High School Course Catalog 2016-2017

Playwriting Workshop

Do you have something you want to say? Do you want to say something but don’t know what it is? Is there something you have been trying to communicate but cannot find the means to do so? In this course we will discover how to tell stories and uncover meaning by writing short plays for the theatre. Students will read and unpack the works of various playwrights to use as reference while creating their own works. This is a workshop class; students will work on individual plays while providing support and feedback to each other as a group. We will provide voice for one another’s work so the playwrights hear their words aloud. We will work towards presenting an evening of staged readings of our plays.

Technical Theatre

This course will provide students with a solid foundation in all major aspects of theatre design. Instruction will focus on skills pertaining to drafting for set and lighting design. Students will make use of strategies centered on technical language, implementation, and technique. Through the course the students will understand drafting for lighting and set design, allowing the students to grow their personal design aesthetic.

Art Studio

In Art Studio students explore their possibilities of enjoying, doing, and exploring art. The Essential Question is What images, media, techniques of the artistic creative process do I enjoy the most? The Essential Skills are Persisting in Achieving Quality and Working Creatively.

Interior and Architectural Design

In this course students will explore interiors and architectural design through 2D and 3D modeling. Students will explore the idea of architecture and interior design through history and learn to recreate and adapt designs that they love and admire to create new, exciting, and thought-provoking environments using creativity, critical thought, and analysis. This course will also work towards understanding the use of sound for theatre as well as the role of the stage manager. Students will be challenged to collaborate in groups and grow as a team as well as branch out individually to explore their own strengths and areas of interest.

Film Appreciation – Classical Hollywood

Classical Hollywood was a glorious time in the movie industry. But do you know anything about classical Hollywood? Would you like to know more? Let’s watch a variety of movies made between the 1930s and 1960s and reflect on what they are about, how they can explain and discuss the period when they were made, and why they are important. Students will also explore the Hollywood studio system, and the difficulties for actors and writers of the time. Students may also be interested in Virginia’s class on Movie Music during Morning Mod in Quarter 2.

Movie Music

How does music influence our perception and contribute to cinematic narratives? In this class we will explore movie scores by John Williams, Bernard Herrmann, Hans Zimmer, Ennio Morricone, Vangelis, John Barry, Howard Shore, and more. We will also take a look at the art of accompanying silent films, and tricks of the trade for Foley tracks. A key project involves creating a soundtrack for a modern silent short. While researching and writing a position paper defending the stardom of a film music composer of choice, we will plan a movie marathon and invite fellow students to a night of classic movies with unforgettable music. For deeper understanding of the art of cinema, students should also take Jonathan Rushbrook’s class on Film Appreciation: Classical Hollywood Movies, C Mod, Semester 1.

Choreography

  This course will focus on guiding students in methods of generating movement and analyzing and refining compositions of movement. Exercises to these ends will accompany readings and discussions of the theory and art of choreography. Students will also be required to create a solo, taking into account the theory learned, and to perform that solo at a class performance for outside audience members. Students may also be required to create and/or perform in dances utilizing multiple people. This course may be repeated for credit.
Focus Skills: Working Creatively, Persisting in Achieving Quality.

Stone Sculpture

Stone Sculpture is art done in reverse. We do the creative process by taking away material, not by adding material to something or over something. Each student will be given a 30- to 50-pound alabaster stone. They will be instructed on how to use the sculpting tools: hammer, chisels, rasps, and carbide paper. The students will start sculpting without a clear idea of what they are doing. I want them to look for and find lines and forms that are pleasing to them without trying to force an idea on the stone. The stone will give them many opportunities and possibilities to create those shapes. The students will learn to have a conversation with stone. They will practice patience and persistence as they create an abstract design with stone.

Art in the Context of Self

  Art in the Context of Self explores our personal relationship with art; how we see, interpret, and connect with art. I call this process the Illumination process: a dynamic process of understanding one’s self. We will see how art can bring a greater understanding and knowledge of oneself. This is an exhibition class, meaning that the students demonstrate the skills acquired in this class through a presentation to their peers. In Art Studio the student creates works of art of their choice in subject, media, and style. They will be supported in their creative process by the Resident Artist and other students with community, spirit, and technical expertise. In evaluating the creation of art, productivity is all that is considered. When assigning the student’s numerical grade, the technical merit of their designs or craftsmanship are not considered. Instead, merits are considered and discussed only in order to further develop the student as an artist.

Art of Self

The Art of the Self explores the meaning of a student’s art in relation to their self. Students will be asked how they see and understand themselves through their art, and come to understand what their art says about themselves. They then give an exhibition about their personal expression in art. In Art Studio the student creates works of art of their choice in subject, media, and style. They will be supported in their creative process by the Resident Artist and other students with community, spirit, and technical expertise. In evaluating the creation of art, productivity is all that is considered. When assigning the student’s numerical grade, the technical merit of their designs or craftsmanship are not considered. Instead, merits are considered and discussed only in order to further develop the student as an artist.

Art in the Context of History

Art in the Context of History explores artwork in the context of the life and times of the work’s artist. Students explore questions such as: How might a historical artist have seen and understood their own work? How can I see and understand their work in the context of the artist’s life and times? At the end of the quarter, students will give an exhibition relating these questions to their artwork and the context of art as a whole. In Art Studio the student creates works of art of their choice in subject, media, and style. They will be supported in their creative process by the Resident Artist and other students with community, spirit, and technical expertise. In evaluating the creation of art, productivity is all that is considered. When assigning the student’s numerical grade, the technical merit of their designs or craftsmanship are not considered. Instead, merits are considered and discussed only in order to further develop the student as an artist.

Digital Music Composition

Students will learn how to create music on a computer from the ground up. The course will cover a basic treatment of harmony and music theory, focusing additionally on manipulating and complementing harmonic compositional elements through sound design, use of plug-ins, mixing, and mastering, all of which will be stressed through project work. Students will develop a portfolio of songs they have composed. The exhibition in this course will be a presentation of this portfolio, answering the Essential Question What is my sound?

Honors Art Studio

Honors Art Studio is designed to support the advanced student artist in pursuit and execution of an Honors Diploma, College Portfolio, Senior Exhibition, Senior Project, AP Art History, and/or AP Portfolio. Advanced students are strongly recommended to take this course, at the very least, in their junior and senior years. The Essential Question is Is visual fine arts the college path for me?

