MORNING MODULE QUARTER 1

Presenting Information

Virginia Palmer-Fuechsel

English I

What do I really want to say, and what are some different ways of communicating it? What goes into preparing and giving an effective presentation? This course focuses on the development of individual presentation, public speaking and teaching skills. Students will learn how to discern and judge effective strategies and techniques of communication. Each week students will explore and practice a different aspect of informative speaking, with the goal of improving presentation skills. Homework assignments consist of written and verbal preparation for the weekly presentations, the pro vs. con controversy essay and exhibition benchmarks. For one assignment, each student will teach a full 30 minute interactive lesson. The exhibition will focus on the presentation of a current pro vs. con controversy of the student’s choice and the question, “What mode of presentation best suits this topic, the given space and my strengths as a public speaker?”

Botany: The Early Years

Carol Gates

Biology I

This is a basic botany course, with an emphasis on the first plants to come out of the ocean and colonize the land. Ferns, cycads, horsetails and the bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) will all be studied.

No exhibition.

Urban Geography

Keith Pressman

Geography II

This course will examine how development has shaped our urban and suburban areas over the course of the past several decades. Our particular emphasis will be on the problems associated with suburban sprawl and how we can redesign our metropolitan areas to deal with these problems.

Household Chemistry

Alvin Fridie

Chemistry II

This is an intermediate level science course focused on the different chemicals found in an average home (other than for consumption). Students will study cleaners, paints, cosmetics and adhesives on such surfaces as woods, metals and ceramics. Solvation, pH, and oxidation are among the reactions to be studied. Students will be using a science lab notebook and are expected to read scientific texts independently. In class, students will learn safe lab techniques, complete an original experiment and create visual representations of scientific principles

Post Modern American Literature

Mark Farmer

English III

What were the topics and themes of the literature of the Post-World War II era? How did these themes come about? Students will read 2+ assigned novels and one novel of their choice from the era. Critical analysis research, historical/cultural Internet research, class presentations, discussions, essays, and reading comprehension quizzes make up a large part of the class work. Finally, there is an Exhibition at the end of the quarter.

English A: American Culture

Culver Fortna

English A

This course is designed as an introduction to The New School and American culture. Students take an imaginary tour around the continental United States. They learn of the geographical landscape, the names of the states, and a bit of the history and culture of the people who live here. Questions are posed to the teacher in English and he works collaboratively with the students to practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the English language.

Oil

Steve Roushakes

World Studies III

In this class we examine the role of oil in world history, particularly with regard to the 20^th century. While the class is organized as a chronological history of oil, we will examine particular case studies that highlight the political and economic importance of oil in the 20^th century (e.g., the oil embargo of Japan in World War II, the 1973 oil embargo, US foreign policy in the Middle East and its consequences).

Planet Manhattan

Peter Werres

World Studies I

Through the prism of New York City's neighborhoods with their forever-changing, yet distinct ethnic makeup, this course will offer glimpses of world wide developments, from the past to our own times. Each influx of immigrants to New York City tells the story of a change in the world and in the lives of people. First-hand experience in the form of a REQUIRED weekend field trip to New York will augment the study of documentaries (like "Hester Street") and other material. Focus Skills: Appreciates different perspectives

Required weekend field trip.

Government

New Teacher

Government IV

Music Basics

Liam Andrews

Arts I

This course covers the fundamentals of music and music theory, focusing on notes, rhythm, tempo, and chords. Students will learn basic sight reading and notation. Students will also work aural skills, honing their listening abilities. No previous musical experience is necessary. Students will work with computer programs, as well as paper and pencil activities.

Art in the Context of Self

Ted Ramsey

Arts II

Students will explore their relationship with visual art by describing and interpreting works of art. They will discover, in this process of observing art, that they recreate the art to be uniquely their own. In practicing this creative process they will illuminate themselves coming to a greater self-knowledge and better able to declare themselves with greater integrity. Students will do Illuminations (exhibitions) at the end of the course that demonstrates this process.

MORNING MODULE QUARTER 2

Drumming

Virginia Palmer-Fuechsel

Arts I

In this creative, collaborative class, we will explore rhythmic patterns and hand-drumming techniques of different cultures and traditions, including hand drums of various kinds. For enrichment and variety, the class goes on several field trips, researches and presents drum cultures, and works on making drums and idiophones. We will also explore the discipline of drum line marching and stick patterns with the snare and bucket drums. A focal point of many sessions will be the drumming circle, in which students learn cool beats and practice our motto D.R.U.M. (Disciplined Drumming skills, Respect and Rhythm create Unity and good Music). Motivated participation and commitment are expected, as well as full participation in scheduled performances.

Microbiology

Carol Gates

Biology I

This course is a combination of classroom and laboratory work. This is a survey course, in which we will study a variety of microbes, including bacteria, fungi, protista and others. Experiments include gram staining, biochemical identification of microbes, inhibition of growth with spices, vinegar production, yoghurt production, bread making, and the effects of sugar and salt on microbial and fungal growth.

