Course Offerings

Course ID

Course Title (click on title for course description)

Term

Get in touch with your creative center through your singing voice. Learn singing techniques and the enjoyment of singing in a group. This class will also focus on rudimentary sight reading, ear training and style interpretation skills. There will be several occasions each semester during which the group will perform. This is an opportunity for beginner vocalists to become engaged in the artistic life of the Taft School community. Credit is given on a pass fail basis. Open to all students.

AM502

Class Piano I

This piano course is designed for students with no previous piano training. It emphasizes the necessary skills to play the piano long after the course has been completed. Music reading, counting, hand position, and rudimentary technical skills are stressed through the mastery of beginning piano repertoire. There are written quizzes and tests as well as playing quizzes.Open to all students, but limited to 9 per class section.

In this course, students will have the chance to understand and appreciate the history of the Broadway Musical through film. The class will trace this art form from its European roots, consider the importance of minstrelsy, vaudeville, operetta and burlesque in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and take a close look at the Golden Age of musicals on film, starting in the 1940s with such shows as Showboat(Kern), Oklahoma, Carousel(Rodgers & Hammerstein),West Side Story(Bernstein), Sweeney Todd(Sondheim), Hair, Chorus Line, and Miss Saigon. Finally, we will take an inside look at some of the musicals of Alan Menkin(Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Hunchback of Notre Dame), in which Mr.Fifer, the class teacher, performed as a singer for each of these Disney films. There will be trips to performances currently running on Broadway or in Equity regional theaters near Taft. Evaluation will be based on a journal, quizzes and class projects. Open to Middlers, Upper Middlers, and Seniors.

AM505

Electronic Music

No prior music training is necessary for this course. Students will learn basic principles of music theory and apply them towards original works using the midi studio. Evaluation will be based on quizzes, aural exams, efficient demonstration of technology in the lab, and several compositions, including a three to five minute final project.Open to all students, but limited to 10 per class section.

AM506

History of Rock Music

The course is based on a careful balance of musical and historical analysis from early minstrel shows and operettas through the beginnings of rock and roll and up to new wave, reggae, and rap bands. Students will trace the flow of popular musical styles that have evolved into today's diverse rock music forms. Besides styles, the course will examine major groups, rock bands, and soloists. Evaluation is based upon quizzes, projects, listening assignments, and papers.Open to all students.

AM520

Chamber Ensemble

This course serves the advanced performers on any classical instrument by providing supervised study of their instrument in ensemble playing. Students are expected to practice daily on their own and to travel outside the school to play for various audiences. The course is graded on the basis of student performance of the pieces studied and may be taken more than once.Open to students by audition only.

AM530

Jazz Workshop

Emphasis in this workshop is on interpreting music in the large jazz ensemble and increasing each student's personal skill in instrumental music, leading to several concerts presented both in and out of school. Commitment to excellence is expected. Students are required to practice daily on their own. The course is graded and may be taken more than once.Open to all students by audition only.

AM540

Collegium Musicum

Taft's showcase choir rehearses as an advanced course in vocal and choral musicianship and is designed for the more serious student singer who is interested in performing the masterworks of the repertoire. Emphasis is on personal, musical, and intellectual responsibility. Critical thinking is stressed; students learn to draw technical and stylistic inferences from the music studied in class. Evaluation is based on both performance and preparation. The group performs often, both at school and away, and in recent years during spring break, has gone on concert tours to San Francisco, China, Spain, France and Italy. These tours, although not required, are an extremely important part of being a member of Collegium and it is suggested that members take advantage of these extraordinary opportunities. Open to all students by audition. New students should contact the Director of Vocal Music by the beginning of the school year to express their interest in auditioning.

AM591

Independent Project in Music

This is an opportunity for a student to work with a member of the Department on a project in which they share a common interest. Open to Seniors by permission of the Department Head and the Dean of Academic Affairs. See page 2 for the application process and deadlines.

AM592

Independent Project in Music

This is an opportunity for a student to work with a member of the Department on a project in which they share a common interest.Open to Seniors by permission of the Department Head and the Dean of Academic Affairs. See page 2 for the application process and deadlines.

AM830

AP Music: Theory

Although designed to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Examination in Music Theory, this course may be taken by any student who wishes to have a good preparation in the fundamentals of using and manipulating musical notation. Beginning at an elementary level, the course soon has the student composing simple melodies, analyzing songs, and writing four-part chord progressions. Much time is spent upon ear training, learning to recognize by ear melodies and harmonies, and to write them correctly. The student is expected to spend time at the computer drilling himself or herself on the fundamentals of music. Open only to Upper Middlers and Seniors. Interested students must have wo years of ensemble participation,or pass an entrance exam.

AT501

Acting

This basic course introduces students to the fundamentals of concentration, observation, imagination, sense recall and improvisation. Theatre games lead to an introduction to scene work and characterization. Evaluation is based on daily exercises, homework, individual growth, and projects. Students interested in advanced work are urged to take this course. Open to all students.

The student learns to design and deliver prepared speeches, including descriptive, informative, demonstrative, persuasive, and humorous speeches. In addition, the student practices impromptu speeches and learns to listen critically and to analyze the speeches of his or her peers and public figures. Ideal for both the comfortable speaker and the shy student interested in improving confidence and oral communication skills. Open to all students except Lower Middlers.

Never taken a dance class? Prefer the athletic field? This course will bring out the inner dancer in you. Through dance conditioning and technique, students will develop skills to promote their awareness of correct body alignment, muscle control, flexibility, and balance, all of which carry through to the athletic field and help lessen the chances of injury. Through problem solving and group interaction in dance improvisation students will discover there are no right or wrong moves, just fun ones. In dance technique class, the students will take part in the creative process of choreographing their final dance project, which they will perform as a group at the end of the semester. Open to all students.

This course is designed for students who, having taken the introductory acting course, want to continue studying both improvisation and scene study. Students in this class will have the opportunity to work on monologues, scenes, and a short play, and will perform for the school community. Improvisational games will lead to acting exercises and a deeper understanding of the guideposts of acting technique. Students will be assessed in practical (acting) exercises and performances, as well as with journals and written assignments. Open to anyone having taken the first level of acting, with the permission of the instructor.

AT520

Intermediate Dance

Open to students with previous dance experience, the course is designed to maintain and hone the dancer's technical skills and to develop an intellectual approach to dance. Technique classes focus on all styles of Classical Ballet as well as contemporary Modern and Jazz dance styles. The course introduces dance composition where the student develops an aesthetic and practical understanding of dance as an art form. Each student will choreograph one or more dance composition according to his or her level of experience. Students enrolled in Intermediate Dance who wish to extend their technical training to the performing stage are invited but not required to participate in Dance Ensemble by electing dance as an exercise/sport during the winter and either the fall or the spring term. Ensemble members perform year-round in a variety of venues, with the Fall Musical, Winter Dance Concert and Spring Choreography Showcase. Dance Ensemble is open to students by audition only and is limited to 15 dancers.

AT522

Advanced Acting: Drama

In the first half of this course, students will use various types of exercises to explore the idea of truthful acting--creating believable characters and circumstances on stage. During the second half, students will focus on one play, either a comedy or a drama, and work towards an ensemble performance of the play at the end of the spring. Evaluation will be based on journals, daily class work, and individual investment and growth. Open by permission of the instructor to students who have completed AT508 or by audition to students who have completed AT501 or AT502. Limited to 10 students.

AT523

Advanced Acting: Comedy

This course is designed for the students who have taken Acting and want to develop further comedic acting skills. Students will become adept improvisers and comedy scene writers. They will also take an in depth look at the techniques of scene study. Students will work independently, with partners, and as a performing ensemble, but will be evaluated in terms of individual growth and investment.Open by audition to students who have completed AT501 or AT502. Limited to 10 students.

AT530

Advanced Dance

By audition only, the course is designed to maintain and hone the dancer's advanced technical skills and to develop an intellectual approach to dance. Technique classes focus on all styles of Classical Ballet and Pointe as well as contemporary Modern and Jazz dance styles. The course introduces dance composition where the student develops an aesthetic and practical understanding of dance as an art form. Each student will choreograph one or more dance composition according to his or her level of experience. Students enrolled in Advanced Dance who wish to extend their technical training to the performing stage are invited but not required to participate in Dance Ensemble by electing dance as an exercise/sport during the winter and either the fall or the spring term. Ensemble members perform year-round in a variety of venues, with the Fall Musical, Winter Dance Concert and Spring Choreography Showcase. Dance Ensemble is open to students by audition only and is limited to 15 dancers.

AT591

Independent Project in Theater

AT592

Independent Project in Theater

AV501

Drawing & Design

Drawing and Design teaches foundation skills in drawing: the properties of light on volume, drawing from life and imagination, and one- and two-point perspective. Also taught are basic color theory, and design and composition. Slide lectures are given on examining and interpreting works of art, and students practice those skills. Materials used are charcoal, pencil, watercolor, ink, collage, colored inks, colored pencils, oil pastel, and scratchboard.Open to all students, this course serves as the prerequisite for AV520, AV540 and AV840, except with teacher approval for students entering Taft as upper mids or seniors.

AV502

Drawing & Design

Drawing and Design teaches foundation skills in drawing: the properties of light on volume, drawing from life and imagination, and one- and two-point perspective. Also taught are basic color theory, and design and composition. Slide lectures are given on examining and interpreting works of art, and students practice those skills. Materials used are charcoal, pencil, watercolor, ink, collage, colored inks, colored pencils, oil pastel, and scratchboard.Open to all students, this course serves as the prerequisite for AV520, AV540 and AV840 except with teacher approval for students entering Taft as upper mids or seniors.

AV503

Beginning Ceramics

This course is an introduction to the basic techniques of clay forming: pinch, slab, and the potter's wheel. Students will create both functional and non-functional work. Evaluation is based on experimentation and development of skills. Open to all students, but limited to 10 per class section.

In this comprehensive introductory course, students will explore the exciting new area of 3D modeling and special effects. With powerful new software and state of the art computer technology, students will learn what it takes to make a movie and produce computer generated special effects. Students will be responsible for producing sequences in 3D and 2D multi-layered formats. Students will explore the unlimited potential of "bluescreen" as they learn to combine live action with animation. Students will work with the following types of software: Maya 3D, Adobe After Effects, Commotion, Media 100 Nonlinear Editing, Final Cut Pro, and others.Open to all students.

This is an introductory course in black-and-white film photography. Topics will include the lensless techniques of photogram and pinhole photography, principles of film exposure and development, and fundamental darkroom printing procedures. Assignments will establish a foundation of seeing with the 35mm camera. Student work will be reviewed and discussed regularly. Slide lectures, books, critiques, and other sources will introduce students to photography history and photo-based artists. Evaluation is based on technical skills, quality and completion of assignments, and participation in class discussion. Open to all students, but limited to 10 per class section.

This class will give students the opportunity to take on challenging projects in both filmmaking and computer-generated images and sequences. The advanced class will contribute to the creation of a large scale movie project that uses the special effect software MAYA and SHAKE, a compositing program that combines live action with CGI effect, as well as other applications that are used in major motion pictures such as "Lord of the Rings." Students will be given the opportunity to tailor their programs to reflect their specific interest in the movie-making process. Students must have completed the first year Digital Video class and know the basics of MAYA.

AV513

Glass

In this art class the student explore the possibilities of glass. They will learn techniques of warm glass such as fusing, slumping and some flame work. The student will learn to make functional bowls and plates as well as jewelry items and sculptural forms. Discover the beauty of this colorful transparent medium. The emphasis will be on the creative process. Limited to 8 students.

AV514

Beginning Sculpture

This course introduces students to the concepts and techniques of sculptural design. Students work in a variety of materials including but not limited to paper, plaster, wire, wood, a clay, metal, and glass. Work is completed from observational points of departure as well as non-objective design. Both additive and reductive processes are explored. Open to all students but limited to 12 per class section.

AV520

Intermediate Painting and Drawing

Intermediate Drawing and Painting is designed for students who have completed an introductory course to the visual arts. Drawing skills are refined through increasingly complex assignments, and painting techniques are taught in acrylics, watercolor, oil pastels, soft pastels, and monotype. Lessons focus on the manipulation of light, composition and color for personal expression. Assignments in landscape, still life, and portraiture are included. Students are expected to participate in classes aggressively, to be able to articulate their intentions in any given work, and to critique their own and others’ work sensitively and knowledgeably.

AV523

Digital / Intermediate Photography

Building on the technical skills of Photography I, this course will emphasize aesthetics and student will begin to develop personal visions. Student will continue to work in film based wet process in the first half of the semester but will transition to the digital process in the second half. Digital workflow will include scanning, color correction, layers, making selections, masks, and final output to printers. Student photographic work will be reviewed and discussed regularly. Specialized topics may include night photography, the use of flash, digital scanning, and monochrome printing techniques. Open to students who have completed AV507 or AV508 or who have the permission of the instructor. Both film and digital format cameras are required.

AV524

Digital / Intermediate Photography

Building on the technical skills of Photography I, this course will emphasize aesthetics and student will begin to develop personal visions. Student will continue to work in film based wet process in the first half of the semester but will transition to the digital process in the second half. Digital workflow will include scanning, color correction, layers, making selections, masks, and final output to printers. Student photographic work will be reviewed and discussed regularly. Specialized topics may include night photography, the use of flash, digital scanning, and monochrome printing techniques. Open to students who have completed AV508 or AV509 or who have the permission of the instructor. Both film and digital format cameras are required.

AV530

Advanced Video

The advanced digital class applies the previous two years of study in 3D software and editing systems to produce an entire movie within the framework of the class. The class storyboards the entire production , designs and builds the characters and then animates them into a movie which premieres at the end of the year. Requires Introduction Digital, Intermediate Digital class.

AV531

Advanced Ceramics

This course is designed for students who have taken beginning ceramics and wish to further develop their skills on the potter's wheel and with hand building techniques. Students should have experience with ceramics, or have completed the Beginning Ceramics course.

