Academy Short Courses give students in grade ten the opportunity to explore a subject of academic interest outside of the core curriculum. The semester-long electives meet twice weekly. Offerings vary annually, though past Short Courses have included: Astronomy, The Classical World in the Cinema, Computer Programming, Contemporary Fiction, Electronics, Engineering, Introduction to Logic, Introduction to Philosophy, and Readings in Modern Literature.
Short courses for the coming semester include:
Classical Film Studies
We will watch movies from the golden age of cinema like Ben Hur, Spartacus, Life of Brian, Quo Vadis, and Jason and the Argonauts and modern gems such as Alexander, Troy, 300, Gladiator, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Our goal will be to take a closer, informed look at what Hollywood thinks of the classical world and to challenge the accuracy of the portrayals. Some readings concerning historical accuracy and socio-cultural issues will come from popular reviews and scholarly journals. Mostly we will critique the films in class based on information students learned in 9th grade history. Students can also make pitches to get their favorite classical films on the docket. If you enjoy films about the classical world, this short course is for you!
We will watch movies from the golden age of cinema like Ben Hur, Spartacus, Life of Brian, Quo Vadis, and Jason and the Argonauts and modern gems such as Alexander, Troy, 300, Gladiator, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Our goal will be to take a closer, informed look at what Hollywood thinks of the classical world and to challenge the accuracy of the portrayals. Some readings concerning historical accuracy and socio-cultural issues will come from popular reviews and scholarly journals. Mostly we will critique the films in class based on information students learned in 9th grade history. Students can also make pitches to get their favorite classical films on the docket. If you enjoy films about the classical world, this short course is for you!
Decoding the Hermeneutics of Graphico-Comical Motile Representations: The Case of Charles Jones, Mid-Twentieth Century
Most BUA students are woefully ignorant of an enormous corpus of classical literature of recent American history. This course will attempt to remedy this lack, by considering the work of Chuck Jones, the creative genius who had the greatest impact on the development of such iconic literary characters as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Pepe LePew, Marvin Martian, and many others. We will generally be screening and discussing as many as five features in each class. Our primary interest will be in the work of Jones, but we shall also consider the contributions of other great Warner Brothers artists, and even make some forays into the oeuvre of Rocky and Bullwinkle. Suggested text: Charles Jones, Chuck Amok (autobiography).
Most BUA students are woefully ignorant of an enormous corpus of classical literature of recent American history. This course will attempt to remedy this lack, by considering the work of Chuck Jones, the creative genius who had the greatest impact on the development of such iconic literary characters as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Pepe LePew, Marvin Martian, and many others. We will generally be screening and discussing as many as five features in each class. Our primary interest will be in the work of Jones, but we shall also consider the contributions of other great Warner Brothers artists, and even make some forays into the oeuvre of Rocky and Bullwinkle. Suggested text: Charles Jones, Chuck Amok (autobiography).
Engineering
In this short course, students will use the engineering process to design and construct solutions to a problem. Projects may include Balsa wood bridges and catelevers, Gravity powered vehicles, magnetically levitated vehicles, bottle rockets, and Rube Goldberg devices.
The History and Performance of American Musical Theatre
This course will explore the development of American Musical Theatre through discussion, listening, and performance. Genres of musicals will include the early standards (Show Boat, Porgy and Bess, etc.), the Golden Age (Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Jerome Kearns, etc.), the operas (Sondheim, Bernstein), the Rock Operas (Phantom, Les Mis, JC Superstar, etc.), and the new trends (Rent, Wicked, The Lion King, etc.). Students will also learn the vocal and musical techniques necessary to perform songs from these genres as the culmination of the course.
This course will explore the development of American Musical Theatre through discussion, listening, and performance. Genres of musicals will include the early standards (Show Boat, Porgy and Bess, etc.), the Golden Age (Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Jerome Kearns, etc.), the operas (Sondheim, Bernstein), the Rock Operas (Phantom, Les Mis, JC Superstar, etc.), and the new trends (Rent, Wicked, The Lion King, etc.). Students will also learn the vocal and musical techniques necessary to perform songs from these genres as the culmination of the course.