British Panto: Sleeping Beauty

Let’s turn The New School on its head with a cheeky, over the top, Monty Python - Spamalot - Burlesque production of the classic British panto, Sleeping Beauty. There’s no mime ‘ere, mate! Panto is a bawdy, raucous, naughty play with words and music, usually based on a fairy tale. Working from an established script, we will add our own ideas and New School flavor to create a bubbly mix of anarchic theatre. Students will develop acting, improv, music, and full-out theatricality skills during classroom rehearsals, culminating in performances at The New School.

Theatre Ensemble

Students will become creative members of a youth theater ensemble with a goal of presenting a devised theater experience at the end of the course. Through skills-building strategies centered on theater games, improvisation, storytelling, acting, and group investigation (social issues, current affairs, and contemporary culture), students will grow in creativity, critical thought, and analysis. By working in an ensemble students will experience the challenges and rewards of working collaboratively and democratically. Experience is not necessary; however, a willingness to take risks is.

Introduction to Voice and Choral Performance

This class will introduce students to elementary vocal techniques and prepare them for choral performances. We will practice the craft of singing, which includes proper breathing and posture, among many other things. Students will use a variety of music to develop these skills while building their own performance-ready repertoires and collaborating as a choir to prepare for at least one show. In addition to group and individual practice sessions, students will learn about music theory and the art of voice.

Documenting Stories

The purpose of this class is to help students use audio and video editing techniques, along with storytelling techniques from Jenny’s Morning Module Documenting Stories class, to document events. They will learn how to add titles, sound effects, and other creative touches. Students will leave the class with a DVD of all of their projects.   Focus Skills: Persisting in Achieving Quality, Organizing Materials and Time to Accomplish Goals. Note: Any student who enrolls in this course must also enroll in the Morning Module course Documenting Stories.

Digital Design

Students will learn to use professional software to visually convey information effectively. Students will learn the basics of color theory and document and photo composition as they work in Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. They will use their skills to design logos, business cards, and flyers. One does not need to be an “Artist” to take this class.

Game Programming

Computer programming languages are increasingly relevant in society, and knowing how to code is to know how to speak the language of the future. This course will learn basic coding through scripting in C# for the Unity 3D game engine. We will begin coding simple analogues to 1970’s games and develop to more complex programs through the quarter.

Filming and Editing Horror Films

One of our most basic fears is the fear of the unknown. We can control the sense of fear and suspense in our movies by controlling what the audience knows or what a character knows. A large part of our ability to do this is based on the location, angle, and movement of the camera, the lighting we choose to use, the music and sound effects, the length of our clips, and video editing effects and filters. A majority of the class will be spent learning to use Final Cut Pro to edit scenes that we will be filming in groups and as a class. We will briefly touch on some points of horror film history, as well as techniques and theater makeup.

AutoCAD – Advanced

In this course students will progress from what they learned from the introductory course in AutoCAD to pushing their design concepts forward using both 2-D and 3-D designs.

Executive Function in the Classroom

Students will learn to develop executive function skills. The focus will be on the organization of a binder and time management with an assignment book. Additionally, there will be a 15-minute activity every day such as using colored index cards, presenting skills, using proper citations, creating a Google calendar, role-playing, goal setting, editing papers, writing strategies, using memory tools, reading on procrastination, collaborating skills, learning grammar misconceptions and analyzing their own writing. Students will use assignments from other classes to work on the skills in this class. Cartoons and Norman Rockwell paintings will be used as tools, and the Student Writing Handbook will be a resource. The remaining 30 minutes of class will be for students to work solely on assignments given from other classes.

AutoCAD – Introduction

AutoCAD is a computer software program that allows architects and designers to create 2-D and 3-D renderings of their work in the planning stages of a project. In this course students will learn how to use all the basic tools of the software. By the end of this course students will have an understanding of all the 2-D tools that AutoCAD has to offer as well as how to use the program whilst working on individual and group projects.

My Story, My Self: Creating a Solo Theater Piece

All theater is at its essence storytelling. Stories can be biographical, autobiographical, based on historical or modern events, derived from universal experience and themes. Storytelling as performance may explore one, some, or all of these subjects. The one thing all solo theater has in common is that it is very hard work to create. It takes commitment, bravery, and honesty. In this course students will develop and present a solo storytelling experience that explores their stories, their selves.

Native America

Native Americans have been written about since the first explorers arrived, often portrayed as romantic savages, or simply just savages. In more recent times Native people have been italicized, their customs and beliefs fetishized, and most acutely, their experience relegated to footnotes in America’s history. In this course we look at several Native American authors who write firsthand of contemporary Native life and issues, and in so doing, challenge the assumptions and stereotypes associated with America’s indigenous people. Among the authors explored will be Sherman Alexie, Eric Gansworth, and Louise Erdrich.

Don Quixote

Are you feeling hopeful and determined? Doubtful or uncertain? Either way, Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, the first and arguably the greatest novel of all time, will speak to you. In this seminar-based class, we will read and discuss the madcap adventures of Don Quixote and his faithful squire Sancho Panza as they travel through the world of 16th-century Spain. We will also reflect on why this hilarious but deeply meaningful tale continues to be relevant in the world today.

Writing for Change

In this course we will study writing that has contributed to social change, including persuasive essays, op-eds, speeches, manifestos, letters, and satires. We will also study rhetoric directly. While we cover this material, we will explore our own convictions, looking for the things that we most passionately want to promote, defend, or change. Then we will compose our own pieces of persuasive writing, and we will consider ways that writing can be used to affect change in our own lives.

Creative Nonfiction

In this class we will explore reading and writing about actual people and events. We will explore memoir, personal essays, profiles (including some by the master Joseph Mitchell), and essays about history. We will discover beautiful language and we will use what we've learned to write our own creative nonfiction essays.

Gothic Literature

In this course, we will be exploring the eerie and vivid world of Gothic literature, mostly focusing on the 19th century but drawing parallels to early and later time periods as well. Possible readings include Edgar Allan Poe short stories, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, and Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. We will consider the key tropes and motifs of the genre, as well as analyzing the political, social, and cultural contexts in which such texts were written. We will attempt to draw conclusions about the evolution of the gothic as we examine the power that the dark and the supernatural has over the human mind.