Without exception, this course is open only to students who have completed AV523 or AV524. This course is designed for the student who intends to continue photography seriously in college and beyond. Readings in art history will be required and each student will select an artist to study and to report on. Student photographic work will be thematic and presented for group critique on a weekly basis. Student will learn to prepare work for exhibition and learn to write an artist statement about his/her work. Student will participate in regional photography exhibitions. Culminating assessment will be based on the strength and quality of the final portfolio. Student may build the body of work using either or both film and digital process, black-and-white or color. A film or digital format camera is required.

AV535

Advanced Sculpture

Course description forthcoming

AV536

Advanced Sculpture

Course description forthcoming

AV540

Advanced Studio Art

Advanced assignments in drawing and painting require students to be especially sensitive to the abstract qualities of form and content of their work and others and to be eloquent in class discussions and critiques. In the second term, each student designs and executes a body of work showing his/her commitment in depth to a particular artistic concern. Students who exhibit special interest and talent with a specific medium or in a particular area of study will be given personalized assignments to enable them to pursue that interest. Areas of study include portrait and figure painting, automatic drawing and abstract expressionism, mixed media and installation, illustration, cartooning, and an introduction to sculpture.

AV545

Making and Understanding Photographs

Serving as a continuation of Advanced Photography AV534, this studio course is intended for students who are serious about pursuing photography beyond Taft. This is a project-driven course requiring critical thinking on aesthetical and theoretical implications of photography. The connections among traditions of art, philosophy, history, science, literature and photography will be explored. The making and understanding of images will be central to this course, and students will produce a body of work in either film or digital format, or both. Appropriate text and books will be assigned to fit the projects.

AV830

AP Art History

This survey course of the major artistic periods in sculpture, painting, and architecture from ancient to modern times will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement examination in Art History. The focus will be on the Western European tradition, though non-western art will be studied.Open to Juniors and Seniors.

AV840

AP Studio Art

This course is designed for juniors and seniors who wish to submit a portfolio for presentation to the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board and directly to colleges as part of applications. Students are given assignments which require considerable expenditure of time in their development. Admission to this course is only upon approval of the instructor: in preceding art classes, students must have exhibited excellent work habits as well as exceptional ambition. Assignments stress versatility with a wide range of media in several areas of study. In addition, each student chooses a "concentration" project, during which a theme is developed in twenty to thirty works that year.

AV991

Independent Project in Art

This is an opportunity for a student to work with a member of the Department on a project in which they share a common interest.Open to Seniors by permission of the Department Head and the Dean of Academic Affairs. See page 2 for the application process and deadlines.

AV992

Independent Project in Art

This is an opportunity for a student to work with a member of the Department on a project in which they share a common interest.Open to Seniors by permission of the Department Head and the Dean of Academic Affairs. See page 2 for the application process and deadlines.

LA120

Latin I

This course serves three functions. First, it provides a sound foundation in the forms, grammar, and vocabulary of the Latin language so that students can go on to read Roman authors with some skill and ease. Second, in occasional lectures and class discussions, students learn of the history and culture of ancient Rome and its people. And third, it stresses such skills as memorizing and the development of English vocabulary and grammar by emphasizing the influence of Latin on our own language. The text is Cobb & Oscarson, First Year Latin. Students recite often, prepare their work consistently, take frequent quizzes and occasional tests, and have semester examinations. Open to all students.

LA220

Latin II

Latin students who have not yet thoroughly examined the subjunctive mood spend the first month of this course reviewing basic grammatical structures before moving on to study the variations of indirect discourse, the subjunctive, and the ablative absolute. Memorizing skills are emphasized as students learn forms, syntax, and vocabulary. Throughout the year, as they expand their knowledge of the fundamentals of Latin, students translate increasingly more difficult Latin sentences and paragraphs as they prepare to read original Latin in LA321. The text is Cobb & Oscarson, Second Year Latin. There are frequent quizzes and major semester examinations. Open to students who have completed LA120 or the equivalent.

LA230

Honors Latin II

Capable students who have completed a year of Latin may elect this study of Latin grammar and literature that covers approximately a year and a half of work in one. After initial grammar review and examination of the subjunctive mood, they devote the rest of the year to reading Caesar, with emphasis on the historical, political, and cultural significance of this author, to whom some lectures and class discussions are devoted. The texts include Cobb & Oscarson, Second Year Latin, and selected readings from Book I of Caesar's Gallic Wars. There are quizzes, period tests, and semester examinations. Open to students who have completed LA120, or the equivalent, and have permission of the Department.

LA321

Caesar in Britain

Students learn of Julius Caesar's historical and literary importance and improve their skills in translation through a close study of his military campaigns in Britain in 55 and 54 B.C.E. Lectures and class discussions provide additional insights into Caesar's military leadership, the history of those times, and the geography of both Britain and Gaul. The text is D.A.S. John, Caesar -- 55 & 54 B.C. Expeditions to Britain. There is daily sight and prepared translation in class, and all students participate in interpreting the material. In evaluation, class preparation and participation count significantly; there are also several lengthy quizzes and a final examination. Open to students who have completed LA220 or the equivalent.

LA322

Roman Comedy

Reading Plautus' Menaechmi in full offers students opportunities to study Latin in a new light. They get their first look at the language early in its development; they act out a scene in class; they write stage directions; and from lectures they gain insights into the social situation of Rome in the 3rd century B.C.E. But primarily they read the play for its slapstick humor. There are lengthy quizzes and a comprehensive semester examination. Open to students who have completed LA220 or the equivalent.

LA421

Early Roman Empire

This course is concerned with social and political conditions in the Rome of 63 B.C.E. to 14 C.E., and especially with Augustus. Slides of extant structures illustrate the appearance and location of major Roman structures, and students learn to identify a number of contemporary writers by their methods and prejudices. There is daily translation, study of grammar, and consideration of the history as the readings are interpreted in the classroom. The basic texts, Res Gestae Divi Augusti and Suetonius' Life of Augustus, are supplemented with works read in English. There are short tests and a final examination. Open to students who have completed LA220 or the equivalent. Students who have completed the second year of Latin successfully may elect term courses in either the LA321/LA322 or the LA421/LA422 series, but it is strongly recommended that only exceptional Latin students choose courses from the LA421/LA422 series.

LA422

Latin Poetry

In this course students read selections from the first century B.C.E. Roman poets Catullus and Horace. During the winter they translate several of the shorter poems of Catullus and in the spring they read a number of Horace’s Odes and his Satire I.9. They learn how to recognize and define numerous poetic devices used by both authors and they decipher the many mythological and historical references in their poetry. The texts are Merrill, Catullus, and Shorey and Laing, Horace –Odes and Epodes. There are period tests and a semester examination. Open to students who have completed LA421 or the equivalent.

LA591

Independent Project in Latin

This course is an opportunity for an individual or a small group of students to work with a member of the Department on a project in which they share a common interest. Open to students by permission of the Department Head and the Dean of Academic Affairs.

LA592

Independent Project in Latin

LA830

AP Latin: Vergil

This course prepares students to take the Advanced Placement Examination on Vergil’s Aeneid. Students will translate literally large portions of the epic poem and they will also read the entire work in translation. Special attention will be paid to syntactical details as well as the effects of meter, imagery, and figures of speech. There are class discussions about the larger themes and motifs as they pertain to the historical and cultural significance of the Aeneid. The texts are La Fleur and McKay, A Song of War, and Cobbold, Vergil’s Aeneid. There are period tests and semester examinations. Open to students who have had four years of Latin, or the equivalent, and have permission of the Department.

EN120

LM English

This course is the foundation for subsequent English courses and focuses primarily on the development of clear, concise writing and speaking. The course improves the students’ close reading skills to sharpen their precision of thinking, writing, and expression. Students focus on such qualities as word choice and literary devices as they seek to unearth the significance of literary passages. Since each assertion or claim that a student makes in writing must be supported by evidence from the text itself, students aim to integrate quotations smoothly and effectively in their critical observations. In the first semester, students work on writing individual paragraphs to build incrementally toward passage analyses, poetry explications, and longer essays written in the winter and spring terms. Some assignments afford students opportunities to practice critical thinking in creative exercises; such assignments include memorizing monologues or poems, acting out scenes from dramatic works, and writing personal essays that are linked to texts being read in class. Modeling various writing styles and modes allows students to begin fusing rather than isolating analytical and creative work as they seek their own voices. Students begin building their English Portfolio with essays that critically describe their learning process throughout the course; they will assess their own skills and knowledge as readers, writers, and students of grammar, and they will demonstrate through their portfolio work clear thinking and precise writing. The Portfolio also includes an oral component. This Portfolio will accompany them throughout their Taft English career. Texts studied in recent years include Oedipus Rex, Antigone, Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice, A Gathering of Old Men, Great Expectations, Seagull Stories (an anthology) and Sound and Sense (also an anthology). Intensive study of vocabulary and grammar facilitates the students’ development of varied diction and sound writing. Effective class participation—both in informal discussion and more formal debates and presentations—is an essential requirement of the course.

EN130

Honors LM English

Although similar to Lower Middle English in reading and writing objectives, the Honors Program offers greater challenges for a select group of particularly talented and dedicated Lower Middlers. With the standard course, EN130 shares the central goal of preparing students for future English courses by emphasizing the basics of clear writing, close reading, and critical thinking. However, the pace and level of sophistication of classroom participation, reading, and writing assignments are greater. The course is designed to provoke and inspire the most intellectually curious, disciplined, and creative English students. EN130 teaches writing as a deliberate process through which students learn to communicate clearly and purposefully as they find their own voices. Students increase their understanding of the structure and logic of expression through systematic study of grammar, and they learn vocabulary words in context from the literature, moving these words from passive to active vocabulary in discussions and writing. Class discussions challenge and stimulate students and encourage them to take risks. In addition, students prepare a number of oral presentations throughout the year; these may take the form of poetry recitations, dramatic monologues, or collaborative performance pieces. Readings throughout the year will include poetry, a Shakespeare play, short stories, and novels. Students are evaluated through a variety of assessments, including a portfolio of various writing pieces which they both select and reflect upon and which will accompany them into their Middle year. Admission to the course requires consent of the Department.

EN220

Mid English

During the Middle year of English, students spend the first semester engaged in a substantial and systematic writing workshop that focuses on discovery and enhancement of the writer's voice. Students learn to express themselves clearly, purposefully, and creatively in both their speaking and writing. Students read, discuss, and analyze various models--essays, editorials, poetry, and short fiction by both classic and contemporary writers--and examine the choices a writer makes, the writer's purpose, and the resulting effects on the audience. Students consider the roles of emotion, logic, rhetoric, and authenticity as components of written expression, and experiment with narrative, descriptive, and expository forms. Students will create their own personal essays using the process of preparing drafts, peer editing, and revising their work. In the second semester, students turn to literary analysis, applying the writing skills gleaned during the first semester. Beginning with the study of lyrical and narrative poems, they develop their critical vocabulary and enhance their understanding of the forms of literary criticism, both in discussion and in writing, moving then to a Shakespearean play to exercise these skills in the context of a longer work. During the winter, students also engage in debates, recitations, and performances, both formal and informal. In the spring, students read a substantial novel, in recent years Jane Eyre, as well as shorter works as time permits. Writing assignments integrate the fall and winter work by challenging students to integrate their personal, reflective voice with the authority of criticism, and culminate with a longer critical essay on a topic of the student's devising; this developed, carefully supported, and well-argued essay facilitates the transition to Upper Middle English. At the end of the year students construct a portfolio that will demonstrate their growth as writers and thinkers as well as include substantial self-reflection. As in the Lower Middle year, the development of vocabulary in context, the study of grammar as a tool for effective written communication, and the discipline of both individual and group work are major components of the students' study throughout the year.

EN230

Honors Mid English

Although similar to Middle English in reading and writing objectives, the Honors Program offers a challenge to a select and limited number of particularly able and dedicated Middlers. This course introduces students to classic literary works from all genre and instructs students in the composition of personal essays and literary criticism. Given that these more able students have successfully begun the development of their personal voice in writing, the course turns to the use of that voice in a variety of contexts. Consequently, it differs somewhat from the regular course in pace, level of sophistication, and reading selections. Admission to the course requires the consent of the Department.

EN321

UM Lit & Comp

This course is designed for the Upper Middler whose writing skills need focused and intensive development. Through daily exercises, conferences with the instructor, and the study of models of writing, students will work systematically to improve their writing skills. The literature studied will parallel that of EN323/4, although the writing assignments will differ. The objective of the course is to help each student write clearly, concisely, and persuasively; to teach editing and revising techniques; to expand the student's vocabulary; and to enable the student to read carefully and critically. Evaluation is based on class participation, papers, tests, and an examination. Open to Upper Middlers who have been recommended by the Department.

EN322

UM Lit & Comp

This course is designed for the Upper Middler whose writing skills need focused and intensive development. Through daily exercises, conferences with the instructor, and the study of models of writing, students will work systematically to improve their writing skills. The literature studied will parallel that of EN323/4, although the writing assignments will differ. The objective of the course is to help each student write clearly, concisely, and persuasively; to teach editing and revising techniques; to expand the student's vocabulary; and to enable the student to read carefully and critically. Evaluation is based on class participation, papers, tests, and a final portfolio. Open to Upper Middlers who have been recommended by the Department.

