Putnam High School

Business Staff:

Mrs. Amy Beth St. Martin                  stmartina@putnam.k12.ct.us

Techonology Staff:

Mr. Gerald Mailhot                                mailhotg@putnam.k12.ct.us

Courses Offered

Course: MICROSOFT OFFICE I                                Level: College Prep, ½ credit
Length: Semester                                                             Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None                                                         

Course Description: Microsoft Office I allows the students to develop skills for business and personal use through the use of the computer lab.  The students will learn the fundamentals of word processing with emphasis on proper technique and speed building.  Students will learn to prepare personal business letters, business letters, memorandums, reports and tables.  Additionally, students will be introduced to EXCEL, the numeric component of the Microsoft Office suite in this course. 

Course: MICROSOFT OFFICE II                                   Level: College Prep, ½ credit
Length: Semester                                                             Open to Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite:  Microsoft Office I

Course Description: Microsoft Office II allows the student to develop skills for business through the use of the computer lab.  Continued emphasis is placed on technique and building speed.  Students will prepare more complex documents; reports with endnotes or footnotes tables and complete a simulation using Microsoft Office software.  EXCEL will be integrated into assorted applications.  
                                                                                               

Course: ACCOUNTING I                                             Level: College Prep, 1 credit
Length: Full Year                                                            Open to Grades 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None                                                         


Course Description: Accounting I is designed to present the introductory concepts of double entry accounting and the accounting cycle as applied to service and merchandising businesses organized as single proprietorships and partnerships. Personal applications, efficient work habits, and increased knowledge of business terms are stressed.  Accounting 1 incorporates hands-on accounting simulations and automated accounting procedures. 

Course: ACCOUNTING II                                           Level: College Prep, 1 credit
Length: Full Year                                                            Open to Grades 11, 12
Prerequisites: Accounting I                                            

Course Description: Accounting II provides students with the opportunity to develop a practical working knowledge of accounting techniques and procedures as applied in business. Accounting 2 incorporates hands-on accounting simulations and automated accounting procedures into the course content. The purpose of this course is to prepare students for entry into a variety of office occupations which require a knowledge of accounting, to provide a foundation for future study, and to obtain additional knowledge for successful business management or ownership. 
 
Course: ACCOUNTING III                                          Level: College Prep, 1 credit
Length: Full Year                                                            Open to Grade: 12
Prerequisites: Accounting II

Course Description: Accounting II provides students with the opportunity to develop a practical working knowledge of accounting techniques and procedures as applied in business. The course incorporates methods used in corporate accounting using hands-on accounting simulations and automated accounting procedures. Students will be prepared for entry into a variety of occupations requiring an advanced knowledge of accounting or for study of accounting at the post-secondary level.

Course: BUSINESS LAW                                             Level: College Prep, ½ credit
Length: Semester                                                             Open to Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None. (Receives either Voc. Ed. Or Social Studies credit)

Course Description: Through an introduction to law and the legal system, comparison of criminal and civil law and contract law, students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary for
survival in our law saturated society. A day in Putnam Superior Court and Danielson Superior Court helps students focus on law in today’s world.

Course: MARKETING I                                               Level: College Prep, ½ credit
Length: Semester                                                             Open to Grades: 11, 12
Prerequisites: None

Course Description: Marketing I provides students with the opportunity to explore marketing practices and principles at the retail and industrial levels to give students an overview of the importance of marketing in the business world. Students will use the yearbook as a real life-marketing tool. By combining formal marketing education with practical experience, students will be prepared for employment in a related field or to further their studies at the post-secondary level.

Course: MARKETING II                                              Level: College Prep, ½ credit
Length: Semester                                                             Open to Grade: 12
Prerequisites: Marketing I

Course Description: Marketing II explores in greater depth marketing practices and principles at the retail and industrial levels to give students an understanding of the importance of marketing in the business world. Students will gain practical marketing experience in leadership positions on the yearbook staff.

