2 0 16 - 1 7
UPPER SCHOOL COUR S E CATALOG
G E R M A N TOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL
Upper School course catalog
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S COURSE SELECTION PROCESS
2
G R A D U AT I O N R E Q U I R E M E N T S
3
GFS QUICK REFERENCE TERMS
4
R E G I S T R AT I O N N O T E S A N D P R O G R A M H I G H L I G H T S
5
D E PA R T M E N TA L A P P R O VA L R E Q U I R E D
6
FOUR-YEAR COURSE PLANNING GRID
7
D E PA R T M E N TA L C O U R S E O F F E R I N G S G R I D
8
C O U R S E O F F E R I N G S B Y D E PA R T M E N T
11
R E Q U I R E D P R O G R A M S 3 8
JANUARY TERM
JUNIOR PROJECT
DIRECTED INDEPENDENT STUDY
39
GLOBAL ONLINE ACADEMY 41 AT H L E T I C S 5 0
COURSE SELECTION PROCESS Note to Students and Parents
The course selection process for the 2016-2017 school year begins here. As you consider your options, please consult this catalog for course descriptions, course planning, and general infor mation about requirements, prerequisites, in-house ter ms, and other considerations. We encourage students to seek the advice and counsel of teachers and Grade Advisors, and we encourage you to read this document carefully. We hope you enjoy lear ning more about your student’s options.
FOUR-YEAR COURSE PLANNING GRID
The planning grid on page 7 will assist you with drafting various models for your course of study fr om grades 9 thr ough 12. As you sketch out a multi-year plan, noting your r equir ed and elective courses, you will see the ways in which the curriculum might unfold for you. It is wise to r epeat this pr ocess annually to make sur e you ar e meeting all r equir ements for graduation.
REQUIREMENTS AND A COURSE LOAD NOTE
Ninth, 10th, and 11th graders ar e r equir ed to take five major courses; 12th graders may elect four or five majors. In the rar e instance that a student wishes to take six major courses in any grade (an academic overload), he or she must have the appr oval of the Head of the Upper School. Sometimes a sixth course cannot be scheduled; it is especially dif ficult in the case of students taking Choir.
P R E R E Q U I S I T E S A N D D E PA R T M E N TA L A P P R O VA L
Please note that certain courses have pr er equisites or, for a variety or r easons, r equir e departmental appr oval. That infor mation is listed on the departmental pages in this catalog.
COURSE SELECTION TIMELINE • Beginning in February, students seek course selection advice fr om par ents, teachers, Department Heads and Grade Advisors (and for juniors, fr om College Advisors as well). • On-line course r egistration will open on February 10. When you log in, specific instructions will pr ompt you r egar ding the on-line r egistration pr ocess. • A har d copy of the r egistration will be printed and distributed to each student immediately after the sign-up period ends. This har d copy must be signed by a par ent or guar dian and r etur ned to the homer oom teacher immediately. • Add/Dr op Period: At the beginning of the school year, students will have two weeks to add a course to their schedule. They have until two days prior to the end of the first quarter to dr op a course. All adds and dr ops must be appr oved by the Grade Advisor.
2
G R A D U AT I O N R E Q U I R E M E N T S To graduate fr om Ger mantown Friends School, students must complete satisfactory work in 19 major courses. Students must meet all departmental major and minor course r equir ements, participate in January Ter m, fulfill the Athletics r equir ement and complete a Junior Pr oject. (See Departmental Course Descriptions for mor e details.)
REQUIRED MAJOR COURSEWORK
REQUIRED MINOR COURSEWORK
9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade
9th Grade Music
History (3 years)
Art or Drama (1 Year)
Language (to Level 3)
Health (2 years)
English (4 years)
9th grade: Comparative Cultur es 10th grade: A ncient and Medieval Civilizations or Latin History 12th grade: U S History Completion to level thr ee of one classical or moder n language. T ypically the first level of coursework is completed by the end of Middle School (Note: 7th and 8th grade study together count as Level 1).
Mathematics (3 years)
Infor mation about course sequence appears in the Math Department section. 9th grade: Choice of Inter mediate Algebra, Geometry or Accelerated Geometry 10th grade: Choice of Geometry, Algebra II, Analysis of Functions 11th grade: Choice of Algebra II, Functions and Trigonometry, Pr e-calculus, Dif fer ential Calculus or Advanced Statistics
Science (2 years)
One must be a physical science and one must be Biology.
Please note: The science requirement has expanded to 3 years beginning with incoming 9th Graders (Class of 2020).
Of the 3 courses selected, one must be a physical science and one must be Biology.
Music (1 year)
New r equir ement for incoming 9th graders only (Class of 2020): One year of either a drama or art course completed by the end of 12th grade. 10th grade: Health Education 10 (half year) 12th grade: Life Issues
Physical Education (2 years and 4 points)
9th grade: Physical Education 9 10th grade: P hysical Education 10 (half year) 11th and 12th grades: Total of 4 Physical Education (PE) points accrued over two years. PE points ar e equivalent to 1 trimester Physical Education class, or 1 GFS Athletic season.
OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Junior Project: An independent, out-ofschool pr oject that takes place during the month of January of Junior Year. January Term: Students complete 3 January Ter ms in 9th, 10th and 12th grades. Athletics Requirement 9th grade : 2 Seasons of GFS Athletics 10th grade : 1 Season of GFS Athletics
Exceptions/Exemptions: Requests for exceptions to or exemptions fr om any r equir ement must be made to the Head of the Upper School. In the case of an exemption fr om Athletics, see “Athletics.�
3
GFS QUICK REFERENCE TERMS Required Course: A department-specific course r equir ed for graduation. Elective Course: A department-specific course not r equir ed for graduation. Prerequisite: A course one must take befor e taking another course. Co-requisite: A course one must take along with another course. Major Course: A “major” meets four or five times a week. It counts as one of the 19 major courses mandated for graduation. Ther e ar e two kinds of major courses: • Required Major: A major course taken to fulfill a department-specific major course r equir ement. • Elective Major: A major course that is not r equir ed, but that can count as one of the 19 majors r equir ed. Arts Major: A configuration of minor courses that can, with the per mission of the r elevant Department Head, for m a music, drama or art major course that counts as one of the major courses for graduation. See Department Pages for a detailed description. Overload: When a student takes six major courses rather than the standar d five (done only with the per mission of the Head of the Upper School). Homeroom Teacher: The homer oom teacher pr ovides daily contact, meeting with a small gr oup of students each mor ning, disseminating infor mation and taking attendance. Grade Advisor: The Grade Advisor oversees the academic, social and emotional support of students in a particular grade and acts as a liaison between students, par ents and teachers. Advisory: Ninth, 10th and 11th graders meet with their Grade Advisor in small gr oups one period per week. Health, PE and Athletics Classes in Health and PE (Physical Education) take place during the academic day. In addition, juniors and seniors may get PE cr edit for yoga and str ength training, which take place after school. Athletics r efers to our Varsity and Junior Varsity sports pr ograms, which take place after the academic day ends. Ther e ar e thr ee athletic seasons: fall, winter and spring. Students make Athletics choices by season.
4
O N L I N E R E G I S T R AT I O N N O T E S • Athletics: Remember to select your Athletics choices • 9th grade: T wo seasons • 10th grade: One season • 11th and 12th grades: Each season of Athletics counts as 1 point of the 4-point PE r equir ement • Art Classes: Please select a first and second choice for each Art elective (with the exception of Foundation). • A Sixth Major: A sixth major is selected in the section marked “overload” and has lower priority than the first five majors. Requir ed courses may not be selected as an overload. Sometimes a sixth major cannot be scheduled. It is virtually impossible for students in Choir to take an academic overload. Any student who wishes to take an overload must meet with and r eceive appr oval fr om the Head of the Upper School. • Ninth Grade Students Taking Two Languages: Students wishing to take two for eign languages to advanced levels: • May elect to carry six majors as an academic overload with per mission fr om the Head of the Upper School. • May r equest exemption fr om Comparative Cultur es with per mission fr om the Head of the Upper School. Students must then take History in 10th, 11th and 12th grades to complete their History Department r equir ement. • May elect to dr op Science in their 9th-grade year, and fulfill their Science r equir ement in subsequent years. • Junior-Senior Seminars: Please indicate a second and thir d choice (a Junior-Senior Seminar or another major course) when selecting a Junior-Senior Seminar.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS January Ter m: January Ter m in the Upper School is a month-long opportunity to explor e new courses of study. Classes ar e ungraded, innovative, hands-on course of ferings composed of mixed-grade gr oups of 9th, 10th and 12th graders. Directed Independent Study: A “DIS” is an independent major or minor course r equested by a student that involves a teacher-student study partnership. Junior-Senior Seminars: Major elective courses of fer ed each school year in innovative subjects that ar e often inter disciplinary in natur e. These courses change year to year. Global Online Academy: Small consortium of independent schools that of fers online course opportunities open to GFS juniors and seniors. Junior Project: The r equir ed independent pr oject all juniors undertake of f-campus in the month of January of their junior year.
5
COURSE SELECTION PROCESS Exceptions to Requirements: Requests for exceptions to or exemptions from any requirement must be made to the Head of Upper School. In the case of an exemption from Athletics, see “Athletics.”
D E PA R T M E N TA L A P P R O VA L The following options ar e subject to departmental appr oval fr om the appr opriate Department Head. After signing up for the course, if the student does not r eceive appr oval, he or she will be notified by the Department Head or Grade Advisor, and will be given the opportunity to amend his or her course selections. ART: • Students cr eating an Art Major • Students electing Senior Studio (portfolio also r equir ed) CLASSICS DEPARTMENT: Students dr opping a classical language DRAMA: Students cr eating a Drama Major MATH: Please see Mathematics course descriptions for departmental appr oval r equir ements. • Students moving into or out of an accelerated course • Students dr opping math in their senior year • Students new to GFS must take a math assessment; course placement must have departmental appr oval MODERN LANGUAGE: • Students electing Level IV or V of a moder n language • Students wishing to elect Mandarin as a minor MUSIC: • Students cr eating a music major • Please note: Admission to Choir and MadriGals is audition-based SCIENCE: Students electing Advanced Chemistry, Advanced Physics or Advanced Biology DIRECTED INDEPENDENT STUDY (DIS): Students r egistering for a DIS Major must write a for mal pr oposal by early May that has the appr oval of the Dir ector of Independent Studies and the Academic Standar ds Committee. GLOBAL ONLINE ACADEMY (GOA): Students electing to take a GOA course r equir e appr oval fr om the GFS site dir ector.
6
FOUR-YEAR COURSE PLANNING GRID In thinking about course choices, you may want to sketch out a plan of study incorporating graduation r equir ements and electives. 5 majors ar e r equir ed of all students in grades 9-11 and either 4 or 5 may be taken in 12th grade.
9TH G RA D E
10TH G RA D E
11T H G RA D E
12TH GR ADE
5 required
5 required
5 required
4 or 5 required
ENGLISH
English 9
English 10
English 11
English 12
HISTORY
Comparative Cultures
Ancient History or Latin History
Advisory 9
Advisory 10
MAJO RS
US History
LANGUAGE MATHEMATICS SCIENCE JR/SR SEMINAR ART, DRAMA OR MUSIC
MI N O RS ADVISORY
Navigation
ART COMPUTER SCIENCE & DIGITAL MEDIA DRAMA
Health Education (half year)
HEALTH MUSIC
Music 9
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
PE 9
PE 10 (half year)
2 seasons
1 season
Life Issues
4 PE points required over the course of 11th and 12th grade (sports or PE)
OTHER (GOA, DIS, etc.)
ATH L ET I C S GFS Sport or PE
GFS Sport or PE
(F)
(F)
(F)
(F)
(W)
(W)
(W)
(W)
(S)
(S)
(S)
(S)
7
D E PA R T M E N TA L C O U R S E O F F E R I N G S G R I D C O U RSE T I T L E
G RA D E
*Requires departmental approval
INFORM AT I O N See Course Descriptions for full information.
ART STUDIO COURSES
Please note: Foundation is a prerequisite for all other studio classes, including photography.
Foundation
9, 10, 11, 12
Minor elective 3x week
Color & Design
10, 11, 12
Minor elective 3x week
Drawing and Painting
10, 11, 12
Minor elective 3x week
3-Dimensional Art
10, 11, 12
Minor elective 3x week
Digital Collage
10, 11, 12
Minor elective 3x week
Photography
11, 12
Minor elective 4x week
Senior Studio*
12
Major elective
Art History: Modern Art in 2017-18
10, 11, 12
Minor elective 2x week
Art History: Ancient-Baroque in 2016-17
10, 11, 12
Minor elective 2x week
Art Major*
10, 11, 12
Art History + studio course
Ancient Greek I
9, 10, 11, 12
Major elective
Ancient Greek II
9, 10, 11, 12
Major elective Prerequisite: Greek I
Ancient Greek III
10, 11, 12
Major elective Prerequisite: Greek II
Ancient Greek IV
11, 12
Major elective Prerequisite: Greek III
Ancient Greek V
12
Major elective Prerequisite: Greek IV
ACADEMIC COURSES
C LAS S I C AL L ANGUAGES
Latin I
9, 10, 11
Major elective
Latin II
9, 10, 11, 12
Major elective Prerequisite: Latin I or Latin IB
Latin III (History)
10
Major elective Prerequisite: Latin II & co-register for Latin History
Latin III Literature
10, 11, 12
Major elective Prerequisite: Latin II
Latin IV
11, 12
Major elective Prerequisite: Latin III
Latin V
12
Major elective Prerequisite: Latin IV
C O MP U TER S C IENC E + DIGITA L M ED IA Robotics
9, 10, 11, 12
Minor elective 2x week (one semester course)
Introductory Programming
9, 10, 11, 12
Minor elective 2x week
Advanced Programming*
10, 11, 12
Minor elective 2x week Prerequisite: Robotics, Introductory Programming or by permission of instructor
Web Design & Development
9, 10, 11, 12
Minor elective 2x week
Advanced Web Design & Development
10, 11, 12
Minor elective 2x week Prerequisite: Web Design & Development
Pring & Digital Media
9, 10, 11, 12
Minor elective 2x week
Drama 9
9
Minor elective 2x week
Drama 10
10
Minor elective 2x week
Drama 11/12
11, 12
DRAMA PERFORMANCE CLASSES
8
Minor elective 2x week
C OURSE T I T L E
G RA D E
*Requires departmental approval
INFORM AT I O N See Course Descriptions for full information.
OTHER DRAMA CLASSES Reader’s Theater
11, 12
Minor elective 2x week
Technical Theater
9, 10, 11, 12
Minor elective 1x week
Drama Major*
11, 12
Drama Major: Drama 11/12 & Reader’s Theater
Exploration of Identity
9
Required major
Poetry of Language
10
Required major
Literature in Context
11
Required major
Identity and Aesthetics
12
Required major
Magazine Journalism
10, 11, 12
Minor elective 2x week
Health Education 10
10
Required minor 2x week (one-semester course)
Life Issues
12
Required minor 1x week (full year)
Comparative Cultures
9
Required major
Ancient & Medieval Civilizations
10
Required major option for 10th graders
Latin History
10
Required major option for 10th graders. Co-register for Latin III.
Europe and the World
11
Major elective
United States History
12
Required Major
E N GLI S H
H E ALT H EDUC AT IO N
H I S T O RY
J U N I O R- SENI OR S EMINARS Please see Junior-Senior Seminars (page 24) for details.
MAT H E M AT I C S Please see Mathematics section for course sequencing options, prerequisites and departmental approval requirements.
MO DE R N L ANGUAGES Spanish I (offered 2016-17)
9, 10, 11
Major elective
Spanish II
9, 10, 11, 12
Major elective Prerequisite: Spanish I
Spanish III
10, 11, 12
Major elective Prerequisite: Spanish II
Spanish IV*
11, 12
Major elective Prerequisite: Spanish III
Spanish V*
12
Major elective Prerequisite: Spanish IV
French I (offered 2017-18)
9, 10, 11
Major elective
French II
9, 10, 11, 12
Major elective Prerequisite: French I
French III
10, 11, 12
Major elective Prerequisite: French II
French IV*
11, 12
Major elective Prerequisite: French III
French V*
11, 12
Major elective Prerequisite: French IV
Mandarin*
9, 10, 11, 12
Major or minor elective
MU S I C Please see Music course descriptions for all prerequisites. Ninth Grade Music
9
Required minor 2x week
Sight Singing and Music Literacy
9
Minor elective 1x week
9
C O U RSE T I T L E
G RA D E
*Requires departmental approval
INFORM AT I O N See Course Descriptions for full information.
PERFORMANCE COURSES Jazz Ensembles
9, 10, 11, 12
Minor elective 1x week Co-requisite: Private lessons
Chamber Music
9, 10, 11, 12
Minor elective 1x week Co-requisite: Private lessons
Orchestra
9, 10, 11, 12
Minor elective 1x week Co-requisite: Orchestra
World Percussion Ensemble
10, 11, 12
Minor elective 3x week Co-requisite: Private lessons
Chorus
10, 11, 12
Minor elective 2x week
Choir*
10, 11, 12
Minor elective 3x week
MadriGals*
10, 11, 12
Minor elective 1x week Co-requisite: Chorus
ACADEMIC COURSES Beginning Music Theory
10, 11, 12
Minor elective 3x week
Advanced Music Theory
11, 12
Minor elective 3x week Prerequisite: Beginning Theory
Advanced Music Composition
11, 12
Minor elective 2x week Prerequisite: Advanced Theory
Instrumental Improvisation
10, 11, 12
Minor elective 1x week
Masterworks in Music
10, 11, 12
Minor elective 2x week
History of Pop
10, 11, 12
Minor elective 2x week
Music Major*
10, 11, 12
Music Major: 1 academic + 1 performance elective
Physical Education 9
9
Required minor 2x week
Physical Education 10
10
Required minor 2x week (one semester)
Physical Education 11 & 12
11, 12
Required minor 2x week (Please see PE course descriptions for explanation of 11/12 PE points.)
