the shipley school - us course descriptions

UPPER SCHOOL COURSE CATALOG2015-2016

Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.

—Aristotle

TABLE OF CONTENTSArt ��3English ��7History & Social Sciences ��11Interdisciplinary ��17Language ��21Mathematics ��29Performing Arts ��35Science ��41SEED & College Counseling ��47STEAM ��51Athletics ��55Index ��59

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ART

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS1/2 CREDIT (In 9th Grade)

The art program promotes visual awareness and imaginative

expression in non-verbal media. Students are exposed to both

traditional and contemporary techniques and concepts from both

Western and non-Western sources. Drawing is emphasized as both a

“thinking” tool and as a means of developing sophisticated observational

skills. The critically important elements and principles of art are integrated

throughout all the courses. These courses cover, but are not limited to,

painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography, ceramics, digital

art, video, and graphic design. Art is a required foundational course in ninth

grade and may be elected as a full credit course in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.

Artwork by Emma Ragsdale ’15

ART

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Art FoundationsGrade 9 | Minor | RequiredThis course introduces the essential elements and principles of art and design� It is required for all ninth grade students� Students explore the fundamental visual elements of line, form, space, color, and pattern through two-dimensional projects such as drawing, printmaking, painting, photography, and digital design� Students also complete an extended sculpture project carved in soapstone� Often the subject matter is taken from direct observation, but students are also exposed to more abstract and/or expressive-based proj-ects� They take art three periods per rotation for the entire year�

Studio Art IGrades 10, 11 & 12 | MajorArt I provides a strong foundation in the visual arts� The course covers drawing, graphic design, digital art, painting, and printmaking� It empha-sizes skill development but also furthers the stu-dent’s conceptual understanding and strategies of visual communication� Students develop their skills in observation, composition, tonality, per-spective, expression, and color� Through regular group critiques, the students develop their pow-ers of observing, analyzing, and articulating the relevant issues in their work and in the work of others� Weekly homework is assigned� Students will take a midyear and a final exam�

Studio Art I HonorsGrades 10, 11 & 12 | Major | HonorsThis course is similar to but more challenging than Art I Standard; thus, more time is required on the projects� Occasionally, the honors stu-dent is asked to produce more pieces than in the regular Studio Art I course� As well, the grading standards are more rigorous� Weekly homework assignments are given along with class work� Stu-dents take a midyear and a final exam�

REQUIREMENTS: Students must have an A- average or higher by the end of the year in ninth grade Art Foundations�

Studio Art IIGrades 11 & 12 | Major This course offers students an opportunity to explore and develop specific interests� During the first semester students study drawing in depth and cover contour line, gesture, tonality, render-ing, chiaroscuro, and color� During the second semester the focus is on the students’ individual interests� Students select a medium to explore for the remainder of the year, which may include painting, drawing, sculpture, pottery, printmaking, photography, graphic design, illustration, or digi-tal art� Students are given specific assignments in each area of study� The course emphasizes inde-pendent thinking and creative problem solving� Homework is assigned weekly, and frequent cri-tiques occur throughout the year� Students take

a midyear and a final exam� REQUIREMENTS: Successful completion of Studio Art I�

Studio Art II HonorsGrades 11 & 12 | Major | HonorsThis level is designed for the committed and dedicated student� This course is more challeng-ing and has greater expectations; therefore, it requires more time to complete the projects� Stu-dents are expected to produce more work, and the grading standards are more rigorous�

REQUIREMENTS: Successful completion of Stu-dio Art I with a B+ average or higher�

Studio Art III HonorsGrade 12 | Major | HonorsThis course prepares students for college level studio art� In addition to the first semester of drawing and design, it offers a full semester of exploration in a specific area of interest� Students can explore painting, sculpture, pottery, print-making, drawing, and illustration� Students are given specific assignments for each area of study� The course emphasizes independent thinking, creative problem solving and risk taking� Weekly homework assignments are given along with the class work� In addition, there is a midyear and a final exam� This course varies from Drawing AP only in that it does not require the student to

take the AP Exam� REQUIREMENTS: Successful completion of Studio Art I and II�

ART

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Studio Art III Drawing APGrade 12 | Major | HonorsThis is a college level course and prepares stu-dents for the AP Drawing Portfolio exam� It varies from Art III Honors in that it requires exploration in their concentration for much of the year and a dedicated commitment to art in order to produce the 29 pieces required for the AP exam�

REQUIREMENTS: Students must have the ap-proval of the Art Department before entering this course and are required to complete the AP exam�

Digital Photography and DesignGrade 12 | Major | Elective The first half of the year focuses on photography and emphasizes both the technical and aesthetic aspects of the medium� Students take pictures primarily with a digital SLR camera but will have the opportunity to work with traditional film and darkroom photography� Students are expected to take most of their photographs outside of class and can expect weekly or bi-weekly assignments� The second half of the year is dedicated to digital art and design and takes place in the Mac lab� Students develop computer skills and conceptual strategies for sophisticated artistic projects using Photoshop and Illustrator� Although students will not be given daily or weekly homework assign-ments, they are expected to acquire materials (usually photos) outside of class for use in their projects� Each semester will conclude with a focused, culminating project� No art experience is required to take this course�

Digital Photography and Design: 2-D Design APGrade 12 | Major | Elective | HonorsThis course prepares students for the AP 2-D design portfolio� They will use these prints for their portfolio� In addition, the course requires a full semester of exploration in a specific area of interest and a dedicated commitment to art in order to produce the 29 works required for the

AP portfolio� REQUIREMENTS: Students must have the approval of the Art department and are required to complete the AP exam�

MINOR COURSES

3-D Sculpture (New Course)Grades 10, 11 & 12 | Minor | ElectiveThis minor course provides an opportunity to explore and develop interests in 3-D artwork� Although this is a project-based and materials-driven course, it will begin with a focus on the fundamentals of 3-D design� Students will work in a variety of media including but not limited to wire, paper, clay, and plaster� Subtractive, addi-tive, and assemblage-driven techniques will be explored� Students will also collaborate with their peers on an installation, experience the Makerbot, and have access to new technologies for creating sculpture�

Video ProductionGrades 10, 11 & 12 | Minor | ElectiveThis minor course is designed to introduce the fundamentals of video production� The class takes place in the Upper School Mac lab� Al-though a minor, the syllabus is fairly rigorous, as it addresses a host of challenging processes requir-ing relative mastery of a broad range of skills� The first semester will largely focus on film editing and theory� The second semester will address au-dio, lighting, and media management� The course culminates with a collaborative production of a short video by the students� The primary software utilized is Final Cut Pro X�

Artwork by Agnia Ustymenko ’15

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ENGLISH

The English department believes that we learn about others and

ourselves through language and literature. At every level, students

read works ranging from the classics to contemporary works

and representing diverse voices both local and global. As students move

through grades 9 to 12, they learn to communicate effectively through the

development of their listening, speaking, and writing skills. Critical thinking

and understanding are encouraged and enhanced by engaging students

in the study of increasingly complex and sophisticated works, and by

having them write and respond to these in a variety of forms. Technology

in the classroom facilitates immediate connection to sources and resources

outside the classroom, enriching our study of texts and contributing to the

interdisciplinary approach we take to understanding literature in context.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS4 CREDITS

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ENGLISH

HONORS ENGLISHHonors English is offered in grades 9 – 12� The honors program calls for significant indepen-dent work and sophisticated reading and writing skills, whereas the non-honors program offers a more teacher-directed and supportive approach to reading and writing skills� Though many of the texts are the same in both levels, the honors level curriculum includes additional readings in a challenging program intended for students who are ready to take responsibility for a signifi-cant nightly reading load and deal with abstract concepts in both written assignments and class discussion� Entry into the honors program is dictated by teachers’ recommendations, grade averages, strong student interest and motivation, and departmental approval�

English 9Grade 9 | Major | Standard & HonorsThe freshman curriculum includes foundational and modern literature, such as The Oedipus Cycle and Lord of the Flies� Students write creative and analytical papers, such as their own original fiction and a paper comparing leadership styles of several characters in Macbeth� They study traditional poetic forms like the sonnet, as well as contemporary poetry, and they write exege-ses of individual poems and compose their own poems modeling traditional forms� Vocabulary work includes drama and poetry devices, as well as words derived from the texts� Grammar work focuses on elements students need to master for their writing�

English 10Grade 10 | Major | Standard & HonorsThe sophomore curriculum continues the study of foundational and modern literary works from other parts of the world, such as India and Africa� The course focuses on imperialism and the theme of the outsider in texts such as The White Tiger, The God of Small Things, Heart of Darkness, and Othello� Students write two major analytical pa-pers and learn and practice writing various forms of the essay in an extensive unit� Additionally, students study a range of poetry, short stories, and plays, such as Master Harold and the Boys� Vocabulary and grammar lessons continue in order to improve reading, writing, and speaking skills�

English 11Grade 11 | Major | Standard & HonorsThe eleventh grade curriculum is a non-chrono-logical survey of American literature, which ex-plores what it means to be an American through themes such as American Dreams and Night-mares and the American Rebel Hero� Students consider social, political, economic, and cultural influences on both classic and contemporary au-thors such as Hawthorne, Faulkner, Morrison, Tho-reau, Emerson, Poe, Gilman, Whitman, Dickinson, Ginsberg, and O’Brien, among others� Students write two major analytical papers as well as short personal essays, passage analyses, poetry exege-ses, and timed in-class essays�

American Studies Honors Grade 11 | Major | Honors | ID(Two-credit course meets both junior English and United States History requirements)To be an “American” means something more than United States citizenship� Students in this inter-disciplinary seminar consider the problems and possibilities of American identity, complicated and enriched by the challenges of diversity and dissent� Access to Americanness is affected by class, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, and region, categories that themselves change in meaning over time� American Studies analyzes a range of texts (novels, autobiographies, essays, poems, photographs, films, music, architecture, paint-ings) and asks the following questions: How have Americans imagined what it means to be an American? How have they imagined a national landscape, a national narrative, and a national culture, and to what ends? What myths shape our own visions of Americanness? American Studies is open to juniors only� This course meets twelve periods per seven-day rotation (although not in consecutive periods on any given day)� The coursework reflects the fact that American Stud-ies is the equivalent of two courses on a student’s

schedule� REQUIREMENTS: Students who apply for this course may be required to submit an es-say�

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ENGLISH

ENGLISH 12: SENIOR SEMINARSSeniors enroll in one seminar per semester� The following is a sampling of the courses being offered in 2015-2016� A full array of semester electives along with honors designations will be shared with rising seniors during the course selection process�

Storytelling and FilmGrade 12 | Major | Elective | IDStories are essential to understanding the hu-man experience� In this course we will examine storytelling through the vehicles of film and fic-tion� We will consider how a story is constructed through images and through words� How does the point of view change the effect of a story? How do images and sound influence our reading of a story? What are the challenges of translat-ing literature to film? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each medium, particularly in a world saturated with images? Texts and films may include 1984, Devil in a Blue Dress, Frankenstein, The Dark Knight, The Maltese Falcon, and Bonnie and Clyde.

