The Ultimate High School Curriculum

Inspired by The Oatmeal’s fantastic take on high school classes I began thinking about what the most useful classes I took in high school were.

Besides the hard science courses, which have turned out to be serendipitously useful (but I really can’t suggest everyone run out and take physics just because they might decide to be a science writer one day), the course that I’ve used most in my daily life was civics. Knowing how the government works has made living in this country so much more enjoyable. I’m glad I can turn on the news and understand basic stuff like how a bill becomes a law. It means that I can have decently intelligent conversation at parties (forget that “never talk about politics” rule, it doesn’t apply in DC). It means that I feel slightly less helpless when reading about a piece of legislation I don’t like. But only slightly. This is DC after all.

The point being: civics class makes life richer. I’m sure basic understanding of history, literature, and science does the same, and I’m glad I took all those classes, but I’m most glad I was forced to take government.

If I had to design a high school curriculum, it would include, in addition to basic reading, writing, and math, the following courses. Perhaps this list will generate controversy among anyone who remembers their high school basket weaving class fondly, but you can make your own list. This is mine:

• Government
• 20th Century World History
• Personal Finance (Credit cards, mortgages, and what health insurance is and how it works)
• No, You Can’t Wear That To A Job Interview
• Public Speaking/How To Use Powerpoint Correctly
• How To Get Things Done Instead Of Working On Your Blog