2013 Catalog - The Taft School

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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
144. English as a SecondLanguageThe ESL Program is divided into differentlevels. Each student is enrolled in the levelmost appropriate to his or her abilities.Placement is determined by the SLEP(Secondary Level English Proficiency)test which is administered the first day ofthe session. Students determined to needmore instruction in ESL are placed in atutorial in addition to the ESL class.Writing assignments stressorganization and grammar. Studentswrite compositions frequently, andthey are expected to develop a clear andorganized writing style, free of slang andawkward construction.During the course, students readfrom a variety of sources. They are exposedto unedited journalistic prose, and at eachlevel students read short stories and anovel. A grammar and vocabulary booksupplement the readings. In class, studentsare required to speak only English.All ESL students have the option totake the Institutional Test of English as aForeign Language (TOEFL), an unofficialtest designed to familiarize the studentswith the TOEFL exam. Prior to the test,students take practice exercises in class.Enrollment in the ESL Program islimited. Early application and enrollmentare advisable.History Department150. Modern United StatesHistoryThis course reviews American political,social, and cultural history from thecolonial period of the 18th Century toWWII. Students will examine majoraspects of the American Revolution andthe creation of the Republic, the Civil War,World War I, and World War II. Quizzes,tests, and a paper will be the evaluationmethods. Daily reflective reading ofprimary and secondary sources prior toeach class and direct engagement in classdiscussion will be expected.151. Modern United StatesHistory-ESLThis course is identical to History 150,but reading and writing assignments aredesigned for students for whom English isa second language.Arts Department160. Studio ArtThis course focuses on exploration in thestudio. Students with limited experienceare welcome, but should expect to bechallenged. Students enrolled in the studioart course assemble portfolios througha series of projects that require creativethinking, problem solving, and attentionto aesthetics. Innovative studio art projectsconcentrate on the elements of art andprinciples of design through drawing,painting, printmaking, assemblage,installation, and even flipbook animation.There is an emphasis on the developmentof personal style through the explorationof both traditional and non-traditionalmedia and a variety of subject matter.Art history forms the base of manyassignments and students are asked toconduct independent research as well. Thecourse includes instruction in framing andmatting in preparation for a gallery exhibitat the end of the term.161. Photography(Traditional and Digital)This course combines traditionaldarkroom ‘wet’ practices with the digital‘dry’ process. Open for enrollment toboth beginner and advanced students,this course will address technical andaesthetic aspects of photography. Studentswill learn to develop black-and-white filmand print from negatives. In addition,they will learn the fundamentals of digitalimage adjustment, including matchingthe printed output to the image. Picturemaking values and ideas will be discussedthroughout the course. At the end ofthe summer term, students will havethe opportunity to showcase their finalproduct at the student art show.This course requires both, a 35mm cameraand a digital camera. Enrollment is limitedto eight participants.162. Clay WorkshopExplore the exciting versatility of clay. Usethe power of hands and imagination tocreate sculptures and pottery. Devoted topersonal attention, this course is for thestudent with no previous experience or forthose seeking further development of handbuilding, throwing and glazing skills. Manyhand-building methods will be explored;slab, coil, dowel, mold, pinch, trapped airand the use of textures. Basic throwing,as well as more advanced techniques, willalso be taught. Students work at their ownpace and experimentation and personalgoals will be encouraged. Students willbe able to combine throwing and handbuilding techniques to enhance theirability to build more individualized pieces.Various artists will be introduced to inspirecreative thinking. Students will have anopportunity to display their work at agallery exhibit at the end of the term.163. Advanced Studio ArtThe advanced studio art course movesbeyond on the introductory andexploratory, and allows students to deeplyexamine their creative self. Advancedassignments in drawing and paintingrequire students to be especially sensitiveto the abstract qualities of form andcontent of their work and others andto be eloquent in class discussions andcritiques. Areas of study include portraitand figure painting, automatic drawingand abstract expressionism, mixed mediaand installation, and illustration. Studentswill submit works to the end of term artshow, and assemble portfolios, building forfuture interests in the field.Note: Open to Liberal Studies only15June 30–August 3
Page 7: The Taft SchoolEstablished in 1890
Page 10 and 11: DAILY LIFEDL8AthleticsEach summer s
Page 12 and 13: Academic offeringsYoung Scholars Pr
Page 14 and 15: 100-Level coursesL112English Depart
Page 20 and 21: 200-Level coursesL218Special Electi
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Page 24 and 25: AD22AdmissionThe Taft Summer School
Page 26 and 27: how to ApplyAP24Instructions to the
Page 28 and 29: application AYoung Scholars Program
Page 30 and 31: school report B____________________
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Page 36: Additional informationFor more info

2013 Catalog - The Taft School

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