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Summer Programs NMH Summer Session

College Prep Program Major Courses

Expository Writing
This course addresses the basics of the writing process, from the initial encounter with the subject to the polishing of the final draft. Students learn to explore subjects systematically and to generate ideas by using prewriting techniques. Through study of expository patterns, they discover ways of organizing, developing, and explaining their ideas more fully and effectively. Students gain control over style, increasing their grasp of the mechanics of standard English and their ability to compose in a direct manner.

Academic Writing
This course is for students who wish to further develop their skills in writing, critical reading, research, library use, and discussion. Students gain experience with the kinds of writing they will be required to do in college. They learn to use the main units of prose—the essay, the paragraph, the sentence, and diction—strategically and for different purposes. Strategies for argumentation and the processes of revision are given special attention. Techniques such as free-writing, peer editing, note taking, and journal keeping are important to this course. Students often collaborate during class and share ideas while completing assignments.

Creative Writing
This course enhances students’ creative thinking and writing abilities and provides a forum for generating and sharing writing. Students are encouraged to develop their own ideas as they produce a portfolio of creative work. The class offers group exercises, personal tutoring, and shared criticism. Assignments often are individualized in response to the needs and wants of each student, and the instructors emphasize and encourage the strengths of the students as they write fiction, drama, poetry, and personal narratives. Reading is an essential component of the class, and students read a variety of works in order to discuss good writing and to facilitate experimentation.

Literature and Composition*
This course is intended for students who wish to strengthen their understanding of literature and writing. The first goal is to continue to develop skills of literary analysis through oral and written techniques in order to acquire increased understanding of the novel, the short story, and the poem. Careful reading of the text and analysis of its structure are used to aid the student in finding evidence to support perceptions and in cultivating clear communication of these perceptions. The second goal is to help students gain a clearer understanding of experience through the insights of literature. Both of these skills are emphasized in order to strengthen self-confidence and comprehension in reading literature. The third goal is to develop the qualities of good writing: unity and coherence, full development, and clarity of style. Students write weekly essays, receiving individual help on each as it progresses through at least two drafts. Classes center on discussion and activities. The readings are chosen to acquaint students with some of the great authors, past and present, and to provide meaningful material for discussion and writing.

Writing and the Outdoors*
Students engage in writing assignments and discussion of reading assignments to advance their ability to write clearly, thoughtfully, and creatively. Emphasis is placed on the writing process in which students learn to think, write, rethink, and revise their work. The outdoors becomes the second classroom through activities such as canoeing, rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and field trips. The course, which is collaboratively taught by humanities and outdoor education teachers, connects the exploration of the natural world with effective ways of explaining that world to others. For example, students write a research paper about a river on which they have canoed, a poem based on an observation made during a hike, or an analysis of the early history of the town of Northfield after having explored local historical sites. This is a unique course that combines traditional classroom work in writing with experiential outdoor education.

Images of the Self
The course is based on the proposition that knowledge, understanding, and self-awareness allow people to make responsible decisions about their lives. Topics covered include the effects of heredity and environment on human development, essential skills of self-discipline, facts and fictions about human sexuality, and fear and prejudice in the human community. Through reading, research, films, discussions, class exercises, and analytical essays, students are encouraged to review and evaluate their past experiences, present values, and future dreams. The course builds good discussion skills and fosters trust and cooperation among students. It is especially suited for students who are interested in developing communication and listening skills and who are intellectually and personally curious about the psychological and moral aspects of "being human."

Introduction to Psychology*
How does the mind work, and how does it influence our behavior? Are there differences in the way people learn? The topics we consider in this course include such traditional areas as learning, memory, development, personality, the biological basis of behavior, psychopathology, psychotherapy, and states of consciousness. Newer areas of psychology are chosen from among forensic (criminal) psychology, positive psychology, health psychology, the psychology of terrorism, and gender psychology. Using literature, library research, experiments, and group projects, this course studies human behavior from a psychological perspective. Students train a virtual rat and generate and analyze results from experiments in the classroom and on the Internet. The practical application of psychology to everyday life is a major focus of the course.

