

Mission and Values
OUR MISSION
Withinacultureofsupportandcollaboration,MorristownBeardSchoolstudentsdiscoveranddeveloptheirindividual pathwaystoacademicsuccessandpersonalfulfillmentwhilebecomingenlightened,morallyresponsiblecitizensofthe world
OUR VALUES
Thebedrockofourcurriculumistoproviderigorousacademicpreparationforcollegeandbeyond Equally,weencourage allmembersoftheMBScommunitytocultivatealifeguidedbymoralprinciples AtMBS,wevalue:
Personal Responsibility isthefoundationofcharacter Itrequiresintegrity,personalaccountability,andthe highestmoralstandardsinallcommunication,decision-making,andactions
Awareness Of Diverse Perspectives enhancesallaspectsoflearning.Themorestudentsencounter, understand,andrespectotherpointsofview,themoredeeplyengagedtheybecome,bothacademicallyandsocially. Empathyisapowerfulforceincreatingpositiveinteractions
Engagement inallaspectsofschoollifeencouragesrisk-taking,createsamorefulfillingeducationalexperience,and enhancespersonalgrowth
Tenacity isessentialinovercomingobstaclesasitredefinesfailuresasnecessarystepsofthelearningprocess
Independence Of Mind allowsustoquestiontrendyorconformistthinking,andhelpsusasindividualsto examinecriticallyourdecisionsandassumptions
Humor and Humility arecentralcomponentsoftheresiliencerequiredtomeettheinevitablechallengeswe encounternotonlyinschool,butalsoinlife. AtMBS,wevaluetheabilitynottotakeourselvestooseriously,even whenweareengagedinthemostseriousofendeavors.
Curricular Philosophy of MBS
Ensuringthegrowthandwell-beingofourstudentsliesatthecenterofallourdecisionsatMBS.Wemaintaina balancedapproachtorigorousacademics,enrichingco-curricularandextra-curricularactivities,andanengaging familyandcommunitylife. Asstudentspursuetheirindividualpathstoacademicsuccessinourcommunityof learners,theyareguidedbyhighly-dedicatedteacherswhoarefullyversedinthelatesteducationalresearch,with particularemphasisonthefollowingkeypracticesinallsubjectareas:
CRITICAL THINKING facilitatesgreaterunderstandingofcomplextopicsandsituations.Studentslearntoask questions,identifyproblems,synthesizekeyconcepts,anddesigncreativesolutionsinpursuitofknowledge
RISK-TAKING isencouraged Oureducationalprogramrecognizesthisasavalidlearningmodality,evenwhen aninvestigationdoesnotproceedasexpected Playandasenseoffunarekeycomponentsinnurturing appropriateintellectualrisk-taking
WRITING isameansofthinkinganddevelopingthoughts,notjustawaytorecordpre-existingideas Analytic andreflectivewritingshouldnotbetheexclusivedomainofthetraditionaltext-baseddisciplines,butshouldbe activelyencouragedacrossthecurriculum
QUANTITATIVE REASONING isvaluedasameansoflogicalprocessingbothinandbeyondthemath classroom Developingasoundquantitativemindsetiscrucialtounderstanding,critiquing,anddrawing conclusionsinourincreasinglydata-intensiveculture.
INNOVATIVE CONNECTIONS acrossdisciplinesinspireoriginalapproachestosolvingproblemsandprepare studentsforlifebeyondtheclassroom.
The Morristown Beard Advisor System
TheMBSUpperSchooladvisoryservesasa“homebase”forstudentsandfaculty.Itisadailygatheringwherestudents developstrongandsupportiverelationshipswiththeirpeersandafacultymemberwhostrivestoknowthechildbeyond thestudent.Theadvisorysystemfostersstudents’academic,social,andpersonalgrowthandhelpsthemmanagethe demandsof MBS’sacademicandextracurricularprograms.Advisorsserveasmentorswhosupportstudentswhile encouragingthemtoadvocateforthemselvesandbalancetheirvariouscommitments.
Theadvisorservesastheprimaryliaisonbetweenstudent,parent/guardians,andteachers Studentsmeetwiththeiradvisor eachmorningduringadvisorycheck-inandduringweeklyextendedadvisorperiods
Advisorssupporttheiradviseesinnumerousways,includingthefollowing:
● workingwithadviseestosetgoalsandassessprogress
● monitoringcourseselectionsandschedulerequests
● servingasanadvocateinschoolmatters
● showinganinterestinextracurricularandathleticcommitments
● facilitatingadvisorydiscussionsandactivities
● facilitatingparent/guardianconferences
● communicatingwithteachersandparent/guardianswhenneeded
● servingasthefirstpointofcontactwhenissuesarise
Advisorsareavailabletoreceivephonecallsand/oremailsfromparents/guardians,gatherinformation,andexchange informationthatishelpfultostudentswiththeapplicabledean,divisionalhead,applicablecounselor,and parent/guardians
TherearetwoformalmeetingsarrangedinNovemberandAprilforadvisorstomeetwithparents,butparentsmayalsocall oremailadvisorsatanytime Alladvisorsareaskedtowritealetterofintroductiontotheiradvisees'familiesinSeptember Ifaparentcontactsanadvisorwithaquestionaboutaspecificclass,theadvisorshouldasktheparenttocalltheteacherof thecoursedirectly.
Ifparents/guardianshavequestionsabouttheadvisingprocess,theyshouldcontacttheDirectorofStudentActivitiesor HeadofUpperSchool.
Community Service
TheCommunityServiceProgramisanintegralpartoftheMBScurriculum.Eachsemester,UpperSchoolstudentsare requiredtoperformaminimumofeighthoursofcommunityserviceandtowritereflectionsabouttheirexperiences. Failuretosuccessfullycompleteasemestercomponentbythedeadlineresultsinafailinggradeforthatterm,whichwill remainpermanentlyonthetranscript.Thestudentwill,however,stillberequiredtocompleteeighthoursofservice successfullyforthatsemester.Onceastudenthascompletedall16hoursofservice,alongwiththereflections,thestudent willreceiveaPassgradeforthefinalyear-endgrade
Inordertograduate,seniorsmustsuccessfullycompletetheirCommunityServiceprogram
Global Studies
MissionStatement:TheMBSGlobalStudiesProgramiscommittedtofosteringacommunityofglobally-mindedindividuals byempoweringstudentswithdiverseandenrichingglobalexperiences.Throughimmersivelearningandmeaningful community-buildingopportunities,weaimtoignitecuriosity,nurturecompassion,andinstillasenseofresponsibilityinevery student.Ourmissionistocultivatewell-rounded,thoughtfulcitizensoftheworld,whoareequippedtonavigatethecomplexities ofourinterconnectedglobalsocietywithunderstanding,empathy,andacommitmenttopositivechange.
MorristownBeardSchooloffersnumerouscultural,curricular,andservicetripsabroadeachyear,providingstudentsaccess torich,academiclearningexperiencesoutsideoftheclassroom Ourfaculty-ledspringandsummertripsallowstudentsto broadentheirhorizons,connectmeaningfullywithdiversecultures,anddeepentheirlearningbeyondtheclassroom WhethertravelingabroadorexploringwithintheUnitedStates,MBSstudentsventureoutwithpurpose,reflectwith insight,andreturnwithastrongerconnectiontotheworldaroundthem
FinancialaidquestionsshouldbedirectedtotheDirectorofEnrollment
MorristownBeardSchoolalsopartnerswithnumerousoutsidevendors,offeringourUpperSchoolstudentsan opportunitytostudyabroadforasemester,ayear,orasummer PleaserefertotheFamilyHandbookforadditional informationonpoliciesandproceduresrelatedtotheMBSStudyAbroadProgram
ServicetripsinyearspasthaveincludedHabitatforHumanitybuildsinNorthCarolina,SouthCarolina,Alabama,and Florida.StudentshavealsotraveledinternationallytositessuchastheDominicanRepublicandPanamatoprovideservice tolocalvillages.
SeethewebsiteformoreinformationaboutourGlobalStudiesProgram.
Senior Project
TheSeniorProjectisacapstoneexperienceandagraduationrequirement AspartofMBS’sefforttopowerfullyprepare ourstudentsforlearningandlife,ourseniorsaretaskedwithdiscoveringanddelvingintoanareaofinterestbeyondour standardcurriculum Theycanexplorecareeroptions,service-orientedendeavors,academicprojectsorcreativeprojects
Itconsistsoffourmajorelements:
● Findingaproject,settingitup,andgettingitapproved
● Spendingtimeon-siteinareal-worldenvironment
● CompilingacomprehensivewrittenFieldJournal
● Deliveringanoralpresentationattheproject’sconclusion EachofthesefourmajorelementsmustbesuccessfullycompletedforthestudenttopasstheSeniorProject
Upper School Programs & Courses
Ourcurriculumoffersarigorousacademicprogramtochallengeeverystudentandsatisfyabroadrangeofinterests. MBSstudentscanalsoparticipateinanarrayofco-curricularoptionstogainadeeperunderstandingofthemselveswhile contributingtothecommunitybeyond.