EN323

UM English

This two-semester course seeks to develop critical thinking skills, making students better critics of the culture responsible for the complex, often contradictory and fragmented American identity. Students analyze and explicate literary passages and, subsequently, compose persuasive extended arguments in the form of critical essays and both formal and informal oral performances. Passage analyses in the first semester focus primarily on the influence of form and rhetoric on characterization, conflict, and theme. During the second semester, critical inquiry emphasizes and further develops students’ ability to move from a focused understanding of passages to a broader and deeper understanding of common thematic ideas in the literature. Consequently, the culminating writing portfolio synthesizes critical arguments about and personal experience with the literature. First, focusing on what being an American signifies, students explore their relationship to literature by tracing a thematic through-line they regard as personally significant. They then finish the portfolio with a reflection on their skills as an English student and perform a retrospective rhetorical analysis of their writing. Most of the readings—both classic and contemporary—are selected from 19th and 20th century American writers, representing a range of American experience; texts studied in recent years include The Scarlet Letter, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, a selection of short stories, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, poetry by Whitman, Dickinson, Frost, and more contemporary poets, A Streetcar Named Desire, Death of a Salesman, A Raisin in the Sun, The Laramie Project, Walden, essays by Emerson, and Beloved. Student writing—both critical and creative—emerges from textual themes and student interests. In a seminar format in class discussions, students begin the process of dialogue with inquiry, bolster assertions with textual evidence and sound reasoning, and draw conclusions. In addition to critical essays, students work through performance-based assessments in three parts: an analysis of a text (e.g. poem or scene); a dramatic performance; and a reflective self-assessment. While learning to read, write, think, and speak critically and communicate persuasively, students gain knowledge of essential grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills in the context of their work. The course is designed to continue the development of the skills, knowledge, and attitudes fostered in earlier English courses.

EN324

UM English

This two-semester course seeks to develop critical thinking skills, making students better critics of the culture responsible for the complex, often contradictory and fragmented American identity. Students analyze and explicate literary passages and, subsequently, compose persuasive extended arguments in the form of critical essays and both formal and informal oral performances. Passage analyses in the first semester focus primarily on the influence of form and rhetoric on characterization, conflict, and theme. These inquiries culminate in a personal essay in which students reflect on their performance—reading, writing, and participating—in English. During the second semester, critical inquiry emphasizes and further develops students’ ability to move from a focused understanding of passages to a broader and deeper understanding of common thematic resonances in the literature. Consequently, the culminating writing portfolio synthesizes critical arguments about and personal experience with the literature. Focusing on what being an American signifies, students explore their relationship to literature by tracing a thematic through-line they regard as personally significant. They, then, finish with a reflection on their skills as an English student and perform a retrospective rhetorical analysis of their writing. Most of the readings—both classic and contemporary—are selected from 19th and 20th century American writers, representing a range of American experience; texts studied in recent years include, The Scarlet Letter, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, a selection of short stories, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, poetry by Whitman, Dickinson, Frost, and more contemporary poets, A Streetcar Named Desire, Death of a Salesman, A Raisin in the Sun, Walden, essays by Emerson, and Beloved. As well as learning to focus and organize their interpretations into precise, well-structured, and persuasive arguments, students learn that writing and dialogue are ongoing and recursive processes. Student writing—both critical and creative—emerges from textual themes and student interests, providing a means of authentic inquiry. In a seminar format, while remaining conscious of their own subjectivity, students begin the process of dialogue with inquiry, bolster assertions with textual evidence and sound reasoning, and draw conclusions. In addition to critical essays, students work through performance-based assessments in three parts: an analysis of a text (e.g. poem or scene); a dramatic performance; and a reflective self-assessment. While learning to read, write, think, and speak critically and communicate persuasively, students gain knowledge of essential grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills in the context of their work. The course is designed to improve skills, knowledge, and attitudes fostered in earlier English courses.

EN401

SR Lit & Comp

This course is a workshop for students who need training in close reading, logical and critical thinking, and writing skills. The readings are used to increase respect for detail and inference, to inspire ideas, and to serve as models for student writing. The forms of composition range from personal narrative to exposition to analysis; students write almost daily, in or out of class, and the group edits much of their writing. The objective of this workshop is to unify the students in a group effort, guided by the instructor, toward self-confidence and marked improvement in reading and writing skills. Students must have the permission of the Department to take this course.

EN402

Experiments in Writing

Experiments in Writing is a team-taught, intensive writing workshop for select students who are interested in writing about experience and exploring various genres and styles. Genres studied in the course include journalism, the personal essay, short fiction, poetry, and New Journalism. In addition to in-class writing and awareness exercises, students complete an average of three writing assignments per week. The writing exercises and assignments highlight the importance of concrete expression, evocative imagery, subtlety, editing, and rewriting. The course instructors act as coaches, editors, and constructive critics. In addition, student work is regularly critiqued by peers in class seminars and by teachers in individual conferences. Both professional and student models are used to illustrate various writing styles. In recent years, Experiments students have published literary magazines, writing portfolios, and newspapers. As in all senior electives in the spring semester, one significant assignment for this course will be a project that incorporates the students’ portfolio work through their previous years at Taft and that asks the students to reflect on their learning in English and the extent to which they have developed the skills, attitudes, and habits of mind the English Department sets as its goal to develop.

EN403

Short Story

In her book Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott suggests that writing is about telling the truth, and that often fiction is paradoxically more "true" than reality. In this course we will read a comprehensive and diverse collection of short fiction, paying particular attention to the variety of "truths" discernible in the texts. What worldviews do the texts contain and how are they creatively communicated? What artistic decisions do the authors make in terms of plot, character, and dialogue, and how and why are they effective? How can we creatively express our own truths through storytelling? Ultimately, we will look at the stories we read in comparison with our own lives while constructing our own "truths" through stories we will write ourselves. We will begin by emulating the artistic styles we have encountered, gradually breaking away to try original experiments in writing. In the end, we will have read and produced a sizeable body of work that will have deepened our critical and creative literary skills and challenged us to a fuller consideration of the human condition.

EN405

A Sense of Place

This course explores how place shapes the human experience. The reading includes a variety of genre- from non-fiction descriptive essays to short stories and novels - but in each work, place figures prominently, shaping the characters and authors. The focus will vary considerably, and students will encounter works with diverse settings: rural Montana, a public housing development in New York, a Colorado ranch, urban Ireland, and so on. Students will write expository essays about the readings, but they will also write extensively from personal experience, probing the way in which place (home and especially neighborhood) has affected them.

EN406

Literature and Environment

According to scholar Cheryl Glotfelty, ecocriticism is the study of the relationship between literature and the physical environment. In this course we will think "ecocritically," reading texts, watching film, experiencing the outdoors in ways that will help us explore the complexity of our relationships to the natural world. Along the way, students will consider such questions as What does it mean for me to be connected to a landscape? How are my character and identity shaped by the natural world? What is wilderness and how have definitions of it changed over time? What is the relationship between internal and external topography? How has literacy shaped the way we apprehend the natural world? To help us tackle these questions and come to our own conclusions, we will blend critical and creative approaches to environmental literature, ultimately seeking to, as Barry Lopez suggests, "re-imagine" our relationhips to the land in healthier and more generative ways. The reading will include works by such authors as Emerson, London, Crane, Kingsolver, Krakauer, Abbey, Lopez, Silko, MacLean, McKibben, Stegner, Leopold, and Muir. Exercises and activities will incude such things as writing journals, creative and analytical pieces; rock-climbing; and hiking. As in all senior electives in the spring semester, one significant assignment for this course will be a project that incorporates the students' portfolio work through their previous years at Taft and that asks the students to reflect on their learning in English and the extent to which they have developed the skills, attitudes, and habits of mind the English Department sets as its goal to develop.

EN407

Quest

Should knowledge be pursued at any cost? For centuries, human beings have set out on the relentless quest for knowledge and the search for meaning. This quest has driven us to the heights of creativity and nurtured our imagination, all the while informing our literature, art, culture, and lives. In this course, students will read some of the classic epics of literature. Texts may include Homer's Odyssey, Aeschylus' Oresteia, Hesse's Siddhartha, Milton's Paradise Lost, Dante's Inferno, and selections from the Bible. Through lively conversation, students will examine the literature of the quest and consider for themselves the worth of this intellectual, moral, and spiritual endeavor. Daily journal work, thoughtful participation in class discussion, and creative and analytical writing assignments will offer students the opportunity "to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."

EN408

Adolescents in Literature

Adolescence is the painful yet glorious birth of an adult out of the skin of a child. At different times in different ways, sometimes brutally, sometimes gently, all children must learn the ways of the world outside of the protection of a loving parent, often throwing off that protection to assert themselves and to experience life independently. The child must discover what he or she values and what relationships with others can offer, as well as learn the reality of a world in which often unpredictable consequences follow actions and no parent is around to clean up the mess or heal the painful physical or psychological wounds. The experience may be different in different cultures, as the readings will show, but the course of growth remains remarkably similar. The course will look at works of non-fiction, autobiography, fiction, drama, and poetry as they reveal the growth of a character into adulthood. Writing assignments and oral presentations will be analytical, creative, and personal. As in all senior electives in the spring semester, one significant assignment for this course will be a project that incorporates the students' portfolio work through their previous years at Taft and that asks the students to reflect on their learning in English and the extent to which they have developed the skills, attitudes, and habits of mind the English Department sets as its goal to develop. Possible works to be studied might include The Adventures of Hucklebery Finn, Hamlet, The God of Small Things, This Boy’s Life, The Woman Warrior, Black Ice, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Black Boy, or Native Son.

EN409

Classic Contemporary Outsiders

Through this course students will explore the voice of the outsider in selected works of contemporary and classic fiction, drama, poetry, and film. The “outsider” is a familiar figure in literature, employed by writers as a device for examining the human condition and compelling the reader to question his or her own connection with the outsider and shared moments of isolation. We will work to understand more deeply how the complex dynamics of the outsider work in society and how literature portrays the relationship between the insider and the outsider or between the power structure of society and the outsider. We will explore this theme in work by writers of varying cultural backgrounds. Students will write essays of literary analysis, but will also have an opportunity to write their own fiction, memoir, or poetry dealing with insider-outsider experiences and themes. Possible works include The Stranger by Albert Camus, Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee, Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin, Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger, The Awakening by Kate Chopin, The Autobiography of a Brown Buffalo by Oscar Zeta Acosta, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest by Ken Kesey, The Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto Che Guevara, and The Necessary Targets by Eve Ensler.

EN411

Tragedy

Fundamental to the study of Western literature is an understanding of the idea of tragedy. This course will consider its origins with the Greeks in the writings of Aristotle, Sophocles, Aeschylus, and Plato; its evolution in the Elizabethan era as represented by Shakespeare; its present incarnation in the works of writers like Conrad, Miller, and Williams. Fundamentally, “Tragedy is the narration of self-inflicted punishment. It is ironic that, in an attempt to further his own interests, the protagonist should actually destroy them.” In studying the tragic hero we discover a kindred spirit; in his humanity we find our own. As in all senior electives in the spring semester, one significant assignment for this course will be a project that incorporates the students’ portfolio work through their previous years at Taft and that asks the students to reflect on their learning in English and the extent to which they have developed the skills, attitudes, and habits of mind the English Department sets as its goal to develop.

EN412

British and American Novel

Reading a variety of classic and contemporary novels, students will encounter the novel as a unique and relatively young literary genre, beloved for its entertainment value as well as its ability to draw readers fully and for an extended period of time out of their own worlds and into another culture, another time, or another place. Each of these novels may have compelling characters, riveting plots, vivid descriptions of places familiar or wild and unknown, or may present familiar human dilemmas, but all have the power to hold a reader's attention. Students will both respond personally to the works as well as examine such elements as the patterns of plot, types of narrators, techniques of characterization, details of setting, and the development of theme to discover what makes each work effective. The course also examines the novel as an expression of the writer's interests, values, and time. Readings may include works by such authors as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Ernest Hemingway, Virginia Woolf, Leo Tolstoy, Tracey Chevalier, Toni Morrison, J. M. Coetzee, Nadine Gordimer, or Tobias Wolff. As in all senior electives in the spring semester, one significant assignment for this course will be a project that incorporates the students' portfolio work through their previous years at Taft and that asks the students to reflect on their learning in English and the extent to which they have developed the skills, attitudes, and habits of mind the English Department sets as its goal to develop.

EN414

The Southern Literary Tradition

The course aims to explore and define the themes which define the Southern tradition in American literature. The psychology and the sociology of the South give rise to a rich and unique tapestry of fiction, and this course will explore “the mind of the south” in reading the novels, stories, poems, and plays of such authors as William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, Edward Jones, Erskine Caldwell, Flannery O’Connor, Kate Chopin, and Toni Morrison..

EN426

Screenwriting and Film

This course deliberately analyzes the concept of “story” and the three-act structure which engaging screenplays employ to draw in the viewer. Successful stories, whether in novel form or on the screen, share a developed heroic archetype that, regardless of culture or oral tradition, resonates with all of us on our own particular life adventure. All who venture from their ordinary worlds, and willingly face challenges, will return with understanding – a type of “elixir.” Our collective intellectual journey in this class will fit this heroic model. We begin by studying “hero myths” from various cultural sources to illustrate the universal nature of the heroic story. We then read and discuss Shane, The LastPicture Show and The Big Sleep and identify the various character archetypes such as heroes, tricksters, threshold guardians, shapeshifters, mentors, heralds and shadows. We will also analyze the author’s employment of these character types and the reasons for their appearance in a given story. We will then watch a movie adaptation of each novel and discuss how the director employed the mythic stages and archetypes as well as interpreting any deviations of transformations of the typical forms. Apart from these films, we will watch and analyze “Casablanca” and “Dead Poets’ Society." The final act of the class’ own story will entail facing our own “ordeal.” Each student must cross the climactic threshold and develop a heroic character, mapping his or her mythic story. Our goal will be to come together as a class and developing our own feature length screenplay.

EN435

Fiction into Film

How often do you read a work of fiction and wait for it to be made into a movie? Or are advised to read a book before seeing it in the theatre? While we might generally assume that a book is always better than the movie it inspires, in this course students will critically explore the elements of fiction as they are translated into film without necessarily judging which is “better.” Students will read classic and contemporary works of fiction as well as learn to “read” their filmic adaptations, looking closely at voice, point of view, dialogue, scene, and structure. We will discuss authorial and directorial technique and work to understand the distinction between verbal and visual narrative, literary and cinematic metaphor and point of view. As in all senior electives in the spring semester, one significant assignment for this course will be a project that incorporates the students’ portfolio work through their previous years at Taft and that asks the students to reflect on their learning in English and the extent to which they have developed the skills, attitudes, and habits of mind the English Department sets as its goal to develop. Possible texts include Heart of Darkness and Apocalypse Now, Get Shorty, The Grapes of Wrath, The Sweet Hereafter, American Buffalo, The Color Purple, A Clockwork Orange, Emma, The Hours, Romeo and Juliet, and The Wonder Boys.

