Course Descriptions & Schedules
| Course # | Course Name | Days | Time | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2950 | American Studies | Tu | F | 1:00 - 4:30 | |||
| 2952 | Introduction to Psychology | Tu | F | 1:00 - 4:30 | |||
| 2955 | Architectural Design | M | W | F | 8:30 - 12:00 | ||
| 2958.1 | The Practice of Law (AM) | Tu | F | 8:30 - 12:00 | |||
| 2958.2 | The Practice of Law (PM) | Tu | F | 1:00 - 4:30 | |||
| 2960 | 20th Century Philosophy | M | Th | 1:00 - 4:30 | |||
| 2961 | AP Psychology | M | W | F | 8:30 - 12:00 | ||
| 2964 | AP European History | M | W | F | 1:00 - 4:30 | ||
American Studies
America and the YouTube Generation
| 2950 | Stevie Jeung & Shawn McDonald | 5 units | $510 | Tu | F | 1:00 - 4:30 |
For students who have completed grade 8 & up.
This exciting and timely interdisciplinary course will use tools from anthropology, psychology, sociology, and art history, among other fields, to analyze today's America. Drastic changes in technology and communications have created a unique environment for young Americans. What does it mean to be an American today? What are the effects of growing up with YouTube, Facebook, and MySpace, which were not around only ten years ago? We will engage with these and other intriguing issues as this discussion-based class will explore the interplay between today's media, food culture, politics, and social trends. Students will examine these topics through ongoing blogs and intensive class discussions.
This course is inspired by the American Studies program at UC Davis and will encourage college-level analysis through writing and discussion.
Homework per class meeting: 3-5 hours.
Introduction to Psychology
| 2952 | Paul Bulakowski | 5 units | $510 | Tu | F | 1:00 - 4:30 |
For students who have completed grade 8 & up.
The word psychology comes from the Greek psyche, which means "soul," and -ology, which has come to mean "the study of." This course will focus on the nature, dimensions, methods, and issues of this study of human behavior. As this is an introductory course in psychology, the syllabus is rather broad. Course topics will include learning and memory, language and thought, emotion and motivation, mental abilities and cognitive processes. Students will be required to lead classroom discussions and will work in research teams to develop and conduct original studies.
Homework per class meeting: 3-5 hours.
Architectural Design
| 2955 | Susanne Cowan | 10 units | $805 | M | W | F | 8:30 - 12:00 |
For students who have completed grade 8 & up.
This course explores the built environment and introduces students to the architectural profession. The focus of this course will primarily be on the formal principles of ordering architectural design. Students will also be introduced to concepts in two-dimensional composition, color, structural design, landscape design, and architectural history. Students will express their ideas in scaled models and various drawing media: pencil, pen and ink, color pencils, and markers. The course consists of several small in-class and homework assignments that culminate in a final three-week design project. Lectures, guest presentations, visits to buildings on and off campus, a tour of an architect's office, and weekly reading assignments round out this intensive six-week course. While working individually and in teams, students will be able to explore their creative potential and test their ability to work effectively in groups. Knowing how to draw or build models is not a prerequisite for this course.
Homework per class meeting: 5-6 hours.
The Practice of Law
| 2958.1 | Gary Kitajo | 5 units | $510 | Tu | F | 8:30 - 12:00 | |||
| 2958.2 | Gary Kitajo | 5 units | $510 | Tu | F | 1:00 - 4:30 |
For students who have completed grade 8 & up.
This course will provide an overview of social institutions and functions addressed in the practice of law. Students will participate in each of the lawyer's roles: investigation, research, advocacy, negotiation, trial preparation, and dispute resolution. In the process, students will examine the nature and history of law, interrogate parties, argue hypothetical cases, arbitrate conflicts, and draft legal documents. This class will require active participation in lively classroom activities and projects, which will include simulated trials, oral argument, and case briefing. Students will be encouraged to participate freely in robust classroom discussions and debates, with a premium placed on the open exchange of ideas and opinions. The course will culminate in a mock trial, conducted in a local courtroom before a judge. Course grades will be based upon classroom participation, outside projects, and examinations. College-level texts will be used.
Homework per class meeting: 3-5 hours.
20th Century Philosophy
| 2960 | Alex James | 5 units | $510 | M | Th | 1:00 - 4:30 |
Philosophy derives from the Greek word philosophia, which means 'love of wisdom.' This course will provide an introduction to the subject of philosophy, with an emphasis on the major philosophers of the last hundred years. After a survey of the history of philosophy, we will direct our attention to the 20th century, where we will focus in particular on the work of Heidegger and Wittgenstein, who are widely considered to be the two most important philosophers of the century. By engaging with philosophy, students will not only sharpen their analytical skills but will gain insight into some of the fundamental questions of human existence. No prior knowledge of philosophy is required.
Homework per class meeting: 4-5 hours.
Advanced Placement Psychology
| 2961 | David Chun | 10 units | $730 | M | W | F | 8:30 - 12:00 |
Prerequisite: Completion of at least freshman year of high school or permission of the Director. Completion of at least sophomore year is recommended.
This course provides an opportunity for students to prepare for the May 2010 AP examination in Psychology. The course is guided by the AP Psychology syllabus and covers the following areas: History of Psychology as a Science, Research Methods, Statistics, Biological Bases of Behavior, Sensation and Perception, States of Consciousness, Learning, Cognition, Motivation and Emotion, Developmental Psychology, Personality, Testing and Individual Differences, Abnormal Psychology, Treatment of Psychological Disorders, and Social Psychology.
The course uses a college textbook and will require a lot of reading, active participation in classroom activities (discussions and labs), completion of an independent research project, and completion of examination questions similar to those given in the actual AP examination. For an additional fee, students in this class will have the option of taking Saturday review classes in the spring of 2010 to prepare for the AP examination in May of 2010.
Homework per class meeting: 8-10 hours.
Advanced Placement European History
| 2964 | Harlan Edelman | 10 units | $730 | M | W | F | 1:00 - 4:30 |
Prerequisite: Completion of at least freshman year of high school or permission of the Director. Completion of at least sophomore year is recommended.
This course provides an opportunity for students to prepare for the May 2010 AP examination in European History. We will explore European history from 1400 to the present. In addition to political history, the course covers religion, literature, philosophy, art and culture. The primary focus of the course is on the development of new ideas and their influence on society. Among the major topics are the Renaissance, the Reformation, absolutism, constitutionalism, the scientific revolution, the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, industrialization, Social Darwinism, romanticism, utopianism, psychoanalysis, and existentialism. In order to prepare students to succeed on the College Board AP examination in European History in May of 2010, this course will meet monthly for three hours during the school year. There is no additional charge for the highly recommended post-program meetings.
Homework per class meeting: 4-6 hours.