Weencourageourstudentstotakerisks,toengagedeeplyinlearning,andtobecomeindependentthinkers.AtMBS,we teachthevaluesandhabitsofmindthatwebelievewillprepareyoungpeoplenotonlyforsuccessincollege,butalsofor livesofmeaningandfulfillment.
Academic Departments, Courses, and Requirements
Theschoolyearconsistsoftwo16-weeksemesters.Studentsarerequiredtotakeaminimumofsixcoursespersemester. Seniorsmustpassalloftheircoursestograduate.Exceptionstoanyoftheacademicrequirementslistedbelowmustbe approvedbytheHeadofUpperSchool.
Studentsgenerallygobeyondtheseminimumrequirementsinpursuitoftheiracademicinterests,andweencouragethem todoso
Ouracademicdepartmentsandasamplingoftheirrelatedcourses/electivesarelistedbelowalongsideacademic requirementsforallstudentsattheSchool
Course Requirements
English
4years
Math 3years(IntegratedMath1,2,3)
History
Science
3years
3yearslaboratoryscienceswithnorepeat
Arts 2yearsfulfilledthroughtheArtandDesignorPerformingArtsProgram
WorldLanguage 3consecutiveyearsofthesamelanguage
Wellness
Wellness9(fullyear);Wellness10(onesemester),IntegrativeHealth (onesemester),WellnessElective(onesemesteringrade11or12)
Classof2025only:Wellness9(oneyear),Wellness10(onesemester),Integrative Health11
Theminimumnumberofgraduationcreditsis24 Themajorityofstudentsgraduatewith28credits
Upper School Signature Programs and Practices
TheUpperSchoolatMBSfeaturesanever-evolvinggroupofSignatureProgramsbuiltuponforward-thinkingacademic research.Wecontinuallyseektopushtheboundariesofourteachingandlearning,andourSignatureProgramsreflectthis commitment.OurSignatureProgramsareanimportantreasonwhyourstudentsreporthighlevelsofpreparedness(and consequently,achievement)throughcollegeandbeyond.
Advanced Topics
MBSfacultycreateamenuofAdvancedTopicsforseniorsandselectedjuniorsthatequalorexceedAPcoursesintermsof conceptualchallenge,complexityofmaterial,developmentofcriticalskillsandoverallpreparationforcollegeacademics. Theyarethereforeamongthemostacademicallyrigorouscoursesweoffer.Thesecourses,whichareonesemester,are proposedbyfacultywithaparticularinterestandexpertiseinagivenfieldandaresubjecttoathoroughpeer-review process,overseenbyacommitteeofexperiencedteacherswithcollegeteachingbackgrounds,beforebeingauthorizedbythe School.Theseminarformatpromotescriticalthoughtanddiscussion,requiresstudentstoworkindependentlyandis flexibleenoughtoencompassabroadrangeofcoursethemes InallAdvancedTopicscourses,thelevelofreading,writing andcriticaldiscussionequalsthatfoundinafirst-yearcollegecourse AdvancedTopicscoursesareinterdisciplinary,small, andenrollmentisbypermissionoftheinstructor
Advanced Topics Offerings
StudentswishingtotakeanAdvancedTopicscoursemustsubmitacompletedquestionnaireandagradedwritingsample totherelevantinstructor.Interviewsmayberequired.
Color Science (11, 12)
Thiscourseinvestigatesthescienceofcolorperception,colorappearanceandcolorantmixture,throughtheduallens ofpsychophysicsandartmaking Studentswillexploretheroleoflightincolorperception,howtheeyeandbrain constructcolorpercepts,andhowthematerialattributesofcolorants(paints,inks,etc)affectthewaytheircolorsmix Throughcriticalreadings,labworkandstudiowork,studentswillstudythewayscientistsmathematicallymodeland measurecolorappearance,predictcolorantmixtureresults,andmodelharmoniccolorrelationships.Inacapstone project,thestudentswillapplytheirlearninginlarge,abstract“colorfield”paintings.
Whoisitfor?Juniorsandseniorswithinterestsinneuroscience,psychology,criminaljusticeseekingchallengingand interdisciplinaryacademicexperience.
Conspiracy Theories: Why We Believe (11, 12)
Themoonlandingswerefaked!TheJFKassassinationwasaCIAinsidejob!VaccinescauseAutism!Alienslandedin Area51!TheEarthisflat!QAnon!Birdsaren’treal!NewJerseydrones!ThisAdvancedTopics(AT)coursedelvesinto thepsychology,science,andsocialimpactofconspiracytheories.Ituncoversthefactorsthatmaketheseideasso compellingandoffersarigorousexplorationofhowandwhytheydevelop.Studentswillbeexposedtologicasa scientificdiscipline,learningtoapplylogicalreasoningandcriticalanalysistoevaluateclaims,dissectarguments,and
assesstheevidencebehindcontentiousideas.Thecourseequipsstudentswiththetoolstoapproachcontroversial topicswithskepticismandanalyticalrigorwhilemaintainingempathyfordifferingviewpoints.
Whoisitfor?Juniorsandseniorswhoarecuriousaboutscience,psychology,andadvanceddiscussionsonhuman behaviorandbeliefsystems
German Stories, Global Questions (11, 12)
ThisAdvancedTopics(AT)courseoffersanintroductiontotheGermanlanguagewhileexploringGermany’scultural andsocietalimpact ThroughcriticallyacclaimedfilmslikeDasLehrerzimmerandtheiconicTVseriesTatort, studentswillexaminethemesofidentity,community,andsocialchange Languageinstructionfocusesondeveloping communicationskillstonavigatebasicinteractionsanddiscusspersonalandacademictopicsinGerman.By combininglanguageacquisitionwithculturalanalysis,thiscourseequipsstudentstoapproachglobalissueswitha criticalandinformedperspective.
Whoisitfor?Juniorandseniors–studentsinterestedinglobalculturesandadvanced,interdisciplinarystudiesof languageandsociety.
Italian Language and Architects of Humanism (11, 12)
ThisAdvancedTopics(AT)courseimmersesstudentsintheItalianlanguagewhileexploringthehumanisticandartistic achievementsoffigureslikeDante,LeonardodaVinci,andMichelangelo.Inarigorous,fullyimmersivesetting,students willdevelopproficiencyinspeaking,listening,reading,andwritingItalian.Throughculturalanalysis,studentswillengage withItaly’shistory,geography,andtraditions,exploringhowitsintellectuallegacycontinuestoshapethemodernworld. ThecoursechallengesstudentstoconnectlanguagelearningwithcriticaldiscussionsonItaly’ssocio-culturalcontextand artisticheritage.
Whoisitfor?JuniorsandseniorswithapassionforworldlanguagesandculturewhohaveexcelledinanotherRomance language
Medicine: Analysis and Decision (11, 12)
ThisAdvancedTopics(AT)courseoffersarigorousinvestigationintotheintersectionofscience,healthcare,andpublic policy.Studentswillexplorethescientificunderpinnings,policydecisions,andlessonslearnedfromhistoricalcasessuchas thethalidomidetragedyandtheTuskegeestudy Throughcasestudies,studentswillanalyzecomplexdata,engagein evidence-baseddecision-making,andsynthesizetheirfindingsintoprofessionalpresentations Thecoursesharpenscritical thinkingskillsandpreparesstudentstotacklereal-worldproblemsinmedicineandpolicy
Whoisitfor?Juniorsandseniorswithinterestsinhealthcare,science,orpolicy,seekingachallengingandinterdisciplinary academicexperience
Neurocriminology (11, 12)
Whatdrivesapersontocommitacrime:biology,psychology,orsociety?Inthiscourse,studentswillexplorethescientific foundationsofcriminalbehaviorthroughneuroscience,genetics,andbehavioralresearch Theywillanalyzeempirical studies,interpretneuroimagingdata,andevaluatetheroleofpersonalityandpsychoticdisordersinviolentordeviantacts, whilealsoconfrontingtheethicalandlegalquestionsthatsurroundresponsibilityandpunishment.Throughoutthe semester,studentswillexaminebrainscansofoffenders,exploregeneticlinkstoaggressionandimpulsivity,andconsider howdisorderssuchasschizophreniaorantisocialpersonalitydisorderrelatetocriminalbehavior.Byengagingwithresearch acrossneuroscience,psychology,genetics,andsociology,studentswilldevelopamultidisciplinaryunderstandingofwhy someindividualsoffend,andwhyothers,eveninsimilarcircumstances,donot.Theywillleavethecoursethinkinglike scientificinvestigatorsofhumanbehavior,usingevidencefromthebrain,mind,andenvironmenttounderstandwhy peopleoffend
Whoisitfor?Juniorsandseniorswithinterestsinneuroscience,psychology,criminaljusticeseekingchallengingand interdisciplinaryacademicexperience
Advanced Studies Program & Advanced Placement
AdvancedStudiescourses:Inanefforttoprovidearigorousalternativetothestandardizedcurriculumandtesting ofAdvancedPlacement(AP)courses,theUpperSchooloffersasuiteofdiscipline-specific,year-longAdvanced Studies(AS)coursesthatequalorexceedAPcoursesintermsofconceptualchallenge,complexityofmaterial, developmentofcriticalskillsandoverallpreparationforcollegeacademics.