English B

In addition to the focus skills taught in English A, English B will introduce academic activities that focus on research methods, analytical writing, advanced reading comprehension, and independent presentations. Students will continue to concentrate on all areas of language while engaging in more challenging materials and discussions.

English A

The course English A will prepare students who do not speak English as their first language to approach high school academics comfortably and confidently. The course will focus on building effective communication skills through the four parts of language (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). This includes basic grammar structure and rules, organization and clarity in writing, expansion of academic vocabulary, reading comprehension and reflection, and improvement in pace and pronunciation. The course materials and activities will resemble those used in the TOEFL and will help introduce students to the high school classroom culture and curricula. Students will have ample time to practice speaking, work collaboratively with other students, and receive one-on-one feedback about their progress with the English language.

Fantasy Lit & Worldbuilding

  This class is both a literature course and an opportunity for students to flex their creative writing and designing muscles. We will be reading fantasy novels and stories (authors will include J.R.R. Tolkien, Patrick Rothfuss, and Ursula K. Le Guin among others), and analyzing and discussing the elements of effective fantasy literature, as well as applying these ideas to the creation of our own invented worlds. Students will engage in map making, language creation, the development of systems of magic, etc. They should also expect to spend significant time reading critically and producing analytical writing.

What is Love?

Romantic love is one of literature’s most enduring topics. But “true love” has by no means been an unchanging concept throughout the centuries. This class will explore the evolution of Western civilization’s ideas about love – and its relationship to gender, marriage, sex, friendship, jealousy, and even violence – from the ancient world to the present day. A wide range of texts, including poetry, film, music, and excerpts from novels and plays will help us contextualize and critique our cultural obsession with love.

Odysseys and the Hero’s Journey

An unmatched epic adventure, Homer’s Odyssey is also a story of self-discovery. Many authors have used its structure, themes, and moral truths to compose their own works in its shadow. Students in this course will consider the Odyssey from several perspectives and read selected literature of discovery and journeying in the context of this heroic poem.

God and the Devil in Literature

Religion has always been a fertile source for literary imagination. In this course we will explore a wide range of portrayals of God, Jesus, Satan, heaven and hell, and more. From the holy to the absurd, we will trace the uses to which the key figures of Christianity have been put in literature of the past three hundred years. Authors may include Milton, Blake, Twain, Monty Python and more.

AP Literature & Composition

This class will provide you with intellectual challenges and a workload consistent with a typical undergraduate university English literature course. The main objectives of AP Lit are to broaden and deepen your knowledge of literature, your critical and analytical thinking, and your writing skills. As a culmination of the course, you will take the AP English Literature and Composition Exam (required) which may allow you to earn college credit. You will read a lot of fantastic literature over the course of the year and you will produce a lot of writing, inside of the classroom and out. In-depth discussions about the novels, stories, and poems we are reading will drive the class on a daily basis.

Vonnegut

  Kurt Vonnegut, by his own admission, has been described as a “science fiction writer,” but no short characterization can do him justice. He is satirical and quaint like Mark Twain; he is odd and edgy with the transformative energy of the ‘60s and onward; he is both bitter and kind; both cowardly and fearless, but intellectual and devastatingly simple. In this class, we will explore several novels of this marvelous American author, meeting cult leaders and new religions, the mysterious and powerful new form of water: “ice-9,” the end of the world, the end of the world again, sanity and insanity, the great value of kindness and its tragic absences. And we'll write.

Sherlock

  Who hasn't heard of Sherlock and Dr. Watson? But how many know the real stories? The author? In this class we will delve into the core of the original detective series, characters, plots, twists, murders, and mysteries, as well as classic and modern adaptations. For the exhibition, each student will analyze a Sherlock Holmes short story and create an adaptation for a medium of choice.

Documenting Stories

  Essential Question: How can we use digital media to effectively document a (nonfiction) story? We will be watching and listening to documentary films and podcasts, and we will be analyzing through discussion how the storytellers construct compelling narratives. We will also be reading texts that supplement our understanding of these techniques. Students will produce their own projects in Shannan’s Afternoon Module which reflect and demonstrate their understanding of the Morning Module material. Students will also engage in written reflection on the films and podcasts, as well as on their own craft. Note: Any student who enrolls in this course must also enroll in the Afternoon Module course Documenting Stories.

The Medieval World

  From serfs toiling in the fields, to nuns and monks in cloistered abbeys, to knights in shining armor and maidens fair (and maybe the occasional dragon!), this course will explore medieval Britain through some of its greatest literature. Thomas Malory’s Le Morte D’Arthur, the foundation of most modern King Arthur tales, will introduce us to the core mythology of the age of chivalry, while Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales will bring us back to real life in the Middle Ages in spectacularly down-to-earth terms. Along the way we will experience the joy of the English language as it finally reemerged as a language of literature after the Disaster of 1066.

Shakespeare

Four hundred years after his death, William Shakespeare remains an unparalleled genius of English literature, beloved around the world. This class will bring to life the plays and poetry of Shakespeare along with some of his enduring themes: love, disguise, identity, ambition, fate, and more. Don’t be “faint-hearted” (Henry VI Part 1) at the thought of the “brave new world” (The Tempest) of Elizabethan English– we’ll “break the ice” (The Taming of the Shrew) with plenty of exercises to dig into character and language in “one fell swoop” (Macbeth). No previous experience with Shakespeare will be assumed.

Narrator and Truth

  Corruption, betrayal, murder, and more: 214 characters from the same small town have given statements on the definitive events of their lives. Our job will be to piece them together into a history of the town – and to discover to what extent such a coherent narrative is even possible. Blending poetic analysis with investigative journalism, this course will examine the nature of truth and the problems of turn-of-the-20th-century America through Edgar Lee Masters’ free verse masterpiece, Spoon River Anthology.

Communicating Effectively

This course focuses on the development of individual presentation, public speaking, and teaching skills. Through in-class exercises and examples from guest speakers, filmed speeches, and political rhetoric, students will learn effective strategies and techniques of communication, with the goal of improving exhibition skills. The first set of weekly speeches will culminate in a 30-minute interactive lesson on a topic of the student’s choice. For the exhibition, each student will research an important topic he/she really cares about, then prepare, rehearse, and deliver a TED-talk style position speech.

