Curriculum Guide 2013-2014

All students meet challenging and comprehensive graduation requirements: four years of English; three years or more of mathematics, science, history and foreign lan­guage; 40 hours of community service; two or more art courses; and seven credits in athletics and/or physical education.

Students may also select classes from a 28-page curriculum book, which includes 22 Advanced Placement and 7 honors (college level) courses. Our deep and diverse curriculum affords students the opportunity to gain a broad understanding of many subjects and also pursue their specific interests in greater depth and detail. Within each discipline, students and advi­sors choose the level of study appropriate to their individual abilities. The schedule offers both 45-minute daily classes and 100-minute alternating day classes to prepare students for the pace and schedule they will find in college.

Curriculum Guide

The Arts

THE ARTS


Graduation Requirements: Three arts credits are required for graduation after completion of Freshman Seminar.  For students entering Upper School for the 2012-2013 school year, the credits may be distributed among the Visual Arts, Music, and Theater courses described below.  For students who entered the Upper School before the 2012-2013 school year, the credits may be distributed as either two credits of studio art or one credit of Studio Art and one credit of Performing Art.


VISUAL ARTS

Visual Arts Philosophy:
The Tatnall fine art curriculum emphasizes the cultivation of each student’s own unique creative voice. Our art faculty believes that the critical and creative processes inherent in all artistic endeavors are important and highly transferable life skills. Tatnall’s art curriculum provides students with a wide scope of art experiences to promote innovative use of materials, creative exploration, and a range of technical skills in a variety of media. Tatnall art students learn the vocabulary and historical context of specific media, subjects and styles. The artwork our students produce is a result of each individual’s ability to think creatively, to solve problems, and to evaluate.

Visual Arts Courses

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN (1 credit)  Students will experience a broad based overview of key architectural ideas and formal approaches and begin to understand architecture as cultural and social expression. Students will complete a series of introductory design and model making assignments before proceeding into the conceptual development and plans for an original site-specific design. The term will culminate in a series of student presentations and a gallery exhibition showcasing the final architectural models. Instructor recommendation required.  

DIGITAL MEDIA (1 credit)  This course emphasizes the inherent potential of the human-computer interface as a site for creative production and possibilities. Students will be introduced to the sophisticated capabilities of the Adobe Photoshop CS6 to create original digital files for press. Also, students will experiment with creating and manipulating visual content using text and image through graphic design-based projects. Course projects include works of digital art, experiments in typography, packaging design and graphic communication.

DRAWING AND PAINTING (1 credit)   This course emphasizes the importance of honing observational skills and mastering a variety of drawing and painting techniques in order to create successful representational images. Students will work observationally from still life, landscape and the figure. Students will also learn strategies for mixing colors and creating color harmonies. Spatial considerations and principles of compositional design will also be explored in-depth. Students will also be exposed to key figures in art history to reinforce technical demonstrations and other course concepts.

FOUND OBJECT ART (1 credit)  Students will create a series of fine art pieces utilizing found object materials in combination with traditional art materials and techniques. Natural, recycled, and found materials will form the basis of each finished work of art. Students will also examine the approaches of contemporary artists using found materials to expand their appreciation for alternative working methods.

FRESHMAN SEMINAR: VISUAL ART (0.5 credit)  Pass/Fail  This introductory foundation course equips students with the fundamental skills needed to undertake more advanced exploration in art and design. The course emphasizes both the design process and a solid understanding of the elements and principles of design. Students also learn to apply critical thinking skills throughout the creative process as well as in formal class critiques.

HONORS ART (3 credits) Tatnall’s Honors Art curriculum is designed to provide serious and committed Upper School fine art students an opportunity to develop a college-level fine art portfolio. Students are expected to maintain a sketchbook to function as a resource for artistic development. Honors Art students are expected to demonstrate an advanced understanding of the elements and principles of art and to use studio time in a disciplined and mature manner. The course moves from primarily instructor-led assignments to more independent explorations. Students will learn how to plan, develop and research a concentration project. Students will also participate in both formal and informal class critiques to sharpen their critical thinking skills and expand their artistic vocabulary.  Prerequisite: Enrollment in 12th grade.  (Drawing & Painting, plus one additional studio elective course will also be prerequisites beginning in 2013-2014) Instructor recommendation required.

JUNIOR ART PORTFOLIO (1, 2 or 3 credits) This course provides committed juniors with an opportunity to develop skills and ideas from previous fine art coursework and to create an advanced body of work. Students will strengthen their portfolios in areas of design, painting, drawing, and concept. Students interested in preparing a portfolio for college admissions, fine art scholarships, and to prepare for Honors Art senior year are encouraged to take Junior Portfolio. Junior Art Portfolio includes the following:

 

DRAWING PORTFOLIO In this course, students will expand their drawing vocabulary of line, texture, value and contour explored in earlier foundation elective coursework to pieces that successfully balance form and content. Students will create a minimum of four pieces over the course of the term exploring a range of drawing media including charcoal, pastel, ink and non-traditional approaches to drawing. Students will also have the opportunity to work from a live figure model.
 
2D DESIGN Students will learn how to employ two-dimensional design principles to effectively communicate content in a personal visual language. Students will complete a minimum of four pieces in a range of techniques and materials including printmaking, painting, digital art, sequential art and mixed media. This course includes a field trip to the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia.
 
3D PORTFOLIO Students will learn how to integrate three-dimensional design principles to create three-dimensional works of art and design including sculpture, ceramics and apparel design. Students will apply the design process as a systematic approach to creative decision-making to create a minimum of four three-dimensional objects that address issues and ideas specific to each student.

 

Students are encouraged to take all three consecutive terms of Junior Art Portfolio, however each term can be taken as a one-term elective if scheduling issues arise. Instructor permission required.

PRINTMAKING (1 credit) Students will explore a variety of printmaking processes including relief, intaglio, solar plate, collagraph, monoprint, and serigraph (silkscreen). Students are encouraged to be experimental and innovative in their approach to printmaking. Students will also be exposed to the history of printmaking and examine the work of contemporary printmakers such as Rauschenberg, Warhol and others.

SURREALISM & ABSTRACTION (1 credit)  In this course, students will explore key modern art movements and the ideas and concepts underpinning their representational style. Students will create a series of pieces exploring the ideas and techniques of modern art movements, primarily in two-dimensional media including painting, drawing and mixed media. The term culminates in a series of student presentations and a final project based on specific art movement.


MUSIC

Music Philosophy:
The philosophy of the Tatnall Upper School Music Department is to educate students according to the National Association for Music Education’s National Standards: (1) Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music, (2) Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music, (3) Improvisation, (4) Composition, (5) Reading and notating music, (6) Critical listening, (7) Evaluating performances, (8) Understanding relationships between music and the arts, and (9) Understanding music in relation to culture by offering all students a well-rounded and musically diverse experience through various performance and academic based courses.  We seek to attract each student to a lifelong relationship with music.

The Upper School Symphonic Band, String Ensemble, and Jazz Band challenge students with a wide variety of literature that allows the student to appreciate not only the learning process, but also the satisfaction of a successful performance.  A deeper understanding of musical concepts such as melody, harmony, form and rhythm, along with the improvement of the instrumentalists’ tone quality and intonation will be stressed.

The choral music offerings include two entry-level ensembles: Women's Chorus and Men's Chorus.  The Concert Choir and Tatnall Singers are choirs formed from these groups by audition only.  The focus of these selective ensembles is the development of the students as choral artists equally trained as vocal technicians, musicians, and theatrical performers.

Students enrolled in Symphonic Band, String Ensemble, or Chorus will receive three credits with an additional credit for participation in either Concert Choir or Jazz Band.

Music Courses

FRESHMAN SEMINAR (0.5 credits): MUSIC  Pass/Fail.  Students complete both individual and group projects. Students learn about the essential place music holds in many aspects of our lives, such as dance, film, video games and marketing. Within this context, students study music history and learn how to identify the elements of different musical genres. Students learn how and why music affects the brain, both as a listener and as a music-maker. Students also study the process involved in making music in our current time, especially the people and funding involved in creating a musical performance or recording. Students learn to critique music of different genres are required to attend a musical performance.

MEN'S CHORUS (3 credits) Men’s Chorus performs in a broad range of musical styles to foster a love and appreciation for music.  This ensemble is designed to help students develop a concept of good vocal tone and build the basics of good vocal technique. Students increase music reading skills and work toward understanding the choral score.  The group sings in three part harmony in male only music and often combines with the Women’s Chorus to perform mixed chorus music in four or more parts.  Men’s Chorus meets three days a week all year.  The group performs in at least three concerts each year.

WOMEN'S CHORUS (3 credits) A basic aim of this group is to develop a love of music in general and singing in particular.  Women’s Chorus studies and performs many different musical styles.  The group works to develop a concept of good tone and incorporate exercises in good vocal technique.  In addition, students study music reading skills that increase their understanding of the choral score.  The Women’s Chorus sings in three and four part harmony and often combines with the Men’s Chorus to perform mixed chorus music in four or more parts.  Women’s Chorus meets three days a week all year.  The group performs in at least three concerts each year.

CONCERT CHOIR (1 credit)  The group performs especially challenging music and often performs with other area choirs.  All styles of music are performed from the Renaissance madrigal to major choral works, sometimes with orchestra.  The group has traveled to Europe to participate in choral festivals.  Concert Choir is a year-long commitment and meets twice a week, including Monday evenings.  Prerequisite: Membership in either Women's Chorus or Men's Chorus and consent of instructor.

TATNALL SINGERS (no credits)  Up to 20 students may be selected each year from the Concert Choir membership to perform as the Tatnall Singers. This select group challenges those highly motivated students who have special vocal talents. The group performs a range of music from Renaissance madrigals to contemporary Broadway musicals. At times a student is selected to direct this group. The members have significant input into the repertoire of the group. The rehearsal schedule is flexible and the group meets all year. Members are expected to work on music outside rehearsals. The group may perform at Upper School concerts and is invited to perform at other school and non-school functions.

SYMPHONIC BAND (3 credits)  Students can develop the ultimate ability to appreciate all types of music through active participation in the Symphonic Band.  Prior instrumental experience is not necessary in order to participate in the symphonic band.  The aesthetic beauty of an outstanding performance and the camaraderie that comes from a team effort provide a rewarding experience, which will remain with the student throughout life. Members are expected to prepare their music and participate in all performances.  Private study is encouraged, but not required.

JAZZ BAND (1 credit)  Students with prior ensemble experience learn to play big band jazz music. A high level of musicianship is to be maintained. Jazz Band meets twice a week throughout the year. Students are expected to prepare for and attend all rehearsals and performances. Jazz Band performs at festivals during winter and spring.

STRING ENSEMBLE (3 credits)  The Tatnall Upper School String Ensemble provides experienced violin, viola, cello and upright bass players the opportunity to perform chamber music of various styles and genres.  Through performance experience students gain an in-depth understanding of musical form, melody, harmony, rhythm and history.

INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC TECHNOLOGY (1 credit)  This course provides an introduction of concepts and hands-on experience in the field of music technology.  Students will use commercially available music-related computer hardware and software, and classes will be devoted to gaining a practical understanding of computer systems and electronic instruments and their applications in the areas of music composition, orchestration, recording, performance, instruction, and the Internet.  Special attention is given to hardware and software that supports the Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) including keyboards, tone modules, sequencers, notation packages, interactive composition software, and educational programs.  An introduction to digital audio principles and applications is included.  Musical resources and data formats related to the Internet are explored.  Student assignments will be in the form of several projects designed to provide a practical understanding of how technology can be used by musicians.

