2013 Catalog - The Taft School

100-Level coursesL114Science Department130. BiologyThis course is an introduction to thestudy of modern biology, centering onconcepts of evolution, genetics, andcell theory crucial to understandingthe development of life and science ofbiology. This course aims to provide thestudent with some comprehension of thevisible world, with an appreciation of theconnections and interrelatedness of allscientific learning. Readings are chosenfrom a variety of sources; laboratorywork, films, and occasional field work arefeatures of the course.131. Physical ScienceThe Physical Science program isdesigned to integrate both introductorychemistry and physics fundamentalsinto a five-week class that will enablethe student to have a solid graspof beginning topics. The materialcovered will include a crash courseinto math basics such as scientificnotation, significant figures, andthe use of exponents. Other topicsare Atomic Theory and Structure,Thermodynamics, Electrostatics,Enthalphy changes in ChemicalReactions, Nomenclature, and ReactionTypes. The course will stress theinteraction of matter on the atomic andmolecular levels and as we look intothe structure of the atom and how thesubatomic particles interact within theatom and between molecules.132. ChemistryThis introductory course offers thestudent the fundamentals of chemistryand an opportunity to analyzemodern environmental and biologicalproblems from a chemical perspective.A conceptual understanding ofchemistry is taught through lectures,demonstrations, laboratory experiments,and seminar discussions. Studentsare introduced to the lab reportingprocess and practice the skill. Readingsare chosen from a variety of sources;laboratory work, films, and occasionalfield work are features of the course.Note: Open to Liberal Studies only134. IntroductoryEnvironmental Science – New!This course is an introduction tothe environmental science throughexploration of Ecology and physicalelements of the world around us.Centered through the investigationof the planet and its ecosystems, thiscourse will provide a window forstudents into the laboratory sciences ofthe high school and scientific inquiryand methods. Rather than a standardizedtext, readings will be taken from avariety of sources. Laboratory work,field trips, and use of Taft property areprominent features of this course.135. Advanced EnvironmentalIssues – New!This Environmental Science coursewill focus primarily on humans’involvement with natural systems,specifically investigating the biologicalas well as social and cultural effectsof environment issues. Students willexplore balancing the earth’s resourcesfor human society and the earth’swell-being, and students will discusssustainable practices for the future.While not specifically designed forAdvance Placement, the course willprovide an introduction to some ofthe key aspects of that course. Thecourse will utilize field trips and thesurrounding area to better understandthe scientific policies and the integrationinto society. Researching skills anddiscussion based learning also arehallmarks of the course.Language Department140. Introduction to FrenchThis course is designed for a student withlittle or no experience in French whointends to pursue French at the secondarylevel. The basic skills of listening, reading,writing and speaking are taught. Thestudents work in the Language LearningCenter, a state-of-the-art audio, video, andcomputer facility.141. Intermediate FrenchThis course is an intensive review offeredto students who have completed oneor two years of French, but is flexiblein structure and is easily adaptable tothe specific needs of those enrolled.The course is designed to improveeach student’s ability to read, writeand converse in French. Dependingupon the needs of the student, a first orsecond year text is used with a variety ofsupplementary materials.142. Introduction to SpanishThis course is designed for a student withlittle or no experience in Spanish whointends to pursue Spanish at the secondarylevel. The basic skills of listening, reading,writing and speaking are taught. Thestudents work in the Language LearningCenter, a state-of-the-art audio, video, andcomputer facility.143. Intermediate SpanishThis course is an intensive review ofSpanish offered to students who havecompleted one or two years of thelanguage, but is flexible in structure andis easily adaptable to the specific needsof those enrolled. The course is designedto improve each student’s ability to read,write and converse in Spanish. Dependingupon the needs of the student, a first orsecond year text is used with a variety ofsupplementary materials.Taft Summer School