Advanced French

In Advanced French, you will deepen your understanding of French grammar, continue to expand your French vocabulary, and develop your speaking and writing skills. Both project-based and exercise-based, students will work on multiple projects throughout each quarter that result in both written and spoken presentations. Games, compositions, films, and literature will be prominent in the classroom, and students are expected to rise to the challenge. Venez profiter!   Focus Skills: Communicating Effectively, orally and in writing; Appreciating and Understanding Different Perspectives; Working Collaboratively

Spanish 3

This course is designed for students who, after finishing Spanish II, want to continue expanding their knowledge of the Spanish language and culture. Through the readings and films presented in this class, the course reviews and refines grammar structures, expands vocabulary, and improves students’ oral and written communication skills through discussions, written reports, and presentations. Cultural aspects are closely integrated with the language elements, giving students an appreciation for the diversity and cultural richness of the Spanish-speaking world.   Focus Skills: Communicating effectively, orally and in writing; Appreciating and understanding different perspectives; Working collaboratively

Advanced Spanish

This course is designed for students that have finished Spanish II or III and want to continue expanding their knowledge of the Spanish language and culture. Through literature and films presented in this class, the course reviews and refines grammar structures, expands vocabulary, and improves students’ communication and interpersonal skills. Cultural aspects are closely integrated with the language elements, giving students an appreciation for the diversity and cultural richness of the Spanish-speaking world. Focus Skills: Communicating Effectively, orally and in writing Appreciating and Understanding Different Perspectives Working Collaboratively

German 1

Germany - home of the hamburger, mustard, beer, pretzels, Lederhosen, the Wall, brass band, classical orchestra, techno, and roots of the English language. Students will work on developing comprehension, conversation, reading, and writing skills in this central European language. Students will also participate inour ongoing exchange with The Global Experience e.V. and the Schillergymnasium Münst
The immersion approach, anchored in by Langenscheidt’s Geni@l Klick 1 curriculum, includes up-to-date teen themes, short animated movies, YouTube clips, Easy-German episodes, field trips, and cultural projects.  

Spanish 1

Spanish 1 is a dynamic and interactive introduction to the Spanish language and culture. Through easy readings, everyday dialogues, songs and movies, the students will learn basic vocabulary and grammar structures for daily routine situations while expanding their knowledge about the culture and customs of the Spanish-speaking world.

French 1

French is widely accepted as one of the most beautiful languages, and this class will focus on reading, writing, speaking and listening basics through classroom activities. Designed for beginning students or those who have had only a minimal introduction to the language, French vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and cultural understanding are developed through written, oral, and interactive exercises.
Focus skills: Communicating Effectively, orally and in writing Appreciating and Understanding Different Perspectives Working Collaboratively

Intermediate and Advanced German

Students will work on becoming increasingly fluent in German comprehension, conversation, reading, and writing. Through our ongoing connection with the Schillergymnasium Münster and The Global Experience, students will put their language skills to work through e-mail exchanges, translating subtitles, and more. Our Langenscheidt curriculum and grammar reviews will be supplemented by readings from German history and longer German movies, as well as occasional cooking sessions, field trips, and independent cultural projects.

French 2

French is widely accepted as one of the most beautiful languages, and this class will focus on continued
reading, writing, speaking and listening development through classroom activities. French vocabulary,
grammar, pronunciation, and cultural understanding are developed through written, oral, and interactive
exercises.
Focus Skills:
Communicating Effectively, orally and in writing Appreciating and Understanding Different Perspectives Working Collaboratively

Spanish 2

This course reviews and continues the study of grammar and vocabulary with emphasis on four communication skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. We provide the students with a simple and interactive approach to the language and culture of the Spanish-speaking world. Through films presented and discussed in class, we emphasize conversation and solidify the student’s communication and interpersonal skills. Cultural aspects are closely integrated with language elements. Focus Skills: Communicating Effectively, orally and in writing Appreciating and Understanding Different Perspectives Working Collaboratively

Statistics

Statistics are the math tools used to interpret numerical facts. Our world benefits tremendously from science, and science relies on observation and measurement, and statistics help us understand numerical measurement. In this class, we will study a variety of statistical tools such as measures of central tendency, correlation, standard deviation and and z-scores. How do we coax cold data to reveal their secrets? Why is it said that the three types of lies are lies, damn lies, and statistics? Find out in this class!

Abstract Algebra

  Abstract Algebra underlies Cryptography, Graph Theory, and many other highly utilized branches of applied mathematics. This course will cover highlights of a college Abstract Algebra course, which is a requirement for most math majors. We will explore the basic and possible properties of operations on collections of objects (addition of numbers being a very specific example). Students will practice verifying definitions and proving facts involving our creations.   Focus Skill: Making Connections and Being Aware of Context

AP Calculus

This class is geared toward the AP Calculus AB test in May. We will cover functions, limits, derivatives, and integrals and review actual AP tests from past years. To cover the material in time we will be moving at a steady pace. Any student who falls behind must seek out the teacher or a tutor for extra help.

Calculus

This class will cover the basics of Calculus – Limits, Derivatives, and Integrals – with indepth looks at both the conceptual and computational aspects. The class will not be paced to the AP exam but rather to the students’ understanding, and should prepare students to either take BC Calculus next year in high school or Calculus 2 in college.   Focus Skill: Making Connections and Being Aware of Context

Geometry

This comprehensive course in geometry is designed to build logical reasoning and spatial visualization skills. The class is largely cumulative, as is all mathematics, in that we will continue to build on and use what we have already learned. Topics to be covered include deductive reasoning, lines in a plane, study of polygons with particular stress on triangles, transformations, congruence, similarity, properties of circles, constructions, areas and volumes of solids, coordinate geometry, and basic trigonometry.

Algebra 1

This most fundamental of mathematics courses covers the basics of solving and graphing linear and quadratic equations. Additionally, students will learn to factor equations, simplify radicals, and solve systems of equations. Focus Skills: Solving Problems and Making Connections and Being Aware of Context.

