In the psychology seminar students will be exposed to the theories of classic psychologists such as Freud, Jung, Erickson, and Klien, as well as to the more current theories of the mind rooted in brain-based sciences.

In the social psychology section of class, the focus will be on how humans tend to interact and why. The class will also focus on issues of women, people of color, and the “third world” in the realm of psychology. Thinkers such as Herbert Marcuse, Frantz Fanon, and Jacques Lacan will be our guides in the social psychology section. Assignments will range from the typical reading and writing of papers, to the slightly offbeat (analyzing a movie for Jungian or psychoanalytic content), to the uncharacteristic (visiting an N.A. or A.A. meeting).

Students will come away from class with a better understanding of how our brains work and with a firm grasp on a wide variety of topics for future humanities endeavors. Please note that this class is not designed to prepare students for the A.P. Psychology Exam.

Offered Fall 2012.

This semester-long course is an introduction to the field of computer science and investigates the structure of computers, computer programs, and computer systems beginning with electronic components.

It covers an introduction to the theory and practice of computer programming and emphasis on techniques of program development using an object-oriented approach. It covers such standard topics as control structures, subroutines, objects and arrays. Software development principles, such as documentation, coding styles and testing principles are course components.

We also look at basic web application development using Java applets. This course is designed to be a foundation for further study in computer science; it is not an AP course and significant additional preparation is necessary for students desiring to take the AP examination. Students spend several hours programming outside of class each week. Currently, Java is the programming language used in the course. This course has a graded and required bi-weekly lab component as well as an independent final project that is geared towards demonstrating the cumulative skills acquired throughout the semester. No programming experience is required. Prerequisite: Math III. 

Certain fundamental questions have captured our imaginations and been a driving force in political, social, economic, military, and scientific events throughout the human project.

Is there such a thing as objective truth? What are ethics and do they matter? Should the interests of the community outweigh those of the individual? What is the basis of law and do we owe it our allegiance?

This survey course will offer a thematic approach to the study of philosophy, placing an emphasis on how to read philosophy critically and how to apply it to modern dilemmas. Students will consider thinkers as diverse as Plato, Aristotle, Mill, Rand, Rawls, Marx, Foucault and bell hooks. Most importantly, this course will attempt to stimulate an engaging discussion on some of the most important ideas contemplated by humanity. 

What is womanhood? Are men and women different? Is there a universal “female” experience? What is the importance of studying the female experience separately from general study of history or social sciences? How did women’s studies develop as an academic discipline?

This interdisciplinary course, which is open to men as well as women, will introduce basic concepts in the area of women’s studies, with particular focus on the history and experiences of women in the United States.

Using historical and contemporary scholarship, we will examine the above questions, as well as consider the following topics as they relate to women in the U.S.: gender roles; family, parenthood and reproductive rights; sexuality; employment; safety (including sexual and domestic violence); images of women in popular culture; class, race and religion in defining womanhood.

We will also discuss intersections between the women’s rights movement and other movements for social justice. Readings will include the writings of Friedan, Wolf, Faludi, Gilligan, Butler, hooks, and Anzaldua. Texts will also include film, television, music and oral histories.

This program teaches a variety of academic and personal skills, including platform speaking, research, sportsmanship, logic, writing, and handling pressure.

The program offers three levels of study: Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced. All participants begin with a one-semester course in the fall in Beginning Forensics. This class introduces the student to competitive speaking, analytic thinking, basics of argumentation, and research.

At all three levels, students must be involved in one of two categories of debate (Lincoln Douglas or Policy), or an individual event such as Oratory, Dramatic or Humorous Interpretation, or Domestic or Foreign Extemporaneous Speaking. Students must participate in at least two forensics competitions, of their choice, per semester. 

China is huge, complex, always changing-- impossible to fully understand, even for those who live there. But does that mean we should despair of ever understanding anything about the world’s oldest and largest civilization?

This course will seek to explore the key role of tradition and transformation within the context of modern China’s engagement with the economic, political and environmental phenomena commonly referred to as globalization. This seminar class will adopt a multidisciplinary approach spanning the fields of History, Politics, Environmental Science and Economics. Given the interdisciplinary approach, the course will utilize a wide variety of phenomena for analysis, including sports (the Olympics), architecture, film, and literature.

Students will be required to make presentations and turn in written work. Both test the students’ capacities to understand the concepts and arguments in the literature, develop independent arguments, and demonstrate knowledge of class material and ability to present it in a coherent manner.

This workshop is for writers, or those who want to become writers.

You produce four short stories, applying a method of analysis and rewriting that develops exploratory first drafts into focused, finished works. It’s a demanding process, but it’s how real writers go about it. Between stories we’ll study the nuts and bolts of short fiction by great authors. For your pains you will emerge with a clearer, more personal, and more confident voice whenever you sit down to write. Go to Academic Sites > English > Seminars > Story Writing to see examples of last semester’s work. Open to sophomores, juniors & seniors. May be repeated. Three one-hour meetings per week, eighth period.

Offered Fall 2012.