Sparhawk High School

Sparhawk High School

Thematic Course Catalog

Spring 2011

The Renaissance

What was “The Renaissance”? Why did the Renaissance first begin in Italy? Why was Florence at the heart of the Italian Renaissance? What role did the Medici family play in Renaissance Florence? What are the characteristics of humanism? How was it different from medieval scholasticism? From nominalism? Why is Petrarch considered to be the "Father of Humanism"? Why was Cicero a favorite classical figure of Renaissance humanists? What was the goal of a "liberal arts" education? What were core subjects taught? What is meant by the term "civic humanism"?

Science

Chemistry 2

1/2 Credit Scientific Process

Teachers: Bob Spillman

The fundamental concepts needed to succeed in Sparhawk’s advanced multidisciplinary science classes will be introduced to incoming students in this course. The natures of matter, energy, and chemical composition are intertwined at the level of atomic structure. In this class, we will discover the way that properties of matter are studied, measured, and organized by scientists. These fundamentals will prepare you with the “hard science” basics that will let you tackle upper level thematic science courses with confidence, and is therefore a prerequisite for most science classes.

Biology 2

1/2 Credit Science

Teacher: Kate Yeomans

REQUIRED OF ALL FRESHMEN; OPEN TO ALL

Biology is the study of living organisms and the nonliving factors that affect them. This spring, we will build upon our understanding of the natural world from the earth’s biosphere to the smallest, one-celled organisms by continuing our investigation of the common threads that link us all together: cell growth, genetics, evolution, taxonomy and classification. As time allows, we will also explore the diverse characteristics of plants and animals through our ongoing nature study. We will be busy in class with hands-on exploration of key concepts as well as frequent outdoor expeditions to examine the natural world in our neighborhood as it transitions from mid-winter into late spring.

Evolution of Science

1/2 Credit Science

Instructor: Bob Spillman

Exploring the how and why of scientific development, students will gain an understanding of the philosophy of science. Students will discover how the sciences connect and will practice the scientific method daily in their Socratic Seminars. From early astronomers to the current boom of scientific discovery, students will replicate experiments and monitor their own semester long experiments.

Physics

1/2 Credit Science

Teacher: Bob Spillman

Physics is sometimes called the basic science or natural philosophy. It is the study of unanswered questions about nature. As mankind learned more of the world, was slowly split into branches of science. The study of living things is called life sciences and includes biology, botany and zoology. The study of non-living is called physical sciences and includes areas such as chemistry, astronomy, geology and physics. Today, physics is dedicated to the study of basic things such as motion, forces, energy, heat, sound, light and the composition of atoms. The ideas of physics are fundamental to all of the sciences. This class will explore the basic laws starting from the days of Newton and Galileo. It will explore the principal aspects of the scientific method, an approach to exploration and discovery that has shown to be the most productive in unraveling nature’s mysteries. Knowledge of physics is useful for many careers since it provides a basic understanding of what is going on around us. One can see and utilize knowledge of physics in much that is happening in current events. Shuttle space flights; the Hubble Telescope and operation of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Europe are common news features. Issues concerning use of nuclear energy and high-efficiency electric cars are key issues that all involve physics. This course will provide some of the detail necessary for understanding and participating in society’s decisions on these programs. Good math skills are very useful for this class

Literature

Creative Writing Fiction: Influence of the Renaissance

1/2 Credit Literature

Teacher: Kevin Fanning

Through writing, students will learn to craft dialogue, scene, setting and detail. Students will write several short stories throughout the semester, revising work before a final submission. Students should expect to read short fiction, to write prose discussing the elements and craft of fiction, to write multiple pieces of short fiction, and to learn and participate in workshops.

World Literature: Scripture as Literature

1/2 Credit Literature

Teacher: Kevin Fanning

With the advent of the movable type printing press in the mid-1400's, knowledge became democratized. With identical copies of texts existing in studies, libraries and universities across Europe, analysis and comparisons could be made and discussed. As thousands of Gutenberg Bibles spread throughout Europe (coupled with the rise of Lutheranism), scholars began to study biblical texts as forms of literature. In this class we will undergo the same pursuit as the intelligentsia of centuries ago. In this class, we will engage in serious discussion and examination of the Shared and New Testaments. Students in this class should expect to read and write on a nightly basis.

World Literature: Dante's Inferno

1/2 Credit Literature

Teacher: Emily White

In this course, we will spend the entire semester exploring Dante’s

Inferno, the first canticle of his three-part poem The Divine Comedy.

In the seven centuries since this Italian epic was penned, countless

writers and artists have found inspiration in his gruesome and often

moving account of this imagined passage through the layers of hell.

