Honors Electives Course Listings
Course Themes
Business Courses - GLL: 2011-2012 Honor Elective
English & Writing Courses - GLL: 2011-2012 Honor Elective
Humanities & Social Sciences Courses - GLL: 2011-2012 Honor Elective
Mathematics Courses - GLL: 2011-2012 Honor Elective
Science Courses - GLL: 2011-2012 Honor Elective
Technology Courses - GLL: 2011-2012 Honor Elective
Course Themes
Business Courses - GLL: 2011-2012 Honor Elective
| Course Title | Grades | Description |
|---|---|---|
| From Lemonade Stands to Groupon | 6 - 12 | How much money can a lemonade stand yield? How does the knowledge of math help entrepreneurs? With a foundation in business math, students uncover what it takes to set up and run a successful and prosperous business. Using case studies, readings and assignments, participants engage in several projects, including researching a company’s earnings and designing a small business. High school credit: 1 semester Requirements: Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE, Math > 18 6th - 9th: SAT, Math > 540 6th - 9th: ACT, Math > 20 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
| The Business of Advertising | 6 - 12 | Why are infomercials effective? How can the Super Bowl command $3 million for a 30-second advertising spot? Study the business of advertising and discover the influence technology has had on marketing. Discover the secrets that Nike, Verizon and other companies have already mastered. Explore the strategies used in the most successful advertising campaigns and develop a few of your own. High school credit: 1 semester Requirements: Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE, Math > 18 6th - 9th: SAT, Math > 540 6th - 9th: ACT, Math > 20 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
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English & Writing Courses - GLL: 2011-2012 Honor Elective
| Course Title | Grades | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Art & Literature of the Graphic Novel | 6 - 12 | This course analyzes successful graphic novels and explores varied approaches to developing sequential narratives. Through reading, writing, drawing and discussion, students scrutinize this genre. Hands-on experiments break down the elements of composition, narrative flow and graphic style into manageable pieces of this complex form. In the final four weeks, students will develop a graphic novel framework with a written narrative, written and drawn character study, written and drawn context study and supporting research materials. Read more about our Creative Studies courses. High school credit: 1 semester Requirements: Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE English > 20 or Reading > 18 OR 6th - 9th: SAT Reading > 510 or ACT Reading > 22 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
| Effective Essay Writing: Writing for Test Preparation, College Applications & Beyond | 6 - 12 | Often assigned in class and required in applications, essay writing demands planning, preparation and practice. Students learn the structure and purpose of a variety of essay forms through readings and analyzing well-constructed essays. Using what they have learned, writers then create and critique their own work. Improve your writing skills and learn to write essays for a specific purpose using efficient and effective techniques. High school credit: 1 semester Requirements: Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE English > 20 or Reading > 18 OR 6th - 9th: SAT Reading > 510 or ACT Reading > 22 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
| The Play's the Thing: Playwriting 101 | 6 - 12 | From Shakespeare to Neil Simon, playwrights create dramas and comedies for live performance. By reading published plays, viewing performances and writing themselves, students develop their skills as a playwright. Students create a play from their own idea, learning the fundamentals of playwriting from character development to dialogue and plot. High school credit: 1 semester Requirements: Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE English > 20 or Reading > 18 OR 6th - 9th: SAT Reading > 510 or ACT Reading > 22 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
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Humanities & Social Sciences Courses - GLL: 2011-2012 Honor Elective
| Course Title | Grades | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Behind the Tape: Forensic Science Investigations | 6 - 12 | Popularized on television, forensic science allows students to develop and extend their scientific skills through problembased learning. Drawing on techniques and principles from social science and physical science, including chemistry, psychology, physics, biology and criminal justice, students use their observation skills to examine microscopy, chromatography, DNA and genetic evidence while conducting forensic investigations. High school credit: 1 semester Requirements: Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE Science > 20 or Reading > 19 OR 6th - 9th: SAT Reading > 510 6th - 9th: ACT Reading > 22 or ACT Science > 21 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
| Censorship | 6 - 12 | Catcher in the Rye, The Da Vinci Code and the American Heritage Dictionary are just three examples of books that have been on banned book lists. Why were they targeted? What content can (or should) be regulated? Who is (or should be) the authority? Using books as a starting point and moving into media and technology censorship, explore why people try to control information, thought and even behavior while others strive for freedom of expression. High school credit: 1 semester Requirements: Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE English > 20 or Reading > 18 OR 6th - 9th: SAT Reading > 510 or ACT Reading > 22 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