AS AND AP COURSES ARE HOUSED WITHIN DEPARTMENTS AND INCLUDE:
ArtandDesign
ComputationalandInformation Sciences
English
HistoryandSocialScience
APStudioArt
ASComplexSystemsScience
ASLiteraryStudiesinAmerican Voices
ASModernistLiterature
ASEconomics
Mathematics
Science
Wellness
WorldLanguage
ASOrganicChemistry ASPhysics
ASGenderandPowerinLatin Literature inalternatingyearswith
ASRomanLiteratureoftheGolden Age
APEnglishLiteratureand Composition
APUnitedStatesHistory
APEuropeanHistory APUnitedStatesGovernmentand Politics
APStatistics APCalculusAB APCalculusBC
APBiology APChemistry
APPsychology
APFrenchLanguage APSpanishLanguage
Earned Honors Model
MBSrecognizesthatatthecoreofbeingan“Honors”studentiswillingness,commitment,andpassion,andthatthosecan onlyemanatefromastudent.Accordingly,theMBS“EarnedHonors”programgivesstudentstheagencyandautonomyto decideforthemselveswhethertheyviewthemselvesasan“Honors”studentinaclassordiscipline.Iftheydo,theyare committingtotakingonextraindependenceintheirlearning,todedicatingthemselveswithspecialpatiencetotheprocess eachdisciplinedemands,andtostrivingtoapplytheskillsofadisciplinewithahighlevelofsophistication.
Ratherthantellstudentsthattheyshouldviewthemselvesas“honorstudents,”theEarnedHonorsprogramMBSasks studentstoembracethatidentityforthemselves,andthenholdsthemaccountabletoacorrespondingsetofstandardsand criteria ThecriteriaareenumeratedintheMBS“HonorsStudentProfile,”whichholdsacrosstheschool,forallHonors students,evenasitfindsvariousinterpretationsfromdepartmenttodepartment Itisintendedtoclarifyforstudentsthe habitsofmindthatdistinguishlearningatanHonorslevel:
MBS Honors Student Profile
Astudentearninghonorsconsistentlydemonstrates:
● Enhancedinvestmentinthelearningsituationsofaparticulardiscipline:
● Patiencewithstruggleduringaprocess(includingreadinesstoencounterdiscomfort,ambiguity,anduncertainty);
● Independentinitiativeinapplyingsophisticatedskillstonovel,open-ended,andcomplexproblems
Attheendofthesemester,studentsaregradedformasteryofadisciplineregardlessofwhethertheyareearninghonors Butstudentsearninghonorsareconsistentlyconfrontedwithlearningsituations,includingassessments,projects, homework,andclassactivities,demandingenhancedengagement,independentinitiative,andpatiencewithstruggleduring aprocess Thoselearningsituationswillsometimesinvolveadditionalworkandsometimesinvolvegreatercomplexitywith lessteacherscaffolding
InEarnedHonorscourses,studentsandfacultysignacontractcommittingthemselvestoearning“Honors”inmid-fall Duringthefirstpart oftheyear,teachersgivestudentstheopportunitytoattemptassessmentsattheHonorslevel,gaining asenseforwhatearning“Honors”meansinaparticularclass. Fortheremainderoftheyear,theyareheldtoHonors criteriaintheirworkinandoutoftheclassroom.
Humanities Program
TheMBSUpperSchoolhumanitiesprogramisanapproachtoteachingthatasksstudentstoplacethestudyof History,EnglishandWorldLanguagesindialogue,recognizingthatthesedisciplinesallowustointerrogateand makesenseofthehumanexperience.Bythinkingcriticallyandcreatively,studentsinvestigateculturesand communitiesaroundtheworldandacrosstime,whiletracingthethreadsthathaveshapedhistory.Emphasizing multiculturalawarenessandperspectives,thehumanitiesprogramurgesstudentstobringtherichnessofthe worldintofocus.
Theprogramemphasizesanalyticalandcreativemodesofwriting,patternrecognition,presentations, inquiry-basedlearning,closereading,developingandhoningargumentsandexplanations,discerningunderlying connections,andpracticingcivildiscoursethroughdiscussion-drivencoursework.
Independent Studies
TheIndependentStudyProgramatMBSprovidesstudentswithauniqueopportunitytoexploreanareaof academicinterestthatfallsoutsideofthecoursecatalogwithafacultymemberwithexpertiseinthesubject. Workingwiththeirfacultymentor,studentsdevelopacourseofstudythatincludeslearningobjectives,readings, assignments,andmethodsofassessment Attheconclusionofthesemester,studentsarerequiredtopresenttheir work Studentsreceivelettergradesandcreditfortheirindependentstudy
Tobeconsideredforanindependentstudy,studentsmustfollowtheapplicationprocessestablishedbytheOffice oftheAcademicDeans Independentstudiesarenotguaranteedandaresubjecttothefollowingrequirements:
1 Studentsmustdemonstrateindependencethroughouttheapplicationprocessandthecourse Theyare responsibleformeetingdeadlinesandschedulingmeetingtimes
2 Studentsmustcontactandmeetwiththeirfacultymentorinperson beforetheendoftheadd/drop period Failuretodosowillresultincancellationoftheindependentstudy
3 Studentsmustbeingrade11or12toundertakeanindependentstudy
4 StudentsmaycompleteonlyoneindependentstudyduringtheirtimeatMBS,althoughtheyare encouragedtocontinuepursuingtheiracademicintereststhroughotheropportunities
FinalapprovalofindependentstudyproposalsrestswiththeOfficeoftheAcademicDeans.
Recent topics include:
ActingTechniques
AquaponicSystems
ArtTherapy
AugmentedReality
Biokinetics
CampusEnergy
CO2Sequestration
CoralReefEcosystems
CosmeticChemistry
DeductiveLogic
Dermatology
ElectronicDanceMusic
EMDRTherapy
EthicsinHealthcareAccess
FabricatedProtein
FinancialModeling
FoodInsecurity
InvestmentAnalysis
MollyfishGenetics
NumberTheory
Pre1960sWorldCinema
Science&theGlassCeiling
Singing&VocalTechnique
SportsLaw,EthicsandtheNIL
The08’Fallout-WallandMainstreet
Yemen'sCivilWarCrisis
Voiceover&MusicProduction
Interdisciplinary Concentrations Program
TheInterdisciplinaryConcentrationsProgram(ICP)offerspathwaysforstudentseagertoexploreanaspectoftheworld thattranscendssingleclasses,disciplines,andextracurricularpursuits.Studentsmayapplyforanyoneoffour ConcentrationpathwaysattheendoftheirFreshmanyears:“ArtsandInnovation,”"DataAnalysis&ResearchMethods," “Ethics,Leadership,andJustice,"and“Sustainability.”
Workingweeklywithaconcentrationadvisorandcohortofpeers,studentswillprogressthroughSophomore,Junior,and Senioryearcommittingtocommunityserviceopportunities,electives,discussions,retreats,andindependentprojectsthat furthertheirjourneydownaConcentrationpathwayintothecomplexitiesofourtwenty-firstcenturyworld
CoursesthatareaffiliatedwiththeICPpathwaysareidentifiedattheendofeachdepartment'scourselistingbelow
Centers for Learning
Decadesofacademicresearchhighlighttheimportanceofbothmeaningfulteacher-studentengagementandhighly experientiallearningintheintellectualgrowthofyoungpeople Accordingly,MorristownBeardSchoolhasthoughtfully createdfourCentersforLearningtobestengenderthehigh-leveldevelopmentofseveralessentialskillsinyourchild
CAW: The Center for Academic Writing actsasasupportsystemforstudents,and,inconcertwithourphilosophy, allowsthestudents,themselves,totakeonanimportantleadershiproleoncampusaswritingtutorsinthecenter
CTL: The Center for Teaching & Learning empowersallstudentstobetterunderstandthemselvesandtheirown learningstorieswhile,atthesametime,developingstudents’self-advocacyandself-efficacy
CID: The Center for Innovation & Design providesmorethan8,000squarefeetofflexibleandinnovativespace wherestudentsdesign,build,andproblemsolveastheyengageinmultidisciplinaryprojects
CQR: The Center for Quantitative Reasoning providesawarm,welcomingspaceforstudentsseekingassistance orextrapracticeonspecificmathematicaltopicsonadrop-inorappointmentbasis.
Department and Course Listings
ThelistingsbelowrepresentcoursesthattheSchoolhasofferedforthe2026-2027academicyear.Itmaynotreflectchanges thataremadeduetoenrollmentorstaffing.Whilemanyofthesecoursesareofferedonanannualbasis,theSchoolmakes changestoitscurricularofferingseachyear.
ART & DESIGN
Mission Statement: ArtandDesignisamulti-disciplinaryprogram,providingstudentsthetechnology,resourcesand mind-settocreativelymovefromabstracttoartifact.