ENCOUNTERS WITH MUSIC (1 credit) This course challenges the students to learn and to listen to music in new and unique ways. While some music theory will be inherent in the materials, this class will cover the Five Periods of Western Art Music (Renaissance to Modern) by taking one piece from each period and studying it in depth. Further “encounters” will require a research project from any period of Western Art Music including Jazz.

MUSIC THEORY (1 credit).  Students will learn about melody, harmony, and rhythm through transcribing, listening, and composing.  This course is appropriate for all levels: music theory fundamentals for beginners as well as opportunities for advanced instruction for experienced students. For students who are not planning to major or minor in music, this course will provide the fundamentals needed to read, play, and write music in various genres.  For the most advanced student, the course will give students an opportunity to prepare for a college entry-level theory exam and the AP music theory exam.


THEATER

Theater Arts Philosophy
The Theater Department offers an extensive, hands-on program in all aspects of theatrical performance and production. We believe in the power of theater to transform—to entertain, to educate, and to enlighten. Our program produces challenging and engaging shows while providing intensive training in all aspects of theater. The curriculum offers technical training, classroom instruction, and production experience in a variety of opportunities, beginning with our Freshman Seminar (Introduction to Theater) and including electives in technical theater and in acting.

Showcase, the cornerstone of the theater program, mounts the school’s major dramatic production at mid-year and carries academic credit as an upper-level elective (“Advanced Theater: Design and Production”). Each company member learns several theatrical skills, engaged perhaps not only in acting but also in set design and construction, costumes, props, technical matters, and publicity. In the fall, Playbill students produce a Broadway-style musical. As in the other drama groups at Tatnall, Playbill relies heavily on student input, talents, and dedication in all areas, ranging from on-stage duties to in-the-pit music to behind-the-scenes lighting, set design, and make-up. The final play of the year, produced by the Drama Club, is designed to give students a chance to learn stagecraft in preparation for Showcase and Playbill as well as to provide theater veterans a chance to develop a new skill, including design and direction.  All of our theater courses and productions emphasize direct student engagement, teamwork, problem solving, and creative thinking. In short, there are many substantive ways for students to be involved in theater and to continue to develop and broaden their talents and interests in the arts.

 

Theater Courses

 

FRESHMAN SEMINAR: INTRO TO THEATER (0.5 credit)  Pass/Fall. This is a credit-bearing course on the essentials of stagecraft, lighting design, sound design, scenic design, and production management.  Taught by the technical director of the PAC, the class will contain both group and individual instruction in the Marvin Theater of the Laird Performing Arts Center.  A small project is required.

ADVANCED THEATER: DESIGN AND PRODUCTION (SHOWCASE) (1 credit) Showcase is the major dramatic production of the year.  The director selects the ensemble during an open casting-call (interviews/auditions) the preceding spring.  Each company member is expected to be engaged in several theatrical skills like acting, set design and construction, costumes, props, technical matters, and publicity.  Students selected are expected to work some evenings in addition to the regular classroom commitment.   Consent of instructor required.

TECHNICAL THEATER (1 credit)  A comprehensive class covering three major areas of technical theater:  scenery design and construction, lighting design and implementation, and audio design and implementation.  In the scenery portion, students will learn proper tool and shop safety, basic construction techniques, theatrical painting techniques, and set placement.  The lighting section will cover basic lighting theory including script analysis, angle, color, and placement.  Audio design will include script analysis and use of sound effects in stage plays as well as basic microphone usage.

Computer

COMPUTER SCIENCE


Computer Science Philosophy:
The Computer Science program recognizes that technology permeates the lives of all our students. It is essential for students to appropriately integrate technology to support their learning. Critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration are strengthened and enhanced through the courses in our program.

A Tatnall student understands fundamental computer literacy issues through a seminar designed specifically for freshman as a foundation for their academic career in the Upper School. Students acquire skills to access information, manipulate data, synthesize concepts, and communicate concepts and ideas. They are also taught to be responsible and considerate users of technology.

Tatnall students have the opportunity to pursue depth of study in a diverse set of elective courses available to students in grades 10-12. Topics range from programming concepts and languages to more creative applications such as web and digital media design. A Tatnall student who engages with the elective program becomes a more experienced problem solver who develops higher-level computer and logic skills. Every student can benefit from additional exposure to computer science beyond the required freshman seminar.

Graduation Requirements for Computer Science:

All Computer Science courses are elective and open to 10th, 11th, and 12th graders.  

Computer Courses

FRESHMAN SEMINAR: COMPUTER APPLICATIONS (0.5 credit)  Pass/Fail.  This course is designed to introduce freshman to the Upper School computing policies and ethics, hardware, software, servers, and internet.  In addition, this course teaches students how to word process, use spreadsheets, and design presentations using the MicroSoft Office Suite.

VIRTUAL REALITY MODELING LANGUAGE (1 credit)  This course teaches students how to create dynamic virtual worlds and sensory-rich virtual environments on the internet. It allows students to grasp complex three-dimensional topics such as global and local 3-Dimensional coordinate systems, object translations and rotations, as well as graphics manipulations in these virtual worlds on the computer. Students explore their creativity while learning VRML language programming skills.  Software used is Smultron text editor and FreeWrl Player.

DATABASE PROGRAMMING (1 credit)  Every business, school, or corporation uses a database to catalog and manipulate important information. This course teaches students about basic database concepts such as records, fields scripts, calculations, display appearance, and flow. Students will create many databases during this course and will learn how to publish databases over a network. Software used is FileMaker Pro.

DIGITAL VIDEO AND AUDIO (1 credit)  This course was designed to introduce students to the fascinating world of digital image and sound editing and production. Industry leading software will be used to collect and process digital data from digital video cameras, digital still cameras, and a host of other sound generating devices.  

WEB DESIGN (1 Credit)  This course introduces student into the ever-changing world of designing web pages and web sites. The Adobe Creative Suite 3 software is used in this course to manipulate digital images for web-ready publication, and to design web animations. The basics of Dreamweaver, Flash, and Photoshop software are taught in the course. No previous experience with web design is necessary.

English

ENGLISH


English Statement of Philosophy

The English Department offers all Tatnall students the opportunity to experience some of the most compelling works of American, British, and world literature.  In a world in which communication skills and intellectual flexibility are increasingly valuable prerequisites, our literature-based program also provides a strong foundation for success at the college level in such areas as critical and inferential thinking, reading, and writing. Ninth and tenth graders study a core curriculum of genres and classical literature, while juniors and seniors choose from a selection of electives.  Some sophomores may accelerate their study in an honors course and with selected electives, and juniors and seniors may elect AP courses with departmental approval.

Our courses in film, drama, and theater complement the English Department’s focus on literary texts by considering films and plays within similar contexts of study:  historical, technical, theoretical, and aesthetic.  The additional goal of these courses is to make students more thoughtful analysts of visual and performance media.  Successful Tatnall English students, upon graduation, will be culturally literate and equipped to think clearly, speak and write fluently, and read critically at the college level and beyond.

Standardized Testing for English students:
Juniors and seniors who have earned at least a B average in any Advanced Placement English course are strongly encouraged to take the AP exam in May.  Either the Literature and Composition test or the Language and Composition test is appropriate.  Students should confer with their teachers for recommendations about timing.  Students with at least a B average in any AP English course are encouraged to take the SAT Subject Test in literature in June of the junior year or at the beginning of the senior year.

Graduation Requirements for English:

9th Grade: English 9: Elements of Literature, Grammar Review
10th Grade: English 10: Bible, Myth, and Epic
11th Grade: Upper Level Electives (3 credits) At least one credit must be in an American Literature course correlated with American History study.  AP English courses satisfy this requirement.
12th Grade: Upper Level Electives (3 credits)
Upper level students may take more than the required three credits of English per year.

English Courses

ENGLISH 9: ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE (3 credits)  This course introduces students to a range of literature (including print and nonprint texts) that survey several genres with the goal of helping them develop the strategies of active, critical readers. They will develop basic knowledge of the forms and techniques characteristic of prose (fiction and nonfiction), poetry, drama, and nonprint media. They will not only build reading skills but will also develop insight into the human condition as it is lived in a variety of circumstances. Students will also develop fluency and versatility in spoken and written language in order to communicate with a variety of different audiences for different purposes and in several rhetorical modes. Students are also introduced to research skills.

FRESHMAN SEMINAR -  GRAMMAR REVIEW (0.5 Credits) The emphasis in this class will be on the technical components of writing, including grammar and mechanics. The approach is practical and constructivist, and the course is aimed to provide all students with the necessary background to meet the writing expectations of the Upper School.  Students prove mastery of the material via classroom participation, homework, and in-class assessments.   This course is graded for the term but is pass/fail for the year.

ENGLISH 10: BIBLE, MYTH, AND EPIC (3 credits)  This course is designed to help students establish solid cultural and literary backgrounds. Students will read a variety of foundational texts including western and nonwestern mythologies and epics and selections from Hebrew and Christian scriptures. Instruction will focus on developing students’ reading fluency and comprehension along with thinking, speaking, and writing skills. Mastering course content will allow students to gather a classical knowledge base that will inform their diverse studies. In the process of achieving these goals, course work is designed to build upon and expand the basic literary skills introduced in 9th grade. Students will also improve fluency and versatility in spoken and written language in order to communicate with a variety of different audiences for different purposes and in several rhetorical modes. Students expand and refine research skills introduced in ninth grade.

HONORS ENGLISH 10: BIBLE, MYTH, AND EPIC (3 terms)  This course is designed for students who have shown exceptional reading and writing ability in their ninth grade English course.  Enduring patterns of meaning will be introduced which have animated Western literature and society throughout recorded history.  Beginning with a thorough overview of world mythologies and the foundational stories of various world cultures, the curriculum moves swiftly into the epics of Gilgamesh, The Odyssey, and Beowulf.  The Biblical stories that compose much of the fabric of the European and American canon follow, and the course journey ends with a return to Classical literature as we read selected Athenian plays, examine Platonic philosophy, and survey excerpts from The Aeneid.  Participating students should be prepared for significant reading loads and substantial weekly writing assignments.

Electives: (Courses may rotate from year to year.)

AP ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION (A) (3 credits) Faulkner, Fitzgerald and Hemingway:  This portion of the course is an intensive study of selected novels and stories of these great American writers.  In addition to literary considerations, the course focuses on the authors' lives and cultural contexts and on such issues as race, history, and alienation.  Novels to be considered include The Sound and the Fury, Light In August, The Great Gatsby, Tender is the Night, The Sun Also Rises, and A Farewell to Arms.  Critical writing is a key component to this course.  Masterworks of American Drama:  This portion of the course is a close study of the five major American playwrights of the twentieth century. The focus will be on the text in performance, examining each play both as literature and as theatrical experience. We will do script analysis as well as discuss each play as a staged event by considering such dramatic elements as set design, acting, and lighting. As part of our classroom activities, we will view classic performances of the following plays: Long Day’s Journey into Night by Eugene O’Neill, Our Town by Thornton Wilder, The Glass Menagerie and A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, All My Sons and Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, and  “Zoo Story” and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee.  Prerequisite: Consent of English Department

AP ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION (B) (3 credits)  Hero in America:  How do major writers differ in their conceptions of the American hero? How do they define “the American identity”? In what ways have we modified these images in literary and cultural terms? This course explores the various types of heroes and heroic action in American culture, past and present. Such topics as innocence, initiation, violence, race, class, and the American Dream will be a part of our consideration of such cultural icons as the frontiersman, the outlaw, the soldier, the businessman, the politician, and the private-eye. We will examine these texts (as well as film and other elements of popular culture) within their specific historical contexts and from our own contemporary perspective.  Modern European Novel:  In this portion of the course, we will read modern novels centering on man’s unsettling perception of a new world and new self-image. The nature of this new consciousness will be examined as it relates to some of the greatest novels of the 20th Century (German, French, English, Russian). We will attempt to define “modernity” in terms of both society and the individual--attention will be paid to psychological, social, moral, and philosophical issues. In addition to reading, writing about, and discussing the novels, a good deal of time will be spent on the lives of the writers in order to examine the relationship between the “inner lives” of the artists and the thematic concerns of the writings. Finally, the idea of “the modern” will be considered in the philosophy, science, painting, history, and cinema of the first half of the 20th Century.  Prerequisite:  Consent of English Department.

