VIRTUAL
Shell Enrichment Programme
Introduction by the Academic Director Dear Shells
As you read on, you will see - if you didn’t know already - what amazing talent and variety of interests lie within Common Room. It is tremendous that dons have offered so many fascinating courses for you in the last week of term. While we all know this has been a very difficult time, let us all grasp the opportunity to embrace what is on offer and make the best of it. You can be sure that your dons will be working hard to make the Academic Enrichment Programme a huge success. Boys will be asked to choose their first, second, third, fourth and fifth choice from each of the four blocks.
Stephen Rathbone Academic Director
BLOCK A
1. 3D Printing (BRK) "Form your CAD creations to a physical 3D print out. You will design on your computer at home and files will be printed at Radley, or you might have your own 3D printer!" 2. A Basic Introduction to Economics (SDW) Learning the importance of questions such as: Who should produce goods and services? What goods and service should be produced? Who should get what is produced? Why can't we always trust people to act rationally? Why can't we leave everything to the free market? Can games be solved? 3. Art of Leadership (DJP) Leadership Theory, Analysis of Leaders, Managing a Team. 4. French food through important dates in History (CSM) A tour of French dishes and their relationship with important historical dates and the French way of life. The course will suggest some recipes that can be tried at home. 5. Galleries and Museums around the World (KJK) Banksy and Grayson Perry - Banksy vs the Bristol Museum and the Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman. Grutas Park and Memento Park - Where Soviet Sculpture now lives. Kroller-Muller Museum and the Vasa Museum - A 3D art exploration and A fateful journey. 6. Hadrian's Wall (DWSR) What was the purpose of Hadrian's Wall? Despite its fame, there is considerable debate about its function. We shall review the physical evidence, along with the very small amount literary evidence. 7. Sporting icons of the 20th century (SHD) Research, debate and appreciation of the sportspeople who lit up the 20th century. 8. Introduction to Mandarin (AJL) An introduction to Mandarin, the foundations and basics as well as some insight into the culture. Suitable for total beginners only. 9. The 10 scenes that changed cinema (AP) A history of cinema through a study of 10 of the most game-changing scenes - some you know and some you don't know you know! We'll explore how aesthetic choices, historical context and other elements have impacted the genre, as well as contemporary popular culture. 10. The Modern Space Race (HDH) An analysis of the three principle projects for the next big push into space. 11. Understanding Robotics, AI and Machine Learning (ISY) Nothing too technical. 12. War Photography: A photographic journey through the Vietnam War (RMCG) A look at photographs of war that have both a story as well as telling the story of the US's actions in the Vietnam War, 19611975.
BLOCK B 1. A Brief introduction to Architectural History (GHSM) Brief introduction to the History of Western Architecture - focusing on a few buildings e.g. Pantheon in Rome, Brunelleschi's Dome in Florence, Michelangelo's Laurentian Library, Palladio's Villa Badoer, Inigo Jones Banqueting's House, Secession Building in Vienna, Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water. 2. Americana (AFCN) An informal guide to the land of the free... 3. Desert Island Poems (AC) Six Poems you should know and learn by heart. 4. Environmental Economics (SRM) A course looking at environmental issues of the day, through the use of case studies, videos etc. 5. Football in its Early Years (AMHH) A socio-political analysis of how football developed and the role that Public Schools and Victorian society played in shaping the game from 1830-1885. The Netflix series 'The English Game' will feature and so you need access to Netflix. 6. Great Speeches of the Twentieth Century (PWGF) We will examine the historical, political, and social background to great Twentieth Century speeches from leading figures such as Mandela and John F Kennedy. We will also explore the literary and rhetorical devices that they use. 7. How to attack from the sea. (TCHN) An exploration of amphibious warfare through three studies: Alexander the Great’s assault on Tyre in 332 BC, the Raid on Zeebrugge in 1918 and the Inchon landings in the Korean War in 1950. 8. Machiavelli - Prophet or Evil Genius? (KAM) A study of one of the most infamous books ever written, Machiavelli's 'The Prince'. We will read some parts of the book and discuss them as well as watching a BBC 4 documentary about Machiavelli. 9. Musical Improvisation: a practical introduction (SLN) This will be a practical course and those participating will need to be able to play a pitched musical instrument. We will be exploring different musical stimuli. The course will culminate with a musical performance. The course will suit musicians of any style! 10. Science Fiction Reading and Writing (DJTS) An introduction to some of the best science fiction writing around, with some of the most mind-expanding ideas in human history - stepping through multiverses as God, re-creating your own body as the emissions of a starship, living inside the body of primates on a world where the forest is global, etc. PLUS, beginning your own SF short story/novel, with potential to enter competitions. 11. Sporting Scandals (KMWS) Sporting Scandals - Looking at the history of sport and how the intense pressure to succeed has led to bending/breaking of the rules both at the level of the individual and increasingly at management level in order to meet commercial demands. Boys will be introduced to theories as to why this is whilst also researching their own scandals. 12. Stonehenge and other Prehistoric Monuments (JDC) The South-West of Britain is particularly rich in surviving prehistoric 'monuments' (for want of a better word). In this course we will look at what's out there, from the subterranean Cornish fogous to the sprawling henge complexes and ritual landscapes of Avebury and Stonehenge. No previous knowledge required.
