Interdisciplinary Studies

Linguistics is the scientific study of language as well as its structure, history and use. As the most crucial communication tool amongst people, languages often take on characteristics of the communities in which they are spoken. Just as learning how to speak a language opens the door to a new community, learning about languages as a whole can teach us a lot about human communication, our brains, and the world. This course looks at a wide variety of topics: the biological basis of human language, and analogous systems in other creatures; relations to cognition, communication, and social organization; sounds, forms and meanings in languages; the reconstruction of linguistic history and the family tree of languages; dialectal variation; language learning by children and adults; the neurology of language and language disorders; the nature and history of writing systems. This course allow students to pursue their linguistic interests through independent work or group projects as well as by conducting research.

Note: Open to 10^th and 11^th graders

This course is an interdisciplinary study of mathematical concepts, and how they were discovered and developed over time in different regions. Students study mathematics explored in early civilizations to mathematics studied in our modern day. The course is supported by historical and mathematical readings, and complemented with writing mathematical papers and proofs. Students develop various skills including written and oral communication of mathematical ideas, writing proofs and mathematical papers, and understanding mathematical literature and its jargon. The course aims to develop an appreciation of mathematics by deepening student understanding of the logical basis of familiar concepts and the history of modern mathematics.

Prerequisite: Algebra II
Note: Open to 11^th and 12^th graders

This course provides students with the knowledge, skills and creative opportunities to design sustainable solutions by designing for a better economy, ecology and a healthy quality of life. Following the biomimicry design based on sustainability targets set by the United Nations, students learn to apply biomimicry and permaculture principles, ethics and sustainable design methods that can be adapted and used in each individual's own work and home, to bring about a more harmonious and sustainable lifestyle. This course offers a perspective on all aspects of building a sustainable future, to encourage use of individual skills, teamwork, knowledge and interests, while drawing upon traditional wisdom, science and our innate ability to observe and learn from the world around us. It also offers the opportunity for design and hands on projects as well as lab exploration. Projects explore various areas of Design Scales. Each unit uniquely address issues and practices relative to each individual’s background and interests.

Open to 11^th and 12^th graders
Prerequisites: Chemistry 401 with minimum grade of B

AP Seminar engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Using an inquiry framework, students practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies, novels and philosophical texts; listen to and view speeches, broadcasts, memoirs and personal accounts; understand science experiments; and experience artistic, musical and cinematic works. Students learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in written essays, and design and deliver oral, multi-media presentations, both individually and as part of a team. Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy, meaning and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence-based arguments.

Open to 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th
 

AP Research, the second course in the AP Capstone experience, allows students to deeply explore one academic topic, problem, issue or idea of individual interest. Students design, plan and implement a six-month long investigation to address a research question. Through this inquiry, they further develop the skills they acquired in AP Seminar by learning research methodology, employing ethical research practices, and accessing, analyzing and synthesizing information. They reflect on their skill development, document that process, and curate the artifacts of their scholarly work through a reflection portfolio. They work on one project: a 5000-word academic paper. As in AP Seminar, there is also a multimedia presentation and an oral defense before a panel. The AP Research mentality is about developing and practicing reasoning processes that can help scholars make intentional, strategic decisions.

Open to 11^th and 12^th graders