P H Y S I C A L EDUC AT IO N
SCIENCE All science courses are lab-based courses that meet for 5 periods per week. Physics (physical)
9, 10
Major elective
Chemistry (physical)
10, 11
Major elective
Biology (biological)
11, 12
Required major
Environmental Science
11, 12
Major elective Prerequisite: Chemistry
Advanced Chemistry* (physical)
11, 12
Major elective Prerequisite: Chemistry
Advanced Biology* (biological)
12
Major elective Prerequisite: Biology
12
Major elective Prerequisite: Completion or concurrent enrollment in Calculus or Integral Calculus
Advanced Physics* (physical)
J U N I O R P RO JEC T S Please see Junior Project description for details.
DI RE C T E D I NDEP ENDENT S TU D Y Please see Directed Independent Study description for details. DIS Major*
11, 12
Major elective 3-4x week
DIS Minor*
9, 10, 11, 12
Minor elective 1x week
DIS Minor in World Language (Arabic, Japanese, German, Russian, American Sign Language)*
9, 10, 11, 12
Minor elective 1 or 2x week
GLO B A L O NLINE AC ADEM Y ( GOA ) * GOA Classes
10
11, 12
Please see GOA course descriptions for information.
COURSE OFFERINGS A RT The Upper School Art Program moves sequentially. Students are introduced to appropriate skills and concepts that gradually build in complexity and depth. Through the exploration of various materials and media, students investigate formal issues with increasing independence. Using a problem-solving format, criteria are first presented and examined, and then students develop individual solutions to answer assigned problems creatively. Each assignment culminates in a group critique, where students use appropriate visual arts language to inform their critical thinking. Students learn to recognize quality and to appreciate the uniqueness and diversity of effective responses. We are concerned not only with the making of art, but also with the development of critical thinking, visual literacy and art history awareness. • The course Foundation is a prerequisite for all other art electives. • Students must select a first and second choice for art electives with the exception of Foundation. • Each course may be taken only once. • Art courses may be chosen individually as minors, or together in certain configurations to form a major. • A Note on Making an “Art Major”: • The “Art Major” is minor coursework taken simultaneously that can fulfill a major course requirement in grades 10, 11 and 12. Departmental approval is required. • Students may form an “art major” by combining an art history course with a studio course (Drawing and Painting; Color & Design; 3-Dimensional Art; Photography; Digital Collage). • In some cases, combining two studio courses can be considered an “Art Major.” Please consult Department Head. • Seniors who have completed the prerequisite courses and who have obtained departmental permission may take an Art Major by electing Senior Studio. 731 Foundation minor elective grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 This course is designed to intr oduce and investigate visual concepts. These concepts of 2D and 3D composition include line, plane, negative/positive space, perspective, color, value and figur e/gr ound. Each unit of study is tailor ed to build technical skill and theor etical understanding, as well as to develop critical thinking and pr oblem-solving skills r egar dless of prior experience. Thr ough critiques, students lear n to use a visual vocabulary to analyze for mal issues. Successful completion of this course is a pr er equisite for Photography, Drawing and Painting, Color & Design, 3-Dimensional Art, Digital Collage, Senior Studio, and yearbook layout. Meets thr ee periods per week.
783 Color & Design minor elective grades: 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: Foundation In this course, students concentrate on how color and design can be used to describe and communicate ideas thr ough visual means. We investigate color as it can be used emotionally and psychologically for practical and poetic ends. Students will study layout
and design, using elements of r ealistic and abstract for m. Assignments emphasize cr eative pr oblem solving and varying conceptual exer cises, the solutions to which may be used for school publications. Multiple techniques and media will be used including collage, drawing, painting and digital media. Skill development will underlay all of our study. Because space is limited, students electing this course should specify a 2nd/3r d art course choice when they sign up. Meets thr ee periods per week. Enrollment limited to 12 students per section.
784 Drawing & Painting minor elective grades: 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: Foundation The year will begin with drawing. We will define drawing in many ways, fr om the observed and structural to the expr essive and conceptual. A variety of media will be intr oduced thr oughout the course. Painting will follow as a natural outgr owth, with a focus on color, value and materials. Ther e will be continual emphasis on the traditional subjects of the artist (figur e, landscape, still life), as well as on the first steps the young artist takes in finding his/her own subjects and style. Meets thr ee periods per week. Enrollment limited to 12 students per section.
11
COURSE OFFERINGS 781 3-Dimensional Art
761 Senior Studio
minor elective
major elective
grades: 10, 11 or 12
grade: 12
prerequisite: Foundation
prerequisites: Foundation plus one of the following: Drawing & Painting; Color & Design; Digital Collage; Photography or 3-Dimensional Art. (Drawing and Painting and Art History are strongly recommended as preparation for Senior Studio.); departmental approval required
This studio course is an intr oduction to 3D. Emphasis is placed on cr eatively solving pr oblems and communicating ideas thr ough the use of numer ous materials in a “lear n-by-doing� pr ocess. The willingness to take technical and conceptual risks is essential to the course. Each pr oject will begin with drawing to guide students thinking of for mal considerations. Historical and contemporary art and design will infor m thinking and strategies. As the year pr ogr esses, pr ojects will become mor e complex and students will be af for ded opportunities for experimentation and personal expr ession. Because space is limited, students electing this course should specify a 2nd /3r d art course choice when they sign up. Meets thr ee periods per week. Enrollment limited to 12 students per section.
786 Digital Collage minor elective grades: 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: Foundation This digital lab course intr oduces the computer as an artistic tool for drawing, painting and collage. We will take advantage of aspects that ar e unique to digital drawing, such as layering, scaling, the incorporation of photography, and working with states of r evision. This course is about expanding the narrative possibilities of image-making thr ough contemporary pr ocesses of edition and image construction using Photoshop and Illustrator. Students will be exposed to advanced methods of editing still and moving images, video and animation. Because space is limited, students electing this course should specify a 2nd/3r d art course choice when they sign up. Meets thr ee periods per week. Enrollment limited to 12 students per section.
785 Photography minor elective
This advanced studio course str esses the development of fine technical and aesthetic skills, and the development of original, personal vision. Both classical and contemporary appr oaches to visual arts will r eceive thor ough attention with particular emphasis on personal expr ession thr ough the synthesis of for mal considerations. Early in the year, ther e will be a block of evening classes devoted to the study of the figur e. Other ar eas of study include color theory, abstraction, observational, conceptual and narrative work. Guidance and support is pr ovided for the pr eparation of a str ong portfolio for college admissions. Regular homework and some r eading and critical writing ar e r equir ed. Ther e is a studio fee of $75 for this course. Enrollment limited to 12 students per section, and will be determined by a portfolio evaluation plus one directed drawing assignment.
773 Art History: Modern Art minor elective
grades: 10, 11, 12 (offered in 2017-18) We will spend the first portion of the year analyzing elements of visual expr ession in a historical mode. General theories fr om art philosophy dealing with per ception, meaning and beauty will frame elements such as line quality, composition, color, plane, narrative and scale in r elation to painting, ar chitectur e, sculptur e, photography, printmaking, film and per for mance art. We will study artists and movements of the 19th-, 20th- and 21st-centuries. Ther e will be r equir ed r eadings, written assignments and museum visits. Meets two periods per week.
grades: 11, 12
773 Art History: Ancient through Baroque
prerequisite: Foundation
minor elective
This is an intr oductory course that explor es the technical and aesthetic possibilities of the photograph. Students will first master the skills of black-and-white darkr oom photography; an intr oduction to digital images and alter native photographic pr ocesses will follow. Thr oughout the course, attention will be paid to the content and composition of photographs, as students solve pr oblems in portraitur e, documentary, studio photography and social commentary. Ther e is a lab fee of $100 for this course. A limited number of school cameras ar e available for students on an as-needed basis. Because space is limited, students electing this course should specify a 2nd/3r d art course choice when they sign up. Meets four periods per week. Enrollment limited to 12 students per section.
12
grades: 10, 11, 12 (offered in 2016-17) The major goal of this course is to give students a gr ounding in looking at art and making sense of what they see. As they lear n the skills of observation, analysis and interpr etation, students examine the stylistic, iconographic and technical development of ar chitectur e, painting, sculptur e and craft art. Selected major periods in the development of wester n art ar e studied within a rich and concise cultural and historical context. Topics in the art of Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Pacific Islands ar e explor ed to illuminate an understanding of world art. Meets two periods per week.
C L AS S IC A L L A N G U A G E The Classics department offers Latin in grades 7-12, and Ancient Greek in grades 8-12. Our Classics teachers focus on training students to develop proficiency in the languages and become close, analytical readers of the literature. Our program covers quite a breadth of material. Students read a wide range of poetry and prose texts, and learn about ancient philosophy, rhetoric, culture and history. Students come out of our program able to interpret, analyze and connect the texts that have shaped Western literature for the last two millennia. Events like Classics Day and our annual Roman elections involve all of our students in lively, collaborative learning. Many students go on to study Classics in college and beyond. Graduation Requirement Note: Students must complete a Level III modern or classical language to graduate. Anyone considering dropping a language must get approval from the Head of Classics. 571 Ancient Greek I
574 Ancient Greek IV
major elective
major elective
grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
grades: 11, 12
This course pr ovides the beginning foundation in the basic grammar of Ancient Gr eek, with a focus on developing a str ong working vocabulary and a basic pr oficiency in r eading and writing. The stories in the course textbook, Athenaze, explor e the daily life and cultur e of ancient Athens
prerequisite: Ancient Greek III
572 Ancient Greek II major elective
Topics and genr es will vary year by year, and may include Gr eek history (e.g., Her odotus or Xenophon), legal oratory (Lysias), tragedy (Euripides) or epic (Homer). We will explor e the social and historical context of the works as well as their literary aspects and later influences. Students will undertake r elated pr ojects individually or in small gr oups.
grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
575 Ancient Greek V
prerequisite: Ancient Greek I
major elective
Students will continue to work in Athenaze, completing their study of basic Gr eek grammar. Gr eek II pr ovides the gr oundwork necessary to r ead r eal, Ancient Gr eek authors, and some of the landmarks of Gr eek literatur e. Thr ough the r eadings in Athenaze, we continue to study ancient Athenian cultur e.
573 Ancient Greek III major elective grades: 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: Ancient Greek II Starting in the thir d year, students begin to translate and explor e actual ancient literatur e. Topics and genr es will vary year to year, and may include Gr eek history (e.g., Her odotus or Xenophon), legal oratory (Lysias), tragedy (Euripides) or epic (Homer). We will explor e the social and historical context of the works as well as their literary aspects and later influences. Students will undertake r elated pr ojects individually or in small gr oups.
grade: 12
prerequisite: Ancient Greek IV Topics and genr es will vary year by year, and may include Gr eek history (e.g., Her odotus or Xenophon), legal oratory (Lysias), tragedy (Euripides) or epic (Homer). We will explor e the social and historical context of the works as well as their literary aspects and later influences. Students will undertake r elated pr ojects individually or in small gr oups.
532 Latin I major elective grades: 9, 10, 11 An intr oduction to the Latin language and its basic for ms, vocabulary and grammar. Since students taking this course will join those students in the twoyear Middle School course, ther e is str ong emphasis on mastering grammar and for ms. The class discusses the r elation of Latin to Fr ench, Spanish, and English, and pays close attention to English vocabulary thr ough Latin r oots. The r eading material uses adapted, authentic works of Latin literatur e to incr ease student inter est and enliven discussion of Gr eek and Roman cultur e.
13
COURSE OFFERINGS 531 Latin II major elective grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: Latin I This second-year course completes the study of Latin grammar and pr ovides incr easing emphasis on r eading. Students develop the skills necessary to r ead Latin as the Romans wr ote it, and to consider the historical and cultural implications of their language and literatur e in contrast to our own. Students also r ead longer passages of connected Latin pr ose.
541 Latin III (History) major elective grade: 10
prerequisite: Latin II (students must concurrently enroll in History 241 Latin History) By combining the study of history and thir d-year Latin, this course af for ds students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in inter disciplinary study. The centerpiece of the course concer ns the immediate events that br ought the Roman Republic to an end. By r eading Caesar’s account of the Civil War (De bello civili) and Cicer o’s letters describing the same events, students become intimately familiar with the only primary documents that have survived fr om this time— documents which every historian of this period must r ely upon and know. The r easons for the Republic’s demise ar e set within the overall trajectory of Roman history, beginning with the pr e-monar chic period. However, students spend most of the year studying the rise of the Roman Republic, its constitution and the ethos of its ruling class. In Latin III, students become familiar with the rhetorical style of Cicer o by translating both his first and fourth orations against Catiline (In Catilinam I & IV). Fr om Mar ch thr ough the end of the year, students study the Roman imperial period, the rise of Christianity, the pr oto-states of Wester n Eur ope and their evolution into distinct nations up to the year 1100, concentrating on England and France. While analyzing the r easons for the collapse of the empir e in the West and the historical conditions that cr eated the medieval world, students r ead excerpts fr om r elevant Latin texts of Augustus Caesar, the Gospel of Matthew, Tacitus, Lactantius, Or osius, Jor danes, Gr egory of Tours, Einhar d and Fulcher of Chartr es. This assortment of primary Latin texts allows students to discover the evolution of the Latin language, as well as the r efocusing of human concer ns fr om a Classical to a medieval perspective.
542 Latin III (Literature) major elective
grades: 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: Latin II Students who love myths and legends will be amazed
14
at their ability to move into the r egular r eading of Latin at level thr ee. Latin III Literatur e focuses on Ovid’s works: the Metamorphoses, the Amor es and the Her oides. Ovid appear ed at an important junctur e in Roman literary history, coming into his prime after Horace, Ver gil and Catullus had died, and just as the Roman empir e was taking for m. Ovid’s magnum opus, the Metamorphoses, will lead students thr ough Gr eek myths and ancient legends in the epic meter of dactylic hexameter. In Ovid’s Amor es, his shorter poems written in elegiac couplets, he takes on a persona who is struggling with various aspects of love, including rivals and r ejection. Students also r ead fr om his Her oides, letters by famous women to their for mer lovers, such as Medea to Jason and Dido to Aeneas. Latin III Literatur e pr epar es students for the rigor of reading Ver gil’s Aeneid in Latin IV. Students will be fully steeped in all aspects of r eading and interpr eting Latin poetry, and will understand the social and historical context in which Ovid and Ver gil wr ote their works.
551 Latin IV major elective grades: 11, 12
prerequisite: Latin III (History) or Latin III (Literature) In this course, we will focus on Ver gil’s Aeneid as a literary, historical, and philosophical text, and will discuss such topics as the natur e of epic and the use of symbolism in poetry. While continuing to r efine their skills in translation, use of meter and knowledge of literary devices, the students will also consider the Aeneid in its r ole as heir to Gr eek literatur e—and as seminal to the literatur e and thought of Wester n Eur ope since the Roman period. Students will also pr oduce a film for Classics Day.
561 Latin V major elective grade: 12
prerequisite: Latin IV Students will r ead, discuss and write on a variety of Roman authors and topics, chosen in consultation between the continuing Latin IV students and the teacher. Topics include Roman comedy or law and poetry. Roman comedy, for example, translates Plautus’ Menaechmi, the story of identical twins separated in infancy. Law and poetry explor e the same cast of historic persons in both a scandalous legal case conducted by Cicer o, and poetry written by Catullus. Attention will be given to social context, to its historical and cultural backgr ound and to literary interpr etation. On Classics Day, Latin V students stage a Roman triumph, having first r ead about triumphs in ancient pr ose and poetry. Other pr ojects will be developed in consultations between teacher and students.
C O M PUT E R S CI E N CE & D I G ITAL M EDIA COMPUTER SCIENCE The computer science courses at GFS seek to introduce students to the concepts and skills involved in programming and robotics. Our Introductory Programming course begins with the study of Alice, a graphical programming environment that was developed specifically for education, and continues to the study of Python, one of the most widely used languages and a favorite for introductory courses in high schools and colleges due to its gentle learning curve. Students may continue with the Advanced Programming course, offering serious programmers a forum for learning skills and techniques to create sophisticated, large-scale projects. The Robotics elective allows students the opportunity to design and build robots and write the code that controls them. DIGITAL MEDIA The digital media courses at GFS seek to develop both creative and technical skills in designing and producing websites, publications, animation/film and other media works. In each course, students will learn technical skills and software applications related to the field while obtaining a broad introduction to the concepts and principles used in successful media projects. 191 Robotics minor elective (one semester) grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 This one-semester minor elective uses r obots to intr oduce students to the inter face of computer pr ogramming and mechanical/electr onic devices. Students will assemble r obots and then lear n to pr ogram them to per for m tasks, ranging fr om simple (moving forwar d, tur ning on a light, etc.) to complex (finding and r etrieving an object, playing soccer, etc.). Most units culminate in some sort of challenge, wher e teams of students try to get their r obot to accomplish a task (r obot bowling, r elay races, tug of war) mor e ef ficiently or ef fectively than the other team’s. This injects a level of excitement that makes the class memorable and fun. This course meets two periods per week. Students signing up for Robotics can request either first or second semester. Enrollment limited to 12 students per section.
193 Introductory Programming minor elective grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 This full-year minor elective seeks to intr oduce students to computer pr ogramming. We will begin the year lear ning Alice, an innovative 3-D pr ogramming envir onment that makes it easy to cr eate animation for telling a story, playing an interactive game or pr oducing a video to shar e on the Inter net. Alice allows students to lear n fundamental pr ogramming concepts in the context of cr eating animated movies and simple video games. In Alice, 3-D objects (e.g., people, animals and vehicles) populate a virtual world, and students cr eate a pr ogram to animate the objects. In the second part of the year, we will lear n Python, a pr ogramming language used at many colleges as
their intr oductory language. No pr evious experience is necessary. Meets two periods per week. Enrollment limited to 12 students per section.