Economics*
Every day you make many economic decisions. Do you buy what you want or what you need? Why should anyone care if the stock market drops 500 points or the price of oil doubles? At its core, economics is the study of how society chooses to use its limited resources. This course investigates the concept from the microeconomic perspective (individual behavior and business decisions), which can benefit students going forward in math and studies that require analytical thinking, as well as the macroeconomic perspective (growth, inflation, trade, and employment), for students who might have an affinity toward political science and history. The course includes study of topics such as supply-and-demand relationships, present versus future value, scarcity, utility, diminishing marginal returns, and the way the Federal Reserve manipulates the interest rate through money supply. International trade, the stock market and personal finance, environmental economics, and money and banking are studied. Newspaper articles provide a perspective on current economic events. Activities include Internet stock market simulations, student-led presentations on current economic issues, and video documentation of the economy.

US History*
This is the equivalent of a full-year, college-preparatory course in the history of the United States. This intensive study is designed to familiarize students with basic concepts, trends, major events, and institutions that have had particular influence on the development of the United States. It moves chronologically through the American past, seeking an understanding of the unique historical experience of our nation as we have developed from an agrarian society to a complex, urban-industrial, global power. An interest in current issues is promoted. Classes often are conducted as seminars with special reports, short papers, and course materials fully utilized. Readings from eminent historians, along with appropriate films, allow varied perspectives. 

Algebra I*
This course covers the work of a full year of college-preparatory algebra I, including the following topics: properties of mathematical systems; solution of equations and inequalities; solutions to equations that involve square root and absolute value; graphs of linear equations and systems, slope and intercepts; graphs of inequalities; operations on polynomials and on rational and irrational expressions; and solution of quadratic equations by factoring and by the quadratic formula. The solution of verbal problems is an integral part of the course.

Geometry*
This course covers the work of a full year of college-preparatory geometry. Its objective is to develop geometric ideas logically, using deductive and inductive reasoning and direct and indirect proof. The topics covered include the properties of triangles and other polygons, parallel and perpendicular lines, congruence and similarity, circles, and the properties of solids. Prerequisite: Algebra I.

Algebra II*
This course covers the work of a full year of college-preparatory algebra II, excluding trigonometry. The topics covered include review of algebra I, functions and relations, linear functions, systems of linear equations and inequalities, quadratic functions and complex numbers, exponential and logarithmic functions, rational algebraic functions, irrational algebraic functions, and quadratic systems. There is an emphasis at the end of each chapter on solving word problems using mathematical models in real-world applications. Students are required to have a Texas Instruments graphing calculator (T1-89). Prerequisite: Algebra I.

Precalculus*
This course covers the work of a full year of college-preparatory precalculus and is designed to prepare the student for high school Advanced Placement AB or BC Calculus. It entails a detailed study of the elementary functions: polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and trigonometric functions. Special emphasis is placed on the graphs of these functions to gain insight into their behavior. Students are required to have a Texas Instruments graphing calculator (TI-89). Prerequisite: Algebra II.

Calculus*
This course covers the work of a full year of college-preparatory calculus and provides an introduction to the differentiation and integration of polynomial, trigonometric, logarithmic, and exponential functions, and to applications. Included in the course is the use of the graphing calculator in solving problems. Applications that can be solved using techniques of calculus are emphasized. Students are required to have a Texas Instruments graphing calculator (TI-89). Prerequisite: Precalculus.

Biology*
This course is the equivalent of a full-year, college-preparatory course in biology. Students are introduced to basic biological principles and the methods used in science. Homework and lab work are designed to encourage students to interact with the material and to understand how experiments are used to further our understanding of interrelationships between organisms and their environment.

Chemistry*
This is the equivalent of a full-year, college-preparatory course in chemistry. The discovery approach is combined with a concept-oriented study of chemical principles. The course emphasizes laboratory exercises to give students hands-on experience and to provide support and reinforcement of the concepts studied.

Physics*
This is the equivalent of a full-year, college-preparatory course in physics. Designed for strong science and math students, the course gives an understanding of the basic principles that govern the universe. Emphasis is placed on the development of problem-solving techniques, mathematical reasoning, and data analysis. Prerequisite: Algebra II.

NOTE:
* Because afternoon sessions are required for additional course work, students in these courses are not able to elect an afternoon minor course (exception: see Minor Courses).