Summer Enrichment Course Offerings 2021
Seton Hall Prep Summer Enrichment provides an opportunity for students to advance their progress in math, science, or language, or to broaden or deepen their academic interests through unique electives. Summer Enrichment affords a single focus for students and the relative calm provided by taking one course at a time. The current list of offerings is below.
In late winter and early spring, students seek approval for their selection, obtain signatures on the registration form (found under “Resources” on the mySHP portal), and submit payment to the Assistant Headmaster for Academics (Mrs. Mulvihill’s office). Courses are scheduled in late May, based on registrations received. Some courses may not be scheduled if sufficient registrations are not reached.
ELECTIVES
Japanese Cinema - Dr. Clapham
Western audiences have been fascinated by Japanese films since the end of WWII. Today, these movies are objects of academic study, cultural reference points, and vehicles for the spread of Japanese culture abroad. In this course, students examine Japanese films in varied ways: how the films are produced for a mass market, how Japanese Cinema developed historically, and how these movies function as cultural artifacts. First, students learn how these films are made and how businesses market them. Next, they are exposed to five major genres of Japanese film history: the pre-war period, the Golden Age of Japanese Film, the Japanese New Wave, Anime, and J-Horror. Finally, they research the ways that specific moments in Japanese culture influenced the production and reception of these movies. This course is writing and discussion based. There may be a field trip to New York City involved if the restrictions due to COVID-19 are relaxed.
Developmental Psychology - Mr. Vitale
This course will provide students with an introduction into the field of psychology and will focus specifically on human development. We will analyze each developmental stage using Erik Erikson’s Stages of Development and then discuss the psychology behind decision making and how it influences our development and relationships with others. This course will require students to reflect on their own development and create scenarios based on each developmental stage and how they can address the crises that arise during different parts of the lifespan. We will analyze different films for each developmental stage, utilize online psychology programs, have speakers in the field of Psychology present to the class, and participate in trips. Discussion, journaling, and reflection will also be a major part of this course.
Introduction to Computer Science with Programming in Java, Honors
This Honors level summer course will cover all the topics as our full year Introduction to Computer Science. The course is designed to instruct the novice programmer in the concepts of computer algorithms by examining the Java programming language. The main focus will be on programming as Problem Solving. The structure of the class encourages class participation and allows for focused periods of lab work which will take the place of most homework.
Topics will include: Computer History, Computer Hardware, Number Bases Conversions (Bases 10, 2, 8, 16), Data Basics, Conditionals, Repetition, Methods, Files, Arrays, Graphics Drawing and GUI.
Introduction to Game Coding – Mr. Carlucci
This course is designed for students who have little or no experience with computer programming. The course will be totally project based. Starting with two block-based languages (Scratch and Alice), students will use the basics of coding to create their own unique video games and animations. The last part of the course will use Carnegie Melon’s CS1 introductory course to create programs using Python.
Private Pilot Ground School - Mr. Lace
Have you ever wanted to learn how to fly? The sky is calling. Whether as a professional pilot or volunteer pilot with charitable and service organizations, the need for trained aviators will increase dramatically over the next decade. This course offers an opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of aviation and help prepare you to take the FAA Private Pilot Written Exam on the broader path to receiving your pilot’s license. Instructional methods include daily videos, airplane model construction & demonstrations, flight simulation, reading, field trips to KCDW airport, guest speakers, and class discussion. Assessment methods include presentations and online quizzes & exams. The course also includes a guided tour of as Cessna 172 Skyhawk by a professional flight instructor. In addition, you will be provided information on how to obtain an orientation flight. Your journey "into the wild blue yonder" starts here at Seton Hall Prep in Private Pilot Ground School.
LANGUAGE
Italian II Honors – Mr. Rodriguez
This accelerated second year Italian course is designed for the student who has shown a particular aptitude for the Italian language and is ready for an intensive, immersive experience of the Italian language and culture at Seton Hall Prep. First, students enrolled in this course will review and build upon the fundamentals taught in Italian I. As such, a mastery of the content covered in Italian I is expected at the beginning of this course. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to refine their abilities of oral expression and reading comprehension by expanding their vocabulary and perfecting their grammar. Students will engage in whole-group instruction, paired work, and individual practice with the aim of communicating authentically and confidently in Italian. Culture will be woven into daily classroom instruction through readings and presentations. Successful completion of this Italian II course will allow to student to enroll in Italian III Honors the next fall.
MATH
Precalculus Honors - Mr. Revel
This course will cover all the material that is covered in the Precalculus Honors class that is offered during the year. A student must be current in Honors math and recommended to continue in order to enroll. It will also include a video component that will look at the history and impact of mathematics and technology. The class structure will allow immediate follow up work that will take the place of most homework. This should keep homework to a minimum. Taking this class sets up the current junior for Calculus AP. Taking this class sets up the current sophomore for Calculus AP junior year and Statistics AP senior year. Students with a grade of A or A+ AND perfect attendance may be exempted from the Final Exam at teacher discretion.
Geometry Honors - Mr. Kane
This is a course in Euclidean Geometry including plane and solid Geometry. A student must be current in Honors math and recommended to continue in order to enroll. The students will be exposed to two-column proofs and there will be some applications related to physics. The main objectives of the course are: 1) to teach students basic geometric facts, which will be needed for future math courses and the SAT’s. 2) To be able to solve problems in Geometry. 3) To be able to solve Algebra problems in a Geometry context. 4) To be able to follow a deductive presentation. 5) To realize some of the “real world” applications of Geometry. 6) To be able to construct a proof. 7) To be able to execute right triangle trigonometric problems. The course may also include a math/science related field trip. If time allows, we will even begin some Algebra II. Students with a grade of A or A+ AND perfect attendance may be exempted from the Final Exam at teacher discretion.
Algebra II Honors - Mr. D. Kahney
The Algebra II Honors summer course will cover all the topics our full year Algebra II course masters. A student must be current in Honors math and recommended to continue in order to enroll. The advantage of taking this course in the summer is the student can interact with the material continuously and stay focused on one subject and time restraints present less of a problem so the class moves at an even pace. The structure of the class encourages class participation and allows for a fun learning environment. The reason to take Algebra II Honors in the summer is to keep options open such as Calculus AP and Statistics AP. These advanced math courses may earn the student college credit and are available to be taken senior year if all prerequisites are fulfilled. Students with a grade of A or A+ AND perfect attendance may be exempted from the Final Exam at teacher discretion.
SCIENCE
Marine Biology Honors - Mr. Smircich
This Summer Enrichment course focuses on understanding the dynamic marine environment, which encompasses over 70% of the Earth’s surface. The course examines the biology of marine organisms and the abiotic factors (e.g. nutrients, water currents, and tides) and biotic factors (e.g. competition and predation) that influence their distribution and abundance. Specific topics will include primary and secondary production, rocky intertidal diversity, salt marshes, estuaries, subtidal communities, coral reefs, pelagic and deep-sea communities, and human impacts on the ocean. In addition to classroom lectures, this lab course will involve hands-on activities including numerous dissections, experimental design, and many field trips to marine habitats and aquariums. This course is open to students from all grade levels. It provides an excellent foundation to AP Environmental Science.
Prerequisites: 3.5 final average in the sciences.
Maximum 8 students