Curriculum

In ENG100, students  explore the key concept of human identity and the human experience. They do so by analyzing a variety of texts through formal and personal essays, creative pieces and oral presentations. By the end of this course, they will have developed the tools essential to read, to understand, to think critically, and to write about different texts. Furthermore, they will have developed the analytical ability to interrogate our world, our lives, and our future. 

Essential questions include:

• How does the telling of stories affect both the teller and listener?
• How are identities formed, and what is identity anyway?
• Does being a member of society require a loss of individuality?
• How do social pressures impact agency?
• How do traumatic experiences affect identity formation and individual growth?  
• How do oppressive forces affect individuals?

Prerequisite: None

ENG200 explores the issues and themes that shaped and continue to shape America and American culture, after the Civil War. How do we come to know a nation or a culture? We can study its history, its language(s), and its customs in order to know what makes a culture or national identity what it is. One of the best ways, however, to really understand what is important to any culture is through its literature. The values, the hopes, the dreams of a culture are all contained in its poetry, its stories, its songs, and all of its artistic output. Through the eyes of 20th century American writers, students will learn about the fears and the aspirations that have helped define America from the Great Depression to the Civil Rights movement, and they will connect these texts to current events and contemporary issues, art and literature.

Prerequisite: ENG100 or one year of high school-level English

*ENG250 is the Honors level of this class.

ENG300 explores human rights through literature. “Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world” (Preamble to the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights).

The UDHR is one of the most recognizable statements on the subject of human rights in modern history, and it lays out a foundation for understanding what we mean when we talk about human rights in the modern context. But what are the challenges to human rights around the world, and how do people view human rights in different cultural contexts? This course covers how human rights are supported and violated, and what factors -- i.e., race, ethnicity, gender, religion, colonialism, slavery, ability status, etc. -- shape characters’ perspectives on human rights.

Prerequisite: English 200 or two years of high school-level English

*ENG350 is the Honors level of this class.

ENG400 will feature storytelling through a personal lens. Memoirs focus on personal experience, intimacy, and emotional truth. The texts we will read offer insights into the human condition. We will build upon our understanding of what shapes identity – as individuals and members of various cultures, races, religions, and classes. We will consider what it means to live and to find fulfillment, and how death can be both unthinkable and an opportunity to reflect and find closure. We will work to understand the many different definitions of home. In exploring these stories of triumph and despair, we will analyze the impact of the events on the authors and the world around them, and we will develop the skills to write our own memoirs and tell our truths.

Prerequisite: English 300 or three years of high school-level English

*ENG450 is the Honors level of this class.

In this elective, students will examine the impact of slavery in America through a variety of texts – from first hand narratives to historical speeches and documents, from fiction to film. Through reading, viewing, and discussion, we will seek to understand the horrors of this practice, as well as its long lasting effects on our country, and on African Americans in particular. Part English Literature, part History, and part Sociology, this course will develop students’ reading, writing, and critical thinking skills and will require them to confront our past in order to consider our present and future.

In this course, students build fundamental algebra skills, including writing equations, evaluating expressions and graphing on the coordinate plane. Equations remain linear, with the exception of the final polynomials unit. Geometry topics that further enhance basic algebra skills are intertwined.

Prerequisite: Pre-Algebra or equivalent

Students progress from linear functions to more complex functions that incorporate exponents, rational numbers, and radicals. Students apply algebra theorems to 2-Dimensional geometry concepts. (Offered at Honors and Standard levels)

Prerequisite: MATH100, Algebra I or equivalent

MATH300 examines mathematical functions in greater detail, focusing on various representations. Additionally, students continue to work on Geometry as the focus shifts to the 3-dimensional space. The honors section of this course prepares students with the most fundamental theorems of algebra and trigonometry to succeed in a calculus course, while the standard section of the course prepares students for Pre-Calculus. (Offered at Honors and Standard levels)

Prerequisites: MATH100 and MATH200 or equivalent

The honors section of this course prepares students with the most fundamental theorems of algebra and trigonometry to succeed in a calculus course, while the standard section of the course prepares students for Precalculus.