The FantasticGrade 12 | Major | Elective | IDIn art and literature, The Fantastic explores the grotesque, the bizarre, the imaginary� As our understanding of what is real shifts over time so does our perception of The Fantastic� What cultural, religious, and social pressures create an atmosphere for artists and writers to give shape to things that might, or might not, exist? This course will examine the literary and artistic attempts to express the phenomena that escape rational explanation� We will explore paintings, novels, and films including Bosch’s The Garden of Earthly Delights, Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, and Miyazaki’s Spirited Away�

The Here and NowGrade 12 | Major | ElectiveModern life is incredibly complex: ideas fly at us, by us, and through us all the time as a result of both globalization and technological changes that have fundamentally altered the way we inter-act with our world and each other� In this course, we will examine the way contemporary writers with a variety of perspectives make sense of 21st century life� Works may include novels such as Diaz’s The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao and Adichie’s Americanah; Bechdel’s graphic novel Fun Home; short stories by Phil Klay and Moll Mal-loy; essays by writers like Malcolm Gladwell; and films such as The Social Network�

Truth and FictionGrade 12 | Major | ElectiveHow do we make sense of the world? We tell sto-ries� Writers invite readers to inhabit the worlds of experience they create by representing the truth or, at least, a credible reality� In this course, we will read a variety of fiction and nonfiction, examining the meaning of truth� In fiction, how do writers create believable characters and stories? Can nonfiction writers be objective about them-selves and their subjects, and should they be? What is the role of the reader in making meaning of a narrative? In a workshop setting, students will receive feedback on their own fiction and nonfiction pieces modeled on works culled from a variety of authors both contemporary and classic�

Why or Why Not?Grade 12 | Major | ElectiveIn stories passed down through the ages, free will has been both a blessing and a curse� Au-thors exercise choice creating characters that are typically caught in a conflict between two critical choices� In this course, we will study significant works of literature and ask the controlling ques-tion, “Why?” In addition to engaging in close reading of the texts, we will look at the conditions that generated the works: the time, place, cultur-al, philosophical, religious or scientific beliefs that influenced the creative process and choices of the author� Works may include Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus, Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Milton’s Paradise Lost, Shaffer’s Equus, and Morrison’s Beloved�

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HISTORY & SOCIAL SCIENCES

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS2 CREDITSOne credit must be U�S� History or American Studies�

It is recommended that students take 3 credits.

(The history sequence begins with Worlds in Collision� A typical sequence would follow with Modern European History, United States History, and then an elective�)

The Shipley Upper School History and Social Sciences Department

is committed to fostering independent critical thinking with a deep

understanding of core cultural knowledge. We encourage curiosity

about the richness and complexity of history; appreciation for the diversity of

the human experience; recognition of connections among the past, present,

and future; and use of those connections to put current and future events

into context. We nurture critical thinking skills and promote an atmosphere of

responsible learning for students.


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History 9: Worlds in CollisionGrade 9 | MajorThis course examines the complex and confron-tational encounters between the “Old World” and Africa, and the “New World” of the Americas� The course investigates the dynamics of power and resistance surrounding issues of religion, government, gender, community, and identity, making connections to current realities� The goal of the course is to provide a global perspective through debates, projects, research papers, and student presentations� Emphasis is placed on foundational skills such as geographical literacy, critical reading, expository writing, and analy-sis of primary-source documents and artifacts� Students will learn to identify and evaluate cor-respondences between the past and the world in which they live�

History 9 Honors: Worlds in CollisionGrade 9 | Major | HonorsThis challenging, fast-paced ninth grade course is designed for students who are ready to take responsibility for a significant nightly reading load; to work independently; to deal with ab-stract concepts in written assignments and class discussions; and to apply strong writing skills to frequent and challenging written assignments� The course content parallels the curriculum of the standard Worlds in Collision course, but with

greater depth and sustained analysis� REQUIRE-MENTS: Teacher recommendation and a grade of A- or above in the eighth grade history course�

Modern European HistoryGrade 10 | Major | ElectiveThis tenth grade elective will consider the con-cept of ‘Europe’ and its attendant narratives from the Renaissance to the present, set in a global context� We will concentrate on the moments when these narratives appear to falter and frac-ture, examining the causes and consequences of national and international confrontations, crises, and catastrophes� Emphasis also will be placed on cultural and geographic literacy� Finally, students will consider the immense intellectual and moral challenges of global citizenship; an informed understanding of current events is an essential component to success in this course� Assessments will include essays, projects, and presentations, including a formal research paper�

Modern European History HonorsGrade 10 | Major | Elective | HonorsThis tenth grade interdisciplinary history course concentrates on Europe from the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance to the present, set in a global context� While this history is often perceived through a Western perspective, we will challenge that convention in our study of the Bloodlands, the vast belt of contested territory between Germany and Russia, and in our exami-nation of Judeo-Christian and Muslim encoun-ters in south-central Europe� This course covers intellectual, political, cultural, diplomatic, and military history� Coursework emphasizes the use of primary-source documents and includes the writing of two formal research papers�

United States HistoryGrade 11 | Major | Required This course provides an overview of American history from the earliest European settlements to the present� It includes a variety of interdisciplin-ary components to provide a dynamic view of the subject� Themes include constitutional, diplo-matic, and economic development; the spec-trum of civil rights; the role of faith; the tensions between local and national authority; and current events� Students work with primary and second-ary sources, individually and in groups, to identify and analyze connections and contradictions� Get-tysburg fieldwork augments the summer reading, affording students the opportunity to develop sophisticated skills in analyzing primary cultural artifacts�

United States History HonorsGrade 11 | Major | Required | HonorsThis challenging, fast-paced course is for students who are ready to take responsibility for a signifi-cant nightly reading load; to work independently; to deal with abstract concepts in written assign-ments and class discussions; and to build on strong writing skills in frequent and challenging written assignments� The course is guided by the-matic content, including exploring what it means to be an American, how the frontier has shaped the American experience, the role of majority and minority culture, and the exploration of America

as an “exceptional” country� REQUIREMENTS: Evaluation of prior history grades, a writing sample, and department recommendation�


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American Studies Honors Grade 11 | Major | Honors | ID(Two-credit course meets both junior English and United States History requirements)To be an “American” means something more than United States citizenship� Students in this inter-disciplinary seminar consider the problems and possibilities of American identity, complicated and enriched by the challenges of diversity and dissent� Access to Americanness is affected by class, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, and region, categories that themselves change in meaning over time� American Studies analyzes a range of texts (novels, autobiographies, essays, poems, photographs, films, music, architecture, paint-ings) and asks the following questions: How have Americans imagined what it means to be an American? How have they imagined a national landscape, a national narrative, and a national culture, and to what ends? What myths shape our own visions of Americanness? American Studies is open to juniors only� This course meets twelve periods per seven-day rotation (although not in consecutive periods on any given day)� The coursework reflects the fact that American Stud-ies is the equivalent of two courses on a student’s

schedule� REQUIREMENTS: Students who apply for this course may be required to submit an es-say�

ELECTIVE MAJORS FOR JUNIORS AND SENIORS

Cultural Anthropology Grades 11 & 12 | Major | ElectiveWhat is Culture? How have we viewed, talked about, analyzed, and respected Culture historical-ly? How have we as academics and more impor-tantly as people moved away from “othering” and learned to accept other cultures as valid while still maintaining our own views and opinions? This seminar-style class will begin with a historical overview of Cultural Anthropology, focusing on the change in cultural anthropological theories through time and introduce common themes in the discipline such as family/kinship models and society/political structures of indigenous cultures around the world� The class will then move into four subunits: Ethnographies, Anthropology of Food, Ethno-medicine, and Anthropology of Gen-der� Topics include witch doctors and shamans, cannibalism and the way culture influences food choices, sexual health traditions, access and the culture of gender bias, coming of age rituals and traditions, sexual identity in different cultures, and tribal myths� The class will be centered largely on readings and class discussion with the use of vari-ous supplemental films, a few short papers, tests, and a student-driven independent research paper to end the year�

Global Studies HonorsGrades 11 & 12 | Major | Elective | Honors | IDStudents explore and critically evaluate forces that shape the relationship between the United States and other nations/non-state global actors� This interdisciplinary course draws on history, in-ternational relations, science, economics, political science, art, and other disciplines� Students read primary source documents, current event analy-ses, foreign policy analyses, scholarly papers, pop culture artifacts, and other material to critically assess the best thinking on global issues� Stu-dents move beyond Shipley’s walls via field trips, streaming video, and Skype calls� This seminar course relies on student-driven discussions, and assessments consist of fieldwork, debates, and papers� Students should be prepared for inde-pendent and group work, and to be personally re-sponsible for a positive learning environment with consistent involvement in class discussions� The course is based on a series of essential questions exploring the United States’ role in an increas-ingly globalized world, the tension and synergy between American citizenship and global citizen-ship, and the debate over who should manage global issues� Specific units include exploration of American ideologies; nations in tension in the Middle East, South Asia, and the Korean penin-sula; the environment; global development; global governance; terrorism and forces behind it; global poverty and wealth; and others�


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The Great War Honors: World War IGrades 11 & 12 | Major | Elective | HonorsMany historians regard World War I as the defin-ing event of the 20th century� One hundred years ago this summer an aging Austrian archduke was assassinated in the sweltering streets of Sarajevo, the center of Slav nationalism in Central Europe� This course uses an interdisciplinary lens to exam-ine the causes and consequences of that act of terror, which would soon engulf Europe, and the world, in one of the most catastrophic conflicts in history� Students will read and interpret an array of primary and secondary sources in order to un-derstand the many ways in which the terrible and tragic legacy of ‘the war to end all wars’ is with us still� Assessments will include a series of short es-says and collaborative projects and presentations; there will also be a formal research paper�

Macroeconomics Honors: Policies and PerspectivesGrades 11 & 12 | Major | Elective | Honors | IDStudents explore the structure and workings of the American economy in this fast-paced, discussion-oriented course covering traditional macroeconomic theory and enriched by hands-on experience with businesses and non-profits� What roles should the government and free market have in the economy? Is growth good? How will the economy of the future differ from today for America and other countries? Students inves-tigate these questions as well as the economic footprint of the major wars, Great Depression,

Great Recession, and recent international devel-opments using current events and case studies� Assessments include presentations, debates, business plan competition, stock market simula-tions, papers, and tests�

Modern Middle East Honors Grades 11 & 12 | Major | Elective | HonorsThis course examines the explosive history of the modern Middle East in order to develop an under-standing of central political, spiritual, and eco-nomic issues, as well as an awareness of all points of view� Essential topics include the creation of the State of Israel, the geostrategic realities of oil, women’s rights, the Iranian Revolution, Islamic fundamentalism, and global terrorism� Special emphasis will be placed on current events as they unfold using international news sources, field trips, and guest speakers� Assessments will include research papers, student presentations, projects, and debates�

Philosophy Honors Grades 11 & 12 | Major | Elective | HonorsPhilosophy offers a chronological exploration of world thought on the human condition� This stu-dent-centered course expects full participation in reading, exposition, and discussion from the class with the teacher serving only as the moderator� Each marking period the student will select a phi-losopher to research� The research is conducted during a supervised session in the library and as-sisted by the librarians� The students’ findings are

delivered in a lecture to peers and in a conclusive final paper� Philosophy offers the self-motivated student the time to examine a personal outlook on life and college preparatory opportunity to work with a mature independence�

Prohibition to Pop: 20th Century American History Grades 11 & 12 | Major | ElectiveThis course examines the years between the close of the Great War (World War I) and the present, and asks what it means to be modern� Literature, film, music, and art are studied for enjoyment and to allow students to interrogate and analyze the forces and impact of the shifting and dy-namic American culture in the inter-war period and America’s rise to superpower status after 1945� Topics include Prohibition, nationalism, jazz, ethnic and socioeconomic tensions, the Great Depression, World War II, American policy in the Cold War, perspectives on the Vietnam War, the rise of consumer culture, the rise of the FBI and CIA, the civil rights revolution, women’s roles and rights, and America in the 21st century� Students produce and present short papers, as well as major research projects during the course of the year�


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Race and Ethnicity in America (New Course)Grades 11 & 12 | Major | Elective | Honors or Standard | IDAmerica has long been described as a “melting pot” because of its ethnic, religious, and racial diversity� This diversity has frequently been cel-ebrated as America’s greatest trait� This course aims to explore race, ethnicity, and the American experience through literature, film, primary sourc-es, photographs, art, and music� To guide our exploration, we will ask four essential questions: What does it mean to be an American? How does one’s ethnicity or racial background alter that definition? How did ethnicity and race play a role in shaping our country and our identities? And how does this history impact our American experience today? Course materials will include works by Junot Diaz, Amy Tan, and Malcolm X, the film The Godfather, the painting The Last Mo-ments of John Brown, photography by Gordon Parks, and many others� Additionally, the students will explore their own ethnic backgrounds� This course can be taken for either standard or honors credit� To earn honors credit, students will have to complete supplemental assignments throughout the year and an honors capstone project�

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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS1 CREDITMust be a major course within any core discipline in grades 10, 11, or 12�

INTER- DISCIPLINARY

At Shipley we are acutely aware that we are preparing our students

for a world that is constantly changing. Establishing a core

foundation in each discipline is essential, but it is also incumbent

upon us to teach across disciplines in a single interdisciplinary course. These

courses combine the intellectual approaches that various disciplines offer,

teaching students to synthesize concepts from disparate sources and realms

and to think in a holistic, integrated way about the world around them. This

type of work encourages high level observation, critical thinking, and self-

evaluation to prepare students for the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of

collegiate work—and the world beyond. All students are required to take at

least one interdisciplinary offering.

INTERDISCIPLINARY

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The Culture of Madness HonorsGrades 11 & 12 | Elective Major | Honors | IDHow is madness defined through the ages? Can its label be and has it been used for the promo-tion or demonization of individuals? Does the definition change based on the gender, political circumstance, or the culture of individuals such as Lady Gaga or Joseph Stalin? This course explores the complexity of the label “madness” as it has evolved across time and culture, from the ancient world through the Renaissance, to our current understanding and treatment of it� Students will investigate these questions through novels, films, music, and short stories�

Gender Studies (New Course)Grades 11 & 12 | Elective | Major | IDIn this course, we will explore gender identity from (pre) birth to death, tracing the construction of gender across cultures� We examine rites and rituals—biological, religious and political—associ-ated with gender expectations that affect identity and sexual orientation� A key component of the course is a visual analysis of how the media and marketing specifically define and capitalize on ideas of masculinity and femininity� We explore the intersection of biology, politics, economics and the media through the lens of gender, and we seek to understand how gender shapes us as a

society and as individuals�

Iconic Cities: Art, Literature & Film in Paris, New York & MumbaiGrades 11 & 12 | Elective | Major | IDCities have long been locations of culture, epi-centers of art, and contested political spaces� The “places where dreams are made,” cities present their dwellers and dreamers with contradictory realities� What are the reigning ideologies held by and about iconic cities? In what ways do old and new traditions clash in terms of class, race, religion, and gender in the city? And what does it mean to be an insider or an outsider vis-à-vis the city? Through the lenses of art history, litera-ture, and film, this course considers the origins, development, and modern world position of three iconic cities: Paris, New York, and Mumbai�

MAJOR COURSES THAT MEET THE ID REQUIREMENT

American Studies Honors Grade 11 | Major | Honors | IDSee full course description on pages 8 or 13.To be an “American” means something more than United States citizenship� Students in this inter-disciplinary seminar consider the problems and possibilities of American identity by analyzing a range of texts� This course meets twelve periods per seven-day rotation (although not in consecu-tive periods on any given day)� The coursework reflects the fact that American Studies is the equivalent of two courses�

Engineering Honors: Principles and PracticeGrades 11 & 12 | Major | Elective | Honors | IDSee full course description on page 52.After briefly exploring various fields of engineer-ing, students will more generally explore skill sets required of successful engineers� The engineering process of designing and redesigning to fulfill a societal need will be studied through case stud-ies in the student’s area of interest� Students will write a request for proposals and also respond to classmates’ proposals� As a team of engineers, the class will choose a project to implement� Students will have hands-on experience with the engineering process�

Environmental Science & BioethicsGRADES 11 & 12 | Major | Elective | IDSee full course description on page 44.Students will learn to understand the inter-relationships of the natural world, identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, evaluate the relative risks associat-ed with these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them�

(FALL SEMESTER)

Bioethics will introduce students to possible ethi-cal choices they will face in their lives, stimulate a better understanding of scientific advances and methods, and contribute to lifelong interest in biomedical science and being thoughtful mem-

bers of society� (SPRING SEMESTER)

INTERDISCIPLINARY

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Global Studies HonorsGrades 11 & 12 | Major | Elective | Honors | IDSee full course description on page 13.Students explore and critically evaluate forces that shape the relationship between the United States and other nations/non-state global actors� This interdisciplinary course draws on history, in-ternational relations, science, economics, political science, art, and other disciplines�

Macroeconomics Honors: Policies and PerspectivesGrades 11 & 12 | Major | Elective | Honors | IDSee full course description on page 14.Students explore the structure and workings of the American economy in this fast-paced, discussion-oriented course covering traditional macroeconomic theory and enriched by hands-on experience with businesses and non-profits�

Race and Ethnicity in America (New Course)Grades 11 & 12 | Major | Elective | Honors or Standard | IDSee full course description on page 15.This course aims to explore race, ethnicity, and the American experience through literature, film, primary sources, photographs, art, and music� To guide our exploration, we will ask four essential questions: What does it mean to be an American? How does one’s ethnicity or racial background alter that definition? How did ethnicity and race

play a role in shaping our country and our iden-tities? And how does this history impact our American experience today?

StatisticsGrade 12 | Major | IDSee full course description on page 32.Statistics is the study of collecting data, analyz-ing data, probability and distribution of data, and making inferences about data� These branches of statistics will be covered thematically through in-terdisciplinary lenses including sports and games of chance, medicine, and social justice�

Storytelling and FilmGrade 12 | Major | Elective | IDSee full course description on page 9.In this course we will examine storytelling through the vehicles of film and fiction� Texts and films may include 1984, Devil in a Blue Dress, Franken-stein, The Dark Knight, The Maltese Falcon, and Bonnie and Clyde�

The FantasticGrade 12 | Major | Elective | IDSee full course description on page 9.Explore the grotesque, the bizarre, the imaginary� As our understanding of what is real shifts over time so does our perception of The Fantastic� We will explore paintings, novels and films including Bosch’s The Garden of Earthly Delights, Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, and Miyazaki’s Spirited Away�

MINOR COURSES

Action ResearchGrades 10-12 | Elective | Minor | IDStudents will join an established research group and conduct action research on an issue of their choice relating to their experience at Shipley� Action research is similar to academic research in that both gather information about a topic, but action research does so with the purpose of changing things for the better� Students in this course will identify an issue that affects Shipley students, gather information about this issue from primary sources (students at Shipley), analyze their data, and present their findings to a round-table forum at the University of Pennsylvania, our partner in this work� This minor course is specifi-cally geared toward students who are interested in community change and social science research methods�

Journalism and PublicationsGrades 10-12 | Elective | Minor | IDIn this course, students learn fundamentals of journalism including topics in ethics, research, privacy, confidentiality, and responsible writing practices� Students will learn newspaper termi-nology and editing skills, analyze various online and print publications, practice photojournalism, and design their own publication using InDe-sign� Students will also write copy for the school newspaper, The Beacon� Related movies will be an integral part of the course� The course meets three times over a seven-day rotation�

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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS3 CREDITSMust be three consecutive credits in one language�

LANGUAGE

The Shipley Language department has an unwavering commitment

to excellence in its Latin and Modern Language programs. Latin

provides a deeply-rooted linguistic foundation enriching students

in myriad areas of their academic life, while the Modern Language program

is an essential component of becoming a more informed citizen of the

world. Being rooted in the classics and fluent in a modern language

creates confidence and the ability to participate and better understand the

challenges present in the 21st century.

LANGUAGE

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LATINThe Latin program is designed to provide students with the basic tools required to read classical texts in their original form� The approach is traditional, rigorous, and yet supportive of a broad range of linguistic abilities� Students are given a solid ground-ing in the basic forms and grammar in the belief that there is no better way to engen-der confidence in translating� In the more advanced classes, students are encouraged to apply their skills so as to be able to inter-pret texts for themselves, i�e�, to think criti-cally� There are five levels of Latin offered in the Upper School� Latin II and III are offered at both regular and honors levels; Latin IV and V carry the honors designation�

Latin IIGrade 9 | Major The basic forms and grammar are completed via Volume III of the Oxford Latin Course and Latin for the New Millennium� Emphasis continues to be on mastery of the inflected endings, as well as the development of a scientific approach to transla-

tion� REQUIREMENTS: Completion of either Latin I or 8th Grade Latin� Incoming students with no previous Latin instruction will be considered�

Latin II HonorsGrade 9 | Major | HonorsWheelock’s Latin, a text designed to consolidate all basic grammar and forms, is used during the first semester to prepare the students to read the “The Helvetian Campaign” in Caesar’s Gallic Wars, Book I� The second semester is taken up with the study of the finer points of grammar using

the Caesar text as a vehicle� REQUIREMENTS: Successful completion of Latin I and department approval�

Latin IIIGrade 10 | MajorAfter an intensive review of all basic forms and grammar, this course focuses on the prose of Julius Caesar� “The Helvetian Campaign” in Book I of The Gallic Wars is read closely in order to de-velop confidence and fluidity in translation� This entails a careful grammatical analysis of all basic constructions, as well as the development of a step-by-step method for translation�

Latin III HonorsGrade 10 | Major | HonorsMastery of Ciceronian prose style is the primary goal of this course� An oration and a philosophi-cal treatise by Cicero will be read, followed by an introduction to the poetry of Vergil� Students in this accelerated sequence will have satisfied their language requirement upon completion of this

course� REQUIREMENTS: Successful completion of Latin II Honors or Latin III Standard�

Latin IV and V HonorsGrades 11 & 12 | Major | HonorsOur most advanced section of Latin, open to both juniors and seniors who have completed Latin III Honors, alternates yearly between two courses of study� One is an immersion in Vergil’s magnificent epic, The Aeneid� Selections drawn from Books I, II, IV, and VI of this epic are read, as well as books 1 - 6 in translation� We cover meter (dactylic hex-ameter), rhetorical figures and literary devices, epic form, and historical and political overtones to the work as a whole� The other year-long course focuses on the Lyric Poetry of the Repub-lican and Augustan Ages� A selection of three of the most famous poets of this genre, Catullus, Horace, and Ovid, is read� Topics covered are lyric meters, Hellenistic influences, poetic genre, and

the birth of personal poetry� REQUIREMENTS: Successful completion of Latin III Honors

LANGUAGE

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MODERN LANGUAGESThe modern language department believes that the acquisition of another language prepares our students to function more effectively as citizens in an ever-changing world� The cultivation and pursuit of a greater appreciation for cultures different from the students’ own are central to the language program� The department em-phasizes oral communication proficiency in order to help students prepare for real-life communication with native speakers�

The courses are taught in the target lan-guage with 100% immersion as the goal for instruction� Modern language courses incor-porate a rich variety of authentic language resources in a multitude of forms� Our pro-gram offers travel immersion opportunities in France, Latin America, and soon in China for students to expand upon their language skills and gain stronger global competence�

French IGrade 9 | Major (Offered only if there is sufficient demand.)This course introduces the student to the study of French language� Within a short time, the stu-dent can ask and answer basic questions as well as read and write short sentences� Active oral participation accompanies written exercises that serve to reinforce new vocabulary and grammati-cal structures� Students develop cultural aware-ness of the French-speaking world through a vari-ety of topics� Students craft and present creative projects and original dialogues in order to deepen language skills and cultural understanding�

French IIGrades 9 & 10 | MajorThis course strengthens the acquisition and refinement of speaking, writing, reading, and lis-tening skills in French� Students begin to appreci-ate the language as a vehicle for communication, while the emphasis is on grammatical structures, an in-depth study of verb forms, and new vocab-ulary based on contemporary cultural and situ-ational themes� Various activities contribute to a greater cultural awareness in the French-speaking world�

French II HonorsGrades 9 & 10 | Major | HonorsStudents develop similar language skills as in French II, as well as acquiring a more comprehen-sive and deeper understanding of the language� Students expand their working vocabulary base towards greater proficiency in listening, speak-ing, and writing� Further grammar study serves to build and expand oral and written expression� The class continues to explore a variety of topics of the French-speaking world� Students craft and present creative language-based projects and original dialogues in order to deepen language skills and cultural understanding�

French IIIGrades 10 & 11 | MajorStudents continue to build on their language skills studied in French II, but the emphasis on advanced grammar and communicative skills are further strengthened� Students speak the lan-guage more gracefully, expanding communicative skills through broader vocabulary, complex gram-mar structures, and interactive approaches such as conversations and role-playing� Students at this level read a variety of Francophone literature and view several well-regarded French films such as Le Petit Nicolas and Le Gloire de Mon Pere�

LANGUAGE

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French III HonorsGrades 10 & 11 | Major | HonorsThis course continues to develop and hone all the language skills students began to acquire at earlier levels of study, in a systematic and thor-ough way� Most of the essential French grammar points are completed in this course� Students also do extensive work on expanding their vocabulary� Students read a variety of Francophone litera-ture and view several well-regarded French films, such as Louis Malle’s masterpiece Au Revoir, les Enfants� Throughout the year, students complete individual projects in art and music�

French IV and VGrades 11 & 12 | MajorThese courses are offered as a two-year se-quence� Emphasis is placed on discussion, using readings taken from current magazines, newspa-pers, short stories, and a multicultural text� This course is also supplemented with the viewing of films such as La Vie en Rose on the life of Edith Piaf or Rue Cases-Nègres� Speaking and writ-ing skills are strengthened through an in-depth review of grammar and vocabulary in context� All students in level IV/V classes complete a final project in lieu of an exam on topics ranging from French fashion to the history of French soccer�

French IV and V Honors Grades 11 & 12 | Major | HonorsThese discussion-based courses are a two-year sequence that prepares students for advanced study at the university level� Students explore Francophone identity in a range of literary genres from France, Canada, African countries, and the Caribbean, reading poetry, short stories, complete plays, and novels� The class engages in discussion about post-colonialism, literacy, immigration, and gender identity in films from France, Morocco, Senegal and Belgium� Students present regularly on current events of the French-speaking world, analyzing and reacting to news clips and journal articles� Each course culminates in a 40-minute presentation on a chosen topic�

Mandarin I Grade 9 | MajorThe first year’s course is an introduction for students who have little or no previous exposure to Mandarin Chinese� The course is designed to help students utilize the Pinyin phonetic system, learn the principle of characters, and master basic language structures� Students will not only obtain a solid foundation of the primary language skills but also embrace the richness of Chinese culture through integrated activities� Students’ cultural awareness and multicultural understanding are fostered by learning about the diversity of cui-sines, cultural events, and customs�

Mandarin II HonorsGrade 9 | Major | Honors(Offered only if there is sufficient demand.)This course continues to strengthen the acquisi-tion and refinement of language skills presented in Level I: speaking, writing, reading, and listen-ing� The emphasis is on grammatical structures, an in-depth study of sentence structure, and new vocabulary based on contemporary cultural and situational themes� Class time is spent on oral ac-tivities with homework assignments designed to reinforce new material� Students learn vocabulary and expressions that allow for simple interactions with the target culture� Contextualized activi-ties contribute to greater cultural awareness and become an integral part of the course, including an exploration of how young people in Chinese-speaking communities spend their free time�

Mandarin III HonorsGrade 10 | Major | HonorsBuilding skills developed in Mandarin II, the emphasis of sentence compositions and com-municative skills are further strengthened� The application of language skills to authentic com-municative scenarios is one of the main focus areas� Students learn skills necessary to commu-nicate with individuals from the target culture in real-life situations� Students speak the language more gracefully, expanding communicative skills through broader vocabulary, complex grammar structures, and interactive approaches� Students also learn to appreciate primary literary works�

LANGUAGE

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Mandarin IV and V HonorsGrades 11 & 12 | Major | HonorsThese courses are offered as a two-year se-quence� In levels IV/V, students enter into ad-vanced level training, refining pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary usage� Language is enhanced through learning about topics such as transportation and travel, the Internet and technology, dating and marriage, Chinese ideol-ogy, education, and Chinese holidays and tradi-tions� Students are exposed to Chinese language, culture, and traditions through authentic texts� By the end of the two-year sequence, students are expected to have mastered the 500-800 most commonly used characters, express themselves accurately, and solve a variety of problems in real-life situations� At the end of the year, stu-dents research, analyze, and propose a solution to a contemporary issue in China today�

Spanish I Grade 9 | MajorThe first-year course introduces the student to the Spanish language� Within a short time, the student can ask and answer basic questions as well as read short texts based on the lesson ma-terial� Active oral participation and writing in the language is emphasized from the very beginning to help students improve their communication skills in Spanish� Cultural awareness is fostered by introducing the student to a variety of topics dealing with life customs and geography of the Spanish-speaking world�

Spanish II Grades 9 & 10 | MajorThis course continues to strengthen the acquisi-tion and refinement of language skills presented in Level I: speaking, writing, reading, and listen-ing� The emphasis is on grammatical structures, an in-depth study of sentence structure, and new vocabulary based on contemporary cultural and situational themes� Class time is spent on oral activities with homework assignments designed to reinforce new material� Students learn vocabu-lary and expressions that allow for basic interac-tion with the target culture� Cultural awareness is integrated into the lessons, which allows for a greater understanding of the Spanish-speaking world� Students are exposed to a variety of au-thentic materials to improve their language skills and cultural understanding�

Spanish II HonorsGrade 9 & 10 | Major | HonorsStudents develop similar language skills as in Spanish II and acquire a more comprehensive and deeper understanding of the language� Students expand their working vocabulary base towards greater proficiency in listening, speaking, read-ing and writing� Further grammar study serves to build and expand oral and written expression� The class continues to explore a variety of topics of the Spanish-speaking world� Students craft and present creative language-based projects, origi-nal dialogues and skits in order to deepen lan-guage skills and cultural understanding� Students

learn beginning composition writing as well as a simple introduction to Hispanic literature� They receive constant feedback on their progress so that they can continue to improve their linguistic skills�

Spanish IIIGrades 10 & 11 | MajorStudents continue to build on their language skills studied in Spanish II, but the emphasis on communicative skills and more advanced gram-matical structures are further strengthened� The application of language skills to authentic com-municative scenarios is one of the main focus areas� Students learn skills necessary to commu-nicate with individuals from the target culture in real-life situations� Students speak the language more gracefully, expanding communicative skills through broader vocabulary, complex grammar structures, and interactive approaches� Students play a role in their learning through alternative assessments such as projects, presentations, and dialogues�

LANGUAGE

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Spanish III Honors Grades 10 & 11 | Major| HonorsIn addition to the language skills covered in Span-ish III, students begin an exploration of cultural, social and political issues in Latin America and Spain through a variety of readings� Literary selections may include poems by Pablo Neruda, César Vallejo, and Nicolás Guillén, as well as short stories by Ginés Cutillas and Eugenia Viteri, among others� Class discussion and a variety of communicative activities bolster and enrich the students’ grasp of written and spoken Spanish�

Spanish IV and V Grades 11 & 12 | MajorThese courses are offered as a two-year se-quence� In levels IV/V, students enter into ad-vanced level training, refining pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary usage� Language is enhanced through learning about topics such as Spanish-speaking populations in the United States, Mexico City, natural resources, and the in-fluence of media� Students are exposed to Span-ish language, Hispanic cultures and traditions through authentic texts and resources� By the end of the two-year sequence, students are able to express themselves with greater accuracy and solve a variety of problems in real-life situations� At the end of each unit, students research, lead their learning, and produce work such as newspa-pers, public service announcements, and interac-tive communication with their peers focused on relevant topics in the target cultures�

Spanish IV and V HonorsGrade 11 & 12 | Major | HonorsThese courses are offered as a two-year se-quence� At the end of level V, students are able to communicate at higher proficiency levels and are able to use register and text type with more accuracy� Students explore the history, politics, culture, and literature of both Latin America and Spain� Everyday debates and class discussions on a variety of topics range from personal experi-ences to current events and trends� The study of literature includes the analysis and discussion of relevant literary texts that are currently studied at the university level� Further refinement of gram-mar and vocabulary and greater emphasis on pronunciation are common practice� Students can effectively communicate with non-native speak-ers and native speakers who are unaccustomed to speaking with foreigners� The course culmi-nates with a 40-minute presentation and lesson on a chosen topic� Many students in this course have created, edited, and produced La Fogata, the Shipley Spanish-language newspaper�

FULL IMMERSIONModern language courses are taught

in the target language with 100% im-

mersion as the goal for instruction� The

department emphasizes oral communi-

cation proficiency that helps students

prepare for real life communication with

native speakers�

LANGUAGE

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FOREIGN TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIESVILLEFRANCHE EXCHANGENow in its 25th year, the Villefranche ex-

change program links Shipley students

with French students, who host and visit

each other during spring break in alter-

nating years� In 2015-2016, French stu-

dents will visit Shipley�

LATIN AMERICA SERVICE & IMMERSIONSpanish students will have the oppor-

tunity to travel to a Latin American

country for two weeks in the summer to

participate in a service project and live

with a local family�

CHINANew in 2015-2016, this trip will take

Shipley students to the Far East, where

they will experience Chinese culture

first-hand�

MATHEMATICS

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS3 CREDITSIt is recommended that students take 4 credits.

The Shipley Mathematics department aims to help students develop

as flexible and tenacious problem solvers who think critically and

communicate effectively about mathematical concepts. Through

the use of analytical, graphical, and numerical techniques, students explore

patterns, make conjectures, and justify their reasoning verbally and in writing.

Teachers seek to support student development by appropriately challenging

all learners, with an emphasis on conceptual understanding, computational

skills, and the integration of appropriate technology. Our ultimate goal is to

help students become active and independent learners, confident in their

ability to solve problems and to think mathematically.

