2017-2018 Benjamin Upper School Academic Program

The Upper School Academic Program

2017­2018

Mr. Robert Goldberg

Mr. Fletcher Carr

Head of School 472­3405

Head of the Upper School 472­3440

Dr. Amy Taylor

Mr. Ken Didsbury

Director of Student Services 472­3441

Assistant Head for Academics 472­3485

Mrs. Kristen Lambert

Mr. Ray Edmond

Director of College Counseling 472­7045

College Counselor 472­3454

Ms. Suzanne Ball

Mrs. Lynne Feyk

Upper School Dean of Students 472­3440

College Counselor 472­5998, extension 2115

Mr. Ronald King Guidance Counselor 472­5998, extension 2427

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Table of Contents

Mission Statement a nd Non­Discriminatory Policy Graduation Requirements a nd Selecting Courses English Mathematics Computer Science Science Social Studies World Languages Fine Arts Visual Arts Performing Arts Independent Study Physical Education

Page 2 3 4 7 11 13 17 20 26 26 29 32 32

Mission Statement

The mission of The Benjamin School is to provide a challenging college preparatory education to a diverse student body in a structured, nurturing community environment. The School motivates students to master the skills of learning, communicating and evaluating choices, and encourages them to grow intellectually, socially, morally, aesthetically, and physically to their fullest individual potential. Benjamin inspires its students to develop a coherent set of values that includes love of learning, personal responsibility, self­motivation, concern for others a nd a c ommitment to serve society.

The Benjamin School’s mission is supported by the following Guiding Principles: ● Our primary responsibility is to address our students’ academic needs while developing and supporting their interest in a nd passion for the a rts, a thletics, a nd c ommunity service. ● We strive for excellence in everything we do at The Benjamin School so that our students are well prepared for c ollege a nd beyond. ● We a cknowledge a nd c elebrate the individual set of strengths demonstrated by e ach student. ● We expect all members of our community to adhere to the highest standards of personal conduct, honesty a nd a ccountability. ● We a re c ommitted to the importance of a ll a spects of diversity a mong our c onstituencies. ● Our ten character traits constitute the core values to which we subscribe both on­ and off­campus: Respect, Courage, Morality, Kindness, Fairness, Integrity, Compassion, Acceptance, Forgiveness, and Responsibility. ● We depend on a respectful a nd c ollaborative partnership between school a nd home. ● We set high standards and advocate for each student to meet them. In so doing, we prepare our students to become independent, self­directed, c ollaborative a nd fearless learners. ● Guided by proven research and best practices, we encourage creativity and innovation throughout the school in order to meet the e merging needs of our students. ● We must prepare the students for their future a nd not our past. 1 ● We take pride in our students, our faculty, and our reputation. We believe that the best schools have the best people. Our success is founded on this philosophy.

1 Pink, Daniel, A Whole New Mind

Non­Discrimination Policy: The School strives to attract and support a diverse and talented student body, faculty, and staff. Applicants for admission and employment will not be denied based on race, creed, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability.

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Upper School Course of Study

G��ऀ���ऀ​ऀ​ऀ Rऀ椂��ऀ�ऀ​ऀ​ऀ​ऀ�概�: Students in grades 9 through 12 must meet the following graduation requirements to e arn a diploma: Subject Number Required Courses Area of Credits English 4 Credits ● Introduction to World Literature a nd Composition ● American Literature a nd Composition or Honors American Literature and Composition ● Western Literature a nd Composition or AP Language a nd Composition ● Two Senior English Electives or AP Language a nd Composition or AP Literature a nd Composition Mathematics 4 Credits Including: Algebra I; Geometry or Honors Geometry; a nd Algebra II or Honors Algebra II Science 3½ Credits To c onsist of Biology or Honors Biology; Chemistry or Honors Chemistry;

Physics or AP Physics; a nd Human Systems Biology (½ c redit) Social 3 Credits To c onsist of World History or AP Human Geography; Government (½ Studies credit); Economics (½ c redit); a nd United States History World 3 Credits Three c onsecutive levels of a single world language in the Upper School.

Languages Computer ½ Credit Introduction to Computer Science or AP Computer Science Principles Fine Arts 1 Credit Any c ombination of visual a rts a nd/or performing a rts c ourses for which the student c an meet the prerequisites.

Physical 1 Credit All 9th a nd 10 th graders must take physical e ducation for one semester in e ach Education of those years. In a ddition, a ll students must e arn one e xtra­curricular c redit per year in grades 9­12.

Electives* 4 Credits An e lective is a ny c ourse that is not satisfying a specific graduation requirement. *Courses which a rt taken over a nd a bove what is specifically required.

● Students should assume that elective courses have the same level of work that they would find in a course that fills a specific graduation requirement. ● The Head of the Upper School must approve required courses taken outside of the School and may require the student to take a dditional testing for the c ourses to be a ccepted towards graduation. ● The School reserves the right to evaluate each student’s transcript at the time of entrance to determine which c redits will be a ccepted from a nother school. ● Seniors perform a 2­week business or professional internship in an area of career interest prior to graduation. Each senior must complete a minimum of forty hours of work during that time in order to graduate. ● The School may c ancel a ny c lass for which a n insufficient number of students pre­register. ● All students e nrolled in a n AP c ourse must take the a ppropriate AP e xamination in May.

Disclaimer : The offerings listed in the Upper School Academic Program booklet are proposed courses.

Depending on anticipated enrollment, available staffing, and other scheduling considerations, these offerings may or may not appear in the final schedule. Students requesting specific courses should recognize that their requests do not guarantee that individual courses will appear in the final master schedule. Consequently, the School may require students to substitute a lternative requests to replace the c ourses that will not run.

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ENGLISH

The Benjamin English curriculum, consistent with the School’s philosophy, is committed to the preparation of its students for college­level English and literature. The general courses have this as their primary objective while honors and advanced placement courses aid students in academic preparation for highly competitive and most competitive colleges. We accomplish these goals by teaching a logical, sequential curriculum that emphasizes the mastery of literary analysis as well as mastery of oral and written expression. This is a reading and writing intensive c urriculum that our e lective offerings a bly support.

Students must earn four credits in English as a requirement for graduation. Students must meet this requirement by taking three y ear­long c ourses and two Senior Selections or four y ear­long c ourses.

Introduction to World Literature and Composition (010) Full Year; 1 Credit This course offers students a literature­based exploration of the three central areas of English studies: critical reading, written analysis, and oral communication. Through a comprehensive study of texts in multiple genres and media, and across multiple time periods, students develop an understanding of the skills needed for success throughout the Upper School's curriculum. Further study of the standards of written English, including grammar and mechanics, is complemented by a review of the conventions of the most recent edition of the MLA Handbook. Students must c omplete a ssigned summer reading before their return to school in August.

Prerequisite : 8th Grade English

American Literature and Composition (020) and Full Year; 1 Credit Honors American Literature and Composition (025) Literary analysis based upon plot, setting, characters, conflict, point of view, diction, artistic devices, and themes is the primary focus of these courses. Readings include non­fiction, poetry, short stories, novels and plays, as well as film analysis. The emphasis is on American literature, but not exclusively. The teachers use class discussion to broaden minds, enhance vocabulary, improve proficiency in verbal expression and encourage self­confidence and critical thinking. Honors students read more literary works, do more writing and display more sophistication in their work. Honors preparation focuses more on their preparation for AP Language and Composition in the junior year. Students must complete assigned summer reading before their return to school in August.

Prerequisite : Intro to World Literature; for e nrollment in the Honors section, a grade of B+ or better in Introduction to World Literature and Composition is required, and department approval.

Western Literature and Composition (030) Full Year; 1 Credit This is a literature and writing course focusing on development in the critical analysis of literature and the writing of critical essays. The content includes a study of novels, plays, films, short stories and poetry as well as an applicable method of critical analysis. The course examines the historical and literary significance of major works and authors. In­class timed essays, formal papers, quizzes, and projects are prominent forms of assessment. The course places an emphasis on oral presentation and critical essays as the result of literary analysis. Students must c omplete a ssigned summer reading before their return to school in August.

Prerequisite : American Literature and Composition or Honors American Literature and Composition.

AP Language and Composition (001) Full Year; 1 Credit This course provides a more sophisticated and in­depth treatment of the requirements of 11 th grade literature as well as preparation for the Advanced Placement examination in English Language and Composition.

Upper School Academic Program Page 5 Participants have frequent writing assignments, both in­class timed essays and writing at home. Literature of the five genres provides the subject matter for tests patterned after those of the AP Language exam. Students must complete a ssigned summer reading before their return to school in August.

Prerequisite : American Literature and Composition (A­ or higher is required), (If c oming from the Honors (level highly recommended), B+ or higher is required), or Western Literature and Composition, and department approval.

Senior English Selections One Semester (Fall or Spring); ½ Credit The following are the senior English selections from which seniors will need to choose two to satisfy the 12 th grade English requirement. They a re a s follows:

Senior Selection: The Arts of War (Spring) (051)­ “War, said he, was the best subject of all. It offered maximum material combined with maximum action. Everything was speeded up and the writer who had participated in a war gained such a mass of experience as he would normally have to wait a lifetime to get.” –Hemingway to F. Scott Fitzgerald. Poets, writers, playwrights, filmmakers and painters all seem drawn to war. In this course, we will look at poems, novels, short stories, films, and essays: all about or inspired by the subject of war. From this we will learn about war, our world, each other, and ourselves. Potential works: (print and film): The Iliad, Troy, Henry V, Full Metal Jacket, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Das Boot, All Quiet on the Western Front, A Farewell to Arms, Regeneration,The Sun Also Rises,, Platoon, Saving Private Ryan, Johnny Got his Gun, The Red Badge of Courage, Ran, Breaker Morant, Midway, The Caine Mutiny, a nd more.

Senior Selection: Contemporary Literary Fiction (Fall) (050)­ What are you reading? It’s a common question, and the answer is usually a text that is recent, relevant, and revelatory. In this course, we’ll explore a selection of writings in a variety of fictional genres (short story, poetry, drama, and novel) that are currently being engaged with in popular society. We’ll explore what it is that makes these texts stand out on shelves, on magazine racks, on stages, and in our national discourse. In the course, we’ll begin the transitions out of high school English class and from reading for purely academic motivations and into a global classroom and using texts as a means of social enlightenment, community­formation, and individual­consciousness.

Senior Selection: Detective/Mystery Genre (Spring) (063) — This course will focus on detective genre, crime scene investigation and mystery narratives. Readers will examine the techniques writers use to keep their audience in suspense. We will seek to find the cause of some of the social and moral climate that factors into c riminal fiction a nd e xplore the dark mysteries that infect the human heart.

The course follows a chronological sequence as it traces the history of this genre as well as the historical events that impact this literature. We will examine such writers as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Edgar Allan Poe, a nd J. K. Rowling.

