Required Courses:
7140 Principles of Digital Design
7141 Digital Design Graphics
7138 Interactive Media Design
How will Communications Classes help me after High School?
In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to communicate clearly, visually, and persuasively is a non-negotiable skill. High school communications programs, covering everything from public speaking to digital media production, do far more than just prepare students for media careers; they equip them with the essential tools needed to succeed in college, the professional world, and civic life.
Your coursework in Speech, Digital Design, Interactive Media, and hands-on broadcasting through Lions Live and RCHS The Roar provides a competitive edge in every major and career path.
Speech and Public Voice: Building Confidence and Presence
Learning speech and communication theory is foundational for success in any field.
College Presentations: Students gain the confidence and organizational skills to structure and deliver successful academic presentations, often setting them apart in introductory college courses.
Professional Interviews: The ability to articulate thoughts clearly, maintain composure, and project confidence is the single greatest asset in job interviews and client meetings, regardless of the industry.
Conflict Resolution: Communication training enhances listening skills and teaches techniques for conveying information diplomatically and effectively, a vital component of teamwork and leadership.
Digital Design and Interactive Media: Visual Fluency for the Modern Age
In the 21st century, every career requires some level of digital and visual fluency. Your media courses develop skills that are directly transferable to countless professions.
Software Proficiency: Students gain experience with industry-standard tools (graphic design, video editing, web basics) that are immediately applicable in marketing, corporate training, and publishing roles.
Visual Storytelling: Learning to design and produce digital content teaches students how to quickly convey complex ideas using images, video, and layout—a skill crucial for creating effective reports, social media strategies, and instructional materials.
Portfolio Building: Work created in these classes serves as a valuable portfolio for college applications or initial job interviews in creative, technical, or marketing fields.
Participating in your news show and radio station offers hands-on, high-stakes experience that cannot be replicated in a standard classroom. The Communications Pathway transforms students into adaptable, well-rounded, and articulate individuals ready to lead and succeed in their chosen academic and professional environments.
Graduation Pathway
Digital Design
Rushville Consolidated High School - Communications Gallery
1076 Speech
Available Grades 9 - 12
1 Credit, 1 Semester
Prerequisites: None
Speech, a course based on the Indiana Academic Standards for English/Language Arts, is the study and application of the basic principles and techniques of effective oral communication. Students deliver focused and coherent speeches that convey clear messages, using gestures, tone, and vocabulary appropriate to the audience and purpose. Students deliver different types of oral and multimedia presentations, including viewpoint, instructional, demonstration, informative, persuasive, and impromptu. Students use the same Standard English conventions for oral speech that they use in their writing. Refusal to deliver any speech will result in no credit.
7140DC Principles of Digital Design
Available Grades 9 - 12
2 Credits, 2 Semesters Required
Prerequisites: None
Principles of Digital Design introduces students to fundamental design theory. Investigations into design theory and color dynamics will provide experiences in applying design theory, ideas, and creative problem solving, critical peer evaluation, and presentation skills. Students will have the opportunity to apply the design theory through an understanding of basic photographic theory and technique. Topics will include image capture, processing, various output methods, and light.
7138DC Interactive Media Design
Available Grades 11 - 12
2 Credits, 2 Semesters Required
Prerequisites: Principles of Digital Design and Digital Design Graphics
Note: This course produces the daily Lion’s Live show and the online radio station The Roar.
Interactive Media Design focuses on the tools, strategies, and techniques for interactive design and emerging technologies, like web and social media. Students will learn the basics of planning, shooting, editing and post-producing video and sound. Additionally, students will explore the process of integrating text, graphics, audio and video for effective communication of information.
1086 Student Media
Available Grades 10 - 12
2 Credits, 2 Semesters Required
Prerequisites: None
Student Media, a course based on the High School Journalism Standards and the Student Media Standards, is the continuation of the study of Journalism. Students demonstrate their ability to do journalistic writing and design for high school media, including school newspapers, yearbooks, and a variety of other media formats. Students follow the ethical principles and legal boundaries that guide scholastic journalism. Students express themselves publicly with meaning and clarity for the purpose of informing, entertaining, or persuading. Students work on high school media staffs so that they may prepare themselves for career paths in journalism, communications, writing, or related fields.
1078DC Advanced Speech and Communication
Only Available Grade 12
1 Credit, 1 Semester
Prerequisites: Speech
Advanced Speech and Communication, a course based on the Indiana Academic Standards for English/Language Arts and emphasizing the High School Speech and Communication Standards, is the study and application of skills in listening, oral interpretation, media communications, research methods, and oral debate. Students deliver different types of oral and multimedia presentations, including speeches to inform, to motivate, to entertain, and to persuade through the use of impromptu, extemporaneous, memorized, or manuscript delivery.
7141DC Digital Design Graphics
Available Grades 10 - 12
2 Credits, 2 Semesters Required
Prerequisites: Principles of Digital Design
Digital Design Graphics will help students to understand and create the most common types of computer graphics used in visual communications. Skills are developed through work with professional vector-based and page layout software used in the industry. Additionally, students will be introduced to a full range of image input technology and manipulation, including conventional photography, digital imaging, and computer scanners. Students will learn to communicate concepts and ideas through various imaging devices.
7246DC Digital Design Capstone
Available Grades 11 - 12
2 Credits, 2 Semesters Required
Prerequisites: Principles of Digital Design, Digital Design Graphics, and Interactive Media Design
The Digital Design Capstone course provides students the opportunity to dive deeper into advanced concepts of Visual Communication, including user experience/user interface design, video production editing, animation and/or web design. Depending on the length of the course, students may focus their efforts on one area or explore multiple aspects.
Amy Fox
Communications and Graphic Design Teacher
Dual Credit Teacher
Email Mrs. Fox
Hannah Lemmons
Speech Teacher
Dual Credit Teacher
Email Mrs. Lemmons
Jennifer Teague
Advanced Speech Teacher
Dual Credit Teacher
Email Mrs. Teague