AP ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION (E): LITERARY REVISIONS (3 credits)  This class allows us to look at original works of literature and the modern texts that play off of their characters and themes.  We will study the limits of epic, poem, novel, and play as we analyze the ways in which each group of texts compliments its counterparts. Students should expect significant reading and writing assignments both in class as and homework; we will also practice and prepare for the Advanced Placement test in English Literature. Prerequisite:  Consent of English Department.

AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION (A): LITERARY NONFICTION (3 credits)  The primary purposes of this course are to help students appreciate an overlooked literary form and to prepare them for college writing. In addition to reading some of the best modern and contemporary essayists and memoirists, students generate an "anthology" of class essays for discussion. We consider questions of style and try to determine just how written language communicates (or in some cases miscommunicates) meaning.  Prerequisite:  Consent of English Department

AP LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION (B): THE JOURNEY-INWARD, OUTWARD, AND FORWARD (3 credits)  In this course, students will continue to develop their critical reading and writing skills by studying a variety of genres, authors, and literary time periods.  In preparation for the AP Language and Composition exam, we will spend considerable time exploring rhetorical devices used, not just in non-fiction, but in other genres as well. We will consider authorial intent as well as audience expectations in our interactions with the texts we read, and we will explore the conventions that are specific to each genre. The unifying motif of this course is  “the journey,” but we will interpret this motif in a few different ways. Studying authors such as Shakespeare, Thoreau, Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Dillard, we will explore the metaphorical journeys that writers take when forming connections between the natural world and human nature.  Looking at the journey in a more literal sense, we will read stories of quests and pilgrimages by authors such as Chaucer, Conrad, Updike, and Kerouac.  Finally, we will examine the personal journeys toward edification and self-awareness of protagonists created by Austen, Dickens, Joyce, and Ellison.   Prerequisite:  Consent of English Department

AFRICAN-AMERICAN LITERATURE (1 credit)  This course begins by tracing the African-American experience in American history from slavery to the civil rights struggle to the present day. We examine how this heritage influenced and influences this group’s literature, from W.E.B. DuBois to Toni Morrison. Other representative authors include Zora Neale Hurston, Ralph Ellison, Richard Wright, and Langston Hughes. This course satisfies the American Literature requirement for 11th grade.  

AMERICAN CINEMA/AMERICAN CULTURE (1 credit)  How does a film create meaning? How does a camera "tell" a story? How does editing make it move? How do lighting, sound, and composition create a narrative? This survey of masterpieces of the American cinema will focus on the relationship of our movies to their wider cultural/historical contexts. At the same time, students will be introduced to various film genres and will develop a vocabulary appropriate to film criticism through screenings, lectures, reading, and substantial critical writing (critiques, reviews, essays, and research).  

AMERICAN FILM NOIR (1 credit)  Tough guys, dangerous women, double-crosses, scams, paranoia, losers on the run, and the mean streets of urban jungles-- this is the world of classic Film Noir, one of American's most popular film genres.  This "dark cinema" is especially notable for such stylistic traits as expressionistic lighting, ornate composition, first-person narrative, and a mood of despair.  Classic American Film Noir is characterized by the subversive tone of cynicism and anxiety which strips bare the myth of the American Dream and offers a bleak nightmare vision of our fragmented urban society following World War II.  There will be required critical readings and writing in addition to detailed consideration of such films as The Maltese Falcon, Double Indemnity, Kiss Me Deadly, D.O.A., and Chinatown. Critical writing is an important component of this course.

AMERICAN LITERATURE 1 (1 credit) This course is a survey of selected American writers from our founding through the 1840s. Parallels will be drawn between our early literature and the rich narrative of our country’s first two centuries. Although the emphasis will be on the writing of our emerging nation, attention will be paid to our history as well as to the emerging “American character.” Such major authors as Edwards, Franklin, Paine, Jefferson, Poe and Hawthorne will be considered.  Critical writing is a key component of this course. This course satisfies the American Literature requirement for 11th grade.

AMERICAN LITERATURE 2 (1 credit)  By focusing on selected works, this course surveys the development of American literature from Walt Whitman through T. S. Eliot.  The primary emphasis will be on comprehension of the written work as expressed by students in oral and written discussions and analyses.  In addition students will learn about the various literary periods represented in the course and the larger cultural conditions that give rise to them.  The course is designed to coordinate with the second term of Junior-level American History. This course satisfies the American Literature requirement for 11th grade.

AMERICAN LITERATURE: THE AGE OF EXPANSION (1 credit)  This course investigates the magnetic pull that the natural world has on us as human beings.  It questions our desire to challenge, to climb, to explore and it notes the role that nature plays in comforting those who need to heal some broken element within their soul. Featured authors include London, MacLean, Krakauer, Whitman, Thoreau and Hemingway. Assessments will include tests, essays, research projects, and journals. This course satisfies the American Literature requirement for 11th grade.

AMERICAN LITERATURE: MINORITY VOICES (1 credit) Within the patchwork of America, there is a wide variety of human experience.  This course will require students to read and to comparatively analyze prose, poetry, essay, and drama of American authors from different ethnic and cultural groups.  Authors will include Ntozake Shange, Toni Morrison, Chaim Potok, Julia Alvarez, Sandra Cisneros, Allison Bechdel, and Amy Tan. This course satisfies the American Literature requirement for 11th grade.

AMERICAN NOVEL POST-1950 (1 credit)  Major concerns of such post-World War II American novelists as Salinger, Kesey, Capote, Vonnegut, and Plath are discussed and written about in this course. This course satisfies the American Literature requirement for 11th grade.

ANCIENT GREEK WORLD: DRAMA, POETRY, AND PROSE (1 credit)  This course introduces students to major figures in Greek literature and culture from the heroic age to the Age of Pericles and slightly thereafter. Centering ideas in this study are the origins and development of drama and the heroic ideal. Representative authors are Homer, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Sappho, Plato, Aristotle.

THE ANTI-HERO IN LITERATURE  (1 credit)  Building upon the foundation of literature presented in Bible, Myth, and Epic, this course will explore texts that present less traditional protagonists who, instead of reaching a moment of anagnorisis, descend into madness throughout their respective narratives.  In order to continue the development of students’ critical thinking skills, the course will include close study of the troubled minds of these marginalized characters from both literary and psychological perspectives.  In addition to studying the literature, we will continue to work on students’ critical writing skills throughout the term.

BRITISH LITERATURE 1 (1 credit)  This course surveys the development of the literature of England.  Authors covered are Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Milton, along with selected Elizabethan, Cavalier, and Metaphysical poets.

BRITISH LITERATURE 2 (1 credit)  This course surveys English literature of the Rationalist and Romantic periods, including Swift, Wordsworth, Coleridge, M. Shelley, and others.

BRITISH LITERATURE 3 (1 credit)  This course focuses on the development of the novel and specifically, on the major novels of England in the 19th and 20th centuries. Poetry and drama are secondary emphases. The authors studied may include Dickens, Conrad, Woolf, and Stoppard.

COMPOSITION (1 credit)  Building upon the framework established in earlier English courses, this class helps students correct weaknesses and develop their styles.  The course stresses the process of writing and is based upon the “6 + 1 Traits of Writing”: Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, Conventions, Presentation.  Within this framework of the “6 +1 Traits,” students will work on descriptive, narrative, and analytical essays.  The instruction on descriptive and narrative writing is particularly significant for juniors and seniors as they prepare to write personal essays for their college applications.

CONTEMPORARY NARRATIVE (1 credit) 
 By reading a selection of contemporary novels such as The Life of Pi, Atonement, and Everything is Illuminated, and by viewing films such as Big Fish and Fight Club, students will examine the human impulse to tell the stories of our lives either as they did happen or as they should have happened.  Instruction will encourage critical thinking through class discussion and activities, writing exercises, and a variety of assessment modes.

CLASSIC ESSAYS OF WORLD LITERATURE (1 credit) In this course, we look at the essay and all of its rhetorical possibilities.  By reading and writing essays in the personal, comparison, editorial, and expository modes, we polish the skills students already possess.  We will study the work of authors such as E.B. White, Martin Luther King, Jr., Nancy Mairs, and many others. This class relies upon diligent completion of homework assignments and a determination to achieve excellence and fluency

CULTURE OF THE SIXTIES (1 credit) The decade of the 1960s in America was a turbulent one in which issues such as civil disobedience, minority rights, the war in Vietnam, and feminism began to find full expression in the arts and letters.  Included in this course are representative fiction, journalism, speeches, and essays of the period.  Close attention is also paid to mass media/popular culture (music, film, language, etc.) in an attempt to understand this very important time in our history. Lectures, discussion, and critical writing will be major components of this course.

FICTION OF POE, HAWTHORNE AND MELVILLE (1 credit) This course focuses on three of America’s greatest 19th century fiction writers, Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Herman Melville. Each of these writers pushes off from the purely external world of human society and turns his probing eyes inward. Their writing evokes a sense of the indefinite and ambiguous darkness in man’s soul, a realization that often ends in self-destruction. In addition to reading, writing about and discussing the works themselves, we will consider the biographical and cultural backgrounds of the writers. Critical writing is an important component of this course. This course satisfies the American Literature requirement for 11th grade.

FILM STUDY (1 credit)  This course is an introduction to the critical study of and appreciation for film as a major art form. Through the analysis of approximately twelve classics of the cinema, we shall consider the relationships between thematic content and basic film techniques, between word and cinematic image. Reactions to such films as The Graduate, Bonnie and Clyde, and Dead Man Walking will be sought in discussions as well as in writing.  Analytical writing is the major component of this course.

GRAIL QUEST (1 credit)  In this class we study the Quest for the Holy Grail as it changes from the classic legends of Geoffrey de Chretien to the modern works of Bobbie Ann Mason. The quest adapts itself to the needs and philosophies of each political era, and our reading of authors such as Tennyson, Tolkien, and others will analyze that change as we discuss the novels. Evaluations include tests, essays, journals, and projects.

HITCHCOCK / SCORSESE (1 credit)  This course is an in-depth study of seven great films by two extraordinary filmmakers. Both Alfred Hitchcock and Martin Scorsese have created striking cinematic images and complex interpretations of contemporary life while exploring the dark side of the human psyche. Careful, active viewing and criticism are expected. In addition to the required writing, there is a research component to this course.

THE ILIAD (1 credit)  This in-depth study of Homer’s first great epic features the accessible Robert Fagles translation. Students will delve into each aspect of this work, including epic form and technique, and will examine the questions about war, heroism, and culture that it raises. Besides the extensive primary source reading, students will be exposed to secondary criticism and background information and will be required to complete a research project and paper as their culminating assessment in the course.

