2012 Summer Program - Center for Talent Development ...

EQUINOX (for students completing grades 9–12)“In addition to boosting her confidence, the course fueledan even greater intellectual curiosity.”— 2011 Equinox parent92. Philosophy Honors: Truth & AmbitionPrerequisite: Graded writing assignmentAs lovers of wisdom, philosophers desiretruth about the world and themselves. Inthe history of philosophy, however, thereare deep disagreements about the verynature of truth and human beings’ ambitiousnature. Can truth be objective? Howdo our desires and identities come to bearon what we are able to recognize as true?This course is organized around major figuresin the history of philosophy, includingone representative from each of theancient, medieval, modern and contemporaryperiods. Featured thinkers mayinclude Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine,Aquinas, Descartes, Locke, Berkeley,Hume, Kant, Kierkegaard, James, Russell,Quine, Putnam, Rorty, and Chalmers.Students learn to craft focused argumentsand essays, and practice oral discussionand debate.Note: Residential students are stronglyencouraged to bring their own computer.Offered: Session 1Admission Criteria: SAT V or Crit. R ≥510; ACT R ≥ 24; or Admission PortfolioHigh school credit offered: 1 semester93. Ethics & Contemporary Issues HonorsPrerequisite: Graded writing assignmentHow do citizens of this world make ethical,good choices? Students study thedilemmas and disagreements initiated bycurrent events and global issues, includingcloning, genetic screening, and humanrights. Examining ideas such as moral relativismand objectivism, as well as utilitarianism,virtue ethics, and duty theories,students grapple with ethical theories andtheir relationship to world events.Participants examine interactions of socialmovements, dissent and scientific study inan effort to understand how these movementsimpact views of ethical behavior.This course enriches students’ understandingof science, medicine, and public policy.Note: Residential students are stronglyencouraged to bring their own computer.Offered: Session 2Admission Criteria: SAT V or Crit. R ≥510; ACT R ≥ 24; or Admission PortfolioHigh school credit offered: 1 semesterNEW! 94. Art History(AP Designation Pending)Prerequisite: Graded Writing Assignment“I found I could say things with color andshapes that I couldn’t say any other way —things I had no words for.” — GeorgiaO’KeeffeWhat does art say about the artist? Aboutthe time in which s/he lived? AP ArtHistory students examine major forms ofartistic expression from the ancient worldto the present. Students analyze, discuss,and write about the cultural and historicalcontexts of art, and create new understandingbased on how art communicatesmeaning. The course surveys painting anddrawing, architecture, sculpture and othermedia such as printmaking, photography,ceramics and fiber arts. This course preparesstudents for the AP Art HistoryExam and is equivalent to a collegeIntroduction to Art History course.Note: Residential students are stronglyencouraged to bring their own computer.Offered: Session 2Admission Criteria: SAT V or Crit. R ≥510; ACT R ≥ 24; or Admission PortfolioHigh school credit offered: 2 semestersMATHEMATICSEquinox offers a variety of mathematicscourses presented in two formats: teacher-led(instructor paces the instruction and leadsclass meetings) and individually paced(students pace themselves with instructorsupport, and the instructor serves as a facilitatoror “guide on the side”). Although thecontent of the courses is equivalent, therequirements of the students as learners varygreatly. (See box on page 32 for details.)The following information applies to all IPcourses.Note: A graphing calculator is required.Offered: Session 2Admission Criteria: SAT M ≥ 540; ACT M≥ 20; or Admission PortfolioHigh school credit offered: 2 semesters95. IP Algebra II & Trigonometry Honors(see course description #98 for list of topicsand prerequisites)96. IP Pre-Calculus Honors(see course description #99 for list of topicsand prerequisites)97. IP AP Calculus(see course description #100 for list of topicsand prerequisites)98. Algebra II & Trigonometry HonorsPrerequisite: Algebra IAlgebra II & Trigonometry Honors is anadvanced instructor-led algebra coursefocusing on topics of systems, equations,polynomial arithmetic, complex numbers,solutions of quadratic equations, exponentialand logarithmic functions, sequences,series, graphs of polynomial functions,conic sections, and concepts in trigonometryincluding trigonometric identities.Students completing this acceleratedcourse are prepared for future courseworkin math, physics, and engineering.Note: A graphing calculator is required.Offered: Sessions 1 & 2Admission Criteria: SAT M ≥ 540; ACT M≥ 20; or Admission PortfolioHigh school credit offered: 2 semesters38 CENTER FOR TALENT DEVELOPMENT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY www.ctd.northwestern.edu 847/491-3782