BLOCK C 1. War Poetry (IKC) From Homer to the present 2. Character: Nature vs Nurture (JMS) What is character and how does it shape our interactions with society; can we determine the virtues of character; are character virtues hard-wired or can they be taught; how might we look to develop our own character virtues. 3. Classic British Sitcoms (JWS) Each session we will watch and then discuss a classic episode of six iconic British sitcoms. 4. Coding for Absolute Beginners (RJG) No prior experience needed. 5. Columbus, CortĂŠs and Pizarro - how Spain "conquered" Latin America (MCFB) A introduction to Spain's discovery and colonisation of the New World, beginning with Columbus's voyages and including the breath-taking conquest of Mexico and the conquest of Peru. 6. Decoding Mysterious Paintings (MEH) An investigation of some of the most puzzling paintings in Western art. 7. Fighting Biology with Biology (SRG) Antibiotics, vaccines and biological control. 8. Rwanda: From Genocide to Cricket (MH) A look back at the evolution of Rwanda post the 1994 genocide to economic growth and the role cricket is playing. 9. Theology, Imagination and Art (DW) We will look at a number of works of art from a religious interpretation. These will not necessarily be religious paintings i.e. an image of a crucifixion but rather it will allow for an understanding from a Theological perspective. 10. What does it mean to be equal? (BTK) Introduction to philosophies of Hobbes, Rousseau, and Rawls. Leading to discussion on feminism and discrimination. 11. Why the Reformation happened (CER) The Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century is arguably the most historically significant event after the conversion of St Paul. Understanding what led Martin Luther to nail his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the University Church in Wittenberg in 1517 thus sparking the Reformation is not just a theological question but a philosophical, historical, and hermeneutical one too; and understand why casts light on why the world is the way it is today. 12. Black Lives Matter (LPR) We will explore the Black Lives Matter movement to better understand how it is seeking to combat racism globally.
BLOCK D 1. "Catch a Fire" - A Glimpse Into Caribbean Culture (CESM) Selections from West Indian history / literature / cricket / religion / music / film / cuisine. 2. Acting on Screen (VKB) Exploring techniques of acting for camera through analysis of actors’ performances, discussion and self-practice. 3. Armies through the ages (CASJ) The evolution of military structures and tactics through time - does the modern day British squaddie really differ that much from a Roman legionary? 4. Elements of the Periodic Table (OWC) What is your favourite element? We will look at the history and chemistry of the chemical elements. 5. Greeks and Romans at the movies. (MGGD) What can blockbusters such as Gladiator, 300, Spartacus, Troy, Percy Jackson, Clash of the Titans, Hercules and Ben Hur tell us about the ancient Greeks and Romans? 6. Oppression in the UK: 2020 (MRJ) What is Oppression? Who is oppressed in the UK and why? Does it matter? What can we do about it? 7. Pablo Escobar: Villain or Hero (APH) We will dive into the world of one of the most notorious drug dealers of all time to find out who he actually was and what his life and death meant to the world. 8. Pro-photos with an iPhone (CPMM) Learn how to take 'pro-photos' just using your iPhone. 9. Public speaking - what we can learn from the greats (JASS) A brief history of some great speeches and speakers - some reading, plenty of watching. Towards the end boys can feed that into a speech of their own on one of a range of topics. 10. Resilience and Positivity (ACW) Approaches to developing a positive attitude and good mental health. 11. South African History (MIR) Six key dates, places, and people in South African History. 12. Why is Politics Important? (TCL / MEW / RKM) An overview of why Politics matters: first, some 'big' ideas in Politics - justice, fairness and equality; then 'taking part': how voting works in the UK, who vote and who does not - and why this matters. Finally, race, protests and Mr Trump: the USA in two lessons.
p1&2 or p2&3
p4&5
p6&7 Block C
29-Jun
Mon
Block A
Block B
30-Jun
Tue
Block D
Block A
1-Jul
Wed
Block B
Block C
2-Jul
Thu
Block A
Block B
3-Jul
Fri
Block C
Block D
Block D