UpperSchoolArtandDesignisamulti-disciplinaryprogram Thedisciplineofdesignthinkingcomprisesthecoreofthe program,andthepedagogicalfocusstressespersonalcreativity,collaboration,teambuilding,problemsolving,storytelling andmediaauthorship Usingeithertraditionalmediaorcomputersasfundamentaltools,movingfrom“abstract”through “artifact,”studentsareencouragedtoadopta“design”mentalityandseehands-onprojectworkasaunified,connected activityheldtogetherbysomeformof"narrative"orstory-themestructure Studentsareencouragedtodevelopand discovernewskills,takeprideintheircreationsandacquirearespectandappreciationfortheworkoftheirpeersandother designersandartists

ENTRY-LEVEL COURSES
Foundations: Digital (9, 10, 11, 12)
Foundations:Digitalisopentoninth-gradersandtenth-gradersinterestedinpursuingdigitalgraphicdesignand maker-spacecourses.Theclasswilldevelopstudents’skillsinvisualproblem-solving,perspective,thedesignthinking process,ideationandcommunicatingthroughsketching Studentswilllearnhowtoapplytheprinciplesofartanddesign, includingcomposition,balance,emphasis,value,lineandcolortheory Inaddition,studentswillapplytheseskillsin digital-mediaprojects Skillscoveredwillincludedrawingontablets,workingwithvirtuallayers,vectordrawing,file management,andothercomponentsofdigitalliteracyandmediaauthoring
Foundations: Studio (9, 10, 11, 12)
Foundations:Studioisforninth-gradersandtenth-graderswithastronginterestinpursuingstudioarts. Theclasswill developstudents’skillsinvisualproblem-solving,perspective,thedesignthinkingprocess,ideationandcommunicating throughsketching.Studentswilllearnhowtoapplytheprinciplesofartanddesign,includingcomposition,balance, emphasis,value,lineandcolortheory.Inaddition,studentswillapplytheseskillsintraditional-mediaprojects.Skills coveredwillincludepaintmixing,shadingwithdryandwetmedia,andenlargementusinggrids.
INTERMEDIATE COURSES
The Anatomy of Building (10, 11, 12)
Buildfullscalepartsofbuildingswithrealconstructiontools!Thiscourseisforthestudentinterestedinlearning aboutthebuildingandconstructionindustryandhowscienceplaysalargeroleinsustainableconstruction materialsinthe21stcentury Inthisclass,studentswillbuildscalemodelsthenuserealconstructiontechniques toconstructactualbuildingcomponents,likewallsandroofs,thendesignexperimentstoevaluatehowtheywork Topicsincludestructuralengineering,sciencebehindmodernbuildingmaterials,sustainablebuildings,livingoff ofthegrid,howtoconstructabuildingtoresistnature’selements
Prerequisites:Foundations:DigitalorStudio
Architectural Design Studio (10, 11, 12)
Inthishands-onproject-basedcoursehostedinthemakerspaceclassroom,studentswillworkinastudioenvironment onanumberofdesignchallengesastheyapplytothearchitecturaldesignprocess.Studentswillworkindependently andcollaborativelytoproduceatheoreticalarchitecturalinstallationrepresentedbyarchitecturaldrawingandmodel making.Studentswillproceedthroughthreeprimaryprojectsastheybuildskillsinhands-ondrafting,modelmaking and3dmodeling.Studentswillalsolookatvariouscasestudiesofarchitecture,bridgedesign,structuralengineeringand sustainabilitytoinformtheirdesignsastheyadvancetheirwork.
Prerequisites:Foundations:DigitalorStudio,DepartmentalRecommendation
Architectural Modeling (10, 11, 12)
Studentswillutilizetechniquesinhands-onmodelmakingand3Ddesignsoftwaretoexploreconceptsrelatedto currenttrendsin3-dimensionalfabricationandrapidprototyping Inadditiontobuildingskillsin3Dmodeling software,studentswillinvestigatetheconstantlyexpandingprofessionalapplicationsof3Dprintingandapply
thoseconceptstotheirownwork.Theywilllearnhowtopush3Dprintingtoitslimitstomaximizeefficiencyin timeandmaterialuse.Thecourseculminateswithafinalprojectwherestudentsresearchmodulartoyslike “Legos”orK’nex”,thendesignandbuildtheirowncustominterconnectingsystemofpartsutilizingtheunique propertiesof3Dmodelingandprinting.
Prerequisites:Foundations:DigitalorStudio
Artisan Sculpture Studio (10, 11, 12)
ArtisanSculptureStudioisahands-onstudiocoursethatintroducesstudentstoavarietyofsculpturalprocesses andmaterials,includingreedbasketweaving,glassmosaicdesign,terrazzocasting,andbasicwoodfurniture construction.Throughfocusedinstructionandproject-basedlearning,studentsdeveloptechnicalskillswhile exploringthecreativepossibilitiesofthree-dimensionalform,craftsmanship,andmaterialmanipulation
Emphasisisplacedonproblem-solving,designthinking,andthesafeandeffectiveuseoftoolsandequipment
Thecourseencouragesexperimentation,perseverance,andcreativerisk-takingwhilehelpingstudentsbuild confidenceintransformingrawmaterialsintofunctionalandartisticobjects
Prerequisites:Foundations:DigitalorStudio
Ceramics (10, 11, 12)
Thiscourseexploresbothhandbuildingtechniques(pinch,coilandslab)andthepotter'swheel Studentswill learnaboutglazesanddifferentmethodsofapplicationandwillhavetheopportunitytousevarioustypesof high-fireclay Theywillberesponsiblefortheloadingandunloadingofthekilnandwillgainanunderstandingof howtodoafiring Scheduledtimeonthepotter'swheelisbuiltintothecourseforeachstudent Thiscourseis opentoallUpperSchoolstudentswithcreativityandimaginationandwhodonotmindgettingalittle"messy!"
Prerequisites:Foundations:DigitalorStudio
Digital Illustration (10, 11, 12)
DigitalIllustrationexploresdigitaldrawingandartusingWacomdrawingtablets,AdobePhotoshop,theiPad, andProcreate Studentsareencouragedtoseekcreativewaysofusingtechnologytoprepareprojectsand assignments ElementsofDesign,PrinciplesofArt,drawingtechniques,colortheoryandadrawingtabletskillset arethemainfocusesofthisclass ThecoresoftwareforthisclassareAdobePhotoshopandProcreate The hardwareusedisWacomIntuostablets,WacomCintiqs,andiPads
Prerequisites:Foundations:DigitalorStudio
Digital Photography (10, 11, 12)
Thisintroductorycourseisforanystudentwithastronginterestinphotography Thecoursewillgobeyond fundamentalpoint-and-shoottechniquestoprovideadeeperunderstandingandopentherealmofpossibilities availableinthedigitalmedium Topicsandprojectscoveredmayincludeequipmentuse,aperture,shutterspeed, composition,focalpoints,contrastandlightingaswellasthemessuchasportraiture,natureandmotionamong others Abasicknowledgeofdigitalcamerasishelpful,butnotnecessary Inordertoenrollinthecourse,students mustprovidetheirowndigitalcameras
Prerequisites:Foundations:DigitalorStudio
Engineering and Product Design (10, 11, 12)
Bringyourideastolifeasyouuseourmakerspacemachinestodesignandbuildyourownproductswith permanentmaterialslikewoodandacrylic.Inthisclass,studentswilllearnsoftwarethatallowsthemtodrawlike professionalengineers.Theywillexploretrendsandtechniquesinproductdesign,engineeringandfabricationas theymovethroughaseriesofprojectswheretheywillcreate,testandimproveuponprototypes,thenbuildafinal product.Theclasswillculminateinafinalprojectofastudent'sowndesign,balancedinbothformandfunction. Eachprojectwillbeproduceddigitallywithvarioushands-onelements.
Prerequisites:Foundations:DigitalorStudio
Fiber Arts (10, 11, 12)
FiberArtsisanintermediateartanddesignclass,whichexplorestextileandfiberartsthroughhands-on craftsmanshipandmodernfabrication.Inthissemester-longclassstudentswillexperimentwithpapermaking, dyeing,weaving,stitching,andsurfacedesign,whileincorporatingmoderntoolslike3Dprinting.Thiscourse blendshistoricaltechniqueswithcontemporaryapproachestodevelopbothcreativeandtechnicaltextileskills.
Prerequisites:Foundations:DigitalorStudio
Glass Design (10, 11, 12)
Glassdesignisanintermediatecourseinwhichstudentsdesignandfabricateartpiecesthroughthemediumof glass.ThisclassalsoservesastheprerequisiteforAdvancedGlassDesign.Thissemester-longcourseexplores techniquesinstainedglass,mosaics,andglassfusingwhileintegratingdigitaldesignandfabrication.Thefocusof thiscoursewillbeonthedesignprocessasstudentsdevelopandrefinetheirconceptsthroughbothhand-drawn anddigitalplanningbeforebringingthemtolife.