194 Advanced Programming minor elective grades: 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: Robotics, Introductory Programming or by permission of instructor This full-year elective course builds on the skills developed in Robotics or Intr oductory Pr ogramming. We will lear n to pr ogram in Java, starting with basic syntax and structur e, and move towar ds lar ger pr ojects that include graphics and interactive games. The course is pr oject-based, so students spend most of their time working on their own pr ograms, either in collaboration or alone. Meets two periods per week. Enrollment limited to 12 students per section.
196 Web Design & Development minor elective grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 This course covers the basics of designing websites, as well as web development using the HTML and CSS authoring languages. Students lear n about the creative design of websites, including the strengths, constraints, and limitations of this medium of communication. Students also lear n the process and tools used to develop websites from scratch (i.e., hand coding) using the latest web standards and tools, such as HTML5, CSS3, coding software, wireframing, and browser tools and plug-ins for web developers. Students complete several assignments and projects to master the course objectives, including a final project to create an original website design for a school club or activity, a local organization,
15
COURSE OFFERINGS or another topic of the student’s choosing. To support their work, students complete readings from the course texts and selected articles; they share their original work and critically reflect on real-world examples. Meets two periods per week. Enrollment limited to 12 students per section.
197 Advanced Web Design & Development minor elective grades: 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: Web Design & Development This advanced course builds upon the principles and skills acquir ed during the Web Design & Development course. Students lear n mor e advanced CSS coding techniques to cr eate designs employing the latest tr ends and standar ds in web design. A brief intr oduction to Javascript and jQuery is pr ovided, and students lear n how to use the many jQuery plugins available to web designers to add interactivity, usability and oomph to their pr ojects. Students complete several smaller assignments using text editing softwar e and developer tools, which culminate in an independent pr oject to code a site that makes use of the tools and skills lear ned in this class. The students complete r eadings about page and site design, color schemes, fonts, imagery and site content, and put each of these into practice in their own pr ojects. Students also have the opportunity to pr oduce a functional site for a r eal client using Wor dpr ess or another content management softwar e (CMS). Meets two periods a week. Enrollment limited to 12 students per section.
192 Print & Digital Media minor elective (full year) grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Lear n the fundamentals of pr oducing print media, including magazines, newspapers and other for ms of printed publications. The primary focus of the course is on publication design, layout and typography. A secondary focus is on lear ning various technologies and tools typically used today to cr eate print media, including Adobe InDesign and Photoshop. Students complete several hands-on pr ojects to master the course objectives, including a final pr oject to cr eate an original mock-up of a printed publication that r elates to the school or wider community. To support their work, students complete r eadings fr om the course texts and selected articles, shar e their original work, and critically r eflect on their classmates’ work as well as r eal-world examples. Students ar e encouraged to employ their skills by working on one of the school’s student publications, such as Earthquake, Polyphony, and/or Anno. Meets two periods per week. Enrollment limited to 12 students per section.
16
DRA M A Our Dramatic Arts Program provides a range of opportunities that allow every talent to find a place for expression. In addition to an active schedule of annual productions, students may elect to pursue coursework in the dramatic arts. Our curriculum offers high-level instruction in the study of dramatic literature, playwriting, acting and direction. Classes and productions focus on articulate speech and clarity of utterance, and when we work towards live performance, we explore aesthetics and our common humanity. Through the Drama Department, students can also learn the arts of technical production, including lighting, sound and set design. Note on forming a “Drama Major”: A “Drama Major” is minor coursework taken simultaneously that can fulfill a major course requirement in grades 11 and 12. Students may form a “Drama Major” by combining Drama 11/12 and Reader’s Theater. Departmental approval required. 971 Drama 9 minor elective grade: 9 The course work begins with lear ning “to speak the speech . . . trippingly on the tongue.” We continue with a close study of how the actor pr epar es a r ole using impr ovisation, scene study and ensemble style exer cises. The class also r eads many plays together. The course includes the study of the r oles of actor, dir ector, pr oducer, designer and stage manager, and how they combine in today’s theater, television and film. The final quarter of study is dedicated to pr oduction work for the Poley Festival, in which every drama student participates. Meets two periods per week.
972 Drama 10 minor elective grade: 10 This course focuses on the acting and auditioning methods of Stanislavski, Uta Hagen and Shurlef f, as well as impr ovisation. One class each week is devoted to IMPROV, with an emphasis on Viola Spolin and Keith Johnstone; a pr ofessional, Philadelphia actor teaches this class. The second class each week studies acting and dir ecting techniques using outstanding dramatic classical and moder n texts. The class explor es how dif fer ent interpr etations af fect both dir ection and per for mance. The spring ter m study is dedicated to pr oduction and per for mance work for the Poley Festival. Meets two periods per week.
973 Drama 11/12 minor elective grades: 11, 12 This course pr esents options for drama students, and meets twice a week. One day a week is devoted to
IMPROV, with an emphasis on Viola Spolin and Keith Johnstone; a pr ofessional, Philadelphia actor teaches this class. For the second class, students choose one of two options: Option One: Study of the theatrical dir ection and advanced acting methods of Boleslavsky, Sanfor d Meisner, Uta Hagen and Declan Donnellan, using outstanding dramatic and comic texts. Option T wo: Study of the acting techniques involved in Musical Theatr e as it compar es to dramatic and comic per for mance styles. Thr oughout the year, these acting classes explor e the theatrical ideas and works o: Bertolt Br echt, Samuel Beckett, Har old Pinter, Shakespear e, Tennessee Williams, Tom Stoppar d, August Wilson, Arthur Miller and Neil Simon, as well as exciting new playwrights. During the spring ter m, our students focus on dir ecting and acting pr ojects for the Poley Festival at the end of May.
968 Reader’s Theater minor elective grades: 11, 12 This survey course is designed for juniors and seniors who ar e inter ested in r eading plays within a theatrical historical context. Ther e will be intr oductory lectur es on the evolving styles and the influence that these playwrights had on one another. The course curriculum includes the following playwrights and works: Seamus Heaney’s adaptation of Euripides, Commedia Lazzis, Kabuki, Kyogen and Noh plays, Marlowe, Shakespear e, Molier e, Congr eve, Dickens adapted by Edgar, Ibsen, Chekhov translated by Frayn, Shaw, Strindber g, Wedekind, Br echt, Pirandello, O’Neill, Wilde, Ionesco, Beckett, Pinter, Williams, Miller, Hellman, Shaf fer, Fugar d, Albee, Stoppar d, Wilson, Shepar d, Kushner, Suzan-Lori-Parks, Mamet, Friel, and Hwang. Meets two periods per week.
17
COURSE OFFERINGS 970 Technical Theater minor elective grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 In Technical Theater, participants will have an opportunity to work on all aspects of bringing a show to opening night and running a show once it gets ther e. Ther e will be gr eat opportunities to work on stage painting, lighting, set building, design, and all the bells and whistles that go with theater. Technical Theater may be taken in the fall, winter, spring, or all thr ee theater seasons; students need to indicate during which season(s) they will be participating. Each season will focus on the technical aspects of the specific pr oduction for that season; participating in pr oductionsupport outside of class is expected of Technical Theater students. Meets one period a week.
18
E NGL ISH Students engage in lively dialogue with texts in English classes at Germantown Friends School. Close critical reading of novels, poems, plays and essays invites students to develop an appreciation for literature, and the classroom provides a forum for exploration and expression of ideas. Through thoughtful analysis, creative response and ref lective writing, students are encouraged to grapple with the perspectives and ideas of a diverse and ever-expanding repertoire of authors. Students contemplate a range of issues introduced within texts and consider the larger social implications of their reading. We also ask them to consider historical context. Writing is at the center of everything we do, from personal and analytical essays, short stories and poems to chapbooks, graphic novels, manifestos, scenes, podcasts and newspapers. Along the way, students gain increased syntactic f lexibility and precision through the study of grammar, vocabulary and rhetoric. A hallmark of the department is the Essentially English program in the spring of tenth, eleventh and twelfth grades, which allows students to elect innovative day or nighttime classes. We hope to cultivate readers and writers who are joyous, ref lective, honest and artful. Graduation Requirement Note: Students must complete four years of major coursework to graduate. Note on Program for Grades 10–12: • September to March: English is devoted to the required courses at each grade level. • April to May: The English Department offers elective courses in its Essentially English program to students in grades 10, 11 and 12. • Essentially English courses can be elected by adults in the community, including parents. Some courses are held in the evening (from 7:30-10 p.m.) 931 Exploration of Identity
941 The Poetry of Language
required major
required major
grade: 9
grade: 10
Ninth grade students study works of literatur e fr om various historic periods that explor e issues of identity. Included in the curriculum: Our Town, The Laramie Pr oject, Persepolis, a Shakespear e play and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Vocabulary study is based on wor ds drawn fr om the texts as well as fr om a stand-alone vocabulary workbook, and students ar e quizzed on these wor ds thr oughout the year. Teachers emphasize expository writing with thr ee substantial essays each semester. Thr ough active r eading, students lear n to support their ar guments with car efully chosen textual examples and consolidate their knowledge of MLA for mat, style and corr ect punctuation by drafting and r evising their essays. In keeping with the theme of identity development, students plan a one-day experience pr oject in which they explor e a hobby or potential car eer and write an essay about that experience. Concurr ent with our critical and structural study of short stories and poetic for ms, students write their own short stories and various poems, compiling a writing portfolio by the year’s end.
Students in sophomor e English examine the ways that writers cr eate meaning thr ough imagery and language, as well as the ways that writers ar e cr eated by their own worlds. Students r ead Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex or Antigone; Macbeth, Othello, or another Shakespear e selection; Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Wer e Watching God, Sher man Alexie’s The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven; Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; and Mohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist. Teachers select short stories by authors Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Raymond Carver, and students r ead a sampling of poetry by Lucille Clifton and Emily Dickinson. Dramatic and oral pr esentations ar e particularly important; students memorize and per for m choral odes, soliloquies, blues songs and scenes. For mal and infor mal writing pr ovide fr equent opportunities for students to work on usage and coher ence in their own cr eations. Diana Hacker’s Rules for Writers is the r efer ence text for writing and editing. Vocabulary lists ar e drawn fr om the r eadings.
19
COURSE OFFERINGS 951 Literature in Context required major grade: 11 Junior English focuses on authors whose innovative writing challenged the status quo and continues to r esonate today. Thr ough close r eading, study of for m and content, and investigation into historical context, we cultivate student engagement. Class discussions invite students to delve into challenging texts and pr esent their ideas and interpr etations to their peers. Books studied include F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Gr eat Gatsby, Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man, and Vir ginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway. Shorter texts include Romantic poetry (focusing on William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience), short stories by Isabel Allende and Jhumpa Lahiri, Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis, and The Gangster We Ar e All Looking For by lê thi diem thúy. As they r ead, students lear n about parallels in the visual arts, specifically photojour nalism, Moder nism, Romanticism and Expr essionism. Writing is central to the course: Students compose infor mal r eading r esponses, for mal analytical essays, poetry, narratives and cr eative nonfiction. They undertake an intensive study of the definition essay, including examples by Langston Hughes, Richar d Rodriguez, David Sedaris, Chang-Rae Lee, Rebecca Solnit and Mar gar et Atwood. Thr ough r evision, writing confer ences and workshops, we encourage students to sharpen their writing skills, experiment with style and develop an academic voice of their own.
961 Identity and Aesthetics required major grade: 12 An intensive course in analyzing challenging literary texts and writing ef fectively. The literatur e frames issues of aesthetics and politics in a global historical context, emphasizing major literary movements such as Realism, Moder nism and Postmoder nism, as well as major historical tr ends such as the transatlantic slave trade, Colonialism and Postcolonialism. The course covers a range of genr es fr om Shakespear ean tragedy, to moder n and postmoder n fiction and drama, to poetry and the literary essay. Students will examine the ways
20
in which identity is for med thr ough language, the politics of self and other, and the tensions that exist when an author attempts to write both artfully and meaningfully. Literatur e may include Beloved, Toni Morrison; Dubliners, James Joyce; Hamlet, William Shakespear e; Collected Essays, Geor ge Orwell; Benito Cer eno, Bartleby the Scrivener, Her man Melville; In Other Rooms, Other Wonders, Daniyal Mueenuddin; Goodbye Columbus, Philip Roth; Eat The Document, Dana Spiotta; Narrative of the Life of Fr ederick Douglass, An American Slave; and a r epr esentative poet to be designated on a year-to-year basis. Writing assignments designed to build skills and explor e important concepts will include in-class essays, an expository personal essay, a comparison paper, a paper using secondary sour ces, an essay based on a moral dilemma, a cr eative work of pr ose, a character analysis, and an original poem. Additional writing assignments ar e given that could serve as possible college essays. Other r equir ements include vocabulary tests for wor ds drawn fr om each book and substantial memorization.
943 Magazine Journalism minor elective grades: 10, 11, 12 This year-long course will focus on the nuts and bolts of magazine jour nalism. During the fall semester, students will lear n about magazine structur e (fr ont of book, featur e well, back of book); magazine writing (e.g., what makes a good story, finding your angle, how to write a compelling lead, how to conduct a successful interview); and magazine design (e.g., the pr ocess of cr eative dir ection, choosing a cover image, the use of typography). Readings will include magazine articles and essays on writing techniques, as well as various blogs; assignments may include cr eating and populating a class blog. Beginning in February, students will collectively pr oduce (write, edit and design) a magazine on a subject of the class’s choosing, which will be printed at the end of the year and distributed to the Upper School. Recommended for students inter ested in honing their cr eative non-fiction writing and editing skills. Meets two periods per week. Enrollment limited to 16 students per section.
H E ALT H EDU CATI ON The health of our bodies, minds and spirits informs all that lies before us throughout our lifetime. The goal of the health education department is to lead students in understanding that our individual health does not stand alone, but is integrated into every aspect of our lives. Our aim is to educate students on the merits of clear communication and the clarification of values. We also show them how to access credible health information. Health Education courses are developmentally appropriate and cover a range of health topics, including sexuality, mental health, safety, alcohol and drug use, nutrition and healthy eating and fitness. Health education is interdisciplinary by its very nature, which is why we continually collaborate with both the science and physical education departments. Graduation Requirement Note: One semester of the minor course Health Education 10 is required in grade 10. A full year of the minor course Life Issues is required in grade 12. 840 Health Education 10
850 Life Issues
required minor
required minor
grade: 10 (half year)
grade: 12 (full year)
This course focuses on sexuality, mental health, and alcohol and other drug use. Sexuality is pr esented in a holistic manner, and the topics include defining all aspects of human sexuality, gender and society, r epr oductive health, and building and maintaining healthy r elationships. The discussions on alcohol and other drugs addr ess the physiological, legal and social aspects of drug use. A main focus of the mental health unit is how to r ecognize when someone needs help and how to seek help for yourself or others. Sleep, addiction, depr ession, anxiety and disor der ed eating ar e also addr essed. All topics in the course ar e explor ed thr ough infor mation gathering, analyzing of media, personal r eflection and discussion. A str ong emphasis is placed thr oughout the course on personal decision making and communication. Meets two periods a week for one semester.
The objective of the Life Issues course is to pr ovide students with the infor mation and tools they need to navigate their senior year and the transition into the next phase of their life, including college. The grade is divided into small sections that meet once a week all year. A portion of the course is devoted to college advising and grade advising. The r emainder focuses on a list of topics that the students help generate, including personal finance, mental health and mood disor ders, happiness, str ess, basic car maintenance, r esume writing and business communications, personal safety, healthy r omantic r elationships, maintaining a str ong r elationship with par ents and family, buying and pr eparing food, physical intimacy, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, sexual identity, social media, and alcohol and drug use. We r ecognize that many par ents and car egivers ar e also r eflecting on how to pr epar e students for their lives after GFS. Meets one period a week.
21
COURSE OFFERINGS H IST O RY In our history classrooms, students and faculty explore and challenge ideas together, building on the foundational Quaker belief in continuing revelation. Examining differences and empathizing with multiple perspectives are central to this process. We endeavor to help students make meaning out of a variety of sources through thoughtful questioning, close reading, analysis and research. Students and faculty practice communicating ideas with clear, direct expression supported by evidence. Creating historical consciousness—the consciousness that people in the past had different values, assumptions and worldviews from people in the present—is foundational to our work together. Our hope is to gain a deeper sense of our own identities, develop moral understanding, and foster engaged citizenship that will contribute positively to the world. Graduation Requirement Note: Students must complete 3 years of major coursework in History to graduate, including Comparative Cultures, Ancient & Medieval Civilizations or Latin History, and United States History. 231 Comparative Cultures required major grade: 9 The purpose of this course is two-fold. First, students will gain backgr ound in thr ee cultural ar eas: China, Ghana and Mexico. They will be encouraged to appr eciate cultur es other than their own, and to discer n those qualities that ar e universal and those that ar e unique. An examination of pr oblems of moder n nation building will help them to apply their backgr ound knowledge to curr ent events. Second, the students will gain experience in analytical thinking and the or ganization of lar ge quantities of material thr ough writing a number of short essays, essay tests and one long-ter m r esear ch paper. Emphasis will be placed on essay outlines and lear ning to support generalizations with solid evidence. One eight-week unit will be devoted to taking each student thr ough a step-by-step pr ocess of writing a sound r esear ch paper on a topic of his/her choice, with a good deal of time spent helping students individually in the library.