MATH400 consists of an introduction and exploration of functions with abstraction. Students start by focusing on representing function in multiple ways — as a table of values, as a graph, and as an algebraic rule. Elementary functions (polynomial functions, in particular) and their transformations, compositions, inverses, and applications are emphasized. After completing introductory topics, students work on rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions. The TI-84 Plus is used for continued study of non-linear data sets with special attention to sets that grow exponentially and logarithmically. Elementary work with arithmetic and geometric sequences is included. In the next portion of the course, students explore circular functions: sine, cosine, and tangent. Topics include right triangle trigonometry, simple harmonic motion, applications, and proofs of trigonometric identities.

Finally, students will learn how to represent points, sketch curves, and describe motion in two-dimensional space using parametric equations, polar coordinates, and vectors. In addition, students will study the graphs of the conic sections — parabolas, ellipses, and hyperbolas.

Prerequisite: MATH300 or equivalent

This course covers the syllabus of the AB Advanced Placement examination. Students start by focusing primarily on differential calculus: limits, continuity, derivatives, and applications of derivatives. Graphical, numerical, and analytic methods will be used throughout the course. After completing introductory topics, students work on optimization, integration, applications of integration, slope fields, and separable differential equations.
The final portion of the course goes beyond the AB curriculum, covering topics including techniques of integration, arc length, improper integrals, parametric equations, and vectors. There will be time devoted to a comprehensive review of the AB Advanced Placement topics before the AP exam in May.

Prerequisite: MATH400 or MATH350 

This course covers the syllabus of the BC Advanced Placement examination, expanding upon material covered in AP Calculus AB. Students cover topics including primarily differential calculus: limits, continuity, derivatives, the Chain Rule, related rates, and the Mean Value Theorem. Some integral calculus is also covered. Graphical, numerical, and analytic methods are used throughout the course. The next portion of the course will cover topics such as integration and applications of integral calculus. There will be time devoted to a comprehensive review of the BC Advanced Placement topics before the AP exam in May.

Prerequisite: AP Calculus AB or equivalent

MATH401 offers grade 12 students an exciting journey into the practical realm of statistics, focusing on its myriad applications in everyday life. Through an engaging curriculum, students delve into fundamental statistical concepts, descriptive statistics, probability theory, and statistical inference. They learn to analyze real-world data sets, draw meaningful conclusions, and make informed decisions. The course emphasizes hands-on learning, enabling students to master statistical techniques using modern software tools. From understanding trends in economics and finance to unraveling patterns in social sciences and beyond, students explore how statistics underpins decision-making in diverse fields. Through ethical discussions and case studies, students also learn the importance of integrity and responsibility in statistical analysis. By the course's conclusion, students emerge equipped with the skills and knowledge to navigate the statistical landscape of the modern world with confidence and proficiency.

Prerequisite: Math 300 or equivalent

Students are introduced to anchoring phenomena which they explain or solve through their engagement with interdisciplinary core ideas, scientific practices, and crosscutting concepts. The anchoring phenomena chosen for Integrated Biology are interdisciplinary, which requires the curriculum to cover core ideas from biology, chemistry, and earth science. 

SCI100 aims to lay the foundation that scientific phenomena are interdisciplinary, and requires an understanding of the interconnected relationship between the disciplines. By the end of this first year, students will be able to explain the interconnected relationship between biology, chemistry, and earth science core ideas. This understanding will prepare students for 200-level, 300-level and 400-level courses, where they will continue to build on their understanding of the interconnectedness between science disciplines.

