PREP & COLLEGIATE EIGHTH & NINTH PERIOD COURSES Advanced Speech and Debate 1,2,3,4 (9-12) (Eighth and Ninth Periods) The advanced version of the Speech and Debate elective requires enrollment in both period 8 and 9, as well as, an additional commitment to attend tournaments. Students work closely with the instructor on case writing, debate strategy, theory, and argumentation. Through discussion and in-depth analysis of current events, students cultivate analytic frameworks that they can apply to many political, economic, social, and cultural issues. Topics covered include rhetoric, economics, philosophy, policy, social theory, and international relations.
Archaeology: Fact, Fiction, and Practice (9-12) (Eighth Period) From the Egyptian pyramids to the temples of the Maya, archaeology provides an exciting and captivating lens by which we can see into the past. This course, a survey of the discipline of archaeology, will give students the chance to learn about how historians use the physical remains of the past to study history. We will examine a variety of different historical civilizations in an attempt to understand how material culture can be used to study history, often in a way that is very different from more traditional text-based methods of studying history. Thematically, we will sample all of the traditional aspects of history: political and military history, cultural and intellectual history, social and economic history, religion, artwork, etc. In addition, we will explore some of the great intellectual debates that have shaped the study of archaeology, while also considering the public perception of the discipline - how well do real archaeologists stack up against Indiana Jones, for example? If it can be arranged, field trips to local archaeological sites and museums will be included in this course.
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Controversial Issues in Contemporary Society (9-12) (Eighth Period)
Dance Master Class: Dancing at the College Level (semester-long) (11-12) (TBD)
In this course we tackle and explore controversial topics at issue in the United States and the world today involving inequality, class, race, and gender. We examine dilemmas surrounding such possible topics as torture, marriage equality, stem cell research, genocide, affirmative action, human trafficking, and gun violence. Through considering particular case studies in historical context, we work to understand and grasp the many moral and ethical complexities, as well as the multiple perspectives, involved in these issues. The text that grounds the course is Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? by Michael J. Sandel, Professor of Government at Harvard University. Ultimately, through these investigations, we hope to become more thoughtful, knowledgeable, global citizens who are better able to answer the question, “Do we have a responsibility towards one another?”
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Creative Writing: Novel Lab (9-12) (Eighth Period) Workshop participants engage in fun writing projects, lively debate and discussion, word games, and critique. Genres include poetry, memoir, creative fiction, and a few surprises. The group will also try “stress free,” “no pressure” exercises to help with performance of their work, utilizing easy techniques for public speaking.
This workshop is designed specifically for Juniors and Seniors who understand that a high level of skill and artistry can strengthen their college applications and even further for those who want to move on to that vital next step in their path toward becoming professional dancers. In this course, students will go through the process of college selection, the creation of a solo piece, guidance in the completion and submission of applications, and receive tools for a successful audition. The program will be tailored to meet the individual needs of each student, so whether the student is considering a full-time arts conservatory or pursuing a minor in Dance along with their academic major at a university, each student will have the resources to meet their needs.