INTRODUCTION TO SHAKESPEARE (1 credit)  This course exposes students to the three major genres of Shakespeare’s plays: Comedies, Tragedies, and Histories, while placing them in a historical context.  In addition to reading Shakespeare’s dramas, we will also conduct a thorough study of many of his sonnets. In addition to studying the literature, we will continue to work on students’ critical writing skills throughout the term.

JOURNALISM (1 credit)  This practicum course will introduce fundamentals of news reporting, writing, editing, and production for print and electronic media. It will result in the publication in print and on the Internet of a student newspaper and news web site based on sound principles of responsible journalism. The course will include web-based readings, guest lectures, and visits to area news operations. Students will learn basic newswriting styles including inverted pyramid, feature, and opinion, and gain first-hand experience in producing print and electronic news publications. .

JOURNALISM 2 (1 credit)  Journalism 2 builds on and expands the work of Journalism 1 by requiring more rigorous reporting and news writing including more investigation and analysis. Additional emphasis will be placed on feature writing and copy editing. The course also will explore the role of new media in news production and the impact of citizen journalism. All students will be responsible for writing, editing and producing The Buzz online news site, including multimedia production. Prerequisite: successful completion of Journalism 1.

LITERATURE OF PHILOSOPHY (1 credit): In this course, we will read several novels in which the characters question and challenge their own belief systems.  We will investigate these beliefs in terms of both private reflection and public practice.  The texts will draw from a variety of cultures and time periods.  In addition to studying the literature, we will continue to work on the students' critical writing skills throughout the term.

LITERATURE OF THE SOUTH (1 credit)  In this class we study some of the major authors of the 20th century through the lens of their Southern heritage. While reading both fiction and non-fiction, the class focuses on the consistent themes and struggles that O'Connor, Walker, Faulkner, and Williams present in their works. This course satisfies the American Literature requirement for 11th grade.

LITERATURE OF WAR (1 credit)  This course will introduce some of the greatest modern American war fiction (and a few films), exploring how literary and cinematic representations of combat address questions of heroism, cultural stereotypes, the use of violence, and the morality of warfare. Students will read such literary classics as A Farewell to Arms, All Quiet on the Western Front, Slaughterhouse-Five, Dispatches and The Things They Carried. A significant amount of critical writing is required (two critical essays. a midterm essay exam, and a critique portfolio). . This course satisfies the American Literature requirement for 11th grade.

MODERN AMERICAN NOVEL (1 credit)  This is an introduction to five major American novels from the first half of the 20th century. Novelists considered may include Anderson, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Faulkner, West, and Wright. A good deal of attention will be paid to the cultural and historical contexts during which these works were composed. Two critical essays are a major component of this course. This course satisfies the American Literature requirement for 11th grade.

MODERN AMERICAN POETRY (1 credit)  This course will survey general trends in American poetry during the early and mid-20th century. Poets studied in this course will include Robert Frost, Wallace Stevens, William Carlos Williams, Edna St. Vincent Millay, e.e. cummings, Elizabeth Bishop, Adrienne Rich, and Sylvia Plath. In addition, students will be responsible for a presentation on a modern poet of their choice. This course satisfies the American Literature requirement for 11th grade.

MODERN DRAMA (1 credit)  This course surveys American and European drama from the last quarter of the nineteenth century through the first half of the twentieth century.  Playwrights studied include Anton Chekov, Henrik Ibsen, Thornton Wilder, and George Bernard Shaw.  Students will consider the evolution of dramatic structure as well as certain aspects of technical production of these plays.

MYTH & FAIRY TALE(1 credit)  This course will survey the works of Ovid, Grimm, and Anderson as we study human transformation and escape in literature. We will also consider modern interpretations of these ancient tales.

NEW ENGLAND FICTION (1 credit)  New England is a region with a rich literary history. Some could argue that American fiction began its development in this area. In this course, we will examine works of fiction which trace out the literary history of the region and paint a portrait of its local color. We will read novels and short stories from a variety of authors including, but not limited to,  Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edith Wharton, and John Irving. In addition to studying the literature, we will continue to work on students’ critical writing skills throughout the term.  This course satisfies the American Literature requirement for 11th grade.

NINETEENTH CENTURY AMERICAN NOVEL (1 credit)  This course will explore some of the greatest novels of the American 19th century. Such writers as Hawthorne, Melville, Twain, James, and Chopin will be considered in their cultural/historical contexts. Critical writing is an important aspect of this course. This course satisfies the American Literature requirement for 11th grade.

NINETEENTH CENTURY BRITISH NOVEL (1 credit)  This course focuses on the development of the novel and specifically on the major novels of England in the 1800’s.  We will trace common themes presented in these texts and explore how they relate to both the temporal and spatial settings of these novels. We will read novels from a variety of authors such as Emily Bronte, Charles Dickens, and Thomas Hardy. In addition to studying the literature, we will continue to work on students’ critical writing skills throughout the term.

THE NOVELS OF JANE AUSTEN (1 credit)  In this course, we will examine three of Jane Austen’s novels in depth while placing them in a cultural, historical, and political context.  We will draw connections between the texts and explore how they fit into the greater context of 18th and 19th century British Literature.  In addition, we will view film adaptations of each of these novels to explore modern interpretations of these texts.  We will also continue to work on students’ critical writing skills throughout the term.

POETRY  (1 credit)  This course surveys the genre from its ancient origins to the current era, including prose essays related to the philosophical underpinnings and subject of poetry.  Special attention will be given to poetic techniques and devices, including scansion.  Keystone assignments will include a short research paper on a chosen poet, which will be accompanied by an explication of one of this chosen poet’s poems; in addition, students will complete two separate explications, numerous shorter writing assignments, and even generate their own creative verse.  Representative authors include but are not limited to Sappho, (excerpts from) Homer, Catullus, Ovid, Chaucer, Milton, Shakespeare, Donne, Herbert, Pope, Wordsworth, Keats, Dickinson, Whitman, Tennyson, Hardy, H.D., Eliot, Stevens, Auden, Brooks, Rich, Angelou, Neruda, Simic, Gioia, Al-Raddi, Phillips.
 

SCIENCE FICTION LITERATURE (1 credit)  This course will give an overview of science fiction in both American and British literature.  Students will read novels and short stories by writers such as Ray Bradbury, George Orwell, Isaac Asimov, Orson Scott Card, Frank Herbert, Arthur C. Clarke, Philip K. Dick, and Margaret Atwood.  Students will study the development of the science fiction genre as it relates to 20th century history and will survey its main subgenres. This course satisfies the American Literature requirement for 11th grade.

 

SHAKESPEARE'S COMEDIES (1 credit)  The class serves as a perfect antidote to the Shakespeare's Tragedies course. In this course we will explore a variety of Shakespeare's comic plays, while acknowledging some of their darker undertones. Plays studied will include Twelfth Night, Measure for Measure and Much Ado About Nothing. In addition to studying the literature, we will continue to work on students’ critical writing skills throughout the term.

SHAKESPEARE’S HISTORIES (1 credit)  In addition to his Comedies and Tragedies, Shakespeare wrote ten plays about English kings and several plays based upon Roman history (that are sometimes classified as tragedies).  While his English histories explore the complexities and development of the English monarchy, his Roman histories reflect the Elizabethan admiration of the classical world. In this course, we will read a selection of both English and Roman histories and draw parallels between the two worlds, as well as identify connections with contemporary American politics.  To complement the reading of these texts, students will view various productions of these plays (either recorded or live).  Critical writing will also be emphasized and practiced in this course

SHAKESPEARE'S TRAGEDIES (1 credit)  The questions of existence, meaning, good, evil, suffering, and free will are examined in three of Shakespeare's great tragedies: Hamlet, King Lear, and Othello. In addition to studying the literature, we will continue to work on students’ critical writing skills throughout the term.

SHORT FICTION: MODERN & POSTMODERN (1 credit)  This class introduces students to experimental fiction by writers such as Barth, Barthelme, Borges, Coover, Garcia-Marquez, Gass, Robbe-Grillet and others. The course encourages students to read sophisticated material with confidence and a degree of critical acumen.  The stories themselves encourage speculation about the natures of fact and fiction and the relationship between the two.

SHORT FICTION OF THE WORLD (1 credit)  This course surveys literature from several cultures. Students note both defining characteristics and universal similarities among the selections. Writers covered include Dinesen, Fuentes, Ginzburg, Kawabata, Mahfouz, and others.

TWENTIETH CENTURY AMERICAN SHORT STORY (1 credit)  This course examines American short fiction over the last century of its development. Style, subject matter, and structure will be considered in this historical overview of such great writers as Anderson, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Faulkner, Wright, Salinger, and Oates. Attention will be paid to critical writing and reading skills. This course satisfies the American Literature requirement for 11th grade.

WOMEN’S LITERATURE (1 credit)  This course explores the writing of women writers of the 19th and 20th centuries. While not specifically a class on feminist writing, the class does focus on the issues that women find compelling enough to investigate through their writing. Authors may include Chopin, Cather, Atwood, and a variety of short story authors. This course satisfies the American Literature requirement for 11th grade.


Foreign Language

FOREIGN LANGUAGE


Philosophy of Foreign Language:

The ability to choose between modern and classical languages provides Tatnall students with an opportunity to study their world at close hand both as it was and as it is today. We believe it is essential for students to be exposed to the cultures, languages and aspirations of other peoples in the world if they are to understand their own. Our fundamental purpose, therefore, is to provide students with a challenging and creative program that helps them appreciate the diversity of our world.
Modern Languages instruction follows a progression from understanding to speaking, reading and writing. Technology supports attaining these goals. We seek out balanced textbooks that do not neglect the more formal aspects of grammatical study but which at the same time have modern reading selections that will interest and motivate students and provide activities to develop speaking skills.
Latin instruction uses a reading approach to progress from basic grammatical forms to more complex constructions and eventually to the translation of authentic Latin prose and poetry. While the emphasis of the program is translation from Latin to English, students also develop their English vocabularies by recognizing Latin roots and improve their English grammar by discovering comparable constructions in Latin. Our advanced courses are thematic ones that will appeal to a broad spectrum of student interest in both classical and modern languages..

Our advanced courses are thematic ones that will appeal to a broad spectrum of student interest in both classical and modern languages.

Standardized testing for Foreign Language Students:   
Students are not required to take the SAT Subject Test or the AP language exams, but those who are interested should speak with their instructor. Generally, it is recommended that students interested in the SAT Subject Test French, Latin, or Spanish wait until late spring of their junior year to take the exam; for French and Spanish students, waiting until fall of the senior year and taking the "SAT Subject Test with listening" is strongly advised.

Graduation Requirements for Foreign Language:
Each student will complete three levels of study in one foreign language. Students are encouraged to go beyond this requirement.

Foreign Language Courses

FRENCH 1 (3 credits)  Students will learn basics of first level French in this course by developing their skills of speaking, understanding, reading, and writing through a modified audio-lingual approach.  Culture and civilization are presented through videos, films, and discussion.

FRENCH 2 (3 credits)  By the end of this course, students have encountered almost all basic grammar structures and have expanded their usable vocabulary.  In addition to the cultural material that students encounter in the text, culture is studied through videos and class projects. Prerequisite: recommendation of French 1 teacher or, in the case of new students, successful completion of a placement test.  

FRENCH 3 (3 credits)  This course is a continuation of the study of French grammar and expansion of vocabulary.  History and culture are an integral part of the textbook and are also reinforced through films.  Students who complete this course showing a high level of competency will be recommended for French 4. Prerequisite: recommendation of French 2 teacher or, in the case of new students, successful completion of a placement test.