The Post War Decades (1945 – 1973)

Keith Pressman

U.S. History III

Popular histories and Hollywood movies often take a nostalgic look at the 1950’s and 60’s. From tickertape parades for returning WWII soldiers to Ike & JFK. James Dean, Marilyn Monroe and three days of peace & love at Woodstock. While such histories highlight some of the important people and events of the postwar era, they often obscure the harsh reality: this was one of the most violent and repressive periods in American history. This course will examine the social, political and cultural trends of the postwar decades in an attempt to better understand how these times have shaped our own.

Facing Discrimination

Alvin Fridie

English II

Students will focus on autobiography as a tool to describe and to criticize discrimination and oppression. Reading and writing assignments will concentrate on non-fictional prose, and will emphasize the processes of reading, analysis, reasoning, and the stages of the writing process. Reading material will include The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Persepolis, and a selection of political, argumentative and narrative speeches

Origins of American Literature

Mark Farmer

English I

This survey course explores the major literary movements in the American colonies and in the early United States. American classical literature is read and discussed, with the goal of connecting the history of the time period with the evolution of the writing styles and themes. Students will create rough and final draft essays, a final Exhibition, and a final paper.

Geography

Culver Fortna

Geography

Geography is the study of the Earth and its people. Did you know that the world is round? That it spins on its axis and we are revolving on it with billions of other people? Well, how do we recognize these people and how do we define them? What are the histories, cultures, and languages delineated by lines on a map? These are the queries of Human Geography, and through this course you may learn something of Planet Earth.

Imperialism

Steve Roushakes

World Studies III

In this course we examine the Age of Imperialism (1830 to 1914, roughly) and its legacy for the modern world. Accordingly, we begin with an examination of the consequences of western imperialism, focusing on Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. We then survey the history of nineteenth-century imperialism and assess its similarities and differences from earlier imperialist eras and empires. In particular, we attempt to pinpoint the historical factors that gave birth to such an age of conquest and colonization of peoples by Europeans and, to a lesser extent, Americans. But beyond the historical facts, we also look at the culture of imperialism. How did Europeans view themselves in relation to “their” colonial subjects and vice versa? Course readings draw almost exclusively from primary sources.

Synthesizers

Billy Pasour

Physics III

Synthesizers are so named because they synthesize different elements of sound to form more complex sounds. In their focus on waveforms, timbre and amplitudes as opposed to instruments and playing style, they move from the realm of traditional music theory to incorporate a more scientific language. In this way, synthesizers also represent a synthesis of physics and music, and, in the spirit of Multiple Intelligences, they allow us to approach physics through the musical intelligence. Students will learn the electrical laws behind synthesizers, will work with a high quality analog modeling synthesizer and various synthesizing software, and will ultimately build a synthesizer as a class for their exhibition.

Digital Photography / Yearbook

Janis Trizna

Computer Elective

Do you enjoy photography? Learn how to shoot and manipulate digital photos. During this class you will create a portfolio of photos to be used in layouts for the yearbook. It is recommended that students entering the course possess a digital camera.

AP Human Geography

Peter Werres

Geography V

In the shrinking world of the global village, our distant linkages become ever more important, and we should know the players and components that do the shrinking and linking. As citizens, voters, and job seekers, students will have to make countless informed decisions that should be based on the best possible knowledge of the world. In this AP course, we will presume familiarity with the physical layout of the world, its environment, its regions, and its resources, and instead focus on pertinent aspect of societies/states/nations, their traditions and recent developments - in short on human geography. Population, cultural, political, economic, as well as rural and urban geography will be studied in depth. In the process, students are expected to become literate in the key concepts of human geography.

Balance

Liam Andrews

P.E./Health

Students will focus on balance – physically and mentally. We will work on specific exercises to strengthen and stabilize muscles, such as yoga, stretches, dance, and pliometric excercies.

MORNING MODULE QUARTER 3

History of Rock and Roll

Virginia Palmer-Fuechsel

Arts I

Rock is considered by many to be America’s greatest contribution to world music. But what are the roots of Rock? How has it changed during the last 50 years? Is Rock still alive? In this class we will try to answer these questions while exposing our ears and minds to blues, country, folk, gospel and R + B on our way to the British Invasion, Punk, Metal, and beyond. Students will research and report on Rock icons and genres, share their favorites, and at the same time broaden their musical experience by jamming and trying out great songs from each genre. For the final project or exhibition each student will research, write and present a 20 minute radio or video documentary featuring music from a pivotal year or event in the history of Rock.

Genetics

Carol Gates

Biology II

This is a basic genetics course. Students will study such topics as DNA structure and function, chromosomes, mitosis, meiosis, mutations, Mendelian genetics, population genetics and common inheritable traits and genetic diseases.

0.5 Biology

This class has an exhibition.

Conquest and Rebellion

Keith Pressman

U.S. History III

This joint project with the English Department will explore the conquest and settlement of the Americas. It will focus on three aspects in particular: European conquest of the Americas during the 17^th and 18^th centuries, western expansion by the United States during the 19^th century and U.S. policies towards Latin America in the 20^th century.

*must be taken w/afternoon module-

Food Chemistry