COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 2010

Business/Entrepreneurship
SAGE Business/Entrepreneurship is designed to give the motivated student an overall comprehensive real-world view and investigation of the business formation process. This class will primarily focus on developing business aspirations of the student's choosing through the writing of a realistic Business Plan. Technology and teamwork are an integral part of this course. Students will ideate, research, and develop their full-blown business plan over the course of this three-week class. The pace is swift, the process is insightful, and the results are meaningful and professional. This class will develop the following major business functions, processes and concepts: Executive Summary, Business Form & Description, Product/Service Definition, Accounting (Break-Even Analysis, Projections, Start-up Costs), Finances (Personal & Business), Marketing (4 P's), Operations, Staffing, Distribution, Legal issues & Business Ethics.

Crafting the Actor
This course will explore the many skill sets available to the modern actor. The curriculum will contain elements of sounding and movement, script analysis, acting games and exercises, and audition technique, all of which move toward the goal of performing monologues and scenes from the best plays of the modern American theatre.

Creative Writing
This course is an intensive three-week seminar and workshop, designed to encourage and develop students’ skills in writing fiction. Hopefully it will also encourage and develop their skills as readers. We will approach all our work with the notion that creativity breeds intelligence and open-mindedness, and vice-versa, and that writing fiction is a powerful (and fun) way of expressing who we are and how we see the world. The course, therefore, is as much about thinking creatively and critically as it is about the craft of writing. Students will be reading and discussing published fiction and also writing their own fiction, which the class will critique together.

Ecology (Greening the Planet)
This course focuses on biological topics of global scope that directly and/or indirectly affect our lives and those of people in distant nations. The first portion of the course is dedicated to important world health issues and how biological tools can be used to solve problems related to disease and poverty. The second portion introduces students to current debates in the biological community on anthropogenic change, focusing on climate change and land use. Each student will leave the course with an understanding of arguments (pro and con) for each topic, and will be able to synthesize their own opinions in a well-informed manner.

English of the SAT and ACT
This class will teach strategic approach and method for the critical reading, writing, and vocabulary components of the SAT and ACT standardized exams. In addition, students will come away with a college-level knowledge of grammar and gain early exposure to the literary analysis and close reading they will practice in literature courses as undergraduate university students. Students will also be familiarized with advanced composition techniques that help develop strong, proficient essays. After three weeks, each participant will emerge with a developed, personalized study plan and confidence in the English components of the SAT.

International Relations
This course introduces international relations theories and global organizations while investigating the relationship between citizens, governments and global policy. Students also analyze, debate and critique current international challenges from both the US and international perspectives. International Relations culminates in group projects which construct systems of international cooperation against the backdrop of the changed world order since September 11th, 2001.

Japanese Language and Culture
This course is designed for students who want to expand their conversational skills and discuss Japanese culture. This course emphasizes the development of communication skills in various situations such as shopping and traveling in Japan. Most communication in class will be in Japanese and Japanese writing systems (Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji characters) will be used.

Love and Courtship According to Jane Austen
Are you a fan of romantic comedies? Do you prefer happy endings, and wish the world were filled with gentlemen and ladies? During our three weeks together, we will read three of the most popular works by Jane Austen: Northanger Abbey, Pride and Prejudice, and the unforgettable Persuasion. In addition to cultivating analytical and critical writing skills, we will delve into the historical contexts of the period and view various film adaptations. Lastly, as a capstone to our course, we will hold an authentic Regency Ball, complete with period-correct food, costumes, and dancing.

Math You Want To Know
Do you like feeling smarter than everyone else? Students will apply the math and skills they have already learned to critically examine everyday events. Learn how to see through advertising statistics and charts. Learn what the error margin in polls means. Learn how to pick the best deal when buying anything from cars to clothes. Learn how to challenge rather than accept when confronted with statistics and charts. Be a thinker!

Public Speaking
This seminar focuses on research, organization, argumentation, logic, presentation, and critique to develop and present effective ethical speeches and critically evaluate those of others. Students will become more comfortable and competent in a variety of speaking roles.

Summer Robotics
Would you like to know more about what it means to be a Mechanical or Aerospace Engineer? The Summer Robotics course combines the Introduction to Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering lecture and lab (ME 100 & ME 100L), as offered by the Department of Mechanical Engineering. You will learn about the mechanical engineering field by being introduced to: a) the definition and functions of a mechanical engineer, b) the tools and problem solving techniques used at both personal and team levels, and c) the engineering design process via the design, construction and programming of Lego robotic kits. You and fellow students will also work together to create and program a robot that will compete with other robots in a challenge held at the end of SAGE.

Spanish Language and Culture
This course is designed for students who want to expand their conversational skills, deepen their understanding of grammar and literature, and discuss Spanish culture. This course emphasizes the development of communication skills in various situations in Spanish-speaking countries while it refines analytical and writing skills.