Upper school program guide

Acting I 

This course is for students who wish to challenge their acting skills through intensive scene 

study. Building on skills and background learned from the Introduction to Theater class, students 

study and perform various scenes from the modern era, beginning with Ibsen and Strindberg. 

Research and script analysis provide the context with which to understand the playwrights and 

their times. Vocal work, performance technique and small cast performances emphasize the 

nature of conflict in plays and broaden students’ scope. Scene writing gives students the 

opportunity to understand character and situation from a playwright’s point of view. Introduction 

to Theater is a prerequisite to this course. (Semester, .50 credit) 

 

Acting II 

This course is offered to advanced theater students, and focuses on performance at a superior 

level by refining acting technique through detailed analysis and research. Students study and 

perform specially selected works with an emphasis on complexity, conflict and playing for truth. 

Learning to direct for the stage and scene writing is incorporated into the course. Acting I is a 

prerequisite to this course. (Semester, .50 credit) 

 

Acting III (New for 2015-2016) 

This course is offered to advanced theater students who want to continue the growth of their 

acting technique and understanding of theater through the research, analysis and scene study of 

preeminent playwrights of the 21st century. As with the preceding acting classes, the course 

looks at the social, economic and philosophical changes that have influenced the playwrights and 

their work. Students examine content, style and language to help the actors make choices in 

building a performance. 

 

Students are assessed on their research, script analysis and performance. First is a preliminary 

run-through performance where they receive feedback from the teacher and fellow students. 

Next comes a final, fully memorized performance. These rehearsals and performances sections 

comprise the scene study segments of the course. Introduction to Theater, Acting I and Acting II 

are prerequisites to this course. (Semester, .50 credit) 

 

Digital Design for the Theater (New for 2015-2016) 

This course explores the elements of technical theater or stagecraft through the use of 

technology. Students learn how to create virtual set, costume and lighting designs. Through the 

incorporation of 3D printing, set design projects are rendered into scale models. Lighting design 

projects are created into short films. Costume designs are presented in two or three-dimensional 

formats. (Semester, .50 credit) 

 

 

44 

Playwriting 

This course is designed to further enhance students’ comprehensive theater education. By 

understanding the craft of playwriting, actors, directors and technicians learn to refine their 

disciplines through a sharper appreciation for the scripted play. This course is also designed for 

those students who have little or no theater experience, but have a creative mind and seek 

expression through playwriting. Students come to understand playwriting in the context of the 

human condition and create works through the unique forms of dialogue and stage direction. An 

overview of playwrights and playwriting from the Ancient Greeks to the present is matched with 

an ongoing goal to complete a play or plays at least twenty-five minutes in length. Introduction 

to Theater, or approval by submission of original work, is a prerequisite to this course. 

(Semester, .50 credit) 

 

Improvisation 

This course is designed for students who love creativity, spontaneity and the thrill of performing 

without a safety net. Students learn the fundamentals of improvisation: creating a character, 

developing relationships, advancing the story and freeing imagination and memory. This comedy 

improvisation course utilizes short-form, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, style and improvisation 

constructs. Introduction to Theater or permission of the instructor is a prerequisite of this course. 

(Semester, .50 credit) 

Comedy with Shakespeare 

This course is for students who desire a concentrated experience in the performance of some of 

the most comedic works ever written by Shakespeare. Historical information is studied to 

establish a firm understanding of Shakespeare and his times, so as to provide a concept for 

contemporary performance. Several scenes are selected for study and performance. Physical 

acting and improvisation are used as tools for developing the comedy. Performances are 

scheduled for available audiences. Introduction to Theater is a prerequisite to this course. 

(Semester, .50 credit) 

Sketch Comedy 

This course is for students who wish to improve their creative comedy skills through 

improvisation, collaborative writing, video production and performance. Building on lessons 

learned from theater and improvisation courses, students build a complete comedy show of their 

own in the style of Saturday Night Live. Improvisation or permission of the instructor is a 

prerequisite to this course. (Semester, .50 credit) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45 

Possible Theater Sequencing Paths 

Grade 9 

Grade 10 

Grade 11 

Grade 12 

Intro to Theater 

Acting I 

Acting II 

Playwriting 

Intro to Theater 

Improvisation 

Sketch Comedy 

 

Intro to Theater/ 

Acting I 

Acting II/ 

Improvisation 

Sketch Comedy/ 

Playwriting 

 

Intro to Theater/ 

Improvisiation 

Sketch Comedy/ 

Comedy with 

Shakespeare 

 

 

 

Sequences may be fluid – depending on their relative level of proficiency, students may move 

from one row to another (as presented above) as they progress year to year in the department. 

