategies.

Careers Related to Content

Sports and entertainment marketer, agent, and promoter.

Web Design

Code: 2017

Credit: ½ credit

Elective/Required: 10-12

Prerequisite: 

Course description: The CodeHS Web Design course is a project-based course that teaches students how to build their own web pages. Students will learn the languages HTML and CSS, and will create their own live homepages to serve as portfolios of their creations. By the end of this course, students will be able to explain how web pages are developed and viewed on the Internet, analyze and fix errors in existing websites, and create their very own multi-page websites.

Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class:

Learning Goals: The student will be able to:

  1. Learn the languages HTML and CSS.

  2. Create their own live homepages.

  3. Explain how web pages are developed and viewed on the Internet.

  4. Analyze and fix errors in existing websites.