Prerequisite: None
 

Throughout SCI200 students are introduced to anchoring phenomena which they explain or solve through their engagement with interdisciplinary core ideas, scientific practices, and crosscutting concepts. Students will build on what they learned in SCI100 (i.e., the interconnected relationship between life and earth science core ideas) to deepen their understanding of the role that chemistry plays in biological and earth systems. 

By the end of Integrated Chemistry, students will be able to explain the interconnected relationship between life, physical, and earth science core ideas. This understanding will prepare students for 300-level and 400-level courses, where they will continue to build on their understanding of the interconnectedness between science disciplines.

Prerequisite: SCI100
 

In SCI300 students are introduced to anchoring phenomena which they explain or solve through their engagement with interdisciplinary core ideas, scientific practices, and crosscutting concepts. Students will build on what they learned in SCI100 and SCI200 (i.e., the interconnected relationship between life, physical, and earth science core ideas) to deepen their understanding of the role that physics plays in earth systems.
 
By the end of Integrated Physics, students will be able to explain the interconnected relationship between life, physical, and earth science core ideas. This understanding will prepare students for year 12 science courses and to engage with science in spaces beyond Franklin’s science classrooms. 

Prerequisite: SCI200
 

SCI125 is a dynamic course that immerses students in the world of scientific inquiry. Starting with a guided inquiry into Animal Behavior, students are then given the opportunity to conduct original research projects on a wide range of topics related to any area of science they are passionate about culminating in a final research paper utilizing inferential statistics to strengthen their hypotheses. 

Co-designed with partners at Franke Honors college at Arizona University and the Transdisciplinary Faculty at UTS [University of Technology Sydney], this is a future-focused course aimed to create solutions co-created with industry, government and community partners. It is designed to support students embarking into a world of work where change is the only constant. In order to solve the complex societal challenges of today, we need different and innovative thinking across, between and beyond fields, and learning to navigate this complexity. Students in this first course will spend the year working toward an opportunity to solve a complex challenge in transdisciplinary teams as they embark on their journey to become a transdisciplinary practitioner.

HIST100 will follow a chronological path through World History, starting around 1200 CE, all the way through modern day globalization. Introduction to World History explores global history by focusing on the concepts of identity and change. This course is built around three themes: reformations, revolutions, and colonialism/resistance. During the course, students will engage with primary and secondary sources, practice the skills of historical thinking, and learn the art of historical argumentation and analysis. We will take a lot of time defining our themes, and then we will apply them to our readings, class discussions, and work all year. Themes will form all of our endeavors, and, in particular, we will closely examine many case studies using our themes as a class, in groups, and individually. 

Prerequisite: None

There are countless countries in the world and countless histories, so how do we decide what to study? At Franklin we embrace this conundrum instead of ignoring it by reading purposefully and vigorously and engaging in lively class discussions, and we confront what are taken to be historical “truths” and hold them up to scrutiny both in print and in our commemorative, representational landscapes. We center our course on the five themes of freedom, resistance, identity, power, and expansion.

Prerequisite: HIST100 or one year of high school-level social studies

In this course, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in nine historical periods from approximately 1491 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change. Students explore eight themes throughout the course to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: American and national identity; work, exchange, and technology; geography and the environment; migration and settlement; politics and power; America in the world; American and regional culture; and social structures. 

Prerequisite: HIST 200 or two years of high school-level social studies

Microeconomics is an introduction to economic principles that helps students to understand the decision making process in the real world of money. Students will learn about concepts such as demand and supply, elasticities, opportunity costs, different market structures and profit maximizing input and output decisions. The course equips students to understand and explain the economic outcomes of decisions made by individual and business players.

This course is an introductory college-level macroeconomics course. Students cultivate their interest in understanding of the principles and theories that apply to an economic system as a whole. By using principles and models to describe economic situations, students get to predict and explain outcomes with graphs, charts, and data as they explore macroeconomic concepts.

¡Bienvenidos a Español I! In this course, students dive into the exciting journey of language acquisition by taking part in a thriving immersive experience. Throughout the year, students work on the fundamental building blocks of the Spanish language, focusing on listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing.

