2011-12 S2 Elective Blurbs

Diversity Day What makes me different from you? Is it our age? Our race? Could it be that your family is rich and mine isn’t? Or maybe it’s that my dad works in a lumberyard and yours works in a fancy office? Or maybe it’s that I live with my dad and you’ve never seen yours? Do you think my religion is weird? Why do so many people live in your house? If we’re such good friends, how come I never realized how different we are?
When people think about diversity, they usually just think about race. This class will explore diversity in all its forms – racial, religious, social, economic, political, and gender-related. We’ll look at examples of diversity in our community as well as the world-at-large. We’ll examine the ways in which we, our families, our friends, and our leaders respond to diversity, and we’ll struggle with the inherent positives and negatives that come with a diverse society.
Students will also help to organize this year's June 11 Diversity Day, including the Multicultural Breakfast, Diversity Day Assembly, World Cultures Festival & Carnivale.

John Grieco Schol Fund Learn about the power of the non-profit right on this campus. This trimester, the Dr. John Grieco Scholarship Fund will be focusing on the June 11 World Cultures Festival & Carnivale, Blue Moon Community Night, and a car wash. Students will also work with the Gardening Club on landscaping the Dr. John Grieco Outdoor Classroom. In addition, students will promote, distribute and organize the review of this year's scholarship applications.

The Cold War Students study the history of the Cold War from the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia to the end of the Cold War in the early 1990's. The course focuses not only on history, but also on political science, as students examine how this war was waged by both sides and the consequences of the war for the United States, the Soviet Union, and the rest of the world. The Cold War's impact on the lives of citizens in the United States and the Soviet Union is explored. Elements of popular culture from this era are studied in order to understand these effects.

Architecture I Architecture I is a two trimester course that will enable you to bring your dreams to reality. During the first trimester you will learn how to use an architectural software and study various architectural designs. During the second trimester, you will use your knowledge to realize a detailed 3D computer model of the house of your dreams. If you want to go further, continue with Architecture II and build a physical model of your house

Ancient Rome Ancient Rome focuses on the rise of Rome in Italy and its birth as a republic to its fall to the Goths in 476 AD. Major topics of examination are the consolidation of the Itailian peninsula. Rome as a Republic, Julius Caesar, the Pax Romana, the rise of Christianity and the fall of the Roman State.

Ancient Egypt: Land of the Pharaohs Egypt… The word conjures up images of the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Sphinx, the tombs of Pharaohs, and the river Nile. This course will examine the development of Egyptian culture. We will examine the building of the Great Pyramids in the Old Kingdom, the development of Egyptian Mythology and writing in the Middle Kingdom, and the expansion of the Egyptian empire in the New Kingdom, culminating with Egypt's fall to the Greeks and the Romans.

Conversational Spanish Conversational Spanish course provides a great way for beginners to learn Spanish, while enabling intermediate and advanced Spanish learners to enhance Spanish Conversation skills. You will acquire new vocabulary and learn how to use it in conversation.

Science Fiction Literature In its most basic definition, science fiction writing deals with the question, "What if?" Through reading short stories and novels and watching films of this genre, students begin to consider a variety of possibilities - looking at the expected and the unexpected, predicting outcomes, and anticipating changes to the world and society with which they are familiar. Students discuss reality, perception, cause and effect, and chaos theory in relation to readings and films.

Literary Magazine Editing & Production This course is designed to provide students who are interested in working on producing the literary magazine an opportunity to do so while learning new skills, such as reading, editing, and evaluating written works for publication. Students will be afforded time in a two-day per week elective to assemble works, both written and artistic, and utilize technology to digitally assemble all aspects of the publication. Students will also coordinate fundraising efforts and outreach to peers to generate interest in writing and the literary magazine.

Instructor Permission only

Modern Chinese Society The Chinese language is one of the oldest languages on the planet, and it continues to be used by millions of people in China, Taiwan, and around the world. In this course, students learn the basics of Mandarin Chinese using the pinyin Romanization system along with traditional Chinese characters. Basic vocabulary is introduced as well as simple sentence structure and grammar. The course focuses on reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The culture of Chinese society is also introduced through videos, songs, and food.

Holocaust In Holocaust and Genocide Studies students will consider one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century in order to better understand how it occurred and how it can be prevented in the future. The main focus of the course is the persecution and mass murder of European Jews and various other groups between the years 1933-45. Students will learn that the Holocaust was not an accident, but occurred when choices were made which allowed, legalized, and institutionalized hate, prejudice, and murder. Students will study the rise of Nazism and analyze its appeal, and evaluate the responses of perpetrators, victims, bystanders, and rescuers. Finally, students will compare and contrast the Holocaust with other genocides that have taken place in the past or are presently occurring

Microbiology The course is designed to introduce students to the world of microbes. Attention is given to the great diversity of microorganisms, beneficial as well as pathogenic bacteria. Students explore how bacteria and viruses multiply causing disease in the process. Current issues in microbiology are also investigated such as emerging viruses, bio-terror, and the problems our healthcare system faces in light of these events.

Marine Biology We live surrounded by the last great unknown: the world underneath the ocean’s surface. Under the waves live the great pelagics of the deep like whales, tiger sharks, and Manta Rays. The ocean is where you can explore the diversity of a coral reef, and a walk along a beach may expose you to the great power of a wave, the lethality of a blue octopus, or the oddities of a horseshoe crab. Marine biology will teach you about the complexity and diversity of life found in the oceans and how humans impact that environment as well as how the oceans impact us.