LATIN 1 (3 credits)  Latin 1 will catapult students into a serious study of the language and culture of ancient Rome. This fast-paced introductory course surveys the history of ancient Latin Literature, with students reading adaptations of classic authors such as Cicero, Caesar, Vergil, Ovid, and Tacitus, while making connections between the language of the Romans and our own. Students who take Latin will gain an understanding of language and culture that will illuminate their studies across the curriculum.

LATIN 2 (3 credits)  Latin 2 continues the steady attack on Latin grammar while widening the scope of inquiry and study. While studying the fascinating and under-appreciated works of medieval and Renaissance Latin authors, students will complete their study of the structural foundations of the language. Then, we will take a first look at unfiltered Latin literature, learning how to use this knowledge to crack more challenging linguistic puzzles. Students who complete this course will be prepared to understand the workings of the language in its full complexity and will gain an appreciation for the influence of the language throughout history. Prerequisite: Latin 2 is open to students who have completed Latin 1 or 8th Grade Latin at Tatnall and to new students who pass a placement test.

LATIN 3 (3 credits)  Latin 3 is a year spent coming to terms with Latin literature. Students will navigate the challenges and seek the rewards offered by ancient Roman authors. The pillars of this course are Cicero and Catullus, two essential literary figures who represent the extremes of their age. Latin 3 students will strive to demystify Cicero’s elevated prose and grab hold of Catullus’ manic poetry. This study will give students a fuller sense of the cultural underpinnings of ancient Rome and the fundamentals of the literary canon. Students who complete this course will be prepared to read Latin literature with confidence and enjoyment. Prerequisite: recommendation of Latin 2 teacher or, in the case of new students, successful completion of a placement test.

SPANISH 1 (3 credits)  In Spanish 1, students begin to develop proficiency in the skills of listening, speaking, writing and reading.  Grammar and cultural exploration are integrated into the course material.  Text coordinated videos, CD’s, communicative pair activities and role play provide ample opportunity to interact in Spanish in a variety of contexts.  Students will develop personally effective reading and writing strategies and build an extensive vocabulary.

SPANISH 2 (3 credits)  In Spanish 2, students will further develop accuracy and proficiency in the areas of listening, speaking, writing and reading.  By the end of the course students will be able to produce almost all basic structures and will have expanded their vocabulary significantly.  Culture is explored through videos coordinated with the textbook, writing, audio and video workbook and classroom discussions.  Students read short stories, poems, essays dialogues and culture notes. Prerequisite: recommendation by Spanish 1 teacher or, in the case of new students, successful completion of a placement test.

SPANISH 3 (3 credits)  This course is a continuation of the study of Spanish grammar and literature. Students will further develop their proficiency in all four skill areas by a thorough review of grammar with a greater emphasis placed on developing reading and speaking and listening skills. Culture will be explored through authentic readings and videos, as well as individual written and oral projects.  Students who demonstrate a high level of proficiency will be recommended to take Honors Spanish 4. Prerequisite: recommendation by Spanish 2 teacher or, in the case of new students, successful completion of a placement test.

Advanced Foreign Language Courses:

HONORS FRENCH 4 (3 credits)  The objective of this advanced French course is to improve the student's speaking, reading, and writing skills in the language and lead the foreign language learner to the independent and creative use of the language. Speaking activities include debates, dialogues, group discussions, and oral reports. Writing skills are further expanded and improved through compositions, reports and special projects.  Learning materials such as printed visual and audio media in the language support the reading and listening skills.  Prerequisite: recommendation by French 3 teacher.

AP FRENCH LANGUAGE & CULTURE 5 (3 credits) This course is designed to prepare students for the new AP French Language and Culture examination by providing a thorough review of French grammar, intensive vocabulary and idiom building, and a heightened awareness of francophone culture.  The student reads, listens to, analyzes, and then speaks and writes about various authentic resources based on the following themes: Global Challenges, Science & Technology, Contemporary Life, Personal & Public Identities, Families & Communities, and Beauty & Aesthetics. Prerequisite: recommendation by Honors French 4 teacher.

HONORS LATIN LITERATURE (3 credits)  Honors Latin Literature is a demanding course that examines the works of ancient authors and prepares students to begin AP Latin the following year. The slate of authors varies from year to year. The course emphasizes writing and discussion, exploring the different ways Latin authors approached their craft. Though the course is rigorous, students will have the opportunity to engage creatively and unconventionally with the material. Honors Latin Literature students will get a sense of the pace and demands of AP Latin in the course of the year.   Prerequisite: recommendation of Latin 3 teacher

AP LATIN  (3 credits)  This course is designed to prepare students to excel on the AP Latin exam. Students will translate, analyze, and discuss selections from Vergil’s Aeneid and Caesar’s Gallic War. Paying close attention to the literary devices, meter, and syntax of Vergil’s epic poem, we discuss numerous themes including passion vs. reason, the importance of pietas, and whether this work, which was considered the national poem during the Roman Empire, is really as patriotic as it seems. As we read Caesar, we strive for true mastery of his prose style and an understanding of his cultural impact and political character. The course teaches and expects excellence in the field of Latin Literature..  Prerequisite: Recommendation of Honors Latin Literature teacher

HONORS SPANISH 4  (3 credits)  The Spanish 4 course is designed to improve the student's proficiency in all four skill areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking by focusing on real communication in meaningful contexts.  The textbook Imagina is designed to incorporate on-line materials and videos in Spanish to acquire new knowledge, to develop understanding of the cultures of the many people who speak Spanish, and to use Spanish for effective day-to-day communication.  Students learn about the contributions of contemporary and historic figures from the Spanish-speaking world in the fields of art, literature, music, science, math, economics, trade and politics.  Additionally, students will be viewing original short films in Spanish which incorporate the themes of each lesson.  The course reflects ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines for language learning. Prerequisite: recommendation by Spanish 3 teacher.

AP SPANISH LANGUAGE & CULTURE (3 credits)  This course is designed to prepare students for the AP Spanish language examination by providing a thorough review of Spanish grammar and intensive vocabulary and idiom building.  The students speak, read, analyze and write about contemporary Spanish issues and literary topics as a preparation to becoming independent readers and writers of the Spanish Language.  Students will read short stories as well as articles taken from Hispanic newspapers and periodicals.   Listening and speaking competency is developed through the use of contemporary written, visual and audio media.  Students will receive intensive practice to improve the four skills. Prerequisite: recommendation by Honors Spanish 4 teacher.

Foreign Language Electives:

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD LANGUAGES (1, 2, or 3 credits)  In this course, students will embark on a self-paced independent study of Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), German, Italian, Japanese, or Portuguese via Rosetta Stone’s online software. Student work will be monitored and evaluated by the Foreign Language Department faculty. In order to qualify for this elective, students must have permission from their most recent language teacher and the Department Head and must be endorsed by their advisor as good independent study candidates. Students who have been recommended for advanced language study may take this course in addition to their current language but not as a replacement of their current language. Prerequisite: completion of at least three levels of French, Latin, or Spanish with a final grade of B or higher.  This course cannot be used to fulfill a core course requirement.

History

HISTORY


Philosophy of the History Department:
The Upper School History Department has two major interrelated goals. First, students are expected to develop a thorough understanding of the complex world around them, and how it has been shaped by history.  As this process unfolds in the curriculum, they are expected to make connections, not only between cultures, but between different epochs as well.  Second, the faculty works with students to develop age appropriate critical thinking and writing skills.  This is accomplished primarily through daily readings, class discussion, film, and frequent writing assignments.

In addition, our faculty believes the study of history should be engaging and relevant. Students must be fully prepared for the challenges of college, as well as for the diversity and complexity of the twenty-first century.  Special emphasis is placed on the increasing interconnectedness of the global community.  Our faculty focuses on the responsible use of the Internet and understanding the significant role of the media.  Research projects are fully integrated into the curriculum, with required papers due in grades 10 and 11.

Finally, as students move through the history curriculum, our faculty carefully considers their placement.  To qualify for an AP course, they must have a record of academic success, a strong sense of purpose, and the recommendation of the appropriate teacher.  After completing their course of study, our expectation is that students are prepared to become active global citizens and agents of positive change.   

Standardized testing for History students:

With the approval of their teacher, AP students are encouraged to take the AP exam in May.

Graduation Requirements for History:

9th Grade: World History 1 (3 credits)
10th Grade: World History 2 (3 credits)
11th Grade: United States History/AP United States History (3 credits)    

History Courses

WORLD HISTORY 1 (3 credits) and WORLD HISTORY 2 (3 credits)  This two-year course is required of all ninth and tenth graders and is designed to provide a global perspective to the study of humanity.  The concentration in ninth grade is on ancient and medieval history, with particular emphasis on skills such as note taking, geographic literacy, and effective reading and writing.  The tenth grade course covers the modern world and encourages analytical thinking in oral and written work.  Technology is used in both on a daily basis.  A research paper also is required in both, and World History 2 students create and present a research project.  

UNITED STATES HISTORY/AP UNITED STATES HISTORY (3 credits)  Eleventh graders are required to take one of these courses.  Both the survey and AP courses examine political, social, economic, cultural and intellectual forces that have contributed to the development of America.  Primary and secondary sources are utilized, and a major research project is required of AP students.  The AP course is more thematic in approach and students are prepared for the AP test in the spring.  Consent of the department is necessary for placement at the AP level.

AP EUROPEAN HISTORY (3 credits)  This course is presented as a college level seminar and is offered to qualified seniors.  The modern era in Europe, beginning with the Renaissance, is examined in detail.  Challenging readings are used as a basis for class discussion and writing assignments.  The use of a variety of films is an important component in this course.  Students make one extensive research project presentation during the year and are prepared for the AP test in the spring.  The course culminates with a thorough review of current challenges in Europe.  Consent of the department is necessary for placement.

AP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS (3 credits)  The rise of government as a feature of human life is among the most basic of needs of an organized society. This course focuses on two main areas: an intense study of the United States system of government, and the communication of ideas and opinions. The study of U. S. government examines the constitutional basis for government, political beliefs and themes, the role of special interests, mass media, institutions of government, the interaction of government with the people, and protest movements.  Consent of the department is necessary for placement.

History Electives:

AMERICAN ENVIRONMENTALISM (1 credit)  Whether viewed as a wilderness to be conquered or a sanctuary to be preserved, the environment has always been a central theme in American culture and history.  This course examines how perceptions have changed, and occasionally clashed, through history.  Special emphasis is given to the modern environmental movement.

AMERICAN WOMEN’S HISTORY (1 credit)  In this course students study the role of women in American society and how it has changed over the past 400 years.  Topics such as gender roles, familial organization, work, and women's positions in the public and private spheres are examined.

ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (1 credit)  The modern world is forever indebted to the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome. How did these small Mediterranean villages grow to change the world? This course will examine the art, architecture, history, religion, and culture of the ancient Greek and Romans.  It is a study of the evolution of their societies and their impact and influence on later civilization.

ART HISTORY (1 credit)  This course traces the growth of art from the prehistoric period through the modern art movement.  Emphasis is placed on how the art reflects the goals, interests, and settings of the time in which it was produced.

CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION (1 credit)  This course explores the causes, course, and consequences of the American Civil War.  How and why was it such a transforming event in American history?  We will examine how conflicts over the basic principles of the American Constitution contributed to the Civil War and Reconstruction era.  In addition to considering the underlying tensions and the immediate causes of the Civil War, topics covered include: the role of the Republican Party, the problems of the Confederate government, wartime strategies, and the nation’s attempt to reunite.