Math in Art

In this course you will be working on String Art and Quilting.   With String Art, we will be studying the curves and how playing with vertices affects the curvature. We will explore the geometry and algebra behind these designs. We will also go over proportions, loci and envelopes, and parametric and implicit forms for conics. The final product will be various display items of string art.   Quilts serve as a visual introduction to mathematical concepts that allow students to explore mathematics as they gain geometric insights. In this course, we will learn mathematical patterns and isometrics (translation, tatistics are the math tools used to collect, analyze and interpret numerical facts. Our world benefits tremendously from science, science relies on observation and measurement, and statistics help us understand numerical measurement. In this class, we will study a variety of statistical tools such as measures of central tendency, correlation, standard deviation and z-scores, and various tests of "statistical significance." The plan is to particularly explore the applications of statistics through the social sciences,
but this may be shifted according to the interests of the class. How do we coax cold data to reveal their secrets? Why is it said that the three types of lies are lies, damn lies and statistics? Find out in this class! 28 reflection, and rotation). We will use computers to provide additional examples of quilts and quilt designs. The final product will be an independently designed completed quilt.

Pre-Calculus

This course builds on the concepts learned in Algebra 2 and prepares you for Calculus and other advanced math courses you may take in the future. Specifically, we will study various families of functions, the parametric and polar forms of representing functions and other relations, trigonometry, matrices and some isolated topics in discrete mathematics; if there is time, there will be a brief introduction to the concepts of instantaneous rates of change and limits (the beginnings of Calculus!). There will be a strong focus on viewing functions from various perspectives (such as verbal, numeric, graphical, and algebraic). Throughout the course, we will use graphing calculator (TI-84) technology to help us understand functions from these various perspectives. Focus Skill: Putting Information in Context

Algebra 2

Algebra 2 is divided into three topics: 1) the basic mechanics of Algebra -- an extension of what was learned in Algebra 1; 2) the principle of functions -- the idea that equations can be seen as mathematical “machines” which take input and create output; 3) the idea of “modeling” -- that functions can be used to represent real behavior in the world. Students will learn and review work with linear functions before expanding into quadratics, exponential, and logarithmic functions, as well as basics of Trigonometry (building on principles learned in Geometry). Algebra 2 prepares students for Pre-Calculus.

Readings in Math History

Did you ever sit in math class and wonder “who thought this stuff up?” In this class we will research and read stories about “who thought this stuff up,” and as much as possible we will try to recreate the intellectual footsteps of the processes mathematicians went through to come by their creations. Which parts of mathematics we explore will be determined by the curiosity of the students in the class.   Focus Skill: Making Connections and Being Aware of Context

Algebra 2 (Foundations)

The purpose of this course is to prepare students for Algebra 2 and, in certain cases, Pre-Calculus. We will focus on fortifying the basic mechanics of algebra, including working with integers, fractions, linear and quadratic equations and their graphs, radicals, roots, and some basic trigonometry. This class can take a more relaxed approach and can be a place where real transformation can occur.

Ultimate Frisbee

Our minds and bodies are intricately connected: a healthy mind makes a healthy body; likewise, a healthy body makes a healthy mind. It is through a course of Frisbee that we may explore this concept, and your teacher is an avid player. We will be outdoors much of the time--stretching, running, passing, and playing Frisbee. Frisbee is a social activity that requires personal collaboration: participation is mandatory, and we will have fun.

How Your Body Works

Research about health and disease has swung wildly over the course of our lifetimes, and what once passed as dogma (“All dietary fat is bad,” “Exercising longer and harder is better”) is now in question. We will learn about the anatomy and physiology of the major systems of the body, and discuss what various experts are saying about how to live healthy lives and protect ourselves from disease.

Basketball

Our minds and bodies are intricately connected: a healthy mind makes a healthy body; likewise, a healthy body makes a healthy mind. It is through a course of basketball that we may explore this concept, and your teacher is an avid player. We will be indoors much of the time stretching, running, passing, and playing basketball. Basketball is a social activity that requires personal collaboration: participation is mandatory, and we will have fun.

Dance Exercise

Students will build flexibility, strength, endurance, balance and coordination through dance-influenced exercises. While most classes will feature half an hour of stretching, half an hour of cardio and strength- building, and half an hour of learning choreography (building repertoire), individual exercises and sometimes daily routines will be tailored to the needs and goals of the students.   Focus Skill: Persisting in Achieving Quality

Soccer

Our minds and bodies are intricately connected: a healthy mind makes a healthy body; likewise, a healthy body makes a healthy mind. It is through a course of soccer that we may explore this concept, and your teacher is an avid player. We will be outdoors much of the time stretching, running, passing, and playing soccer. Soccer is a social activity that requires personal collaboration: participation is mandatory, and we will have fun.

The Chemistry of Ancient Wars

What are the most influential factors during battle? Is it might and numbers or technological advances? Examine how a society’s knowledge of chemistry can affect not only the weapons used during battle, from the discovery of iron to the atomic bomb and beyond, but also how uniforms soldiers wear and food preservation techniques at war may have a larger influence than expected. This course will contain weekly labs that bring the battlefield back to the laboratory.

Inorganic Chemistry

Students will be introduced to core physical inorganic principles as well as the role of inorganic chemistry in our everyday lives. This course will also weave important topics of general chemistry throughout to give students a balanced understanding of the various aspects of the chemical world. There will be a strong focus on atomic theory as well as molecular orbital theory.

Does DNA Define You?

This class is about genetics, but also about your environment, including your family, where you live, go to school, and what your choose to do in life. There is an old argument that scientists, psychologists, and others have been struggling with for many years – what really defines who you are and who you will become? This argument is referred to as “Nature vs. Nurture.” We will be exploring these ideas by looking at your genetic makeup, but also how your personal world influences you.

AP Environmental Science

This course will focus on preparation for the AP Environmental Science exam, including earth systems and resources, the living world, population, land and water use, energy resources and consumption, pollution, and global change. Students will be expected to perform weekly labs, measurements, calculations, and unit conversions. The full official AP course description can be found here: http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/ap/ap-environmental-science-course-description.pdf  

How Things Work

Physics is a remarkable practical science. This course will introduce you to physical concepts through experimentation and studying objects/actions that you encounter in everyday life. We will cover concepts like Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Optics, Electricity, and Magnetism through various experiments like spinning water overhead, vortex cannon, making fog in a bottle, a singing wineglass, moving water without touching it, a nail and wire electromagnet, etc. This course is based on learning through experimentation.

The Periodic Table Through History

Learn not only about how the periodic table is organized, periodic trends, and the unique elements within the period table, but also how various elements and subatomic particles were discovered throughout history. Learn about the biographies of the scientists who discovered the elements and how their chemical discoveries affected their lives. The standard Level 1 course materials will be covered through this journey of science and history. Students will be required to demonstrate how and why certain characteristics of the periodic table are organized the way they are, as well as their importance.

