VIRTUAL
Fifth Form Academic Enrichment Programme
Introduction by the Academic Director Dear Vths
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. You would not have had the opportunity to look at most of this if exams had not been cancelled. So, 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 and third choice from each of the seven blocks. On top of this list of courses, boys will be asked if they would like to enrol on a short guide to cookery course. Each boy will then be allocated to five courses.
Stephen Rathbone Academic Director
BLOCK A Financial Crime How to work in business and not go to jail. We will look at fraud, bribery, cartels, insider trading and money laundering, including both notorious white-collar scandals such as Nick Leeson (played by Ewan McGregor in 'Rogue Trader') and the less glamorous ways that you can end up on the wrong side of the law. The Prehistoric monuments of South-West Britain 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. Fusion 360 in 6 lessons Improve your CAD skills - from novice to expert in 6 lessons! If you don't already have an account please contact rj@radley.org.uk these can take some time to setup. Machiavelli - Prophet or Evil Genius? 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. The Psychology of Memory An introduction to how the brain works. What actually are Short Term and Long Term Memory? How do they work and how can it help you to learn stuff? And what happens when memories get confused or go wrong? The course will involve doing some class experiments and also looking at real life case studies from Eyewitness Testimonies in Crime Trials. The Sinister Hand/ Left Handedness A seminar exploring the origins of left-handedness and why such a population asymmetry exists in humans. Critical Thinking - Am I Right? How good are your intuitions? Often our minds reach judgements before we are even aware of them - but are they always right? Are we right when we see the monster chasing a monster? Do prisoners really spend more time outside than children? Was Serena Williams right when she claimed umpires were biased? And the most important question of all - am I right, and how do I know? Superconductors The structure, significance, uses and limitations of superconductors. 'From Zeppelin to Radiohead' A History of Rock Music in Six Albums. Mindfulness in the Digital Age A non-screen exploration of the psychological process of purposely bringing one's attention to experiences occurring in the present moment without judgment, specifically away from phone and computer. War Photography: a photographic journey through the Vietnam War A look at photographs of war that have a story, as well as telling the story of US actions in the Vietnam War, 1961-1975. Making the most of a gap year / university holidays Ideas, planning, pitfalls and making holiday time worthwhile. Advice included from three recent ORs. Thinking Allowed An opportunity to learn about the ways in which our brains lie to us constantly - crucial fallacies, cognitive biases and incorrect beliefs. The course will be based on the You Are Not So Smart Podcast, as well as Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely. Resilience and Positivity Approaches to developing a positive attitude and good mental health. Understanding Robotics, AI and Machine Learning Nothing too technical.
BLOCK B Acting on Screen Exploring techniques of acting for camera through analysis of actors’ performances, discussion and self-practice. War poetry Mainly WW1, but open to look from Homer to the present day. Graphs, Networks, & Algorithms Decision Mathematics is used to solve many real life, practical problems. Here are some examples of areas in which Decision Mathematics can be used: What is the best route for a gritting lorry to follow so that it covers every road in a town but keeping the distance travelled to a minimum? What is the minimum quantity of cable needed to link a network of computers together? What is the best way to organise people’s resources in the building of a house? Guitar and Lute Music from the Renaissance to the 21st Century The development of stringed music on the lute and classical guitar from its origins in Elizabethan times through to modern South American guitar. Why the Reformation happened A look at what led Martin Luther to nail his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the University Church in Wittenberg in 1517 and start the Reformation. Classic British Sitcoms Each session, we will watch and then discuss a classic episode of six iconic British sitcoms. Alpine mountain sports - past, present, and future We will look at the development of mountain sports in what has been referred to as 'The Playground of Europe' (Stephen, L., 1871). We will begin with a brief study of the geology and geography of the area, then look at the early days of mountaineering in the 19th century, followed by the development of the skiing industry, and finally, examine the present day focus on 'extreme sports', before considering what the future might hold...... Careers in Law Explanation of how to become a Solicitor or a Barrister. The Cuban Missile Crisis: A study in diplomacy We will re-enact, via transcripts and other primary source materials, the tension of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Ancient History: the beginnings of democracy A look at the origins of democracy in the ancient world. 3D Printing 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! Connect with old prep school Establish contact, offer, plan and deliver a talk via Zoom. Punk Rock Focus on six major punk rock bands: Ramones, The Clash, Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks, Siouxsie and the Banshees & Stiff Little Fingers. What was their influence - culturally, musically, politically and socially? Does their influence endure? Hadrian's Wall 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 of literary evidence. Introduction to Sociology Sociology - looking at families, education, crime and deviance from a sociological point of view.