242 Ancient and Medieval Civilizations required major grade: 10 This course examines the evolution of the civilizations of the Middle East, the Mediterranean basin and Wester n Eur ope fr om their origins in the ancient world to the societies of the late Middle Ages. The course includes discussion of ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Israel, the Aegean Br onze Age, Classical Gr eece and the attainment of democracy, the Roman Republic and Empir e, the advent of Christianity, the RomanoGer manic kingdoms and the Byzantine Empir e, the rise and expansion of Islam, medieval intellectual and political modalities, and the development of urbanism in Wester n Eur ope. Emphasis is placed on the intellectual and political aspects of the periods in the ef fort both to narr ow the range of the subject
22
matter and to highlight the continuities as well as the discontinuities of ancient and medieval civilizations. To that end, students’ intellectual skills ar e honed by the critical r eading of primary and secondary sour ces, the logical use of evidence, the development of historical imagination, and the construction of well-r easoned ar guments both on paper and in the classr oom.
OR
241 Latin History required major for students concurrently enrolled in Latin III grade: 10 Note: Students r egistering for 241 Latin History must also r egister for Classics 541 Latin III (History). By combining the study of history and thir d-year Latin, this course af for ds students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in inter disciplinary study. The centerpiece of this course concer ns the events that br ought the Roman Republic to an end. By r eading Caesar’s account of the Civil War and Cicer o’s Letters detailing the same events, students become intimately familiar with the only primary documents that have survived fr om this time. In or der to appr eciate the r easons for the Republic’s demise, students spend September to November studying the rise of the Roman Republic, its constitution, and the ethos of its ruling class. At the same time in Latin III, students ar e becoming familiar with the literary styles of Caesar and Cicer o by translating sections of Caesar’s De bello gallico and Cicer o’s In Catilinam. Fr om Mar ch to the end of the year, students study the Roman imperial period, and in that context, the rise of Christianity. After analyzing the r easons for the collapse of the empir e in the West, students tur n to consider the historical conditions that cr eated the medieval world. In conjunction with these historical investigations, students r ead an assortment of primary Latin texts r elating to the times, discovering ther eby the evolution of the Latin
language as well as the r efocusing of human concer ns fr om a Classical to a medieval perspective.
251 Europe and the World major elective grade: 11 Eur ope plays an astounding r ole in the American imagination. Some envision this place as a fairy tale, a place of stately kings and majestic castles. For others, the first adjective that comes to mind when describing Eur ope is r omantic: kisses against the backgr ound of the Eif fel Tower or long boat rides along Venetian canals. And still others idealize Eur ope as the center of innovation and pr ogr ess in everything fr om weaponry to philosophy. The r ole of Eur ope in the American imagination pr ovides r eason to take this course; it’s as if by fictionalizing it, r omanticizing it and idealizing it, we make it part of our own history, too. While this course acknowledges the accomplishments that explain why Americans idealize Eur ope, it also attempts to put these achievements in perspective. We will study the Renaissance as well as imperialism, the Scientific Revolution as well as the World Wars, the Fr ench Revolution as well as Nazism. The history of Eur ope, just like the history of any part of the world, is the story of success as well as failur e. Yet one must understand both experiences to know why Eur ope plays a leading r ole in the American imagination and, mor e importantly, how it shaped the moder n world.
261 United States History required major grade: 12 Senior U.S. History is a survey course that examines the development of the United States as a cultural, political and economic entity fr om its 17th-century Eur opean and African antecedents to the r ecent past. Heavy emphasis is placed on primary sour ces, both thr ough published collections such as Reading the American Past, Vols. I and II, and thr ough numer ous documents and images collated by the faculty. Students ar e also given r ecent books by historians, which change fr om year to year, together with selected scholarly articles. Students ar e r equir ed to expr ess their understanding thr ough a combination of intensive class work, papers, tests, debates and PowerPoint pr esentations.
23
COURSE OFFERINGS J UNIO R /S E NI OR S E MI N A R S 996 Applied Economics
974 World Religions
major elective
major elective
grades: 11, 12
grades: 11, 12
Demand has an inverse r elationship with price and quantity. How does this important concept, as well as myriad other micr o and macr oeconomic metrics, play out in the r eal world? This course seeks to identify, evaluate and synthesize the micr oeconomic concepts at play in Philadelphia. Students will work in teams to identify pr oblems in our community that can serve as economic opportunities and fulfill the needs of our neighbors. They will develop and test their solutions in or der to deter mine their feasibility and gr owth potential. Students will also compete in a simulated global economy using the Virtual Enterprise Inter national, a global business simulation, which of fers them a competitive edge thr ough pr oject-based, collaborative lear ning. Students will lear n about entr epr eneurship and the global business world as they explor e macr oeconomic concepts. They will also examine the impact of Federal r egulation on local industry. Can fulfill a major history course r equir ement. Enrollment may be limited.
The purpose of this course is to assist students in acquiring an educated, intelligent understanding about r eligion by exposing them to the beliefs and practices of the world’s major r eligions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In our ef fort to come to an understanding of these r eligious traditions, we will appr oach them with r ever ence and, in so far as possible, enter into their spiritual worlds thr ough the eyes and hearts of their adher ents. While studying the origins and history of each r eligion, we will endeavor to discover whatever values and commitments they exhibit by acquiring a familiarity with their r espective scriptur es, beliefs and ritual practices. A special featur e of this seminar is the possibility of field trips to local r eligious sites, wher e followers of these five belief traditions gather. These visits will allow us to observe the dif fer ent for ms of prayer and worship, and to hear fr om and talk with the spiritual leaders of each r eligion first hand. Can fulfill a major history course r equir ement. Enrollment may be limited.
942 Write Here, Write Now
584 Media Studies
major elective
major elective
grades: 11, 12
grades: 11, 12
What does it mean to be “workshopped” by a gr oup of your peers? What does it mean to live like a writer, “working” even when you’r e not in fr ont of your notebook or keyboar d? This is a course for students who know they should be writing mor e, a course for students who feel a writer’s flame within them that they know needs to be stoked. In this course, you will indulge pr evious ar eas of expertise and also push past your familiarity. If you enter this class as a poet, you will develop an extensive poetry portfolio, but don’t be surprised if you also write a one-act absur dist play and a pair of inter connected short stories. Each week will have a dif fer ent theme and a series of writing pr ompts connected to a specific skill set. We will r ead excerpts fr om Zen and the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury and The Writing Life by Annie Dillar d. We will have occasional guest speakers and Skype calls with pr ofessional authors. What will make this writing instruction dif fer ent fr om what students may have experienced elsewher e is the interaction this course r equir es: (1) the focus on pursuing an authentic audience (public per for mance); (2) the insistence on “publication” (though we may r edefine this to suit our purposes, to include such self-publishing techniques as book-making and blog-posting); and (3) the ef fort to “give back” as writers (leading writing workshops with younger grades and collaborating with the “Mighty Writers” or ganization downtown). This course will be both a chance to play and a chance to finally take your craft mor e seriously. Enrollment may be limited.
Media studies is a rich inter disciplinary subject that builds a bridge between the cr eation of visual arts and the analysis of texts in subjects such as English or history. Students in this course will develop the ability to question what a given visual text is trying to say, how it goes about saying it, and what impact the medium has on the message. Ther e ar e natural connections between the close r eading of visual texts and the car eful consideration of issues of race, class, gender, r eligion, sexual orientation, age, nationality and ability that emer ge when one looks closely at the media that surr ounds us. The central textbook for the course will be Media and Cultur e: An Intr oduction to Mass Communication (Bedfor d/St. Martins). The course will be or ganized into concepts in communication studies, analysis of print media (e.g. photography), analysis of advertising media (e.g. print, television, Inter net), and analysis of film (documentary and narrative). Student work will include r eadings, films, r esear ch, lectur es, pr esentations, discussions, writing, and hands-on activities. Enrollment may be limited.
24
M AT H E M ATI CS The math program strives to equip each student to think logically and analytically and to articulate strategies for solving problems, particularly those related to math and science. We seek to develop a student’s understanding of algebra and other mathematical concepts throughout the curriculum. Topics in each subject are explored visually, symbolically and verbally. Scientific and graphing calculators and various software applications are used as instruments for exploration and deeper understanding. Our aim is to encourage students to become confident in their math abilities and to recognize math as a powerful subject and tool. Starting in eighth grade, accelerated courses are offered at each grade level. Placement in accelerated courses is based on student performance, teacher recommendations and the approval of the Department Head. These courses move at a faster pace and explore topics in greater depth and breadth. Many twelfth-grade students complete a college-level calculus course. Graduation Requirement Note: Students must complete three years of major coursework to graduate. Because students progress through the math program differently, there are a range of courses that can be elected to fulfill these three years of required coursework. Please attend closely to information about prerequisites and departmental approval. • All students are required to have taken Algebra 1 prior to entering ninth grade. • Placement in accelerated courses is based on student performance, teacher recommendation and the approval of the math placement committee and Department Head. • Students in an accelerated course who wish to continue in accelerated math must have the approval of the math placement committee and Department Head. • Students who wish to move to an accelerated course must have the approval of the math placement committee and Department Head and earn an A in the current course. • A student who moves out of an accelerated course, or who drops math, must have the approval of the Math Department Head. • The accelerated courses Geometry and Analysis of Functions can lead to two years of college level Differential and Integral Calculus. When enrolling in Differential Calculus, students must commit to taking the full two-year sequence: typically Differential Calculus in eleventh grade and Integral Calculus and Series in twelfth grade.
M AT H E M AT I C S Three years required
NINTH GRADE
TENTH GRADE
ELEVENTH GRADE
TWELFTH GRADE
Intermediate Algebra
Geometry
Algebra II
Functions and Trigonometry Precalculus
ADDITIONAL ELECTIVES
Functions and Trigonometry
Statistics
Geometry
Algebra II
Precalculus
Calculus
Geometry Accelerated
Analysis of Functions
Differential Calculus
Integral Calculus and Series
Advanced Statistics
Advanced Statistics or Topics in Advanced Mathematics
25
COURSE OFFERINGS 131 Intermediate Algebra can fulfill required major for grade 9 prerequisite: Algebra I This course r einfor ces and builds on algebraic skills and concepts intr oduced in Algebra I, including work with linear equations, linear systems and quadratic equations. Students will also explor e polynomials, rational expr essions, laws of exponents, simplifying radicals, factoring, graphing and applications. An emphasis is placed on skill development, pr oblem solving and analytical thinking.
OR
142 Geometry required major prerequisite: Minimum grade of B– in Algebra I completion of Intermediate Algebra or departmental approval required This course in Euclidean geometry includes the study of geometric figur es, shapes, angles, parallel lines, similarity and congruence, ar ea and volume, coor dinate geometry, some analytic geometry, and some trigonometry. The deductive thought pr ocess is emphasized thr oughout this course and algebraic skills ar e r eviewed and r einfor ced.
OR
143 Geometry Accelerated can fulfill required major for grades 9 or 10 prerequisite: Accelerated Algebra I or Algebra I and Intermediate Algebra departmental approval required This course takes a strongly analytical approach to the study of Euclidean geometry and covers all topics presented in Geometry 142. The depth, breadth and application of concepts studied is more extensive than Geometry 142. Proofs are emphasized throughout the year to develop strong deductive reasoning. Algebra will be used frequently in the development and solving of problems.
152 Algebra II can fulfill required major for grades 10 or 11 prerequisite: Geometry This course develops clear, logical thinking as students investigate applications of mathematical concepts and develop their pr oblem-solving abilities. Topics include linear and quadratic equations and inequalities, higher degr ee equations and functions, irrational and complex numbers, and exponential and logarithmic functions. The graphing calculator is used for graph exploration.
OR
26
153 Analysis of Functions
can fulfill required major for grade 10 prerequisite: minimum of B+ in Geometry Accelerated departmental approval required This accelerated level course moves at a brisk pace while covering material in depth. Conventional Pr ecalculus topics and advanced Algebra techniques ar e intertwined thr oughout this analysis of functions. Polynomial, radical, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions ar e examined fr om algebraic and graphic perspectives. Work with solving equations is also a main focus and r equir es a str ong algebraic foundation. Additional topics include matrices, conic sections and sequences and series.
161 Functions and Trigonometry can fulfill required major for grades 11 or 12 prerequisite: Algebra II Functions and Trigonometry can be an alter native to Pr ecalculus. This course expands on topics fr om Algebra II and focuses on enhancing students’ skills in pr oblem solving. Topics include exponential and logarithmic functions, polynomial and rational functions, trigonometric functions, and pr obability, sequences and series. This course is for students who have completed Algebra II and wish to str engthen and br oaden their mathematical backgr ound befor e taking Statistics. Students planning on taking Calculus must take Pr ecalculus.
OR
162 Precalculus can fulfill required major for grades 11 or 12 prerequisite: Algebra II This course consolidates Algebra and Geometry skills and emphasizes application and synthesis of those topics to pr epar e students for Calculus. Topics include solving algebraic equations and inequalities, function operations, polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions and applications and function analysis. Upon completion of this course and in consultation with the teacher, students in str ong standing may take Calculus.
OR
163 Differential Calculus can fulfill required major for grade 11 prerequisite: minimum grade of B in Analysis of Functions departmental approval required This is the first year of an accelerated two-year course sequence. Students taking this course ar e r equir ed to take Integral Calculus and Series the following year. This course will focus on Dif fer ential Calculus and will include several advanced pr ecalculus topics. The students will take a rigor ous appr oach
to the mathematics in their study of techniques and applications. The topics cover ed include those studied in many first-semester college-level calculus curricula.
171 Statistics major elective grade: 12
prerequisite: Algebra II, Functions and Trigonometry or Precalculus Statistics is the study of collecting, displaying, interpr eting and ef fectively communicating the interpr etation of data. Students will study uni- and bivariate numerical and categorical data, sampling and data collection, and experimental design. Pr obability will be used as a tool to understand what r esults fr om a sample or experiment truly say about the population of inter est. Students will be intr oduced to the basic techniques of statistical infer ence for one and two sample tests for means and pr oportions, chi-squar e, and linear r egr ession. Students will use the T i-Nspir e handheld exclusively for analysis in this course, which is designed to pr epar e them to be extr emely successful in an intr oductory college statistics course
172 Calculus major elective grades: 11, 12
prerequisite: Precalculus or Analysis of Functions departmental approval required This course is an exploration of limits, derivatives and integrals. The study of dif fer entiation begins with the limit definition, continues with rules for dif fer entiating a variety of functions, and moves into applications of the derivative including optimization and r elated rates. The study of integration covers indefinite and definite integrals, techniques including u-substitution, and moves into applications of the integral, including ar ea and volume. The course spans the material cover ed in a college level curriculum.
173 Integral Calculus and Series major elective grade: 12
prerequisite: minimum grade of B– in Differential Calculus departmental approval required
covers modeling with dif fer ential equations, infinite series and power series. The topics cover ed include those studied in many second-semester college-level calculus curricula.
181 Advanced Statistics major elective grades: 11, 12
prerequisite: Analysis of Functions or any of the three Calculus courses departmental approval required The goal of this course is to help students develop the ability to think statistically and to make valid conclusions fr om the often complex and diverse situations that arise fr om analyzing a r eal-world pr oblem using statistics. Students who successfully complete this course should be able to look at the world in statistical ter ms, and listen to or r ead statistical claims made by individuals and or ganizations and analyze them critically fr om an infor med point of view. This course will cover all of the material typically found in an intr oductory course on infer ential statistics with a gr eater emphasis on the theor etical underpinnings of those concepts. It will then move on to mor e advanced topics, including statistical pr ogramming with the R pr ogramming language, ANOVA, multiple r egr ession, and nonparametric tests.
183 Topics in Advanced Mathematics major elective grade: 12
prerequisite: Integral Calculus departmental approval required Study in advanced mathematics is available to students who have completed our typical course of ferings. Based on the number of qualified students, as well as their inter ests and backgr ound, course of ferings and course for mats may vary. Pr evious of ferings have included Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra. Students have studied advanced topics in mathematics in courses of fer ed by GFS faculty, by the Global Online Academy, or via the Dir ected Independent Study pr ogram utilizing an online course. Interested students should consult with the department head about available course of ferings.
This is the second year of the two-year accelerated calculus sequence. Since students will have a working knowledge of Dif fer ential Calculus upon entering the course, it begins with antiderivatives, the definition of the definite integral, and the Fundamental Theor em of Calculus. The year continues with a thor ough exploration of techniques of integration and applications of the integral, including ar ea, volume and ar c length. The work with integration r equir es students to be comfortable with dif fer entiation and a wide range of algebraic topics. In addition, the course
27
COURSE OFFERINGS M O DE R N L A N G U A G E S The goals of the Modern Language department are to equip students with the lifelong tool of a new language, to awaken in them a sustained curiosity and openness to new people, places and cultures, and to have fun in the process. Authenticity and multi-dimensional exposure to new languages are crucial elements in our students’ success. In the classroom, we endeavor to bring new languages and new cultures to life through literature, film, music, art, visiting native speakers, and a wide range of computer-assisted, interactive activities. We make every effort to conduct the learning experience exclusively in the target language, and we routinely facilitate individual and group travel to the French and Spanish speaking world beyond our borders. The classroom immersion experience enables students to listen, speak, read and write in the target language. Early language work is grounded in grammar, syntax, and the exploration of language within a cultural context. Graduation Requirement Note: Students must complete a Level III modern or classical language to graduate. Students dropping or continuing with a language must have departmental approval. A second language, not fulfilling the graduation requirement, must be completed through Level II before it may be dropped. Additional Note: Grade levels listed for courses are typical. Students wishing to take a course out-ofgrade should see the Head of the Modern Language Department.
471 Spanish I
473 Spanish III
major elective
major elective
grades: 9, 10, 11 (of fered in 2016-17) This course gives a foundation in oral compr ehension, speaking, r eading and writing. The immersion setting allows for the opportunity to master the tar get language skills in a mor e authentic way. Students will hear native speakers and be expected to memorize the material while r epr oducing the sounds and structur e of natural speech. Assessments include written and oral compr ehension of selected grammar units pr esented within a cultural context.
