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Download a PDF of the 2013 Interim Semester Handbook.

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INTERIM SEMESTER HANDBOOKThe <strong>Interim</strong> <strong>Semester</strong> program was established at Singapore American School in 1973 with <strong>the</strong> goal <strong>of</strong>enhancing <strong>the</strong> standard curriculum by providing students with opportunities for cultural enrichment,experiences in <strong>the</strong> arts, adventure activities, and service to o<strong>the</strong>rs. These expeditionary learning opportunitiesmake up an integral part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> high school curriculum. Students are required to participate in <strong>Interim</strong><strong>Semester</strong> each year <strong>the</strong>y are in attendance.INTERIM SEMESTER MISSIONThe <strong>Interim</strong> <strong>Semester</strong> program is committed to:• deepening students’ understanding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world around <strong>the</strong>m;• inspiring students to contribute to <strong>the</strong> global community;• encouraging students to challenge <strong>the</strong>mselves; and• building a sense <strong>of</strong> community.COURSE CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS<strong>Interim</strong> <strong>Semester</strong> courses fit into three categories, global studies, service, or eco-adventure.GLOBAL STUDIESThe Global Studies category denotes active participation and awareness <strong>of</strong> ourinterconnectedness with people and cultures around <strong>the</strong> world. Students will deepen<strong>the</strong>ir understanding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world through <strong>the</strong>mes. These <strong>the</strong>mes may cross any academicdiscipline and <strong>of</strong>ten focus on development (resource management, environmental care,poverty), peace and conflict, cultural expression, and political conditions. Language study,which facilitates all cultural understanding, is also a valued focus area.SERVICEService has <strong>the</strong> capacity to touch on each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> desired student learning outcomes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>school’s strategic focus. By using <strong>the</strong> model that knowledge leads to compassion, andcompassion to action, service learning projects give students <strong>the</strong> opportunity to make apositive impact on <strong>the</strong> local community in which <strong>the</strong>y work. Service provides a frameworkin which students learn and develop through active contribution in thoughtfully preparedservice that meets <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> community.ECO-ADVENTUREEco-adventure courses are designed around <strong>the</strong> belief that <strong>the</strong> outdoors provides <strong>the</strong>greatest context for humans to grow socially, emotionally and academically. As such,eco-adventure courses provide students opportunities to learn and develop physically andintellectually while being fully immersed in <strong>the</strong> natural environment. Students will returnfrom <strong>the</strong>se excursions with an improved self-perception, increased academic skill-set and arobust sense <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> environmental dynamics <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> region visited.BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONSPositive interaction among students, faculty, guides, and local people is a hallmark <strong>of</strong> all <strong>Interim</strong> <strong>Semester</strong>courses. It is unacceptable for students to inconvenience o<strong>the</strong>rs, or jeopardize <strong>the</strong> safety <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> group.Students must satisfy <strong>the</strong> sponsors that <strong>the</strong>y have <strong>the</strong> background to enjoy <strong>the</strong> course, and that <strong>the</strong>y will besupportive <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> group for <strong>the</strong> duration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> course.All <strong>the</strong> Singapore American School rules are in effect for <strong>the</strong> duration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> course. The regular prohibitions4 interim semester HANDBOOKSINGAPORE AMERICAN SCHOOL

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