BLOCK C 'Clapton is god' - was he ever, or is he still…? Based on the iconic 1960s graffiti as a starting point, we will consider this argument from all possible angles, using YouTube footage, obscure musical references and maybe even renditions of some of EC’s actual riffs on guitar. Fighting Biology with Biology: antibiotics, vaccines and biological control Greeks and Romans at the movies. 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? The modern Space Race An analysis of the three principal projects for the next big push into space. Sun, Sea, Surf and the Avant Garde'. For a brief period in the 20th century, Cornwall became the home of the avant-garde, eclipsing New York and Paris. The course will give an introduction to this fascinating period in British and international cultural history. Musical Improvisation: a practical introduction 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! How to make and break codes An introduction to cryptography and cryptanalysis, from ancient times to modern cryptosystems. What to visit in Latin America during your gap year? Best places to visit. Armies through the ages The evolution of military structures and tactics through time - does the modern day British squaddie really differ that much from a Roman legionary? The Doodle Revolution - creative notetaking You do not need to be an artist to draw... We will look at ways to use your individual creative styles to create enriched notes that will help with your future studies through visual literacy. We will change your views on doodling, and look at how to doodle any object, concept, or system, shifting habitual thinking patterns, and transform boring text into displays that can engage any audience. Football in its early years A socio-political analysis of how the game developed and the role that public schools played. The Netflix series ‘The English Game’ will feature. Survival in China An intro to some of the cultural differences in China and how to navigate your way through them. An exploration of what actual Chinese cuisine is like! Basic language skills to survive a trip to China. Sports Journalism Revisit some of the iconic moments in sporting history, understand their significance and write a newspaper article / commentate for yourselves. Brewing Biology Building on students’ understanding of anaerobic respiration, we look at the different ways in which different organisms and sources of sugar are used to create the variety of alcoholic drinks enjoyed around the world. There will be a basic shopping list of ingredients for students to join in with the practical element at home - if they want/are allowed?! Developing an A Level mindset through the VESPA programme Using current thinking from psychology, business and sport, start to unlock you full potential: VISION =The degree to which you know what you want to achieve; EFFORT = The number of hours of proactive independent study you are willing to do; SYSTEMS = The level to which you organise your learning resources; PRACTICE = The level to which you commit to practising and developing your skills; ATTITUDE = The way you respond constructively to setbacks.
BLOCK D Early Western Philosophy A history of the ideas and figures that shape the way we think. Pale, male and stale?' - how many Brits are still oppressed in 2020? We will consider the current state of civil rights for blacks, women and young people in UK today & what progress depends on. Introduction to the theory of translation Translation goes way beyond what Google Translate offers, or what 6.2 are expected to produce in their A level exam. In this course, we explore: - To what extent a language can reflect a culture; - The role of translation in the development of the national literary canon and tradition; - A review debate between faithful (source-oriented) or creative (target-oriented) translations; - The challenges of translating poetry and songs. Available to boys doing French, Spanish or German. An Introduction to Game Theory Introducing basic ideas which help analyse games – games being anything where there are two or more players where the outcome for one player depends in part on the actions of others. Some maths involved. Man’s Need to Explore Have look back at some famous explorers and scientists. Discuss what risks they took and why. Look at our need to push ourselves into the unknown. Appreciation of Folk Music An exploration of types of folk music from the land, the mines and the sea, and its development over the centuries. Thinking Properly: Political Questions - From Social Class to Inheritance Tax in Three Seminars Start with your beliefs about political questions and ask where do they come from? Let's start with social class, background, accent, skin colour, gender, religion and build towards some key questions: for example, I will tell you that you (and indeed I) should be allowed to inherit zip, diddly, nothing from our folks. Disagree? Good! We have the basis for one question of many that we will explore. From the Marx Brothers to Curb Your Enthusiasm; why do Jews make the best comedy? A tour through the great Jewish comics of our age from the Marx Brothers to Adam Sandberg on TV and in film Pylons A brief history of pylons and the national grid with links to art, poetry and film. You will also be asked to take a photograph of a pylon (or find one online if there are none near enough to where you live) and write a post for 'Pylon of the Month'. Those of a high enough standard will feature on the website as a guest post! An Introduction to Computational Problem Solving Boys will examine the project Euler suite of numerical based problems, and we will attempt to solve some of the easier ones using Excel. Mindfulness in the Digital Age A non-screen exploration of the psychological process of purposely bringing one's attention to experiences occurring in the present moment without judgment, specifically away from phone and computer. War Photography: A photographic journey through the Vietnam War A look at photographs of war that have a story, as well as telling the story of the USA’s actions in the Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Brewing Biology Building on students’ understanding of anaerobic respiration, we look at the different ways in which different organisms and sources of sugar are used to create the variety of alcoholic drinks enjoyed around the world. There will be a basic shopping list of ingredients for students to join in with the practical element at home - if they want/are allowed?! Hadrian's Wall 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 of literary evidence. Understanding Robotics, AI and Machine Learning Nothing too technical.