Senior Selection: Ethics in Literature and Film (Fall) (055) —Aristotle once said, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” This course examines the ways in which novels and films can raise ethical issues that challenge us to reflect upon our lives and the society in which we live. During the semester, we will examine works of literature and film that shed light upon how we should act. We will use literary examples to reflect philosophically about the nature of good and evil. What do we mean by good and evil? Are they relative to different cultures or time periods?

Assignments will include selections from novels, short stories, plays and films, and we will relate the ethical issues portrayed to contemporary experience. Altogether, this course is designed to help students gain a better understanding of e thics by a nalyzing the situations portrayed in fictional stories.

Senior Selection: From Page to Stage (Fall) (047)— Have you ever written a play? Ever attempted it? This course will give aspiring writers the opportunity to create a play, have it read and then revised

Upper School Academic Program Page 6 over several drafts, work with actors and a director and finally stage it before a live audience. This will be a process­oriented course which will introduce young playwrights to the traditional elements of Aristotelian drama and current theories and plays by authors as diverse as Samuel Beckett and David Mamet. By studying plays from early Greek Drama to the latest contemporary works, students will have a firmer understanding of how to structure their own work a nd get it ready for Opening Night!

Senior Selection: Humor, Satire and Memoir (062) (Fall or Spring)— David Rakoff instructs, “Not being funny doesn’t make you a bad person. Not having a sense of humor does.” Mary Kerr’s writing and teaching have taught her that “If the voice is strong enough, the reader will go anywhere with you.”

David Foster Wallace confesses, “I do things like get in a taxi and say, ‘The library, and step on it.’”

Come along for a ride through fiction and nonfiction texts which employ humor to illuminate and/or satirize a spects of society a nd the human c ondition.

Authors will include Jane Austen, David Foster Wallace, David Rakoff, David Sedaris, Oliver Sacks, and Mary Kerr, as well as various episodes of Ira Glass’s NPR program This American Life . Students will be tasked with analyzing the thematic concerns of each text, deciphering the stylistic choices employed and examining how each influences meaning. This course will include much discussion of voice and tone as we embark on the journey of how humor, satire and memoir can lead us closer to discovering truth.

Senior Selection: Literature of the City (Spring) (046)— What is it that fascinates writers, artists, and thinkers about the city? What started as physical centers for business, production, and residency quickly evolve into settings of imagination, myth, aspirations, and horror. Much more than concrete and brick towers, cavernous streets, and urban planning, cities rapidly become thriving symbols of what unites and defines a people, while simultaneously adding to the fragmentation of the definition of the “human experience.” This course will explore a single city, in literature, film, and art, thereby allowing students to reflect upon the forces that help create and perpetuate the role it plays in the global conscious. Interested students may then participate in a site­visit/travel­study to the studied city during Spring Break.

Senior Selection: Reading and the “Reel” World (Spring) (045)— This course is a study of non fiction and documentaries­­How much of a story is true? In this class we will focus on nonfiction, a genre that attempts to present “truth” in written, oral, and visual forms. In exploring contemporary books, songs, and films, we will seek to understand the ways truth can be created, developed, and explained. In short essays, a research paper, and expository personal responses, students will be challenged to question the reality they think they know. Successful completion of the course will leave one skeptical of the media, documentaries, and nonfiction literature. That is, of course, assuming this description is true.

Senior Selection: Science Fiction, Fact, and Fantasy (Fall) (048)­ If you like Slaughterhouse Five, Katniss, Gryffindor, Middle Earth, The Road, the Tardis, Dune, Inferno, I am Legend, this one is for you. In a semester we will study some of the giants of science fiction and fantasy: Bradbury, Herbert, Heinlein, Asimov, Rowling, Tolkien, and others. Through literature, television, and film, we will look at science fiction and fantasy: where it comes from, where it is now, and where it takes us. Be students on fire. Potential works: (print and film) Stranger in a Strange Land, Dune, Hunger Games, Lord of the Rings, 2001: a Space Odyssey, The Road, Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Brave New World, the Left Hand Of Darkness, Brazil, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Twelve Monkeys, a nd more.

Prerequisite: Western Literature and Composition or AP Language and Composition .

AP Literature and Composition (002) Full Year; 1 Credit A literature and writing program focusing on the critical analysis of literature and the writing of critical essays, this course prepares students for the Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition exam. The

Upper School Academic Program Page 7 students have frequent writing assignments, both in­class timed and at home. Literature of the five genres, plus film, provides the subject matter for tests patterned after those of the AP Literature examination. Students must complete a ssigned summer reading before their return to school in August.

Prerequisite : AP Language and Composition recommended and department approval required.

Expository Writing One Semester (Fall (014) or Spring (015)) or Full Year; ½ or 1 Credit This writing class gives students the opportunity to pursue newspaper writing. The first semester focuses primarily on the production of The Pharcyde , the school paper, while the second semester creates three additional issues of The Pharcyde , and the April Fool’s edition. Students learn to write, edit, layout, produce and support journalistic publications. Graded work includes numerous news articles, a creative piece, exercises, and graphical work. All members of the staff contribute two Saturdays per semester to complete the layout of the paper. This c ourse may be taken for c redit for more than one year.

Film Analysis (053) One Semester (Fall); ½ Credit The film analysis course gives students an understanding of films as works of literature and provides instruction in the basic film types and genres. The course directs students in the following areas of study: the use of motifs in film, the use of narrative in film, the use of elements specific to film such as cinematography, lighting, editing and sound. The course also explores the use of film as social commentary. Students view and discuss films in a variety of genres and develop and apply a system of analysis for the writing of film reviews. They keep journals on all films presented, and on a regular basis the teacher grades these reports. Students watch outside films as well.

Prerequisite : Introduction to World Literature or e quivalent

Speech (059) One Semester (Fall or Spring); ½ Credit This one­semester course introduces the basic principles of crafting and delivering various types of speeches.

Students learn about verbal and nonverbal delivery techniques and complete a variety of exercises designed to enhance these skills. The second half of the course centers on the various types of persuasive speeches and methods of persuasion. The teacher evaluates students primarily on their performance in a series of speaking projects, as well as on their written critiques of others, group work, and class participation. No prior knowledge or e xperience in public speaking is necessary.

Open only to 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students.

Mythology (033) One Semester (Fall); ½ Credit Students learn about familiar and non­familiar mythology: Greek, Roman, Norse, Native American, Asian, Irish, and Judeo­Christian. By experiencing different myths in a variety of cultures, students gain not only knowledge but a lso a n a ppreciation of the beliefs of others. The c ourse a lso e xplores the use of myth a s literary a llusion.

Prerequisite : Introduction to World Literature or e quivalent.

MATHEMATICS

More so than most other disciplines, mathematics is a sequential subject. Each semester builds upon the work of the previous semester, adding new concepts and approaches with a minimum reinforcement of previous knowledge. Therefore, the Mathematics Department believes that students should have a strong problem solving ability. Tests or homework assignments that require only multiple­choice answers are not an acceptable assessment tool in mathematics. At least half of the test or homework assignment must require students to show work, a nd the teachers grade the work, not just the a nswer.

The Mathematics Department recognizes the importance of having students work with data throughout the curriculum. In many courses, including Algebra II and Pre­Calculus, students are given the opportunity to learn

Upper School Academic Program Page 8 about the modeling of functions by using data taken from real world situations. The students will learn how to apply “ continuous mathematics” to data taken from disciplines including science, politics, a nd c urrent e vents.

The Mathematics Department offers a sequence of rigorous courses that cover traditional college preparatory material. At the same time, Benjamin recognizes that all students do not acquire mathematical skills at the same rate or develop the ability for abstract thinking at the same age. There is no 9 th grade mathematics course, for instance; rather, our offerings provide a variety of placement options at a given grade level. The goal of placement decisions is to offer all students a course that challenges them and allows them to take risks, but at the same time provides a reasonable opportunity to e xperience the satisfaction of success.

Students need to have a TI­84 graphing calculator starting with geometry. The aim of the department is to use the calculator as a tool in learning, not merely to get an answer. Teachers place an emphasis on number sense and the ability to solve problems without the calculator. Students must do a problem analytically, then check their work with a calculator, or they can do the problem using a calculator, then show analytically that the answer is correct. The Mathematics Department does not believe in advancing students beyond their ability level. Placing students in Algebra I before they are ready is not a good practice. The foundations of algebra and geometry are essential for a good math program. Pushing students too quickly through these basic courses does not make them better mathematicians. Rather it tends to frustrate the student and destroys the love of mathematics and learning.

The aim of the Mathematics Department is to produce students with a strong mathematics and problem solving background. Students must earn four credits in mathematics while in the high school to be eligible for graduation. As part of their math curriculum either in middle school or high school, they must have had Algebra I, Algebra II, a nd Geometry. See the c hart below for guidance.

Algebra I (113) Full Year; 1 Credit This course focuses on reinforcement and expansion of real number properties and operations, solutions to linear equations and inequalities, solution and factoring of quadratics, polynomials and irrational numbers. Problem solving practice is e xtensive.

Prerequisite: 8th Grade Pre­Algebra or Eighth Grade Algebra

Geometry (124) Full Year; 1 Credit Students in this class investigate logical structures involving the major postulates and theorems of Euclidean Geometry. The class studies geometric constructions, coordinate geometry and non­Euclidian geometries.

Students apply trigonometric concepts to appropriate facets of geometry. Students are required to have a TI­84 graphing c alculator.

Prerequisite: Algebra I

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Honors Geometry (114) Full Year; 1 Credit This rigorous course in geometry integrates coordinates and transformations with a traditional approach to 2­dimensional and 3­dimensional Euclidean geometry. We will use a variety of methods to prove geometric theorems. We approach and solve problems from different perspectives to gain an appreciation of the interconnectivity among concepts in mathematics. Students will use writing to develop their understanding of geometry by applying concepts to their own experiences and constructing meaning for mathematical symbols, procedures and concepts. The course will incorporate technology regularly to strengthen and explore geometric properties. The ability to absorb and master large amounts of material quickly and with little review is essential.

Students a re required to have a TI­84 graphing c alculator.

Prerequisite: Either Algebra I Honors with a grade of at least a B or Algebra I with a grade of A­ or better, and department approval.

Algebra II with Data Analysis (122) Full Year; 1 Credit This course includes a study of functions (linear, quadratic, polynomial, and rational), systems of equations in two and three variables, inequalities and complex numbers, variation, conic sections, exponential and logarithmic functions, and trigonometric functions. The focus is on the representation of problems algebraically, numerically and graphically. Applications include an introduction to data analysis and modeling through the introduction of regression a nalysis. Students a re required to have a TI­84 graphing c alculator.

Prerequisites: Algebra I & Geometry Honors Algebra II with Data Analysis Honors (126) Full Year; 1 Credit This second­year algebra course consists of a thorough and fast­paced study of algebra and an extensive study of trigonometry. Its emphasis is on the structure of mathematical systems and their underlying concepts. The focus is on the representation of problems algebraically and graphically. Topics include a study of functions (linear, quadratic, polynomial, and rational), systems of equations in two and three variables, inequalities and complex numbers, variation, conic sections, exponential and logarithmic functions, and trigonometric functions.