Graphic Design & Marketing (10, 11, 12)
GraphicDesign&Marketingexploresproblem-solvingthroughtheuseofphotography,illustrations,anddigital tools.Studentsbreakdownimagesintomorebasicconceptsandthumbnailstobetterunderstandminimalism andtheroleitplaysinlogosandmarketingforbusinessesintoday’sage.Studentsexplorecolorpsychologyand theimportanceofcolorpaletteswhenusedinabusinesssetting.Elementsofdesignandlayoutareexploredinthe piecesthestudentsproduceandtheyaregiventheopportunitytoworkonpiecesathomeandinschool.This classusestheAppleComputers,Wacomdrawingtablets,iPads,AdobePhotoshopandProcreate.
Prerequisites:Foundations:DigitalorStudio
Interactive Media Design (10, 11, 12)
InteractiveMediaDesignisanintermediatecourseinwhichstudentsengageingraphicdesignfromamedia standpoint.Thisclassintroducesstudentstocontemporaryscreen-basedstorytellinganduser-engagement techniques.WorkinginplatformslikeAdobeCreativeCloud,Figma,Procreate,andAffinity,studentswilllearn howmotionanduserexperienceshapethemediatheyencountereveryday.Throughhands-onprojectsincluding motiongraphics,interactiveposters,short-formvideos,andintroductory-levelapporwebexperiences,students willexplorehowdesignchoicesinfluenceclarity,engagement,andusability Thecourseemphasizesiterative
prototyping,storytelling,anddesigningwithanaudienceinmind.Bytheendofthesemester,studentswillhavea portfolioofdynamic,screen-readyworkandastrongfoundationinthevisualskillsthatdrivemoderncontent creation,digitalcommunication,andemergingmediacareers.
Prerequisites:GraphicDesign&Marketing(canalsoserveascorequisite)
Painting and Drawing (10, 11, 12)
PaintingandDrawing,formallyArt2,isayear-longintermediatelevelcourseinwhichstudentscontinueto developtheirpaintinganddrawingskillsthroughsustainedpractices,observationalstudies,andexperimentation withnewmedia.Thisclassexploresawiderangeoftraditionalmedia:includingpenandink,watercolor,charcoal, coloredpencil,andmixedmedia,whiledevelopinggreatercontrolofline,value,color,composition,andform.
Prerequisites:Foundations:DigitalorStudio
Printmaking (10, 11, 12)
Printmakingisthereproductionofimagesthroughimpressingaplateorblockintoapaperortextile.Thiscourse, opentostudentsofallskilllevels,willintroducestudentstothedesignprocess,materialsandproductionmethods associatedwithprintmaking.Somebasicsketchingisnecessaryforplanningprojects,butdrawingskillisnota majorpartofPrintmaking.Rather,studentsshouldcomewithawillingnesstorepeataprintmultipletimesto improveresults Craftsmanshipisstressedaboveallelse Projectsmayincludelinoleumprinting(singleblock, multipleblock,orreduction),silkscreen,monoprint,ornon-toxicetchingmethods
Prerequisites:Foundations:DigitalorStudio
ADVANCED-LEVEL COURSES
Advanced Ceramics (10, 11, 12)
AdvancedCeramicswillinvitestudentstodivemoredeeplyintotheculturalartofceramics Studentswillbuild ontheskillsthattheylearnedinCeramicstomakelarger,moreambitiouspieces ProjectsmayincludeAfrican masks,GrecianUrnswithaSgraffitodesign,EgyptianCanopicJarswithaflangeandgallery,HexagonalVases, andasetofpiecesinspiredbya2-dimensionalartist
Prerequisites:Ceramics
Advanced Glass Design (10, 11, 12)
AdvancedGlassDesignisanadvancedcourseinwhichstudentsexpandandrefinetheirskillsinglassasbotha materialandadesignmedium BuildingontechniquesintroducedinGlassDesign,studentspursuemore complexandself-directedprojectsinstainedglass,mosaics,andglassfusing,withanemphasisoncraftsmanship, technicalmastery,andconceptualdevelopment Thissemester-longcoursechallengesstudentstoworkatahigher levelofindependence,engaginginaniterativedesignprocessthatincludesin-depthresearch,advanced hand-drawnanddigitalplanning,prototyping,andcritique Studentsareencouragedtoexplorepersonalvoice, scale,andexperimentationwhileintegratingdigitaldesignandfabricationtoolstosupporttheirwork.
Prerequisites:GlassDesign
Advanced Painting and Drawing (11, 12)
AdvancedPaintingandDrawing,formallyArt3andArt4,isarepeatable,advancedlevelstudiocourseforjuniors andseniorsseekingtodeepenandrefinetheirstudioartpractices Thiscoursebuildsonskillsdevelopedin intermediatepaintinganddrawing,whileallowingstudentstopursuemoreindependent,concept-drivenwork. Studentsengageinadvancedtopicssuchascolortheory,figuredrawing,andcompositionaldevelopment,while expandingtheirmaterialknowledgethroughtheintroductionofadvancedmedia,includingoilpainting.This coursealsoservesastheprimarypathwayforstudentsinterestedinportfoliodevelopmentorenrollmentinAP Art,emphasizingsustainedinvestigation,critique,andpersonalartisticvoice.
Prerequisites:Art2/PaintingandDrawing
AP Studio Art (11, 12)
APStudioArtisintendedforhighlymotivatedjuniorsandseniorscommittedtotheseriousstudyofartata collegiatelevel Theendresultisatwo-partportfolioof17-20piecessubmittedtoEducationalTestingServicefor anAPgrade Therearethreechoicesforportfoliodevelopment(DrawingPortfolio,Two-DimensionalDesign PortfolioorThree-DimensionalPortfolio)andeachoftheseisdividedintotwoequallyweightedsections: SelectedWorks(Quality),andSustainedInvestigation(Concentration) Writtenstatementsarealsorequiredfor eachsectionofthefinalportfolio
Prerequisites:departmentalrecommendationandportfolioreview
Interactive Architecture (11, 12)
ThisadvanceddesignstudioliesattheintersectionofDesign,Art,ScienceandEngineering Studentswillbring theirvariedcreativeexperienceandworkinbothhandsanddigitallyinacollaborativestudioenvironment They willspendafullyearworkingonaseriesoflarge-scaleteam-basedprojectsthatincorporatealloftheirprerequisite skillsandexperience ThismayincludeelementsofArt,Architecture,Engineering,GraphicDesign,Glass& MetalWorkandDigitalFabricationastheyrelatetoorinteractwiththehumanuser/viewer Studentswillbuild theprogramanddesignprocessthemselves Theirinspirationwillcomefromtheworldaroundus,possibly elementsofnatureorscience Projectsmaybelocatedindoorsoroutdoors Theymaytaketheformofart installationsorbuiltstructureslikepavilions,sculpture,mechanicaldevicesorevenfurniture Atthecoreofallof theseoptionsandrespectivedisciplinesisthecommonthreadofhumanexperienceandinteraction Prerequisites:Foundationsand2semestersofArt&Designelectives
ICP AFFILIATIONS
TheArt&DesigncourseslistedbelowareaffiliatedwithourICPconcentrations: Arts&Innovation:ArtisanToolsandTechniques,DigitalPhotography,ArchitecturalDesignStudio, Ceramics,DigitalIllustration,Art4,APStudioArt,InteractiveArchitecture DataAnalysis&ResearchMethods:ArchitecturalModeling,EngineeringandProductDesign, InteractiveArchitecture
COMPUTATIONAL & INFORMATION SCIENCES
TheComputationalandInformationSciencesDepartmentoffersamulti-disciplinarycourseofstudythatexploresthe applicationofcomputerprogramming,modelingandsimulationtorealworldproblemsolving.Thereisaparticular emphasisoninformationvisualizationandmediacreation.Throughoutthecourseofstudy,topicsrangefromcomputer graphics,3Danimationandcomputermusictoenvironmentalmodeling,informationtheoryandcomplexadaptive systemsanalysis
TheDepartmentoffersacoresequenceoftwocoursesincomputersciencethatisroughlyequivalenttothefirstyearofa collegecomputersciencemajorandacourseinscientificcomputing Thiscoresequenceisexpandedwithaselectionof coursesinappliedcomputationalsciencecoveringsuchtopicsascomplexsystemsandchaostheory,machinelearningand aerospaceengineering
YEARLONG COURSES
Computer Arts and Sciences 1: Introduction to Problem Solving and Design (9, 10, 11, 12)
ComputerArtsandSciences(CASci)1isanappropriatecourseforstudentsinterestedinimprovingtheirproblemsolving skills.Thiscourseisintendednotonlyforstudentscontemplatingacareerincomputersciencebutalsoforthosewith generalcuriosity.Nopreviousprogrammingorextensivecomputerexperienceisneeded.CASci1usestheScheme programminglanguageandisbroadlysimilartotheCS1courseatcollegeslikeNortheastern,BrownandWPIbutata moreappropriatepace Studentassessmentisbasedonaportfolioofworkdevelopedthroughouttheyearandaseriesof “MasteryChallenges”designedtoprovideascopeforcreativity
Languageused:Scheme
Prerequisites:CompletionofIntegratedMath1ordepartmentalrecommendation
Computer Arts and Sciences 2 Honors (10, 11, 12)
ThiscoursecontinuestheproblemsolvingfocusofCASci1andutilizestheJavalanguagetointroducethestudentto objectorientedanalysisanddesign.Thereisaparticularemphasison3DgraphicsandanimationusingOpenGL.CASci2 isbroadlyequivalenttoacollegeCS2courseondatastructuresandalgorithms.Whilenotan'AP'course,students completingCASci2HarepreparedtotaketheAPCS-Aexamiftheysochoose.