BLOCK E French Cinema: History and Analysis A whistle stop tour through some significant films from France. Drawing from Scratch Beginners drawing course - only a pencil, an eraser and paper needed. Modern Day Heroes and Heroines A look in to who in the last century we can call a hero/heroine and why. A discussion about the characteristics we are looking for, some research and a presentation-style review of our choices. A brief introduction to Architectural History 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 House, Secession Building in Vienna, Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water. History of Photography An overview of milestone events in the history of photography, through the study of iconic photographs, from the origins to today. Maths for financial valuations Valuing businesses and other cash flows using mathematical techniques. The History and Significance of the Concept of Money An exploration of the historical concept of money as a common unit of exchange. Concepts of fiat currency and of commodity-backed currency and the systems of accepted rules that must underpin them. The role of central banks in maintaining the value and confidence in a currency. Current ideas of monetary financing of government expenditure; and consideration of alternative pseudo/crypto currency units of exchange and their place. Drug Design An introduction to how chemists design small molecules to act as medicines. How to read a Church Churches have been at the heart of national life for 1,500 years and are physical embodiments of the communities that have held, and still hold, worship in them. The smallest architectural detail - from the clerestory to the rood, from the font to the sanctuary - can say just about all one needs to know about about a church, its locale and its congregation. This course will offer an introduction into church architecture and how to read a church. A history of performance enhancing drugs in the Tour de France Substances that have been used to enhance performance, their chemistry and effects. Debate around what is and isn't banned, notable cases, testing procedures. Biophilia: is our connection with nature innate? A look at how nature is part of our human biology and how it shapes our interaction with art, literature and culture; are we disassociating ourselves from nature; how might we reconnect with nature; what does the current situation teach us about our engagement with nature? Punk Rock Focus on six major punk rock bands: Ramones, The Clash, Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks, Siouxsie and the Banshees & Stiff Little Fingers. What was their influence - culturally, musically, politically and socially? Does their influence endure? Introduction to Sociology Sociology - looking at families, education, crime and deviance from sociological point of view. Making the most of a gap year / university holidays Ideas, planning, pitfalls and making holiday time worthwhile. Advice included from three recent Ors. Thinking Allowed An opportunity to learn about the ways in which our brains lie to us constantly - crucial fallacies, cognitive biases and incorrect beliefs. The course will be based on the You Are Not So Smart Podcast, as well as Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely.