Applications include an introduction to data analysis and modeling through the introduction of regression analysis. Strong algebraic skills are presumed. The ability to absorb and master large amounts of material quickly and with little review is essential for success in an honors course. Students are required to have a TI­84 graphing c alculator.

Prerequisites: Geometry with an A in Algebra 1 and Geometry or Honors Geometry with a grade of at least a B; permission of department required.

College Algebra / Trigonometry (131) Full Year; 1 Credit The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop their mathematics knowledge and skills in algebra, trigonometry and using functions as a unifying theme. Concepts will include the better understanding of graphs, polynomial and rational functions. An introduction of topics will include trigonometric and circular functions, exponential a nd logarithmic functions. Students a re required to have a TI­84 graphing c alculator.

Prerequisite: Algebra II

Statistical Thinking (141) One Semester (Fall); ½ Credit Statistical literacy has become an important part of everyday life. Every time you open the newspaper, turn on the radio or watch television, you are bombarded with data. This one­semester class is an introduction to the concepts and methods necessary to become a statistical thinker. Topics include graphical and numerical methods for summarizing data; normal probability distributions; point and interval estimates for means and for proportions; one­ and two­sample tests for means and for proportions; principles of experimental design. Randomization tests will be introduced as an alternate way to test hypotheses. The class emphasizes the use of the computer for analysis of data. This course serves as a semester elective of mathematics and is open to anyone who would like to learn a bout statistics. Students a re required to have a TI­84 graphing c alculator.

Prerequisite: Algebra II

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Pre­Calculus (157) Full Year; 1 Credit This rigorous course prepares students for study of calculus. Functions are emphasized, including polynomial and rational, circular (trigonometric), exponential, and logarithmic functions. Other topics may include matrices and determinants, sequences and series, the binomial theorem, probability, and limits. A strong recall and working knowledge of Geometry and Algebra 2 and Trigonometry are essential for success in this class. The course provides continued development of analytical geometry and a comprehensive review of Algebra II. Students need to have a TI­84 graphing c alculator.

Prerequisite: Algebra II with a grade of B­ or better.

Honors Pre­Calculus (137) Full Year; 1 Credit This course includes an extensive study of trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Particular attention is paid to the properties of their graphs. Other topics include polynomials, analytic geometry, matrices and determinants, sequences and series, the binomial theorem, polar coordinates, and probability. During the fourth quarter, students begin their formal study of calculus including limits, continuity, and derivatives. The ability to absorb and master large amounts of material quickly and with little review of Geometry and Algebra 2 and Trigonometry is essential. Students will continue their study of calculus in Advanced Placement Calculus AB the following year. Students need to have a TI­84 graphing c alculator.

Prerequisite: Algebra II Honors with a B or better.

Honors Calculus (142) Full Year; 1 Credit This course provides students with an intuitive approach to the fundamentals of differential calculus and integral calculus. The language of calculus will play an important role in developing the definitions of derivatives and integrals. Focusing on algebraic functions, students explore limits, leading to the definition of derivative. The concepts of average and instantaneous rate of change are investigated. We develop the rules of differentiation, including the chain rule and implicit differentiation, and apply them to problems in optimization, related rates, and curve sketching. We will introduce the concepts of finding area under a curve, the integral regarded as the anti­derivative, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Applications of integration are also included.

Students a re required to have a TI­84 graphing c alculator.

Prerequisite: Pre­Calculus or Honors Pre­Calculus

Advanced Placement Calculus AB (108) Full Year; 1 Credit This course is a study of the basic concepts, methods and applications of differential and integral calculus. The teacher uses a multi­representational approach with concepts, results, and problems being expressed geometrically, analytically, and verbally. This is a college level course as determined by the College Board.

Topics covered include limits, rates of change, the chain rule, implicit differentiation, related rate problems, movement of a particle, optimization, Riemann Sums, fundamental theorem of calculus, area between curves, volume of solids of revolution, differentiation and integration of polynomial, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions. Students may earn one semester of college credit in calculus. Students must have a TI­84 Plus (or better) graphing c alculator a nd must take the College Board AB Calculus e xam.

Prerequisite: Honors Pre­Calculus with a grade of B or better and department approval.

Advanced Placement Calculus BC (143) Full Year; 1 Credit Students in this course continue their study of calculus begun in AP Calculus AB and complete their preparation for the BC level of the Advanced Placement examination in calculus to be taken in the spring. Coverage includes integration by parts and by partial fractions, improper integrals, first order separable differential equations, infinite series and power series, and parametric and polar coordinates. Students will then continue their study of mathematics by extending their knowledge to the calculus of three dimensional space. Students must have a graphing c alculator (TI­84 Plus) a nd must take the College Board BC Calculus e xam a t the e nd of the year.

Prerequisite: Completion of AB Calculus

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Advanced Placement Statistics (110) Full Year; 1 Credit The course follows the syllabus for the Advanced Placement Examination in Statistics. Students study the tools for collecting, organizing, and displaying data. They learn about planning and conducting surveys and experiments and drawing conclusions from their results. The course includes probability, the properties of the normal distribution, and statistical inference. Students must have a TI­84 (or better) graphing calculator and are required to take the College Board AP Statistics e xam.

Prerequisite : Pre­Calculus with an A, Honor Pre­Calculus with a B or higher; and Permission of the Department.

Multivariable Calculus (159) (not offered 2017­2018) One Semester (Fall); ½ Credit This course deals with the calculus of three­dimensional space. This is unlike the situation for Calculus AB and BC, which is confined to the plane. Partial differentiation and multiple integration are the main areas of study.

Due to the abstract nature of the course, students must be willing to make a sustained effort to accomplish all of the a ssignments. Students must have a graphing c alculator (TI­84 Plus).

Prerequisite: BC Calculus

An Introduction to Differential Equations Through Population Modeling Honors (144) (not offered 2017­2018) One Semester (Spring); ½ Credit This course will study differential equations; an equation that defines a relationship between a function and one or more derivatives of that function. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to first order and second order differential equations and systems of differential equations with the emphasis on modeling population behavior. We will start off by looking at some simple models for the growth of an animal population. The models which we consider are not intended to be very realistic. Instead, by their simplicity, they illustrate a number of the difficulties which arise typically in building mathematical models. However, because no species of animal lives in complete isolation, we will build and analyze models where one species either preys on the other species, competes with the other species or benefits by the presence of the other species. Students will have the opportunity to c reate models based on real phenomenon.

Prerequisite: Completion of AB Calculus and BC Calculus with Permission of the Department.

COMPUTER SCIENCE

At The Benjamin School, we believe it is essential that every student be equipped with the tools and skills required to function in an increasingly technological society. As students learn to use the computers and related technologies available, we expect that they will also demonstrate the requisite ethical behavior of informed and knowledgeable citizens. It is the goal of the Computer Science Department and its curriculum to assist in the creation of lifelong, self­motivated learners who will use technology to more fully expose and develop their true creative and academic talents. To say that our curriculum is complete is to suggest that technology never changes, and that is obviously not the case. We will continue to evolve our curriculum and equipment using industry and educational advances as the model. That being said, it is our mission to see that students have every opportunity to take advantage of the present technology, utilize educational software across all subject matters, develop or improve internet research skills, a nd become independent users of future technologies.

Every student must take Introduction to Computer Science (or AP Computer Science Principles) as a graduation requirement at The Benjamin Upper School but also has the opportunity to take additional advanced courses if interested.

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Introduction to Computer Science (559) One Semester (Fall or Spring); ½ Credit Introduction to computer science is the only computer science course required for graduation (unless students elect to take AP Computer Science Principles). This course will familiarize students with the fundamentals of computer science, including hardware as well as software. Students will begin to think about solving logical problems through the use of programming. Students will use the Scratch programming language to break down problems a nd use c omputational reasoning a nd a lgorithms to c reate interactive programs.

AP Computer Science Principles (561) Full Year; 1 Credit AP Computer Science Principles offers a multidisciplinary approach to teaching the underlying principles of computation. The course will introduce students to creative aspects of programming, using abstractions and algorithms, working with large data sets, learning about the Internet and issues of cybersecurity, and studying impacts of computing that affect different populations. AP Computer Science Principles will give students the opportunity to use current technologies to solve problems and create meaningful computational artifacts.

Together, these aspects of the course make up a rigorous and rich curriculum that aims to broaden participation in computer science. This course focuses on the innovative aspects of computing as well as the computational thinking practices that help students see how c omputing is relevant to many a reas of their e veryday lives.

AP Computer Science Principles will encourage students to be both analytical and creative in their thinking, and to collaborate with their peers to investigate solutions to real­world issues using computing. Students who succeed in AP Computer Science Principles will be better prepared in college and career, with a thorough grasp of computing foundations and concepts. This course fulfills the computer science requirement and also prepares students to take the new AP Computer Science Principles e xam in May.

Game Design (547) One Semester (Fall or Spring); ½ Credit This course will teach students about the game design process from start to finish. Students will learn about the thought process in creating a game, its rules and parameters, and what interactions the game will have with the user and objects in the game itself. Students will learn to use the backwards design process to solve problems in game design. A large part of game design is the art within the game; students will work on designing artwork to be incorporated into the games. After learning the overall design methods students will work on programming games with the help of multiple tools, including App Inventor to create games for tablets and Game Maker to create games for the PC. Prerequisite : Introduction to Computer Science (559) or AP Computer Science Principles (560)

Computer Programming (552) Full Year; 1 Credit Computer programming is an advanced course that challenges students to think creatively to solve logical problems through the use of computer programming languages. Using multiple programming languages students will build upon their knowledge base of Lego Mindstorms, Scratch Programming, and Python, and learn the basics of Java. Students will become familiar with basic programming concepts including variables, functions, loops, recursion, and classes. This course is designed to bridge the gap between Introduction to Computer Science a nd AP Computer Science.

Prerequisite : Introduction to Computer Science (559) or AP Computer Science Principles (560)

AP Computer Science (503) Full Year; 1 Credit AP Computer Science prepares students for the Advanced Placement Exam in Computer Science. Students create programs in the Java programming language, building upon previously acquired problem solving and critical thinking skills. They also learn to solve a variety of programming problems that a first­year college student would encounter in an introductory computer science course. Successful completion of this course and a competitive score on the AP Exam c ould lead to c ollege c redit.

Prerequisite: Computer Programming or permission of the instructor.

Upper School Academic Program Page 13 Advanced Research in CS (557) One Semester (Fall or Spring); ½ Credit Advanced Research in Computer Science will allow students to further their knowledge in computer science and technology beyond what the basic classes have to offer. This course will allow students to focus on the subject matter of their choice including cyber forensics, cyber security, Artificial Intelligence, Phone Apps, Computer Games, Web Design, etc. Students will pick a topic to research and create a capstone project. Projects will demonstrate the student's knowledge in the subject a rea a nd might e ven a dvance the industry.

Prerequisite : AP Computer Science

SCIENCE

In light of the growing importance of technology in our day­to­day lives, an understanding of the fundamental principles and practices of a wide range of scientific disciplines is essential. The ability to assess critically the methods, risks, worth, and advisability of current and future technological options is becoming more and more essential to responsible a nd e ngaged c itizenship a nd to a successful life.

