th
th
st
Chemistry
1/2 Credit Science
Instructor: Tricia Schwartz

Chemistry is a branch of the sciences that is dedicated to the understanding of matter.
We will learn about the science behind the periodic table and how it can be used to predict reactions and energy changes from a proposed chemical reaction. The modern understanding of the atom is built on a rapid increase in knowledge over the past century that now provides chemists and physicists unparalleled insight and control in adapting nature to society ’ s needs. Students will know how to predict the outcome of chemical reactions and how to calculate the amounts and energy changes of such reactions. An introduction to thermodynamics and quantum mechanics will provide tools for future work in the sciences. Required of Sophomores.
Physics
1/2 Credit Science
Instructor: Tricia Schwartz
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

Introduction to C++
1/2 Credit Science or 1/2 credit Math (after completion of Algebra 2)
Instructor: Kathleen Petrowicz
Learn an object-oriented programming language used by Google, Maya, and NASA ’ s
Mars Rover. Apply logic, flow-charting, and specialized algorithms to write, test, and debug your own source code.
Introduction to Physical Science
1/2 Credit Science
Instructor: Shannon Gmyrek and Dave Taylor
Physical science is the study of the non-living forces in our universe. Areas of study include as chemistry, astronomy, geology and physics. In the Spring semester, students in this course will continue to focus on the fundamentals of physical science and critical thought. Students will work on using the scientific method, writing labs and mastering basic science equipment while performing experiments that highlight the fundamentals of the science. Required of Freshmen.
Conservation Biology
1/2 Credit Science
Instructor: Shannon Gmyrek
Conservation biology focuses on the study of nature and the Earth ’ s biodiversity. The aim of conservation biologists worldwide is to protect species, their habitats and ecosystems from extinction or depletion. In this course, we will explore the science and economics of conservation biology while focusing on current issues. As a semester-long project, the class will work on developing a nature trail in the wood behind the school complete with informational plaques and trail markers.

Maritime Literature
1/2 Credit Literature
Instructor: Norah Tinti
Students will explore aspects of the Maritime world through literature and historical texts in this class. Seasickness will not be tolerated as we set sail across times and oceans to explore the ideas, ideals and mercurial aspects of the sea. Students will learn about knots and rigging, sailing and navigation as well as the effects of the vastness of the ocean on the human psyche. Come join this swashbuckling crew for an adventure that you won ’ t soon forget.
Dystopian Novels

1/2 Credit Literature
Instructor: Tory Stella
In the twentieth century novels Brave New World, 1984, and A Clockworld Orange,
Huxley, Orwell, and Burgess present chilling and sometimes terrifying visions of the future of modern society. In Dystopian Novels, we will explore the various themes presented in these classic novels. How does each author treat the role of the individual in society? What are the roles of love and hate? Violence and peace? Are technological advances presented as a benefit or a hindrance? We will contemplate these issues within the context of each work, and discuss how these questions are relevant to society today.
Students will be evaluated on a variety of critical and creative assessments.
Post-Colonial Literature
1/2 Credit Literature
Instructor: Tory Stella
Winston Churchill famously stated that “History is written by the victors,” and this is reflected in what are considered the most important works of modern western literature.
The far-reaching arm of European colonialism, which extended to India, Africa, and
North America, among other regions, spawned many literary works between the midtwentieth century and the present that deal with this clash of cultures. In this course students will read works of literature written by members of non-western peoples who experienced the various (and often devastating) effects of European exploration and expansion. We will consider themes such as loss of individual and community identity, the role of traditional values, and the unique relationship between the colonizer and the colonized.
Please note that International Students are required to take American Literature with Emily White.
History of Astronomy
1/2 Credit History

Instructor: Joe Chamberlain
Astronomy has been on the cutting edge of science since ancient times. We will study the past, present, and future of astronomy and seek answers to questions as old as "Does the sun orbit the Earth or vice versa?" and as current as "Is Pluto a planet?" We will also consider questions that have yet to be answered, such as "Are there parallel universes to our own?" and "Where are all the aliens anyway?" Join us for a voyage of discovery from Earth to the farthest reaches of space and time.
American History
1/2 Credit History
Instructor: Luis Moreno
This course is a continuation of The History of the United States of America. Part
I
The students will be introduced to the History of the American nation from the end of the Civil War to the Iraq War. The students will be invited to think deeply and carefully about the United States of America as a nation which has held on to the promise of an unconstrained worship and belief, dignified life, representative and democratic government, and other freedoms not found often in other countries. In addition, students will understand “ that no promises have come with guarantees, and that the American history is an ongoing debate over the definition and realization of the nation ’ s promise.
”
Contemporary World History
1/2 Credit History
Instructor: Luis Moreno
This course is a survey of the history and culture of the world since the end of the
XIX Century. In this course, we will address some of the most fundamental transformations which have impacted the development of our contemporary and global society.
Course Goals: 1. Analysis and interpretation of key events in world history since the end of the XIX century. 2. Understanding major historical event ’ s chronology. 3. Understanding geographical changes of the world since the end of the XIX century. 4. Understanding how the contemporary world emerged. 5.