 

 

 

 

46 

 

History and Social Sciences 

 

History 

 

Modern European History 

This ninth grade course is a survey of western culture and civilization from the Middle Ages 

through World War I. Through a combination of primary sources (written and visual), secondary 

materials, and a basic textbook, students examine the major cultural, political, economic, social 

and intellectual trends that shaped and continue to influence western thought and society. The 

course is thematic in scope and emphasis. Specific themes include: the rise of the modern nation 

state; the impact of religious ideas and political ideologies; and the major trends in literature and 

the arts. Assignments develop progressive skills in reading for meaning; applying concepts; 

supporting historical arguments; writing analytical essays; using research strategies and 

materials; and developing study organization and note-taking skills. Students are expected to 

master factual material and analytical and interpretive communication skills. (Full year, 1 credit) 

 

Modern European History Honors 

This ninth grade course is a study of western culture and civilization from the Middle Ages to 

World War I. Students examine, analyze and make connections among the major cultural, 

political, economic, social and intellectual trends which shaped and continue to influence 

western thought and society. The course is thematic in emphasis. Specific themes include: the 

rise of the modern nation state; the impact of religious ideas and political ideologies; and major 

trends in literature and the arts. Students are expected to do independent work with less 

scaffolding and be capable of pulling main ideas from readings so that class time can emphasize 

in-depth discussions of the content and critical thinking skills. The course develops progressive 

skills in identifying main ideas; applying concepts; supporting historical arguments; writing 

analytical essays; developing research strategies and materials; and discussing themes over time. 

(Full year, 1 credit) 

 

Contemporary World History 

This tenth grade course builds on the story of Modern European History. Students learn how 

current events are rooted in conflicts and solutions of the past. Topics include current events 

from the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America. Students leave this course as 

“citizens of the world” who are appreciative of cultural diversity and skilled in the 

interdisciplinary methods and concepts necessary for problem solving and critical thinking in an 

ever-changing world. Organization, note-taking and analytical skills are stressed. Students use 

the Internet databases, periodicals, videos, maps and charts to work on group projects, to 

research and write individual papers and to communicate in a variety of formats. (Full year, 1 

credit) 

 

 

 

 

 

47 

 

Contemporary World History – Honors (New for 2015-2016) 

This course explores issues of contemporary significance to trace history backward in order to 

understand the root of any given event. The course moves by region and covers The Middle East, 

Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe. In addition, students participate in a unit with regard to 

Social Justice from a global perspective. This skills-based course focuses on news analysis, 

debate skills, public speaking, website and infographic building, iMovie editing, historical 

fiction, digital timeline creation, oral history and research skills and writing. 

 

The honors course has an increased reading load and nightly homework allocation. Culminating 

assessments are more in depth with regard to content and detail. While all students do a research 

paper in conjunction with an oral history interview, students at the honors level are required to 

write a longer paper and produce a longer and more in-depth video. Students at the honors level 

are expected to cover more content outside of class and to have already strong writing skills. 

Departmental recommendation is required for placement. (Full year, 1 credit) 

 

United States History 

Responsible citizenship entails a firm understanding of the nation’s past and its basic institutions. 

This eleventh grade course is an in-depth survey of the major political, diplomatic, economic, 

cultural, social and intellectual trends in American life from the fifteenth through the twenty-first 

centuries. Major themes include: the nature of leadership; the relationship between culture, 

economics and politics; the ways in which the benefits and responsibilities of society are 

distributed in different periods and among different groups; the development of foreign policy; 

the use and abuse of force; and the blending of many cultures to create a great nation. Materials 

include a college level textbook, music, videos, primary sources and a variety of Internet 

resources. Organizational and note-taking skills are refined; regular research opportunities 

present practice in computer and library literacy; and written, oral, analytic and synthetic skills 

are honed. (Full year, 1 credit) 

 

AP European History 

In this course, students master the basic chronology and major events and ideas from 1250 to the 

present. Significant primary source analysis and extensive supplementary secondary articles and 

images

 

accompany a college text. Within each unit are a variety of lesson formats including 

analytical essay response, critical reading, Socratic seminar, blended learning and collaborative 

inquiry-based research.