In view of these developing needs, the science program at The Benjamin School includes a detailed study of the major scientific disciplines (biology, chemistry, and physics) as well as introductory exposure to several elective options.

The science program employs a wide range of teaching devices and methods. Laboratory experiments, field trips, oral presentations, and semester projects are important components of all science courses. Computer simulations, appropriate subscription websites, and audio/visual presentations expose students to concepts from a variety of points of view. Assessments include tests, quizzes, graded homework assignments, lab reports, and smaller special projects. Since the principal mission of the school is college preparation, the department maintains rigorous a cademic standards.

Although students must complete 3½ credits in science which must include courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and human systems biology, the School encourages them to take four full years of study in this discipline.

Biology (213) and Honors Biology (214) Full Year; 1 Credit These courses offer an in­depth focus on biological principles at the following levels: molecular and cellular, evolution and phylogeny, and ecosystem. Emphasis is on laboratory experiments, small special projects, and studies to develop a nd e lucidate major c oncepts. The honors c ourse e xplores these topics in greater depth.

Prerequisite : 8th Grade Science for Biology; 8th Grade Scientific Exploration and Analysis (SEA) and recommendation for Honors Biology.

Chemistry (224) and Honors Chemistry (227) Full Year; 1 Credit These courses provide an introduction to the study of matter and the changes it undergoes. Students learn about atomic theory, the Periodic Table, bonding, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, gases, and acids and bases.

Laboratory sessions, spreadsheet analysis, and computer simulations are important tools for actualizing the principles of chemistry and for allowing “what if” inquiries. The honors course explores these topics in greater depth.

Prerequisite : For Chemistry 224: successful c ompletion of Biology and Algebra I (a grade of 73 or better); for Chemistry 227: successful c ompletion of Biology (A­ in 213 or B in 214) and Geometry or departmental approval.

Upper School Academic Program Page 14 Physics (235) Full Year; 1 Credit These courses present a study of the theories and laws governing the interaction of matter, energy and the forces of nature. Subjects include measurements, kinematics, energy, power, sound, heat, wave characteristics, light, electricity, and magnetism. Demonstrations, laboratory exercises, and computer simulations allow exploration, amplification, a nd reinforcement of the c ourse c ontents.

Prerequisite : Chemistry and Algebra II

Human Systems Biology (241) One Semester (Fall or Spring); ½ Credit This course will aim to introduce students to the human body, with emphasis on the systems of the body, how they are interrelated, and how those systems are affected by the choices that individuals make. The course will include a program of intense human anatomy and physiology studies. The areas covered will include medical terminology, tissue structure, and the 11 systems of the human body (integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, circulatory, lymphatic, digestive, respiratory, urinary and reproductive) with a focus on the integumentary, nervous, circulatory, digestive and reproductive systems. Laboratory work will be required, including c omparative a natomy dissection (traditional a nd virtual) labs.

Prerequisite: Successful c ompletion of Biology 213 or 214 .

Advanced Placement Biology (203) Full Year; 1 Credit This course follows the topics and depth of study required by the Advanced Placement Examination in Biology.

The syllabus includes laboratory, field and computer explorations. Participating students must complete summer assignments from the textbook before returning to school in August. Aimed at preparing students for the advanced placement examination, the course includes lectures, discussions, and usually one block laboratory session weekly.

Prerequisite : Successful c ompletion of 214 and 227 and/or departmental approval.

Advanced Placement Chemistry (204) Full Year; 1 Credit Following the topics and depth of study required by the Advanced Placement Exam, this course is the equivalent of the general chemistry course taken during the first college year. The emphasis is on thinking conceptually about chemical principles at the molecular level in addition to classical chemical problem­solving. New topics not covered in a first year chemistry course include thermodynamics, kinetics, and advanced topics in equilibrium. Aimed at preparing the student for the AP exam, the course includes lectures, discussions, and lab sessions a ppropriate to the c ourse.

Prerequisite : Successful c ompletion of 227 and/or departmental approval.

Advanced Placement Physics 1 (236) Full Year; 1 Credit This is an algebra­based physics course which follows the topics and depth of study required by the Advanced Placement Examination in Physics. Designed to be taken as a first year physics course, the course uses hands­on inquiry to introduce students to topics which include Newton’s laws of motion, kinematics, energy, electrostatics, c ircuits, a nd waves. Laboratory work a nd inductive reasoning a re given heavy e mphasis.

Prerequisites : Successful completion of Algebra II Honors and Chemistry (an A­ in 224 or a B in 227) or departmental approval.

Advanced Placement Physics C (238) Full Year; 1 Credit This course follows the topics and depth of study required by the Advanced Placement Examination in Physics.

A study of calculus­based classical physics with emphasis on mechanics and periodic motion, the course aims to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Physics C (Mechanics) examination. It includes lectures, problem­ solving sessions, lab e xperiments, a nd c omputer­assisted simulations.

Prerequisite : Successful c ompletion of AP Physics 1, Calculus and/or departmental approval.

Astronomy (282) Spring Semester; ½ Credit This course is divided into four main units: the history of exploring the universe (our solar system, the galaxy, space exploration, and celestial navigation); electromagnetic radiation; stellar astrophysics (classification,

Upper School Academic Program Page 15 structure, and evolution of stars); and the role of multi­wavelength astrophysics in solving the mysteries of the universe. Students make real­time a stronomical observations a nd field trips to planetariums a nd museums.

Prerequisite : Geometry

Biotechnology (210) Fall Semester; ½ Credit Introductory Biotechnology covers an historic overview of biotechnology; cell structure and function; DNA basics involving structure, replication, properties, and function; gene expression and genetic diseases; basic biotechnology lab skills; environmental biotechnology; forensics and biotechnology; agricultural biotechnology and genetically altered foods; the Human Genome Project; and careers in biotechnology. Biotechnology examines the underlying current social and ethical controversies. The course illustrates the integration of basic scientific research with a pplied biology.

Prerequisite : Biology, Chemistry and departmental approval.

Biotechnology II (212) Spring Semester; ½ Credit This course continues the Biotechnology (210) curriculum. Students explore topics such as Stem Cell Research, Diabetes, RNA interference, protein folding, etc. While studying these topics students learn research techniques such as serial dilutions, ELISA testing, PCR, gel electrophoresis, gene silencing, microarrays, (used to measure the expression levels of large numbers of genes simultaneously), pulse­chase, and maintaining live colonies of C. elegans e tc.

Prerequisite : Biotechnology I (210)

Marine Science (257) Spring Semester; ½ Credit This course offers an intensive introduction to the major marine environments, the principal species (by taxonomic grouping and by ecological relationships), and the interaction between organisms and their biotic and abiotic environments. Students will conduct laboratory experiments, and field trips will supplement class studies.

Students c an e xpect required summer reading a nd a research project.

Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry

Meteorology (250) Fall Semester; ½ Credit This course is an introduction to the science of weather and the understanding of how and why things occur in our atmosphere. Students will learn the process behind weather systems, and why the weather does what it does. Students will be able to read and create their own weather maps. Throughout the course, students will participate in a weather forecasting contest. Students will be able to read raw numerical data and create a prediction on their own a nd learn the reasoning behind hurricane prediction models.

Prerequisite : Biology and Chemistry

Oceanography (258) Fall Semester; ½ Credit This course introduces students to the fundamental principles and procedures of physical, geological and chemical oceanography. This multi­disciplinary approach to understanding oceanographic processes and ecosystems explores the origins of oceanography, physical and chemical features of seawater and ocean sediments, ocean basins, plate tectonics, oceanic c limate, waves, tides a nd c urrents.

Prerequisite : Biology and Chemistry

Introduction to Engineering and Fabrication (265) Fall Semester; ½ Credit This course provides an introduction to how engineers use math and science to solve problems and invent new products. Students will develop a general understanding of materials, forces, energy, electrical systems, environmental engineering, biological engineering and the impact of engineering on society. Student engineering design projects e mphasize teamwork, problem solving, a nd decision making.

Prerequisite : Geometry

Upper School Academic Program Page 16 Structural Design (267) Spring Semester; ½ Credit This course provides students with a basic knowledge of structural analysis and design for buildings, bridges and other structures. Students will investigate the behavior of structural systems and elements through design exercises, case studies, and load testing of student designed and built models. Students will design structures using wood, metal and concrete and will gain an appreciation for the importance of structural design, with an emphasis on e nvironmental impact of large scale c onstruction.

Prerequisite : Introduction to Engineering and Fabrication

Electronics (268) One Semester (Fall or Spring); ½ Credit This course provides students an introduction to the workings of electronics and the process of electronics design. Students will work with engineering standards and technical documentation found in all aspects of electronics. Students will learn to identify and understand the function and interaction of basic electronic components in a c ircuit a nd a pply that understanding to c reate their own c omplex e lectrical systems.

Prerequisite : Algebra I

Design and Fabrication (269) One Semester (Fall or Spring); ½ Credit This course challenges students to conceive, design and implement original products. Students will participate in the complete design process from conceptualization to creation using three dimensional solid­modeling applications to produce prototype products. Students will apply CAD knowledge to real world applications by mastering complex surface modeling, mechanical design projects, rendering, and animation. Students will be expected to predict how products will react in the real world and design complex parts and create prototypes with 3­D printing. Students will also work with various finishing techniques to produce professional prototypes with a high level of c raftsmanship.

Prerequisite : Introduction to Computer Science (559) or AP Computer Science Principles (560)

BENJAMIN ENGINEERING CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Overview: The Benjamin Engineering Certificate Program is an academic program for high school students interested in the STEM fields. The program will consist of classes designed to provide students exposure to the fields of e ngineering a nd design a s well a s provide a n opportunity to learn from e xperts in those fields.

Program Requirements (in addition to or as part of graduation requirements) ● Introduction to Engineering a nd Fabrication (265); ½ Credit ● Structural Design (267); ½ Credit Students must also c hoose at least two of these e lectives: ● Electronics (265); ½ Credit ● Computer Programming (552); 1 Credit ● AP Computer Science Principles (560) ● Foundations in Art (665); ½ Credit ● Design a nd Fabrication (269); ½ Credit ● AP Statistics (510); 1 c redit Students must also complete 6 semesters of extracurricular involvement: The following will satisfy this requirement: ● Participation in a TBS c lub (e.g. ICE, Environmental Club) ● Participation in a non­TBS science c lub (e.g. FIRST robotics) ● Summer Programs­as a n a ttending student or instructor (e.g. TBS Lego c amp)

Students must also c omplete a c apstone e ngineering project with an approved faculty or c ommunity mentor.

Upper School Academic Program Page 17

SOCIAL STUDIES

“Social studies is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence” (National Council of the Social Studies). At The Benjamin School the Social Studies Department provides coordinated and systematic study drawing upon such disciplines as economics, geography, history, philosophy and political science.