Spanish I is designed for language learners who enter at the novice level, and who will advance to the intermediate level, as all classroom discussions are conducted in Spanish. Students will be introduced to the rich cultural traditions of the various countries in the Spanish-speaking world. They will also dive into a range of materials, from text to video, and much more, which will bring their learning to life and set them on a path for success in future language learning.

Prerequisite: None

In Spanish II, students strengthen their Spanish skills by continuing the exciting and immersive language-learning experience. The emphasis on listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing continues to be essential as students develop a more sophisticated grasp of the language. 

This course is designed for the emerging-intermediate language learner to improve their Spanish skills as they continue to explore the rich cultures of various Spanish-speaking countries, while exclusively communicating in Spanish. By taking a deeper dive into a more complex range of real-world materials such as podcasts, short stories, and more, students solidify their path for success in the language. 

Prerequisite: One year of high school-level Spanish language study

In Spanish III, students work on building linguistic sophistication and refining their listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills through a rigorous and immersive language learning experience. 

In this course, students attain a high-intermediate level of language proficiency through their continued exploration of real-world materials such as poetry, songs, short stories, plays, newspaper opinion articles, podcasts, reports, cartoons, essays, and interviews. 

Prerequisites: Two years of high school-level Spanish language study

Communicating clearly and effectively in Mandarin and preparing students for the Chinese Advanced Placement test forms the core goal of this course. With an emphasis on clarity and communication — specifically, being understood by Mandarin speakers and understanding those speaking Mandarin — will occur through students’ application of interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational Mandarin skills using real-life situations. 

From vocabulary to language control, and from cultural awareness to communication strategies, this course enables students to hone in on the specific and practical nuances of this world language so they can be most effective. Taught almost exclusively in Mandarin, the course will also engage students in an exploration of Chinese culture, including its tools, practices, and perspectives.

Prerequisite: Mandarin IV or departmental permission required

In this course, students embark on the exciting journey of language acquisition by studying the fundamental building blocks of French, focusing on the four key areas of world language study: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Extensive use of authentic materials, including video, audio, images, and texts will provide students with a contextualized and interactive presentation of the vocabulary and linguistic structures, setting them up for success in future language learning. 

Students can expect to work collaboratively and independently as they formulate and test hypotheses about different aspects of the French language, all the while developing metacognitive strategies to process and negotiate the meaning of new vocabulary. Consistent and relevant francophonic references and materials will further immerse students as they start their foray into French language and culture. 

Prerequisites: None

Using the tools introduced in earlier work, this class will build on existing francophone concepts and provide students with fresh insights and understanding of French language and culture. Using many forms of francophone media, from music to film, news articles, and more, students will increase their access to various French concepts while exploring more sophisticated vocabulary, grammar, and structure concepts. 

With a goal of helping students to not just learn French, but also learn to love it, students will interact with each other and the culture in new ways, applying their content language through exciting projects such as recording podcasts, exchanging correspondence with francophone students, creating an itinerary for a trip, analyzing modern French movies, and more. By the end of the course students will demonstrate ability in discussing current events in French, conversing or debating with French speakers, and identifying the nuances of the language.

Prerequisite: French I or departmental permission required

Improving linguistic sophistication while also building students’ confidence in their French skills are the hallmarks of this year-long course. Students with an existing understanding of French, established in earlier introductory courses, can expect to continue communicating through the four competencies of language acquisition: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. A focus on French grammar, including the passé composé, passé simple, conditionnel, and plus-que-parfait tenses, as well as the subjunctive mood, will challenge students as they grow into the ability to discuss and debate French and francophone history, culture, and current events. 
 
Students will enjoy immersing themselves in French culture through film and readings that will anchor their projects, including an in-depth study of the classic (and beloved) Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. An honors section is available.
 