This course will consider the innovative and unique ways in which Dante

crafted his vision of hell by thoroughly examining the cultural,

political, and religious themes of the canticle. If you wish to journey

through hell and back, come follow Virgil and Dante in the exploration

of a poem that is an indelible part of the western literary canon.

World Literature: Shakespeare

1/2 Credit Literature

Teacher: Kevin Fanning

The purpose of this class is to expose students to timeless Shakespearian dramas from the Elizabethan Period. In addition to reading a number of plays, we will also read and discuss the theory, development, construction and influence on later literature. You will be expected to discuss the texts in class as well as in writing.

World Literature: The Actor’s Shakespeare

1/2 Credit Literature

Teacher: Norah Tinti

There is so much that can we learned from the playwright’s turn of phrase. How the dramatic pause and the accurate timing of a comedian can make a series of works come to life. Through the words and works of the Bard students will develop skills for public speaking, for the stage and of course continue to develop their analytical skills. From the Sonnets to “The Tempest”, this discussion and paper heavy course will focus on the language of Shakespeare: his is themes of love, life and loss, as well as how popular culture will never tire of the performance of his works.

World Literature: The Creation of an Empire

1/2 Credit Literature

Teacher: Norah Tinti

From the bloody battles of Steven and Maude to the enforcement of trials, the early times as England rose to greatness are marked by power plays. The English throne moved from French rulers to those born and bred in England. Before there was a Lion Heart or a Tudor there was Henry II. This course will explore themes of leadership, integrity, trust, and disintegration of power amongst others in a look at the birth of a nation. Through fiction written from the authors of 3 different centuries students will delve into novels that revolve around some of the worlds unsolved mysteries. Come look at a time when chivalry was a code not just a word and Kings created mazes to baffle intruders.

History

History: The Medieval Mind

1/2 Credit History

Teacher: Luis Moreno

The cultural legacy of the Middle Ages continues to challenge us into revising conventional assumptions about the role it played on the development of the Western tradition. This course explores the genius of the medieval mind and its transcendent vision of life. A major focus of the course will be the influence of medieval Christianity on Western institutions; from the role of monks and monasteries to the splendor of arts, architecture, and music; from the creation of universities and libraries to the consolidation of Roman law; from the development of natural sciences to the establishment of charitable organizations, and from the creation of hospitals and care centers to the place of sex and family in human society. Readings may include selections from the Old and New Testament, Dante's Divine Comedy, Aquinas' Summa Theologica, Fr. Roger Bacon’s Opus Majus, as well as samples of Chivalric French romance and Spanish Epic and Mester de Clerecía. The course may include a field trip to the Cloisters (NewYork City) and to the MFA museum in Boston.”

History: The Renaissance

1/2 Credit History

Teacher: Luis Moreno

The Renaissance period has been traditionally considered as the "rebirth" of classical antiquity. We will explore the rich historical mosaic of the Italian peninsula that inspired and guided the artists, architects, engineers, statesmen, popes, salaried-workers, and women, toward naturalism and human dignity, thus, setting the stage for the modern world. We will focus on central issues and ideas that comprised the consciousness of the masters of aesthetics of the Middle Ages and the Italian Renaissance and their passion for beauty and human dignity. Readings may include: Dante’s Divine Comedy and Vita Nuova, Saint Augustine’s Confessions, Petrarch’s Poetry, Leonardo Da Vinci’s Notebooks, Nicolaus Copernicus On the Revolutions of the Heavens, and Thomas More Utopia. The course includes a field trip to the MFA museum in Boston.”

History: Britain, Feudalism through the Reformation

1/2 Credit History

Teacher: Kaitlyn MacDonald

Students will study British history from Medieval times through the Reformation. There will be particular attention paid to the influence and changes to the monarchy, and the various royal families that fought for power. Students will write papers and produce projects of high quality. This is a hands-on course where we will, together, explore the great changes in Britain from 750AD to 1700AD, and will learn just how important documents like the Magna Carta are to our current rights and privileges. Students will learn how to analyze historical research and develop evidentiary support for individualized thesis statements.

Geography

1/2 Credit History

Instructor: Joe Chamberlain

How much do we know about the planet we live on? How do geographers and scientists study and describe our world? This class will consist of two intertwining themes and incorporate many different approaches and activities in the study of our planet and its landforms. Our focus is the three continents of the Old world: Europe, Asia and Africa. We will create, study and interpret many different kinds of maps and learn how cartographers describe and classify the surface of our planet. We will study the formation, structure and composition of the Earth. We will discover how the Earth changed during the different epochs of geological time. We will investigate the theory of plate tectonics and seek the cause of continental drift, earthquakes, volcanoes and the formation of mountain ranges.