Through the study of social studies students examine both continuity and change. The social studies curriculum builds on four capacities. First, students learn to amass disciplinary knowledge. Without a sound subject matter foundation, understanding and analysis are impossible. Second, students develop thinking and writing skills enabling them to be successful in both college and in life. Third, students learn respect for the underlying values of a democratic society and for cultural diversity. Fourth, students become active participants in civic life. They are informed a bout public a ffairs; they uphold the rule of law; a nd they participate in government.

Historians attempt to find patterns and to determine meaning through the rigorous study of the past. Virtually all the experiences of mankind fall within the reach of the social studies. Every subject has a history and can be examined through the historical perspective. The study of the social sciences is fun.

Although students must take three years of social studies for graduation, they are encouraged to take a full four years of study in this discipline. Most students take World History in grade 9, Introduction to Economics and Government in the 10 th grade, and American History in the 11 th grade, leaving the senior year open for electives .

Students who a re particularly interested in the social studies may take more than one c lass per year.

World History (313) Full Year; 1 Credit World History surveys the development of Western Europe from the Renaissance to the twentieth century. The course helps students understand the origins of western government, philosophy, economics and social issues. It includes units of study such as absolutism, revolution, industrialism, imperialism and world war. In addition, the course briefly examines the growth of civilizations in the Middle East. It gives considerable attention to the teaching of study skills a nd the e ffective usage of the laptop c omputer.

Introduction to Economics (326) One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit This course is a basic introduction to economic thinking. Some concepts investigated include supply and demand, economic systems, the role of business and the labor force, monetary fiscal policy, and institutions that help to develop and mold our modern economy. The curriculum also emphasizes current events, economic history, and the role of globalization. The teachers pay particular attention to the development of writing, research, a nalysis, discussion a nd debate skills.

Introduction to Government (325) One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit This course is an introduction to the basic principles and institutions of our government. The class investigates theories of government, individual rights, elections, Congress, the presidency and the court system. The students discuss, analyze and debate current events and contemporary issues. Skills emphasized include writing, research, debate, discussion and group work. The teachers encourage their students to be engaged citizens and to take a n a ctive part in our democracy.

United States History (323) Full Year; 1 Credit This course surveys United States history from the colonial period through 1945 with connections to the present using a chronological/thematic approach. It provides students the opportunity to acquire a deep understanding of how difficult it is to preserve civilization and to improve society. Relevant themes include the evolution of American democracy, ideas, institutions and practices; economic and social changes and the relation to culture,

Upper School Academic Program Page 18 politics and ideas; the changing role of the United States in the world; and “E Pluribus Unum,” our diversity and oneness a s a people. Most Benjamin students select this c ourse in the e leventh grade.

A History of Florida and the Caribbean Islands (365) One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit A History of Florida and the Caribbean Islands is a one­semester course designed to help students gain an understanding of the roots, the development, and the nature of Floridian and Caribbean civilization. Students study the political, economic, and social issues of the region. The gathering and analysis of evidence culminates in a mandatory research project. Required field trips to locations in Florida take place outside the normal school day on a fternoons a nd weekends. An optional on­site visit in the Caribbean may be offered.

Contemporary Issues in the 21 st Century (358) One Semester (Fall); ½ Credit Contemporary Issues introduces the student to the major challenges facing American society today. Students study society, one’s role in it, issues and problems, possible social change and current social movements. It includes a study of basic institutions including the family, community, political structures and social organization.

This is a senior e lective requiring position papers, debates a nd strong c lass participation.

Prerequisite: U.S. History

Economic Issues (353) (not offered 2017­2018) One Semester (Fall); ½ Credit This course is designed to give students a general overview of the business world. The course consists of introductions to finance, marketing, strategy, management, and operations. Students learn to identify and correctly use a variety of terms and concepts associated with the American business scene. They have an opportunity to develop a business vocabulary and gain practice understanding business periodicals. They also learn to identify potential a reas of study for c ollege.

Introduction to Law (333) One Semester (Spring); ½ Credit The goal of this course is to introduce students to practical law. The curriculum will expose students to both criminal and constitutional law, with an emphasis on constitutional law as it relates to the Civil Rights movement. Students will not only learn laws and legal procedures, but will also develop problem solving skills that are necessary for survival in today’s society. Students will analyze case studies, participate in mock trials and role­plays a s well a s use local c ommunity resources to gain knowledge a bout the legal a nd political systems.

Modern Asian History (360) One Semester (Fall); ½ Credit This one­semester course will survey the emergence of India and China as they arrive on the cusp of superpower status. The curriculum will trace the modern political, economic, religious, and cultural rise in the latter half of the twentieth century and its potential role in the twenty­first century. Careful attention will be given to India’s and China’s relations with the United States and the overall geopolitical structure. The goal of the course is to provide the student with a better understanding of how each of these burgeoning Asian giants will shape the near and distant future.

History and the Olympics (367) One Semester (Spring); ½ Credit This course will explore the historical, cultural, religious, diplomatic, social, and political factors which occurred before, during and after each of the modern Olympic games. As a semester­long course, the class will discuss the Ancient Olympic beginnings, and the creation of the modern Olympics, with topics including, but not limited to, Olympic site selection, amateurism versus professionalism and scandals. The class will commence with a discussion on the Ancient Greeks and the first Olympic games and will end with current and future Olympic games. The class grade will be based on quizzes, many of them based on maps, two individual presentations and two large group projects.

Modern Middle East (369) One Semester (Spring); ½ Credit This current events course is designed to help students understand modern issues in the Middle East, as well as the role of Middle Eastern nations in the international community. We will focus primarily upon the post­World War era, with most of our discussions rooted in 21st century topics. Special attention would be paid to the current

Upper School Academic Program Page 19 U.S. War on Terrorism, as well as U.S. relations with Iran, Israel/Palestine, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, with primary sources, films, and secondary pieces of literature being utilized in each respective section.

Some of the themes included in the course will delve into the so­called "clash of cultures," social issues and religion, military intervention, modernization efforts, and diplomatic and political involvement. The course will also include watching/reading the news regularly and having class discussions on current events, class discussions on the several films that we watch over the term, and learning from some guest speakers. Portions of this course will be devoted to student­lead units, where we will cover material that the students are interested in and want to learn more about. This is a very hands­on and lively class aimed at helping all of us understand current situations in the region a bit better.

AP U. S. and Comparative Government and Politics (308) Full Year; 1 Credit This elective is open to juniors, seniors, and select sophomores. AP Government is a two­semester course designed to develop critical thinking skills through the understanding and analysis of democratic principles and political skills. In the first semester, students examine some concepts of comparative government as they appear in such countries as Great Britain, France, China and the former Soviet Union, and a third world nation. The second semester investigates the founding principles of our government, the Constitution, civil liberties, public opinion, elections, political parties, interest groups, the media and public policy. Students should anticipate college­level readings, e ssay writing a nd discussion.

Prerequisite: Permission of the Social Studies Department. At least an A­ in a c urrent introductory level course: World History, Introduction To Economics/Government, American History. At least a B in current Advanced Placement c ourse. Overall GPA of 3.33 or higher.

AP Economics (301) Full Year; 1 Credit This elective is open to juniors, seniors and select sophomores. AP Economics is a two­semester course designed to help students develop critical thinking skills through the understanding, application and analysis of economic concepts. In the 1 st semester, students examine microeconomic concepts such as scarcity, supply & demand, the theory of the firm and resource markets. The second semester reviews macroeconomic issues such as unemployment, inflation, national income accounting, monetary policy, and fiscal policy. Student assessments include multiple choice tests, free response questions, oral presentations, graphing, notebook development and class participation.

Prerequisite: Permission of the Social Studies Department. At least an A­ in a c urrent introductory level course: World History, Introduction To Economics/Government, American History. At least a B in current Advanced Placement c ourse. Overall GPA of 3.33 or higher.

AP European History (305) Full Year; 1 Credit An elective open to juniors, seniors and select sophomores, AP European History is a survey of European history from the Renaissance to the present. In addition to providing a basic narrative of events and movements, AP European history develops an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European history, an ability to analyze historical evidence and an ability to analyze and to express historical understanding in writing.

The text was written for college students, and the course is structured along the line of a college­level course.

Multiple­choice tests, free response essays, document­based essays, oral presentations, notebook development and c lass participation a re the basis of e valuation.

Prerequisite: Permission of the Social Studies Department. At least an A­ in a c urrent introductory level course, World History, Introduction To Economics/Government, American History. At least a B in current Advanced Placement c ourse. Overall GPA of 3.33 or higher.

AP U. S. History (303) Full Year; 1 Credit AP US History is a college survey of United States History from exploration through the Reagan administration.

With the permission of the instructor, juniors and seniors who wish to earn college credit while in high school may enroll. (In exceptional cases, select sophomores may receive permission to take the course.) Students

Upper School Academic Program Page 20 should expect to spend from five to seven hours per week on preparation for the course. Students should have an interest in history and have the ability to develop independent study habits. The course utilizes many primary sources a nd a lso takes into c onsideration differing views of US History.

Prerequisite: Permission of the Social Studies Department. At least an A­ in a c urrent introductory level course: World History, Introduction To Economics/Government, American History. At least a B in current Advanced Placement c ourse. Overall GPA of 3.33 or higher.

AP Human Geography (300) Full Year; 1 Credit AP Human Geography is a two semester course open to upper class students and selected freshman (with enrollment priority being given to ninth graders). The purpose of the AP Human Geography course is to introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, as well as the use and alteration of the Earth’s surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science a nd practice. This c ourse satisfies the World History graduation requirement.

Prerequisite: Permission of the Social Studies Department. At least an A­ in a c urrent introductory level course: World History, Introduction To Economics/Government, American History. At least a B in current Advanced Placement c ourse. Overall GPA of 3.33 or higher.

WORLD LANGUAGES

The Benjamin World Languages curriculum is committed to the preparation of its students for competency in a second language. We believe that in language courses students do and create with the language and not just know about it: thereby leading students through levels of proficiency, culture and language acquisition and global citizenship. A level of proficiency is our end goal, and it is obtained by practice and performance in the classroom through, but not limited to, the three modes of communication (interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational) a nd by building on students’ previous e xperiences.

Students are required to take three consecutive levels of a single world language in the Upper School in order to satisfy the graduation requirement; however, we encourage all students to take a fourth year of the language.

Language acquisition is a process.

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French 1 (496) Full Year; 1 Credit This course is for the high school student, a true novice, who is beginning the study of French for the first time or for one who had great difficulties in a prior beginning level course. Students begin building basic vocabulary related to people, places, and activities that are familiar in their own lives, while also learning basic grammar and simple sentence structure. The class materials encourage aural/oral comprehension and assist students in attaining a beginning level of proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing in French. Projects include cultural research.

Prerequisite : No prior e xperience or e xtremely weak performance in an introductory level c ourse.