MATHEMATICS

30

COURSE LEVELSSeveral levels of mathematics are offered to meet varying student abilities�

Honors level mathematics courses offer the most challenging treatment of the mate-rial, moving at a quick pace and covering concepts in rigorous detail� Honors level mathematics courses are intended for stu-dents who can work independently, have a high level of academic maturity, and bring a strong sense of purpose to the classroom�

Level A and other regular level mathemat-ics courses move at a moderate pace and strive to develop strong analytical skills as well as proficiency in problem solving�

Level B mathematics courses move at a more deliberate pace and focus on de-veloping basic mathematical skills and a conceptual understanding of the material� Students new to Shipley are required to take a mathematics placement test to help determine the most suitable course place-ment�

SUMMER STUDYStudents who wish to accelerate their progression in mathematics by pursuing summer study must obtain approval from the Mathematics Department and the Aca-demic Dean well in advance of the summer�

Algebra IGrade 9 | Major This course begins with a review of fundamental arithmetic and algebraic concepts and tech-niques� Students solve linear, fractional, and qua-dratic equations and inequalities and work with systems of equations� Functions are introduced, and the algebraic and graphical behavior of linear and quadratic functions is studied extensively� Development of the ability to read, analyze, and solve problems is stressed, and computational skills are reviewed and practiced� Students are introduced to the graphing calculator as a way to provide a visual and numerical interpretation of the algebraic concepts� Algebra I is designed to prepare students for Geometry�

Geometry A and Geometry BGrades 9 & 10 | MajorThe study of geometry teaches students to inves-tigate mathematical patterns, make reasonable conjectures, and prove these conjectures using an axiomatic system� This course covers topics in plane Euclidean geometry, along with basic ideas of coordinate geometry� The course stresses both inductive and deductive logic, with proofs provid-ing a formal grounding in logical reasoning� Ex-plorations with straightedge and compass, patty paper, and the computer application GeoGebra serve to stimulate the student’s investigative spir-it� Algebra concepts are reinforced throughout the year, as they relate to the geometric topics� Geometry A is designed to prepare students for

Algebra II A, and Geometry B (a course specifi-cally for students in Grade 10) is designed to pre-

pare students for Algebra II B� REQUIREMENTS: Successful completion of Algebra I�

Geometry HonorsGrades 9 & 10 | Major | HonorsThis course covers topics in plane Euclidean geometry, along with basic ideas of coordinate geometry� The course stresses both inductive and deductive logic, with proofs providing a formal grounding in logical reasoning� Explorations with straightedge and compass, patty paper, and the computer application GeoGebra serve to stimu-late the student’s investigative spirit� Algebraic concepts are reinforced throughout the year, as they relate to the geometric topics� In the hon-ors section, students are expected to solve more challenging problems and to construct more difficult proofs than they would in the standard sections� Topics in non-Euclidean geometry may also be covered� Geometry Honors is designed to prepare students for Algebra II Honors�

REQUIREMENTS: Successful completion of Algebra I and department approval�

MATHEMATICS

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Algebra II A and Algebra II BGrades 10 & 11 | MajorThis course reviews and extends topics studied in Algebra I� Topics covered include linear, rational, and polynomial functions, radicals and exponents, complex numbers, exponential and logarithmic functions, systems of equations, matrices, and the analytical geometry of conic sections� The graph-ing calculator is utilized throughout the course to provide students with a graphical and numerical interpretation of the algebraic concepts� Algebra II A is designed to prepare students for Precal-culus, and Algebra II B (a course specifically for students in Grade 11) is designed to prepare stu-

dents for Statistics� REQUIREMENTS: Success-ful completion of Geometry�

Algebra II HonorsGrades 10 & 11 | Major | HonorsThis course starts with an in depth and com-prehensive coverage of trigonometric functions and identities� Linear, rational, and polynomial functions, radicals and exponents, complex numbers, exponential and logarithmic functions, and systems of equations, sequences and series, and matrices are covered� The graphing calcula-tor is utilized throughout the course� Students are expected to solve challenging problems and to work at a high level of abstraction� Algebra II Honors is designed to prepare students for Pre-

calculus Honors� REQUIREMENTS: Successful completion of Geometry Honors and departmen-tal approval�

Functions and TrigonometryGrade 11 | MajorThis course serves as a bridge between Algebra II and further studies in mathematics, including Pre-calculus� The course is designed to reinforce con-cepts from algebra, including functional analysis, in addition to introducing topics in trigonometry� Extensions into other branches of mathematics, such as probability and statistics, curve fitting, and sequences and series may also be covered� This course is intended to reinforce algebraic skills, while also using the graphing calculator to reinforce and extend these skills� This course is designed to prepare students for Precalculus or

Statistics� REQUIREMENTS: Successful comple-tion of Algebra II A and departmental approval�

PrecalculusGrades 11 & 12 | MajorThe central theme of this course is functions as models of change� The course provides in-depth coverage of linear, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, polynomial and rational functions� The graphing calculator is utilized throughout the course to provide students with a graphi-cal and numerical interpretation of the algebraic concepts� The goal of the course is to develop an analytical, graphical, and numerical sense of how functions behave� Precalculus is designed to prepare students for Calculus AB Honors and/or

Statistics Honors� REQUIREMENTS: Success-ful completion of Algebra II A and departmental approval�

Precalculus HonorsGrades 11 & 12 | Major | HonorsPrecalculus Honors provides an in-depth study of functions, including linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, and trigonometric� Regression analy-sis, probability, vectors, parametric equations, and polar equations are also covered� The goal of the course is to develop an analytical, graphical, and numerical sense of how functions behave� The graphing calculator is utilized extensively throughout the course to provide students with a visual and numerical interpretation of the alge-braic concepts� Precalculus Honors is designed to prepare students for Calculus AB Honors, Calculus BC Honors, and/or Statistics Honors�

REQUIREMENTS: Successful completion of Al-gebra II Honors and departmental approval�

MATHEMATICS

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Calculus AB HonorsGrade 12 | Major | HonorsCalculus is the study of rates of change and accumulation� This course covers the standard sequence of differential and integral calculus of functions of a single variable� The focus is on developing a deep conceptual understanding of the practical meaning of calculus, as well as being able to communicate mathematical ideas as ex-pressed numerically, algebraically, and geometri-cally� The concepts of limits, derivatives, integrals, and applications are developed in a unifying way in order for calculus to be seen as a cohesive whole� The graphing calculator is used extensively to investigate and dynamically view mathematical

topics in calculus� REQUIREMENTS: Successful completion of Precalculus or Precalculus Honors and departmental approval�

Calculus BC HonorsGrade 12 | Major | HonorsCalculus is the study of rates of change and accumulation� This course covers a full year of college-level calculus of functions of a single vari-able� The focus is on developing a deep concep-tual understanding, strengthening analytical skills, and being able to communicate mathematical ideas as expressed numerically, algebraically, and geometrically� The concepts of limits, derivatives, integrals, series approximation, and applications are developed in a unifying way in order for cal-culus to be seen as a cohesive whole� The calcu-lus of polar and parametric equations is covered�

The graphing calculator is used extensively to investigate and dynamically view mathematical

topics in calculus� REQUIREMENTS: Successful completion of Precalculus Honors and depart-mental approval�

Multivariable Calculus HonorsGrade 12 | Major | HonorsThis hybrid course extends the concepts of calculus to functions of two and three variables� The course emphasizes a multi-representational approach to calculus with concepts, results, and problems being expressed geometrically, numeri-cally, and analytically� The topics for this course include functions of several variables, vector functions, partial derivatives, multiple integrals, vector fields, and space fields� The course content is delivered primarily through online videos and reading of the text, and class time is utilized to discuss problems and assess student understand-ing� The nature of this course requires students to be highly motivated, organized, and independent�

REQUIREMENTS: Successful completion of Cal-culus BC Honors and departmental approval�

StatisticsGrade 12 | Major | IDStatistics is the study of collecting data, analyz-ing data, probability and distribution of data, and making inferences about data� These branches of statistics will be covered thematically through in-terdisciplinary lenses including sports and games of chance, medicine, and social justice� Emphasis

is placed on conceptual understanding and inter-pretation of results� The graphing calculator and computer software will be utilized extensively throughout the course to provide students with a graphical and numerical interpretation of the

statistical concepts� REQUIREMENTS: Success-ful completion of Algebra II A, Algebra II B, or Functions and Trigonometry and departmental approval�

Statistics Honors Grade 12 | Major | HonorsStatistics Honors acquaints students with the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyz-ing, and drawing conclusions from data� Students will work frequently on projects involving the gathering and analysis of real world data� Ideas and computations presented in this course have immediate links with actual events� The topics for Statistics are divided into four major themes: exploratory analysis, planning a study, probability, and statistical inference� The graphing calcula-tor and computer software are utilized exten-

sively throughout the course� REQUIREMENTS: Successful completion of Precalculus Honors or Precalculus and departmental approval�

MATHEMATICS

33

NEED HELP?There are many options for obtaining help with mathematics�

The Math Center is staffed several periods during the day and

drop-by questions are welcome� All mathematics courses have

resource-rich web pages that may contain class notes, links

to lesson videos, and extra practice problems� There is also a

peer-tutoring program for students who might desire help on a

more regular basis�

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATIONThe math classroom is a place for technology—from low-tech

paper folding to high-tech dynamic software programs, the

Mathematics Department encourages exploration through the

use of technology� The graphing calculator is an integral part

of visualizing mathematics, and it is used extensively through-

out the curriculum� Laptops are used in a multitude of ways:

as classroom response systems, to sort and analyze data, to

construct geometric sketches, and to graph three-dimensional

surfaces� Mathematically sound justifications require paper and

pencil, but playful, creative, and thought-provoking mathemati-

cal investigations are enhanced through the use of technology�

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PERFORMING ARTS

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS1/2 CREDIT (by Grade 10)

The Performing Arts Department at Shipley encompasses all aspects

of Theater and Music study. From the staged plays and musicals to

the lively performances of the orchestra, excellence is held out to

students as a goal, and then the process of reaching that excellence is taught.

One of the strengths of Shipley’s Performing Arts program lies in the notion

that anyone can perform. Each year students take a risk, commit themselves

to disciplined study, and enjoy the fun and camaraderie that results from

working towards a shared vision. Students in the Upper School must meet

their Performing Arts requirement before the end of their sophomore year.

Full and active participation and successful completion of a production or

course are required in order to meet this requirement.

