Course Descriptions – click the links for further information

Introduction to Argumentation and Debate (click here for more information or to enroll) taught by Stephen Mayer

Stephen Mayer has extensive experience teaching in forensics programs, ranging from Santa Clara University’s Summer Debate Workshop to Live Oak Academy’s Intermediate and Introductory Debate classes. He qualified for the NCFCA National Tournament four consecutive times and won five national awards. He has co-authored two debate sourcebooks and is currently writing a third. Now a junior at UCLA, Stephen is an award-winning attorneyon UCLA’s Mock Trial Team.

Introduction to Argumentation and Debate will provide a thorough, practical grounding in critical thinking, research, and public speaking that will be invaluable to students, whether or not they decide to compete in forensic competition. Topics will include logical models, logical fallacies, research techniques, structure of formal debate, understanding both sides of an issue, building a case, affirmative and negative strategies, audience assessment, and even gracious competition.

Art Workshops taught by Ruthie Korch

• Basic Watercolor (click here for more information or to enroll) - Students will be introduced to some of the basic qualities and techniques of the wonderfully expressive world of watercolor. We will explore and experiment with these basic skills, dipping into color theory along the way. Then, we’ll put them all together to complete a landscape painting by the end of the week.
• Basic Drawing (click here for more information or to enroll) - In this workshop, students will have the opportunity to experiment with three different drawing mediums: graphite, charcoal, and pastel. In the process, we’ll be discussing some of the basic components of all art: quality of line, elements of shape, and light and shadow. Not only will we draw from studio still lifes, but we will also have fun drawing from our imaginations.
• Italic Calligraphy (click here for more information or to enroll) - Using a cartridge calligraphy pen, students will be introduced to the basic strokes and letter forms of this beautiful script, dating back from the time of the Renaissance. We will look into the history of Italic and even some of the fun stories behind the alphabet we use today. Students will have a finished piece of calligraphy on parchment paper by the end of the week, complete with a bit of illumination.
• Oil Painting (click here for more information or to enroll) - Students will need to have had previous art training to join this class. We will explore some of the basic qualities of oils and the brushwork that best expresses them. The class exercises will be focused on creating an understanding of values (light and form), and the importance of breaking a composition into shapes. We will work from a studio still life and students will have a finished canvas by the end of our time together. Hopefully their appetites will be whetted for the incredible opportunities that oils give for creative expression.

Senses of Wonder: A Science Camp (click here for more information or to enroll) taught by Ellen Garrett

Explore how we were made to interact with the world around us. Students will explore their senses through a variety of activities, from tricking their brains, to testing their taste buds. Through illustrations, explanations and a hands-on dissection of cow eyeballs, students will appreciate the amazing way we have been created to interact with the world. The camp will culminate in an optional field trip (on Friday, June 27) to the exhibits at San Francisco’s Exploratorium.

English Grammar for Students of Beginning Latin taught by Steve DePangher

This course is designed for students going into Latin 1 or 2 whose foundation in grammar needs additional work. Course focuses on the parts of speech and their usage and function in English. Basic types of clauses in English sentences will also be covered. Extensive diagramming of sentences will show mastery of concepts. No previous Latin required.

AP Preparation Courses

These courses are designed to give students in AP courses a jump-start for the academic year. These prep courses are required for participation in the related AP course in the Fall/Spring Semesters.

AP Latin Vergil Prep taught by Steve DePangher

This course is required for all students who will be enrolling in AP Latin in the 2008-2009 school year. The majority of the work for the class will be done at home to provide maximum flexibility for families. (Generous provision will be made for missed and alternate class times.) The Aeneid will be read in English and some scholarly analysis of the Aeneid as a whole will be introduced. Class meetings will focus on overall analysis of the Aeneid, Vergil’s rhetorical strategies, and a Latin grammar review. The books used during the summer will be required as they are texts that will be used during the AP course starting in Fall 2008.

AP Chemistry Prep (teacher is TBD)

This course is required of all AP Chemistry students. Details forthcoming.