Interdisciplinary Department Overview

The ICS Interdisciplinary Department believes that students benefit from exploring academic and real-world problems through the perspective of multiple disciplines. Students in interdisciplinary classes learn that questions do not always have one single answer and are challenged to embrace difference and diversity in their learning. By its very nature, interdisciplinary studies promote collaboration, compromise, and creative problem-solving. Because we approach learning as a collaborative process, students see the value of collective learning and being innovative independent thinkers.

Signature Programs

AP Capstone Diploma Program & AP Research and Seminar Certificate

Indian Creek School has been accepted as one of approximately 2,000 schools worldwide to implement the AP Capstone Diploma program – an innovative program that encourages students to develop skills for college and future success, including critical thinking, research, collaboration, and communication. The program consists of two yearlong courses taken in sequence: AP Seminar and AP Research.

Students who score a 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on 4 additional AP Exams of their choosing earn the AP Capstone Diploma. This signifies outstanding academic achievement and attainment of college-level academic and research skills. Students who score a 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research (and not on 4 additional AP Exams) earn the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.

ICS started offering the AP Seminar course in the fall of 2022. In AP Seminar, which can be taken as the 10th grade required English course, students choose real-world topics and evaluate them from multiple perspectives. Students identify credibility and bias in sources and develop arguments in support of a recommendation. The AP Seminar course, while interdisciplinary in nature, will receive an English graduation credit.

In the subsequent AP Research course, offered to juniors and seniors, students design and execute a college-level research project on a topic of personal interest. Students receive firsthand experience in writing a research question, executing an appropriate method, analyzing data, presenting their results, and defending their findings. AP Research receives a History graduation credit.

Voros recognition: This program represents an exciting evolution of our Voros Senior Thesis project, which can be incorporated into Indian Creek’s AP Capstone program as the highest level of achievement students can attain. After submitting their AP Research paper to the College Board, ICS students may review and revise their paper with an ICS Voros Thesis advisor, and then present it again in a public defense at school. Doing so successfully will earn the ICS Voros Distinction, recognized on the ICS transcript and at graduation. Students who complete AP Research in Grade 11 may also write a Voros Senior Thesis in their Grade 12 year.

Please see the AP Seminar course description in the English department for course specifics. The AP Research course description will be published in the 23-24 Curriculum Guide.

Eagles with a Purpose

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Yearlong – X-Block

5 credit, Pass/Fail

Note: This course may be taken multiple times and receives a .5 credit. It meets during X-Blocks and conflicts with the STEM program in the schedule so cannot be taken by students in STEM.

Eagles With a Purpose gives students in grades 9-12 the opportunity to better understand social justice, participate in community engagement, realize individual and collective agency in meeting the needs of others, advocate for social justice, and engage in reflection. The program allows students to explore their passions through hands-on activities that utilize their abilities to benefit the community at large. Stanford University professor William Damon, author of The Path to Purpose, defines purpose as “a stable and generalized intention to accomplish something that is at the same time meaningful to the self and consequential for the world beyond the self.” In other words, purpose happens when students develop a meaningful connection to someone or something outside of themselves and they do something about it.

Students focus on community engagement and team building in the first quarter through volunteer work and outdoor leadership. The second quarter students continue with service-learning opportunities and hear from invited speakers. In the third quarter, students identify issues in our community and then propose and design a student-created action plan. The fourth quarter students put their plans into action and reflect on the process.

Independent Study

Grades 11, 12

Semester or Yearlong .5 or 1 credit

Note: Students who wish to enroll in an independent study for the 2023-24 school year should complete the independent study proposal form in Appendix A. Students who wish to take an Independent Study must find an instructor to sponsor them. They can take the Independent Study during one of their six blocks by indicating it on their course selection sheet; if the Independent Study is not approved, the student will either have a GTD or the option to enroll in another open course that meets at that time. Independent Studies most often run as asynchronous, blended courses in the style of a BLinc. During the scheduled block, students will work on their coursework in the Vos Family Academic Resource Center. They will have occasional scheduled synchronous meetings with their teacher.

