Electives, Options, and more

This class is only open to juniors and seniors who are intending on graduating with distinction in Tzedek. The course focuses on broad real-world issues of justice - poverty and hunger, homelessness, equality, refugees and immigration, and the environment. We study both the historical and modern-day issues as well as Judaism's perspective on our role as Jews to address these issues. After learning about each topic in a broader context, each student will choose a specific issue to focus on for their final project. In addition to gathering information to present, the students will complete two actions for their project, which can include volunteering, creating an event related to their project, organizing a fundraising event, or raising awareness for their subject. This class is a requirement for the students who wish to graduate with distinction in Tzedek.

Students will learn about mitzvot, halakha, and philosophy to fine-tune our understanding about the "why" of our religion. 

Students will learn about major life cycle events according to Jewish teachings.  The events include birth, circumcision, naming of a child, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, marriage, and death.  This class is being repeated second semester.

• You say you want a revolution?  Where would we be if not for the accomplishments, upheavals, and general spirit of the 1960s? Are we better off or not?  This class is being repeated second semester.

• Open to any student who has taken Entrepreneurship for nonprofits or for profits.

This class counts towards Distinction in Tzedek.  Environmental ethics is the study of ethical relationships between human beings and the natural environment. There are typically four types of philosophical perspectives in environmental ethics, which are technocentrism, anthropocentrism, biocentrism, and ecocentrism. Technocentrism and anthropocentrism are based on the values centered on technology and humans while biocentrism and ecocentrism are based on the values centered on ecology.  We will be researching and discussing some of the following questions from a political, environmental, and economic perspective: Should humans continue to clear cut forests for the sake of human consumption?  Why should humans continue to propagate their species, and life itself?  Should humans continue to make gasoline-powered vehicles?  What environmental obligations do humans need to keep for future generations?  Is it right for humans to knowingly cause the extinction of a species for the convenience of humanity?  What is the role of the EPA?  Is recycling economically viable?  What happens to our trash?  Fossil Fuels vs Renewable Energy?

How important are elections and voting in a representative democracy?  A study of the 2020 Presidential, Senate, and House of Representatives elections.  This course will include an in-depth study of the Colorado state and local elections.  We will look back and analyze the elections of the 21st century as the foundation for our current elections.  We will study the roles and organizations of the two major parties, the electoral college, critical issues, the role of money, and the media. (This course will not be offered again until the 2024 Election)

• Comic books can and should be taken seriously as legitimate forms of literature. In this course, we will be reading several celebrated graphic novels such as Watchmen, V for Vendetta, Maus: A Survivor’s Tale, and Pride of Baghdad.  Along with analyzing the basic elements of the story, we will discuss artwork, lettering, and how comic pages are presented. 

• In this course, we will work on cases from the Colorado Bar Association’s annual high school mock trial tournament.  Success at (mock) trial comes down to two things: the art of storytelling within the formal structures of a courtroom and persuasiveness in legal arguments about the admissibility of evidence.  We will work to develop both skills through guided practice and demonstrations, and the examination and application of the intricate Rules of Evidence.  Throughout the semester, we will consider the question of how to assess the reliability of evidence and what role judges should play in restricting the evidence that juries can consider.

This course will focus on some classic short stories, modern short stories, "crime scene stories, and some tv shows in order to teach students about the elements, vocabulary, plotlines, and development of a story.  We would host a murder mystery party, and write our own mysteries.

This course is a survey of American Jewish history from 1654 - modern-day, with a particular focus on social movements that American Jews have participated in. At the end of each unit we use the National Museum of American Jewish History's Open Book Lessons to focus on specific moments in the history of American Jews. These lessons utilize primary sources to engage the reader into a deeper understanding of the material. At the end of the semester students will choose a social movement in American history to create their own Open Book Lesson, using primary sources. This class counts towards Distinction in Tzedek.

This course will be a continuation of further understanding particular mitzvot, halakha, and philosophy to fine-tune our understanding of the "why" of our religion.

• Students will learn about major life cycle events according to Jewish teachings.  The events include birth, circumcision, naming of a child, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, marriage, and death. 
  
  ***This class is the same as first semester and cannot be taken twice.

• You say you want a revolution?  Where would we be if not for the accomplishments, upheavals, and general spirit of the 1960s? Are we better off or not? 
  
  ***This class is the same as first semester and cannot be taken twice.

• Everything you need to know in your financial or business life but are afraid to ask.  Topics will include how to use spreadsheets at a higher level, how to craft a resume, and personal and business financial management.  

This class counts towards Distinction in Tzedek.  Environmental ethics is the study of ethical relationships between human beings and the natural environment. There are typically four types of philosophical perspectives in environmental ethics, which are technocentrism, anthropocentrism, biocentrism, and ecocentrism. Technocentrism and anthropocentrism are based on the values centered on technology and humans while biocentrism and ecocentrism are based on the values centered on ecology.  We will be researching and discussing some of the following questions from a political, environmental, and economic perspective: Should humans continue to clear cut forests for the sake of human consumption?  Why should humans continue to propagate their species, and life itself?  Should humans continue to make gasoline-powered vehicles?  What environmental obligations do humans need to keep for future generations?  Is it right for humans to knowingly cause the extinction of a species for the convenience of humanity?  What is the role of the EPA?  Is recycling economically viable?  What happens to our trash?  Fossil Fuels vs Renewable Energy?

• What are the key elements, leaders, technology, decisions, planning, and strategies that lead to winning or losing a military battle?  This course will include an in-depth study of some of the most significant battles in military history.  We will study critical battles from the Civil War, World War II, and the Korean War, including Gettysburg, Stalingrad, D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge, Midway, and the Chosin Reservoir.  

• What makes a movie culturally important? In this option, we will explore this question in great detail by viewing movies that make significant statements about human nature and culture. We will study various genres like horror, thriller, action, and science fiction.

In Legal Reasoning II, students will prepare for a moot court hearing (a simulated appellate argument).  Students will learn how the appellate process works and the role that appellate judges (including Supreme Court justices) play in “saying what the law is.”  We will look at some famous cases where the meaning or application of a law was contested and discuss how judges go about resolving the ambiguity.  In particular, we will discuss theories of constitutional interpretation, such as the question of whether the “original meaning” of a constitutional provision should determine its application today. 

In this course, we will read, perform, see performances of, and create interesting representations of several plays.  We will have a Shakespeare birthday party on April 23, and learn about the custom of the time: fencing, dancing, quill making, and writing.  We would write sonnets, and illuminate them.  We will meet Shakespearean actors and designers (costume, set, sound, lights).