Shakespeare-Henry V This course is an in-depth study of William Shakespeare's play, The Life of Henry V. Students learn about the elements of drama and the history of the Elizabethan Theater. Students use this knowledge as they read the play, view different film versions of the play, analyze characters, plot, and themes, and discover Shakespearean influences on modern culture.

Women's Studies This course explores the images of women in various literary works by both female and male authors. Through the analysis of poetry, essays, short stories, novels, memoirs and plays, students examine the various portrayals of women in literature, such as women as mothers, wives, temptresses, heroines and victims. Students discuss themes, characters, structure, imagery and point of view of female roles.

Forensics This elective begins with training in deducitve reasoning of crime scene evidence. The types of evidence available at a crime scene can be biological or physical. Tissue and bone samples, bodily fluids, fingerprints, footprints, and DNA are examples of some biological samples. Other forms of physical anyalysis are fibers and hair, soil analysis, tool marks, ballistic data, and chemical content. The study of Forensic Anthropology uses science and math to determine the identity of a missing person. Students investigate famous crimes in history, and review the forensic evidence to determine, using 21st century techniques, whether or not the original jury findings were correct.

SAT Math Review This course is offered to improve performance on the SAT aptitude and achievement examinations in mathematics. Focus is on changes in the SAT including the addition of advanced algebraic concepts. The coursework involves work in numbers and operations, algebra, geometry/measurement and statistics/probability.

Law and Order In this class, students will have the opportunity to examine the criminal justice system through the lens of the popular television series. The class will begin with an overview of the criminal justice with particular attention to investigations, arrest the prosecutions. After students have learned key concepts of criminal law, they will evaluate their depiction on television with particular attention to the differences between fact and fiction.

Digital Photography 2 Now that you are able to get the most out of your digital camera, take it to the next level!

Digital Photo 2, Using Picassa and PhotoShop, will show you how to squeeze a better picture out of your digital files. You will earn the basics of cropping, lighting, contrast, color balance and red eye removal in Picassa. Later, you will use the larger tool set found in Photoshop to take an ordinary snap shot and turn it into a extraordinary photo.

Prerequesite: Digital Photo 1

Digital Photography 1 This elective provides what you need to do more than take snapshots with your camera. Using simple rules and ideas your pictures will improve. Students will learn about the history of photography, the features of their camera, rules about composition, rules about lighting and simple lighting techniques, and put this all together to make every picture a better picture. Course uses self guided technique and pictures are taken outside and at home. Requirements are that you have a digital camera. Cameras built into cellular phones do not count.

Video Production Students form working groups to write, plan, storybook, stage, take, and edit short "films" using a theme related to the Annual AE Diversity Day

Intro to Stage Makeup This course studies the aesthetics, materials and procedures of stage makeup involving: corrective and aging techniques, the creation of animals and monsters, and the construction of beards and moustaches. Students will learn the basics starting with drawing a face plot to techniques and materials required to create a transformation into a character.

Print Making Students create a series of artworks while exploring a variety of printing techniques including mono print, linoleum cut, and foam board.

Editorial Illustration Students create drawings that accompany a selection of written works. Focus is on brainstorming, sketching, capturing a big idea and making a visual connection with the reader.

Art Exploration The goal of this introductory art course is to develop the student’s understanding of color, drawing and idea development. Through lectures, visuals, music, theories and techniques, students demonstrate an ability to identify and critique elements within works of art and work in different media. Students create a portfolio of work exemplifying their understanding of specific skills and maintain sketchbooks and journals for idea building.

Portrait Art What constitutes a portrait? Does it have to look like the person you are drawing or painting? Can it be symbolic or abstract? Does it have to be human? Students create a variety of portraits that stretch the boundaries of their imagination. Projects are 2D and 3D and explore a variety of materials like collage, printmaking, sculpture and clay.

TI-83 Programming This elective option allows students to explore advanced graphics. This course meets and exceeds the standards set by NY, NJ, and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and builds on the foundation set in Algebra I. Additional topics include, but are not limited to, the study of quadratics, algebraic fractions, trigonometry, probability theory and statistics.

Latino in the U S The United States is the 4th largest Spanish-speaking country in the world today. This course provides a brief history of the U.S. through the experience, struggles and accomplishments of Latinos. Students examine various issues that include but are not be limited to immigration, education, employment, housing, English-only laws, racism and discrimination. Students research and explore the accomplishments of the many historical and current political and civic leaders that have made significant contributions to the Latino community and the United States.

Medibotics "The merging of Medicine, Robotics, and Information Technology"
This course is taught under the direction of NJIT and uses Lego Mindstorm Robot Kits to perform simulated surgeries, such as reattaching the amputated top of a hot dog, surgically removing the eye from a potato, installing an artificial joint between two arthritic sausage links, and recognizing bumps representing skin abnormalities. No prior experience is necessary and all surgical food items will be supplied for you.

Best Sellers This course is devoted to popular works which have made the Best Sellers list. Student will read and discuss a variety of Best Sellers books.

Lines and Slopes Everywhere Understanding linear functions is very useful for every math course from Algebra I through Calculus. In this half year course we will review graphing by plotting, graphing by using the x and y intercepts, and solving word problems and systems of linear equations. Also, solving sets of linear equalities will be discussed.

Geometry Elective