Course: PERSONAL FINANCE                                 Level: College Prep, ½ credit
Length: Semester                                                             Open to Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Microsoft Office I
                     

Course Description: Personal Finance is designed to educate and make students aware of the economic life skills needed to survive in a global economy. The topics covered in the course include banking, taxes, money management, credit, risk, resource management, financial security, and consumer rights. Computer activities enhance some of the topics covered.

Course: ENTREPRENEURSHIP                                Level: College Prep, ½ credit

Length: Semester                                                             Open to Grades: 10,11, 12

Prerequisites: Microsoft Office I

Course Description: This course will introduce students to the requirements necessary to start up and run a business. Students will develop an understanding of the skills necessary for the profitable operation of an ongoing business; learn the components of a business plan and the basic types of organizations that exist in today’s economy. Students will learn about the ethical and social responsibilities that exist to own and run a business.

Course: WORKPLACE READINESS                        Level: College Prep, ½ credit

Length: Semester                                                             Open to Grades: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: Microsoft Office I

Course Description: This is a one-semester course that will give students the skills needed for exploring careers, resourcing employers, and the knowledge needed to gain employment. The students will learn how to prepare all documents necessary for employment. In addition, the topics of teamwork, ethics, diversity, technology, critical thinking skills, and life long learning.

will be covered. Using the Internet for securing employment, electronic resumes, and follow up will be presented.

Course: WEB DESIGN I                                               Level: College Prep, ½ credit

Length: Semester                                                             Open to Grades: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: None                                                         

Course Description: In this course, students will learn to use a variety of Web Design software used in design and or enhance a web page. Students will learn Dream Weaver and Fireworkers software applications. With each application, students will be expected to create their own web sites or use the software to enhance existing web sites. The objective of this course is to make students aware of existing software from basic to advanced applications.

Course: WEB DESIGN II                                             Level: College Prep, ½ credit

Length: Semester                                                             Open to Grades: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: Web Design 1                                           

Course Description: Students will learn how to use Flash in Web Design. The course will focus on including both audio and video applications as they relate to Web Design. Advanced features of Flash will also be covered. Macromedia Freehand will also be considered in this course.

Course: COMMUNICATION & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 1
Level:College Prep/Honors, ½ credit
Length: Semester                                                             Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None                                                         

Course Description: Students will learn the various methods of communication and the progression of technology as it relates to current applications. Methods of communication will
include audio, visual and electronic applications. Students will also learn the proper use and maintenance of equipment in each of these specific areas. Focus will be on taking black and white pictures, developing film and creating prints. Students will also learn how to use digital
cameras. 





Course: COMMUNICATION & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 2
Level: College Prep/Honors, ½ credit
Length: Semester                                                             Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None                                                         

Course Description: Students will learn the various methods of communication and the progression of technology as it relates to current applications. Emphasis will be on digital camera techniques. Students will also learn the proper use and maintenance of equipment in each of these specific areas.  Students will explore Graphic Communication and Desktop publishing and other forms of printed communication.  Using various graphic software’s, such as Adobe, Pinacle and Macromedia, students develop posters, business cards, screening applications, heat transfer methodologies, tape recording, and video projects. 



Course: Robotics                                                             Level: College Prep, ½ credit
Length:  Semester                                                            Open to grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None

Course Description: This course will give students the opportunity to design, build and program small, mobile robots, both autonomous and radio controlled, using Lego pieces, tiny onboard computer, Robolab software and a variety of sensors and actuators. Vex robotic systems may be substituted.  The course will use a hands-on approach and problem-solving approach so that students may also explore related fundamental concepts such as computer science, programming, mechanics, electronics, principles of engineering and career exploration. Other disciplines engaged in this class will include creative design activities, teamwork, and problem solving. Students should also develop an understanding of how robotics is utilized today and what the future holds for emerging technology and security. 