472 Spanish II major elective grades: 9, 10, 11
prerequisite: Completion of the two-year course in Middle School (Ia and Ib) or the one-year course Spanish I. This course pr ovides a continuation of the goals of beginning Spanish at a mor e advanced level. The use of authentic materials, film, articles, short stories and music will enhance cultural awar eness while developing r eading, writing and oral compr ehension skills. Students ar e expected to speak exclusively in the tar get language and will begin to develop incr eased spontaneous speaking skills. The textbook for this course is ¡En español! with additional materials pr ovided by the teacher.
28
grades: 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: Spanish II This course fulfills two purposes: it is the final year of systematic, year-long grammar study, and it is a pr eparation for what awaits students who will continue on to the elective levels of Spanish. Lear ning grammar and building vocabulary ar e incr easingly accomplished thr ough unstructur ed conversation, and analytical and cr eative writing. Thr oughout the course of the year, students r ead and discuss short stories by several authors, such as Isabel Allende, Gr egorio Lopez y Fuentés and Gabriel Gar cía Már quez.
474 Spanish IV major elective grades: 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: Spanish III departmental approval required This course is designed to impr ove students’ mastery of grammar, r eading compr ehension and oral fluency thr ough short r eadings, discussion, dramatizations, cr eative and analytical writing. The curriculum will include many small units involving literatur e, debates, Inter net exploration and visiting lectur ers. Readings will include short stories, Spanish theater, Latin American novel, poetry, essays and periodical literatur e. Our primary grammar text will be the SAT II Pr ep Manual fr om Barr ons. Assessments will be both
traditional (test, quiz, oral pr esentation, essay) and based on collaborative gr oup pr ojects. Students will do one independent r esear ch pr oject focused on a country or r egion of their personal inter est within Spanish or Latin American cultur e and history. This advanced level curriculum will pr epar e students for advancement to Spanish V.
475 Spanish V major elective grades: 11, 12
prerequisite: Spanish IV departmental approval required This advanced level course will focus on incr easing both the students’ language skills and their analytical abilities thr ough the study of a novel, short stories, poetry, art, film and Inter net r esour ces. Students will further explor e the people, places, cultur e and history of Latin America and its r elationship to Spain. Authors may include Gabriel Gar cía Már quez, Jor ge Luis Bor ges, Julio Cortázar, Pablo Neruda, Mayra SantosFebr es, and Isabel Allende. Students will explor e such themes as “conflictos sociales,” “la r ealidad y la fantasia,” “la moder nidad y la tradición,” and “la mujer” while developing finer writing and speaking skills thr ough guided discussions and dir ected grammatical study. Students ar e expected to participate in daily activities that r equir e an incr eased mastery of the language. Assessments will include oral pr esentations, quizzes and tests, essays and individual and gr oup pr ojects.
supplementary material. A dynamic classr oom envir onment pr ovides ample opportunity to practice new language skills. Several cr eative pr ojects r equir e Inter net exploration on Fr ench-language sites. The r eader, Au Travail, challenges the students to build a cohesive vocabulary with an emphasis on using idiomatic expr essions while impr oving their r eading skills.
441 French III major elective grade: 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: French II The Fr ench textbook series is completed, giving students a thor ough gr ounding in grammar and vocabulary. Supplemental r eadings include poetry and a guided r eader, culminating the year with the study of the beloved classic Le Petit Prince. Students develop conversation and discussion skills based on these r eadings and other authentic materials, including r ealia and multimedia documents. Fr ee compositions ar e assigned on given themes, both analytical and cr eative. Students ar e expected to begin to converse mor e r eadily on spontaneously generated subjects.
451 French IV major elective Grades: 11, 12
prerequisite: French III departmental approval required
This course gives a foundation in oral compr ehension, speaking, r eading and writing. The immersion setting allows for the opportunity to master the tar get language skills in a mor e authentic way. Students will hear native speakers and be expected to memorize the material while r epr oducing the sounds and structur e of natural speech. Assessments include written and oral compr ehension of selected grammar units pr esented within a cultural context.
This advanced level class will intr oduce the basics of literary analysis thr ough the study of many genr es: poetry, short story, novel, film, Inter net articles and comic book. Selected authors will r epr esent the Francophone world with a concentration in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Authors include Maupassant, Sartr e, Pineau, Goscinny, Ben Jelloun, and a special unit of Québecois authors. Students will develop finer writing and speaking skills thr ough guided discussions and dir ected grammatical study, and ar e expected to participate in daily extemporaneous activities that r equir e an incr eased mastery of the language. Assessments include oral pr esentations, quizzes and tests, essays, gr oup pr ojects and papers.
432 French II
461 French V
431 French I major elective
grades: 9, 10, 11 (of fered in 2017-18)
major elective
grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: completion of the two-year course in Middle School (French Ia and Ib) or French I offered in 2017-18 Basic grammatical structur es and thematic vocabulary ar e acquir ed thr ough the use of Bien Dit!, the second textbook in a series. Students engage in spontaneous conversations and develop mor e extensive r eading and writing skills by working with appr opriate
major elective grades: 11, 12
prerequisite: French IV departmental approval required The emphasis of this course is to further incr ease both the students’ expr essive language skills and their analytical abilities. Finer points of grammar and stylistics ar e r eviewed thr ough the use of Une fois pour toute. Year-long themes ar e examined thr ough the study of Francophone literatur e, art, cinema, news
29
COURSE OFFERINGS and magazine articles, and Inter net sites. Literary works include Candide, Les PrĂŠceiuses Ridicules, a contemporary novel, and selected Fr ench short stories, poetry and movies. For mal writing assignments, oral pr esentations and extemporaneous interactive discussions ar e r equir ed. Additional pr ojects include writing and filming a short scr eenplay.
953 Mandarin elective grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 This Chinese language and cultur e class will meet two periods a week and will be graded. Thr ee levels ar e of fer ed: beginning, inter mediate and advanced. When signing up, students should indicate their level of study in the notes section of the electr onic sign-up for m. With departmental appr oval, students may elect this class as a major.
30
M USIC Rooted in the conviction that students learn most about music by making music, the Music Department offers numerous performance-based classes throughout the K-12 curriculum. In the Upper School, students may elect classes in both large and small ensembles, including Choir, Chorus, Orchestra, Chamber Music, Jazz Ensembles, World Percussion Ensemble and MadriGals. Study in these ensembles typically culminates in public performances. Students may also elect to take academic music classes in Beginning and Advanced Music Theory, Composition, Instrumental Improvisation, and Masterworks in Music. Creating a “Music Major”: In grades 10–12, students may elect music minors individually or create a “Music Major.” The “Music Major” is minor coursework taken simultaneously to fulfill a major course requirement. Students may create a “Music Major” by combining an academic music course (e.g., Music Theory or Advanced Music Composition) with a performance music course (e.g., Orchestra or Choir). Departmental approval required. 630 Ninth Grade Music required minor In the first semester, all ninth grade students participate in both a grade-wide choral ensemble and in a corr esponding “Integrated Musicianship” class period. The choral ensemble begins in voice sections (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) that meet once a week to develop pr oper technique and ear training skills. These voice sections then join together to cr eate a four-part chorus that per for ms for the Thanksgiving Assembly. During a second period each week, students take part in an “Integrated Musicianship” class, wher e they develop their general musical and music literacy skills. In addition, students may choose to be a member of Or chestra, Jazz Ensembles, Chamber Music or Sight Singing and Music Literacy. In the second semester, students choose a per for mance-based option that meets twice a week. The specific options ar e intr oduced to the students in December of each year, with the opportunity for students to talk with teachers in or der to make a fullyinfor med decision. While the slate of ninth grade music electives may vary fr om year to year, typical of ferings include a Ninth Grade Musical Theater pr oduction, World Per cussion Ensemble, a Fusion Band and a Songwriting class. These electives culminate in a Music Fest weekend in May, wher e students pr esent their work to each other and to the lar ger community. Meets two periods a week.
635 Sight Singing and Music Theory minor elective grade: 9 Students in this course lear n the fundamental skills and language of music, with an emphasis on developing vocal sight r eading skills. Ar eas of study include interval r ecognition, key signatur e identification, chor d construction and ear training. Meets one period a week.
PERFORMANCE COURSES 688 Jazz Ensembles minor elective grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
co-requisite: current instrumental instruction The jazz ensembles ar e open to all instrumentalists who wish to explor e music fr om the jazz tradition. Students explor e facets of per for ming as an ensemble, with special attention given to the study of jazz history, important musicians, theory, impr ovisation and listening to influential r ecor dings. Styles of music other than jazz ar e sometimes included. Ensembles ar e arranged with r egar d to instrumentation, student ability and scheduling. Students in the jazz ensembles ar e r equir ed to take private lessons on their instrument in or der to gain facility and adequate technique. These skills will gr eatly enhance the pr oficiency of the individual, and the collective pr ogr ess of the ensemble. Per for mance opportunities include GFS assemblies, community events, Jazz Night in April and the Instrumental Music Concert in May, Jazz ensembles r ehearse one period a week, with additional r ehearsals prior to each per for mance.
679 Chamber Music minor elective, grades: 9, 10,11, 12
co-requisite: With the exception of pianists and nonorchestral instruments, students must participate in the GFS Orchestra in order to be placed in a chamber ensemble. Students who enr oll in Chamber Music ar e placed in duets, trios, quartets or quintets to experience the unique and intimate level of communication that occurs in a small ensemble setting. Ensembles ar e arranged with r efer ence to instrumentation and students’ abilities; all instruments and levels of playing ar e placed in appr opriate gr oups. Chamber ensembles may
31
COURSE OFFERINGS include traditional instrumentation (e.g. two violins, viola & cello) or mor e non-traditional for mations (e.g. ukulele ensemble), depending on the students’ inter est. Students may also pr opose their own gr oups, with the assistance of the or chestra dir ector. Repertoir e is drawn fr om classical, contemporary and popular music. Per for mances include community events, GFS functions and the Chamber Music Concert in May. Chamber ensembles r ehearse one period a week, with additional r ehearsals prior to each per for mance. Inter ested musicians should speak with the Or chestra Dir ector for placement.
679 Orchestra minor elective
673 Chorus minor elective grades: 10, 11, 12 Students in this course focus their study on works drawn fr om the choral-or chestral r epertoir e. Thr ough r ehearsal and per for mance, students seek to develop their musical skills—vocal, aural, rhythmic and sight-singing. During the first semester, emphasis is placed on skill development; as the year pr ogr esses, students lear n incr easing amounts of r epertoir e. Study culminates in per for mances for the Holiday Concert and Spring Choral concert. The ensemble is open to all who wish to lear n about choral singing. Meets two class periods per week, with additional r ehearsals prior to each per for mance.
grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
co-requisite: private instrumental lessons The or chestra is open to all instrumentalists (except guitar) who display suf ficiently advanced technique to per for m the chosen r epertoir e, though space is limited for per cussion and piano. The ensemble plays r epertoir e fr om a wide variety of genr es, including classical, contemporary, Br oadway and pop music; these works ar e featur ed in many assemblies, the Holiday Concert and the Instrumental Music Concert. In addition to lear ning challenging r epertoir e, students focus on or chestral playing techniques that include accurate intonation, dynamic range, sectional blend and musical phrasing. Students ar e r equir ed to take private lessons on their instrument in or der to gain an adequate technical facility. The or chestra r ehearses thr ee periods a week, with additional r ehearsals prior to each per for mance.
694 World Percussion Ensemble minor elective grades: 10, 11, 12 Study in per cussion techniques fr om Africa, the Middle East, Cuba and Brazil is available to any inter ested student. The course accommodates students of all levels, fr om beginner to advanced. Students will lear n about the pr ocess of building a per cussion ensemble based on the traditional instrumental and vocal cues used within the various cultur es studied. Techniques and r epertoir e ar e pr esented thr ough r ote, traditional notation, graph notation, audio and visual examples, and transcriptions. Instruments used ar e pr ovided by the instructor, and include Bata drums, Agbadza drums, doumbeks, djembes and Gyili (African balafons). Students will develop an understanding of and appr eciation for the collaborative natur e of a per cussion ensemble, and gain insight into their own cr eative for ces via this genr e. Meets one period a week.
32
675 Choir minor elective grades: 10, 11, 12
co-requisite: Chorus Students in this course work to achieve excellence in the per for mance of choral music, singing demanding r epertoir e fr om many cultur es and time periods. Thr ough intensive r ehearsal and per for mances, students develop their vocal abilities, sight-singing skills and sense of ensemble. Members sing in the Chorus as well. The Choir r ehearsal schedule includes some weekend r ehearsals as well as a r equir ed two-day over night Choir Camp prior to the beginning of each school year. (For 2016, the dates ar e Satur day, August 27, and Sunday, August 28.) The ensemble per for ms fr equently thr oughout the year and tours every thr ee years. Choir meets thr ee class periods a week, with additional r ehearsals prior to each per for mance. The Choir is open to students in grades 10–12 by audition.
652 MadriGals minor elective grades: 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: departmental approval This small ensemble of women sings a range of r epertoir e, fr om Renaissance to contemporary. Thr ough r ehearsal and per for mance, students develop their vocal and aural skills and a sense of both independent and ensemble singing. This gr oup per for ms at all of the Upper School choral concerts thr oughout this year. Meeta once a week, with additional r ehearsals prior to each per for mance.
ACADEMIC COURSES 671 Beginning Music Theory minor elective grades: 10, 11, 12 Students in this course study the fundamental skills and language of music in or der to become incr easingly expr essive and literate musicians. Course content includes major and minor scales, intervals, key signatur es, basic har monic pr ogr essions and rhythmic figur es in simple and compound meters. Aural skills ar e developed thr ough sight singing with solfege syllables, rhythmic dictation, interval identification and melodic dictation. Four-part writing and analysis will be studied towar ds the end of the second semester. Meets thr ee class periods a week.
672 Advanced Music Theory minor elective grades: 11, 12
prerequisite: Beginning Music Theory or approval by Head of Music Department This course continues work in four-part writing and analysis thr ough pr oper voice-leading technique and advanced har monic pr ogr essions. Str ong emphasis is placed on the development of aural skills thr ough rhythmic and melodic dictation, as well as intervallic and har monic identification. Students explor e various compositional techniques, culminating in a per for mance of original works during a spring assembly. Meets thr ee class periods a week.
674 Advanced Music Composition minor elective grades: 11, 12
prerequisite: Advanced Music Theory or approval by Head of Music Department This course focuses primarily on 19th-, 20th- and 21stcentury Wester n music, developing the students’ understanding of advanced chr omatic techniques thr ough both analysis and composition. Material cover ed includes variation technique, or chestration, for m and model composition. Thr oughout the year, students will lear n a number of techniques to grapple with dif fer ent r epertories, such as chr omatic-mediant r elationships in early-Romantic music, basic Riemannian functions for late-Romantic har mony, scale networks in Debussy and Faur e, ostinato techniques in Stravinsky, post-tonal theory in Bartok and the Second Viennese School, and minimalist techniques in Part, Berio and Reich. Our study of a wide diversity of musical styles will serve as an incentive for student compositions in those styles, and thr oughout the year, students will compile a portfolio of their original compositional work so they can track their pr ogr ess. The course will culminate with the
per for mance of an original composition in a style of the student’s own choosing during a spring assembly. Meets two periods a week.
676 Instrumental Improvisation minor elective grades: 10, 11, 12 This course is designed to give students an in-depth, thor ough technique of how to impr ovise on their instrument. The first half of the course will be spent studying the tonal theory behind chor dal structur es in a variety of musical styles, as well as analyzing transcriptions of notable soloists. This includes jazz ter minology, chor ds, pr ogr essions and soloing guidelines. The second half of the course will involve students actually playing their instruments in class. In doing this, they will gain not only a better concept of the art of spontaneous impr ovisation, but also lear n how to utilize these concepts in their ensembles and musical settings in/out of school. Students who choose this course should have prior training on a musical instrument. Meets one period a week.
677 Masterworks in Music minor elective grades: 10, 11, 12 This course is designed to familiarize students with Masterworks in Music fr om the Wester n tradition (Renaissance to the pr esent day). Music in this course will be drawn fr om a variety of genr es, styles and musical traditions, which may include: Bach’s St. Matthew’s Passion, Beethoven’s Symphony no.9, Brahms’s Ger man Requiem, Stravinsky’s Fir ebir d, Ber nstein’s West Side Story, Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited, Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions, etc. In this course, students will come to understand and lear n how to describe the stylistic, expr essive and structural aspects of selected musical compositions, as well as communicate their experiences with these works. The course will focus on whole musical works, pr esented chr onologically, which will be examined in detail and depth. The principal text of this course, ther efor e, will not be a book, but rather r ecor dings of musical compositions. An exploration of the works r epr esented on these r ecor dings will be the basis for the discussions and assignments undertaken in this course. Additional r eadings will be assigned to infor m class discussions, many taken fr om historical sour ce texts written at the time of each composition. This course does not r equir e a r eading knowledge of music, but students will gain a rudimentary understanding of musical ter minology; the development of students’ close listening skills is its central objective. Meets two periods a week.
33
COURSE OFFERINGS 654 History of Pop minor elective grades: 10, 11, 12 Pop music is defined as music that is popular among the public at any given point in history. This course is open to all students and does not r equir e any musical experience. Students will lear n about the history of popular music in the United States fr om 1900 thr ough the pr esent day. Genr es studied will include (but is not limited to): Blues, Jazz, Rock N’ Roll, Country, Folk, Disco, Hip Hop, Alter native Rock, Pr ogr essive Rock, Punk Rock, Salsa, Electr onic Music, and curr ent Popular Music in the 21st-century. Students will develop an understanding of and appr eciation for the various types of popular music in America, as well as understand the cultural and historical developments within American history concurr ent with the development of the music. Popular music history will be pr esented thr ough the use of film clips, r eadings, music r ecor dings, guest lectur ers and per for mers; students pr esentations; and lectur e. Students will portray their knowledge of the material thr ough assessments such as papers, quizzes, tests, pr ojects and pr esentations. Meets two periods a week.