 

 Themes include changes in religious belief and the rise of secularism; 

political theory and scientific advances; the diffusion of knowledge among different social 

groups; changes in popular culture; the impact of global expansion on European culture; the rise 

of the nation state and nationalism; colonialism, imperialism, decolonization, and global 

interdependence; the extension and limitation of rights and liberties; diplomacy and war; 

urbanization and the industrial revolution; changes in family and gender roles; and the major 

themes of literature, music and the visual arts. Students may take this course with departmental 

approval. (Full year, 1 credit) 

 

 

 

 

 

48 

AP United States History 

AP United States History is a college-level course that parallels a college seminar and gives 

students the opportunity to earn college credit on the Advanced Placement examination. In this 

class, we will explore the foundations and development of the United States through a 

chronological look at the major themes, peoples, events, ideas and movements in American 

history. Much of the supplementary reading will consist of primary sources as the ability to 

understand and analyze these is an integral component of the AP course. Students will be 

exposed to several writing assignments. These writing activities will help each student develop 

their analytical writing at an advanced level.

 (Full year, 1 credit) 

 

 

 

 

49 

 

History – Electives 

African Studies 

This course introduces students to the fascinating world of Africa, the birthplace of humankind. 

The course covers a variety of aspects of this, the second largest continent, including geography, 

early man, some of the early African kingdoms, such as Nubia, Ghana and Songhay, and the 

slave trade. Later in the course, students learn about how the West came to know about Africa, 

and how Europeans carved up the continent for their own glorification. The course covers the 

African people’s reaction to all this, and looks closely at the mfecane, the “time of troubles.” 

Finally, students encounter some of the conflicts that have wracked Africa, including the Zulu 

Wars, the Boer War and Africa between the wars, which led directly to African independence 

and Africa today, a continent with massive and tragic problems. Woven throughout the course 

are glimpses of African culture, folklore, art, music, dance and food. (Semester, .50 credit) 

Civil Rights, Human Rights and Civil Liberties 

This course focuses on understanding how the Constitution works to guarantee specific rights to 

United States citizens. Students take a close look at the United States Constitution and Bill of 

Rights to develop a greater understanding of the meaning and intent of these documents. Using a 

case-based method, students debate the controversial aspects of these fundamental freedoms. 

Utilizing many of the major historic Supreme Court cases, as well as cases of the post-9/11 

world, students acquire a deeper comprehension of how the protection of rights fits into the 

structure of the Constitution and how these rights are the basis of what it means to be an 

American. The course thoroughly delves into two civil rights movements unique to the United 

States, that of African and Native Americans. In addition, students have the opportunity to 

explore a civil rights issue of global importance so that they may gain a greater understanding of 

issues facing those living outside the United States. (Semester, .50 credit) 

 

Constitutional Law 

This course examines how the Constitution protects individual rights. Special attention is paid to 

the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment. Students read and analyze significant 

Supreme Court decisions and then consider how they apply to current events, focusing 

particularly on the interests of high school students. The course is run as a seminar, requiring 

students to consider various points of view before formulating their own opinions. (Semester, .50 

credit) 

D.C. History 

This course focuses on archival primary source work that allows students to analyze and 

synthesize local history. Students establish partnerships with local archives to facilitate access to 

primary source documents. Projects also include the curation of local online history that is not 

currently available digitally, thus contributing to the larger field of historical research. The 

course allows students to look at history through a myriad of cultural lenses, for example the 

African-American experience in Washington, DC. (Semester, .50 credit) 

 

 

 

50 

Global Art History 

This course is a study of the human experience as revealed through works of art. Students 

connect art and history by researching events and cultures that have inspired the “stories” told 

via painting, sculpture, architecture, printmaking, ceramics and photography. Students are 

expected to research, present and defend point papers, collaborate in discussion forums and 

prepare a legacy book of artistic contributions within significant themes/time frames that become 

the final project for evaluation. (Semester, .50 credit) 