EN438

Literary Journalism

Recognizing that competition represents a metaphor for the human condition, this course will explore how men and women explore the phenomenon of competition primarily through the written word. Through investigation, literature, as well as the entire spectrum of media, the course will look at matters of history, politics, personality, philosophy, race and gender and what they tell us about human nature as found in all aspects of sports reporting; topics will include the ramifications of Title IX, the use of performance enhancing drugs and the impact of professional sports on national culture. Students will also examine the similarities and differences between sports writing and other categories of written journalism. Written assignments will have students analyze and imitate different types of sports writing, as well as learn different investigative journalism techniques all of which leads to a final project where the student goes on the road and learns the ins and outs of being a beat reporter.

EN443

The Literature of Money

This course will examine the ways in which economic forces play a role in the construction of literature. We will examine a variety of economic concepts in the course, including debt and credit (borrowing and lending), mercantilism, the relationship between management and labor, the rise of modern capitalism, the establishment of the leisure class, unionism, the disparity between rich and poor, business ethics and corruption, American consumerism, and the emergence of global markets and developing nations. From our reading of these texts, students will consider the ways in with economic disparity and downturn contribute to the formation of provocative narration, and they will chart the similarities and differences that appear between “classic” and contemporary literature. Texts and films will also be supplemented by selected readings from economic philosophers. Some titles might include Defoe, Moll Flanders; Orwell, The Road to Wigan Pier; DeLillo, White Noise; Mamet, Glengarry Glen Ross and Dickens, Hard Times.

EN445

African-American Literature

From folk tales to revolutionary prose, African-American literature has reflected and refracted every aspect of life in the U.S. This course examines how the history of storytelling in the African-American community has developed both separately and in conjunction with other representations of the American identity. Throughout the term, we will examine what it means to be an “American” and how the texts studied function in dialogue with themes and issues in U.S. culture more broadly. As a survey of African-American poetry, drama, and fiction, this course will engage the themes, social issues, cultural values, literary styles, and ideologies present within the body of literature. We will study selected poems by Sojourner Truth, James Baldwin, Nikki Giovanni, Phillis Wheatley, Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, Jean Toomer, and Claude McKay. In addition, selections of from activists such as W.E.B. DuBois, Booker T. Washington, Marcus Garvey, andMalcolm X will also help us contextualize the important shifts in theliterature.

EN530

Humanities

This interdisciplinary course is a chronological introduction to some major figures and ideas of western civilization. Students explore how a seamless integration of philosophy, literature, history, the arts, and science comprises a cultural experience. As students learn about various cultures and periods, they will discuss the application of their understanding to their own lives in making responsible, informed decisions concerning philosophical, spiritual, and moral issues. Readings from the Old and New Testament, and such authors as Homer, Plato, Sophocles, Dante, Chaucer, Machiavelli, Shakespeare, Galileo, Voltaire, Marx, Darwin, Nietzsche, Freud, Einstein, and Sartre reveal the thoughts and experiences that have shaped societies and individuals over the last 3500 years. Some recurring themes in the course are the nature and use of power; the relationships between men and women and between parents and children; the nature of spiritual experience and the divine; changing perceptions of the natural world and the position of human beings in the context of nature; and the causes and consequences of the development of science and technology. Discussions of art history illustrate the historical and social contexts of the readings. Various writing projects, period tests, oral presentations, and collaborative performances enable students to demonstrate their understanding of the moral and intellectual positions represented in the material and to exercise personal critical judgment regarding the value or validity of the ideas to which they have been exposed. And periodically students are asked to form and share their own opinions about the essential questions raised in the course. A student who completes the course may, with departmental permission, use it to satisfy one semester of the English requirement. A student enrolled in three, year-long Advanced Placement courses may, with permission of the English Department, use this course to fulfill the full-year English requirement. If there are spaces available in the course, a student who cannot otherwise fit this course into his or her program may, with permission of the English Department, use this course to fulfill the full-year English requirement. Open to Seniors.

EN591

Independent Project in English

EN592

Independent Project in English

EN821

AP UM English

This course is for Upper Middlers who have demonstrated exceptional ability, motivation, and achievement in previous English courses. While the fundamental objectives of this course are similar to those of EN323 and EN324, the course demands more engagement from students and sets higher standards. Focusing on nineteenth and twentieth century American literature of all genres, students develop their skills in critical thinking, purposeful writing, and effective speaking. The curriculum features assessments that are designed to offer not only analytical experience but also opportunities to develop both intellectual curiosity and a confident, disciplined approach to writing. Students will work both collaboratively and independently on activities related to these goals. In learning how to read nonfiction literature critically, how to write precisely and cogently, and how to think clearly and logically, students will also be prepared to take the Advanced Placement Examination in English Language and Composition in May. Following the administration of the A.P. exam, students will complete the course with a final project that asks them to synthesize their ideas about the literature they have read throughout the course, examining a theme of critical and personal importance in both an oral presentation and an extended paper. Admission to this course requires permission of the English Department.

Senior Honors English is divided into two distinct, but integrated, semesters. All students electing one or both semesters should plan to take the Advanced Placement Examination in English Literature and Composition. Students should elect this course on the basis of their strong commitment to English and their ability to excel in understanding and writing about literature. The curriculum of the course is sophisticated and demanding; more is expected of Honors students than of the typical Senior. The course includes British and other non-American literature. Consistent with the composition of the A.P. Examination, the course always studies poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction. The course requires close analytical reading and an ability to communicate an understanding of the literature with organization, clarity, and supporting textual detail. Students write both critical and personal essays and are expected to participate extensively in class discussion. Although the teachers and content of the course vary, the course always includes specific preparation for the A.P. Examination in May. Admission to either semester of the course requires the permission of the English Department.

EN832

AP SR English Lit

Senior Honors English is divided into two distinct, but integrated, semesters. All students electing one or both semesters should plan to take the Advanced Placement Examination in English Literature and Composition. Students should elect this course on the basis of their strong commitment to English and their ability to excel in understanding and writing about literature. The curriculum of the course is sophisticated and demanding; more is expected of Honors students than of the typical Senior. The course includes British and other non-American literature. Consistent with the composition of the A.P. Examination, the course always studies poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction. The course requires close analytical reading and an ability to communicate an understanding of the literature with organization, clarity, and supporting textual detail. Students write both critical and personal essays and are expected to participate extensively in class discussion. Although the teachers and content of the course vary, the latter part of the course includes specific preparation for the A.P. Examination in May. After the A.P. exam, the course focuses on various forms of creative writing. As in all senior electives in the spring semester, one significant assignment for this course will be a project that incorporates the students' portfolio work through their previous years at Taft and that asks the students to reflect on their learning in English and the extent to which they have developed the skills, attitudes, and habits of mind the English Department sets as its goal to develop. Admission to either semester of the course requires the permission of the English Department.

GS502

Terror in the Name of God

This course will address the contemporary global resurgence of terror in the name of God. In classroom talks and discussions we will seek to identify, describe, and explore the potential for extremism within the different religious traditions. We will also examine the ways in which we might grapple with this phenomenon in order to see how religion is not only part of the problem of terrorism but is a key ingredient to its solution. Finally, we will seek to find answers to the following complex questions: Which destructive patterns of religious training, thinking, and rhetoric contribute to this global problem? How can spirituality in different religious traditions create new venues for dialogue in today’s terrorized world?

GS507

Paris, City of Light

This course is a study of the city of Paris, France, from its origins to the modern day, from simple village on the Seine to an international center of the arts and the most loved of the world’s urban landscapes. It will entail readings of the historical perspective of its urban development, of the construction of its monuments, and particularly of the lives of the individuals that led to its construction. Novels about the city, its people, the art found there, and past and present cultural activities will be further aspects of the course. Besides readings and films, internet research assignments will lead the student to both brief and substantial writing assignments and class presentations.

GS508

Service Learning: Not to Be Served

"First with the head, then with the heart." This Service Learning course combines rigorous academic classes with challenging community service on the basis that it is not until we are informed that we can be really useful. Classroom work will focus on issues such as poverty, public health, immigration, environment and education. Students will spend at least one session per week in the local community working with local partners, for example Children's Community School and the St John's Soup Kitchen. All students will complete regular written assignments as well as one major individual research paper.

GS509

South African Democracy

In this seminar, students will learn to think critically about democracy and its challenges and triumphs in South Africa. Students will be immersed in exciting history as it is being made. This interactive course will include readings, films, speakers, and class projects. Students will gain an in-depth understanding and appreciation for the values, work, and leadership of Nelson Mandella, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Steve Biko. Contrasts will be drawn with human rights efforts in the United States. Texts will include "Leading like Madiba" and "Legacy of Freedom" as well as a collection of essays, and four to six films for critical analysis. This course is especially appropriate for students who may wish to go on Taft's trip to South Africa in June of 2010. Open to Upper Mids and Seniors.

GS510

South African Democracy

GS511

Ancient Greek Philosophy

In this course, students will examine the origins of Western philosophy in ancient Greece and the Mediterranean world. Our studies will include an overview of Hesiod’s Theogony, the Pre-Socratics, the life of Socrates, selected dialogues from Plato, and some of Aristotle’s major works on logic, metaphysics, ethics, and psychology. Open to upper middlers and seniors.

GS517

Service Learning: Not to Be Served

GS531

The Influence of Buddhism in the West

In this course students will explore why Buddhism has become so popular in the contemporary West. We will study Buddhism through the lives and teachings of the two most popular Buddhist teachers in the world today: the Dalai Lama (Tibet) and Thich Nhat Hanh (Vietnam). Together we will seek to understand what Buddhists mean when they speak about enlightenment, nirvana, meditation, human suffering, compassion and wisdom. We will examine the practical value of Buddhism and how it has enriched the lives of Jews, Christians, agnostics and others in the modern West.

GS534

A History of God

Why does God exist? How have the three dominant monotheistic religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – shaped and altered the conception of God? How have these religions influenced each other? This course will examine these complex questions as it traces the history of how men and women have perceived and experienced God, from the time of Abraham to the present. The human idea of God has a history that is culturally, geographically, and historically conditioned. This course will explore what the three major Western religions have meant and mean when they define God.

GS537

Social Justice

Students will examine the social issues affecting contemporary society, such as poverty, hunger, equality, stewardship, and violence, and discuss how to create a more just society. The lens of economics, history, and literature will be used to further their understanding of the causes of injustice, and work on finding solutions. What is the obligation of an individual or a community to promote justice, and how can one affect change? Open to upper middlers and seniors.

GS538

Social Justice

GS591

Independent Project in Global Service and Scholarship

GS592

Independent Project in Global Service and Scholarship

MH101

Mid Health Forum

Not Available

GO730

AP American Government

This full year course prepares students to take the Advanced Placement Examination in American Government and is concerned with the nature of the American political system, its development over the past two hundred years, and how it works today. The goal of the course is to increase understanding of the mechanisms of American politics and to enhance the students' ability to study political behavior. Controversial issues in contemporary politics and public policy are also discussed. Classes follow a discussion format, and evaluation is based on class participation, debates, quizzes, period tests, and short papers. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Examination. Open to students who have completed U.S. History or the Atlantic Community sequence, with department approval.

GO740

AP Comparative Government

The AP course in Comparative Government introduces students to the ways in which political scientists evaluate political life in all its variety. Beginning with a basic introduction to political theory, the course will then examine and compare the political history and governments of China, Great Britain, Mexico, Russia, Iran and Nigeria. After studying political theory, students can then see how these theories manifest themselves in practice. Whether it be elections, policy making, or power structures, students will take abstract ideas and see them put into action. They will also see how increased global connectedness has affected the traditional nation-state and ideas of sovereignty. In addition to preparing for the AP exam, students will learn about political history and current events in the six nations they study and will be asked to perform deeper research into one of the countries of their choosing. Open to students who have completed U.S. History or the Atlantic Community sequence, with department approval.

HI120

Approaches to History

The Lower Middle history course will prepare incoming students with the skills and knowledge that are fundamental to the study of history. In the fall students will explore the major world religions, their cultural context, and the role they play in shaping the world, both past and present. Also in the fall, students will begin to learn the skills of evidence-based essay writing, research, and oral presentations. In the winter, the course examines the prominent political and economic philosophies of the past two centuries and the way they shape the world we live in. Students will further develop their essay writing and research skills and begin participating in debates with their peers. In the spring, the course studies the relationship between religious beliefs and economic and political movements by studying leaders and movements such as Gandhi and the Indian Independence movement and Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights movement. The skills of research and debate will culminate in a class-wide debate on significant issues facing the world today.

HI220

The Atlantic Community I

The goal of this two-year sequence is to make students more aware of the relationship between the historical development of Europe and the Americas. The course addresses European and American history concurrently. AC I approaches the history by laying down successive themes of the increasingly interwoven narrative from 1492 through 1866. The year 1492 marks not only Columbus's westward exploration on behalf of the Spanish crown, but also Ferdinand's and Isabel's simultaneous expulsion of the Jews and Moors from the newly consolidated Iberian Peninsula, and their establishment of the Spanish Inquisition. Thus, from the outset, students become aware of the political, dynastic, economic, religious, and social forces that together motivate much of the interrelated history of Europe and the Americas. Although the syllabus does briefly cover the larger Amerindian civilizations in existence at the time of the initial encounters, the American focus of AC I is largely on the narrative of North American colonization. Most of the students' reading is of primary sources, with secondary articles, monographs, and reference works to supplement their understanding. Most of the class time comprises full group discussions of the reading. Likewise, students write frequent short essays and source analyses, and at least one research paper per year. Students thus develop critical reading, discussion, and research skills. Evaluation is based on writing assessments, quizzes, map work, announced tests, class discussion, and two semester examinations per year. Open to Middlers who are willing to commit to the two-year sequence. Successful completion of Atlantic Community I and II fulfills the U.S. History requirement, and those students with outstanding records and departmental recommendation may take the AP Examination in U.S. History during their Upper-mid year. Students should not take this course if they hope to take the one-year course, AP U.S. History (HI830).