Roller Coasters

Amusement park rides are designed to simulate danger, make your adrenaline flow, and bring your heart to your throat! However, these rides are firmly based on the laws of physics and a huge amount of number crunching happens during the design of any ride, with safety of the passengers first and foremost in the mind of the designer. In this course we will be studying the design aspect of common rides. At the completion of this course, which includes written, oral, laboratory, and field experience activities, you will have an enhanced understanding of the following laws and concepts of physics on the macroscopic scale: measurement of distance and time, kinematics, work, power, energy, force, rotational motion, and frictional forces.

Microbiology

This course is a combination of classroom and laboratory work. This is a course in which we will study a variety of microbes, including bacteria and fungi. Experiments include gram staining, biochemical identification of microbes, inhibition of growth with spices, yoghurt production, bread making, and others.

Nuclear Chemistry

This class will start by examining the range in frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum and the real- world effects of these varying frequencies. By the end of this course, students will know the different kinds of radioactive decays like alpha decay, beta decay, positron emission, electron capture, and gamma emission, and will balance a nuclear reaction.

Survival Science

If you woke up one day without the conveniences of modern society, how long would you last? Additionally, if you had to battle science-fiction monsters, what types of strategies would you use to stay alive? In this class, students will get to learn about survival science, and then apply what they’ve learned in a hypothetical competition for survival. As a class, we might also do the Zombie Blood and Guts Run and go on a camping trip.

Thermochemistry

The laws of thermodynamics have far-reaching implications in our world and environment, but also in our daily lives. Thermodynamics plays a role at the gas pump, in our kitchens, and even in our unconscious habits. This class will seek to explore all of the various parts of your universe that are subject to the laws of thermodynamics.

The Mole

The concept of the mole is one of the ubiquitous concepts in general chemistry. This class aims to prepare students for college-level chemistry by providing a solid foundation in the many operations involving the mole. The mole is not just a number, not a just a unit, but every chemistry student’s best friend.

Climate Change

We hear about climate change all the time, but what is really going on? Some people deny it is even happening. What has climate been like on earth over our geologic history? How have human systems altered the composition of the atmosphere, and what are its effects? How will climate change affect people, economies, “natural” disasters, migration, politics, and disease? The course will focus on these problems, as well as solutions, and include a climate action project.   Essential Question: How does human-generated climate change affect natural systems, populations, and the economy?

AP Physics C: Mechanics

Mechanics is the study of how macroscopic objects interact and are manipulated. Some examples of topics and phenomena within the purview of mechanics are sports, airplanes, orbits, cars, clocks, shooting, and falling. By the end of the course, these topics and many more should be comprehensible to you, and you should be able to both design experiments with these topics and correctly predict the outcomes of those experiments.

Plants and Society

Plants affect all aspects of our lives. We eat, take medicine, give our sweetie a corsage for prom, wear clothes, bounce a rubber ball, and make packaging or cosmetics, all using plant materials we grow. Plants provide jobs, oxygenate the Earth, deoxygenate the Potomac River, and interact with us in our daily lives in many ways. We will explore the world of plants and the world of people at the places these two intersect.   Essential Question: How do societies affect plants around them and how do plants of a particular area affect the society that uses them?

Oceanography

Oceanography is a beautiful blend of the biological, physical, chemical, geological, and environmental sciences. We will be studying ocean systems such as primary productivity and ecosystems, currents, salinity and density, ocean ridges, and trenches. The course will also look at human interaction with the ocean, including marine engineering and technology, geography, maritime history, as well as current issues in marine research, economics and policy. Students will have the opportunity to compete in a regional competition of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl http://web.vims.edu/BCB/ in February after the course is over.   Essential Question: How do ocean processes interact with each other and with humans?

Synthesizers

Synthesizers are so named because they synthesize different elements of sound to form more complex sounds. In their focus on waveforms, timbre, and amplitudes as opposed to instruments and playing style, they move from the realm of traditional music theory to incorporate a more scientific language. In this way, synthesizers also represent a synthesis of physics and music, and, in the spirit of Multiple Intelligences, they allow us to approach physics through the musical intelligence. The exhibition for this course will answer the Essential Question “How can sound be imagined as electricity, and how can electricity be manipulated to produce pleasing sounds?”

Invertebrate Zoology

When most people imagine an ordinary animal they might think of a lion or dog or panda, perhaps even a snake or a frog. But most animals are unlike these. In fact, 99% of all animals are invertebrates - they do not have backbones. On land, 80% of all animals are insects. Although invertebrates are the most common animals on Earth, they are not paid much attention. In this class we will study this silent majority, learning about their widely differing forms and why they have been so successful.

Biological Molecules and Nutrition

If you’ve ever tried to read nutritional labels or vitamins to see what in them is “good for you,” it can get confusing. What is real and what is just slick marketing? What are Omega 3-6-9s? Which is better for slower-burning energy--a polysaccharide or a monosaccharide? Is a calorie just a calorie or does nutritional profile matter? If you want to know what you are eating, its structure, how it works, and what it does to you, this class is for you.   Essential Question: How do biological macromolecules (carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids) affect the body?

Plagues and Society

How did the Black Plague change the world? Who really can take credit for “inventing” vaccines? How did the AIDS outbreak in the 1980s illuminate social inequalities? This course will use a selected text to explore the plague, smallpox, HIV/AIDS, and if time, a disease of the class’s choice. We will examine biological, sociological, immunological, religious, cultural, and technological impacts of major disease outbreaks. This is a research paper course.   Essential Question: What are the biological and social implications of widespread disease?

Machines

Human ingenuity has created heat in the cold, height from the ground, and strength from weakness. Physical challenges present our most compelling case for creation: wheels, levers, hammers and nails, airplanes, and countless other machines have all hugely expanded human capabilities. This class will explore how machines work and how they have helped us become more capable. For their exhibitions, students will build their own machines and answer the Essential Question “What makes a successful machine?”

The Writing of History and the Evolving American Identity

History is not a collection of facts, but a living and growing interpretation of facts within a broad narrative. As a young and powerful nation, U.S. history is often interpreted to fit the narrative of American Exceptionalism, but this is far from the only way of viewing our past. Ultimately, no historical account can be accepted without accounting for its authorship. This course will look at the ways the United States has identified itself and accounted for its past through different perspectives, taking into account the cultural trends contemporary to new ideas.