Prerequisites:ComputerArtsandSciences1orpermissionoftheinstructor
Computer Arts and Sciences 3 Honors (11, 12)
Thiscourse,taughtusingthePython,MATLAB,RandSTELLAlanguages,divesdeeplyintothefoundationsofapplied computerscience.Presentedwithagreaterlevelofmathematicalformalism,thiscourseisessentiallyequivalenttoaone semestercollegecourseindataanalysisandscientificprogrammingatthecollegelevel.Aparticularfocusisonscientificand statisticalprogramming,datavisualizationanddynamicsystemssimulation.
LanguagesUsed:Python,MATLAB,R,STELLA
Prerequisites:ComputerArtsandSciences 2Handconcurrentenrollmentinacalculuscourseorpermissionofthe instructor
Space Flight Engineering Honors (11, 12)
Thisrigoroushonorselectiveisamulti-disciplinarycoursethatcombinesplanetaryscience,physics,astrodynamicsand systemsengineeringinacollaborativedesignenvironment Studentswillbeactivelyinvolvedintheplanningand completionoforiginalscienceresearchutilizinghighresolutionandmultispectraldatafromtheMarsReconnaissance OrbiterandMarsOdysseyspacecraft,variousMarsroversandotherplanetarymissions(Magellan,Galileo,Cassini). Basedontheirresearchexperience,studentswillthendesignanoriginalmissionconceptforaninterplanetarymissiontoa solarsystemobject.StudentswillexploreNASAandindustrystandarddesignandsystemsengineeringmethods.
LanguageUsed:MATLab,STK,ANSYS
Prerequisites:ConcurrentenrollmentinaCalculuscourseorpermissionofinstructor
Advanced Studies: Complex Systems Science (11, 12)
Thismulti-disciplinarycoursefocusesontheapplicationofmodelingandsimulationprinciplestocomplexsystemssuchas abiologicalorganism,anecologicalsystem,theeconomy,orsocialdynamics.Thesubjectisinterdisciplinarywith foundationsinmathematics,nonlinearscience,numericalsimulations,statisticsandchaostheory.Whilethiscoursedoes notrequirepreviousprogrammingexperience,itdoespresumethestudentispreparedandmotivatedtoengagewithahigh levelofmathematicalabstractionappliedtocomplexandambiguousproblems.
Prerequisites:ConcurrentenrollmentinCalculusordepartmentalrecommendation
SEMESTER COURSES
CGI Animation (9, 10, 11, 12)
UsingtheBlenderanimationenvironment,thiscourseintroducesthefoundationsofcomputer-generatedimage,orCGI, animation Studentswilllearnthefundamentalsof3Dcharactercreation,riggingandanimation Theculminationofthe semesterwillbeindividualstudentscripted,animatedandrenderedscenes
LanguageUsed:Blender
Prerequisites:IntegratedMath3orpermissionofinstructor
ICP AFFILIATIONS
TheComputational&InformationSciencescourseslistedbelowareaffiliatedwithourICPconcentrations: Sustainability:EcologicalEconomics
Arts&Innovation:CGIAnimation
DataAnalysis&ResearchMethods:CASci2
ENGLISH
Mission Statement: Asstudentstraveltheirownuniquepathsthroughourcurriculum,theydeveloptheskillstonavigate challengingtexts,thinkcritically,andexpressthemselvesconfidentlyinbothwrittenandspokenword.Studentsalsolearnto appreciateandtelltheirownstoriesbyexploringthoseofothers,andindoingso,theydevelopawarenessofthemselves,their communities,andthehumancondition
Englishpromotesanintegratedseven-yearsequenceofstudiesthatteachesskillsfromGradeSixtoTwelve Inproportionto cognitiveandintellectualopportunitiesateachlevel,studentslearntoreadandwritecritically,withincreasing sophistication,astheydiscoverhowtoaskappropriatequestionsoftextsinallthegenresandwritewithananalyticalclarity thatpromotescreativelydevelopedideas Worksarechosenbothfortheirliterarymeritandglobalawarenessofthehuman condition Asstudentsprogressthroughtheprogram,theydeepentheirunderstandingofthedynamicrelationship betweenreadersandtexts Classdiscussionprogressivelynurturesskillsinhigherorderthinkingwithanemphasison articulateself-expression Teacherscreateopportunitiesforproject-basedlearningthataugmentstheemphasison traditionalmeansofanalyticalcommunication
InterdisciplinaryworkiscardinalintheDepartment IntheMiddleSchool,interdisciplinaryworkarisesfromteachers' intentionalcollaborationwiththeircolleaguesinsocialstudies,math,science,languages,andfinearts.IntheUpperSchool, theHumanitiesprogramingrades9and10facilitatesthestudyofcommonthemesastheyariseinEnglishandHistory. Grade12providesarichselectionofelectivesthatanticipatesthethematicandstructuralorientationofcoursesstudents canexpecttoencounterincollege.
GRADUATE PROFILE

HONORS PLACEMENT IN ENGLISH COURSES
AllHumanitiesEnglishGrade9and10sectionsaswellasEnglish11:AmericanNarrativessectionswillemploytheearned honorsmodel,whichallowsanystudenttoearnhonorsstatusforthecoursebymeetingasetofclearlydefinedcriteria
Seniorelectivecourseswillemploytheearnedhonorsmodelasdescribedabove EnrollmentinAdvancedPlacementand AdvancedStudiesCoursesisbydepartmentalrecommendation
Humanities English 9 (Earned Honors)
ProvidingadynamicframeworkforthestudyofEnglishandHistory,thiscourseencouragesexplorationofkeythemesin worldhistory,literature,politics,religion,art,andmusic Inparticular,thecourseexaminesthechangingnatureofcultural valuesandtherelationshipbetweencommunitiesandtheindividual Asstudentsexplorehowindividualshavemademoral, spiritual,andintellectualsenseoftheirworlds,theyhoneskillsascriticalandcreativereaders,thinkers,andwriters With respecttotheanalyticalessay,emphasisisplacedonthecreationofthesisstatementsandlogicallycoherentparagraphs togetherwiththediscoveryandintegrationofappropriatetextualevidence Studentsaretaughttechniquesofannotating text,notetaking,andmeansofaccessingprimaryandsecondarysources AnchortextsincludePatronSaintsofNothingand Othello
Humanities English 10 (Earned Honors)
ProvidingadynamicframeworkforthestudyofEnglishandHistory,thiscourseencouragesexplorationofkeythemesin worldhistory,literature,politics,religion,art,andmusic Inparticular,thecourseexaminesthechangingnatureofcultural valuesandtherelationshipbetweencommunitiesandtheindividual.Asstudentsexplorehowindividualshavemademoral, spiritual,andintellectualsenseoftheirworlds,theyhoneskillsascriticalandcreativereaders,thinkers,andwriters. Studentscontinuetodevelopskillsinwritinganalyticalessays,andemphasisisplacedontechniquesofclosereadingthat encouragethediscoveryanduseoftextualevidencecapableofpromotingargumentsofincreasingsophisticationand insight.IntheGrade10CapstoneProject,studentsreflectontheirevolutionaswritersoverthecourseoftheyear, analyzingtheiropportunitiesandchallengesaswriters. AnchortextsincludeMacbethandPersepolis.Studentsmusttake HumanitiesEnglish10onanEarnedHonorsbasistobeeligibleforadvancedEnglishclassesin11thgrade.