Prerequisite: French II or departmental permission required

Continued progression through French language concepts and culture make this course a chance for students to sharpen their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in immersive ways. New vocabulary areas will help students as they explore increasingly complex grammatical structures. Engaging with many francophone authentic materials, including literature, videos, radio clips, podcasts, movies, music, newspaper articles, magazines, and more will drive a refreshed and authentic interest in and understanding of francophone culture, histories, and peoples.

Prerequisite: French III or departmental permission required

DES100 serves as an introduction to the design softwares, tools, and materials in our state-of-the-art makerspace. Using industry-standard software tools, students learn the basic principles of computer-aided design in two and three dimensions. They will develop a foundational understanding of digital fabrication through projects using 3D modeling, laser-cutting, 3D printing, and Computerized Numerical Control  technologies.

Inquiry, problem-solving, and self-expression are at the center of this design course, which is focused on providing students with authentic problems and creative design prompts that develop their skills in prototyping, testing, and invention. The class will include several skill-building projects and larger assignments, as well as a final project.

Prerequisite: None

DES200 focuses on the fundamentals of computer programming using variables, conditionals, iteration, functions, and objects. By understanding how code can be a medium for creative expression, students will learn the basic principles of computer science while designing and prototyping interactive projects that run on the internet. 

The course assumes no programming experience and will include three major assignments: the end of each trimester is spent developing an idea for a final project and implementing it using computer programming.

Prerequisite: None

DES275 mirrors that of the standard course but provides extra tuition in the skills and content required to register for the AP Computer Science Principles course. 

Prerequisite: A-level result in DES100

DES300 expands the idea of computing beyond the limitations of the mouse, keyboard, and monitor interface of today's computers. The platform for the class is the Arduino microcontroller, a low-cost single-chip computer that can fit in your hand. The core technical concepts include working with sensors, actuators, digital, analog, and serial input and output. The class will include three major assignments: the end of each trimester is spent developing an idea for a final project and implementing it using the Arduino microcontroller.

Prerequisite: Design & Computational Media or one year of high school-level computer science

DES375 mirrors that of the standard course but provides extra tuition in the skills and content required to register for the AP Computer Science A course. 

Prerequisite: DES275 OR A-Grade result in DES200 

DES125 is an exploration of the world of artificial intelligence and its potential for creative expression. Students are introduced to the core principles of AI and how these technologies can be harnessed in novel and innovative ways. The class focuses on the understanding and application of AI in various creative fields such as art, music, writing, and design. Students will use AI to create pieces that can range from generative artwork and music compositions, to complex narratives and design solutions. With a strong emphasis on hands-on learning and experimentation, the class is structured around various creative projects and design challenges.

In ENG225, students discover the world of engineering technology by collaborating in teams on hands-on design and research projects. After an introduction to the various disciplines within engineering, students will work together to learn and apply project management skills to solve problems. Teams will set goals that drive their work in a structural engineering challenge as they co-create an experiment to measure success for their projects. In addition, students will learn the basics of human centered engineering as well as paper prototyping by creating a design for a mobile phone app that benefits their community.

Lastly, students will explore the unsolved problems in engineering that drive modern research and innovation while they conduct their own research in a project featuring nanotechnology. This course will involve a deep dive into topics from automotive engineering, aerospace engineering, and biomedical engineering to explore what it means to be an engineer. Projects are designed to challenge students’ problem solving skills and reasoning as they learn about the difficult decisions engineers make every day. 
 

DES226 offers a deep dive into the world of Artificial Intelligence and its vast applications. The course aims to demystify AI by blending theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on projects. Students will start with the fundamentals of AI and machine learning, progressing to complex concepts such as neural networks, deep learning, and AI ethics. The curriculum is project-based, encouraging students to apply their knowledge through innovative projects—from AI-driven art to real-world solutions in healthcare and environmental conservation. A final project will culminate the course, where students will showcase their developed AI solutions, reflecting on their impact and the ethical dimensions of technology.