PERFORMING ARTS

36

MUSICInstrumental and vocal ensembles, music courses, and private lessons at Shipley all share the same goal: to provide each student an opportunity to come into the program wherever they are, and grow from there as musicians�

Faculty members are all active performers in their fields, but prefer to focus on the process that leads to good performance� Personal discipline through practice and an understanding of the building blocks of music are stressed, but there are also nu-merous opportunities for talented students to go further� Music coursework is graded with a letter grade according to course-specific rubrics as outlined in the syllabus�

Music courses and ensembles may satisfy the Performing Arts Requirement in the fol-lowing ways:

• Two years in an ensemble • One year of a Studio Music course

Studio Music IMinor | Elective | Meets RequirementThis course is an introduction to the basic skills of musicianship, and will help students understand music they encounter on a daily basis� Students will learn to read music, understand rhythm and harmony, and compose basic pieces� They will train their ears to recognize musical patterns and building blocks, as well as study the great mas-terworks of the Western classical tradition� This course is for students who have no experience in music, as well as those who have studied music before�

Studio Music IIMinor | Elective | Meets RequirementAdvanced training in harmony, rhythm, and com-position are covered in this course� Students also learn about modern techniques and work with digital tools to study composing and recording� Exposure to global music from a variety of cul-tures is also a part of this course� Requirements: Successful completion of Studio Music I, or a passing grade on an assessment demonstrating the requisite skills�

Studio Music IIIGrades 11 & 12 | Minor | Elective | Meets RequirementThis is the most advanced course offering in the music department� Students in this course will do complex analysis of both classical and popu-lar music� They will also study orchestration and

counterpoint, and will compose music for a vari-ety of styles and genres� Requirements: Success-ful completion of Studio Music II or demonstrable proficiency in the skills covered in that class�

MUSIC ENSEMBLES

Glee ClubGrades 9-12 | Minor | ElectiveOpen to anyone, without audition, the Glee Club enables students to find their singing voice and sing with others in a communal effort� Students sing a wide variety of repertoire, from popular music to classical� Each singer will develop vocal technique and musical skills that will allow him or her to become a more confident singer� The Glee Club performs at assemblies and at two major concerts per year� The ensemble meets once a week; regular attendance, punctuality, and active participation are expectations�

Handbell EnsembleGrades 9-12 | Minor | Elective| Audition RequiredThe Handbell Ensemble is open to students by audition� Students will play advanced repertoire consisting of arrangements and transcriptions as well as original compositions� Students who want to refine their handbell technique and sharpen their ensemble skills will find this a challenging and rewarding experience� The ensemble meets two mornings per week; regular attendance, punctuality, and active participation are expecta-tions�

PERFORMING ARTS

37

Jazz BandGrades 9-12 | Minor | Elective | Audition RequiredThe Jazz Band is open by audition to students who play wind or brass instruments, guitar, bass, drums, and piano� Students in this ensemble learn jazz techniques, improvisation, musicianship, and ensemble skills� The repertoire is challenging and diverse, and performance opportunities include assemblies, admissions events, outside events, and two major concerts per year� Small combos from the larger group give opportunities for solo work and individualized progress� Private lessons are strongly encouraged� The ensemble meets three times in the rotation, including some morn-ing rehearsals� Regular attendance, punctuality, and active participation are expectations�

Shipley SingersGrades 9-12 | Minor | Elective | Audition RequiredShipley Singers is open by audition to all students and is the premier vocal ensemble of the School� The group performs regularly at assemblies, Admissions events, and outside events, as well as two major concerts per year� The repertoire is challenging, engaging, and diverse� Students will learn exciting arrangements of popular music, cutting edge a cappella songs, and classical mas-terworks� Shipley Singers are expected to form the core of the Glee Club, and attend its rehears-als� The ensemble also meets three times in the rotation, including some morning rehearsals�

Private lessons are strongly encouraged� Regular attendance, punctuality, and active participation are expectations�

OrchestraGrades 9-12 | Minor | Elective| Audition RequiredThe Shipley School Orchestra is open to string, woodwind, brass, and percussion students by audition� This course provides an opportunity for students to rehearse, refine, and perform chal-lenging music with their classmates in a group setting� The repertoire is challenging and diverse� Performance opportunities include assemblies, Admissions events, outside events, and two major concerts per year� Students also form small cham-ber groups for a more interactive learning experi-ence� Private lessons are strongly encouraged� The ensemble meets three times during the rota-tion, including some morning rehearsals� Regular attendance, punctuality, and active participation are expectations�

Private Lesson Program Private music lessons are available by arrange-ment with our adjunct faculty of professional in-strumental/voice teachers� Students who partici-pate in the ensembles are strongly encouraged to sign up for lessons� Lessons are usually scheduled during study halls or after school, and students may sign up for these lessons once the school year has begun�

PERFORMING ARTS

38

THEATERThe grounding principle of the Upper School Performing Arts program is to en-courage all students, regardless of back-ground or experience, to try their hand in theater� The department mounts three ma-jor productions each year� Theater course-work is graded with a letter grade accord-ing to course-specific rubrics as outlined in the syllabus� Technical Theater invites students who are interested in the back-stage workings of a show to participate and learn about lighting, sound, set design and construction, and managing a show from backstage�

Theater courses and productions may sat-isfy the Performing Arts Requirement in the following ways:

• Participation in two main stage productions

• One year of a Studio Theater course• One year of Public Speaking and

Debate

Studio Theater I, II and IIIMinor | Elective | Meets RequirementThis minor course is open to anyone in grades 9 – 12 and meets twice per rotation� Beyond sched-uled class time, students devote additional time to their projects, especially in Studio Theater II and III� In Studio Theater I, students concentrate on diction, voice control, movement, demeanor, and acting fundamentals� Poems, one-act plays, and excerpts provide the texts� During production weeks for main stage shows, students in Stu-dio Theater I begin apprentice work in costume construction and technical theater� In the spring, these students present short theater pieces to demonstrate their skills� Studio Theater II and III builds upon these skills with more detailed acting instruction�

Public Speaking and DebateMinor | Elective | Meets RequirementTruly refined public speaking is an art that re-quires sustained attention and coaching� This minor course will allow students to get one-on-one coaching as they construct speeches for a variety of contexts and occasions� This course will allow students to present in a variety of forums, including assemblies and other audiences� Build-ing upon the skills learned in public speaking, students will go on to study debate, a truly chal-lenging but also rewarding form of competition� Indeed, some of our nation’s foremost leaders in all fields have been former high school debat-ers and forensics participants� This minor class

is geared toward students interested in compet-ing in debate as an outside activity� This course prepares students to become better at argument construction, advocacy, counter-argument, cross-examination, and rebuttal, as well as an emphasis on critical thinking and extemporaneous speak-ing� The course meets twice a rotation and is open to all students�

Theater – Film IGrades 10 – 12 | Minor | ElectiveAn overview of American classical film presented in historical sequence from the silent era to the 1950s� The course offers the student the opportu-nity to discover actors, directors, and films from the first half of the past century from a literary, dramatic, and artistic perspective� Since class time is insufficient for full-length screenings, stu-dents will be assigned films to watch on their own for discussion in class�

Theater – Film IIGrades 11 – 12 | Minor | ElectiveThis elective minor continues the first year in greater depth with a concentration on lesser known works of significant but often overlooked artistic merit�

PERFORMING ARTS

39

ANNUAL THEATER PRODUCTIONSFALL PLAYSThe fall season hosts a dramatic

production that usually involves a

series of one-act plays or scenes that

offer the greatest number of roles to

accommodate all students who wish

to participate�

WINTER MUSICALThe winter theater season stages

the musical, where all students who

audition may participate�

SPRING SHAKESPEAREThe year closes with a work from

Shakespeare or some other classical

production�

41

SCIENCE

The goal of the Upper School science curriculum is to develop

deeper student knowledge of the major scientific disciplines and

an appreciation for their interactions with each other. Core courses,

listed first in this document, will introduce students to the three major areas

of science – physics, chemistry, and biology – as well as fulfill graduation

requirements. Elective courses lead students to a deeper understanding in a

single area of science or develop connections between the major disciplines.

Students should complete their graduation requirements before enrolling in

elective science courses.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS2 CREDITSOne life science, one physical science�

It is recommended that students take 3 credits.

SCIENCE

42

Introductory PhysicsGRADE 9 | MajorIntroductory Physics is a core ninth grade course designed to introduce students to physical con-cepts through lab activities, discussion, problem solving and demonstration� Simple algebra, ap-propriate for ninth grade students, will be used to develop a fuller understanding of the material� Topics will include energy, sound, light, electricity, magnetism, and motion� Cause and effect will be a central theme and use of the scientific method will further reinforce these core topics� Regular lab reports will be required and daily homework will serve to practice study skills�

Introductory Physics HonorsGRADE 9 | Major | HonorsIntroduction to Physics Honors is a core ninth grade course that addresses optics in the first semester, and electricity and magnetism in the second semester� Pace and depth of study dif-ferentiate this course from Introductory Physics� Students will read and discuss the text analyti-cally, as well as use strong algebra skills and lab

investigations to connect themes in each topic� REQUIREMENTS: Students must hold an A- in science, have successfully completed Algebra I, and have the recommendation of their science and math teachers�

Chemistry I GRADES 10-12 | MajorThe first semester of this core course is dedicated to the language of chemistry as it describes mat-ter, elements, atomic structure, and the periodic table� The second semester focuses on the fur-ther development of those topics through chemi-cal bonding and molecular interactions, mole relationships, and chemical reactions� This course emphasizes a conceptual understanding and includes some basic mathematical applications� Students will participate in cooperative learning, group discussions, and many laboratory activities in order to investigate the field of chemistry�

Chemistry I HonorsGRADES 10-12 | Major | HonorsThis core course emphasizes qualitative compre-hension, but the honors level also has an added rigorous mathematical approach� Students learn to speak and write about chemistry on a sophis-ticated level� Bolstered by 21st century skills, stu-dents explore topics with lab investigations, data analysis, and interactive discussions� Topics in-clude matter, measurement, atomic structure and quantum mechanics, the periodic table, chemi-cal bonding, the mole, stoichiometry, solutions, gases, kinetics, thermochemistry, and equilibrium�

REQUIREMENTS: A solid background in math and the recommendation of the Science Depart-ment�

Ecological Biology GRADES 10-12 | MajorEcological Biology is a core course focused on biological concepts that do not depend on a detailed knowledge of chemistry� These concepts involve focusing on organisms, populations, com-munities, ecosystems and biomes� Themes of change and adaptation will be explored, as these are keys to how living things have survived the past three-and-a-half billion years� Specific topics include evolution, ecology, the human body, and genetics� Ecological Biology emphasizes scientific processes through hands-on activities, projects, and labs� A major goal of the course is to develop the skill of thinking and communicating scientifi-

cally� REQUIREMENTS: A previous course in chemistry is recommended�

Molecular Biology Honors GRADES 10-12 | Major | HonorsMolecular Biology is a core course, which uses a college level textbook, test format, and lab activities� This course covers a broad range of topics including: chemical compounds found in life, the cell and cellular processes, genetics and biotechnology, and organisms as a whole� Stu-dents will perform laboratory work with quantita-tive analysis� The curriculum encourages critical thinking and requires students to grasp important

biological ideas� REQUIREMENTS: Success-ful completion of Chemistry I Honors and the recommendation of the Science Department� An entrance exam may be given in lieu of the Chem-istry I Honors requirement�

SCIENCE

43

Physics I Honors GRADES 11 & 12 | Major | HonorsPhysics Honors is a core course open to students in grades 11 and 12� It is a fast-paced course that uses mathematics, including algebra and trigo-nometry, to study classical and modern physics� The course emphasizes analytical thinking in solving problems taken from the physical world� This is reinforced with experiments in the labora-tory and mathematical analysis of data from the experiments� The course treats mechanics, wave motion, sound, light, electricity, and magnetism� Physics Honors is intended for the student with an interest in science or the student seeking ad-

ditional challenge� REQUIREMENTS: Successful completion of Algebra II and Trigonometry�

ELECTIVE MAJORS FOR JUNIORS AND SENIORS

AstronomyGRADES 11 & 12 | Major | ElectiveAstronomy is an elective one-year course that will give the student a broad overview of the universe to include its evolution and the stars and planets of which it is composed� The course will empha-size the observational techniques that provide the basic data from which the characteristics of the universe are inferred� The historical perspec-tive will also be covered to illustrate how our view of the universe has changed over the centuries with the introduction of new technologies and

the new information that those technologies provide� The course meets five periods per week� While there is no weekly laboratory, there will be four observation sessions held at Shipley in the evening� A major paper is prepared in the spring term in lieu of a final examination� The course is

limited to sixteen juniors and seniors� REQUIRE-MENTS: Two years of science and completion of Algebra II�

