Great Falls High School

Other Programs and Electives

Intro to Journalism (elective)

Length of Class: Year
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
Students must have an interest in media (print, social and web-based media), publishing and composition. They must possess proficient computer skills such as keyboarding and word processing. Self-motivation, good time management abilities and a positive work ethic and attitude are characteristics of candidates for this introduction to journalism course. Student will be accountable for building a portfolio of their work for evaluation.
This course surveys all of the elements comprising the journalism and publishing process:

• Copy writing and editing and journalistic style
• Various genres, including sports, feature, news, opinion
• Reporting basics, including interviewing, notetaking, quotations and attribution
• Basic digital photography
• Graphic design and layout
• Desktop publishing emphasizing InDesign, and Photoshop software
• Convergent on-line media
• Advertising sales
• Exposure to the work of professional journalists, photographers and designers
• Leadership and team work strategies Students will account for their work by learning to build an e- portfolio. Students will have homework, quizzes and a written semester final. During the second semester, students will be given actual assignments that will appear in one or more of the GFHS publications.

​Yearbook Workshop (elective)

Length of Class: Year
Prerequisite:  Intro to Journalism &/or instructor permission 2.5 GPA recommended
Grade Level(s): 10, 11, 12 (9 w/permission from instructor)
This course may be taken for one or two periods per day; each hour is 0.50 credit per semester.
Students must have an interest in convergent media (print, social and web-based media), digital technology, current
events, publishing and the composition processes and public relations and/or business practices. This workshop places students in individual staff positions with outlined job responsibilities based upon student applications. Editors and staff must meet, with no hesitation, the plant deadlines set by the professional yearbook company. This results in the mandatory distribution of the “Roundup” in May. Students must demonstrate self-motivation, completing specific job tasks independently or within a group dynamic. They must understand the time commitment in that before and after school time is mandatory. Staff members must show an ability to articulate ideas and problem-solve. It is highly recommended that editors schedule into two sequential periods. Staff members demonstrate these characteristics: observance of details, sincerity, the ability to critically listen and then, articulate concepts, integrity, leadership, reliability, truthfulness, honesty, diversity and dedication to the objective of publishing the yearbook in a financially sound, responsible and ethical manner.

Psychology 100X-Dual Credit (elective)

Length of Class: Year
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level(s): 11, 12
This course is an introduction to the nature and scope of the field of psychology and their applications to everyday life. Topics include: history and perspectives of psychology, the brain, sensation, perception, consciousness, development, learning, social psychology, memory, thinking, intelligence, motivation, emotion, personality, psychological disorders and treatment, stress, health, and positive psychology. Class will include discussion, notes, projects, open-note quizzes, and a final test. As a dual-credit course, students cannot be exempted from the final test.

Vocabulary (elective)

Length of Class: Semester - Year
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level(s):  11, 12
Vocabulary development helps students expand their word base, prepare for SAT/ACT verbal tests, and create a framework for developing vocabulary in years to come. The course examines root stems, prefixes, suffixes, etymologies, frequently-used foreign words, idioms, and derivatives. Topical reading, serendipitous verbal gifts gleaned from daily events, and interesting word histories complement fixed lists of words to master. Vocabulary Development is not a memorization factory (although memory does help), but rather a means to understanding the underlying systems of words and their meanings. Students who are taking the class for the first time have preference if class fills.

Exceptionalities (elective)

Length of Class: Semester - Year
Prerequisite: Mandatory, written approval by teachers
Grade Level(s): 11, 12
Students will receive instruction in techniques of working with and learning about students in the high school with disabilities. Students are expected to attend regularly, be advocates for the students, maintain appropriate interactions, model good behavior and social skills, and complete required assignments.

Transition (elective)

Length of Class: Semester -Year
Prerequisite: placement by referral only
Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
This class is designed to aide 9th through 12th graders in finding a pathway to success. Individual goals are discussed and a plan is designed for each student. The goal of Transition is to assist 9th grade students in earning five credits their freshman year. An additional goal is to assist 10th, 11th and 12th grade students in earning the appropriate credits to graduate from Great Falls High School. Students are admitted to Transition after criteria has been approved by administration, counselors and the Transition teachers. Credit may be granted at the end of each semester if the student fulfills class expectations

Transition Study Hall(elective) 

Length of Class: Semester -Year
Prerequisite: placement by referral only
Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Bison Buddy (No credit)

Length of Class: Year
Prerequisite: Interview with Big Brothers/ Big Sisters Program
Grade Level(s): 10, 11, 12
Bison Buddies is a volunteer mentor program offered in conjunction with the Big Brothers/ Big Sisters Organization. Twice a week for an hour a high school student meets with an elementary student. Together they work on academics and/or provide social recreation. Bison Buddy students need to have good attendance and references and must complete an application and be interviewed to be accepted into the program. Students also need to provide their own transportation to the elementary school to which they are assigned. Students receive no credit for this course and must have seventh period open.

