BIOGRAPHY

EDUCATION

Masters in Education: Cabrini College

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science: University of Vermont

PA Secondary Education Teaching Certification in Social Students and English

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

CURRENT EVENTS

This course is intended to provide students with an understanding of current issues in the news today. Rather than focus on individual stories; this class seeks to identify the larger issues involved in the news today. The class will focus on the question of HOW and WHY major events are important as opposed to WHAT those events are.

GOVERNMENT/ECONOMICS

This course contains two separate components: American Government and Economics. The American Government section is intended to provide students with a basic understanding of the principles behind the U.S. Government including its beginnings, functions, political parties and electoral system. The economics section provides an understanding of basic economic principles including principles of business, investment, banking, credit and monetary systems. Link to PA State Standards

HEALTH

The aim of this course is to provide students with an overview of health and lifestyle related topics. We will focus on issues relating to both mental and physical health with emphasis on the role decision-making plays in promoting a healthy lifestyle. Upon completion of this course students will have a basis of information to assist them in making responsible decisions regarding their health.

POP CULTURE

Pop culture is the study of the “stuff” that makes up our culture-the movies, television shows, music, trends, fads, language, etc-that have somehow pervaded our consciousness. We find ourselves using phrases and words that originated on TV. We can quote movies verbatim. Even movies that we have never seen because they have invaded and become immersed in our popular culture.

US HISTORY

The aim of this course is to provide a general grounding in United States history from 1877 to the present day. This class will seek to highlight important aspects of the life, culture and politics of Twentieth Century North America including Westward Expansion, The Gilded Age, World War I, World War II, and The Cold War. As a course objective students will be able to demonstrate the cause and effect relationship among these events and connect them to the present day both in the United States and elsewhere in the world. Link to PA Standards

Please feel free to contact Peter Diederich at peterd@cciu.org.