Comparative Government

Comparative government introduces students to the various types of governments around the world. The course will look at different governments’ origins within the context of their country’s history and culture. We will compare and contrast how various governments respond to problems and analyze the effectiveness of these responses. In addition, we will consider alternatives to American political practices. The course materials will derive from basic information on concepts and structures of government, case studies, and current events.

Reconstruction and Jim Crow

Following the American Civil War, the Union victors endeavoured to “reconstruct” the devastated South. In essence, Reconstruction intended to help Southern states rebuild following their defeat and to help newly-freed blacks to establish lives which included economic independence and political participation. Under certain conditions, the states of the South rejoined the United States government while federal programs assisted former slaves. As the federal government retreated from its involvement toward the end of Reconstruction, the South introduced new state constitutions and effectively returned its politics and society to its pre-war state. This course will examine the sequence of events that began the long, oppressive era of Jim Crow, as well as discuss its long-lasting effects.   Note: It is highly recommended that you have taken the Civil War Era course before you enroll in this class.

Socialism and the Rise of the American Left

Since the losses in the labor movement in the 1980s-’90s and the financial crisis of 2008, the American Left has been experiencing a resurrection of sorts. Most recently, Bernie Sanders has attempted to reshape the Democratic Party to be more economically and socially liberal. But the topics Sanders has brought to the forefront of American politics are not new ideas; they have a long history. This class will examine the political and social context in which the American Left has regained momentum in American politics. Readings will come from both mainstream media sources and the field of political science. Furthermore, we will research and discuss the possible implications of leftist policies on America as a whole.

America in the 1950s and ‘60s

The mid-twentieth century witnessed intensely accelerated change in American society. Following World War II, political, economic, and social patterns led to widespread divisions among America’s many social groups. While African Americans and women demanded civil rights, America’s youth became disillusioned, and conflicts arose between the generations. America in the 1950s and ‘60s analyzes the causes and effects of this time period and its impact on American culture.

Women’s History

Fifty years ago, a new kind of history was born. For the first time, scholars realized that an important part of history had been neglected: the experiences of women. This course will retell the familiar stories of American history as they were experienced by women, while analyzing the evolution of female identities and roles in the United States. We will discuss how women influenced, directly or indirectly, trends in American society, politics, and culture and examine how their experiences differed due to class and race.

Civic Activism

Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the
world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” In this course we will read and discuss writings on
citizenship. Our final objective will be to identify a problem in our community, develop a strategic plan to
address the problem, and implement the plan. This exhibition will help us master our communication,
public speaking, and strategic planning skills.

Model United Nations

"One of the main lessons I have learned during my five years as Secretary-General is that broad partnerships are the key to solving broad challenges. When governments, the United Nations, businesses, philanthropies and civil society work hand-in-hand, we can achieve great things." -Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations. This class will study the inner workings of the U.N., critique its effectiveness in the world and conduct simulations to hone our negotiation and political skills. This class will also participate in Model U.N. events with other schools.

America’s Immigrants

For over four hundred years, people of different nationalities, races, and ethnicities have immigrated to America, each affecting American culture to varying degrees. This course will examine the causes for each group’s immigration, both forced and voluntary, as well as their reception upon arrival and the unique impact of each group on the development of American culture. The roles of nationality, race, and ethnicity will be considered within the context of contemporary periods, and we will discuss how these roles influenced the different groups’ acculturation and assimilation.

The Criminal Justice System

This survey course will examine all aspects of the criminal justice system. It will first examine the due process clause of the Constitution. We will then learn the role of the judicial system at the local, state, and federal levels of government. Students will also examine and analyze how the judicial system has determined the applicability of forensic science in the investigation, prosecution, and defense of crimes. Finally, we will look at the role of the media, law enforcement, and human biases as we examine how our society balances fairness and justice.

History of American Education

Much is revealed about a society by its approach toward education. Honors History of American Education will dissect the curricula and instructional styles of American education from colonial to modern times. We will analyze what the student population, teaching methods, and content, as well as the role of government in education, indicate about how and why American values and perspectives have progressed through time.

American Presidents Through History

Continuing our theme from Quarter 1, this A Level ESOL class will look back at U.S. history through our country’s presidents. We will look at the most significant leaders in our history and discuss the impact they had on the nation. Through reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities, students will continue to improve their English skills as they learn about U.S. history.

AP Government

This course is designed to prepare students to take the AP U.S. Government & Politics exam. This is an engaging and challenging course that will require dedication and hard work. We will explore the U.S. government from a variety of perspectives, all with the goal of understanding the U.S. government holistically and deeply. Since students may earn college credit by passing the AP Government exam, they should expect to move at a college pace. Many outside readings, class projects, and written analyses are required in this course.

Comparative Government (level A)

In this A Level ESOL class, we will welcome international students to the U.S. and introduce them to U.S. government. We will compare the system here to those they are used to back home, and learn from each other. We will specifically focus on the U.S. presidential election coming up at the end of the quarter. Through reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities, students will improve their English skills as they learn about our government.

Clinton vs. Trump

  The U.S. presidency is among the most powerful jobs in the world. Very few events get as much national and international attention as U.S. presidential campaigns. This class will follow the campaigns of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton and discuss election strategies, critique political ads, analysis policy positions, and dig deep into the inner workings of the 2016 presidential campaigns.

The War in Iraq

On September 11, 2001, small groups of men hijacked three American passenger planes and flew them into the two World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon. A fourth plane, overtaken from hijackers by its passengers, crashed in the countryside. Within weeks, voices in the United States were beating the drums for an invasion of Iraq, whose despotic leader, Saddam Hussein, was suspected of developing weapons of mass destruction aimed at the United States. In March of 2003, the U.S. invaded Iraq, a country with a rich and complicated history, and the region has remained troubled ever since and, thirteen years later, the fate of Iraq remains a major concern of U.S. geopolitics. What happened? What can we learn about American foreign policy from studying the Iraq War? What can we learn about the Middle East? About the war on terrorism? In this class, we will delve thoroughly into a complex and important topic.

The Psychology of Happiness

The purpose of this class is to give the student an introduction to the area of psychology with a focus on happiness. This focus is also known as “Positive Psychology.” At the conclusion of the class you will have a very good introductory-level knowledge of the field of psychology and attendant issues and be well prepared to continue your education in psychology/social work at a university. The curriculum will be pulled directly from an introductory-level college course. Movies, TED lectures, and documentaries will be used throughout this course. It is highly recommended for students who have already taken a psychology class.