French 2 (492) Full Year; 1 Credit This course further develops the second year language student’s ability to communicate in the target language and to apply the vocabulary and grammatical concepts learned in the previous level. The primary goals are to strengthen basic listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and enable students to use those skills on a daily basis, incorporating a variety of basic verb tenses in order to express themselves in class discussions of common topics presented in course materials. Students acquire basic historical, cultural and geographical knowledge of

Upper School Academic Program Page 21 France in the target language and do an extensive study of Paris. Throughout the year students must maintain a notebook which will be c ontinued through level 3.

Prerequisite : Grade of C or better in high school French 1 or its e quivalent.

French 3 (493) Full Year; 1 Credit This course further strengthens fundamentals and increases proficiency in the developing skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in French. Students give oral presentations related to topics. Students study certain periods of French history, via group and individual research projects about the Loire Valley. Each student researches a château of the region and presents it to the class in French using multimedia technology while acting a s a guide to the c astle.

Prerequisite : Grade of C or better in French 2 or its e quivalent, or departmental c onsent.

Honors French 3 (479) Full Year; 1 Credit This course further strengthens fundamentals and increases proficiency in the developing skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in French. Students give oral presentations and skits related to textbook topics.

They study certain periods of French history via group and individual research projects about the châteaux of the Loire Valley. Each student must research a château of the region and present it to the class using multimedia technology, speaking from the perspective of a guide or as a former resident of the castle. Supplemental readings serve to e nhance vocabulary a nd offer the honors students a n introduction to French literature.

Prerequisite : Grade of A­ or better in French 2 (or MS Advanced c ourse) and with departmental c onsent.

Students must be recommended by their previous French teacher in order to take this honors c lass.

French 4 (494) Full Year; 1 Credit This course increases aural­oral proficiency and continues the development of the student’s communication skills. The emphasis is placed on enhancing reading comprehension and writing skills. Reading selections from French authors gives a deeper insight into French civilization, culture, literature and art. Students study the Impressionist movement in detail and are assigned an artist to research. At the completion of the project, students present a n oral project to the c lass a nd submit a paper a bout the a rtist a nd a ll notable works.

Prerequisite : Grade of C or better in French 3 or with departmental c onsent.

Honors French 4 (478) Full Year; 1 Credit This course increases aural­oral proficiency and continues the development of the student’s communication skills. The emphasis is placed on enhancing reading comprehension and writing skills. Reading selections from French authors give a deeper insight into French civilization, culture, literature and art. Students study the Impressionist movement in detail and an assigned artist in particular. They research the artist, present an oral project to the class, and submit a term paper about the artist and all notable works. Written essays are assigned in order to e nhance the written skills needed for a dvanced c ourses.

Prerequisite : Grade of B or better in French 3 Honors and with departmental c onsent. Students must be recommended by their previous French teacher in order to take this honors c lass.

AP French Language and Culture (409) Full Year; 1 Credit This course is an advanced level French program for students who have mastered the fundamentals of the French language and are able to apply their ability in a wide variety of subject areas. French AP Language is comparable to a second­year college course and requires much commitment and effort. The course emphasizes intense assessment of the four communications skills that are strengthened and fine­tuned through a variety of grammatical, writing, reading, listening comprehension and conversational activities. Reading selections from famous French and Francophone poetry, novels, and drama give the student deeper insight into Francophone civilizations and the culture of French­speaking people. It is recommended that AP students take the French SAT subject exam during the year if they have not already done so. This course prepares students to take the Advanced Placement Examination in French Language in May.

Upper School Academic Program Page 22 Prerequisite : Grade of B or better in French 4 Honors, 5 Honors or French Literature and Film and with departmental c onsent. Students must be recommended by their previous French teacher in order to take this c ourse.

French Conversation and Culture (450) Full Year; 1 Credit The goal is to provide to the students the opportunity to improve their conversational fluency, proficiency in using language structures and reading with comprehension, as well as to continue to enrich their knowledge of the French culture and francophone civilization. This program is less formal than the AP course. The focus will be in the appreciation of the language based on its use in daily life, rather than the technical aspects and rules of French grammar and syntax required by the AP course. Students will read texts collected from newspapers, magazines, and contemporary literature, according to themes discussed in class. The course will include the study of French films, music, dance, traditions, etc., and students will converse, write compositions, debate issues and share their opinions on a variety of topics. Students who complete this course will be encouraged to take SAT Subject Test in French a nd other national e xams.

Prerequisite : Completion of French 4 and/or departmental c onsent.

Honors (Survey of) Francophone Literature and Film (412) Full Year; 1 Credit An advanced French course that examines the literature, media and cinema of France and the Francophone world in the postcolonial era. Instruction and research will utilize authentic materials that include newspapers, online media and internet sites, television, literature and film from various areas of the French­speaking world.

Thematic study may include diversity (race/ethnicity, class, gender, religion), nationalism, immigration and identity as experienced throughout the Francophone world, but may extend to further topics that are of personal interest to students. Student engagement with these sources will require advanced French skills and seeks to further develop their reading, listening, writing and speaking skills via meaningful scholarship. Students who complete this c ourse will be e ncouraged to take SAT Subject Test in French a nd other national e xams.

Prerequisite : Grade of B or better in French 4H or 5H or AP Lang or Conversation and Culture and departmental c onsent.

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Spanish 1 (466) Full Year; 1 Credit This course is for the high school student, a true novice, who is beginning the study of Spanish or for one who had great difficulties in a prior beginning level course. Students begin building basic vocabulary related to people, places and activities that are familiar in their own lives, while also learning basic grammar and simple sentence structure. The class materials encourage aural­oral comprehension and assist students in attaining a beginning level of proficiency in speaking, listening, reading a nd writing in Spanish.

Prerequisite : No prior e xperience or e xtremely weak achievement in an introductory level c ourse.

Spanish 2 (462) Full Year; 1 Credit This course further develops the second year language student’s abilities to communicate in the target language and to apply the material acquired in the previous level. The primary goals are to strengthen basic listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and to enable students to use those skills on a daily basis, incorporating a variety of basic verb tenses and topics. Students acquire basic historical, cultural and geographical knowledge of Hispanic countries in the target language. Throughout the year, students maintain a notebook and/or a digital portfolio, which they c ontinue through level 3.

Prerequisite : Grade of C or better in Upper School Spanish 1 or its e quivalent.

Spanish 3 (463) Full Year; 1 Credit This course further strengthens fundamentals and increases proficiency in the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in Spanish. Students present oral projects related to topics in the target language. Students

Upper School Academic Program Page 23 gain a deeper insight into Hispanic cultures through cultural readings and supplemental materials provided by the teacher. Reading in the target language is e mphasized a t this level.

Prerequisite : Grade of C or better in Spanish 2, its e quivalent, or departmental c onsent.

Honors Spanish 3 (476) Full Year; 1 Credit This course further strengthens fundamentals and increases proficiency in the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in Spanish. Students present dialogues related to topics and they give oral projects presented in the target language quarterly. Honors Spanish 3 students begin their study of Spanish literature by reading selections from Don Quixote and/or several short stories taken from Spanish and Latin­American literature .

Students keep a journal a nd/or a digital portfolio during the second semester to further e nhance writing skills.

Prerequisite: Grade of A­ or better in Spanish 2 or its equivalent (or MS advanced course), and with departmental consent . Students must be recommended by their previous Spanish teacher in order to take this honors c ourse.

Spanish 4 (464) Full Year; 1 Credit This course increases aural­oral proficiency and continues the development of the student’s communication skills. Reading comprehension and writing skills are emphasized at this level. Students learn about the geography and culture of Spain through an in­depth study that incorporates written and oral projects. History, Art, film and cultural topics will be used to c ontextualize the topics.

Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in Spanish III or departmental c onsent.

Honors Spanish 4 (477) Full Year; 1 Credit This course increases aural­oral proficiency and continues the development of the student’s communication skills. Reading comprehension and writing skills are emphasized at this level. Students learn about the geography and history of Spain through an in­depth study that incorporates written and oral projects. Reading selections from Spanish a uthors gives the Honors Spanish 4 student a deeper insight into Hispanic c ivilization.

Prerequisite : Grade of B or better in Honors Spanish 3 and with departmental c onsent. Students must be recommended by their previous Spanish teacher in order to take this honors c lass.

Honors Spanish 5 (465) Full Year; 1 Credit This advanced Spanish course is for the students who want to strengthen their communication skills in the Spanish language and are ready to apply their abilities in a wide variety of subjects. This course enables students to improve conversational skills through classroom discussions, oral presentations, debates, dialogues and listening comprehension exercises spoken by a variety of native speakers on daily living topics. The course emphasizes intensive oral practice and vocabulary building. Writing essays, keeping weekly journals and writing letters enhance the advanced composition skills. Reading selections from famous Spanish­American works gives the students a deeper insight into Hispanic civilization and the culture of Spanish­speaking people. In addition, students complete an in­depth unit on Latin American geography, history, and culture including several oral projects and a year­long written project on various Latin American countries, a different one assigned to each student. It is recommended that Honors Spanish 5 students take the Spanish SAT subject exam upon completion of the c ourse.

Prerequisite: Grade of B in Honors Spanish 4 or Literature and Film and with departmental c onsent.

Spanish AP Language and Culture (406) Full Year; 1 Credit This course is an advanced level Spanish program for students who have mastered the fundamentals of the Spanish language and are able to apply their ability in a wide variety of subject areas. Spanish AP Language is comparable to a second­year college course and requires much commitment and effort. The course emphasizes an intense assessment of the four skills that are strengthened and fine­tuned through a variety of grammatical, writing, reading, listening comprehension and conversational activities. Reading selections from famous Spanish and Latin American poetry, novels, and drama gives the students a further insight into Hispanic civilizations and the culture of Spanish­speaking people. It is recommended that AP students take the Spanish SAT subject exam

Upper School Academic Program Page 24 during the year, if they have not already done so. This course prepares students to take the Advanced Placement Examination in Spanish Language in May. Prerequisite : Grade of B in Honors Spanish 4, Honors Spanish 5 or Survey of Spanish and Latin American Literature and Film and with departmental c onsent. Students must have the recommendation from their previous Spanish teacher in order to take this c ourse.

Spanish Conversation and Culture (410) Full Year; 1 Credit This Spanish course is offered to students who complete Spanish 4 regular (not for students in the Honors program). The goal is to provide the students the opportunity to work on their aural­oral proficiency and reading comprehension and to continue to enrich their knowledge of the Spanish culture and Hispanic civilization. This program is less formal than the AP course; the focus will be in the appreciation of the language based on its use in the daily life, rather than the technical aspects and rules of Spanish grammar and syntax required by the AP course. Students will read texts collected from newspapers, magazines, and contemporary literature, according to the themes discussed in class. The course will include the study of Spanish films, music, dance, traditions, etc., and students will converse, write compositions, debate issues and share their opinions on a variety of topics.

Prerequisite : Completion of Spanish 4 and/or departmental c onsent.