The Creative Learning Studio is an innovative elective designed to redefine the traditional classroom, turning it into a vibrant community of self-motivated learners. In the first trimester, this group of students and teachers will embark together on a transformative journey that begins with the Learning Creative Learning course offered by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at MIT’s Media Lab. This online course champions the principles of learning through Projects, Passions, Peers, and Play. Through videos, readings, reflections, and projects, students will benefit from learning about and practicing the theories, components, and techniques of the creative learning process. During class meetings, we will discuss weekly videos, readings, and projects and share our approaches to self-directed learning. 

ART100 aims to excite students through a breadth of creative exploration, while building technical skills and a sense of self-as-artist. By examining the works of others, students learn to use tools of critical analysis to interpret artworks. This fuels the inspiration to independently apply a creative process to produce artworks that begin to explore and develop the unique visual voice of each student. Art-making activities include mixed-media works on paper, sculpture, and painting.

Prerequisite: None

In ART200, students pursue an exploration of the visual arts with greater intensity and focus. In this space, students will continue to engage in multimedia exploration, with a heavy emphasis on drawing in a variety of media, both traditional and experimental. Students will deepen their understanding of how to render compositions that will not only draw in their viewer, but also make them engage with the piece at a different level. Additionally, students will be tasked to explore creative problem solving, discover what it means to create work for a specific audience, and culminate the year with a self generated project that showcases their understanding of the scaffolded making process discussed in both this course and its predecessor.

Prerequisite: ART 00

Drawing is the backbone of visual language. In this micro course, students will build a strong foundation in drawing that will serve their visual art, design, and communication practices for a lifetime. Through in-class exercises and creative projects, students will acquire the skills to translate their observed and imagined worlds onto the page. Working in charcoal, pencil, and pen and ink, they will experiment with line, gesture, light and shadow, volume, texture, composition, and style. By the end of the course, each student will have produced a portfolio of drawings that demonstrate their technical skill and creativity.

In this year-long studio elective, students will dive into the fascinating world of printmaking. This course introduces students to an array of printmaking techniques including relief, intaglio, monotype, and lithography. Students will learn to work with single-plate black/white and multi-plate color printing. Printmaking emphasizes understanding of the use of a matrix, the careful consideration of positive and negative space, and the process of color separation. This course aims to build on the skills acquired in Intro Studio Art with a focus on the reproducibility that characterizes printmaking. In addition to producing their artworks through printmaking processes, students will gain exposure to printmaking’s global history as a means of visual communication

ART325 is designed to help students in grades 11 and 12 develop a strong portfolio of artwork for college applications or personal enrichment. Through a series of projects and exercises, students will explore various mediums and techniques, develop their artistic voice, and build a cohesive body of work. Emphasis will be placed on creative thinking, technical skill development, and personal expression. Students will receive individualized feedback and guidance to help them reach their artistic goals. By the end of the course, students will have a portfolio that showcases their talents, demonstrates their growth and exhibits their ability to work independently. Instructor approval is required.

ART326 is designed to introduce students to the world of illustration. Students will learn about graphic design and how to apply it to real world examples such as creating poster designs, book spreads, and be introduced to other forms of visual communication and advertising. Students will learn about the experience of what it is like to go through the process of working with clients and what it means to create work for a specific audience. Throughout the course, students will be tasked to analyze the work of practicing artists and learn the terminology required to discuss art in an intellectual manner and then take these terms to analyze and assess both their work as well as their peers.

PHE100 focuses on developing the foundational knowledge, conceptual understandings, and the life skills required to improve one's own personal health and develop lifelong positive health habits. Students participate in a diverse range of sports and physical movement challenges designed to develop an understanding of movement concepts and to enhance their knowledge of the beneficial physiological changes that come with a sustained health and fitness focus. The health component of the program focuses on developing the knowledge and skills integral for cultivating healthy and respectful relationships and to improve their own personal health. Students are introduced to the strategies and techniques needed to navigate challenges, remain safe, and increase their own level of personal health literacy.

