INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY
We have been exploring a variety of topics in Intro to Psych, including: historical background of field; importance of scientific method in research; contributions of James, Freud, Watson, Skinner, and Jung, among others. We have also enjoyed identifying pop culture references to behaviorism and demonstrating understanding by connecting classroom learning with real world examples. We have examined a variety of disorders including broad spectrum autism which is being diagnosed at a current rate of 1 in 90-100 American children. The classes watched the movie Rainman, had the school diagnostician as a guest lecturer, and sent birthday cards to a 51-year old autistic mathematical savant who has since responded with a thank you note. The connection of academic learning with pop culture and real life help to create an environment that underscores the importance of what is being learned and its relevance to the students.
The students have also read brief bios of Watson and B.F. Skinner and read about their most famous experiments. Connections have been made to literature, sociology, history, entertainment and mass communication.

INTRO TO JOURNALISM
Journalism students have been learning about the basics of print journalism. They have daily access to the Longview News Journal as a resource thanks to their Newspaper in Education program. We are presently studying the historical background of the mass media from the printing press to the present. The emphasis is upon the role journalism plays in maintaining our form of government. Journalism is the only privately owned business specifically protected in the Constitution. The Founding Fathers intended for the press to be the ‘Watchdog of Democracy’. Emphasis is placed on how this is effected on a daily basis in our society.
At present we are studying about Pulitzer and Hearst and their impact on journalism. We have watched the Disney musical Newsies about the 1899 Newsboy Strike in New York and completed a reaction paper. We will be examining the role Pulitzer & Hearst played in the Spanish-American War, Yellow Journalism and reform journalism. The class will also watch the classic Citizen Kane which is based on the life of William Randolph Hearst. The film is rated by most critics as the greatest American film. We will be discussing the impact that the film has had on culture and journalism. We will also be looking for current cultural references to film.
Following this unit we will pick up with the historical background of the mass media in the 20th Century.
In addition, students are also learning about writing for student publications using WO alum (’71) Bobby Hawthorne’s book Radical Write. I attempt to apply an eclectic approach that covers broad based learning, to teach as much as possible, and convince students of the relevance of what they are learning to their lives and higher education.

PUBLICATIONS
The first 24-page Gauger was produced for Homecoming. It also incorporated the use of color on four pages for the first time. Katie Pace, editor-in-Chief of the Gauger and her staff did an excellent job.
The 2009 yearbook, themed White Oak’s Story, is in and receiving accolades. The editor was ’09 grad Brooke White and assistant editor Brian Odom. The book with over 300 pages (including inserts) was the largest produced in WO’s history. The 2010 book is presently on sale for $40 for a plain book, $45 for a namestamp and $50 for a two line imprint.
Gauger and yearbook ads are also being sold. If anyone would like to support these publications and coverage of WOISD please call and ask for Adrian, Lindsey, Markie or Brittni at 903-291-2027.