Writing critical essays on how certain historical events transformed and keep transforming the world.
Honors World History: Genocides
1/2 Credit History
Instructor: Kaitlyn MacDonald
In this course, students will be studying the history of genocide in the 20 th and 21 st centuries. We will study the Holocaust, the Khmer Rouge, Armenian Conflict, Bosnian
Wars, Bolshevic Revolution, the war in Rwanda, Darfur, and other current genocides.
Students will study the origins of a genocide and ask themselves to socratically analyze how can this happen?
This course is not for the “ faint of heart ” . We will be dealing with difficult images both in video and in photography. This will not be an “ easy ” class as each day we will be learning about and discussing some of the most depraved acts in history. There is nothing gratuitous about this course, but there is nothing gentle either.
Expect to write several papers and to participate generously in two Socratic seminars per week.
The History of Mathematics
1/2 Credit History or 1/2 Math
Instructor: Kathleen Petrowicz
Based on the book, The Saga of Mathematics - A Brief History, this class explores the ancient Egyptians, Mesopotamians, Babylonians, Greeks, and their contributions to mathematics. The book discusses the relation of mathematics to music, art, science, technology, and philosophy. It features geometry, number theory, algebra, probability, graph theory, ancient and modern counting systems. This course is suitable for all students who have completed Algebra II, and possibly for honors Algebra I students.
Prerequisite: Algebra II or permission of instructor

Ceramics: The Wheel and Sculpture
1/2 Credit: Creative Arts
Instructor: Daniela Currie-Gutierrez
A studio course designed to cover the making of pottery on the potter's wheel and off.
This course will be primarily working on creating pieces by merging wheel and handbuilding with advanced techniques of glaze application. Students will learn about and be involved with loading and firing the kiln. We will visit ceramics artists in the area.
This class has the following prerequisite: students have to have taken the ceramics class.

Fashion Design: Project Hallway
1/2 Credit Creative Arts
Instructor: Daniela Currie-Gutierrez
Working from the concept of Project Runway, students will engage in different projects designing, sewing, and creating items. 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
Woodworking: If You Build It, They Will Come
1/2 Credit Creative Arts
Instructor: Greg Noyes and Daniela Currie-Gutierrez
Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality for better environmental value.
We will be working on building structures for outdoor and indoor spaces at school. We will use diverse materials including discarded wood, packaging and shipping materials, and repurposed building materials. We will turn these materials into useful spaces and elements such as decks, chairs and benches, and more.
Band
1/2 Credit Creative Arts
Instructor: John Oulette
Held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3-4pm. Come play and perform 20 th century songs.

Cinema: The Golden Age
1/2 Credit Creative Arts
Instructor: Norah Tinti
The 20 th century gave birth to some of the best performances ever caught on film: the drama of Gregory Peck, the dancing of Astaire and Rogers, and the comedy of Charlie
Chaplin. In this class students will explore the movies of the great American Cinema, analyzing the action and then participating in film adaptations as they extend their own skills in the area of film acting. This is an intensive, in depth look at what makes a movie star or performance great and what it means to create something to help others escape the mundane or the horrors of war. Students will be acting and directing in pieces of short film and they will do a screen test as part of this course.
Play Production
1/2 Credit Creative Arts
Instructor: Norah Tinti
This is for those who love of all things that inspire: acting, directing, publishing, writing, creating and innovation. This course will explore the process of putting on the musical for the Spring from start to finish. Students will be learning about how to be a producer, the history of Broadway and the collaboration it takes to put on a show. This course will challenge students to write copy for newspapers, create possible set pieces, props and costumes for the Spring Musical and to see where their own insight and creativity can take them. Students will be challenged to move outside their comfort zones and put it all on the line for their show.
Choir
1/4 Credit Creative Arts
Instructor: Norah Tinti
In this course students will learn about the rich folksong tradition the United States has to offer through singing, listening and performing in class. Students should expect not only to sing in two-part harmony but also to study the various folk song traditions from early
American to modern Appalachia. HELD ON FRIDAY AFTERNOONS.

Beginnings: First Year Seminar
1/4 Credit PDV/Philosophy
Instructor: Cathy Mannheimer and Shannon Gmyrek
First-year students will learn the basics of writing research papers, note-taking, time management, and how to be a Sparhawk student. There will be ample amounts of time for work on large projects or papers. This is a required course of all freshmen.
Media Literacy and Current Events: Sophomore Seminar
1/4 Credit PDV/Philosophy
Instructor: Joe Chamberlain and Norah Tinti

Second-year students will learn how to read media, both televised and written. The New
York Times , Boston Globe , and television news will be our guides, as well as the writings of American philosopher, Neil Postman. Students will follow current events and be responsible for participating in debates and Model U.N.
College Readiness
1/4 Credit PDV/Philosophy
Instructor: Barbara Coutinho and Tory Stella
In this course, juniors will begin their college process, especially work on their essay.
Using our ConnectEdu software, students will, with guidance, move from high school junior to college applicant.
Senior Seminar
1/4 Credit PDV/Philosophy
Instructor: Louise Stilphen and Kaitlyn MacDonald
In this course, seniors will prepare their portfolio for graduation by exhibition