CONTEMPORARY EUROPE (1 credit)  Whether the topic is world war, nationalism, the Cold War, or economic crisis and renewal, Europe has played a central role in world affairs in the 20th and early 21st centuries.  This course examines these developments, as well as Europe’s evolving role in the world today.

GLOBAL ISSUES  (1 credit)  Global Issues will investigate, discuss, and debate the major issues of our world today.  The course focuses on issues such as globalization and trade, human rights, the global environment, the role of the U.S. in the world, international relations and efforts to promote peace.  Particular topics are chosen in light of current events and their global significance.  Students are expected to read background materials, do research on current events on the internet and databases, make presentations, clearly articulate their own views, and participate in simulations and debates.

HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE EAST (1 credit ) The Middle East is one of the most volatile areas of the world. Students examine the region historically, with topics for study including the rise of Islam, colonialism, the development of the modern state of Israel, and the emergence of Arab nationalism.  The course culminates with the study of current events.

HISTORY OF THE SIXTIES AND THE VIETNAM WAR (1 credit)  This course considers one of the most tumultuous decades in American history (1955 through 1973).  We will explore major cultural and political movements including civil rights, student radicalism, and the Vietnam War.

INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS (1 credit)  This course introduces students to the fundamentals of economics. Both micro (opportunity cost, supply and demand, and how firms make decisions) and macroeconomics (Gross Domestic Product, the Federal Reserve System) are examined.

MODERN CHINA & JAPAN (1 credit)  East Asia represents the most dynamic area of the world in the early twenty-first century. This course examines the unique histories of China and Japan, and their potential role in the new world order.

NATIONALISM (1 credit)  In this course students explore the modern historical and political phenomenon of nationalism.  What is it?  How/why does it begin?  Is it always associated with violence and conflict?  This course uses a case study model to explore the concepts of nationalism, starting with its development during the French Revolution. Subsequent manifestations are studied in Ireland, the Balkans, and India, before students complete a research project on a nationalist movement of their choosing.

REVOLUTIONARY AMERICA AND THE CONSTITUTION (1 credit)  As John Adams stated, "The Revolution was in the Minds of the people...before a drop of blood was drawn at Lexington." This course will examine the Revolutionary Era and trace how British subjects created a new nation and political ideal.  Particular attention will be paid to the ideas of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.  

THE SIXTIES (1 credit)  This course considers one of the most tumultuous decades in American history.  The movements for civil rights, student radicalism, and the Vietnam War are examined.

WORLD RELIGIONS (1 credit)  Students examine significant world religions including Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism.  Our study is historical, and focuses on points of commonality (including comparisons to Judeo-Christian traditions) as well as contemporary developments.  The study of primary sources and frequent writing assignments are important components of this course.

Mathematics

MATHEMATICS


Tatnall’s Upper School mathematics teachers strive to offer an appropriately challenging curriculum that reflects the Tatnall School Mission and the Philosophy of the Upper School. The curriculum is coherent and connected at each level, offering openings to engage students at many levels, corresponding to their unique skills and gifts.    
Tatnall mathematics in the Upper School involves a blend of skills and computation with a development of reasoning and problem solving.  This combination allows students to explore the elegance of pure mathematics as well as the many applications of mathematics in the modern world.    
The Upper School mathematics classrooms utilize a variety of technological tools in prompting students to become active and creative problem solvers.  Projects and opportunities for collaboration cultivate confidence and independent mathematical thought as students learn to explore ideas, develop conjectures and verify their results.


Standardized Testing for Math students:

The Mathematics Department recommends the following standardized testing options. While standardized tests are not required by the department, individual students should use these recommendations as guidelines for personal decisions.

The SAT subject tests for mathematics are divided into Level 1 and Level 2. Students who have completed Algebra 2 are prepared for Level 1. Students who have completed Precalculus are prepared for Level 2. The breakdown of topics covered on each test is available from Educational Testing Services (ETS). A primary component of Level 1 includes Geometry. A primary component of Level 2 includes Trigonometry.

The American Mathematics Competition is a national math exam given at two levels: AMC-10 for grades nine and ten and AMC-12 for grades eleven and twelve. This exam is an opportunity for students to try a competitive, timed format of challenging problems. Selection for participation is made by the Math Department. Qualifying students may progress to the next level, the American Mathematics Invitational Competition.

Students enrolled in Advanced Placement math courses (AB Calculus, BC and Multivariable Calculus or AP Statistics) may elect to take the appropriate AP exam in May. While the taking of these exams is not required by Tatnall, many colleges grant credit or placement based on AP exam scores. Students who take the BC Calculus exam will get two scores, one on the AB component and a second on the BC component. Students should discuss their particular needs with their teachers and college counselors when deciding whether to schedule an exam.

Graduation Requirements for Mathematics:

Each student will complete four years of mathematics in the Upper School.  In addition, each student must complete the study of trigonometry.

Mathematics Courses

ALGEBRA 1 (3 credits)  This course provides the basics of real number properties, solving equations and inequalities (linear and quadratic) in one and two variables, systems of equations, exponents, polynomials, proportions, rational equations, functions, and radical expressions. Since a solid foundation in Algebra 1 is key to success in continuing math classes, this course may be required for students whose algebra background is incomplete or who require additional reinforcement.

GEOMETRY (3 credits)  This course emphasizes an understanding and appreciation of basic geometric structure.  It combines an integrated approach (with algebra) and an investigative approach (with hands-on and computer activities), develops logical reasoning and connects with meaningful applications to the real world.  Specific areas of study include angles, triangle congruence, similarity, right triangles, circles, and areas and volumes.  Appropriate emphasis is placed on formal proof and depth of study of individual topics.

ALGEBRA  2 and HONORS ALGEBRA 2 (3 credits)  This course serves to review the familiar concepts of real numbers, linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, functions and polynomials.  It then introduces the student to matrices, conic sections, logarithms, and arithmetic and geometric sequences and series.  This course does not include trigonometry, which will be studied in a subsequent year.  Prerequisite: Algebra 1.  Honors section requires placement testing and consent of department.

PRECALCULUS AND TRIGONOMETRY and  HONORS PRECALCULUS AND TRIGONOMETRY  (3 credits)  This course includes a review and extension of advanced algebraic concepts.  New concepts covered include unit circle trigonometry and extending its applications to polar coordinates and vectors. A core theme of the course is the study of functions, both algebraic and transcendental, including trigonometric, as a preparation for calculus. Further topics include series and probability.. Prerequisite: Algebra 2.  Honors section requires consent of department.

FUNCTIONS, STATISTICS, AND TRIGONOMETRY (3 credits)  Emphasis is placed on a graphic approach to modeling data with linear, quadratic, and exponential functions.  The field of statistics is explored, with a focus on the measures of center and spread.  Additionally, the topics of probability, and sequences and series are introduced.  A formal study of trigonometry fulfills the student's graduation requirement.  Prerequisite: Algebra 2

CONCEPTS OF ADVANCED MATHEMATICS (3 credits)  Designed as an alternative capstone to Calculus, this course will cover topics in the mathematics of social choice first term.  The second term will cover financial topics including long term savings and loans.  The third term will be an introduction to the basic statistical concepts of data collection, description, and analysis.  Prerequisite: Functions, Statistics, and Trigonometry

CALCULUS (3 credits)  This course introduces concepts of calculus with an emphasis on graphic, numeric, analytic and verbal approaches.  Limits, differentiation, integration techniques, and applications of calculus are presented.  The focus includes both theory and modeling of real world applications.  Prerequisite: Precalculus

AP CALCULUS AB  (3 credits)  This course is a college level class in calculus which follows the syllabus for the AP exam in Calculus AB. A list of the topics for study can be found on apcentral.collegeboard.com. Topics include limits, continuity, derivatives, the applications of derivatives, integrals, and applications of integrals. Students investigate functions and their behaviors through a variety of methods aimed at allowing the students to reason graphically, analytically, and numerically. Emphasis is also placed on mathematical communication, both written and oral. Prerequisite: Precalculus.  Requires consent of department.

AP CALCULUS BC AND MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS (3 credits)  This course is a continuation of Calculus AB. Students cover material which is on the syllabus for the AP exam in Calculus BC as well as additional material in multivariable calculus. Topics include series, techniques of integration, differential equations, partial derivatives and multiple integrals with applications. Prerequisite: AB AP Calculus.  Requires consent of department.

AP CALCULUS BC (ACCELERATED) (3 credits)  This course is a college level class in calculus that follows the syllabus for the AP exam in Calculus BC.  The course includes all material from AB AP Calculus as well as BC Calculus topics.  This list of the topics can be found on the apcentral.collegeboard.com website and include limits, continuity, derivatives and their applications, integrals and applications, differential equations, Taylor series, and the calculus of polar functions.  Students investigate functions and their behaviors through a variety of methods aimed at allowing students to reason graphically, analytically, and numerically.  Emphasis is also placed on mathematical communication, both written and oral.  Prerequisite: Precalculus.  Requires consent of department.

ADVANCED CALCULUS HONORS (3 credits)

AP STATISTICS (3 credits)  Four main themes of statistics will be studied in this course:  exploratory data analysis, methods of collecting data, probability as a tool in distribution of data, and statistical inference.  A hands-on approach with emphasis on graphical representation, simulation, technology and experimentation will be used.  The use of a TI-83/84 graphing calculator is required. Prerequisite:  Algebra 2 and consent of department

ADVANCED MATH SEMINAR (1 credit)  Recent topics include fractals, finance, game theory, cryptology and others not usually seen in a high school curriculum.  Students may elect to take this more than once as the topics will change.  Prerequisite/co-requisite: Algebra 2 or higher, or consent of instructor.

INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS (1 credit)

INTRODUCTION TO DISCRETE MATHEMATICS (1 credit)  This course is taught concurrently with the Concepts of Advanced Mathematics course.  The basic concepts in the field of discrete mathematics beyond permutations and combinations, which have been covered in previous courses, will be explored.  Topics to be covered include the mathematics of social choice including voting and weighted voting systems, fair division and apportionment, and Euler and Hamilton circuits will be covered if time permits.  

INTRODUCTION TO CALCULUS (1 credit)  This course is designed for the senior student who elected to take AP Statistics and has no experience in a Calculus course.  It will be taught in conjunction with the third term of the Concepts of Advanced Mathematics course.  The concepts of limits, derivatives and integrals will be introduced using elementary functions. Emphasis will be placed on the derivative as a rate of change and the integral as an accumulation function.

INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS (1 credit) This course entails an introduction to fundamentals of one-variable statistics, including data collection, visual display, numeric description, and the foundations of inference.  In addition to text-based study, students will develop a statistical question, design a data collection strategy, and use the tools of the course to analyze the results.

MATH OF FINANCE (1 credit) This course will explore a variety of topics relevant to personal finances.  Students will use Excel spreadsheets extensively to explore such topics as inflation, long-term savings, personal loans, and mortgages. Each student will research a variety of important components of financial decision making, including interest rates, stocks, bonds, bankruptcy, and retirement accounts.  Students will end the term with a summative project.

Physical Education

PHYSICAL EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND ATHLETICS


Philosophy:
The Physical Education program is an integral part of the total education of the student. We challenge students to make informed decisions about their lifestyles now and in the future.

Through their experiences in the Physical Education Department, graduates of Tatnall possess a solid foundation in human health and physiology and the benefits of exercise. Our classroom offerings focus on the latest developments and issues in human health while maintaining a practical focus on nutrition, human anatomy, principles of athletic training and first aid.