HI270

Historical Civilizations and the Modern World

Students in this course will examine the historical roots and development of four of the world's major civilizations, arising in China, the South Asian Subcontinent, Western Europe, and the Islamic Middle East. By engaging in this study, students will come to appreciate both the complex and absorbing nature of these historical civilizations, and also that some understanding of them is critical to our making sense of the modern world. Students will develop the skills of an historian: analyzing primary sources; reading texts critically; researching print and electronic sources; acquiring both narrow and broader understanding of topics; and writing persuasive historical essays with the precision, evidence, and consistency needed to be convincing. The course moves quickly, covering the ancient and medieval eras in the fall and the early modern period through the 19th century in the winter. We devote the entire spring term to an examination of the 20th and 21st centuries. There is no single text for this course; rather, students usually read from bound collections of primary sources, and from secondary source monographs. During class, teachers emphasize direct student-to-student interaction, which necessitates careful preparation and listening. Assessments include in-class and take home historical essays, debates, oral presentations, a mini-research paper, quizzes, and two semester examinations. Open to Middlers.

HI320

United States History

This course examines the history of the United States from the colonial era through the Vietnam War, with a particular emphasis on the evolving definition of liberty. The curriculum relies heavily on primary source materials, encouraging students to explore the nation’s history through the voices of its people. To support the document-based focus of the course, United States History utilizes a thematic approach that calls for meaningful critical analysis, interpretative thinking and inclusive class discussion. United States History is a writing-intensive course where students develop their skills through a variety of assignments including quizzes, in-class essays, document based questions, a research project and a cumulative semester exam. Students will also participate in debates, oral presentations and group projects. This course fulfills the U.S. History requirement and is normally taken during the Upper-middler year.

HI370

The Atlantic Community II

This second half of the two-year Atlantic Community sequence explores modern Europe and America from 1865 to the present. The course does not aim at a comprehensive survey. Instead, students study thematic units in depth, seeking to uderstand the significant ideas, events, individuals, and forces that have contributed to Europe's and America's interrelationship and interdependence. Frequent primary sources, scholarly essays, and monographs develop critical reading skills. Peer-to-peer discussions develop active participation and listening. Intensive writing assignments and frequent re-writes sharpen persuasive writing skills. Research techniques are introduced incrementally, throughout the year, culminating with an independent research project in the spring. Evaluation is based on quizzes, class discussion, essays, debate and oral arguments, the research project, and two semester examinations. Prerequisite: HI220, The Atlantic Community I. Completion of this two-year sequence fulfills the U.S. History requirement. Upper-middlers with outstanding records and departmental approval may take the AP Examination in United States History, though outside study is recommended. Students wishing to take the one-year course, Advanced Placement American History, HI830, should not take the Atlantic Community sequence.

HI501

The Second World War

This course explores the history of The Second World War from the Japanese invasion of China through the dropping of the Atomic bomb and American victory in the Pacific. The curriculum relies on a variety of sources, including a comprehensive text, three historical narratives, and numerous articles and primary documents. Designed specifically to challenge Seniors in a seminar setting, classroom discussion is critical to the students’ experience and success. The course material not only provides students the opportunity to survey the history of this great conflict, but it also allows for an examination of key themes and the scholarship surrounding specific events and episodes. This is a writing intensive course, and students will submit a number of short analytical essays as well as one longer research paper. Daily homework reading and précis will play an important role in the course, and students will be required to participate in class on a regular basis. Open to Seniors and Upper Middlers who have completed U.S. History or the Atlantic Community sequence.

HI504

Roman History

This course focuses on the rise of Roman power in the Mediterranean. It starts by looking at the mythical and historical foundations of the city. It continues by examining the development of the Republic and the city’s unprecedented military and economic expansion into three continents. It ends with the establishment of the new capital at Constantinople. Political topics include the Punic Wars, the Gracchi, the civil wars of Marius, Sulla, Caesar, Pompey, and Augustus and the rise of the imperial government. The study of Roman society includes topics on slavery, gladiatorial games, religion, art and architecture. Readings include both secondary sources and primary sources in translation. Class is conducted in a seminar model. Evaluation is based on class participation and papers. Open to Upper-middlers and Seniors.

HI505

America 50’s & 60’s

America had just won a world war, split the Atom and begun an historic economic boom following the Great Depression. Yet, in the 1950s, America struggled with a Red Scare, a Baby Boom, and a new role as a world superpower. It was a decade of contrasts - Rosa Parks and Elvis Presley; McCarthy and McDonalds; Hula Hoops and H-Bombs. The Fifties were a harbinger for the upheaval of the Sixties: Vietnam and assassinations; protests and drug cultures; the Cuban Missile Crisis and the moonwalk. Students in this course will read historical texts and documents, novels, poems, and rock and roll lyrics. They will watch films, both documentary and fictional. And they will attempt to understand how an entire culture shaped and was shaped by its history. The 1950s and 1960s changed the way America looked at itself, changed the way it lived, changed the way it related to the rest of the world. Students will be required to write a research paper, in addition to tests, papers and quizzes. Open to students who have completed U.S. History or the Atlantic Community sequence.

HI506

History of Current Events

"I wish I had more time to read about and discuss important national and global events!" This course is dedicated to addressing that lament by making awareness and understanding of our world today a course requirement rather than an extra-curricular pursuit. Students receive a subscription to the Economist (a weekly news magazine), and once a week the class is dedicated exclusively to summary and discussion of recent events as they're captured in that publication and in other news sources. The rest of the class meetings in the winter and early spring center on historical and contemporary analyses of subjects of ongoing concern -- in 2009 these were the Barack Obama's election, the financial and economic crisis, and U.S. foreign policy in Afghanistan. The readings for these units are drawn from recently published books and periodicals. Then, in the late spring, each student teaches a class on the history and current status of an event or development of his or her choice, having researched this over the preceding months. Evaluation will be based on frequent current events quizzes, contributions to discussion, several shorter persuasive essays, and a major multi-media presentation on a current topic. Open to Seniors.

HI516

Movers, Shakers and Survivors: Women Throughout History and Politics

This course highlights gender issues, starting in the Bible and finishing in the modern work place and classroom. Unit themes along the way include health & reproductive rights, violence against women, women at work outside and inside the home, women and religion, feminism, politics and gender roles in the Bible. The course will look at these themes through essential feminist writers such as Mary Wollstonecraft, Virginia Woolf, Simone de Beauvoir and Betty Friedan but also through a modern lens and media. By looking at historical gender roles side by side with modern ones, students will examine the impact women's history has on the present, and they will finish the course with a better understanding of what it means to be female in our society.

HI518

The Vietnam War

This course will provide students with the opportunity to examine in great detail one of the most important world events in the last fifty years: the conflict in Vietnam. Specific topics such as the life of the “grunt” and turmoil on the home front will be explored, as well as larger questions about the nature of war itself in the second half of the twentieth century. In an effort to answer questions about the war as it really was, versus that seen in popular literature and film, the group will consider a broad selection of media, as well as a variety of historical texts and essays. Documentaries and motion pictures to be studied include: Hearts and Minds, The Hanoi Hilton, The Green Berets, Apocalypse Now, Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, Born on the 4th of July, Casualties of War, and others. Works read will include, but are not limited to, excerpts from: Philip Caputo’s, A Rumor of War, Truong Nhu Tang’s, A Vietcong Memoir, Tim O’Brien’s, The Things They Carried, Robert Mason’s, Chickenhawk, Michael Herr’s, Dispatches, Stanley Karnow’s, Vietnam: A History, and a selection of essays from, Major Problems in the History of the Vietnam War. Designed specifically to challenge seniors in a seminar setting, classroom discussion will be critical to the students’ experience and success. A writing intensive course, there will be a number of short analytical essays, as well as one longer research paper. Finally, students will be assessed regularly through short précis of their homework reading. Open to students who have completed U.S. History or the Atlantic Community sequence.

HI591

Independent Project in History

This is an opportunity for an individual or a small group of students to work with a member of the Department on a project in which they share a common interest. Open to Upper Middlers and Seniors with the permission of the Department Head and the Dean of Academic Affairs. See page 2 for the application process and deadlines.

HI592

Independent Project in History

HI830

AP U.S. History

This survey of U.S. history resembles an introductory undergraduate course. The readings are drawn from many sources, including a basic text and documentary and interpretive materials. The course is chronological and covers the major currents of political, social, intellectual, economic, and diplomatic history. A major goal is to develop analytical and interpretive skills, both orally and in writing, with further emphasis on critical reading and writing. Evaluation is based upon quizzes, announced period assessments, short papers, specialized writing assignments and projects, a major research paper, and cumulative semester examinations. The course prepares students for the Advanced Placement Examination in American History. Students who sign up for this course will complete a lengthy reading assignment on colonial American history over the summer. The first assessment, a four-page paper, is based on this reading, and will be due upon students’ arrival in the fall. Open to Upper-middlers and Seniors with approval of the Department.

HI840

AP European History

The course prepares students to take the Advanced Placement Examination in European History. The course begins around 1500 and traces the development of government, culture, and society up to the present. Evaluation is based on period assessments, two short research papers designed to answer sample A.P. essay questions, class participation, and a final examination in the first semester. Open to Upper-middlers and Seniors with the approval of the Department.

CS730

AP Computer Science A

This college-level course is taught using Java programming language. The objective of this course is to cover the topics required to prepare a student to take the Advanced Placement Examination in Computer Science. After the A.P. exam, students will participate in a group project covering a relevant topic in applied computer science. Permission of the Department is required.

CS991

Independent Project in Computer Science

This is an opportunity for an individual or a group of students to work with a member of the Department on a project in which they share a common interest. It may entail an advanced programming topic involving robotics, artificial intelligence, genetic programming, or other.

CS992

Independent Project in Computer Science

EC502

Principles of Marketing

Students will learn the basic concepts and practices of marketing, as well as how successful organizations use marketing to achieve their objectives. Students will become familiar with the 4 Ps (product, price, place and promotion) of marketing. Coursework will include real world case studies, production of a commercial, and a group project in which students will develop a marketing plan for a product. Students will be required to develop and implement a marketing plan for a nonprofit cause. Guest speakers from local and national businesses will be invited to speak to the class and discuss their marketing experiences. Open to Upper Middlers and Seniors.

EC505

Principles of Economics

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of economics. The dual goals of the course are for students to be able to use economic thinking appropriately in their own lives and to understand current economic topics. A real-world approach will teach students about the role of incentives, how markets work, and how the entire economy functions, both nationally and internationally. The course will provide students with a working vocabulary of both economic and financial terms. Discussions will be based on Naked Economics by Charles Wheelan and The Economic Naturalist by Robert Frank, as well as relevant current events. Evaluation is based on quizzes, period tests, papers, and an examination at the end of the semester. Open to Upper Middlers and Seniors.

EC830

AP Economics

This course introduces the principles of micro- and macroeconomics and prepares students for the Advanced Placement Examinations in both subjects. The dual goals of the course are for students to be able to use economic thinking appropriately in their own lives and to understand current economic topics. The first half of the course concentrates in microeconomics, examining how individuals and corporations make decisions. The material then builds to a study of the market system and the role of government in taxation and regulation. The second half of the course focuses on macroeconomics, examining the American economy as a whole. Topics include unemployment, inflation, Gross Domestic Product, economic growth, fiscal and monetary policy, the financial system, and international economic interactions. Evaluation is based on quizzes, period tests, papers, and an examination at the end of the first semester. Students are expected to take both Advanced Placement Examinations. Finally, students who sign up for this course are expected to read "Naked Economics" by Charles Wheelan over the summer. Open to Upper Middlers and Seniors with the approval of the Department.

MA120

Algebra I

This first course in algebra is quite comprehensive. It stresses the fundamental properties of real numbers, solving linear equations and inequalities, multiplying and factoring a variety of polynomials, and roots and radical notation. Topics also include absolute value, systems of equations, and algebraic fractions. A primary goal is ease and accuracy in all sorts of algebraic manipulations. If students cannot solve quadratic equations both by factoring and formula, then they may need to take this course. Required for ninth graders who have not had a full year of Algebra I, and recommended for those whose background in algebra is not strong.

MA220

Geometry

Euclidean geometry is covered in a standard sequence recommended by the Commission on Mathematics of the College Entrance Examination Board. Emphasis is placed on the deductive nature of this branch of mathematics, and on the use of algebra in solving a variety of geometry problems. Open to students who have completed a full year of high school algebra (see MA120 description).

MA230

Honors Geometry

This honors course follows the same syllabus as MA220, but concepts are covered in much more depth. Open to students with a strong background in mathematics and to students displaying exceptional ability during the course of the year.

MA320

Algebra II & Trig

This is a normal second course in algebra. It continues the work of MA120. Algebraic facility and the concept of function are stressed. Additional topics include complex numbers, basic trigonometry, conic sections, polynomials, rational functions, exponentials, and logarithms. Open to students who have completed a full year of algebra and geometry (see the descriptions of MA120 and MA220).

MA330

Honors Algebra II & Trig

The honors course covers many of the same topics as MA320, but concepts are explored in much more depth. Open to students with a strong background in mathematics and to students displaying exceptional ability during the course of the year.

MA410

Precalculus

This course is designed for students who have completed a second year algebra course but who may not be ready for the challenges of the Accelerated Precalculus course. Many of the critical topics from algebra are reviewed with an eye towards enhancing the students' skills. While many of the topics do overlap with the Accelerated Precalculus syllabus, the pace in MA420 is more relaxed and flexible. Graphing, polynomials, exponentials, logarithms, trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions will be studied. Students who successfully complete this course will be ready to take Calculus (MA520) the following year. Open to students who have completed MA320 or the equivalent.