| Covert Actions: An Overview of the United States Intelligence Community | 6 - 12 | Formed to protect our nation’s security, U.S. intelligence is a community of agencies and organizations that collects, analyzes and distributes information in response to government leaders’ questions and needs. Delve into the history and development of U.S. intelligence, taking a critical look at the structures, actions, failures and challenges of this facet of government. Join us as we go behind the curtain of the intelligence community. High school credit: 1 semester Requirements: Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE English > 20 or Reading > 18 OR 6th - 9th: SAT Reading > 510 or ACT Reading > 22 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
| Economics Honors: Principals & Policy | 6 - 12 | How do buyers and sellers interact? How does unemployment affect our nation’s economic growth? Students gain an understanding of the individual behaviors that drive businesses as well as a larger understanding of the national economy as a whole. This course is an introduction to microeconomics and macroeconomics. (It is not preparation for the AP® Economics exam.) High school credit: 1 semester Requirements: Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE English > 20 or Reading > 18 OR 6th - 9th: SAT Reading > 510 or ACT Reading > 22 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
| The Influence of Art and Architecture | 6 - 12 | Explore how art, architecture and philosophy interrelate and reflect our beliefs and worldviews. Students read works by William Fleming, Peter Watson and Nigel Spivey while participating in virtual field trips to see actual artifacts housed in museums around the world. Discover how multicultural beliefs from around the world compare and contrast through artistic works of the past. High school credit: 1 semester Requirements: Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE English > 20 or Reading > 18 OR 6th - 9th: SAT Reading > 510 or ACT Reading > 22 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
| What is Just? Introduction to Political & Moral Philosophy | 6 - 12 | Good and bad, right and wrong, virtue and vice - these are the central concepts related to questions about morality. Students examine the wide spectrum of scholarly thought across civilizations from ancient Greece to the present day as it relates to individuals, the state and the relationships among them. An analysis of justice and politics prepares students for future coursework in political science, philosophy and law. High school credit: 1 semester Requirements: Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE Science > 20 or Reading > 19 OR 6th - 9th: SAT Reading > 510 6th - 9th: ACT Reading > 22 or ACT Science > 21 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
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Mathematics Courses - GLL: 2011-2012 Honor Elective
| Course Title | Grades | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming: Is It Really All Up To Chance? | 6 - 12 | Go beyond basic probability and combinatorics through the study of games of chance. Participants cover dozens of math concepts, solve various levels of equations and are introduced to math programming while studying random trials based on common games of chance. High school credit: 1 semester Requirements: Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE, Math >18 6th - 9th: SAT, Math >540 6th - 9th: ACT, Math > 20 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
| The Mathematics of Social Choice | 6 - 12 | Is voting by majority or plurality more fair? How do we mathematically rank our nation’s best colleges? Reframing social issues using math, students design experiments to answer important authentic questions. Using case studies, students apply math to real-world social situations by analyzing consequences, benefits and costs, when appropriate. High school credit: 1 semester Requirements: Prerequisite: Algebra I Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE, Math >18 6th - 9th: SAT, Math >540 6th - 9th: ACT, Math > 20 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
| Trigonometry Honors | 6 - 12 | Trigonometry focuses on nonlinear functions, right triangle properties, and advanced algebra. Students use math to solve problems in everyday life while expanding mathematical concepts and logical thinking skills. Trig is commonly used in career fields including engineering, physics, construction and design. High school credit: 1 semester Requirements: Prerequisite: Algebra I Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE, Math >18 6th - 9th: SAT, Math >540 6th - 9th: ACT, Math > 20 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
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Science Courses - GLL: 2011-2012 Honor Elective
| Course Title | Grades | Description |
|---|---|---|
| From Peas to Hereditary Disease: Exploring Genetics | 6 - 12 | The field of genetics began with Mendel’s study of pea plants in the late 1800s. Since then, improvements in technology and techniques have allowed scientists to unravel the mysteries of DNA. Students learn from a variety of resources, including computer simulations, labs and case studies. Discover how responsible genes are for many features of human life and evolution. High school credit: 1 semester Requirements: Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE Science > 20 or Reading > 19 OR 6th - 9th: SAT Reading > 510 6th - 9th: ACT Reading > 22 or ACT Science > 21 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