34
P H YSIC AL E DU CATI ON The goal of the Physical Education Department is to provide developmentally appropriate activities that are inclusive, stimulating and safe for all students K-12. Our emphasis is on leading students to develop movement skills, and to discover individual interests through participation in co-educational classes at each grade level. By providing opportunities to develop the social skills requisite for successful group work, competence in movement skills and an appreciation of the diversity of movement activities, we hope students will participate actively in class activities and beyond. 830 Physical Education 9
PE Trimester Activities
required minor
Eleventh and 12th grade PE classes ar e trimester activity of ferings that coincide with the athletic seasons, and ar e conducted during the academic day. Possible activities include walking, golf, str ength training, self-defense, tennis, r ock climbing, ar chery and bowling. Each trimester course counts as 1 PE point. Students enr olled in PE may choose which trimester(s) to attend class. The class typically meets once a week for a double period and is held of f campus.
This inter disciplinary, year-long class pr ovides a foundation for lifetime fitness and wellness and includes a thor ough intr oduction to the use of our Fitness Center. The understanding and management of one’s own fitness and health ar e at the cor e of the curriculum. Topics include nutrition, pr oper str ength-training techniques and the components of fitness. Students also take part in gr oup building, rugby, Ultimate Frisbee and softball activities.
840 Physical Education 10 required minor (half year) Students participate in movement activities to support lifetime physical fitness. Class is focused on the development of the basic skills and understanding necessary for safe and enjoyable participation in a variety of sports at a r ecr eational level. Badminton, fencing, volleyball, dance and use of the Fitness Center ar e possible activities.
870 Physical Education 11 and 12 required completion of 4 PE points by graduation Requirement Note: Eleventh and 12th graders must accrue four Physical Education points by the end of senior year. Eleventh graders ar e encouraged to r egister for at least two PE points. A PE point is ear ned by taking a trimester of PE or electing a season of Athletics.
All juniors ar e str ongly encouraged to ear n 2 PE points in their junior year.
Definition of a Physical Education Point (Each of the following is worth 1 PE point) •
1 trimester of PE
•
1 season of GFS athletics (meets after academic day)
•
Str ength training in Fitness Center (20 visits over 14 weeks; meets after academic day)
•
Yoga class (10 classes over 14 weeks; meets T uesdays, after academic day)
•
1 season of a sport or physical activity. such as dance taken outside GFS. Students pursuing an activity outside of school must submit a “Request for Outside Cr edit” pr oposal to the PE Department Head.
Note: Any student planning to meet the requirement through a combination of PE classes and Athletics should be sure to sign up for both.
35
COURSE OFFERINGS SC IE NC E The study of science provides students with powerful ways to understand the natural world. We seek to inspire students’ curiosity, develop critical thinking and analytical skills, and provide a foundation for further exploration. Our curriculum emphasizes laboratory work, data analysis, problem solving and clear communication. All Science courses are lab-based and meet five periods each week. Students must satisfactorally complete one course in physical science and one course in biological science. Typically, students take Physics in 9th grade, Chemistry in 10th grade and Biology in 11th grade. Advanced Physics, Advanced Chemistry, Advanced Biology, Environmental Science and Science Independent Research are available to students who complete introductory coursework. Graduation Requirement Note: Students in grades 10, 11 and 12 must complete 2 years of major coursework in science. Due to an expanded requirement, 9th grade students must take 3 years of major coursework in science. All students are required to take one year of a physical science and one year of Biology. 331 Physics (Physical) major elective grades: 9, 10 This is an intr oductory physics course that primarily focuses on concepts and laws of classical physics, especially mechanics, including the topics of motion in one and two dimensions, Newton’s Laws of Motion, work, ener gy, power, cir cular and r otational motion, and the r elevant laws of conservation. Material is also drawn selectively fr om wave motion, sound, light and color. The emphasis in this course is on conceptual compr ehension of this material, but ther e will be quantitative work that complements the infor mation being studied. Fr equent laboratory experiments and r eading material will r einfor ce pr oblem-solving skills. Participation in the Physics Olympics is r equir ed.
372 Chemistry (Physical) major elective grades 10, 11 This intr oductory course will cover basic chemical vocabulary, nomenclatur e, stoichiometry, ther mochemistry, gas laws, atomic theory, molecular geometry, equilibrium and acid-base chemistry, and will pr ovide a solid foundation for mor e advanced work in chemistry and biochemistry. Weekly labs ar e included. Participation in Science Night is r equir ed. We str ongly r ecommend that students take chemistry befor e taking biology.
371 Biology (Biological) required major Grades: 11, 12 This is an intr oductory biology course. Students study a range of topics in evolutionary biology, cell biology, systems biology, and molecular biology. Specific units include evolution and biodiversity, cellular structur e and function, cell cycle, biochemistry, DNA and genetics, pr otein synthesis, cell r espiration,
36
photosynthesis, and comparative anatomy. Ther e is a focus on human biology, with study of the human cir culatory system, r espiratory system, and r epr oductive system. Weekly labs and several pr ojects give students hands-on experience with biological materials and concepts. It is str ongly r ecommended that students take chemistry befor e they take biology. Participation in Science Night is r equir ed.
373 Advanced Chemistry (Physical) major elective grades: 11, 12
prerequisite: satisfactory completion of chemistry departmental approval required This chemistry course covers much of the same material encounter ed in first year college chemistry pr ograms. While not AP Chemistry, we will appr oach its level of rigor and lar gely follow many of the r ecommendations outlined by the College Boar d Advanced Placement Pr ogram. The course should pr ovide a solid pr eparation for students considering taking the SAT II in Chemistry or the AP Chemistry exam. Labs will occur on a nearly weekly basis and include experiments using pH, temperatur e, pr essur e, and other Ver nier pr obes that employ computer-based data acquisition and analysis methodology. Students work collaboratively thr oughout the year. Topics cover ed include: the structur e of matter; solution stoichiometry; the kinetic theory of gases and gas laws; ther modynamics; quantum theory and periodicity; chemical bonding and molecular orbital theory; the chemistry of solids, liquids, and solutions; kinetics and equilibria; acids, bases and aqueous equilibria; spontaneity, entr opy and fr ee ener gy; oxidation-r eduction r eactions and electr ochemistry; nuclear chemistry; and a brief overview of or ganic chemistry. Students taking this course will understand the fundamentals of chemistry and develop competence in dealing with chemical pr oblems. It will help them develop the ability to think clearly and to expr ess ideas orally and in writing with clarity and logic.
376 Advanced Biology (Biological) major elective grade: 12
prerequisite: satisfactory completion of chemistry and biology departmental approval required This course uses Campbell & Reece’s Biology, 8th edition, and articles fr om jour nals such as Scientific American and Natur e. Evolution is a major theme. In the first semester, topics cover ed include the origin of life on earth, taxonomy and classification, the cell cycle, meiosis and gametogenesis, Mendelian genetics, population genetics, molecular genetics and genetic engineering. Weekly laboratories include phylogenetic systematics, polymerase chain r eaction and bacterial transfor mation, among other activities. During the second semester, students work in small gr oups on r esear ch pr ojects r elated to molecular evolution and comparative genetics. Participation in Science Night is r equir ed.
377 Advanced Physics (Physical) major elective grade: 12
prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in or completion of calculus or integral calculus departmental approval required
This is a fast-paced course that will focus on a variety of topics, including mechanics, special r elativity, electr ostatics, cir cuits, magnetism, and mor e. It builds on material fr om the intr oductory physics course, but the intr oductory course is not a pr er equisite. This course is math-intensive and we will use calculus and trigonometry as tools to understand the physics. Computers will be used for simulation, data analysis and the completion of labs. Experiment design will be an important aspect of the laboratory experience. Participation in Science Night is r equir ed.
374 Environmental Science major elective grades: 11, 12
prerequisite: chemistry
This course will look at a wide range of topics in five major themes: ecology, human population, r enewable and nonr enewable r esour ces, envir onmental quality and pollution, and society and envir onmental decisionmaking. Concepts in each theme will be explor ed by considering global and local envir onmental issues. We will also use local r esour ces, such as the Wissahickon Cr eek and the Schuylkill and Delawar e Rivers. This course is designed for students who would like to pursue a science course that is not a second-year course in chemistry, biology or physics. The coursework will make use of laboratory experiments that can be conducted in the laboratory and in the field. Participation in Science Night is r equir ed.
37
COURSE OFFERINGS RE Q UIR E D P R OG R A MS JANUARY TERM January Ter m enables our community to live the mission and values of our school and explor e new passions, inter ests and inter disciplinary ways of lear ning about the world. Thr ough a modified schedule and course of ferings outside of the r egular curriculum, January Ter m pr ovides teachers and students a space for experimentation, investigation and r eflection. Students sign up for their January ter m courses during the fall of each school year. Graduation Requirement Note: Students must complete thr ee January Ter ms in grades 9, 10 and 12.
JUNIOR PROJECT The faculty believes that independent study outside the bounds of any particular classr oom is an important part of any student’s education. The experience of cr eating a pr oject, or ganizing it and sustaining it to completion is invaluable in helping students take r esponsibility for what they lear n and how they lear n it. By completing their Junior Pr ojects befor e senior year, students will be able to incorporate the experience of their pr oject into their work in 12th grade. Colleges often ask for assessments of the student’s ability to do independent work. Graduation Requirement Note: In 11th grade, every student completes a month-long Independent Pr oject during the month of January. The Junior Project Process: In early May, each member of this year’s 10th grade class will be assigned a liaison fr om the Junior Pr oject Committee. Students should arrange to meet with their liaisons twice befor e the end of the school year. Liaisons help students decide on a pr oject by discussing opportunities that ar e available to them thr ough members of the school community and pr ograms outside school. The Junior Project Committee: This committee, composed of faculty and staf f, the 11th Grade Advisors and the Head of Upper School, oversees the students as they plan and complete their pr oposals. The committee works har d to give every student the support he/she needs to select a pr oject and complete a successful pr oposal by December.
Junior Project Guidelines: •
All pr ojects must be student-initiated and student-designed.
•
All pr ojects must have definite start and end dates. Students ar e expected to undertake their pr ojects five days a week for four weeks.
•
Pr oposals must clearly state goals for the pr oject and plans for final pr esentations, which include both oral and written r eports.
•
Each student must arrange to have an advisor, who is a member of the GFS faculty, and an on-site supervisor.
•
Pr oposals must be specific, may r equir e a bibliography and always r equir e a letter fr om the on-site supervisor confir ming details of the pr oject.
•
Students must r eport to their GFS advisors once a week during the duration of the pr oject.
•
Expensive pr ojects ar e discouraged. Students ar e r equir ed to ear n at least half the money necessary to cover the cost of any pr oject.
38
D IRE C T E D I ND E P E N D E N T S T U DY GFS encourages students to take initiative in their own education. Last year, more than 100 students pursued their particular interests beyond the GFS course catalog by developing a Directed Independent Study (DIS) in consultation with a faculty advisor. A DIS might be composed of one of the following: • Individual or group study with a GFS teacher on a subject of mutual interest • Language classes taught by an instructor who comes to GFS • Language classes taught by an instructor outside of GFS • An online course not already included in the GFS catalog • A significant weekly project (such as tutoring in a neighborhood school) 980 DIS Major major elective grades: 11, 12 Students in the upper grades may elect a pr ogram of Dir ected Independent Study as part of their academic schedule. A DIS major is equivalent to a full-cr edit course and graded in the same way. DIS majors may not r eplace a pr e-existing course of fering without the per mission of the department in question. In the past year, students have cr eated DIS majors in T urkish, Arabic, Computer Pr ogramming, Advanced Music Composition and Japanese. Proposing a DIS Major: Inter ested students must first consult with the Dir ector of Independent Study. Students must submit a for mal pr oposal to the dir ector by early May, for appr oval by the Academic Standar ds Committee. Students choosing independent study ar e r equir ed to keep a weekly jour nal, to write at least one major paper each quarter, and to make periodic infor mal pr esentations of their work. Students should expect to meet r egularly with an advisor (a member of the faculty or another adult) and with the Dir ector of Independent Study. In the spring, they ar e r equir ed to make a for mal pr esentation of their work to their advisor and two other faculty members.
979 DIS Minor minor elective grades: 9. 10, 11, 12 Students may elect a pr ogram of Dir ected Independent Study as part of their academic schedule. A DIS minor should demand the same commitment as a two-period minor elective course: one period a week with an advisor, plus one period of pr eparation. Students may elect to focus on an academic inter est or to work on a community outr each pr oject within GFS or in the Ger mantown community. DIS minors have included
philosophy, for eign policy, history of r eligion, oil painting, cr eative writing, computer pr ogramming and tutoring at GFS or local elementary schools. Students who r egister online ar e r equir ed to meet with the Dir ector of Independent Study in the fall to confir m the details of their DIS. Those who develop a DIS minor after course sign-up must r egister for a DIS minor befor e October 1.
DIS Group Minors Students ar e expected to develop their own independent study pr oject, but ther e ar e a few ongoing gr oup study options that students may join if scheduling per mits. Students may r egister online for these gr oup DIS Minors: Diversity, Investment and Animation. For mor e details, email the Dir ector of Independent Study.
DIS Opportunities in Global Languages A variety of global languages ar e of fer ed for minor or major cr edit as part of the Dir ected Independent Study pr ogram, and supplement the Moder n Language and Classics of ferings. Students may elect to take a language DIS in addition to, but not in place of, their for eign language r equir ement. A language DIS may be taught by an outside tutor or by a GFS teacher. DIS major classes will meet thr ee to four periods a week and ar e graded. Students wishing to cr eate a DIS Major in a global language should note that when r egistering, and r efer to the section above, Proposing a DIS Major.
DIS Minor: Arabic 950 This DIS in Arabic language and cultur e meets once a week for cr edit/no cr edit. Thr ee levels ar e of fer ed: beginning, inter mediate and advanced. When signing up, students should indicate their level of study in the notes section of the electr onic sign-up for m.
39
COURSE OFFERINGS DIS Minor: 952 Japanese This DIS in Japanese language and cultur e meets once a week for cr edit/no cr edit. Thr ee levels ar e of fer ed: beginning, inter mediate and advanced. When signing up, students should indicate their level of study in the notes section of the electr onic sign-up for m.
DIS Minor: 954 American Sign Language This DIS in American Sign Language and Deaf Cultur e meets once a week for cr edit/no cr edit.
DIS Minor: 955 German This DIS in Ger man language and cultur e meets once a week for cr edit/no cr edit. Thr ee levels ar e of fer ed: beginning, inter mediate and advanced. Availability strictly limited by teacher’s schedule. When signing up, students should indicate their level of study in the notes section of the electr onic sign-up for m.
DIS Minor: 997 Russian This DIS in Russian language and cultur e meets once a week. Availability strictly limited by teacher’s schedule. When signing up, students should indicate their level of study in the notes section of the electr onic sign-up for m.
40
GOA COURSE OFFERINGS GL O B AL ONL I N E A CA D E M Y GFS is a founding member of Global Online Academy, a consortium of ten outstanding independent schools offering an innovative selection of online courses. Juniors and seniors can supplement their education by taking an online course in a variety of interdisciplinary subjects offered by experienced teachers around the country and abroad. These semester courses are available only to students enrolled in the consortium schools. The founding members of the academy are: Albuquerque Academy, Catlin Gabel School, Cranbrook Schools, The Dalton School, Germantown Friends School, Head-Royce School, King’s Academy, Lakeside School, Punahou School, and Sidwell Friends School. August 31–December 16, 2016 & January 18–May 5, 2017 SEMESTER 1: August 31–December 16, 2016 SEMESTER 2: January 18–May 5, 2017 YEARLONG COURSES:
GOA Semesters are 15 weeks, with a one-week break at the midterm (October 24-28 and March 20-24). 981 GLOBAL ONLINE ACADEMY major elective grades: 11, 12 Students in the upper grades may elect, as part of their academic schedule, a semester course in the Global Online Academy (GOA). Since ther e is no set class period, students must be r esponsible in collaborating with their classmates acr oss time zones as they complete class assignments. GOA online courses may be taken as an elective major or as an overload. The cost of a one-semester course is $100 per course. The Business Of fice will bill par ents this amount. Students considering r egistering for a GOA course should consult their grade and/or college advisor. Students enr olled in the online pr ogram will have a GFS advisor to assist and oversee the student’s pr ogr ess. GOA r egistration will take place thr ough the GOA on-site dir ector. Once enr olled in a course, students will r eceive an email fr om the Global Online Academy about their course and what the next steps ar e.
COURSE CLUSTERS: SKILLS FOR THIS CENTURY’S LEARNERS GOA’s r esear ch has led us to identify six key skills moder n lear ners must develop to navigate an incr easingly complex, global society. We have cluster ed our courses ar ound these skills, which don’t fall under traditional departments or disciplines; rather, mastering these skills r equir es you to explor e a variety of topics.As you explor e our of ferings, you’ll see our courses tagged with course clusters—many of them with mor e than one. Mix and match them, or take a deep dive into just one!
Adopting New Modes of Thinking for Innovative Pr oblem Solving [MoT]
Building Empathy by Understanding Human Behavior [EMP]
Catalyzing Change in Your Community and Beyond [CHG]
Designing in a Technology-rich World [DES]
Exploring and Applying a Diversity of Cultural Perspectives [DIV]
Supporting Sustainability in the Context of Globalization [SUS]
DEPARTMENT DESIGNATIONS Since most of our member schools’ academic pr ograms ar e divided into discipline-specific departments, we have also or ganized our courses in this mor e traditional way:
Art, Media, and Design (semester-long)
Science and Health (semester-long)
GOA Lear ning Studios (semester-long)
Social Sciences (semester-long)
Mathematics and Technology (semester-long)
World Languages (yearlong)
41
GOA COURSE OFFERINGS ART, MEDIA AND DESIGN Art, Media and Design courses focus on developing students’ cr eative and practical skills in fields such as graphic design, ar chitectur e and digital photography.
