Classes
Summer Stretch COURSE DESCRIPTIONS FOR SUMMER STRETCH 2009. (Students take one class for the entire five weeks, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9:00 am-2:20 pm.) 2010 course descriptions will be available in January.
American Literature
This course is designed as a general survey of the themes of American Literature, as well as an introduction to academic approaches to argumentative writing and literary analysis. Our goal will be to begin to define the “American” in American Literature by looking at how authors deal with issues of community, identity and belonging in a national frame. In the course of this ongoing investigation, students will learn to use critical reading skills, formal and reflective writing, and class discussion to further their own individual lines of inquiry. Texts will include novels by Charles Chesnutt, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and John Steinbeck, as well as a sampling of poetry, short stories, historical texts, critical essays and cultural artifacts.
Qualification: READING
Argument and Debate
This class will explore the nature of arguments, the methods of debate, and the strategies of persuasion. In preparation for debates, you will learn how to construct arguments, research controversial questions, use evidence to support your positions, and persuade various audiences. Bring a critical mind and a friendly attitude.
Qualification: READING
Essay Writing: Essentials
The essay is a form of writing that is incredibly adaptive, able to morph according to the writer’s needs. It can be a creative forum, an opportunity to express an opinion, or a platform through which to explain a passion. Using sample essays from Joan Didion, George Orwell, and other influential writers, as well as peer groups and independent exercises, we will will study the essence of the craft, practice grammatical conventions and usage, and experiment with some of the most useful and asked-for essay styles. The student will leave the class with a strong and varied portfolio.
Qualification: READING
The 21st Century Reporter
Technology is rapidly changing journalism but accuracy, fairness, and great storytelling are more important than ever. Students will find out how we arrived at this crucial moment and how they, as reporters and citizens, can shape the future. Led by a former editor and freelancer, this classroom is also a newsroom: students will learn about their city and their world by pitching stories, conducting interviews, doing research, and hitting deadlines. They will meet working journalists, tour local newsrooms, and use modern tools of the trade including Web publishing, video and audio, and most important of all, the reporter’s notebook. Additional technology fee
Qualification: READING
Mathematics (Fast-Paced)
Classes offer one year of work in an appropriate course: Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, Integrated 1, Integrated 2, Integrated 3 or Precalculus. In order to best complete one academic year over the 5-week period, most of the fast-paced mathematics classes are structured differently from the primarily lecture-based system to which most students are accustomed. Instead, a large part of each day will be spent doing small group work, individual study and test taking. Self-motivation, strong independent learning and strong study habits are essential for success in this highly accelerated and individually paced program.
Qualification: MATH Placement depends on a student’s math background and school district requirements. These classes are not recommended if your school cannot offer appropriate placement for Autumn 2009. Teacher recommendation form (PDF) and review of math background are required.
Turtles All the Way Down*: The Paradox of Infinity & Other Great Mathematical Problems
Profound mathematical ideas are often embedded in deceptively simple questions. In this course we’ll see how natural questions like how can you make a square with double the area of another square?…how can you measure the circumference of a circle?…how does light reflect off a curved mirror?…are more numbers rational or irrational?…lead to some of humanity’s deepest ideas.
The central theme of this course will be the problem of infinity. Much of the course will touch on subjects that students usually don’t see until college or graduate school, such as algebraic geometry, algebraic and transcendent numbers and cardinalities of infinity, as well as Archimedean-style geometric/calculus constructions, modular arithmetic and various problems in combinatorics and graph theory, if time allows. In the end, nothing will be off limits: we’ll go where our questions lead us. The course will be rigorous, but accessible to anyone with some exposure to algebra. Bring your curiosity!
* A scientist was giving a lecture on astronomy. After the lecture an elderly lady came up and told the scientist that he had it all wrong. ”The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise.” The scientist asked, “And what is the turtle standing on?” To which the lady triumphantly replied, “You’re very clever, young man, but it’s no use–it’s turtles all the way down!”
Qualification: MATH
Biology
This is a fast-paced introductory course to the biological sciences, and covers a year’s worth of high school Biology. The class includes topics from many areas in biology including: chemistry, cell biolgy, inheritance, biotechnology, evolution, diversity, plants, ecolgy, anatomy, physiology, and behavior. Material will be presented through lecture, lab, hands-on activities, field studies, and presentations by University researchers. Additional technology fee
Qualifications: MATH + VERBAL; 8th grade standing or higher
Chemistry
A reading-lecture-laboratory course covering the basic high school chemistry curriculum, providing an understanding of why materials in our world “would” behave as they do. A research paper may be required. Additional technology fee
Qualifications: MATH + VERBAL; 8th grade standing or higher; completion of first year Algebra or equivalent.
Physics: Rockets & Robotics This introductory physics course offers several hands-on activities with robots and pneumatic rockets. Topics of exploration include velocity, acceleration, Newton’s laws, projectile motion, momentum, work and power. Students will apply what they learn about basic Newtonian Mechanics to robots. Theuy will work in small groups and build 3 small to medium size robots which will be used during in-class competitions. This class will also include a short introduction to autonomous robot control using the constructed robots. Robots will be controlled with two versions of the C language. Although hands-on experience is integral to this class, the academic content is rigorous and requires significant amounts of work both in and out of class. Additional technology fee
Qualifications: MATH + VERBAL