Course: MANUFACTURING                                      Level: College Prep, 1 credit
Length: Full Year                                                            Open to grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None

Course Description: This course will introduce students to the necessary requirements to develop, manage, and manufacture a product using production methods. The safe and competent use of machines will be taught.  Woodworking, metal cutting and welding techniques will be taught by students producing manufactured goods. As a whole, manufacturing is a means that will be taught emphasizing inputs, processes, and outputs throughout product development. Secondary processes will use material processing systems to change industrial materials into usable products. Processes include forming, separating, conditioning, assembly, and finishing. CNC control/reverse engineering/computer design/mass production sequencing/quality control/systems model/social economic, and cultural impacts facing society. Building of design prototypes will use CAD software. Students will form a corporate organization with job titles and descriptions so as to develop career awareness. This course will manufacture and produce a product by means of reverse engineering with the use of manufacturing processes. Manufacturing processes will include computer designing with 2D drafting; wire frame solids, fabrication, forming assembling, robotics, and finishing procedures. Throughout the procedures and stages of production development, students will perform quality control monitoring. Safety lab practices will be thoroughly taught and documented prior to equipment operation. 

Course: CONSTRUCTION                                          Level: College Prep, ½ credit
Length:  Semester                                                            Open to grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None

Course Description: This course offers an in-depth study of the construction fields. Students will learn to interpret, organize, and investigate current technologies in construction, such as print reading, tool usage and personal and machine safety. Students will work in small teams to construct a ½ scale model shed.  This large scale provides students with the skills they need to enter the construction industry in many different occupations or as homeowners.  These shed models will be built to residential building codes and will include windows, doors, vinyl siding and architectural roof shingles.  Carpentry, cabinet making, site planning, civil and structural engineering concepts, residential and commercial building information, and applications will be studied. 
 
Course: COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN 1                  Level: College Prep/Honors, 1 credit        
Length: Full Year                                                            Open to grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None

Course Description: This course focuses on fundamental design and drawing skills using the computer.  Solid works and Chief Architect, (industry recognized design software) are used. Students design, test, assemble and draw products.  The software allows students to test and engineer their design using state of the art virtual testing this includes wind tunnels, and stress tests.  Students will then virtually assemble their design for continued testing, drawing and possibly build their design. Students will design and build house plans using Chief Architect software.  This software allows for quick design and editing of realistic houses and buildings drawings.  Various assigned two dimensional drawings will incorporate the following:  introduction to point entry, shapes and figures, computer drafting tools, along with mechanical design concepts that lead toward three dimensional, isometric and perspective modeling.  Various assigned two dimensional drawings will incorporate the following: introduction to point entry, shapes and figures, computer drafting tools, along with mechanical design concepts that lead toward three dimensional, isometric and perspective modeling. Material studied will then lead into auxiliary and revolution drawings. Various types of sectional view drawings will follow requiring a solid fundamental base of mechanical design. Career opportunities will be explored relating to design occupations. 

Course:  COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN 2                 Level: College Prep/Honors, 1 credit
Length: Full Year                                                            Open to Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Computer Aided Design 1

Course Description:  The study of computer aided design and drafting continues with an in-depth exploration of computer applications used for drafting.  Students will continue to develop their skills and knowledge of architectural and mechanical drawings.  Then using an independent study approach, students will solve problems of increasing degrees of difficulty requiring the use of theories and knowledge of design concepts covered in previous courses.  Students who elect to work primarily with mechanical drawings will be required to produce assembly drawings.  Students who elect to work primarily with architectural design will produce complete sets of floor plans and may also build accompanying scale model renditions of their plans. 

Course:  VIDEO PRODUCTION 1                             Level:  College Prep/Honors, ½ credit
Length:  Semester                                                            Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites:  None

Course Description:  This course will introduce students to the many aspects of video production.  Students will learn basic skills such as storyboarding/pre-production, taping, and editing/post-production.  Throughout the course, students will be exposed to proper technique not only in relation to taping, but also with regard to sound and lighting.  Students will be evaluated based upon sample videos relating to such themes as documentaries, advertisements, entertainment, and video journalism. 

Course:  VIDEO PRODUCTION 2                             Level:  College Prep/Honors, ½ credit
Length:  Semester                                                            Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites:  None

Course Description:  Video Production 2 will include studio presentation and learn how to use studio equipment.  Students will learn to use professional video cameras, lighting, teleprompter, and graphic generator.  Students will produce videos that will be broadcast as morning announcements, cable public access and live video for cable public access.