Through required participation in the Athletics program, Tatnall graduates understand teamwork, proper conditioning, and their own physical strengths and abilities. Students choose from a wide range of interscholastic sports, including both traditional team-centered athletics and individually focused lifelong sports.

Graduation Requirement for Physical Education, Health and Athletics:
In addition to the completion of Freshman Seminar: Introduction to Health, each student is required to complete a minimum of two credits per year for participation on an athletic team sport.  One credit is given for participation in each interscholastic sport.  Any student seeking athletic credit through independent credit, or weight training (minimum of 2 credits) must apply to the Athletic Committee for an exemption.  Requests for such credit will be reviewed by the Athletic Committee members.  One credit per year, but not more than a total of three credits, may be granted by the department/committee in this fashion. Joining a team as a manager does not qualify as participating in a team sport.  Student/athletes who are physically unable to participate in a given sports season or are injured during the season must submit a copy of the Physician’s Physical Recommendation Form (available from the athletic trainer) which will explain the extent of the injury and the physical limitations and capabilities of the student/athlete in regards to their placement in our weight training program until they are cleared to resume participation in their sport or until the end of the season.  

All juniors and seniors will be required to participate in two major school activities per year.  For many students, these activities will both be team sports.  However, students may qualify for a second credit by receiving an endorsement from the Athletic Committee for significant leadership in another on-going, time intensive, non-curricular activity such as music, performing arts, student government or running a service program.

Health courses do not satisfy the department requirement.  Senior students may not participate in a sport as a member of the 3rd team.

Health Courses:

ANATOMY AND KINESIOLOGY (1 credit)  This course is designed to study the anatomical makeup of the human body and how muscles propel the body during movement.  Basic anatomy will be taught with all muscle origins, insertions, and actions being studied.  We will then study how these muscles are used in the actual physical movement of the body during exercise.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION (1 credit)  This course will emphasize current health and nutrition theories in relation to athletics.  A general overview of anatomy and the basic systems of the body will be covered, along with such pertinent topics as the effects of alcohol, smoking, drugs, supplements and diet on the human body and specifically on the performance of the athlete.

INJURY ASSESSMENT AND FIRST AID (1 credit)  The major portion of the course will consist of learning how to administer basic first aid and emergency care for a wide variety of injuries.  We will also cover advanced CPR/AED training and identifying risk factors for heart attack and stroke. Students will learn how to communicate with health care providers and lay rescuers regarding emergency care. Through the use of an interactive CD ROM skeleton system program, we will be able to view the areas of the body that are affected by the different types of injuries.

STUDENT TRAINERS' WORKSHOP (1 credit)  This course includes the general knowledge and understanding needed for the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries.  Special attention will be given in educating students in sport nutrition and in learning how foods can help or hinder health and athletic performances. An opportunity to enroll in Advanced Student Trainer is available as an independent study to students who have completed this workshop and have the instructor’s permission. Exceptional students will be eligible to assist the athletic trainer in his duties.   

FRESHMAN SEMINAR: INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH (0.5 credit)  Freshman Seminar will give the students a preview of the four physical education classes that will be available to them as electives in the future.  The class will cover current topics in health and nutrition, exercise, diet, heart disease, drugs, anatomy, first aid, as well as recognizing, treating and rehabilitation of athletic injuries.  

Athletics

All students are required to participate in interscholastic athletics.  Students receive one credit for each after-school team sport completed in good standing.  Daily participation/attendance is required. We will attempt to include every student who desires to be a member of a team sport, as most of our facilities warrant a no-exclusion policy.  However, students who want to play tennis or golf may have to try-out for a team due to limited practice space and/or use agreements with outside facilities. Participation in the ice hockey program requires payment of an additional fee.

FALL SPORTS
Cheerleading (Women’s)_
Cross Country (Men’s & Women’s)
Field Hockey (Women’s)
Volleyball    (Women’s)
Football (Men’s)
Soccer (Men’s)

WINTER SPORTS   
Basketball (Men’s and Women’s)
Ice Hockey (Co-ed)
Swimming (Men’s and Women’s)
Winter Track (Men’s and Women’s)  
Wrestling (Men’s)

SPRING SPORTS    
Golf (Co-ed)
Lacrosse (Men’s and Women’s)
Soccer (Women’s)
Tennis (Men’s and Women’s)
Track (Men’s and Women’s)    
Baseball (Men’s)

Any Season
Weight Training (2 terms required for one credit; department permission required)

WEIGHT TRAINING (1 credit)  Weight Training is a course for eligible students who are rehabilitating an injury, who have special athletic needs, or who petition to enter the course after discussion with the Athletic Director.  This course is not open to freshmen.  Eligible students that enroll in this course will be enrolled for two terms and receive one credit. A maximum of three credits will be granted to eligible students in grades 10 through 12.  Written consent of instructor is required.   

Science

SCIENCE


Science Philosophy:
The faculty of the science department believes that the study of science is essential for every Tatnall Upper School student. As the impact of scientific innovations, applications and information increasingly permeates our daily lives, it is imperative that our students have a solid base of understanding and the skills to be critical thinkers in order to function as knowledgeable citizens, consumers, and decision makers in our technology-dependent world.

We believe that:

1. science instruction will be an appropriate background for continued study in college and beyond.
2. the level of difficulty of a science class should challenge the student intellectually.
3. students will develop understandings about scientific inquiry and the abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry.
4. students should develop an understanding of the cell, molecular basis of heredity, biological evolution, interdependence of organisms, matter, energy and organization in living systems, biological populations, and the behavior of organisms.
5. students should develop an understanding of the structure of atoms, the structure and properties of matter, chemical reactions, motions and forces, conservation of energy and increase in disorder, and interactions of energy and matter.
6. students should develop an understanding about how technology is used in science.
7. students should develop an understanding of science as a human endeavor, the nature of scientific knowledge, and historical perspectives on science.
8. science classes should be fun, exciting and engaging.
9. the atmosphere in the classroom and lab should be one that allows students to feel comfortable and safe to question, discover, and learn.

Graduation Requirements for Science:
A total of nine credits of Science must be successfully completed prior to graduation. This includes three credits each for the courses entitled BIOLOGY and either CHEMISTRY or HONORS CHEMISTRY. The remaining three graduation credits should come from completion of Physics or Honors Physics. (Physics or Honors Physics is required for all juniors who have completed or are enrolled in Precalculus, Honors Precalculus, Calculus or AP Calculus classes.  Beyond completion of the nine required graduation credits, all students are advised to complete one other year (three credits) of science.

Standardized Testing for Science Students:
The Science Department recommends that individual students should consult with their teachers about the appropriateness of taking the SAT Subject Tests in biology, chemistry, or physics.

Students enrolled in Advanced Placement science classes (AP Physics, AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, and AP Psychology) may elect to take the appropriate AP exam in May.  While the taking of these exams is not required by Tatnall, many colleges grant credit or placement based on AP test scores.  Students should discuss their particular needs with their teachers and college counselors when deciding whether to take AP tests.

Courses:
HONORS BIOLOGY (3 credits)  Honors biology is a one-year laboratory course for ninth graders that focuses on the living world around us. Major topics include cells, cell processes, inheritance, evolution, and overviews of plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria. The curriculum is designed to provide the pace and depth that will challenge highly motivated and engaged students.  Members of this class will be expected to work well independently and to study material in greater depth than the biology class.  Success in this class will permit a student to move on to more advanced science classes in their sophomore year.  Prerequisite:  Consent of the instructor

BIOLOGY (3 credits)  Biology is an introduction to high school science which focuses on the living world around us. Biology provides the student with the solid foundation necessary to comprehend the expanding role of biology in society. Major topics include cells, cell processes, inheritance, evolution, and overviews of plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria. This course of study combines lectures, a practical laboratory component, and online activities that help students connect the content to their lives and prepare to study Chemistry and other science courses in the future.

CHEMISTRY (3 credits)  Chemistry is a one-year laboratory course that explores the principles of matter and how it changes. The concepts of chemistry are essential to understanding all other sciences, so students are encouraged to build “big picture” understanding of topics such as atoms and their structures, chemical reactions, and interactions between energy and matter. Students are challenged to develop the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills necessary for the mastery of chemistry, which will in turn allow them to be successful as they observe and interact within their own physical world.  Prerequisite: Biology

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (3 credits) Environmental Science is a year-long course that explores ecology, living systems and environmental problems. The class is divided into three terms: natural resource conservation, conservation biology and wildlife conservation and ecology. The class is a combination of lectures and lab activities that include fieldwork on the Tatnall campus as well as bench labs and computer simulations. This class is also designed for students who would like to improve their note taking, scientific reading, qualitative and quantitative observing and analyzing, researching and laboratory skills.

HONORS CHEMISTRY (3 credits)  Honors Chemistry is a one-year laboratory course that covers the foundational concepts of chemistry, exploring the composition of matter and the changes that it undergoes. The curriculum is designed to be challenging and fast-paced so that maximum in-depth exposure is given to the concepts of this first-year chemistry course. Additionally, students in Honors Chemistry are expected to approach learning with independence and dedication to excellence. As chemistry is essential to understanding all other sciences, success in this course will permit a student to pursue further studies in the more advanced sciences offered at the Tatnall School. Pre-requisite: Biology, consent of instructor

Full-year (Three Credit) Science Electives
Prerequisite: BIOLOGY and CHEMISTRY (reg. or honors)

ADVANCED CHEMISTRY 2 (HONORS) (3 credits)
This course explores two areas of advanced chemistry at an introductory level: organic chemistry and biochemistry. Highly recommended for students intending to pursue science in college, this course allows students to discover the vocabulary and concepts of key topics in these two important areas of chemistry with correlated opportunities to explore these ideas in the laboratory. Students will design and conduct original research projects as well as visit local research facilities and hear from professionals in the field.  In this course, students will be challenged to become more proficient with scientific literacy in order to be effective communicators within the scientific community. Prerequisite: Chemistry or Honors Chemistry; Physics or Honors Physics, or Physics concurrently, or teacher recommendation.

AP BIOLOGY (3 credits)  This course is designed to approximate a two-semester, college level biology course for biology majors. The course covers topics traditionally discussed in college level courses including evolutionary theory, biosystematics, structure and function of organisms, biochemistry, ecology, and genetics. A college level textbook is used, and there is considerable independent reading in this text. The course is designed to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to understand and analyze modern biological theory and problems. Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry or Honors Chemistry, enrollment in or completion of Physics or Honors Physics.

AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (3 credits)  The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methods required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world. Students will analyze environmental problems, evaluate risks associated with these problems, and consider solutions for preventing such problems. Among the topics studied are population issues, water and water pollution, air and air pollution, renewable and nonrenewable fuels, farming, and pesticides. We look at problems from a local, national and world perspective. Students will conduct classroom experiments as well as analyze data on actual environmental issues. Students will also study the policies and laws that impact these problems. Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry or Honors Chemistry, consent of the instructor

AP PHYSICS: MECHANICS (3 credits)  This second year course is a calculus-based in-depth study of mechanics. This course is equivalent to a first semester college course for engineering and science majors. Topics studied include kinematics, Newton's laws of motion, energy and momentum, rotation, oscillations, gravitation, and Lagrangian dynamics. An emphasis is placed on concepts, problem solving and in-depth lab work. Students are expected to take the AP Physics C Mechanics exam in the spring. Prerequisite: Honors Physics, calculus (or independent calculus study), and consent of instructor

AP PSYCHOLOGY (3 credits)  This is a college level course with commensurate work. Students are expected to read the entire textbook, as well as write essays and reviews of research articles. Students are also expected to participate in classroom discussions and experiments. In addition, students design and carry out original research with a fellow student. After the students conduct their study and gather data, they will present their findings at an AP Psychology conference in the spring. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
skills.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: THESIS (3 credits)   This Honors level course is designed to allow students to conduct original research in biology and related fields, to publish their findings, and to interact with other scientists. During the first term students will conduct several small experiments designed to model appropriate procedures, logic, and logistics of experimentation, they will design and carry out individual research projects, and they will read and discuss current literature in various fields of scientific study. During the second term data collection and literature discussion continues as data analysis begins. During the final term students will fully develop their data analysis, complete a detailed written report, and begin the process of publishing their findings in appropriate journals. Students will contact and confer with experts in several fields of study during the course in order to more fully enrich their experience. This course is for nominated students only who think and work independently, and who can fully dedicate themselves to in-depth study. Some lunchtime meetings are required. Prerequisites: (1) Completion of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or enrolled concurrently in Physics. (2) Nomination and consent of Science Department faculty.