Students may design an independent study to study a subject more deeply or expand their coursework past what is available in a department. Students should work with a faculty advisor as part of their design process, and the faculty advisor should work with them throughout the independent study. The independent study will be reflected on the transcript with a letter grade.

Senior Internship

Grade 12

Semester or Yearlong

.5 credit or 1 credit Pass/Fail

Note: Students who wish to enroll in an independent study for the 2023-24 school year should complete the independent study proposal form in Appendix A.

Indian Creek School allows students in Grade 12 to receive academic credit by completing an internship either in-person or virtually. Students should indicate they are interested in an internship on their course selection form. Internships can be flexible based on the student’s schedule and interests. In addition to meeting the requirements of the providing organizations, students are expected to complete reflections on their learnings. See more details in the Internship program description.

Voros Senior Thesis in the Humanities

Grades 12

Yearlong

1 credit

Note: This course is run as an asynchronous, blended course in the style of a BLinc. Students will work on their senior thesis in the Vos Family Academic Resource Center. Students are required to be enrolled in AP Research (see below) or select a “GTD: Get Things Done” during one of their six academic blocks. They will have occasional scheduled synchronous meetings with their teachers and peers during the research and writing process Students are coached throughout the process by the Voros Thesis Advisor and by a faculty mentor.

The Voros Senior Thesis: this program allows select students the opportunity to pursue a question within the scope of the humanities that may have developed from various studies throughout a student’s educational career. Over the course of the year, students research and prepare a 30-60 page written thesis which they present and defend in front of a panel faculty and professionals in related fields in May. This course is not graded on the standard A-F scale. Students receive either a “Pass” or a “Pass with Distinction.” Because of the challenging nature of the project, there is no “F” option; students who do not complete the requirements can withdraw from the course at any time without penalty (but also without credit.)

AP Research with Voros Distinction: This program represents an exciting evolution of our Voros Senior Thesis project, which can be incorporated into Indian Creek’s AP Capstone Diploma as the highest level of achievement students can attain. After submitting their AP Research paper to the College Board in April, ICS students may use the remainder of the year to review and revise their paper with an ICS Voros Thesis advisor, and then present it again in a public defense at school. Doing so successfully will earn the ICS Voros Distinction, recognized on the ICS transcript and at graduation. Students who complete AP Research in Grade 11 may also write a Voros Senior Thesis in their Grade 12 year.

Human Development

Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

Yearlong

No credit

Human Development (HD) covers four topics taught at developmentally appropriate levels to each of the four Upper School grades.

Topic 1: Belonging, Perspective-taking, and Empathy

Students work to understand how to engage in difficult conversations on topics we might disagree on and how to understand, think critically about, and offer empathy towards perspectives that differ from our own.

Topic 2: Physical/Mental Health & Wellbeing

Students discuss healthy decision-making, self-advocacy, and self-care. Topics include self-awareness and understanding of mental health issues, managing stress and anxiety, how to help a friend in need, information about substance abuse and addiction, and more.

Topic 3: Healthy Relationships & Sexual Education

Students cover healthy communication, respect and consent, reproductive and sexual health, preventative care, and understanding gender and sexuality.

Topic 4: Leadership, Citizenship, and Preparing for Adulthood and Independence

Topics include self-awareness of strengths and leading styles, digital citizenship and appropriate use of social media, responsible citizenship of communities large and small, time management, planning for the future, and the skills required for independence and adulthood.

Interdisciplinary Course Offerings

The following courses are recognized as interdisciplinary. Some may receive required graduation credit in another academic department, which is noted in the course description. All may count towards elective credit if taken in addition to required courses. Course names and descriptions are listed here and in the departments for which they are eligible to receive graduation credit.

Big 9: The History and Science of Our World

Grade 9

See History and Science sections for course description.

Big 9 Accelerated: The History and Science of Our World + Physics

Grade 9

See History and Science sections for course description.

An Exploration of Inequality in the United States

Grades 10, 11, 12

See History section for course description.