295 BEYOND PHOTOSHOP: The Art of Code, The Code of Art [MOT] [DES]* In the 21st century, artists r egularly use computer technology as part of their practice, and that use goes beyond using softwar e tools like Photoshop to make images. Arts practice may involve writing pr ograms that generate artworks, that contr ol devices, or that help artists explor e design spaces. In this course, we will explor e models of arts computing using the Pr ocessing pr ogramming language. We will consider pr ograms for both 2D and 3D images, for both still and animated images, and for independent and interactive pr ograms. Along the way, we will also develop skills in computational thinking and consider r elationships between the arts and technology. Regular work will include arts pr ograms that will be judged in ter ms of both aesthetic and pr ogram design criteria as well as r eadings about arts pr ogramming. Acr oss the semester, students will assemble a portfolio of pr ojects and analyses. No prior pr ogramming experience is r equir ed. Prerequisite: Students should have taken a course in mathematics that includes the study of trigonometry.
255 FILMMAKING [MOT] [DES] This course is for students inter ested in developing their skills as filmmakers and cr eative pr oblem-solvers. It is also a forum for scr eening the work of their peers and pr oviding constructive feedback for r evisions and futur e pr ojects, while helping them develop critical thinking skills. The course works fr om a set of specific exer cises based on self-dir ected r esear ch, and builds to a series of short experimental films that challenge students on both a technical and cr eative level. We will incr easingly focus on helping students expr ess their personal outlooks and develop their unique styles as filmmakers. We will r eview and r efer ence short films online and discuss how students might find inspiration and apply what they find to their own works.
(Semester 1)
256 GRAPHIC DESIGN [DES]
*This course is offered through Grinnell College and is taught by Professor Samuel Rebelsky, the chair of Grinnell’s Computer Science department. Students who successfully complete this course are eligible for college credit from Grinnell and should expect a college-level workload (8-10 hours a week). (Semester 1)
What makes a message persuasive and compelling? What helps audiences and viewers sort and make sense of infor mation? This course will explor e the r elationship between infor mation and influence fr om a graphic design perspective. Using an integrated case study and design-based appr oach, this course aims to deepen students’ design, visual and infor mation literacies. Students will be empower ed to design and pr ototype communication pr ojects they ar e passionate about. Topics will include principles of design and visual communication; infographics; digital sear ch skills; networks and social media; persuasion and storytelling with multimedia; and social activism on the Inter net. Student work will include individual and collaborative gr oup pr ojects, graphic design, content curation, some analytical and cr eative writing, peer r eview and critiques, and online pr esentations. (Semester 1)
253 CREATIVE NONFICTION [EMP] [DIV]
258 ARCHITECTURE [DES] [DIV]
This course will focus on shaping r eal experiences into power ful narratives. Students will lear n how to identify the genr e of cr eative nonfiction both thr ough the examination of pr ofessional examples of this genr e and their own work of cr eative nonfiction. Students will lear n how to write in the genr e of cr eative nonfiction both by exploring gr eat stories in their lives and in the world ar ound them, while developing their own voice thr ough writing and by ef fectively and r espectfully write about other people and their experiences. Feedback is an essential component of this course, and students will gain experience in the workshop model, lear ning how to ef fectively critique and discuss one another’s writing in a digital envir onment. In addition, students will have the opportunity to use technology to transfor m written work into audio experiences.
In this course, students will explor e the field of ar chitectur e thr ough a series of units covering elements of ar chitectural design, materials and structur e, ar chitectural analysis and 3D design. The course begins with students lear ning the basic elements of ar chitectural design and then using Google SketchUp to build models of these elements. In the second unit, students will study buildings like the Stonehenge, the Parthenon in Athens, the Roman Aqueduct of Pont du Gar d in France, and the Pantheon in Rome to develop an understanding of materials and structur es. At each stage, students will lear n how changes in materials, technology and construction techniques lead to the evolution of ar chitectur e over time. In the thir d unit, students will lear n how to analyze structur es using Ancient Gr eek temples as an example. The course will end with a final pr oject in which each student will have the opportunity to design and build a sacr ed structur e of their choice based on their new understanding of ar chitectur e, construction and engineering. (Semester 2)
(Semester 1)
42
GOA LEARNING STUDIOS GOA Lear ning Studios explor e inter disciplinary topics thr ough student-driven lear ning. Led by a teacher who designs the overall structur e, these courses ask students to craft their own pr ojects based on their inter ests, and develop str ong r elationships with classmates thr ough fr equent conversations and feedback. Students can expect to lear n how to identify r elevant local and/or global issues to explor e deeply, how to craft their own plans for structuring and exploring the issue, how to test new ideas both in and out of class, and how to be an active part of a community of lear ners. Lear ning Studios demand a high level of or ganizational and interpersonal skills, curiosity, deter mination and flexibility.
304 ADVANCED TOPICS IN ECONOMICS [EMP] [CHG] [SUS] What is the economic impact of pr ofessional sports teams on their local community? How does pollution in China af fect vineyar ds in Italy? Why did the US financial market collapse in 2008 and how can we use this experience to pr edict our next global business cycle? In this course, students will choose curr ent events to explor e thr ough an economic lens. By building upon the principles discussed in micr oeconomics and macr oeconomics, students will analyze how the pr esence of scar city af fects the behaviors of individuals, businesses and gover nments. This course will r eiterate the rational expectations of the principles courses while also intr oducing irrational behaviors to pr ovide students a better look at their local economy. With guidance fr om the instructor, students will choose topics r elated to the stock market, envir onment, entertainment industry, politics and mor e. Students will r esear ch and analyze their economic issue and use their findings to for mulate a solution to the pr oblem. Thr ough this course students will build upon their understanding of economic principles and their application. Student work will include the synthesis of data, analytical writing, peer collaboration and conclude with a defense of their findings to a committee. Prerequisite: Completion of an introductory courses in microeconomics OR macroeconomics (at GOA or elsewhere). (Semester 1)
302 POWER: REDRESSING INEQUITY WITH DATA [MoT] [CHG] Students utilize r esear ch, data, their own sense of social justice, and the application of all thr ee to right wr ongs in our world. A collaborative track and an independent track will run concurr ently thr oughout the semester. Collaboratively, the full class will work thr ough a unit on Power Frameworks (Nietzsche, Foucault, Weber, and Fr ench & Raven) followed by a series of inequality case studies that will pr ovide
insight into and practice with all six steps of the Power and Inequality Assessment (PIA) appr oach: (1) identify specific inequality; (2) pr ovide and analyze data to substantiate the inequality; (3) identify type(s) of power that cr eated and ar e maintaining the inequality; (4) pr ovide and analyze data to substantiate power claim; (5) pr esent and explain specific action steps to r edr ess inequality; (6) identify type(s) of power necessary to implement action plan. Independently, all students will apply the PIA appr oach to a specific local, national, or global inequality of their choosing. Past PIA pr ojects have explor ed gender inequality in NCAA collegiate coaching; racial inequality in the American police for ce; and economic inequality in the tr eatment of immigrants, to name only a few. Regular, guided peer r eview will help students to hone their final pr oducts. Final PIA pr oducts will be pr esented in multimedia for mats asynchr onously online. Invited audience members will include GOA classmates; site dir ectors and other members of home school communities; and experts fr om r elevant fields. (Semester 1)
303 WATER [CHG] [SUS] [DIV]: This inquiry-based course will examine water as a physical element of the earth, an essential element of life, and a driver of human experience. Short case studies will intr oduce students to the range of disciplines thr ough which water can be studied, including oceanography, literatur e and inter national r elations. Then, the class will develop a master list of questions such as: How is water used in human cells? How does it get to our homes? How do people live on and ar ound it in low-lying ar eas? How does it shape mountains and vegetation? What happens when rivers change course at inter national bor ders? How do dr ought and flood influence history, art and cultural practices? Working in small gr oups, students will tackle such questions thr ough online r esear ch, observation and interviews with local experts. Their findings will be collected in a publicly available website that will serve as the basis for student-driven “action pr ojects,” which will be cr eated for specific audiences and may involve building a pr ototype, cr eating a short film, or writing a pr oposal to an agency or or ganization. (Semester 1)
292 ADVOCACY [EMP] [CHG] This skills-based course will explor e the cr eativity, ef fort, and diversity of techniques r equir ed to change peope’s minds and motivate them to act. Students will lear n how to craft persuasive ar guments in a variety of for mats (written, oral and multimedia) by developing a campaign for change ar ound an issue about which they car e deeply, and will explor e a number of r elevant case studies and examples while crafting their campaigns. Units will include persuasive writing, social media, public speaking and infor mational graphics. The final pr oject will be a multimedia pr esentation deliver ed and r ecor ded befor e a live audience. (Semester 2)
43
GOA COURSE OFFERINGS 297 ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT [MoT] [EMP] [CHG] [DIV]: How does an entr epr eneur think? What skills must entr epr eneurs possess to r emain competitive and r elevant? What ar e some of the strategies that entr epr eneurs apply to solve pr oblems? In this experiential course students develop an understanding of entr epr eneurship in today’s global market; employ innovation, design, and cr eative solutions for building a viable business model; and lear n to develop, r efine, and pitch a new start-up. Units of study include Business Model Canvas, Customer Development vs. Design Thinking, Value Pr oposition, Customer Segments, Iterations & Pivots, Brand Strategy & Channels, and Funding Sour ces. Students will use the Business Model Canvas as a r oadmap to building and developing their own team start-up, a pr ocess that will r equir e hypothesis testing, customer r esear ch conducted in hometown markets, pr oduct design, pr oduct iterations, and entr epr eneur interviews. An online start-up pitch by the student team to an entr epr eneurial advisory committee will be the culminating assessment. Additional student work will include r esear ch, jour naling, interviews, peer collaboration, and a case study involving r eal world consulting work for a curr ent business. (Semester 2)
MATHEMATICS AND TECHNOLOGY 284 iOS APP DESIGN [MoT] [DES]
Lear n how to design and build apps for the iPhone and iPad and pr epar e to publish them in the App Stor e. Students will work much like a small startup: collaborating as a team, sharing designs, and lear ning to communicate with each other thr oughout the course. Students will lear n the valuable skills of cr eativity, collaboration, and communication as they cr eate something amazing, challenging, and worthwhile. Coding experience is NOT r equir ed and does not play a significant r ole in this course. Note: For this course, students are required to have access to a computer running the most current Mac or Windows operating system (Mac OS X is necessary only if you plan to try your hand at publishing). An iOS device that can run apps (iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad) is also highly recommended. (Semester 2)
280 CONTEST MATHEMATICS [MoT] This course will cover the mathematics that arises on contests such as the AMC, AIME, USAMO, and Mandelbr ot. Although the pr er equisites ar e few, students ar e expected to be capable and enthusiastic pr oblem solvers who ar e eager to apply their skills and cr eativity to a br oad range of pr oblems. Students will become mor e adept at solving math contest pr oblems while lear ning the mathematics that underlies these pr oblems. Potential topics include: combinatorics,
44
number theory, geometry and trigonometry, and algebra and inequalities. Prerequisite: Completion of Geometry or the equivalent. This course is recommended for students with some experience with math contests (such as the AMC). (Semester 1)
298 NUMBER THEORY [MoT] Once thought of as the pur est but least applicable part of mathematics, number theory is now by far the most commonly applied: every one of the millions of secur e inter net transmissions occurring each second is encrypted using ideas fr om number theory. This course will cover the fundamentals of this classical, elegant, yet supr emely r elevant subject. It will pr ovide a foundation for further study of number theory, but even mor e, it will develop the skills of mathematical r easoning and pr oof in a concr ete and intuitive way, good pr eparation for any futur e course in upper-level college mathematics or theor etical computer science. We will pr ogr essively develop the tools needed to understand the RSA algorithm, the most common encryption scheme used worldwide. Along the way we will invent some encryption schemes of our own and discover how to play games using number theory. We will also get a taste of the history of the subject, which involves the most famous mathematicians fr om antiquity to the pr esent day, and we will see parts of the story of Fer mat’s Last Theor em, a 350-year-old statement that was fully pr oved only twenty years ago. While most calculations will be simple enough to do by hand, we will sometimes use the computer to see how the fundamental ideas can be applied to the huge numbers needed for moder n applications. Prerequisite: Precalculus (alter nately, Algebra II plus exponentials and logarithms), and a desire to do rigorous mathematics and proofs. (Semester 1)
282 COMPUTER SCIENCE II: ADVANCED JAVA [MoT] [DES] ]: This intensive course uses Java pr ogramming language to study pr ogramming methodology, algorithms, data structur es, pr ocedural and data abstraction, and object orientation. Advanced models for r easoning and solving pr oblems ar e explor ed. Topics include number systems, Boolean operations, Contr ol Flow, Looping, Classes and Methods, Arrays, ArrayLists, Recursion, Inheritance and Sear ching and Sorting. Emphasis is placed on the design, cr eation, and verification of pr oper algorithms and pr ograms; on pr ogramming methodology, algorithms, and pr oblem solving, pr oviding students with a hands-on, end-to-end experience of structur ed, object-oriented pr ogramming. Prerequisite: Completion of Computer Science I: Computational Thinking and an introductory Java course. (Semester 2)
283 COMPUTER SCIENCE II: ANALYZING DATA with PYTHON [MoT]
In this course, students will utilize the Python pr ogramming language to r ead, manipulate and analyze data. The course emphasizes using r eal world datasets, which ar e often lar ge, messy, and inconsistent. The pr er equisite for this course is familiarity with and hands-on experience using some high-or der pr ogramming language, such as Java, C++, VisualBasic, or Python itself. Because of the power ful data structur es and clear syntax of Python, it is one of the most widely used pr ogramming languages in scientific computing. Ther e ar e a multitude of practical applications of Python in fields like biology, engineering, and statistics. Prerequisite: Completion of Computer Science I: Computational Thinking.
(Semester 2)
285 GAME THEORY [MoT] [EMP]: Do you play games? Do you ever wonder if you’r e using “the right” strategy? What makes one strategy better than another? In this course, we’ll explor e a branch of mathematics known as game theory, which answers these questions and many mor e. Game theory has many applications as we face dilemmas and conflicts every day, most of which we can tr eat as mathematical games! We will consider significant global events fr om fields like diplomacy, political science, anthr opology, philosophy, economics, and popular cultur e. Specific topics we’ll discuss include two-person zer o-sum games, two person non-zer o-sum games, sequential games, multiplayer games, linear optimization, and voting and power theory. (Semester 2) 281 LINEAR ALGEBRA [MoT] In this course you will lear n about the algebra of vector spaces andmatrices by looking at how images of objects in the plane and space ar e transfor med in computer graphics. Some paper-and-pencil calculations will be done early in the course, but the computer softwar e package Geogebra (fr ee) will be used to do most of the calculating in the course. No prior experience with this softwar e or linear algebra is necessary. This intr oduction is followed by looking at the analysis of social networks using linear algebraic techniques. Students will lear n how to model social networks using matrices and to discover things about the network with linear algebra as your tool. We will consider applications like Facebook and Google. Prerequisite: completion of Geometry and Algebra 2 or the equivalents. (Semester 2)
SCIENCE AND HEALTH
263 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY [EMP] What does it mean to think like a psychologist? Withthis question anchoring Intr oduction to Psychology, students explor e thr ee central psychological perspectives—the behavioral, the cognitive, and the sociocultural—in or der to develop a multi-faceted understanding of what thinking like a psychologist encompasses. The additional question of “How do psychologists put what they know into practice?” infor ms study of the r esear ch methods in psychology, the ethics surr ounding them, and the application of those methods to practice. During the first five units of the course, students gather essential infor mation that they apply during a gr oup pr oject on the unique characteristics of adolescent psychology. Students similarly anticipate a case study on depr ession, which also enables application of understandings fr om the first five units. The course concludes with a unit on positive psychology, which featur es curr ent positive psychology r esear ch on living mentally healthy lives. Thr oughout the course, students collaborate on a variety of activities and assessments, which often enable lear ning about each other’s unique perspectives while building their r esear ch and critical thinking skills in service of understanding the complex field of psychology. This course is an excellent partner with, but not a pr er equisite for, Neur opsychology and Abnor mal Psychology. (Offered in both Semester 1
and Semester 2)
264 MEDICAL PROBLEM SOLVING [MOT] In this course students will collaboratively solve medical mystery cases, similar to the appr oach used in many medical schools. Students enhance their critical thinking skills as they examine data, draw conclusions, diagnose, and tr eat patients. Students will use pr oblem-solving techniques in or der to understand and appr eciate r elevant medical/biological facts as they confr ont the principles and practices of medicine. Students will explor e anatomy and physiology pertaining to medical scenarios and gain an understanding of the disease pr ocess, demographics of disease, and phar macology. Additional lear ning experiences will include studying curr ent issues in health and medicine, building a community-service action plan, interviewing a patient, and cr eating a new mystery case. Students inter ested in continuing their studies in Semester 2 ar e encouraged to take Medical Pr oblem Solving II. (Offered in both Semester 1 and
Semester 2)
265 GLOBAL HEALTH [SUS] What makes people sick? What social and political factors lead to the health disparities we see both within our own community and on a global scale? What ar e
45
GOA COURSE OFFERINGS the biggest challenges in global health and how might they be met? Using an inter disciplinary appr oach to addr ess these questions, this course hopes to impr ove students’ health literacythr ough an examination of the most significant public-health challenges facing today’s global population. Topics addr essed will be the biology of infectious disease (specifically HIV and Malaria); the statistics and quantitative measur es associated with health issues; the social deter minants of health; and the r ole of or ganizations (public and private) in shaping the landscape of global health policy. Students will use illness as a lens thr ough which to examine critically such social issues as poverty, gender, and race. Student work will include analytical and cr eative writing; r esear ch, and peer collaboration; r eading and discussions of nonfiction; and online pr esentations.