MA420

Accelerated Precalculus

This course continues the work begun in MA320 but at a much more sophisticated level. The topics include the theory and graphs of functions and their inverses, exponentials, logarithms, trigonometric functions, analytic trigonometry, and rational functions. Well into the second semester, the course will introduce basic topics of differential calculus such as limits, continuity, the definition of the derivative, and techniques of differentiation. This course is a prerequisite for students planning to take Advanced Placement Calculus AB (MA830) or Advanced Placement Statistics (MA730). Open to students who have successfully completed MA320, MA330, or the equivalent.

MA430

Honors Accelerated Precalculus

The honors division covers many of the same topics as MA420, but concepts are explored in much more depth. The pace of this course is also notably faster than that of MA420. This faster pace also allows MA430 to introduce topics from calculus sooner in the second semester. Limits, continuity, the definition of the derivative, and techniques of differentiation are studied as well as applications of the derivative. This challenging course prepares students to take Advanced Placement Calculus BC (MA840). Open to students with a strong background in mathematics who have successfully completed MA330, or the equivalent.

MA502

Investments

This course is a quantitative introduction to the basic theory and methods of finance and investing. Students apply the principles of finance to decisions faced by individual investors. How do interest rates affect bond prices? Why would an announced increase in profits reduce the price of a stock? How are stocks and bonds valued? The first segment of the course develops the concept of the time value of money and net present value through the discounting of future cash flows. Students use these concepts to value financial instruments such as stocks and bonds. The second segment of the course teaches the basics of portfolio management through introductions to the principle of diversification and modern portfolio theory. We will discuss financial markets, including the impact of information on markets and market efficiency. Mathematical concepts to be taught include introductory statistics, sums of finite and infinite series, discounting and compounding. No economics background is required. Open to upper-middlers and seniors who have completed a 400 level course or the equivalent.

MA510

Statistics

In the world today, more and more decisions affecting the course of our lives are based, at least in part, on the results of statistical analysis. This course will examine data analysis and probability theory, which underlies statistical analysis. It will also consider distributions, statistical inference, and hypothesis testing. The course will move beyond statistics in the spring into other areas of discrete mathematics like election theory, fair division and graph theory. This course is intended as an alternative to the Calculus (MA520) elective. Open to seniors who have completed a 400 level course or the equivalent.

MA520

Calculus

This course is designed for those students who wish to continue with calculus but do not wish to prepare for the Advanced Placement Examination. The pace of the class is more relaxed without compromising a full consideration of the theory and application of differential and integral calculus. Open to students who have completed MA410 or MA420.

MA730

AP Statistics

Statistics is the branch of mathematics which studies how to collect and interpret data. This course will examine probability which is the theory behind data analysis. It will also consider distributions, statistical inference, hypothesis testing, regression, and modeling. Students will be prepared to take the Advanced Placement examination in May. Open to students who have successfully completed MA420 or the equivalent.

MA830

AP Calculus AB

This course follows the development of ideas started in MA420. In the fall, the course will closely examine the theory behind and the applications of the derivative. A sure grasp of elementary functions and analytic geometry is required. The second half of the course focuses on the integral calculus. There will again be a mix of theory and applications. Students in MA830 will be well prepared for the Advanced Placement Calculus AB examination in May. Open to students who have successfully completed MA420 or MA430.

MA832

AP Calculus AB/C

This course allows students who have completed AB Calculus to learn the remaining topics from the BC Calculus syllabus. This one semester course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement BC Calculus exam in May. Open to students who earned a 4 or higher on the Advanced Placement AB exam.

MA840

AP Calculus BC

This course prepares students for the Advanced Placement Examination in Calculus BC, which is designed to lead to a college sophomore honors course in the second-year calculus. Students may take the Calculus BC examination on May. Open to students who have successfully completed MA430.

MA990

Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra

This course first introduces and explores the differentiation and integration of functions of more than one variable. Topics include vectors, partial derivatives, directional derivatives, gradients, optimization, Lagrange multipliers, double and triple integrals, vector fields, line integrals, flux integrals, and Green’s, Gauss’s, and Stoke’s theorems. The remainder of the year is devoted to the study of Linear Algebra. Topics include systems of linear equations, matrices, vector spaces, determinants, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and linear transformations. Open to students who earned a 5 on the Advanced Placement BC exam.

MA991

Independent Project in Mathematics

This is an opportunity for an individual or group of students to work with a member of the department on a project in which they share a common interest.

MA992

Independent Project in Mathematics

This is an opportunity for an individual or group of students to work with a member of the department on a project in which they share a common interest.

CN120

Chinese I

This is an introductory course in Mandarin Chinese, the official modern language of China, also known as putonghua. The course concentrates on pronunciation, sentence structure, conversation, development of skills for reading simple texts, and in writing characters of simplified form. Tape recordings will accompany each lesson. Open to all students.

CN220

Chinese II

This course is a continuation of CN120 and is designed to enable the student to converse in everyday Chinese. The reading emphasizes vocabulary building. Students will review and further develop sentence structure, composition, and oral expression. Open to students who have completed CN120 or its equivalent.

CN320

Chinese III

This course is designed to develop further the student's overall language skills through reading and discussing "Chinese Dialogue" and "Intermediate Reader of Modern Chinese." Discussion of assigned readings is conducted primarily in Chinese. Open to students who have completed CN220 or its equivalent.

CN420

Chinese IV

This course emphasizes the reading and discussion of modern Chinese short stories and essays covering topics such as Chinese history and economics. Readings in modern Chinese newspapers are introduced in the second semester with selections from newspapers from The People's Republic of China and Taiwan. Open to students who have completed CN320 or its equivalent.

CN830

AP Chinese Language

This course will prepare students for the Advanced Placement Chinese Language and Culture Examination. Students taking this course must have a strong command of both written and spoken Chinese. Students will narrate stories based on a series of pictures and will give oral presentations on Chinese culture. The Language Lab will be used extensively. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in Mandarin Chinese across three communicative modes (interpersonal, interpretive and presentational) as well as sufficient knowledge of Chinese culture. Since the AP Examination is administered solely via computer (i.e. no handwritten component), a prerequisite of the course is proficiency in the use of either the Microsoft Pinyin or Microsoft Bopomofo programs. Open to students who have completed CN420 or the equivalent and have the permission of the instructor.

CN991

Independent Project in Chinese

This is an opportunity for an individual or group of students to work with the teacher on a language project in which they share an interest.

CN992

Independent Project in Chinese

This is an opportunity for an individual or group of students to work with the teacher on a language project in which they share an interest.

FR120

French I Intermediate

This introduction to the study of French emphasizes the four skills: writing, reading, speaking, and listening. Students learn to use practical vocabulary in a cultural context and the fundamental grammatical structures of the language, including the present, past, and future tenses. Students work in the Language Laboratory frequently to develop listening and speaking skills, and multimedia activities are integrated into the daily class experience. The class is conducted in French. Students with little or no previous exposure to French should select this course. At the end of the year students will be recommended for FR220 or FR230.

FR130

French I Accelerated

The objectives of this course are identical to those of FR120; however, this course is for students who have already studied French but are not sufficiently prepared for the second level. The pace is faster, and supplementary readings are integrated into the course throughout the year. The class is conducted in French. At the end of the year students will be recommended for FR230 or FR240. Summer reading will be required in preparation for the next level.

FR220

French II Intermediate

This course continues the study of French started in the first level, emphasizing the expansion of vocabulary and the acquisition of more complex grammatical structures. Students use the Language Laboratory frequently to develop listening and speaking skills. Supplementary readings and multimedia activities are integrated into the course throughout the year. Open to students who have completed FR120, FR130, or the equivalent. At the end of the year students will be recommended for FR320 or FR330.

FR230

French II Honors

As in FR220, this course continues the study of French at the first level, but the pace is accelerated and the expectations are higher. All major grammatical structures are covered. Supplementary materials, such as poetry and short stories, are integrated into the course throughout the year. Open to students who have completed FR120, FR130, or the equivalent and have the permission of the Department. At the end of the year students will be recommended for FR320 or FR330. Summer reading will be required in preparation for the next level.

FR240

French II Honors Accelerated

This course is for returning students who have demonstrated exceptional ability and achievement in the first level. Through an intensive study of grammar, supplementary readings, and multimedia activities, students develop their writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills. A dedicated student who finishes this course with an honors grade will be recommended for FR431 or FR830. Open to students who have completed FR130 and have the permission of the Department. Summer reading will be required in preparation for the next level.

FR320

French III Intermediate

This course is a comprehensive review and expansion of the grammatical structures presented in the first two years and emphasizes the use of French in a functional context. Short stories and multimedia activities, such as music and films, supplement the curriculum. Students learn to express themselves coherently and to discuss and write about plot and general themes using target vocabulary and a broad range of verb tenses. All students will participate in a theatrical performance as a culminating experience in the spring. At the end of the year students who demonstrate strong ability and interest are encouraged to continue on to Fourth Year French. Open to all students who have completed FR220, FR230, or the equivalent.

FR330

French III Honors

This course is a comprehensive review and expansion of the vocabulary and grammatical structures presented in the first two years and is designed to challenge those students who have demonstrated strong ability and interest in the second year. Students review grammar and write essays as a means for achieving greater technical accuracy and sophistication in their written and oral expression. Through multimedia activities and oral presentations students develop their speaking and listening skills. In the second semester students listen to a recorded short story and read, discuss, and write about Francophone literature. At the end of the year students are encouraged to continue on to Fourth Year French or Advanced Placement French Language. Open to students who have demonstrated both strong ability and interest in FR220 or FR230 and have the permission of the Department. Summer reading will be required in preparation for the next level.

FR421

French IV

This course, in combination with FR422, is designed to expose students to French culture. Students explore the history, politics, and geography of France through the study of literature, films, and music. Students review grammatical structures in context by writing essays, participating in class discussions, and giving oral presentations. The goal is for students to develop a deeper appreciation of France and the French and a desire to continue to study the language. Supplementary work is offered in order to prepare students for the SAT II French test. Open to students who have completed FR320 or the equivalent. Students who complete both FR421 and FR422 may be eligible for Advanced Placement French Language in the following year.

FR422

French IV

This course is designed to complement FR421. Students continue to work toward the goals introduced in the first semester. Open to students who have completed FR421 or the equivalent and have the permission of the Department.

FR431

French IV Honors

The objectives of this course, in combination with FR432, are identical to those in FR421, but the pace is faster and the expectations are higher. This course is designed for motivated students who have demonstrated strong interest and ability throughout their third year language course. Evaluation is based on essays and oral presentations, and students make a movie as a culminating experience. Open to students who have completed and excelled in FR240, FR320, FR330, or the equivalent and have the permission of the Department. At the end of the year non-seniors are encouraged to continue on to Advanced Placement French Language.

FR432

French IV Honors

This course is designed to complement FR431. Students continue to work toward the goals introduced in the first semester. Open to students who have completed FR431 or the equivalent and have the permission of the Department.

FR830

AP French Lang A

This demanding course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement French Language Examination. Students need to have a strong command of all four language skills. Throughout the year students read unedited literary and journalistic prose and watch streamed news programs on line. All students participate in a theater performance at the end of the first semester. Students learn to express their opinions using argument and analysis and study advanced vocabulary and syntax. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement French Language Examination in May. Open to students who have completed FR240, FR330, or FR432 and have the permission of the Department.

FR930

Heroes and Heroines of French literature

This post-AP course is designed for students who have shown exceptional interest, ability, and achievement in French. Students read a selection of French literature through the centuries, examining the heroic character from Charlemagne of the Middle Ages to the anti-hero of modern times. The study of original texts leads to developing both a literary vocabulary and an understanding of the styles of different authors. Students are also expected to research the authors’ cultural and literary background to place the works in context. Evaluation is based on exposés and papers. Open to students who have completed the Advanced Placement French course or the equivalent and have the permission of the Department.

FR991

Independent Project in French

This is an opportunity for an individual or a small group of students to work with a member of the Department on a language or literature project in which they share an interest. Open to Upper Middlers and Seniors with the permission of the Department and the Dean of Academic Affairs. See page 2 for the application process and deadlines.

FR992

Independent Project in French

JA320

Japanese III

This course is designed to develop students proficiency further in writing, speaking, and reading. Students will learn intermediate to advanced grammar and are expected to master 200 more Kanji characters. In order to enhance reading comprehension skills, a content-based learning style will also be added along with the structure-based learning style. Students will read short stories and essays in addition to the textbook reading materials. Students will complete several projects in speaking and writing as a way to consolidate the material covered. Open to students who have completed JA220 or the equivalent.

JA420

Japanese IV

This advanced course builds upon skills learned during the third year and aims at increased proficiency in writing, speaking and reading, with the addition of magazine articles and contemporary essays. Advanced grammar and more sophisticated idiomatic expressions will be presented. Students will continue to develop their conversational skills and listening comprehension through student-teacher dialogues and the use of audio materials. Open to students who have completed JA320 or the equivalent.

JA830

AP Japanese Language

This course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Japanese Language and Culture Examination. Students taking this course must have a strong command of Japanese language skills: writing, speaking, listening, and reading. Students will engage in content-based reading, narration of short stories based on a series of pictures, listening comprehension exercises of a conversational form, compositions on various topics, and concept-based oral presentations. Through the materials used in these exercises, students will develop their knowledge of Japanese culture. Students will also learn up to 500 Kanji characters. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be proficient in interpersonal, interpretive and presentational Japanese. Since the AP Examination will be administered electronically (i.e. no handwritten component), students must be proficient in the use of Japanese word processing (Microsoft). Open to students who have completed JA320, JA420 or the equivalent and have the permission of the instructor.

JA991

Independent Project in Japanese

For qualified students, arrangements are made through independent tutorials to study advanced Japanese. Permission of the Department Head and the Dean of Academic Affairs is required. See page 2 for the application process and deadlines.