AP Research

Grades 11, 12

See English section for course description.

2

AP Seminar

Grades 10, 11 Yearlong

See English section for course description.

Financial Algebra: Personal Finance and Economics

1 credit - English

Grades 11, 12 Semester .5 credit

See Mathematics section for course description.

Science of Wellbeing

Grades 11, 12 Semester .5 credit

See Science section for course description.

Yearbook Production: Journalism and Publications

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Yearlong

See English and Fine Arts sections for course description.

BLinc Interdisciplinary Offerings

1 credit – English or Fine Arts

These quarter credit courses are delivered through a “blended” format, meeting in person during X-Block and conducting asynchronous work via CREEKnet and other online platforms

BLinc: History of Food

Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester .25 credit

See History section for course description.

Global Online Academy Interdisciplinary Offerings

The courses below are a sampling of the course offerings through Global Online Academy. Visit https://globalonlineacademy.org/student-program/student-courses to see all approved Interdisciplinary course offerings through GOA.

Global Online Academy: Business Problem Solving

Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester .5 credit

Students in this course will tackle real-world problems facing businesses large and small in today’s fast changing global marketplace where radical reinvention is on the minds of many business leaders.

Global Online Academy: Introduction to Legal Thinking

Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester .5 credit

Inspired by GOA’s popular Medical Problem Solving series, this course uses a case-based approach to give students a practical look into the professional lives of lawyers and legal thinking. This class is NCAA approved.

World and Classical Languages

In the ICS Classical and World Languages department, we believe that students should be exposed to other cultures and languages in the wider world in which they live. During class time, our students are immersed in the study of a classical or world language and culture. By the time they graduate from ICS, they can demonstrate communicative skills in their language of study and their understanding of different cultures. Our goal is for them to become emerging global citizens.

Over the course of their studies in the Upper School World and Classical Languages Department, students develop…

Classical Language Competencies

• Vocabulary

• Word Derivation

• Grammar

• Forms

• History and Culture

• Translation

World Language Competencies

• Communicative Competence

• Intercultural Competence

Students must enroll in two consecutive years of the same language in Upper School. Courses in green are taught on campus by ICS faculty. Courses in gray are offered through Global Online Academy.

Latin 1

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Yearlong

1 credit

Students are introduced to the classical world and acquire the fundamentals of Latin grammar and a basic vocabulary. They learn the cases of nouns and the conjugations and tenses of verbs. Reading and translation are emphasized over the spoken language. A study of Roman culture and history is also included. There is also an emphasis on the influence of Latin on the development of the English language, where students acquire a solid foundation in the derivation of English words from Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes.

Latin 2

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Yearlong

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Latin 1.

1 credit

Students continue to acquire the fundamentals of Latin grammar and vocabulary. Reading and translation continue to be emphasized over the spoken language. There is a continued emphasis on English derivation and the study of Roman culture and history.

Latin 3

Grades 10, 11, 12 Yearlong

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Latin 2.

1 credit

Students continue to acquire the fundamentals of Latin grammar and vocabulary. Reading and translation continue to be emphasized over the spoken language. There is a continued emphasis on English derivation and the study of Roman culture and history.

Latin 4

Grades 11, 12 Yearlong

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Latin 3.

1 credit

Latin 4 continues to build on what was taught in Latin 1 -3. The first part of the course is set in and around the court of the Emperor Domitian (81-96 CE(AD)). The stories explore the tensions and effects of living under tyranny. The second part is an anthology of Latin prose and poetry, including selections from Pliny, Cicero, Vergil, Ovid, Catullus, and Livy. The emphasis on vocabulary and word derivation will continue.

Spanish 1

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Yearlong

1 credit

Language study at Indian Creek begins with communication. Students actively exchange information in Spanish about themselves and other familiar topics by engaging with authentic materials and tasks while developing cultural competence. Students interpret written and audio materials and learn vocabulary and grammar to express themselves using several forms of the present tense, including regular, irregular, stem-changing verbs and verbs like gustar. This class is appropriate for those with little to no experience in Spanish.