Chemistry II HonorsGRADES 11 & 12 | Major | Elective | HonorsChemistry II Honors is a second year elective course that provides a more in-depth coverage of the core concepts introduced in Chemistry I Hon-ors� Students will conduct more math-intensive analysis of experimental data, and will experience a typical college-level general chemistry curricu-lum� Students considering this course must have

a strong background in mathematics� REQUIRE-MENTS: Strong performances in both Algebra II and Chemistry I and the recommendation of the Science Department�

SCIENCE

44

Comparative Anatomy & Neuroscience Honors GRADES 11 & 12 | Major | Elective | HonorsThe Comparative Anatomy component of this course will be unified around the ideas of form, function, and evolution� We will explore the evolu-tionary history of selected organ systems of ver-tebrates� As we examine each organ system, we will draw upon information from the anatomy of living species, the steps during the development of organ systems, and the fossil record� There are still unsettled and unresolved issues, and so there will be room for controversies and individual

opinions� (FALL SEMESTER)

The Comparative Neuroscience component of the course begins with an in-depth look at the human nervous system� Students will study brain anatomy, learn how nervous system cells transmit information, and learn about the role of chemicals in the nervous system� This foundation of knowl-edge will enable students to further study the relationship between nervous system anatomy, cognition, and behavior in a variety of animal

models� (SPRING SEMESTER)

REQUIREMENTS: Successful completion of Molecular Biology or a strong performance in Ecological Biology�

Environmental Science & BioethicsGRADES 11 & 12 | Major | Elective | ID The goal of the Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles and concepts required to understand the inter-relationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or prevent-ing them� It will be a lecture-based class, with discussion and activities both in and out of the

classroom� (FALL SEMESTER)

Bioethics will introduce students to possible ethi-cal choices they will face in their lives, stimulate a better understanding of scientific advances and methods, and contribute to lifelong interest in biomedical science and being thoughtful mem-bers of society� The class will improve analytical and reasoning skills, and open discussions on some thought-provoking topics� The class focus is on understanding and appreciating relevant bio-logical facts as they confront the principles and practice of ethical decision-making at the level of the individual, the community, and the nation� The topics will ultimately be chosen by the class, but could potentially cover: quality of life, autonomy, decision-making, personhood, and modification�

(SPRING SEMESTER)

Physics II Honors: Newtonian Mechanics GRADES 11 & 12 | Major | Elective | HonorsNewtonian Mechanics Honors is an intensive, college-level, Calculus-based, yearlong elective� It centers on mechanics—kinematics, dynam-ics, energy, momentum, and gravitation—from a classical perspective� The course emphasizes the solution to challenging problems in both inertial and rotational reference frames� In ad-dition to mechanics, several other topics will be introduced, including waves, fluids, relativity, and modern physics� Class material is reinforced with experiments and analysis of experimental data� The course is intended as a second year

physics course� REQUIREMENTS: Concurrent enrollment in Calculus� Students for whom this is a first-year physics course must have the per-mission of the instructor and expect to perform some preparatory work during the preceding summer as determined by the instructor�

SCIENCE

45

SCIENTIFIC INQUIRYIn Shipley’s Upper School science class-

es, students are encouraged to engage

with the material using an inquiry-based

approach� Through hands-on learning

experiences, students use creativity to

solve problems and answer questions�

SHIPLEY GRADUATESMany Shipley alumni go on to pursue

successful careers in the sciences� Our

graduates report that they felt prepared

to take on the challenge of their college-

level coursework� Recent graduates have

attended such schools as MIT, RIT, Carn-

egie Mellon Univeristy, Virginia Tech, and

University of the Sciences�

47

SEED & COLLEGE COUNSELING

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS1 COURSE/YEAR

Completion of three-week Senior Service Project

40 hours of community service 10 hours per year of attendance at Shipley.

The Upper School Seminar program is part of the Pre-K through Grade

12 Social, Emotional, and Ethical Development (SEED) curriculum.

Students are required to take a seminar in each of the four years

to complement the academic curriculum with training in the core skills

for social and emotional well-being, which include: self-awareness, self-

management and organization, relationship management, social awareness,

and responsible decision-making. SEED seminars lay the groundwork for

a successful transition from Shipley to college and beyond. The curriculum

inspires the development of self-reflection, critical thinking, goal-setting, and

decision-making skills, which are the foundation for the college counseling

process.


48

SEED Grade 9 Grade 9 | MinorThis course focuses on transition and self-aware-ness� This course meets one time a rotation and focuses on self-advocacy, decision-making and self-awareness in a time of great transition� Topics explored are relevant to the adolescent journey and seek to empower students to become more aware of the choices they make in a variety of settings, whether in the classroom or community�

SEED Grade 10 Grade 10 | MinorThis sophomore seminar focuses on physical health and social well being� This course meets two times a rotation and includes topics related to mental and emotional health, diversity aware-ness, social and ethical dilemmas, and human sexuality� In-depth discussions on the impact of substance use and abuse are an integral part of this program�

SEED Grade 11 Grade 11 Fall Semester | MinorThis course meets twice a rotation throughout the first semester� The focus of the course is Emo-tional Intelligence, Critical Thinking, and Social Functioning� Intelligent processing and effective management of emotion-related information are necessary for students to navigate their lives at home, in school, and eventually in the workplace� This course focuses on the development of three main skill sets: 1) The “RULER” emotion skills of

recognizing, understanding, labeling, express-ing, and regulating emotion; 2) Creative prob-lem-solving skills; and 3) Critical-thinking skills� Through interactive discussions, skill-building activities, scientific readings, psychological as-sessments, self-reflective practices, and visioning exercises, students will learn how to apply these skill sets to their own personal development in all aspects of their lives, including academic and extracurricular endeavors, mental health, relation-ships, and their pursuits beyond high school�

College CounselingGrade 11 Spring Semester & Grade 12 Fall Semester | MinorThe College Counseling Program begins in the second semester of the junior year and is de-signed to provide students with the research experience, decision-making skills, and support needed to make wise, informed decisions about their futures� The emphasis of the program is on helping students to understand their accom-plishments and values; to clarify their goals; to search open-mindedly for options; and to present themselves effectively in the college admissions process, both in writing and in person� Through a series of individual and group meetings, students are encouraged to explore many different op-tions as they seek to determine their next step� The goal of Shipley’s program is for each student to identify and apply to a range of schools or post-secondary programs that meet their needs and provide a good match for their talents and

interests� College Counseling Seminars meet twice a rotation during the spring semester junior year and once a rotation in the fall semester of senior year�

SEED Grade 12Grade 12 Spring Semester | Minor Seniors finish the second semester SEED program by preparing for the Senior Service Project (SSP) experience� Students begin by exploring what citizenship might look like for each of them indi-vidually� Critical issues such as poverty, hunger, homelessness, education, environmental protec-tion, animal rights, LGBT rights, and healthcare, as well as the organizations involved in these issues, are discussed and researched� Based on this research as well as personal interest or prior involvement, students choose an organization at which they will complete the SSP�


49

SENIOR SERVICE PROJECT (SSP)The Senior Service Project fulfils the

School’s mission by providing seniors

with an opportunity to engage in sus-

tained service to a non-profit organiza-

tion� A three-week commitment at the

end of senior year, the SSP allows se-

niors to explore a service experience in a

new environment or to build on an inter-

est developed through previous commu-

nity service projects�

Some possible non-profit or service or-

ganizations include hospitals, veterinar-

ian hospitals or advocacy groups, nurs-

ing homes, specialized schools/day care

centers, public access arts organizations,

environmental organizations, community

centers, historical societies, historical

parks, museums, homeless shelters, and

health care advocacy foundations�

51

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ART, MATH

STEAM

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTSEngineering meets the interdisciplinary requirement�

(Other courses are non-required electives�)

Courses offered in the STEAM department are project-based,

and will, at various times, contain elements from five primary

disciplines: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and

Mathematics. Students develop solutions to project goals by using an

iterative approach, refining their designs until the project goals are achieved.

The inclusion of the Arts to the original concept of a STEM curriculum

highlights the growing need to incorporate creativity and individual

expression in designing solutions. These courses are valuable for students

interested in many different fields of study including, but not limited

to: sciences, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics, and any field

incorporating logical thinking, reasoning, and problem solving.

STEAM

52

Engineering Honors: Principles and PracticeGrades 11 & 12 | Major | Elective | Honors | IDJust as Science has many fields, so, too, does Engineering� After briefly exploring various fields of engineering, students will more generally ex-plore skill sets required of successful engineers� This course will include exposure to the discipline and a significant project-based component� The engineering process of designing and redesigning to fulfill a societal need will be studied through case studies in the student’s area of interest� Students will write a request for proposals and also respond to classmates’ proposals� As a team of engineers, the class will choose a project to implement� Through building and rebuilding pro-totypes for the project, students will have hands-on experience with the engineering process� The project work will culminate with a presentation for funding� Students are required to work collab-oratively and to think critically as they respond to paper projects and implement a physical project�

REQUIREMENTS: Two years of science and completion of Algebra II�

PythonGrades 10-12 | Major | Elective Python has less emphasis on computer language semantics than other programming languages and results in a more efficient approach to programming� While very complex projects can be tackled with Python, mastering the basics needed to create simple projects and solutions is one of the hallmarks of Python� Topics include: data types, control structures, objects, methods, classes, and lists� Course work includes weekly lab projects, written programming assignments, tests, and quizzes�

MINOR COURSES

Design Fabrication (New Course)Grades 9-12 | Minor | Elective This course teaches students the basics of itera-tive design thinking� It combines knowledge gained from in-class lectures, hands-on experi-ence, and outside resources� Students will learn how to utilize the iterative design process to fulfill a variety of projects� Students will work independently as well as in small groups on both assigned and student-developed projects� A few projects that will be done in this class are building towers out of various materials, manufacturing filters and a wind turbine� A portion of this class will be left open for students to explore projects

of their choosing� THIS CLASS OR DIGITAL FABRICATION WILL BE A PREREQUISITE FOR ENGINEERING HONORS STARTING IN 2016 – 2017.

Digital FabricationGrades 9-12 | Minor | ElectiveThis course teaches students the basics of design thinking� It covers 3-D design, the use of a micro-processor in designs, basic programming, circuit-ry, and other skills, all resulting in the creation of physical projects incorporating these skills� This course fosters creativity, curiosity, persistence, and teamwork� It combines knowledge gained from in-class lectures as well as online content� Students work independently as well as in small groups on both assigned and student-developed projects� The lab is outfitted with a laser cutter/engraver, sewing machines, 3-D printers, solder-ing irons and many different components that

can be used in the designs� THIS CLASS OR DESIGN FABRICATION WILL BE A PRE-REQUISITE FOR ENGINEERING HONORS STARTING IN 2016 – 2017.

STEAM

53

Robotics IGrades 9-12 | Minor | ElectiveThis is an elective minor course� The objective of this course is to use a hands-on approach to in-troduce the basic concepts of robotics� Students will work in teams to build and test increasingly more complex LEGO-based mobile robots� Stu-dents will be introduced to graphical program-ming using the NXT-G language� Problem-solving approaches utilize concepts from mathematics, physics, and computer science� This is an intro-ductory course that assumes no prior experience with robotics or programming�

Robotics IIGrades 10-12 | Minor | ElectiveStudents learn an advanced graphical program-ming language called LabVIEW� LabVIEW is an industry-standard language used for data acquisi-tion, signal analysis, and hardware control� The course emphasizes programming fundamentals and provides a basic understanding of LabVIEW� Students will gain the necessary programming skills to control the operation of LEGO-based mobile robots to complete a variety of challeng-

es� REQUIREMENTS: Successful completion of Robotics I or instructor’s approval�

55

ATHLETICS

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS2 CREDITS/YEAR(All ninth grade students must participate in at least one team sport�)

At Shipley, Athletics are an important extension of the classroom,

with unlimited lessons in life skills. Students learn how to work to

fulfill potential while they gain experience and refine tactics. They

cooperate with teammates and develop healthy attitudes toward competition

— whether winning or losing. Athletics combines healthy competition, skill

development, and opportunities to participate in ways that are best for

each student. In our program, everyone learns to play and everyone can

play sports. We offer an impressive number of athletics choices to suit

many interests and abilities. Coaches combine passion for their sports with

compassion for student athletes.