| Mysteries of the Brain: A Journey into Neurological Disorders | 6 - 12 | Imagine tasting a shape or sound. The brain can be a source of seemingly bizarre behaviors. Students examine the inner workings of the mind in an effort to unravel some of the more unusual disorders of the brain. Discover the enigmas and potential of your central nervous system. High school credit: 1 semester Requirements: Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE Science > 20 or Reading > 19 OR 6th - 9th: SAT Reading > 510 6th - 9th: ACT Reading > 22 or ACT Science > 21 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
| Nanoscience: What's the "Small" Idea? | 6 - 12 | An exciting area of current science research, nanoscience is the study of the extremely tiny. Little particles have a huge impact on our daily lives! It is not just physics, chemistry, engineering or biology, but rather an integration of all of these. Through readings, labs and simulations, students discover the importance of nanoscience and the applications of this research in information technology, medicine and other fields. High school credit: 1 semester Requirements: Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE Science > 20 or Reading > 19 OR 6th - 9th: SAT Reading > 510 6th - 9th: ACT Reading > 22 or ACT Science > 21 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
| Wash Your Hands! An Introduction into Epidemiology | 6 - 12 | From food poisoning to H1N1, our quality of life – and even our survival – depends in large part on the work of scientists in this field. Epidemiology is the study of factors used to investigate, analyze and prevent or control a disease. Using case studies and other investigations, students learn why and how outbreaks occur, how scientists study epidemics and the importance of their research in making public health decisions. High school credit: 1 semester Requirements: Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE Science > 20 or Reading > 19 OR 6th - 9th: SAT Reading > 510 6th - 9th: ACT Reading > 22 or ACT Science > 21 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
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Technology Courses - GLL: 2011-2012 Honor Elective
| Course Title | Grades | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 3D Graphic Modeling for Games, Illustrations & Animated Short Features | 6 - 12 | From the movies to medicine to architecture, 3D graphic modeling allows people to manipulate characters and items modeled after real structures. This course utilizes concepts and tools that professionals apply to create games and 3D illustrations, as well as animated shorts and videos. High school credit: 1 semester Requirements: Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE, Math >18 6th - 9th: SAT, Math > 540 6th - 9th: ACT, Math >20 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
| Designing Games & Puzzles on iOS | 6 - 12 |
Build apps with a programmer and other young developers! This interactive project-driven course is for anyone interested in creating applications for Apple’s iOS. Students will build puzzles, as well as analyze and critique existing programs and games. The course will teach the Objective-C skills needed to create iOS applications, the user interface and interaction design concerns that guide the creation of compelling iOS apps, and the mechanics underlying the creation of compelling puzzles. No background in programming or design necessary. Note: iDevice of some sort required (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch) and a Mac computer required. Requirements: Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE, Math >18 6th - 9th: SAT, Math > 540 6th - 9th: ACT, Math >20 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
| Interactive Web Design with PHP and MySQL | 6 - 12 | It’s not alphabet soup! PHP and MySQL are free and powerful tools used to create dynamic and interactive web sites. Learn about elements of programming, graphic design, media editing and information management. Use the web tools behind most blogs, wikis, online chats, shopping and social networking web sites! High school credit: 1 semester Requirements: Prerequisite: Experience with HTML or web editing software Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE, Math >18 6th - 9th: SAT, Math > 540 6th - 9th: ACT, Math >20 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
| Mathematical Puzzling in Python | 6 - 12 |
Inspired by online puzzle collections like Project Euler, this course will examine solving mathematical puzzles through computer programming. There are tons of questions which, though easy to frame mathematically, aren’t especially amenable to traditional, pencil-and-paper methods of solution. Computers and high-level programming languages have a lot to offer here. We’re going to be exploring a wide range of exciting mathematics—ranging from geometry to combinatorics to graph theory—using Python, a prominent, high-level programming language. Requirements: Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE, Math >18 6th - 9th: SAT, Math > 540 6th - 9th: ACT, Math >20 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
| Social Media: More than just Facebook | 6 - 12 | Drawing from the fields of marketing, communication, statistics and sociology, networkers learn about the social media tools shaping their lives as they interact with them in new, exciting and appropriateways. From Facebook to Twitter and everything in between, participants learn to use these tools safely and explore everything from personal branding and writing for an audience to orchestrating a persuasive social media campaign. Notes: • Personal data provided online for the course will be minimal. High school credit: 1 semester Requirements: • Participants must be 13 years of age or older and have permission to access social media sites. Out of level NUMATS test score or Admission Portfolio 6th: EXPLORE, Math >18 6th - 9th: SAT, Math > 540 6th - 9th: ACT, Math >20 10th - 12th: Admission Portfolio |
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