Honors (Survey of) Spanish and Latin American Literature & Film (407) Full Year; 1 Credit In this course students will study popular literature from the Spanish speaking world and watch age appropriate film to complement the written word. By popular literature, we mean literally pieces from highly influential authors and philosophers. Students will discuss issues such as multi­culturalism, imagined cities, politics, gender, religion, current events, class and identity. Students will also have an opportunity to see how films approach those complex issues facing diverse worlds. This course will ask students to identify a problem and work on it for one year, culminating in a product, written reflections, and a digital portfolio. It is open to students coming out of Spanish IVH, VH, AP Lang, and Advanced Conversation & Culture. Students who complete this course will be e ncouraged to take SAT Subject Test in Spanish a nd other national e xams (not required).

Prerequisite : Grade of B or better in Spanish 4H or 5H or AP Lang or Conversation and Culture and/or departmental c onsent.

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Mandarin Chinese 1 (401) Full Year; 1 Credit This course is an introduction to the Mandarin language and to the culture of China. Students learn the basic skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking Mandarin. In addition they learn about the culture of China and its people, led by their own curiosity. Students begin to build basic vocabulary related to people, places and activities that are familiar in their own lives, while also learning basic grammar and simple sentence structures.

They learn that spoken Mandarin language differs from the written characters, and they learn both ways of communication. Class materials encourage aural/oral comprehension and assist students in attaining a beginning level of proficiency in Mandarin.

Prerequisite : No prior e xperience or e xtremely weak achievement in an introductory level c ourse.

Mandarin Chinese 2 (402) Full Year; 1 Credit This course is for students who have begun studying the Mandarin language and Chinese culture and have successfully completed the Mandarin 1 course. Mandarin 2 further develops the language students’ abilities to communicate in the target language and to apply the vocabulary and grammatical concepts learned in the previous level. The primary goals are to strengthen the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and to provide the students with an opportunity to apply those skills on a daily basis, using a variety of sentence structures to express themselves in basic class discussions of common topics. Students acquire more historical, cultural a nd geographical knowledge of China a nd its many regions.

Prerequisite : Grade of C or better in Mandarin Chinese 1 or its e quivalent.

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Honors Mandarin Chinese 3 (403) Full Year; 1 Credit This is an advanced Mandarin Chinese language course. After a review of the structures, vocabulary and characters covered in Level 2, the course continues to develop the students' ability in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Mandarin 3 will expose students to advanced structures including vocabulary, conversations and reading assignments. Short essays, Chinese character writing and class discussions will enhance the students' language skills in order to enable students to be immersed in a native Chinese environment. Students will receive more in­depth knowledge of Chinese c ulture, history a nd geography.

Prerequisite : Grade of C or better in Mandarin Chinese 2 or its e quivalent and with departmental consent.

Honors Mandarin Chinese 4 (404) Full Year; 1 Credit This course – a continuation of Chinese 3 – is designed for students interested in using their Chinese skills in the real world, and for students who desire to pursue their Chinese studies at the college or university level. The course places emphasis on practical use of Mandarin. Students will not only learn to read and write at an advanced level, but will also gain the ability to understand and speak Chinese in a variety of situations. At the end of year, students should be able to construct correct, complex sentences and communicate in a meaningful and authentic contexts through various projects. The class fosters an understanding and appreciation for the Chinese c ulture.

Prerequisite : Grade of B or better in High School Honors Mandarin Chinese 3 or its e quivalent and with departmental c onsent.

AP Chinese and Culture (405) Full Year; 1 Credit The course is designed to challenge exceptional students. AP Chinese Language and Culture is comparable to fourth semester college/university courses in Mandarin Chinese. This course will deepen students’ immersion into the language and culture of the Chinese­speaking world. The teacher will use exclusively Chinese in the teaching of this course, and students are expected to do likewise. Furthermore, it aims to provide students with ongoing and varied opportunities to further develop their proficiencies across the full range of language skills within a cultural frame of reference that reflects the richness of the Chinese language and culture. Students learn about various aspects of contemporary Chinese society, including geography and population, ethnic and regional diversity, travel and transportation, climate and weather, holidays and food, sports and games, current affairs, a nd principles a nd values of the Chinese c ulture.

Prerequisite : Grade A­ or higher in Honors Mandarin Chinese 3 or B in Honors Mandarin Chinese 4 and with departmental c onsent.

Honors (Survey of) Chinese Literature and Film (408) Full Year; 1 Credit This course is designed to let students study the basic Chinese literature in Chinese, including short stories, poems, essays, other literary genres, and various Chinese films. The literature studied will be related to current events. The emphasis of this course is on immersing students in a Chinese learning environment through literature, deeper understanding and appreciation of culture and meaningful discussions. Students will expand their ability to read in Chinese, retell stories and become familiar with famous Chinese poems. Students will continue to acquire more historical and cultural knowledge from the literature. The class is conducted in Chinese.

Prerequisite : Grade of B or better in Chinese 4H or AP Lang and departmental c onsent.

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FINE ARTS

It is the philosophy of the Fine Arts faculty to develop in our Benjamin students a lasting involvement with and enjoyment of the arts, in the hope that the creativity generated through participation will be integrated into their lives. For the student who wishes to explore or develop his or her talents in the arts, the Benjamin Upper School offers a range of classes and extracurricular activities in drawing, visual design, photography, computer graphics, dance, drama, music (vocal and instrumental) and multimedia. Students have many opportunities to display their work either in school­related functions and concerts, as well as outside opportunities. All courses make use of audio­visual materials, lectures, and demonstrations as an aid to a fuller understanding of techniques and methods.

Students must e arn 1 c redit in Fine Arts (Performing or Visual) during their 4 y ears of high school.

VISUAL ARTS

STUDIO ART

Foundations in Art (665) One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit This course is an introduction to the elements and principles of design. Students will explore artistic modes of production including drawing, painting, mixed media, assemblage, and printmaking. This course emphasizes the technical use of each medium and the development of sound compositions. Through the critique process students learn how to evaluate and respond to their own work and that of their peers articulately using design vocabulary.

Students will become acquainted with exemplary works of art from a variety of cultures and historical periods.

This course provides a basic understanding of the arts’ disciplines across the arts as a whole. Students will employ the fundamental building blocks of design to define and solve artistic problems independently with insight, reason, a nd technical proficiency.

Introduction to World Crafts (688) One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit This course is an introduction to art using a cross­cultural perspective. The class uses a project­based learning method to introduce students to the larger historical context along with the process of art making through the ages. Students will explore a variety of media to produce artwork, including textiles, wood assemblage, ink, and various printing methods. An emphasis will be based on process over product and gaining an understanding of art’s role in c ulture a nd how it defines a nd shapes societies through the years.

Intermediate Studio Art (686) One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit This course consolidates concepts and methods learned in Foundations in Art. Students will use traditional and contemporary media to explore spatial relationships, proportion and perspective through direct observation.

Students will experiment with effective ways of using graphite, pastel, ink, charcoal, watercolor and oil paint.

With an emphasis on studio production, this course is designed to develop higher­level thinking, an understanding of the frameworks of historical references and an appreciation of aesthetic expression. Students reflect on their own artwork and that of others through critical analysis to achieve artistic goals related to craftsmanship, technique, a nd a pplication of 21st­century skills.

Prerequisite: Foundations in Art

Upper School Academic Program Page 27

Portfolio (605)

Full Year; 1 Credit This upper­level course engages art students in a variety of two­dimensional media. It is geared toward students interested in pursuing AP Studio Art or students wanting to assemble a cohesive body of serious work. The course focuses on building advanced technical and conceptual skills by encouraging and challenging students to execute original ideas with a superior level of craftsmanship. This year­long course is based on the AP Portfolio model designed by The College Board.

Prerequisite : Foundations in Art, Intermediate Studio Art and instructor’s recommendation.

AP Studio Art (606) Full Year; 1 Credit This class is structured for serious art students interested in assembling a cohesive portfolio of work as outlined

by The College Board. The portfolio includes three sections of artwork including: breadth, concentration and quality. This course engages art students in a variety of two­dimensional media including advanced drawing, painting, colored pencil and mixed media techniques. Students learn to articulate their personal vision through their artwork, while creating works superior in composition and craftsmanship. Students are expected to be self­directed and must demonstrate an ability to engage maturely in the artistic process. Regular critiques and class discussions assist the students in evaluating their artwork at an appropriate level of assessment. All students taking this course must submit their portfolio to the Advanced Placement Examination Board for evaluation. For more information go to www.apcentral.collegeboard.com .

Prerequisite : Foundations in Art, Intermediate Studio Art, Portfolio and instructor’s recommendation.

Ceramics (661) One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit This course is an introduction to clay. Students will learn traditional hand building techniques as well as throwing pieces on the wheel. There is an emphasis on the application of the elements and principles of design in each piece. Students are instructed in the safe usage of materials and equipment in the studio and study the work of historical a nd modern c eramists a nd their techniques.

Intermediate Ceramics (636) One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit This class continues to build on techniques and skills presented in the introductory level of ceramics. It covers advanced techniques in glazing and firing, an emphasis on craftsmanship in construction and production of ceramics as both utilitarian pieces and art forms. The course will consist of practical demonstrations, lectures on essential theoretic and technical information, presentations of historic and contemporary ceramics, class critiques a nd written a ssignments, initiating a body of c eramic work a nd e xploration of a n individual a rt practice.

Prerequisite: Ceramics

Advanced Ceramics (668) One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit Advanced Ceramics is a semester­long course that elaborates on the many different means of working with clay as an artistic expression. This is a studio course designed to expand upon skills and ideas gained in beginning and intermediate ceramics. Students will explore a variety of ceramic techniques, refining their hand building skills and advanced wheel throwing skills dealing with more complex and conceptual forms. Understanding and working with the principles of design will be stressed throughout this course. Students will be challenged to use their ceramic knowledge and skills to create their own projects and to study the work of practicing ceramic artists.

Prerequisite: Ceramics, Intermediate Ceramics

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AP Art History (637) Full Year; 1 Credit This course will develop an understanding and knowledge of diverse historical and cultural contexts of architecture, sculpture, painting and other media. In this course, students examine and critically analyze major

Upper School Academic Program Page 28 forms of artistic expression from the past and the present from a variety of cultures. While visual analysis is a fundamental tool of the art historian, art history emphasizes understanding how and why works of art function in context, considering such issues as patronage, gender, and the functions and effects of works of art. When we ask our students to study the history of images, objects, and buildings, we want them to think about how their environment impacts all aspects of their lives. Do structures in our environment suggest stability or chaos? Do images around us encourage conservatism or frivolity? Are we influenced by imagery to spend, vote, drink, eat, smoke, waste time, work, and so forth? Do we use images to form stereotypical impressions of people? Does imagery reinforce certain values that we cherish, or does it challenge long­established traditional notions belonging to a c ertain society or c ulture .

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Graphic Design (687) One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit This one­semester course uses the computer as a medium of artistic expression. Students will utilize industry­standard software including: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign to complete each design challenge. Using the fundamental components of design theory as a guide, students create engaging graphics in a variety of presentation forms including illustrations, books, posters and portraits. Through the use of varied and engaging exercises, students learn page layout and composition, typesetting, line art illustration, and the use of digital photographs. A strong focus is placed on visual thinking a nd the c lear c ommunication of ideas.