English 11: American Narratives (fall and spring semesters) (Earned Honors)
ProvidingadynamicframeworkforthestudyofAmericanliteratureandhistoryfromtheColonialperiodtothepresent, thisyear-longcourseencouragesexplorationofkeythemesinAmericanhistory,prose,poetry,drama,politics,religion,art, andmusic.Inparticular,thecourseexaminesthechangingnatureofAmericanculturalvaluesandtherelationshipbetween communitiesandtheindividualintheUnitedStatesitselfandtheworldatlarge.AsstudentsexplorehowAmericanshave mademoral,spiritual,andintellectualsenseoftheirexperience,theyhoneskillsascriticalandcreativereaders,thinkers,and writers Aswellascontinuingtodevelopskillsinwritinganalyticalessays,studentsareexpectedtoworkindependentlyas theyoriginate,frame,andexecutedistinctivepointsofview Throughclassdiscussionsandwritingassignments,students continuetodeveloptheirskillsinformalandcontextualanalysis AnchortextsincludeTheGreatGatsbyandARaisinin theSun OthertextsmayincludeToniMorrison'sTheBluestEyeandaglobalselectionofshortstoriesandpoetry English 11:StudentsmusttakethisclassonanEarnedHonorsbasistobeeligibleforadvancedEnglishclassesin12thgrade
ADVANCED COURSES
Advanced Studies: Literary Studies in American Voices (11) WhatdoesitmeantobeanAmerican?Whatareourtriumphsandstruggles?HowdoourdiverseAmericanstoriesreflect ouryoungandevolvingnation?InAS:LiteraryStudiesinAmericanVoices,studentswillengageindailyinvestigationof greatworksofAmericanliteraturefromthe19ththroughthe21stcenturiesandconsiderwhatthesestoriesinformusof ournationalcultureandthesharedhumancondition Groundedinformal,language-basedanalysis,thiscoursewillalso exposestudentstoarangeofothermethodologiesandwillintroducestudentstotheapplicationsofliterarycriticism. LiteraryStudiesinAmericanVoicesisappropriateforstudentswholovetoreadandarereadyforintensive,college-level studyoffictionanditscraft.Student-centeredandinquiry-baseddiscussionwillbethefoundationofthedailyexperience. ArangeofAmericanpoetswillbeconsideredalongwithproseandplaysbyauthorssuchas:Albee,Baldwin,Cather,Diaz, Faulkner,Hawthorne,James,Jin,Kushner,Machado,Melville,Morrison,O’Connor,Roth,Saunders,Silko,Twain, Whitehead,Williams.Enrollmentisbydepartmentalrecommendation.
Prerequisites:EarnedHonorsin10thGrade;departmentalrecommendationandapplicationprocess
Advanced Studies: Modernist Literature (12)
Attheturnofthetwentiethcentury,theliteraryworldexploded TiredofVictoriancertainties,writersbegantoexperiment withconsciousness,time,andlanguageinwaysthatstillchallengereaderstoday Modernistsfeltagrowingalienationwith conventionsandmoralsofVictoriansociety,resultinginabodyofworkcharacterizedbyradicalexperimentation.This coursewillprovideanoverviewofthiscontroversialoeuvrealongsideanintroductiontotheacademicmodeknownas criticaltheory–aninterdisciplinarycollectionofphilosophy,literarycriticism,science,andhistorythatcomprisesamajor portionofmodernintellectualthought.Classworkwillcenteraroundclose-reading-basedseminardiscussionalongside analyticalwritingandresearch.LikelyauthorsincludeCharlesChesnutt,T.S.Eliot,Freud,Lacan,VirginiaWoolf,James Joyce,GertrudeStein,RolandBarthes,Faulkner,andMelville.Thisisayear-longcourse.
Prerequisites:EarnedHonorsorASin11thgradeEnglish;departmentalrecommendationandapplicationprocess
AP English Literature and Composition (12)
APEnglishLiteratureandCompositionisarigorousintroductorycollege-levelcoursethatasksstudentstoread broadly acrosstimeandplace anddeeply,engagingincontinualcriticalreflectionandanalysis.Overthecourseofthe year,wewillreadnovels,plays,andpoetryfromthe16thcenturytothepresent.Writingassignmentswillinclude expository,argumentative,andanalyticalessays,aswellasinformalandcreativeresponses.Studentswillpracticetimed in-classwritinginresponsetoAPpromptsseveraltimesduringtheyear.Theclassroomenvironmentwillbe student-centered,withinquiryandmeaning-makingasitsfocus Thisisacourseforstudentswholovetoreadanddiscuss literature,andwhowanttoaskbigquestions,evenifthosequestionscan’talwaysbeanswered Authorsconsideredmay includeCharlotteBronte,SandraCisneros,FranzKafka,ToniMorrison,FlanneryO'Connor,JeanRhys,William Shakespeare,OscarWilde,andaneclecticselectionofpoets Thisisayear-longcourse Prerequisites:EarnedHonorsorASin11thgradeEnglish;departmentalrecommendationandapplicationprocess
SEMESTER ELECTIVES
SemesterelectivesinEnglishareopentoseniorsonly AllsemesterelectivesemploytheEarnedHonorsmodel
Eco-Fiction: Reading and Writing our Environment (Earned Honors) (12)
Ecologicalfiction,oreco-fiction,exploresthedynamicrelationshipbetweenhumanbeingsandthenaturalworld,placing ecologicalsystemsatthecenterofnarrativeratherthantreatingnatureasmeresetting.Ineco-fiction,theenvironment becomesanactiveforce,compellingreaderstoconfrontquestionsaboutclimatechange,sustainability,speciesloss, pollution,environmentaljustice,andcollectiveresponsibility.Thiscourseinvitesstudentstoexaminehowstoriesrepresent theinterconnectednessofhumansandecosystems,andhowliteraturecandeepenecologicalawareness Justasimportantly, studentswilltakeapagefromHenryDavidThoreau’skeenobservationalpracticeofnoticingnature Thoreau’sdiscipline ofnoticingwillserveasalaunchingpointforourownwork:learningtoobserveclosely,nameprecisely,andinterpret patterns skillsthatstrengthennotonlyourunderstandingofthenaturalworld,butalsoourabilitytoreadwithdepth andnuanceonthepage Inthisway,studentswilldevelopthehabitof“reading”ecosystemsinadditiontothetextsthey studyinthecourse RegulartripstotheArboretumwillanchorthecourse,providingopportunitiesforobservation,nature journaling,andreflectivewriting CoursetextsmayincludeFlightBehaviorbyBarbaraKingsolver,WildDarkShoreby CharlotteMcConaghy,TheOverstorybyRichardPowers,SilentSpringbyRachelCarson,TheRoadbyCormacMcCarthy, andParableoftheSowerbyOctaviaButler
Ghosted: Spirits and Spectres in Literature (Earned Honors) (12)
Ghostshaveexistedforaslongastherehavebeenpeopletoseethem,buttheyhaveserveddifferentpurposesfordifferent peoplesacrossculturesandtimes Whyaresomeghostssimplylostandothersmenacing?HowcanCasperandBeetlejuice bothcoexistunderthebannerof“ghosts”?Whyaresomeplaces“haunted”whileotherswithsimilarhistoriesare completelyuntouchedbythesupernatural? Thisclasswillexaminewhatmakesastory,andtheplacethosestoriesoriginate from,“haunted”andwhatthosespectralvisitationscantellusaboutthetimeandplaceassociatedwiththattale.Course textsmayincludeNeverWhistleatNight:AnIndigenousDarkFictionAnthology,TheHauntingofHillHousebyShirley Jackson,TheWeirbyConorMcPherson,AChristmasCarolbyCharlesDickensandGhostland:AnAmericanHistoryin HauntedPlacesbyColinDickey.
History of the Middle East through Literature (Earned Honors) (12)
Studentsinthiscoursewillreadandinterprethistorical,literary,poetic,philosophical,folkloric,andreligioustextsfrom acrosstheMiddleEastinordertodevelopanuancedunderstandingofthehistory,culture,andtraditionsthathaveand continuetoshapethisregion. Studentswillengageindiscussions,completeavarietyofprojects,anddeveloptheirreading andwritingskills. CoursetextsmayincludeTheEgyptianBookoftheDead,AThousandandOneNights,Bewitchedby SolikaandotherJudeo-SpanishTales,andworksbyNaguibMahfouz,MahmoudDarwish,NaomiShihabNye,Khalil Gibran,OrhanVeliKanik,YahyaHaqqi,andEdwardSaid. ThisisahumanitiesclasscrosslistedintheEnglishandHistorydepartments
Humans & Technology in Literature (Earned Honors) (12)
EvenbeforetheriseofGenerativeAI,humanshavealwayshadacomplicatedrelationshipwiththetechnologywe’ve created.Whilesupposedlymeanttomakeourliveseasierorbetter,technologyoftenchangesoursocietiesinunexpected ways.Thesetensionshavebeenexploredinliteratureforoverahundredyears,givingrisetopowerfulandsometimes uncomfortablequestionsabouthowtodefinewhatishumanandhowtodefinewhatismachine.Astechnology continuallychangesourday-to-daylives,whatexactlyhas“thehumanexperience”become?Thisclasswillexplorethose veryquestions,withpotentialfictionaltextsincludingFeedbyMT AndersonandTheCirclebyDaveEggers,andpotential nonfictiontextsincludingTechnopolybyNeilPostmanandIrresistiblebyAdamAlter
Language of Leadership (Earned Honors) (12)
Thisisapublicspeakingcourse.Studentsshouldexpecttospeakduringeveryclass.Performancetasksinvolvepublic speakingactivitiesincludingleadinglessons,deliveringpresentations,andarguingpositionsinmootcourtsimulationsof appellatecourtproceedings Thirtypercentofastudent’soverallgradeisbasedonafinalspeechdeliveredfrommemoryin frontofaudiences(significantly)largerthantheclassitself Toprepareforthefinalspeeches,studentsscrutinizethe rhetoricalstructuresanddevicesinorationsbyWilliamFaulkner,SojournerTruth,EmmelinePankhurst,Abraham Lincoln,RichardNixon,GeorgeWBush,BarackObama,SteveJobs,MayaAngelou,JuliaLouis-Dreyfus,andothers
Literature, Food, and Identity (Earned Honors) (12)
Wearewhatweeat,right?Foodisintrinsicallytiedtowhoweareasindividuals,aspeople,asasociety,asaculture.Inthis course,wewillexaminethewaysinwhichliteratureusesfoodtorepresentandunderstandthehumanexperience By examiningawiderangeofliteraturethroughthelensoffood,ourgoalinthiscourseistounderstandhowouridentities,
traditions,cultures,andhistoryareshapedandmoldedbythefoodsweeatandthefoodotherseat.Wewillconsiderfoodas atopicinliteraryworksfromdifferentgenres,periods,andcultures,aswellascontemporaryquestionsoffoodjustice, health,andsustainability.Coursematerialswillfocusondiverseperspectivesandincludepersonalnarratives,shortstories, novelexcerpts,youngadultliterature,andfilmexcerpts.