Creative Arts

Historical Music Exploration: Music in the Renaissance

½ Credit Creative Arts

Instructor: Vanessa Davis

Imagine a strong cultural tide that is slowly moving across Europe. As it moves, societies are shifted and people begin contemplating the meaning of their lives. Through this thoughtful contemplation a desire arises to express the complex emotions exposed by this shift; the result is the music of the Renaissance. In this course students will explore Renaissance music through listening, attending performances and some composition. Students enrolling in this course are not required to read music and will not be required to play an instrument or sing. The most important requirement is an open and curious mind!!!

Music Theory: The Guidonian Hand and Beyond!!!

½ Credit Creative Arts

Instructor: Vanessa Davis

What is a neume? Why was music written in circles, instead of in lines? Who was Josquin des Prez? In this course students will explore the basic building blocks of music, with a focus on music theory of the Renaissance. Students will learn to interpret Renaissance music and will even compose some of their own. Students enrolling in this course do not need music reading ability and will not be required to play an instrument or sing.

Music Appreciation: “If music be the food of love, play on.” A Study of Selected Symphonic, Operatic and Ballet Music Inspired by the Works of Shakespeare

½ Credit Creative Arts

Instructor: Vanessa Davis

Scene: Famously obsessive composer Hector Berlioz in a Parisian theatre to watch his lady love, Harriet Smithson, perform Romeo and Juliet. Sitting alone in the theatre listening to the words so eloquently strung together he is inspired to rewrite Romeo and Juliet… in music. How does a composer transpose a story told in words to a story told in sound? How have composers intimately tied the writings of Shakespeare to music? In this course students will study major symphonic, operatic and ballet music inspired by the works of William Shakespeare. This course will focus in particular on the plays and sonnets of Shakespeare.

Choir

½ Credit Creative Arts

Instructor: Vanessa Davis

Do you love music? Have you always wanted to learn to read music and sing? If so, then the Sparhawk Choir is for you! This course is a continuation of the course from Fall semester. If you were not in the choir fall semester but would like to join you should talk to Vanessa before signing up. All are welcome! This course has an emphasis on learning the mechanics of singing but will also explore the vocal repertoire of the Renaissance.

Band

½ Credit Creative Arts

Instructor: Vanessa Davis

If you’ve ever wanted to learn a wind instrument in a unique and fun environment the Sparhawk High School Band is the place to do it! Have you played a wind instrument for a while, but not had any place to perform? You should join the Sparhawk High School Band!!! This class will be a continuation from last semester for those who were in it but any and all new members are welcome and encouraged to join! We will be performing at Arts Night as well as at other school events. Prior experience playing an instrument is not a prerequisite for this class, but what is prerequisite is a strong work ethic and love of music!!!

Project “Pathway”

½ Credit Creative Arts

Instructor: Daniela Currie-Gutierrez

Renaissance is a French word that means “rebirth”. Working from the concept of Project Runway, students will engage in different projects designing, sewing, and creating items inspired by renaissance fashion. Students will create clothing, shoes, accessories, and more, using a variety of materials. We will be working with paper, recycled items, mixed media, as well as fabric. Examples of work, studio visits and/or an exhibition visits are required.

Ceramics: Potter’s Wheel and Extruder

½ Credit Creative Arts

Instructor: Daniela Currie-Gutierrez

Unity is an important theme in Renaissance art. Unity is created when every part of a work of art seems to be correctly placed. In this course, Students will be creating a series of pieces that will explore the theme of unity. This course is an introduction to the sculptural and functional approaches to ceramics, including basic hand building techniques, wheel throwing and ceramic sculpture, use of the extruder, and glazing and finishing techniques. Students will explore examples of work, studio visits and/or an exhibition is incorporated.

Advanced Ceramics: Potter’s Wheel

½ Credit Creative Arts

Instructor: Daniela Currie-Gutierrez

Unity is an important theme in Renaissance art. Unity is created when every part of a work of art seems to be correctly placed. This class is for advanced ceramics students, and is an opportunity for them to challenge themselves within the realm of the sculptural and functional approaches to ceramics. Students will work on the potter’s wheel as well as learning how to load and run the kiln. Examples of work, studio visits and/or an exhibition visits are required.

You need special permission

Renaissance Painting

½ Credit Creative Arts

Instructor: Daniela Currie-Gutierrez

Renaissance artists used the rules of formal composition, scientific perspective, accurate proportion, lifelike detail, and shading. Students will learn various painting techniques and work with media used by artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. The processes of mixing color, color theory, building and preparing a canvas, and Art History will be discussed. Students will explore both the traditional and contemporary approaches in painting, including still life, landscape, and imaginative works in acrylic and watercolor. Examples of work, studio visits and/or an exhibition visits are required