In addition to their courses in core academic fields, students can also pursue semester and year-long elective courses, exploring more specialized investigation and skill development. The Upper School curriculum offers specialized electives for all grades, with courses generally oriented toward either 9th and 10th graders, or students in 11th and 12th grades. While unaffiliated with any individual program or discipline, these courses are offered for full credit and designed to match the rigor and expectations of core academic classes.
Diploma Program Credit: Students can consult with their Diploma Program Director to consider program credit for a course. Beyond courses that explicitly participate in a diploma program, in many core courses, students can design their major projects to meet diploma program credit guidelines.
There may never have been a more important time to be better trained in journalism and media studies than now, in the third decade of the millennium, when news options are unlimited, outlets are varied, streaming is 24-hour and the information is endless. The GCDS Journalism & Modern Media Elective will engage students in debates and projects relating to current events, including the ethics and practices involved in the freedom of the press and expression. Students taking this course will be involved in the ultimate school-wide project as the core of the editorial staff for The Stripe Chronicle, our Upper School student news site. Participants will learn the crafts of sourcing, reporting, writing, photojournalism, political cartooning, videography, and copy editing in an enterprise focused on the most vital authentic audience: peers and the full school community. Students will collaborate and learn how to write opinion pieces, how to use background and “off the record” sources, and appointed student-editors will be in charge of making sure all of the content is fit for publishing. Classes will consist of brainstorming sessions, real-time publishing, peer assistance in news gathering, meetings to hash out controversies which may arise, and work time to really “get the scoop.” Students can also learn video-editing skills and the techniques of on-camera talent. The newspaper site will not be censored, beyond the core mandate that our work abide by journalistic and GCDS ethics and values, giving students maximum editorial freedom and choice. In taking the class and working on The Stripe Chronicle, students will acquire valuable organizational skills, develop their powers of critical thinking, and connect their academic lives to the broader GCDS community.
Prerequisite: None Grade: 9-12 Credit: ELECT Semester: Full Year
In this project-based, interdisciplinary course, students will interrogate core concepts in sustainability using case studies. Students will be introduced to the interplay between economic, social, and environmental factors and adopt a variety of perspectives. Through policy debates, investment recommendations, advertising campaign presentations, and country long-range plans, students will not only dig into sustainability values and understandings, they will connect and amplify a variety of foundational skills (e.g.; research, thinking across subjects, posing meaningful questions and structuring problems; analytical techniques, visual communications and developing social and cultural literacies.) By engaging in case studies each student will identify areas of potential interest for future research, study, or social development. The course will conclude with a student-designed final project exploring real-world problems related to sustainability.
Prerequisite: None Grade: 9, 10 Credit: ELECT Semester: Fall and Spring (1 semester, offered twice)
Diploma Credit: Sustainability
Today, sport is big business. Career opportunities are increasing. Fan interest and participation evolve with technology. How did we get to this point? Where might it go? Other relevant questions we will ask are: If we want to pursue a career in this field, what can history teach us to prepare for it? How can we better engage with what we see and hear?
In many ways, sport tells the story of our country’s history. From the Great Depression to the Civil Rights Movement to our countries response after 9/11; the imprint of sport runs deep. The lessons of leadership, teamwork and overcoming setbacks connect deeply with who we are as learners. Our class will explore the history of sport in the US beginning at the turn of the 20th century. Diving deep into topics we will better understand how we got to where we are today.
Where has sport succeeded in making our country better?
Where has it failed?
How and why does it help to shape our identity as a country? As an individual?
Utilizing case studies, texts and speakers, our class will pursue some fundamental questions about the role sport has played in our history, as well as the role it might play going forward.
Prerequisite: None Grade: 9, 10 Credit: ELECT Semester: FALL
This course will aim to teach students an approach to living a long, healthy life. The course will take place in the new fitness center, and students will learn how to perform resistance training in a safe manner. Students will learn how to create their own workout programs with the knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. This course will use mathematics, physics, and technology in the weightroom to show how to track progress and manage exercise. Throughout the semester, students will gain a foundational knowledge of nutrition science to help them make informed decisions on a daily basis. At the end of the course, students will feel confident enough to write, perform, and assess workout programs for themselves!
Prerequisite: None Grade: 9-12 Credit: FITNESS Semester: FALL, SPRING
Students will have to complete Introduction to Strength and Conditioning in order to take this course. This course will dive deeper into the biomechanics of resistance training and athletic performance. Students will learn how speed and agility training can enhance an athletic performance training program. Students will learn how physics and mathematics play a significant role in an advanced strength and conditioning program. They will learn how velocity, acceleration, levers, and power output contribute to an athletic development program. This course will review nutrition for performance goals. At the end of this course, students will be able to assess and create workout programs for differing goals.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Strength and Conditioning Grade: 9-12 Credit: FITNESS Semester: FALL, SPRING