JA992

Independent Project in Japanese

SP110

First Year Spanish for Students New to Spanish

As an introduction to the study of Spanish, this course emphasizes fundamental grammatical structures and the acquisition and assimilation of practical vocabulary. The use of audio and visual materials both in class and in the Language Laboratory helps students develop listening and speaking skills, enabling them to express themselves in Spanish from the start of the course. During this one semester course, students will also develop language learning strategies. Upon completion, students will integrate into the Spanish 120 course. Class is conducted almost exclusively in Spanish. Students with no previous exposure to Spanish should select this course.

SP120

Spanish I Intermediate

As an introduction to the study of Spanish, this course emphasizes fundamental grammatical structures and the acquisition and assimilation of practical vocabulary. During the year, students will learn present, past, and simple future tenses. The use of audio and visual materials both in class and in the Language Laboratory helps students develop listening and speaking skills, enabling them to express themselves in Spanish from the start of the course. Class is conducted entirely in Spanish. Students with little previous exposure to Spanish should select this course.

SP130

Spanish I Accelerated

The objectives of this course are identical to those of SP120; however, this course is for students who have already studied Spanish but are not sufficiently prepared for the second level. The pace will be faster, and those students who receive an honors grade at the end of the year will be recommended for Spanish II Honors.

SP210

Spanish II

This course is offered to students who would be otherwise unable to complete the Spanish II Intermediate course. Enrollment is open to students who have completed SP120 and who have the permission of the department. Not open to new students.

SP220

Spanish II Intermediate

This course is a continuation of the work begun in SP120 and SP130, focusing on the continued acquisition of basic grammatical structures and vocabulary. Students read a number of short stories throughout the year. The use of audio and visual materials both in class and in the Language Lab helps students develop listening and speaking skills, enabling them to express themselves in Spanish from the start of the course. Students are expected to incorporate new grammar and vocabulary into written assignments, and class is always conducted in Spanish. Open to students who have completed SP120, SP130 or the equivalent.

SP230

Spanish II Honors

This course is for students who have demonstrated exceptional ability and achievement in the first level. Intensive study of grammatical structures, vocabulary and culture is supplemented by outside reading to provide an introduction to Spanish literature. The use of audio and visual materials both in class and in the Language Lab is a regular component of the course. Open to students who have completed SP120, SP130 or the equivalent and have the permission of the Department.

SP310

Spanish III

This course is offered to students who would be otherwise unable to complete the Spanish III Intermediate course. Enrollment is open to students who have completed SP210 or SP220 and who have the permission of the department. Not open to new students.

SP320

Spanish III Intermediate

The final phase of the three year language requirement, this course is a comprehensive review of the grammar presented in the first two years. The course aims to increase students' communicative skills by reinforcing grammatical structures and by stimulating students to think about a variety of issues and concerns of the Hispanic world. Students will also read selected literature. Open to students who have completed SP220, SP230 or the equivalent. Students who finish the course with a strong grade are encouraged to continue on to Spanish IV.

SP330

Spanish III Honors

This course is designed to challenge those students who have demonstrated both high ability and interest in the second year and who intend to study Spanish at the Advanced Placement levels. Students read selections from both classic and modern literature and are introduced to a variety of cultural and historical topics. Although this course presupposes a command of grammar, a review grammar text supplements the literary and cultural readers. Students also work extensively in the Language Laboratory, and oral proficiency is stressed. The objective throughout the year is to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Spanish courses. Open to students who have completed SP220 or SP230 and have the permission of the Department.

SP421

Spanish IV

This course is designed to give Spanish students who have completed SP320, SP330, or the equivalent the opportunity to explore the cultural and historical contexts of the twentieth-century Hispanic short story. Students read works by authors such as Borges, García Márquez, Vargas Llosa, Cortázar, Allende, Matute, Cela, and Gaite. Supplementary materials are also used, including periodicals and films. Students will write essays, give oral presentations, keep journals, participate in group projects, and compose original short stories. This is a one-semester course, but students are encouraged to continue with SP422.

SP422

Spanish IV

This course is designed to give Spanish students who have completed SP320, SP330, or SP421 the opportunity to further explore the language, culture, and literature of the Hispanic world. While the first semester focuses on the analysis and interpretation of the short story, the second tackles three major aspects: the written creation of the short story, oral presentations on the culture of Spanish-speaking countries, and the reading of a novel during the spring term. After writing their own short stories in Spanish, students present their works in class. Advanced grammar, geography, movies, and politics are also woven into the course, and students are expected to speak and write in Spanish with greater mastery while incorporating more idiomatic expressions. Students who complete both semesters of SP421 and SP422 may be eligible for Advanced Placement Spanish Language or Advanced Placement Spanish Literature in the following year.. Students who complete both semesters of SP421 and SP422 may be eligible for Advanced Placement Spanish Language or Advanced Placement Spanish Literature in the following year.

SP830

AP Spanish Lang

This course prepares students for the Advanced Placement Spanish Language Examination in May. Students who qualify for this class have a strong command of both written and spoken Spanish and are ready to undertake a demanding curriculum. Consistent with the composition of the examination, students will be required to read unedited literary and journalistic prose, understand lectures and conversational language, participate effectively in class, and write essays in Spanish. The Language Laboratory will be used extensively, and students will work independently with the resources. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Language Examination. Open to students who have completed SP330 or SP422 and have the permission of the Department.

SP840

AP Spanish Lit

This course prepares the student for the Advanced Placement Spanish Literature Examination in May. The entire year is devoted to the study of Spanish and Spanish-American literature, culture and civilization. The seminar method of teaching encourages the student to study on his own and, with the help of the teacher, to organize materials in preparation for formal papers and presentations which treat specific works by a variety of authors from different time periods. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Literature Examination. This course is open to students who have completed SP830 or have the permission of the Department.

SP991

Independent Project in Spanish

This is an opportunity for an individual or a small group of students to work with a member of the Department on a language or literature project in which they share an interest. Open to Seniors by permission of the Department Head and the Dean of Academic Affairs.

SP992

Independent Project in Spanish

This is an opportunity for an individual or a small group of students to work with a member of the Department on a language or literature project in which they share an interest. Open to Seniors by permission of the Department Head and the Dean of Academic Affairs.

BI321

Advanced Biology

This course is designed to be a required prerequisite course for both AP Biology and AP Environmental Science, and also as a second-level course that further investigates topics that have been introduced in Integrated Science I and II. The course will proceed at a faster pace than the IS courses; therefore, a more in-depth study of the topics can be achieved. The course will cover topics common to both AP Environmental Science and AP Biology. These include systematics, natural selection and evolution, population genetics, botany, cycling of nutrients, biomes and ecology. The course will include a strong laboratory component and students will be expected to polish their data collection and analysis skills in this course. Students interested in taking Advanced Biology should speak with their IS teachers before electing the course. Students who will seek to enroll in AP Biology or AP Environmental Science are required to also enroll in CH322 Advanced Chemistry during the other semester of the Upper Middle year. All must have departmental approval.

BI322

Advanced Biology

This course is designed to be a prerequisite course for both AP Biology and AP Environmental Science, and also as a second-level course that further investigates topics that have been introduced in Integrated Science I and II. The course will proceed at a faster pace than the IS courses; therefore, a more in-depth study of the topics can be achieved. The course will cover topics common to both AP Environmental Science and AP Biology. These include systematics, natural selection and evolution, population genetics, botany, cycling of nutrients, biomes and ecology. The course will include a strong laboratory component and students will be expected to polish their data collection and analysis skills in this course. Students interested in taking Intermediate Biology should speak with their IS teacher before electing the course. Students who will seek to enroll in AP Biology or AP Environmental Science are required to also enroll in CH321 Advanced Chemistry during the other semester of the Upper Middle year. All must have departmental approval.

BI501

Evolutionary Biology

This course will examine evolution, a scientific theory that unifies virtually everything in the biological sciences. We will examine the mechanisms by which evolution proceeds, including Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection, genetic drift, and sexual selection. Topics will include genetic analysis of evolutionary relationships, studies

BI505

Human Anatomy

The principle objective of this course is to provide the students with a working knowledge of the human body and how it functions. In order to accomplish this in a one-semester course, the class will move rapidly through a study of many of the body systems, typically spending one or two weeks per system. As the title of the course implies, study will encompass both the structures found in the body (anatomy) as well as the functions of those specific body parts (physiology). The students will come to an understanding of how the different systems work together to allow the entire body to function. In an effort to allow students to work cooperatively and collaboratively, this course will be largely hands-on and laboratory-based. In class, students will do a variety of activities including: readings, class discussion, dissections, computer work, debates, oral reports, and other activities. The major project for this course is for each student to design a class lesson. Each student will be assigned a body system during the first week of class, and they will become the class expert for that system. Students will then attempt to express themselves, clearly, creatively, and purposefully by designing and teaching a lesson that summarizes their system. Open to Seniors and Upper Middlers with permission of the Department.

BI506

Spineless Wonders: Intro to Invertebrate Zoology

Sponges, tapeworms, king crabs, giant squid, water bears, butterflies, spiders - these are just some stunning representatives of the most diverse and abundant group of organisms on our planet. More than 95% of animal species are invertebrates (animals without backbones). They are found nearly everywhere: tropical rainforests and our backyards, ephemeral pools and oceans, on and inside our bodies. This course introduces the study of the diversity, morphology, behavior, ecology, and evolution of the major groups of invertebrates. Students will be able to collect, examine, and observe behavior of live specimens and dissect preserved ones. The primary goals of the course are to enable the student to identify representative species from the major phyla using taxonomic keys, to strengthen biological laboratory techniques, to gain an understanding of the important role of invertebrates in the ecosystem, and to develop an appreciation for these truly spineless wonders.

BI830

AP Biology

Advanced Placement Biology is a rigorous survey course providing an in-depth coverage of topic areas designed to prepare the student for future scientific study and the Advanced Placement Biology Examination. Students will be provided an opportunity to let their intellectual curiosity guide the study of individual topic areas. They will be encouraged to actively engage in the process of learning by developing individual and group projects for class presentation requiring clear, purposeful and focused research and expression. AP Biology will focus on expansion of topic areas from Integrated Science, Advanced Biology, and Advanced Chemistry such as biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, molecular genetics, gene technology, evolution and natural selection, population biology, and the physiology of the human body. The course will culminate with an extensive review in preparation for the AP Biology examination in May. The completion of AP Biology will not only effectively prepare students for the AP examination, but also allow for study in areas not prescribed in the Advanced Placement curriculum. AP Biology places a strong emphasis on laboratory data collection, analysis and reporting, which includes using the latest technologies available for the study of simple and complex biological systems. BI830 is open to students who have successfully completed BI321 or BI322 AND CH321 or CH322. All must have departmental approval.

BI991

Independent Project in Biology

This is an opportunity for an individual or a small group of students to work with a member of the department on a project in which they share a common interest. Open with permission of the Department Chair and the Dean of Academic Affairs.

BI992

Independent Project in Biology

CH210

Chemistry

This introductory course offers the student the fundamentals of chemistry and an opportunity to analyze modern environmental and biological problems from a chemical perspective. A conceptual understanding of chemistry is taught through lectures, demonstrations, laboratory experiments, and seminar discussions. A diversified study format includes problem-solving sessions, small group presentations, and small-scale research projects. This course will be considered for students who have completed PH110. All must have departmental approval.

CH220

Accelerated Chemistry

This introductory course offers the student the fundamentals of chemistry and an opportunity to analyze modern environmental and biological problems from a chemical perspective. Quantitative and qualitative chemistry is taught through lectures, demonstrations, and laboratory experiments and is supplemented by seminar discussions. A diversified study format includes problem-solving sessions, small group presentations, and small-scale research projects. This course will be considered for students who have completed PH120 or PH130. All must have departmental approval.

CH230

Honors Chemistry

This course is similar in scope to CH220 but will cover that material in greater depth and use a more mathematical approach. Middlers and Upper Middlers who have completed PH120 or PH130 and are advanced in mathematics will be considered for this course. All must have departmental approval.

CH321

Advanced Chemistry

Chemistry is "the central science" that provides an explanation of much of what occurs in our universe. It is fundamental to work in other sciences. As a continually developing science itself, significant applications of chemistry have inspired progress in biology, physics, medicine, geology, astronomy, environmental science, and other areas of science.This semester of chemistry will explore a largely macroscopic, phenomenological view of chemistry. Students will review and expand on some ideas introduced in the Integrated Science curriculum. Topics included will be matter and measurement; atoms, molecules, and ions; stoichiometry; aqueous reactions and solution stoichiometry; and thermochemistry, among others. The classroom emphasis of the course centers on active student involvement in learning key concepts which are then immediately applied to problem solving. An extensive laboratory program will support and extend student learning. Students will learn required lab technology and techniques and participate in the design of new lab activities. Laboratory reports in a variety of formats will allow students to develop skills in presentation (written, electronic, and oral) as they work both independently and collaboratively to complete projects. CH321 or CH322 is open to Upper Middlers who have completed the Integrated Science sequence. All must have mathematics through Algebra II and departmental approval. CH321 or CH322 is a pre-requisite for AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics B, or AP Physics C.

Chemistry is "the central science" that provides an explanation of much of what occurs in our universe. It is fundamental to work in other sciences. As a continually developing science itself, significant applications of chemistry have inspired progress in biology, physics, medicine, geology, astronomy, environmental science, and other areas of science. The first semester will examine the factors that influence the speed and extent of chemical reactions. Topics included will be solutions; kinetics; equilibria; thermodynamics; environmental chemistry; and electrochemistry. Students will be prepared to sit for the SAT-II examination in chemistry in November of this semester. The second semester will center on a survey of nuclear chemistry; the chemistry of non-metals and metals; and organic and biochemistry. After completion of these topics, students will enjoy a thorough and intensive review of topics in preparation for the AP Chemistry examination.The classroom emphasis of the course centers on active student involvement in learning key concepts which are then immediately applied to problem solving. An extensive laboratory program will support and extend student learning. Students will learn required lab technology and techniques and participate in the design of new lab activities. Laboratory reports in a variety of formats will allow students to develop skills in presentation (written, electronic, and oral) as they work both independently and collaboratively to complete projects. CH82 is open to Seniors who have completed Advanced Chemistry or a one-year Chemistry course AND Advanced Biology or Advanced Physics. All must have mathematics through Algebra II and departmental approval.