Humanities-Dual Credit (elective)

Length of Class: Year
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level(s): 11, 12
Open to students who share an interest in exploring and extending their knowledge in the history, and politics, and cultural developments of western civilization. Beginning with the ancients (Egypt, Greece, the Roman Empire and the development of early Christianity and Judaism), working through the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment, and arriving at modern western culture (the Romantic Age, Impressionism, and 20th century), students will study the evolution and historical significance of art, music, drama, and literature of western civilization over time as each discipline has been shaped and affected by human thought and experience. The content and material for this course does not simply repeat what is taught in traditional classes, but involves an extended and in-depth study of new, related material. Work in class involves reading, writing, discussion, and project presentations. Earning dual credit for this course through Great Falls College-MSU fulfills one Montana University System Core class requirement, as well as three (3) core credits for an Associate of Arts degree.

Introduction to Creative Writing (Elective)

Length of Class: Semester
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
This course offers a chance for creative expression through the writing of short stories and poetry. In this class, students will read and discuss examples of short fiction and poetry ranging from classic authors to writers working today. This class

Movies and Audiences

Length of class: Semester
Prerequisites: None
Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
Open to students who share an interest in exploring and examining ways that movies have evolved with shifts in our culture. The course exams changes in how we watch movies as well as how audience members and their expectations shifted. From censorship to popular genres, movie producers have always tried to juggle art and money based upon what today’s viewers want to see, how and where they want to see it, and what’s happening in the world while a movie is being made. Essentially, the class explores how different genres of movies (such as comedy, action, horror, drama, etc.) have changed as audiences have evolved-sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. Students will view many short film clips, discuss artistic choices and cultural relevance, and reflect on the work both creatively and analytically. In short, the class will examine the past, present and future of how we, the viewers, both do and don’t have a say in what ends up on the screen.

Movies and Culture

Length of Class: Semester
Prerequisites: None
Grade Level 9, 10, 11, 12
Open to students who share an interest in exploring and examining ways that movies have evolved from their origins to today’s massive industry. The class will explore the invention of cinema, early to modern special effects, advances in story-telling, shifts in censorship, and some of the most important films and filmmakers of America and the
world. Students will view many short film clips, discuss artistic choices and cultural relevance, and reflect on the work both creatively and analytically. Essentially, the class will trace the story of the movies and how they have impacted— and been impacted by—our cultures, tastes and technologies.

Movies & Genre (elective)

Length of Class: Semester
Prerequisites: None
Grade Level 9, 10, 11, 12
Open to students who share an interest in exploring and examining how types of films have evolved over the past century. The course examines how different genres of movies (such as horror, comedy, science fiction, action, animation, musical/dance, war, crime, romance, etc.) have changed through the years. Students will view many short film clips, discuss artistic choices and cultural relevance, and reflect on the work both creatively and analytically. Essentially, the class will examine the trends and tropes of roughly a dozen genres of film.

Video Production (Fine Arts & CTE)

Length of Class: Semester
Prerequisites: None
Grade Level 10, 11, 12
Video I focuses on both the artistic and practical aspects of filmmaking. Students will analyze camera shots and movements, editing techniques, story structure, story boards and a few films. Once concepts have been explored, students will produce their own short films.

Video Production II (Fine Arts & CTE)

Length of class: Semester
Prerequisite: Video Production
Grade Level 10, 11, 12
Video II will expand upon the basics learned in Video I. Video II students will produce a series of projects of their choosing. Students will work with audio and sound beyond the basics of the introductory course. Students enjoy a broader spectrum of choice for project topic than in the introductory course.

Video Production: Independent Study (Fine Arts & CTE)

Length of Class: Semester
Prerequisites: Video Production, Video Production II, and instructor approval
Grade Level 10, 11, 12
Open to students who have excelled in first two video classes and want to go further into larger, more independent productions. Essentially, students will make their own short film about a subject of their interest, over the course of a semester. Students will pursue technical & artistic concepts and skills to a greater and more precise degree. The format is portfolio based; students outline/pre-produce their idea, film it, and edit over the course of the semester. Face-to-Face time with instructor is scheduled to measure progress, provide feedback, and teach new skills. The course provides students who are committed and motivated the opportunity to design a project based on personal interest and challenge— for students who want to tackle a larger project to grow their skills.

Sign Language-Dual Credit (elective)

Length of Class Semester (1st Semester only)
Prerequisite None
Grade Level 10, 11, 12
“Sign,” The third most used language, provides students an opportunity to familiarize themselves with deafness, the medical causes, ramifications and related professions. Students will develop a beginning proficiency in sign, be able to read and understand the deaf, and speak in front of a group. Dual credit through GFC-MSU.