Introduction to Philosophy

Why are we here? How do we know that a fact is true? What does it mean to be an “I”? How should we determine right from wrong? What is the best kind of government? What is consciousness? These are some of the questions at the heart of philosophy. This class will introduce some of the enduring philosophical questions and grapple with the answers given by some of the best-known philosophers. The contemporary philosophical novel Sophie’s World will serve as a starting point for the discussion, to be deepened by readings from a range of ancient and modern authors.

Search and Destroy: The Origins of Punk

“Despite all the amputation, you could dance to a rock and roll station” - It has been said that the Velvet Underground’s first album sold only a couple of thousand copies, but everyone who bought it went out and formed a band. In this class we will track the history of punk from its gritty, druggy New York City origins to its tremendous explosion as an anti-social phenomenon in the U.K. The course will focus on the music, first and foremost, with support from various articles, books, and films. Be prepared to experience the thrilling, dangerous world of punk rock, where teenage kicks weren’t so hard to find with the likes of Iggy Pop, The New York Dolls, Patti Smith, The Ramones, Sex Pistols, The Clash, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Buzzcocks, The Fall, Joy Division, and more.

Moral Philosophy

What are good and evil? How do we decide which is which? Moral philosophy is the branch of philosophy that deals with ethics and values. This class will examine some of the major problems in moral philosophy, along with the answers proposed by key Western philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Hume, Descartes, Mill, and Nietzsche, with the ultimate goal of formulating our own approaches to the concept of right and wrong.

The Invention of the Teenager

Teenagers today are a massive cultural and economic force in America. But less than a hundred years ago, the word “teenager” didn’t even exist. How did we get from there to here? This class will examine the cultural and historical events that led to adolescence being recognized as a separate phase in one’s life, the growing importance of teens as a part of American culture in the 20th century, and the roles young people play in contemporary American life. We’ll look at what neuroscience has to say about the adolescent brain as well as the ways that society continues to project its hopes and fears onto the next generation.

The Digital Revolution

How are computers and the Internet reshaping contemporary human experience? What does it mean to live one’s life online? What happens to those left out of this interconnected world? This class will examine the impact of the digital revolution on education, business, popular entertainment, communication, politics, and more. Through readings and direct experience we’ll explore topics such as the history of computing, the philosophical implications of social media, and the future of the digital world.

Gender and Language

In this class, we will examine the pervasiveness of gender norms in our society. Then we will look to see how these norms affect language and how this language reinforces those norms. This class will also be a sociolinguistic study of gender differences in language.

Psychology of Language

Perhaps the most incredible human feat is one that we all accomplish: learning our native language as an infant, without any direct instruction. How does natural language acquisition happen? Furthermore, what is going on in our brains when we process and produce language? How do we adjust our language in various social situations? How did humans develop the remarkable ability to communicate with such complexity in the first place? In addition to exploring these questions, this course serves as an introduction to the basic concepts of linguistics--including phonology (sounds), morphology (the makeup of words), and syntax (grammar)--using the English language as a case study.   Essential Question: How does the mind create language?

Comparative Geography

Through learning about and comparing physical and cultural geography of their new surroundings and the USA to that of their homelands, students will be able to make connections and put new vocabulary and information into context. If possible, the class will include field trips to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, Harper’s Ferry, and Great Falls.

Applied Sociology

Students will learn to use specific research methods used in the field of sociology. They will read excerpts from studies and see how these methods are used. Guided discussions will be a large part of the course as students learn to understand the sociological perspective and methods. By the end of the course, students will work together to design their own study and report that will include data that they have collected themselves as well as research from other studies.

Ubermensch, The Last Man, and Political Caricatures

Modern political discourse is unnerving. From manifold facades, the left and the right fortify and snipe, building pyres of straw men to enlighten their worldviews. The uncharitable rhetoric that prevails online and through 24-hour news stations is the latest distillation of much more complex ideas established by 19th- and 20th-century philosophers. As those ideas filtered through interpreters, assumptions were made and logical fallacies were added and amplified, granting a firm-seeming (but hollowed-out) justification for ignoring opposition. This course will trace the evolution of these ideas, writing a research paper answering the Essential Question “What has happened to compromise?”

The Ethics of Globalization

Most economists would agree that capitalism has played a vital role in the rapid growth of human wealth
and prosperity in the past 400 years, and in the past fifty or so we have seen a transition from an era of
international trade into an era of truly global corporations. Has this transition been all roses? How does the
growing global economy affect the 7 billion human inhabitants of the Earth? Is capitalism inherently
helpful to humans? Is it inherently harmful? These and other questions will be explored as we study the
nature and distribution of wealth and examine case studies of capitalism throughout the world. (Note: this
class is a re-tooling of The Ethics of Capitalism with a "World Studies" focus, and will not necessarily
cover enough fresh material to feel like a truly new course for those who have already taken The Ethics of
Capitalism.)

World Religions

This comparative religion course will focus on the intersection of religious belief and human culture. We will look at a variety of Eastern and Western religions and the societies that surround them, from both a historical and a contemporary perspective. This course will also serve as a thorough introduction to the analytical research paper: all students will be guided carefully through the process of finding, compiling, and analyzing research to take a position, as well as through the writing, revising, editing, and formatting of an accompanying paper.   Essential Question: How do religion and society influence each other?  

Cognitive Psychology

This Honors-level psychology course will involve exploring the inner workings of the human brain and taking on both a scientific and philosophical study of mental processes. We will consider how the mind works (and also how it sometimes fails to work), and we will explore topics such as consciousness, perception, attention, knowledge, memory, language, reasoning, and artificial intelligence. Students will be reading and discussing scholarly articles, conducting independent research, and producing academic writing throughout the quarter.
Essential Question: What is the relationship between the human brain and the physical world?

20th Century Asia

Over the last 150 years, the countries of Asia have endured wars, nation-building, and foreign occupation, as well as established themselves as important players in an increasingly global world. This class will investigate the social, political, and economic histories of key nations in Asia, namely China, Japan, Vietnam, North Korea, and South Korea. We will examine the different cultures and movements, and how these culminate in the societies of modern-day Asia.

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