Minor Courses
These minor courses meet for the first half of the afternoon, from 1:30 to 3 pm, four days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday). All work is conducted in class, and there is no assigned homework.
All students participating in the College Prep Program or in English for Speakers of Other Languages–CP choose minor courses from the following offerings. Certain minor courses may fill quickly, so please list three choices on your online application.
- Ceramics
- Community Service
- Computer Programming
- Digital Photography
- Drama
- Drawing and Painting
- ESOL—American Culture
- Public Speaking
- Renewable Energy
- SAT Preparation–Math and Verbal
- Summer Session Singers
Ceramics
Community Service
This course is designed to raise awareness of local and global needs, to offer support and work to various organizations, and to instill the values of offering one's time, energy, and other resources to those in need. Discussion and action revolve around themes such as homelessness and housing, health care, education, and children. In a typical summer, students visit a homeless shelter and a nursing home, volunteer in a children's reading program at a local library, and raise money for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts or other charities.
Computer Programming
Students learn to write graphical programs that explore fundamental computer science topics. Through learning to program, they apply logic and critical-thinking skills applicable to a broad range of disciplines. The course covers conditionals, loops, arrays, and basic object orientation, as well as the creation of simple games.
Digital Photography
This course includes camera basics from shutter speeds and apertures to depth-of-field, use of flash, and more. The class emphasizes taking high-quality photos under varying conditions and includes landscape photography, close-ups, portraits, and sports. Students must have their own digital SLR cameras.
Drama
Drawing and Painting
ESOL—American Culture
For students taking English for Speakers of Other Languages–CP as their morning major course, this minor course is a general study of American customs, personalities, music, film, sports, and geography. The course develops written and oral skills, and weekly excursions to area communities provide students with opportunities to collect authentic cultural data.
Public Speaking
Renewable Energy
This course examines various forms of renewable energy and their benefits for environmental sustainability. Students learn about energy, energy transformations, and efficiency in the context of renewable energy sources through on-campus study as well as field trips to local solar, wind, and hydroelectric energy-producing facilities.
SAT Preparation–Math and Verbal
This course, taught by Summit Educational Group's verbal and math instructors, focuses on the academic skills and test-taking strategies required to succeed on the SAT. Summit provides students with a program of instruction customized to meet their individual needs and maximize their scoring potential.
Summit course fee: $730. (Summit will reduce this fee for students who receive financial aid from NMH Summer Session.)
Summer Session Singers
Students in this class form a singing group that practices and learns songs together (and may perform for the Summer Session community). Music selections—both style and specific pieces to perform—are based on the interests of the participants. No experience is necessary, and the ability to read music is not required.