Spanish 2

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Yearlong

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish 1 and teacher recommendation

1 credit

This course builds on the elements mastered in Spanish 1 to increase students’ ability to communicate in oral and written Spanish and develop listening and reading comprehension skills. Students continue to work on the mastery of present tense forms and start to communicate using past tenses, including the preterit and imperfect. Students will explore and compare topics related to different communities when engaging with authentic materials and tasks. This class is appropriate for students who can effectively exchange information using different forms of the present tense.

Spanish 3

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Yearlong

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish 2 and teacher recommendation

1 credit

This class builds on the elements mastered in previous courses to increase students’ ability to communicate in oral and written Spanish. The subjunctive, future, conditional, and several perfect tenses are added to the tenses studied before. Students use a variety of texts, explore authentic material in the language, and create and engage in non-scripted conversation. Students continue to develop cultural awareness by comparing Spanish-speaking communities and practices to their own. This class is appropriate for students who effectively use present and past tenses in speaking and writing and understand main and supporting ideas in different texts and audio.

Spanish 3 Accelerated

Grades 9. 10, 11, 12 Yearlong

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish 2 and teacher recommendation

1 credit

This course covers the Spanish 3 curriculum listed above at an accelerated pace and requires a greater mastery of Spanish 1 and 2 skills. Students should be able to read, write, and speak independently in Spanish to succeed in this accelerated course.

Spanish 4

Grades 10, 11, 12 Yearlong

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish 3 and teacher recommendation

1 credit

The course reviews the main elements of grammar presented in previous years and gives students extensive written and oral communication practice. Students use different tenses and complex sentence structures to express ideas and opinions. Students will also explore using formal language for email responses and academic language for guided essays. Students develop skills for cultural comparisons in speaking and writing and are exposed to various authentic resources, including podcasts, videos, and informative and literary texts. The course is conducted entirely in Spanish, and students are expected to produce language independently in speaking and writing about known topics without electronic translation.

AP Spanish

Grades 11, 12 Yearlong

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish 4 and teacher recommendation

1 credit

The Spanish Advanced Placement Language course covers the equivalent of a third-year university course in advanced Spanish composition and conversation. In addition to the curriculum, students practice and refine the skills needed for the special test format of the AP Spanish Language Exam. The skills refined and extended include independent oral and written communication in informal and formal settings as well as aural and reading comprehension of advanced authentic texts and recordings. This course is conducted in Spanish.

BLinc: Advanced Spanish Language and Conversation

Grades 12 Yearlong

1 credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish 4 or AP Spanish and teacher recommendation

Advanced Spanish Conversation and Cultures is a year-long class offered to students who have completed AP Spanish, or Spanish 4 with teacher recommendation as an alternative to AP Spanish. This class will focus on advancing conversation and writing skills through analyzing literature, film, videos, music, and the arts. Some of the themes we will discuss are the evolution of different Spanish-speaking cultures, the clash between social classes, personal narratives to shape history, immigration, concepts of beauty, social customs, and more. Students in this course will learn how diverse the Spanishspeaking world is and how literature, films, visual arts, and music reflect the worldview and history of its people.

Global Online Academy World Language Offerings

The courses below are a sampling of the course offerings through Global Online Academy. These courses have been taken previously and recommended by ICS students. Visit https://globalonlineacademy.org/student-program/student-courses to see all approved World Language course offerings through GOA.

Global Online Academy: Arabic Language and Culture 1

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Yearlong

1 credit

Through study of Levantine (Jordanian) Arabic and the Arabic writing system, students develop Novice proficiency in interpersonal communication. This course is NCAA approved.

Global Online Academy: Japanese Language and Culture 1

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Yearlong

1 credit

This full-year course is a unique combination of Japanese culture and language, weaving cultural comparison with the study of basic Japanese language and grammar. This course is NCAA approved.

Visit https://globalonlineacademy.org/student-program/student-courses to see all approved World Language course offerings through GOA.