(Semester 1)
296 PRACTICAL ASTRONOMY [MoT] This course serves as a model of how moder n astr onomy has benefited fr om the digital r evolution and advances in imaging technology. In the past two decades, the amount of infor mation about our place in the universe has seen an explosive expansion. Our understanding of our own solar system has become fundamentally dif fer ent in that short time. Students will lear n the moder n techniques used by pr ofessional astr onomers to gather and analyze data. The course r eviews coor dinate systems used in locating astr onomical objects and the basics of spherical trigonometry. Students will then be given practical pr oblems such as deter mining the orbits of newly discover ed solar system objects such as minor planets and comets. Data fr om pr ofessional observatories will be used to analyze the light curves of binary star systems and variable stars as well as to sear ch for super novae. These pr ojects, given the global natur e of the course, could include timing of occultations of stars by the Moon and aster oids, pr oviding infor mation vital to pr ofessional r esear chers. The Cranbr ook Observatory at the Cranbr ook Institute of Science in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, will be used as a sour ce of data along with other inter national sour ces specific to each student for individual pr ojects. Prerequisite: Successful completion of a course in trigonometry and geometry. (Semester 1)
266 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY [EMP]: This course focuses on psychiatric disor ders such as schizophr enia, eating disor ders, anxiety disor ders, substance abuse, and depr ession. As students examine these and other disor ders, they lear n about their symptoms, diagnoses, and tr eatments. Students also deepen their understanding of the social stigmas associated with mental illnesses. This course may be taken as a continuation of Intr oduction to Psychology, although doing so is not r equir ed. Note: Excellent partner with, but not a prerequisite for, Microeconomics. It can also serve as a prerequisite for Advanced Topics in Economics. (Semester 2)
46
267 Bioethics Ethics is the study of what one should do as an individual and as a member of society. In this course, students will evaluate ethical issues r elated to medicine and the life sciences. During the semester, students will explor e r eal-life ethical issues, including vaccination policies, or gan transplantation, genetic testing, human experimentation and animal r esear ch. Thr ough r eading, writing and discussion, students will be intr oduced to basic concepts and skills in the field of bioethics, will deepen their understanding of biological concepts, will str engthen their criticalr easoning skills, and will lear n to engage in r espectful dialogue with people whose views may dif fer fr om their own. In addition to jour nal articles and position papers, students will be r equir ed to r ead Rebecca Skloot’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. (Offered in both
Semester 1 and Semester 2)
269 MEDICAL PROBLEM SOLVING II [MoT] This course is an extension of the pr oblem-based lear ning done in Medical Pr oblem Solving I. While collaborative examination of medical case studies will r emain the cor e work of the course, students will tackle mor e complex cases and explor e new topics in medical science, such as the gr owing field of bioinfor matics. Students in MPS II will also have opportunities to design cases based on personal inter ests, discuss curr ent topics in medicine, and apply their lear ning to issues in their local communities. Prerequisite: completion of Medical Problem Solving I. (Semester 2)
270 NEUROPSYCHOLOGY [EMP]
This course is an exploration of the neur ological basis of behavior. It will cover basic brain anatomy and function as well as cognitive and behavioral disor ders fr om a neur obiological perspective. Additionally, students will explor e curr ent neur oscience r esear ch as well as the pr ocess of funding that r esear ch. Examples of illnesses that may be cover ed include: Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injury, and str oke. Diagnostic and tr eatment issues (including behavioral and phar maceutical management) will also be addr essed, and additional topics may include attention, lear ning, memory, sleep, consciousness and emotional intelligence. The course culminates with students developing a fundraising campaign to support r esear ch and/or patient car e initiatives r elated to a specific neur ological condition and nonpr ofit foundation. Neur opsychology can be taken as a continuation of Intr oduction to Psychology, although it is not r equir ed.
(Semester 2)
271 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY [SUS]
This course is designed with two goals in mind; one pragmatic, and one philosophical. Pragmatically it will pr ovide a few foundational blocks for further studies in the or ganic chemistry field, giving students a small window on futur e, mor e traditional or ganic courses. Philosophically it aims to open an infinite world of discovery of complex molecules, their pr operties
and r eactions and application that hold the keys to confr onting and solving the world¹s most challenging, futur e scientific pr oblems. The emphasis of the course is on stimulating inter est in or ganic chemistry thr ough an exploration of the molecules r elevant to moder n life. aspects of an alter native ener gy sour ce, including technical and economic viability and envir onmental sustainability. Students can use this course as a springboar d for further lear ning, as the beginning of a longer jour ney. (Semester 2)
SOCIAL SCIENCES
287 APPLYING PHILOSOPHY to MODERN GLOBAL ISSUES [MoT] [EMP] [DIV] This is an applied philosophy course that connects pr essing contemporary issues with br oad-range philosophical ideas and contr oversies, drawn fr om multiple traditions and many centuries. Students will use ideas fr om influential philosophers to examine how thinkers have applied r eason successfully, and unsuccessfully, to many social and political issues acr oss the world. In addition to intr oducing students to the work of philosophers as diverse as Confucius, Kant, John Rawls and Michel Foucault, this course also aims to be richly inter disciplinary, incorporating models and methods fr om diverse fields including history, jour nalism, literary criticism, and media studies. Students will lear n to develop their own philosophy and then apply it to the ideological debates which surr ound ef forts to impr ove their local and global communities.
(Offered in both Semester 1 and Semester 2)
274 GENOCIDE AND HUMAN RIGHTS [EMP] [DIV] Students in this course study several of the major genocides of the 20th century (Ar menian, the Holocaust, Cambodian, and Rwandan), analyze the r ole of the inter national community in r esponding to and pr eventing further genocides with particular attention to the Nur ember g Tribunals, and examine curr ent human rights crises ar ound the world. Students will r ead primary and secondary sour ces, participate in both synchr onous and asynchr onous discussions with classmates, write brief papers, r ead short novels, watch documentaries and develop a human rights r eport car d website about a nation in the world of their choice.
(Offered in both Semester 1 and Semester 2)
286 9/11 in a GLOBAL CONTEXT [DIV]
September 11, 2001 was a tragic day that changed the world in pr ofound ways. In this course students will explor e the causes of 9/11, the events of the day itself,and its after math locally, nationally, and ar ound the world. In place of a standar d chr onological framework, students instead will view these events thr ough a series of separate lenses. Each lens will r epr esent a dif fer ent way to view the attacks and will allow students to understand 9/11 as an event with complex and interr elated causes and outcomes. Using
a variety of technologies and activities, students will work individually and with peers to evaluate each lens. Students will then analyze the post-9/11 period and explor e how this event af fected the U.S., the Middle East, and the wider world. (Semester 1)
288 MICROECONOMICS In this course, students will lear n about how consumers and pr oducers interact to for m a market and then how and why the gover nment may intervene in that market. Students will deepen their understanding of basic micr oeconomic theory thr ough class discussion and debate, pr oblem solving, and written r eflection. Students will visit a local pr oduction site and write a r eport using the market principals they have lear ned. Economic ways of thinking about the world will help them better understand their r oles as consumers and workers, and someday, as voters and pr oducers.
(Semester 1)
290 COMPARATIVE POLITICS [EMP] [CHG] [DIV] In 2012, the Economist issued a r eport entitled “Democracy at a Standstill.” This course uses the comparative model to ask students to consider whether democracy is in fact at a standstill, but mor e importantly, if and why we should car e. By looking at curr ent events, r eading scholarly r esear ch, analyzing data, conducting personal interviews and engaging in a series of debates, students will assess the status of democracy in the world and also explor e the challenges and alter natives to democratic systems. In so doing, they will constantly r eevaluate their own beliefs and understandings about how power should be distributed and utilized. (Semester 2)
293 ENERGY [SUS] [DIV] Students will develop a keen ability to analyze global ener gy issues. A historical and scientific exploration of fossil fuels gives students the foundation to tackle economic and envir onmental concer ns r elated to traditional and alter native ener gy. Students do technical analyses of the rates of depletion of the r eserves of major oil-pr oducing countries, and investigate the motivations for an oil-pr oducing nation to become member of OPEC. Students will take sides in major ener gy debates on topics like “fracking” or the inter national movement of ener gy supplies. In their final pr oject, students pr esent to their peers on all key aspects of an alter native ener gy sour ce, including technical and economic viability and envir onmental sustainability. (Semester 2)
276 GENDER STUDIES [EMP] [CHG] [DIV] This course uses the concept of gender to examine a range of topics and disciplines that might include feminism, gay and lesbian studies, women’s studies,
47
GOA COURSE OFFERINGS popular cultur e, and politics. Thr oughout the course students will examine the intersection of gender with other social identifiers: class, race, sexual orientation, cultur e, and ethnicity. Students will r ead about, write about, and discuss gender issues as they simultaneously r eflect on the ways that gender has manifested in and influenced their lives. (Semester 2)
291 MACROECONOMICS [SUS] In this course students will study macr oeconomic theory as it r elates to domestic and global policies on employment, national income, gover nment spending, and the impact of for eign spending on domestic economies and for eign exchange markets. Students will use r eal world events and data as case studies in or der to develop a better understanding of the driving for ces behind domestic and inter national macr oeconomic markets. In the final portion of the course, students will have the opportunity to develop their own solutions to a local/global issue of their choice (such as poverty, envir onmental pollution, and limited access to education) based on their new understanding of macr oeconomic theory. This course is an excellent partner with, but not a pr er equisite for, Micr oeconomics. It can serve as a pr er equisite for Advanced Topics in Economics. (Semester 2)
299 PRISONS AND THE CRIMINAL LAW [EMP]* Sometimes when people commit serious crimes, they go to prison. In this 14-week course, students become familiar with the legal rules and institutions that deter mine who goes to prison, and for how long. Along the way, students gain a concr ete, practical understanding of legal communication and r easoning while grappling with the issue of mass incar ceration as a legal, ethical, and practical issue. We r ead and analyze the jury ar guments, courtr oom motions, news op-eds, and other for ms of public persuasion that lawyers and judges cr eate in r eal-world criminal cases. Topics include the definition of crimes; the work of pr osecutors, defense attor neys, and judges in criminal court; the r esolution of char ges thr ough trials and plea bar gains; the sentencing rules that deter mine what happens to people after a conviction; and the operation of prisons and other corr ectional pr ograms. The r eading focuses on criminal justice in the United States, but the course materials also compar e the levels of imprisonment used in justice systems ar ound the world. Assignments will ask students to practice with legal r easoning and communication styles. The work will involve legal r esear ch, written legal ar gumentation, peer collaboration, and oral advocacy. *This course is of fered through Wake Forest University and is taught by Ronald Wright, the Needham Y. Gulley Professor of Criminal Law. Students who successfully complete this course are eligible for college credit from Wake Forest and should expect a college-level workload (8-10 hours a week). (Semester 2)
48
WORLD LANGUAGES
272 ARABIC LANGUAGE THROUGH CULTURE I [DIV] This full-year course will highlight Moder n Standar d Arabic and some of the spoken dialect of the Levant. With an emphasis on Arabic cultur e, students will lear n commonly used expr essions and phrases fr om the Levant ar ea. Students will develop their skills in listening, r eading, writing, for ming grammatically corr ect structur ed sentences, and most importantly, conversation. This will be accomplished thr ough podcasts, videos, cultur e cir cles discussions, web confer encing, and collaborations in gr oup pr ojects. In addition, students will have dir ect conversations with native speakers of Arabic thr ough a virtual club called “Shu Fe Maa Fe,” wher e students ar e r equir ed to meet online with their assigned partner and lear n about a certain cultural topic every week, such as traditional food, gr eetings, gestur es, values, history and mor e. Since Arabic is becoming one of the most functional languages in the world, especially in the ar eas of commer ce, business, and trade, students participating in this course can avail themselves of the opportunity to lear n the language in a highly stimulating and rich cultural context. (Yearlong)
305 ARABIC LANGUAGE THROUGH CULTURE II [DIV] This full-year course continue the work ofArabic I, highlighting Moder n Standar d Arabic and the spoken dialect of the Levant. With an emphasis on Arabic cultur e, students expand their knowledge of expr essions and phrases fr om the Levant ar ea. In addition, students’ experience with Arabic will allow them to become mor e active collaborators in the design of the course, including pursuing cultural topics of their own inter est, seeking r eal-world practice and applications of the language, and connecting their peers to r esour ces and new lear ning. As in the first course, students will develop their skills in listening, r eading, writing, for ming grammatically corr ect structur ed sentences, and most importantly, conversation. This will be accomplished thr ough podcasts, videos, cultur e cir cles discussions, web confer encing, and collaborations in gr oup pr ojects. The focus of this course will be 60 per cent on language and 40 per cent on cultur e. Prerequisite: Arabic Language through Culture I or per mission from the instructor. (Yearlong)
273 JAPANESE LANGUAGE THROUGH CULTURE I [DIV] This full-year course is a unique combination of Japanese cultur e and language, weaving cultural comparison with the study of basic Japanese language and grammar. While examining various cultural topics such as literatur e, art, lifestyle and economy, students will lear n the basics of the Japanese writing system (Hiragana and Katakana), grammar and vocabulary.
Thr ough varied synchr onous and asynchr onous assignments, including hands-on pr ojects and faceto-face communications, students will develop their speaking, listening, r eading and writing skills. The cultural study and discussion will be conducted in English, with topics alter nating every two to thr ee weeks. The ultimate goal of this course is to raise awar eness and appr eciation of dif fer ent cultur es thr ough lear ning the basics of the Japanese language. The focus of this course will be 60 per cent on language and 40 per cent on cultur e. This course is appr opriate for beginner-level students. (Yearlong)
306 JAPANESE LANGUAGE THROUGH CULTURE II [DIV] Thr ough language lear ning, students in this course shar e their voices, cultivate global perspectives, andfoster appr eciation of self and others. Students expand their knowledge of the basic skills intr oduced in Japanese Language thr ough Cultur e I while further developing their speaking, listening, writing, and r eading skills. Each unit follows the IPA model (Integrated Per for mance Assessment), blending thr ee modes of communication: interpr etation of authentic material in Japanese, synchr onous and asynchr onous practice in speaking and writing, and oral and written pr esentations. Each unit focuses on one of the following cultural topics: Design and Expr ession, Ecology, Entertainment, East meets West, Har mony, and Natur e. In addition, students will have the opportunity to select and pursue topics of their own inter est. Grammar topics will cover the essential for ms that ar e typically intr oduced in the second and thir d year of a high school Japanese pr ogram. By lear ning the Dictionary For m, Nominalizer, TE for m, TA for m, NAI for m, and Noun Modifier, students will be able to add mor e complexity to their sentence construction. In doing so, they will shift fr om for ming simple sentences to communicating in a coher ent paragraph. As online lear ners, students ar e expected to exhibit superb time management and communication skills, as well as to take ownership of their lear ning. While grammar instruction will be deliver ed thr ough asynchr onous work and face-to-face meetings, much of the course content will be curated and cr eated by students thr ough their r esear ch and collaboration. Prerequisite: Japanese Language through Culture I or per mission from the instructor. (Yearlong)
49
AT H L E T I C S The athletic program at GFS stresses participation and encourages all student athletes to develop their capabilities to the fullest extent possible. We value excellence in each sport and aim to field successful teams that are competitive within the Friends Schools League as well as with other comparable schools. We want our student athletes to be committed to themselves, their team, the GFS school community, and the Friends Schools League. In order to do this, they need to learn what it means to cooperate with others, to set individual and team goals, to manage their time with other areas of their lives, to deal positively with setbacks, and to learn the physical and technical skills demanded by their sport. It is our hope that as students progress through our athletic program, they gain a stronger sense of themselves and their role in the GFS community. Graduation Requirement Note: Students must participate in 2 seasons of Athletics in 9th grade and 1 season of Athletics in 10th grade. SEASON
GIRLS
BOYS
Fall
802 803 804 805
808 Cross Country 809 Soccer
Winter
812 Basketball 813 Squash 814 Indoor Track & Field
816 817 818 819
Spring
822 Lacrosse 823 Softball 824 Track & Field
826 Baseball 826 Tennis 828 Track & Field
Cross Country Field Hockey Soccer Tennis
Basketball Squash Wrestling Wrestling
Exemptions from the Athletics Requirement
We value the sense of community, camaraderie, physical well being and skill development that come thr ough participating in athletics at GFS. It is our expectation that all students will actively participate in our pr ogram and fulfill the athletic r equir ements. Students who have undertaken a clear course of study and demonstrated a solid commitment to an out-of-school sport may r equest an exemption for one athletic season at GFS. Since this out-of-school sport would r eplace an existing part of the school curriculum, both family and school must give car eful thought to such a decision. This does not apply to an activity that is new to a student. Par ents must write a letter to the Athletic Dir ector to explain the r easons for the exemption r equest. This letter must include: •
The length of prior commitment and dedication to sport
•
A detailed description of the sport
•
The dates for which the exemption is r equested
•
The time spent per day and week in training
•
A competition or per for mance schedule
Exemption r equest letters should be submitted when students ar e selecting their courses for the following year, and must be r eceived at least one season prior to the r equest in or der to be consider ed. As part of the follow-up, the coach or instructor may be asked to pr ovide a written evaluation of the student’s participation and per for mance. The Athletic Dir ector will r eview the r equest and infor m the family of a decision in as timely a manner as possible.
50
NOTES
Notes
GERMANTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL
GFS GERMANTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL www.germantownfriends.org | 215.951.2300 | 31 West Coulter Street Philadelphia, PA 19144