 

Greek and Roman History and Civilization 

In this course, students learn the history of the ancient Greeks and Romans, gaining further 

insight into the cultures and daily lives of these civilizations through the study of their literature 

in particular and art, where applicable. By learning the history of these important civilizations, 

students are also able to parley this enhanced historical literacy into a greater cultural literacy, 

understanding the lessons of ancient history and drawing parallels between the problems and 

triumphs faced by the Greeks and Romans with those encountered by our civilization today. The 

course is open to all interested students in grades 10 and above. No prior knowledge of Latin or 

Greek is required. This course is considered either a history elective or a classics elective. 

(Semester, .50 credit) 

 

Greek and Roman Mythology 

In this course, students learn the most important mythological stories of the ancient Greeks and 

Romans with an eye toward discerning the priorities and fears of the civilizations that produced 

them. By learning details of these important myths, students are also able to parley this enhanced 

mythological literacy into a greater cultural literacy, appreciating the richness of Western 

literature and art and recognizing allusions to mythology that occur therein. Students are also 

able to detect universal archetypes and patterns across a variety of mythological stories and 

understand how they recur in myths from other cultures and other forms of media. The course is 

open to all interested students in grades 10 and above. No prior knowledge of Latin or Greek is 

required. This course is considered either a history elective or a classics elective. (Semester, .50 

credit) 

 

History in the News 

The course attempts to build on the tenth and eleventh grade experiences in Contemporary World 

History and US History. Students will have acquired not only background knowledge of national 

and world events, but they will also be proficient at a number of technology skills such as 

Internet research strategies. (Semester, .50 credit) 

 

Middle East Studies 

In this course, students learn about a pivotal region in current affairs and politics. While students 

study historical events and developments in the area since the advent of the Ottoman Empire, the 

course focuses on significant elements and concepts that make the region unique, such as its 

diverse peoples and its noted conflicts. In addition, the course emphasizes the interplay of 

religion, social structure, literature, politics and history, with the purpose of creating in the 

student the ability to recognize these relationships whenever events are reported upon in the 

media. This course is open to juniors and seniors. (Semester, .50 credit) 

 

 

51 

Russian Studies (Not Offered in 2015-2016) 

In this course, students learn about the culture and history of Russia, as well as the influence of 

Russia on European and Asian history. The emphasis of this course is on Russia in the modern 

world. Since this course is a general studies course, literature, music, society, and culture occupy 

a central place in the course. This course is offered to seniors. (Semester, .50 credit) 

 

Social Sciences 

AP Comparative Government 

This course introduces students to fundamental concepts used by political scientists to study the 

processes and outcomes of politics in a variety of country settings.  The course aims to illustrate 

the rich diversity of political life, to show available institutional alternatives, to explain 

differences in processes and policy outcomes and to communicate to students the importance of 

global political and economic changes. 

Comparison assists both in identifying problems and in analyzing policy-making. For example, 

we only know that a country has a high population growth rate or serious corruption when we 

compare it to other countries. Careful comparison of political systems produces useful 

knowledge about the institutions and policies countries have employed to address problems, or, 

indeed, what they have done to make things worse. We can compare the effectiveness of policy 

approaches to poverty, or overpopulation by examining how different countries solve similar 

problems. Furthermore, by comparing the political institutions and practices of wealthy and poor 

countries, we can begin to understand the political consequences of economic well-being.  

Finally, comparison assists explanation.  Why are some countries stable democracies and not 

others? Why do many democracies have prime ministers instead of presidents? In addition to 

covering the major concepts that are used to organize and interpret what we know about political 

phenomena and relationships, the course covers specific countries and their governments. 

 

Seven countries form the core of the course: the United States, China, Great Britain, Iran, 

Mexico, Nigeria and Russia. By using these seven countries, the course moves the discussion of 

concepts from abstract definition to concrete example, noting that not all concepts are equally 

useful in all country settings. The course adds a study of the same concepts for the U.S. 

government to assist students with comparison to something they should have some familiarity 

with after completing U.S. History, which is a prerequisite to this course. (Full year, 1 credit)