CH991

Independent Project in Chemistry

CH992

Independent Project in Chemistry

PH110

Physics

This is an introductory course in physics that emphasizes conceptual understanding and laboratory experience. Topics covered will include motion, Newton’s laws of mechanics, energy and momentum, thermodynamics and the description of gases, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, and quantum phenomena. While conceptual understanding is emphasized, students will also be introduced to a precise, quantitative description of nature with a problem solving approach that uses elementary math skills. All new Lower Middlers and Middlers who will be enrolled in Algebra I at Taft should sign up for this course.

PH120

Accelerated Physics

This is an introductory course that integrates conceptual understanding with a rigorous mathematical approach to physics. Topics covered will include motion, Newton’s laws of mechanics, energy and momentum, thermodynamics and the description of gases, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, and quantum phenomena. Laboratory work will be frequent and students will learn how precise observations are analyzed and interpreted. Quantitative problem solving using algebra I skills will be emphasized. This course is open to new Lower Middlers and Middlers who have finished an Algebra I course and will be enrolled in Geometry or a higher math level at Taft.

PH130

Honors Physics

This course is similar to PH120 but will cover the same material to a deeper level and use more a sophisticated mathematical approach. New Lower Middlers and Middlers who are advanced in math and have a strong interest in physics may sign up for this course, but all registrations will be reviewed by the Science Department.

PH321

Advanced Physics

PH321 or PH322 is a survey course that assumes students have had some previous exposure to physics and that they are comfortable with math at the Algebra II level. The course begins with a study of oscillations. This then forms the basis for a general study of wave behavior. Both geometrical optics and wave optics are investigated in detail. With the wave nature of light understood thoroughly, the implications of the quantum behavior of light is investigated and extended to establish a general understanding of wave-particle duality. The development of topics in atomic and nuclear physics finishes the study of the quantum world. The course then shifts to a study of the laws of thermodynamics with particular emphasis paid to using the ideal gas model to illustrate the nature of these laws. There will be frequent laboratory work throughout the course. Students will learn to investigate phenomena and draw precise conclusions from their data. They will also be asked to describe their work conceptually. There will be regular problem solving assignments to provide practice with the concepts and techniques learned in class. There will also be several computer projects involving the simulation program Interactive Physics. PH321 or PH322 is open to Upper Middlers who have successfully completed the Integrated Science sequence. Permission of the department is required. This course is a prerequisite for AP Physics B or AP Physics C; it is strongly recommended before AP Chemistry.

Explore the fascinating night sky! Topics in this survey of astonomy will range from stars, planets, and galaxies to black holes, the Big Bang, and exobiology. This course will bring the wonders of the cosmos to life as students learn the basic principles of astronomy. Open to Upper Middlers and seniors with the permission of the Department.

PH503

Astronomy

PH513

Introduction to Robotics

This course will introduce students to the basic principles of robotics. Students will become familiar with these principles as they build and test their own autonomous robotic vehicle over the course of the term. Students will learn elementary programming of a microprocessor, the brain of the robot, and how to control external devices such as motors and servos. They will also become familiar with various sensors including infrared sensors, ultrasonic motion detectors, tactile sensors and more. Using sensor input, students will learn to program their robot to perform a wide variety of tasks. The course will be self contained: programming and electronics concepts will be covered as needed with the emphasis on practical application as opposed to theoretical generalities. Open to Upper Mids and Seniors.

PH830

AP Physics B

AP Physics B is a broad survey course that assumes students have had PH321 or PH322 Advanced Physics or a previous year-long physics course. They should be comfortable with math beyond the Algebra II level. Students taking AP Physics B will also be prepared to take the SAT-II test in physics in November of the first semester. AP physics B begins by developing concepts of motion. Students learn to use the precise definitions of motion concepts to develop equations to describe motion. With the introduction of Newton's laws, the concept of force is defined and the relation to motion is developed. Particular emphasis is placed on the conservation laws of energy, momentum, and angular momentum. A wide variety of applications including many topics familiar from everyday life will be studied. The second semester will begin with a shift to the application of Newton's laws of mechanics to continuous media as fluids are studied in detail. Students will learn about hydrostatic pressure, Pascal's principle, Archimedes principle, and the details of fluid flow including Bernoulli's principle. The end of the winter and beginning of the spring term will focus on the development of concepts in electricity and magnetism. Electric and magnetic forces and the fields associated with static and moving charges will be studied. Electric potential, electric current and circuits will be an important topic. Finally the relation between electricity and magnetism will be developed with a study of electromagnetic induction, leading to an understanding of the nature of light. There will be frequent laboratory work throughout the course. Students will learn to investigate phenomena and draw precise conclusions from their data. They will also be asked to describe their work conceptually. There will regular problem solving assignments to provide practice with the concepts and techniques learned in class. There will also be several computer projects involving the simulation program Interactive Physics. AP Physics B is open to Seniors who have successfully completed PH321 or PH322 Advanced Physics or a one-year physics course AND CH321 or CH322 Advanced Chemistry. All must have permission of the department.

PH840

AP Physics C

The AP Physics C course is designed for students with an intense interest in the inner workings of the physical world and a desire to be challenged both conceptually and mathematically. The curriculum has been developed by the participating college physics departments to cover the material of a first-year college physics course for those students focused on careers in the technical fields. Specifically, the course consists of a one-semester study of mechanics and one semester of electricity and magnetism. The topics in mechanics include the description of motion, the analysis of motion using Newton's laws, and the application of the three major conservation laws to a wide range of systems. Familiarity with differential calculus is assumed from the beginning, and all of the topics studied will make some use of this level of math. Topics involving the use of integral calculus arise in the first semester, but these are developed slowly with an eye to the second semester when this aspect of calculus will be embedded in much of what is studied. The second semester consists of a study of the laws of electricity and magnetism. Beginning with Coulomb's law, electrostatics is introduced. Gauss's law, electric potential, and capacitance are examined in detail. Steady state DC circuits and the transients of RC circuits finish the electricity section. About one-third of the second semester is spent studying magnetism. The nature and effects of the magnetic force as well as the origins of magnetic fields in electric currents are examined. Students learn to apply Ampere's law to current distributions to determine the field created. The semester concludes with a study of electromagnetic induction. Faraday's law is developed and applied to a variety of physical systems including inductive circuits.The focus of the course is on the quantitative application of the basic laws to the analysis of a wide range of systems. In practice this means problem solving, and each chapter includes a lengthy assignment of problems from the book. Optional "extra credit" problems are also frequently assigned. These explore the concepts and math at a somewhat higher level than required by the AP syllabus. Laboratory work is infrequent, with perhaps a half dozen major labs done over the year, but it is important that students remain familiar with the basic apparatus available as well as with data collection and analysis. Students must also become familiar with the simulation program Interactive Physics. There are about six major computer projects that involve independent design and analysis by each student. The AP Physics C course has two separate AP tests, one for mechanics, the other for electricity and magnetism. Thus students will have two grades reported to the colleges they choose. AP Physics C can be elected with consent of the Department by Seniors who have completed PH321 or PH322 Advanced Physics or a one-year course in physics AND CH321 or CH322 Advanced Chemistry. Students must also have completed a course in calculus or are concurrently taking the BC level AP calculus course.

PH991

Independent Project in Physics

PH992

Independent Project in Physics

SC502

Shades of Grey: Scientific Ethics

In preparing to become leaders in a global community, one cannot avoid considering the many consequences of the advances in science and technology. This class will study important figures in scientific ethics from Kant to Caplan. Combining historic cases and current events, the approach will be case-study based, using many forms of media that may include journals, magazines, newspapers, novels, and even movies. Possible topics include pharmaceutical research and marketing, environmental law, regulation of chemical use in everyday products, and testing of nuclear bombs. The goal of the class is to provide students with a framework to analyze difficult situations in science, using their own moral compasses and theories in ethics as guides.

SC503

Forensic Science

This course introduces students to the principles and practices found in the field of forensic science, which draws from the biological and physical sciences. The course begins by examining the theories and concepts necessary to effectively examine, analyze, and reconstruct a major crime scene. Specifically, the legal issues related to the search and seizure of physical evidence, crime scene documentation techniques, and basic crime scene reconstruction methods will be studied. Students will also study trace evidence and how it is analyzed, compared, interpreted, and used in criminal investigations. Types of trace evidence to be discussed will include glass, paint, hair, fiber, and fingerprints. Case studies of actual crimes and trials will be discussed to illustrate how the science and techniques may be used in the real world. This course is taught through lectures, laboratory work, and student presentations. Open to Upper Middlers and Seniors with permission of the department.

SC514

Oceanography

This course offers a holistic view of the basic principles of ocean science. It is designed to focus on both physical and geological characteristics (oceanography) as well as the chemical and biological characteristics (oceanology) of the ocean. Topics include the formation of oceans, ocean floor and sediments, chemistry and physical properties of seawater, weather and climate, waves, tides and currents, origin of life in oceans, habitats, marine biology, fisheries, maritime cultures and heritage, and current issues related to the interactions of science and technology. It is a lab-based course, and it will deploy a variety of teaching styles including lectures, readings, activities, and labs. The course has the potential to include a variety of field trips to areas such as Woods Hole, MA. Open to upper mids and seniors.

SC523

Adolescent Psychology

What is adolescence? Why is the study of adolescence important? These are two of the many questions which inspire our search for understanding of this particular life stage. This course is a basic introduction to the field of psychology, with a focus on adolescence. The course examines the many ways in which adolescence has been defined and analyzes the way that adolescence is currently portrayed. The course exposes students to psychological, biological, sociocultural, and ethical perspectives regarding adolescent development. The course also provides a forum for discussion of issues such as experimental strategies, education, the nature vs. nurture debate, puberty, identity development, teenage drug abuse, stress and coping, as well as Hollywood portrayals of adolescence. Evaluation is based on class participation, homework assignments, short critical reflection papers, tests, an oral presentation of current research, and final examination. Open to Upper Middlers and Seniors.

SC526

Social Psychology

Social Psychology examines the interaction between individuals and their social environments. How are the thoughts, feelings, and actions of individuals influenced by the presence of others? How do we determine whether these influences are real or imagined? How do we make decisions about how to behave? How do we evaluate others' behavior? These questions and more will be answered as we navigate through the concepts of intrapersonal interaction. The purpose of the course is to review theory and research in the field of social psycholoogy and to apply its major principles to everyday life. The course will cover social issues such as conformity, attitudes, juries and groups, diffusion of responsibility, equity and justic, altruism, and aggression. Evaluation is based on in-class examinations,short article papers, and oral presentations.

SC531

Engineering and Architecture I

The study of engineering and architecture is the study of buildings, their form, their construction and their function. This course will explore the diverse topics that engineering and architecture include and seek to provide an understanding of the engineering behind structures and the art in their architecture. Students will be introduced to elements of the history of engineering and architecture and its role in civilization. Coursework will consist of discussions of readings, written assignments, problem solving, research projects and small design projects. There will be a significant “hands-on” component including sketching, investigating buildings and touring building sites. Open to all upper school students who have fulfilled their requirements in math and/or science.

SC532

Engineering and Architecture II

The study of engineering and architecture is the study of buildings, their form, their construction and their function. As a continuation of the Engineering and Architecture I, this course will explore the diverse topics that engineering and architecture include and seek to provide experience with the design of structures and of the art in their architecture. In a studio format, coursework will consist primarily of design projects, discussions of design theory and history readings, and problem solving. Several design projects will be taken on through the course of the semester and will culminate in a significant final project including detailed drawings and models. Engineering and Architecture I is not required to take this course. This course is open to all upper school students who have fulfilled their requirements in math and/or science.

SC720

AP Psychology

This course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings. Students will leave the course with an understanding of psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with distinct paradigms (such as: biological, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, psychodynamic, and sociocultural). The course will promote student awareness of and respect for the psychological diversity of human beings with reference to biological, social, and cultural influences. Students' learning experience will be equivalent to that obtained in most college introductory psychology courses. In addition to the mastery of the historical and fundamental concepts of psychology, students will explore the manifestations of psychology in research designs, methods, statistics, clinical practice and scientific ethics. The culminating assessment for the course is the Advanced Placement Psychology exam in May.

SC730

AP Environmental Science

The challenge of understanding and maintaining a sustainable environment may be the single most pressing scientific issue that will confront students throughout their lives. Today, environmental science is not only relevant to students' personal experience, but it is also vital to the future of the entire biosphere and human civilization. As humans continue to alter the Earth's land, water, and atmosphere at local, regional and global levels, the resulting environmental dilemmas can seem overwhelming. Educated properly, students may confront these problems and contribute to their ultimate solution in the future. This course will equip students with a fundamental understanding of our environment from which the solutions to these problems may spring. An initial goal of this course is to instill an understanding and appreciation of the complexity and precise functioning of the natural ecosystems that form our biosphere. Therefore, this course will begin with a close examination of the basic ecological principles that govern the natural world followed by the many ways that humans affect that world through the investigation of the topics of human population growth, energy production and consumption, natural resource depletion, and agricultural and industrial pollution, among others. While exploring these issues, students will integrate knowledge from the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, history, political science, geology and demography. In addition to class discussion, lecture, reading, and field investigations of various ecosystems, the study of industrial and agricultural processes and methods of transportation will be accomplished. This course will prepare students for the AP Environmental Science examination in May. Open with permission of the department to Seniors who have successfully completed BI321 or BI322 Advanced Biology AND CH321 or CH322 Advanced Chemistry.

SC991

Independent Project in Science

SC992

Independent Project in Science

Course Offerings

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Course Title (click on title for course description)

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