Graphic Design II (688) One Semester (Fall a nd Spring); ½ Credit This course continues to explore the computer as a medium of artistic expression. Students will build their design vocabulary, technical skills and ability to convey meaning through design. The class will explore creating a brand identity, developing specialized color palettes, combining graphics in Photoshop and Illustrator, and visually interpreting content for design and artistic purposes. The course places a strong focus on visual thinking and the c lear c ommunication of ideas.

Prerequisites: Graphic Design

Print Productions (685) Full Year; 1 Credit The yearbook course is open to students from grades 9­12. Students learn the stages necessary for publication including captions, page layouts, photography and meeting deadlines. The course operates on a full­year format, publishing a hardcover e dition before graduation. This c ourse may be taken for c redit for more than one year.

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Introductory Photography (600) One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit This course offers students an introduction to the fundamentals of traditional black and white photography.

Students are introduced to the functions of the 35mm SLR camera and the operations of darkroom equipment.

Emphasis in the course is on the creation of strong compositions while fostering a creative approach to fine art photography. Inherent in the creation of sound images are the technical aspects of photography including basic camera operation, darkroom printing techniques a nd the a esthetics of c omposition.

Intermediate Photography (604) One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit This course continues to build on the fundamentals of photography with an increased emphasis on digital photography. Students learn sophisticated camera manipulation including exposure compensation, white balance, flash photography and metering. Throughout the course, students learn editing techniques in Adobe Photoshop that allow them to use the camera as a tool of creative expression and produce work that conveys concepts and meaning.

Prerequisite : Introductory Photography

Upper School Academic Program Page 29 Experimental Photography (643) One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit This course provides an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge of digital photography to traditional non­silver darkroom printing methods. The class includes exploration of hand­applied emulsions, Solarprint Etchings, Cyanotypes, Tintypes, Van Dyke prints, and various transfer processes. Students will explore the relationship between technical execution and conceptual development, learning to marry the form with the content. By experimenting with these historic materials, students will broaden their understanding of photography as an artistic medium. Students may enroll in the course prior to AP 2D Design­Photography or after completing that c ourse.

Prerequisite : Introductory Photography and Intermediate Photography

AP Photography (616) Full Year; 1 Credit This course is structured for serious photography students interested in assembling a cohesive portfolio of work as outlined by The College Board. The course will engage students in the creative process of image creation including alternative process, digital and film­based media. Students are expected to articulate their personal vision through their imagery, while creating works superior in composition, content and craftsmanship. Students are expected to be self­directed and must demonstrate an ability to engage maturely in the artistic process.

Regular critiques and class discussions will assist the students in evaluating their photos at an appropriate level of assessment. All students taking this course must submit their portfolio to the Advanced Placement Examination Board for e valuation. For more information go to: www.apcentral.collegeboard.com .

Prerequisite: Introductory Photography, Intermediate Photography, and instructor’s recommendatio n.

PERFORMING ARTS

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TV Studio & Field Production (628) One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit This course is designed as an introduction to live television and video production. Students will learn every aspect of live program and video production including planning, writing, shooting, interviewing, editing, reporting, hosting and live show execution. All instruction is hands­on. Students will acquire the necessary skills through experience in producing talk, entertainment, game show and news magazine format productions.

Students will learn both the technical and artistic components of producing video in a studio environment as well as in the field. Work will be completed in a state­of­the­art high definition digital broadcast studio and post­production facility.

Television Broadcasting & Journalism 1 (629) One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit This course is designed as an immersive experience in producing live television and focuses on empowering students to become effective communicators in a world dominated by new media. Students will build upon the knowledge and experience gained in TV Studio & Field Production and produce weekly 30­minute newscasts that will be broadcast live to the school and via the Internet. The focus of these broadcasts will be to mimic real­world television and Internet media. Additional projects include in­depth news reports, short documentaries and in­studio talk shows. Work will be completed in a state­of­the­art high definition digital broadcast studio and post­production facility. Broadcasting students will also work in concert with print journalism students for content and coverage topics that include both in­school issues and occurrences as well as local, national and global subjects.

Prerequisite : TV Studio & Field Production and approval of the instructor, or approval from Middle School program.

Upper School Academic Program Page 30 Film Production (630) One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit This semester course can be taken multiple times and is designed to develop student understanding of the screenwriting process and to build upon prior knowledge and experience gained in Beginning TV Broadcasting & Journalism to produce an original short film. Students will work in a state­of­the­art television and film production facility to learn how to plan for, write, shoot and edit a short film. All films will be shot on high definition film cameras and edited on industry standard Final Cut Pro workstations. This course will provide students with the basic fundamentals of writing for the screen while also introducing the rudimentary artistic principles of the filmmaking process. Students will receive extensive training in cinematography and non­linear digital video e diting.

Prerequisite : Television Broadcasting & Journalism 1, Film Analysis, and approval of the instructor.

Television Broadcasting & Journalism 2 One Semester (Fall (631) and Spring (632)); ½ Credit This semester course can be taken multiple times and is designed as an immersive experience in producing live television and focuses on empowering students to become effective communicators in a world dominated by new media. Students will build upon the knowledge and experiences gained in TV Broadcast & Journalism and continue to produce weekly 30­minute newscasts that will be broadcast live to the school and via the Internet.

The students will also begin to explore the world of multi­camera productions and utilize their knowledge gained from the previous two classes to work together as a team in producing such events as the spring musical, variety show, sporting contests, guest speakers, and other projects. The students will also begin to expand their knowledge of the editing process by learning how to edit multi­camera productions and produce final DVD copies to be archived in the Video Production Facility video library. Advanced Broadcasting students will also begin taking the “live” equipment into the field and work on turning these once “taped” projects into live­streaming e vents on the World Wide Web.

Work will be completed in a state­of­the­art high definition digital broadcast studio and post­production facility.

Broadcasting 2 students will also work in concert with print journalism students for content and coverage topics that include both in­school issues and occurrences as well as local, national, and global subjects. Students may take this c ourse for c redit for more than one year.

Prerequisite : Television Broadcast & Journalism 1 and approval of the instructor.

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Concert Band (649) Full Year; 1 Credit This year­long course allows students the opportunity to strengthen the skills developed in Lower and Middle School Band. The course reinforces fundamentals in music, as more difficult orchestration is presented.

Students may enroll at the beginning of the second semester with the instructor’s approval. Students may take this c ourse for c redit for more than one year.

Prerequisite: Prior e xperience on an instrument or teacher approval.

Chorus (651) Full Year; 1 Credit This year­long course teaches the fundamentals of choral singing. Special emphasis is put upon developing aural skills, proper breathing technique, sight­singing and the enjoyment of singing. Students may join this course at the beginning of the second semester with the instructor’s approval. Students may take this course for credit for more than one year.

Chamber Ensemble (647) Full Year; 1 Credit This year­long course serves the advanced performers on any string instrument (violin, viola, cello and bass) and piano by providing supervised study of their instrument in ensemble playing. In this course students will be assigned to small groups (duets, trios, quartets), which will practice and perform pieces from the classical and contemporary repertoire. They are expected to practice daily on their own and urged to take private lessons

Upper School Academic Program Page 31 outside of school. The course is graded on the basis of student performance of their pieces studied and may be taken more than once. Open to students by audition only.

AP Music Theory (672) Full Year; 1 Credit AP Music Theory is year­long course designed to develop a student’s ability to recognize, understand and describe the basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a printed score. The class combines studies in aural skills, sight­singing skills, basic keyboard skills, written and compositional skills, and analytical skills. Music theory begins with the acquiring of speed and fluency in the rudimentary terminology of music. These fundamental skills are applied to the higher level processes such as melodic and harmonic dictation, composition of bass lines for a given melody, implying appropriate harmony, realizing figured bass, realizing Roman numeral progressions, analysis of repertoire and sight singing. AP Music Theory culminates in the a ural a nd visual identification of procedures in c ommon­practice tonality.

Piano I / II (658/648) One Semester (Fall (658) and Spring (648)); ½ Credit These semester courses allow students to learn basic piano and music theory skills. Performance skills, music theory, piano technique and musicianship skills are covered in this course. More advanced students are able to further their piano skills a nd theory knowledge. Students may take Piano II for c redit for more than one year.

D�ऀ昂�ऀ Dance Technique (699) One Semester; ½ Credit This semester course introduces students to the areas of ballet, jazz and tap dance. Students learn history, theory and dance vocabulary. Participation is the key to learning dance. Students may take this course for credit for more than one year.

Modern Dance and Composition (698) (not being offered in 2017­2018) One Semester (Fall); ½ Credit This semester course introduces students to an art form which uses the human body and its movement as the art medium. Students study choreography and dance composition as well as dance history, theory and vocabulary.

Students may take this c ourse for c redit for more than one year.

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Introduction to Theatre (682) One Semester (Fall); ½ Credit This semester course introduces the various artistic disciplines that create a piece of theatre such as acting, directing, set design, lighting, sound design, c ostuming, make­up, set c onstruction a nd theatre history a nd theory.

Acting Techniques (675) One Semester (Spring); ½ Credit This one­semester course offers a student at any level of experience the opportunity to learn the fundamental skills of acting and apply them to the creation of monologues and scenes. Areas of emphasis include oral interpretation, use of gestures and body language, and the use of space. In addition, students receive training and practice on the craft of character creation through analysis of given circumstances and objectives. At the conclusion of the course, the students have a portfolio of at least two contrasting monologues that may be used for school, community theatre, or college program auditions. Students may take this course for credit for more than one year.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Theatre

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INDEPENDENT STUDY

Independent Study (700) One Semester (Spring); ½ Credit This course is an opportunity for a limited number of highly motivated seniors in their second semester to pursue a research project or creative endeavor in which they have a strong interest. Participants have a faculty mentor who oversees the work. The course is graded on a pass/fail basis based on the evaluation of the student product by a faculty jury. Students interested in this option should see Mr. Didsbury or Dr. Taylor for details.

Prerequisites: Agreement by a faculty member to be a mentor and project design approval by the faculty mentor, the Upper School Department Heads Committee, and the Head of the Upper School.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical Education (762) One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit The Physical Education and Wellness program is designed to provide a solid foundation for a healthy lifestyle while understanding the importance of physical fitness. The program teaches the fundamentals of physical activity, diet and nutrition, growth and development, and personal safety. The students also engage in various activities to promote a healthy lifestyle which can be carried on throughout a lifetime. All activities help develop students physically, socially, and mentally while stressing positive attitudes and sportsmanship. This course is required of students in the 9th a nd 10 th grades.

Yoga (770) One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit This course is designed to introduce students, safely, to the basic postures, breathing techniques, and relaxation methods of yoga along with the basic introduction of the philosophy and history of yoga and sanskrit vocabulary.

Students will experience the benefits of stretching, moving, and breathing freely as they build strong inner resources, relieve anxiety, gain an increased ability to concentrate and be physically, mentally, energetically and emotionally fit. This c ourse is limited to 12 th grade students.