HONORS PHYSICS (3 credits)  This is an algebra-based physics course for those who are especially skilled in mathematics and science and wish a challenge beyond the level of regular physics. The course is lecture and laboratory-based, with an emphasis on problem solving. Topics covered include kinematics, Newtonian mechanics, conservation laws, electricity, magnetism, sound, optics, and nuclear physics. The course is rigorous, covers material at a rapid pace, and requires both independent thinking and perseverance in problem solving. Students who are successful in this course are eligible to take AP Physics in their senior year. Corequisite: Precalculus, Calculus, or Advanced Placement Calculus

PHYSICS (3 credits)  This is a conceptually-based introduction to the major principles of physics that also emphasizes the development of algebraic problem-solving skills. The laboratory and problem-solving approach are designed to give the student a basic understanding of physical concepts in oscillations, waves, sound, light and optics, Newtonian mechanics, conservation laws, kinematics, and electricity. Students should be adept at manipulating simple algebraic equations and graphing. Co-requisite: Pre-Calculus, Calculus, or Advanced Placement Calculus. (This co-requisite may be waived by consent of the science department.)

Term-long Science Electives (Prerequisite: Biology)

BIOMECHANICS (2 credits)  Biomechanics is the science that examines the internal and external forces acting on the human body and the effects of those forces. The result of applied force is motion. This course examines the principles of human motion and uses computers and high-speed video cameras to measure the motion of students as they walk, run, throw, and perform other activities. Topics covered: human bone and muscle anatomy, movement terminology, sports projectiles, computerized measurement of human motion, basic mathematical applications to sports and every day movement patterns.

BOTANY (1 credit)  The primary objective of this course is for students to complete a plant collection on and around the grounds of the Tatnall School. This project involves proper use of taxonomic terminology, collection of plants, use of taxonomic keys for plant identification, and presentation of specimens. Field trips to unique habitats in the region allow students to observe and measure plant species in complex plant communities.

COMPARATIVE VERTEBRATE ANATOMY (1 credit)  The overall objective of this course is to provide a more in-depth study of vertebrate organ systems and anatomy than covered in Biology. Students will dissect a freshwater drum, dogfish shark, leopard frog and fetal pig. They will observe variations both between individuals within a species and between organisms from different classes of vertebrates. The approach to learning in this course is very “hands-on”, and the majority of exams are verbal. At the end of the course, the students complete an online human dissection. The culminating written exam consists of summarizing the key similarities and differences between the different classes of vertebrates included in the course.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE A: NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION (1 credit) Natural resource conservation will focus on the principles underlying the proper management of our resources: water, air, soils, minerals, fossil fuels, forests, and wildlife. It will also focus on the current and past attitudes relating to the resources with the interaction and complexities of humans' interests. Emphasis will be placed on current conservation issues such as climate change, fracking, and alternative energy.  Class will include lecture, discussions, projects, computer simulations and lab activities.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE B: CONSERVATION BIOLOGY (1 credit) Conservation biology applies biological principles to the conservation of biological diversity. The course integrates topics from ecology, economics, genetics, biogeography, behavior, sociology, and wildlife management. Some topics include describing patterns and scales of biological diversity, examining threats to biodiversity, managing populations and ecosystems, and the social aspects of conservation. Class will include lecture, discussions, projects, computer simulations and lab activities.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE C: WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND ECOLOGY (1 credit) Wildlife conservation and ecology is an introduction to the issues, problems and solutions associated with the conservation of wildlife. The class discusses the basic principles of wildlife ecology with focus on the ecological and sociological importance of wildlife and their habitats. We evaluate and discuss the importance of wildlife to our past, present and future with emphasis on wildlife conservation issues such as habitat loss, endangered species, pollution, urbanization and invasive species. Class will include lecture, discussions, and lab and field activities.

FIELD ECOLOGY (1 credit)  Field Ecology is a course that meets outdoors on the Tatnall campus and surrounding areas to provide experience in designing and performing ecological experiments in the field. Each student is required to perform a term long collection and identification project as part of a group study of a designated ecosystem. Animals, plants, insects, fungi and their environments are observed closely, and some experiments that quantify the interactions between these organisms are designed and conducted.

HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY (1 credit)  This course provides the student an opportunity to study the chemical and mechanical nature of human organ systems including the nervous system, cardiopulmonary system, digestive system, and excretory system. Students will use internet resources as the primary source of information. Daily classes may include lectures, labs, debates, student led discussions, and computer simulations.

INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY (1 credit)  This course is designed to introduce students to topics in both psychology and sociology.  The topics covered in psychology range from neuroscience, social psychology, mental illness, and therapy. The topics covered in sociology are family, culture, and social stratification.  Students will write short papers, participate in experiments, conduct experiments in both fields, and view videos, as well as participate in classroom discussions.  Students’ understanding will be assessed via tests and papers.

MICROBIOLOGY (1 credit)  This course provides the opportunity to study microscopic organisms including bacteria, viruses and parasites. Many facets of the diversity, structure, and physiology of these organisms are investigated in lectures and lab exercises. In addition, students study the effects of microbes on other organisms, culturing and staining techniques, and genetic engineering theory and application.

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (1 credit)   This course is a survey of the theory and techniques used in biotechnology and genetic engineering. Lecture and lab exercises will cover restriction enzymes, electrophoresis, PCR, vectors, RFLP, blotting, cloning, and DNA sequencing. Students also will gain an understanding of current issues concerning use of genetically engineered products in society.

PRINCIPLES OF HORTICULTURE (1 credit)   This course introduces the principles and practices of the use of plant materials in horticulture. The topics discussed include horticultural techniques, floral design, and landscape architecture. Several field trips to commercial businesses, Longwood Gardens and Winterthur Museum illustrate the principles. Students will design several floral and landscape projects using techniques discussed in class.

At Large Courses

AT LARGE UPPER SCHOOL COURSES


DRIVER EDUCATION (1 credit) (Pass/Fail)  Driver Training is mandated by the state of Delaware for all enrolled tenth grade students. The course includes both classroom and in-car instruction. Successful completion of classroom and road work satisfies state requirements for a driver's license prior to the student's eighteenth birthday (for Delaware residents).  Students are assigned to class by birth date.  Road work sessions are assigned by the instructor and based on the student's availability.  The school guarantees the completion of class work and road work by the end of the school year but not necessarily by the student's sixteenth birthday.  The course will assist non-residents to prepare for their state written and road tests as well as to satisfy some insurance requirements.  There will be a charge for all out-of-state students for this course.

FRESHMAN SEMINARS

These seminar courses are required for all freshman students.  They consist of five areas of study:  The Arts, Computer Applications, Health, Grammar, and Research.  Students must choose two of the following Arts courses: Visual Arts, Theater, or Music.  Each course meets for one-half of a trimester.  Seminars are graded on a pass/fail basis except for Grammar Review and Research which are graded courses.  Freshman Seminar as listed on the transcript will be Pass/Fail.

FRESHMAN SEMINAR: VISUAL ARTS (0.5 credit) Pass/Fall. This introductory foundation course equips students with the fundamental skills needed to undertake more advanced exploration in art and design. The course emphasizes both the design process and a solid understanding of the elements and principles of design. Students also learn to apply critical thinking skills throughout the creative process as well as in formal class critiques.

 

FRESHMAN SEMINAR: INTRODUCTION TO THEATER (0.5 credit)  Pass/Fall. This is a credit-bearing course on the essentials of stagecraft, lighting design, sound design, scenic design, and production management.  Taught by the technical director of the PAC, the class will contain both group and individual instruction in the Marvin Theater of the Laird Performing Arts Center.  A small project is required.

 

FRESHMAN SEMINAR: MUSIC  (0.5 credit)  Pass/Fall. This course will be project-based, with students completing both individual and group projects.  Students will learn about the essential place music holds in many aspects of our lives, such as dance, film, video games, and marketing.  Within this, students will study music history and will learn how to identify the elements of music in different genres.  They will learn how and why music affects our brain, both as a listener and as a music-maker.  Students will also study the process involved in making music in our current time, especially the people and funding involved in creating a musical performance or recording.  Students will learn to critique music of different genres and will be required to attend a musical performance.

 

FRESHMAN SEMINAR: COMPUTER APPLICATIONS (0.5 credit)  Pass/Fail.  This course is designed to introduce freshman to the Upper School computing policies and ethics, hardware, software, servers, and internet.  In addition, this course teaches students how to word process, use spreadsheets, and design presentations using the MicroSoft Office Suite.

 

FRESHMAN SEMINAR: INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH (0.5 credit)  Pass/Fail.  Freshman Seminar will give the students a preview of the four health classes that will be available to them as electives in the future.  The class will cover current topics in health and nutrition, exercise, diet, heart disease, drugs, anatomy, first aid, as well as recognizing, treating and rehabilitation of athletic injuries.  

 

FRESHMAN SEMINAR -  GRAMMAR REVIEW (0.5 credit) The emphasis in this class will be on the technical components of writing, including grammar and mechanics. The approach is practical and constructivist, and the course is aimed to provide all students with the necessary background to meet the writing expectations of the Upper School.  Students prove mastery of the material via classroom participation, homework, and in-class assessments.   This course is graded for the term but is pass/fail for the year.

 

FRESHMAN SEMINAR: RESEARCH (0.5 credit)  This course is designed to reinforce and/or introduce tools essential to students as they engage in the research process. Students will be taught how to correctly use Noodle Tools and TurnItIn.com, as well as how to cite in text using direct quotations, paraphrasing, or summarizing. Specific discussions about plagiarism will also be included. In addition, students will write two short research papers in both history and the science.  


PROFESSIONAL PROJECT (1 or 2 credits)  This course is an optional program for juniors or seniors who wish to work in a professional field of their choice.  Students who have a particular vocational interest are encouraged to take part in this course.  Students are responsible for locating a cooperating professional for the project.  A major paper is prepared for review by a faculty advisor who is chosen by the student. Prerequisite:  Consent of faculty advisor.

EARLY CHILDHOOD PRACTICUM (1 credit) (Pass/Fail) In this program, a student assists in a Preschool or Lower School classroom. The course includes some reading in early child development and either keeping a journal of daily activities and observations, writing a research paper, or completing an approved creative project relevant to their experience.  Prerequisite:  Consent of instructor.

INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS (1 credit)  This course is designed to introduce students to the basic terms, fundamentals, and workings of business today. Students will use class and homework discussion topics to analyze the decisions that individuals and firms make.  Students will be exposed to a variety of concepts including marketing, management, human resources, globalization, outsourcing, ethics and communication.