BLOCK F Introduction to MO theory and uv-visible spectroscopy The course will introduce atomic and molecular orbitals and how they can be used to explain colours of material. This is followed up by introducing the Beer-Lambert law and how it can be used to quantity substances in solution. The course is most suited for those with a genuine interest in science/medicine. Jez Butterworth: a 21st Century playwright Extracts, interviews, clips, discussion: Butterworth's creative genius. Creative writing Stimulating creative writing through a variety of stimuli. Great Speeches of the Twentieth Century 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 they used. What does it mean to be equal? Introduction to philosophies of Hobbes, Rousseau, and Rawls. Then discussion on feminism and discrimination. How to attack from the sea. An exploration of amphibious warfare through three studies: Alexander the Great’s assault on Tyre in 332 BC; Operation Jubilee (the Dieppe Raid) in 1942; and the Inchon landings in the Korean War. Philosophy in Literature and Film To explore the relationship between philosophy and literature. To investigate how literary texts and films engage with ethical, metaphysical, and, epistemological questions. Authors and films include J M Coetzee's Lives of Animals, Alan Lightman's Einstein's Dreams, and Christopher Nolan's Memento. An Introduction to Western Philosophy Brief overview of Western philosophy, quickly getting into present-day moral problems and how boys could use logic and different philosophical approaches to help understand their own lives and the world around them. Includes role play and live what-would-happen-if scenarios. "Catch a Fire" - A Glimpse into Caribbean Culture Selections from West Indian history / literature / cricket / religion / music / film / cuisine. Sporting Scandals 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 on why this is so, whilst also researching their own scandals. Theology, Imagination and Art 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 our study will allow for an understanding from a Theological perspective. Forensics What happens when a body is found - working out how long it has been there, who it is and looking at some of the potential causes of death. Public speaking - what we can learn from the greats 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. Developing an A Level mindset through the VESPA programme Using current thinking from psychology, business and sport, start to unlock you full potential: VISION = The degree to which you know what you want to achieve; EFFORT = The number of hours of proactive independent study you are willing to do; SYSTEMS = The level to which you organise your learning resources; PRACTICE = The level to which you commit to practising and developing your skills; ATTITUDE = The way you respond constructively to setbacks. Resilience and Positivity Approaches to developing a positive attitude and good mental health.
BLOCK G Italian cinema Appreciate three masterpieces of C20th cinema from Italy by understanding the social themes and historical background. Perhaps pick up a little language, too! Introduction to Spanish film Module will look at a selection of key Spanish and Latin American directors/films. No Spanish language knowledge necessary. Course and all discussion will be in English. Introduction to Complex Numbers Definitions, arithmetic, solving equations, representations on an Argand diagram, exponential form and Euler's relation. The course will finish with a derivation of Euler's infamous identity. Rwanda: From Genocide to Cricket A look back at the evolution of Rwanda, effects of the 1994 genocide and on to economic growth and the role cricket is playing. Decoding Mysterious Paintings An investigation of some of the most puzzling paintings in Western art. French gastronomy through important dates in History 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. Vladimir Putin: Operative in the Kremlin Aspects of Putinism. An examination of the hard-man image of Vladimir Putin. What lies behind his worldview and notable actions? We will look at the collapse of the USSR, the Chechen wars, political assassinations, elections, Russian mafia and motorcycle gangs and Russian involvement in Ukraine in Syria. Elements of the Periodic table What is your favourite element? We will look at the history and chemistry of the chemical elements. The 10 scenes that changed cinema 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. South African History Six key dates, places, and people in South African History. An Introduction to Behavioural Economics Looking at cognitive bias, mental short cuts and other reasons why people don't always act rationally. Going through ideas you can find in books such as 'Nudge' and 'Thinking, Fast and Slow'. Che Guevara - the man behind the legend This course will look into the biography of one of the most idealised figures in the 20th century. It will explore his youth, the circumstances that led him to become a key member of the Communist Party in Cuba, his final days as a fugitive in Bolivia and his legacy. Sports Journalism Revisit some of the iconic moments in sporting history; understand their significance and write a newspaper article / commentate for yourselves. Biophilia: is our connection with nature innate? A look at how nature is part of our human biology and how it shapes our interaction with art, literature and culture. Are we disassociating ourselves from nature; how might we reconnect with nature; what does the current situation teach us about our engagement with nature? Public speaking - what we can learn from the greats 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 – chosen from a range of topics.
Session a
Session b
Session c
p1&2 or p2&3
p4&5
p6&7
12-May
Tue
Block A
Block B
Block D extra slot if needed
13-May
Wed
Block C
Block D
Block E
14-May
Thu
Block F
Block G
Block B extra slot if needed
15-May
Fri
Block A
Block B
Block C
16-May
Sat
18-May
Mon
Block D
Block E
Block F
19-May
Tue
Block G
Block A
Block E exta slot if needed
20-May
Wed
Block B
Block C
Block D
21-May
Thu
Block E
Block F
Block A extra slot if needed
22-May
Fri
Block G