Topics:

• Healthy on the inside, healthy on the outside
• The power of physical activity
• Cognitive health
• Healthy and respectful relationships

PHE200 explores the interconnected parallel between physical activity, improved health literacy, and positive health outcomes. Students build on the foundation of knowledge and skills developed in grade 9 to enhance their ability to make healthy life choices and be knowledgeable advocates for their own health practices. They participate in a broad range of team and individual sports, and are introduced to new and challenging movement patterns and non-traditional games. Students will continue to develop a deeper understanding of the physiological adaptations and benefits associated with regular physical activity.

Topics:

• Risk-taking versus risky behavior
• Improving personal health and athletic performance
• Understanding health and wellness
• Leadership in athletics 

PSYCH125 is designed to give each student a clear foundation of skills and knowledge to start their journey of understanding human behavior. It involves a strong introduction to the critical thinking skills needed to understand and evaluate research methods and ethical considerations. Building on these, each student will develop crucial essay writing skills through an exploration of human emotion and the extent to which it is biological. A cornerstone of any introduction to Psychology program must include a thorough understanding of the cognitive process of memory as well as a first hand exposure to psychological research. Students will gain this through a collaborative lab report based on an actual empirical study replication in class. To truly fulfill the objectives of this year, each student will have the opportunity to make practical applications of Social Psychological theories in a series of Kindness Challenges followed by an individual research topic exploring an area of individual curiosity.

In PSYCH225 students will embark on an exciting journey through the fascinating world of psychology, exploring ten influential theories that have shaped our understanding of the human mind and behavior. Through engaging lectures, discussions, and interactive activities, they will gain a comprehensive overview of key psychological theories and their real-world applications. Firstly, students will develop a profound understanding of the fundamental principles and key concepts underlying each of the ten major theories. By delving into the historical context, they will explore the brilliant minds and influential proponents who shaped these theories, while gaining a deeper appreciation for their remarkable contributions. Moreover, they will be challenged to critically analyze and evaluate the empirical evidence and research that support each theory. This analytical approach will foster the development of strong research skills and the ability to discern the strengths and limitations of different psychological theories. Lastly, this course seeks to encourage practical application of these theories by highlighting their real-world relevance and demonstrating how they can be applied to understand and explain human behavior in various contexts. By integrating theory and application, you will be well-equipped to appreciate the profound impact that psychology has on our lives.

Building on the foundations of PSYCH125 and PSYCH225 courses, students will cover the rigorous standards of both AP and IB Psychology curricula, and aim to delve deeper into the complexities of human behavior and mental processes. This course encompasses a wide range of topics, including biological bases of behavior, cognitive processes, developmental psychology, social psychology, and abnormal psychology. Students will engage with advanced research methods, including experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation of findings. The course emphasizes critical thinking and the application of psychological theories to diverse cultural and social contexts. Additionally, students will explore ethical considerations in psychological research and practice. Through in-depth studies and comprehensive assessments, such as research projects, systems mapping and critical essay writing, students will gain a profound understanding of psychological principles and their applications, preparing them for higher education and careers in psychology-related fields.

Prerequisite: At least one of PSYC125 or PSYCH225  (it is recommended that students have studied both)

The Creative Learning Studio is an innovative elective designed to redefine the traditional classroom, turning it into a vibrant community of self-motivated learners. In the first trimester, this group of students and teachers will embark together on a transformative journey that begins with the Learning Creative Learning course offered by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at MIT’s Media Lab. This online course champions the principles of learning through Projects, Passions, Peers, and Play. Through videos, readings, reflections, and projects, students will benefit from learning about and practicing the theories, components, and techniques of the creative learning process. During class meetings, we will discuss weekly videos, readings, and projects and share our approaches to self-directed learning.