ATHLETICS

56

FULFILLING ATHLETICS/PE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTSStudents can fulfill all credits in a single category (i�e� two team sports)� All require-ments are fulfilled by season (fall, winter, spring)�

Examples of fulfilled requirements are:

• One team sport, and one season of Fitness

• One season of Fitness, and one independent sport

• Two seasons of Sports Photojournalism

For further questions on PE/Athletics re-quirements please contact Katelyn Taylor in Athletics at ktaylor@shipleyschool�org or 610-525-4300 ext� 4221�

SPORTS SEASONSFall Monday, August 24, 2015 (pre-season) to Mid-November 2015

Winter Monday, November 16, 2015 to End of February 2016

Spring Monday, February 29, 2016 to Mid-May 2016

NON-COMPETITIVE ATHLETICS AND PEShipley’s non-competitive Athletics and Physical Education courses are offered during each of the three sports seasons�

Fitness and ConditioningThe purpose of fitness is to provide each student the knowledge and skills to participate in physical activity, enhance physical fitness, and maintain personal health� Students will work with our Fit-ness Specialist to achieve personal fitness goals throughout the season and develop a positive at-

titude toward fitness� TIME: Varied class periods during the course of the school day� Meets every Wednesday as well as two periods per cycle�

Independent SportsStudents participating in athletic programs (that Shipley does not offer) may complete a petition for athletic credit for submission to the Fitness Coordinator (Cindy Auslander) or Athletic Direc-tor (Mark Duncan) to determine if their programs meet the requirements to receive credit� Petitions must be approved by the Independent Com-mittee in advance of the school year� Petitions are valid for the current year only and must be re-certified for subsequent years� Forms are avail-

able from the Athletic Department� REQUIRE-MENTS: Petitions for any of the three seasons are due by April 24, 2015� No petitions will be ac-cepted after that date. (New students have until July 24, 2015 to submit their petitions�)

Sports PhotojournalismThis course is designed to introduce students to sports photojournalism� Students will cover ath-letic contests using photographic equipment and write up game summaries for press releases� Each student is expected to include a personal fitness component if they choose to pursue this offering�

Student Athletic TrainersThe purpose of this course is to provide an alter-native learning experience for Shipley students who need sports credit� Students are given class-room instruction on all aspects of athletic train-ing/sports medicine, including: First Aid/CPR Cer-tification, basic taping and splinting techniques, basic injury assessment, training room operations, medical documentation, and legal issues� Stu-dents participating in this program are required to assist the sports teams during all practices and assigned games, the specified number of which will be determined later� They are graded on at-tendance, participation, weekly in-services, and

basic sports medicine techniques� TIME: After school, 3:30 – 5:00, Monday – Friday�

Team ManagersManagers are responsible for assisting the coach and team with duties such as helping with equip-ment, setting up for games/matches, and keeping score/time� Those interested in managing should contact Ms� Auslander at causlander@ship-leyschool�org to secure a spot�

ATHLETICS

57

COMPETITIVE TEAM SPORTSGenerally, our teams can accommodate all inter-ested students� Offerings such as sports photo-journalism, training, and managing are available for PE credit, an individualized fitness program is expected of the student�

Fall SportsBoys’ Cross Country Varsity

Girls’ Cross-Country Varsity

Girls’ Tennis Varsity and Junior Varsity

Boys’ Soccer Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Third Team

Girls’ Soccer Varsity and Junior Varsity

Girls’ Field Hockey Varsity and Junior Varsity

Boys’ Crew Returning rowers only

Girls’ Crew Returning rowers only

Fall Squash Intramural only

Winter SportsCo-Ed Swimming

Girls’ Volleyball Varsity and Junior Varsity

Boys’ Basketball Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Third Team

Girls’ Basketball Varsity and Junior Varsity

Boys’ Squash Varsity and Junior Varsity

Girls’ Squash Varsity and Junior Varsity

Spring SportsCo-Ed Golf Space limited per golf course policy

Boys’ Baseball Varsity and Junior Varsity

Girls’ Softball Varsity and Junior Varsity

Boys’ Crew Varsity plus other levels (i.e. novice)

Girls’ Crew Varsity plus other levels (i.e. novice)

Boys’ Lacrosse Varsity and Junior Varsity

Girls’ Lacrosse Varsity and Junior Varsity

Boys’ Tennis Varsity and Junior Varsity

INDEX

Art ...................................................3–53-D Sculpture (New Course) ��5Art Foundations �� 4Photography and Digital Art ��5Photography and Digital Art: 2-D De-sign AP ��5

Studio Art I �� 4Studio Art I Honors �� 4Studio Art II �� 4Studio Art II Honors �� 4Studio Art III Drawing AP ��5Studio Art III Honors �� 4Video Production ��5

Athletics .................................... 55–57Competitive Team Sports �� 57Non-Competitive Athletics and PE Courses ��56

Fitness and Conditioning ��56Independent Sports ��56Sports Photojournalism ��56Student Athletic Trainers ��56Team Managers ��56

English ............................................7–9American Studies Honors ��8English 9 ��8English 10 ��8English 11 ��8English 12: Senior Seminars��9

Storytelling and Film ��9

The Fantastic ��9The Here and Now ��9Truth and Fiction ��9Why or Why Not? ��9

History & Social Sciences ......... 11–15American Studies Honors �� 13Elective Majors for Juniors and Seniors �13

Cultural Anthropology �� 13Global Studies Honors �� 13History & Social Sciences ��14, 19Macroeconomics Honors:

Policies and Perspectives �� 14Modern Middle East Honors �� 14Philosophy Honors �� 14Prohibition to Pop: 20th Century

American History �� 14Race and Ethnicity in America �� 15The Great War Honors: World War I 14

History 9 Honors: Worlds in Collision � 12History 9: Worlds in Collision �� 12Modern European History �� 12Modern European History Honors �� 12United States History �� 12United States History Honors�� 12

Honors CoursesArt Honors

Photography and Digital Art: 2-D Design AP ��5

Studio Art I Honors �� 4Studio Art II Honors �� 4Studio Art III Drawing AP ��5Studio Art III Honors �� 4

English HonorsAmerican Studies Honors ��8English 9 ��8English 10 ��8English 11 ��8English 12: Senior Seminars ��9

History & Social Sciences HonorsAmerican Studies Honors �� 13Global Studies Honors �� 13History 9 Honors: Worlds in Collision

12Macroeconomics Honors:

Policies and Perspectives ��14, 19Modern European History Honors �� 12Modern Middle East Honors �� 14Philosophy Honors �� 14Race and Ethnicity in America �� 15The Great War Honors: World War I 14United States History Honors �� 12

Interdisciplinary HonorsThe Culture of Madness Honors �� 18

Language HonorsFrench II Honors �� 23French III Honors �� 24French IV and V Honors �� 24Latin II Honors �� 22

Latin III Honors �� 22Latin IV Honors �� 22Mandarin II Honors �� 24Mandarin III Honors �� 24Mandarin IV and V Honors �� 25Spanish II Honors �� 25Spanish III Honors �� 26Spanish IV and V Honors �� 26

Mathematics HonorsAlgebra II Honors �� 31Calculus AB Honors �� 32Calculus BC Honors�� 32Geometry Honors ��30Multivariable Calculus Honors �� 32Precalculus Honors �� 31Statistics Honors �� 32

Science HonorsChemistry I Honors ��42Chemistry II Honors ��43Comparative Anatomy &

Neuroscience Honors ��44Introductory Physics Honors ��42Molecular Biology Honors ��42Physics I Honors ��43Physics II Honors:

Newtonian Mechanics ��44STEAM Honors

Engineering Honors: Principles and Practice �� 52

Interdisciplinary .........................17–19Action Research �� 19American Studies Honors �� 13Engineering Honors: Principles and Practice �� 52

Environmental Science & Bioethics ��44Gender Studies �� 18Global Studies Honors �� 13Iconic Cities: Art, Literature & Film in Paris, New York & Mumbai �� 18

Journalism and Publications�� 19Macroeconomics Honors: Policies and Perspectives �� 14

Macroeconomics Honors: Policies and Perspectives �� 14

Race and Ethnicity in America �� 15Statistics �� 32Storytelling and Film ��9The Culture of Madness Honors �� 18The Fantastic ��9

Language ................................... 21–27Foreign Travel Opportunities �� 27Latin �� 22

Latin II �� 22Latin II Honors �� 22Latin III�� 22Latin III Honors �� 22Latin IV Honors �� 22

Modern Languages �� 23–27

French I �� 23French II �� 23French II Honors �� 23French III �� 23French III Honors �� 24French IV and V �� 24French IV and V Honors �� 24Mandarin I �� 24Mandarin II Honors �� 24Mandarin III Honors �� 24Mandarin IV and V Honors �� 25Spanish I �� 25Spanish II �� 25Spanish II Honors �� 25Spanish III �� 25Spanish III Honors �� 26Spanish IV and V �� 26Spanish IV and V Honors �� 26

Mathematics ............................. 29–33Algebra I ��30Algebra II A and Algebra II B �� 31Algebra II Honors �� 31Calculus AB Honors �� 32Calculus BC Honors �� 32Functions and Trigonometry �� 31Geometry A and Geometry B ��30Geometry Honors ��30Multivariable Calculus Honors�� 32Precalculus �� 31

Precalculus Honors�� 31Statistics �� 32Statistics Honors �� 32

Performing Arts ....................... 35–39Music Courses ��36

Studio Music I ��36Studio Music II ��36Studio Music III ��36

Music Ensembles ��36Glee Club ��36Handbell Ensemble ��36Jazz Band �� 37Orchestra �� 37Private Lesson Program �� 37Shipley Singers �� 37

Theater Courses �� 38Public Speaking and Debate �� 38Studio Theater I, II and III �� 38Theater – Film I �� 38Theater – Film II �� 38

Theater Productions �� 39Fall Plays �� 39Spring Shakespeare �� 39Winter Musical�� 39

Science .......................................41–45Chemistry I ��42Chemistry I Honors ��42Ecological Biology ��42Elective Majors for Juniors and Seniors �

43Astronomy ��43Chemistry II Honors ��43Comparative Anatomy & Neurosci-

ence Honors ��44Environmental Science & Bioethics 44Physics II Honors: Newtonian Me-

chanics ��44Introductory Physics ��42Introductory Physics Honors ��42Molecular Biology Honors ��42Physics I Honors ��43

SEED & College Counseling ...47–49College Counseling ��48SEED Grade 9 ��48SEED Grade 10 ��48SEED Grade 11 ��48SEED Grade 12 ��48Senior Service Project ��49

STEAM ........................................51–53Design Fabrication (New Course) �� 52Digital Fabrication �� 52Engineering Honors: Principles and Practice �� 52

Python �� 52Robotics I �� 53Robotics II �� 53

the shipley school - us course descriptions

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