Monsters and Madness (Earned Honors) (12)
Inthisclass,wewillexplorethemeaningofmonstersandmadness Whatdowemeanwhenwecallsomethingorsomeone ‘monstrous,’andwhatdospecificmonsters‘mean’? Whatdofictionalmonsterstellusaboutthetimeinwhichtheywere createdorfeared? Howdoreallifefiguresbecome‘monstrous'inthepublicdiscourse? Similarly,whatdowemeanwhen wecallsomeone‘crazy’or‘mad,’andwhatcanfictionalandhistorical‘mad’peopletellusaboutthesocietiesthat challengedtheirsanity? Toanswerthesequestions,we’llapplybothtaxonomyandliteraryanalysistoavarietyoftexts. Coursetextsmay includeIshiroHonda'sGodzilla,MaryShelley'sFrankenstein,andshortstoriesbyJustinC.Key,aswell ascriticaltextsbyJeffreyJeromeCohen,SandraM.Gilbert,andSusanGubar.
Savage Satire (Earned Honors) (12)
FromTheDailyShowtoSouthPark,satiredominatesmodernentertainment Butithasalongandrichhistoryreaching backtotheancientGreeks Inthiscourse,weexplorearangeofsatiresfromantiquitytothepresentinordertobetter understandthispowerfulgenre.Asweinvestigatetherelationshipbetweensatireandcomedy,weconsiderhowthosein powerhavereactedwhensatirized,andweaskourselvesifsatirecanevergotoofar.Studentswriteanalytically,butalso creatively,tryingtheirhandatsatiresoftheirown.WorksstudiedmayincludethosebyAristophanes,Juvenal,Swift, Voltaire,andVonnegut,aswellasfilmandtelevisionexcerptsfromSNL,TheDailyShow,andGetOut.
The Stories We Tell: Memoirs (Earned Honors) (12)
Wearewhatweremember.Storiesofourpastdefineusandshapeourworldview.Asyouenteryourlastyearofhighschool thereisnobettertimetothinkaboutthenatureofmemory--howitworksandhowweareshapedbyit.Whatmemories doweinheritandpasson?Howdoesthebodyholdmemoryandserveasanarrativemapofourexperiences?Howdo placesholdmemory?Whohascontroloverthestorieswetellaboutourselvesandeachother?Towhatextentis rememberinganactofresistanceoreven,insomecases,ofrevolution?Thiscourseisaboutconstructingmemory,andsoit willbebasedaroundasemester-longmultigenreproject-infusedwithandanimatedbymentortexts,primarilymemoirs-inwhichyoudoexactlythat:lookinwardandwriteyourownstory.Youwillask:WhatmemoriesmakemewhoIamright now?WhatfeelingsdoIwanttobringtothesurfaceandmemorialize?HowdoIcapturethem?Howdoweusestoriesto holdonandletgoatthesametime?Coursetextsmayinclude:TheBookofAlchemy(SuleikaJaouad),Educated(Tara Westover),TheArtofMemoir(MaryKarr),BirdbyBird(AnneLaMott),FunHome(AlisonBechdel),TheArtist'sWay (JuliaCameron),TinyBeautifulThings(CherylStrayed),MenWeReaped(JesmynWard),andGoodTalk(MiraJacob)
To Read or Not to Read... Hamlet Seminar (Earned Honors) (12)
EveryEnglishDepartmenthas“theonethatgotaway”–thattexttheyusedtoteachthattheydon’tanylonger.Formany, that’sWilliamShakespeare’sHamlet– atextsodefinitionalthatithardlyfeelsrighttosendyouofftothecollegesand universitiesluckyenoughtohaveyouwithoutsomuchasanexposuretoitshallowedpagesandthequestionsandlessons therein Inthiscourse,we’lldevotethesemestertoShakespeare’smagnumopus–featuringthefamousMelancholyDane–
anditslegacy.IfyouloveShakespeare:thisistheclassforyou!IfyouhateShakespeare:thisisalsotheclassforyou!Hamlet therevengetragedymightjustchangeyourmind.We’llread,we’llact,we’llwatch,we’llexploremoderntakesandspin-offs, we’llcry,we’lllaugh,andbytheendyoucanweighinonthequestionplaguingtheDepartment(or,atleasttheEnglish teacherwhodesignedthiselective):doesthisbelongbackinthecorecurriculum?AsthePrincehimselfsays,“HadIbut time”Inthiselective,youdo!Coursetextsmayinclude:Hamlet(WilliamShakespeare),Hamnet(MaggieO’Farrell,film adaptationdirectedbyChloeZhao),TheLionKing,Mr Robot,Dune(FrankHerbert,filmadaptationdirectedbyDenis Villeneuve),ThisAmericanLife:ActV,andSerial’sS-Town
Writing the Novel (Earned Honors) (12)
You,yesyou,arewritinganovel.Inthisclass,we’lldoacrashcourseofthe“how”,whileneverlosingsightofthe“why”. Youarewritinganovel,becauseyouhavesomethingimportanttosay,andashortstory,essay,orpoemistheeasywayout Exploringawidevarietyofgenres,techniques,andhearingfromprofessionalauthors,studentswillcompletea50,000 wordmanuscriptinthecourseofthesemester,withafocusondrafting,constructivefeedback,andthehardestassignment ofall sittingdownandgettingtheworkdone Nopriornovel-writingexperienceisnecessary comewithanopenmind, andawillingnesstoexperimentasweall“refusetobedone”andwriteourmagnumopus(es)
Writing the Sitcom (Earned Honors) (12)
Isthesitcomdead?Itsdemisehasbeenpredictedsincethe1980s,butitperseveres,stillrankingasoneofourculture’smost revealingentertainmentgenres Overthefirsthalfofthiscourse,studentsexploreandexaminearangeofAmerican televisionsitcomepisodes,onefromeachofthepastsixdecades Inadditiontoanalyzingcharacterization,plot,dialogue, theme,anddirectorialstyle,studentswillalsoconsiderwhateachepisodesuggestsaboutthemoresandconcernsofthe decadeinwhichitaired Overthesecondhalfofthecourse,studentspracticeandhonetheirownskillsatwriting situationalcomedy Workingfirstindividuallyandtheninsmallgroups,studentswillworkshop,draft,editshortscenes Theywillthenpitch,develop,andwritea22-minutepilotsitcomepisode,theopeningfiveminutesofwhichtheywillfilm intheschool’sCIDRecordingStudio Assessmentsinthiscourseincludeshortandlonganalyticalpapers,anumberof presentations,aswellasmultipleshort--andonemajor--screenwritingassignments
CENTER FOR ACADEMIC WRITING: WRITING STUDIES
Notadepartmentinthetraditionalsense,WritingStudiesisapedagogicalmovementthatpromoteswritingasa meansoflearningacrossallcontentareas LocatedintheMBSCenterforAcademicWriting,theprogram promoteswriting-across-the-curriculum(WAC)effortsbasedontheknowledgethat,whengivenfrequent opportunitiestowriteanalytically,studentsthinkmorecriticallyandcreatively,engagemoredeeplyintheir learning,andtransferwhattheyhavelearnedfromcoursetocourse,contexttocontextmoreefficiently Writing Studiesincludesavarietyofstudent-centeredtutorialsandworkshopsaswellasanupper-levelcoursedesignedto trainpeertutorstoworkintheCenterforAcademicWriting
CAW: Writing Center Theory and Practice (11)
Thisyear-longhonorscoursecombinesclassroomworkandfieldworktopreparestudentsforatutoringrolein theCenterforAcademicWriting(CAW) StudentswilldiscoverthatconsultingintheCAWinvolvesmuchmore than"lookingover"apaper Writingcenterconsultinghasarichtheoreticalbasethatdrawsonknowledgefrom
thefieldsofcompositionstudies,education,andpsychology,andrequiresskillsincriticalreading,activelistening, inquiry,flexibility,andempathy.Duringthefallsemester,studentswillhonetheirwritingandreadingskillsand explorethedynamicsoftutoring,enablingthemtobecomefacilitatorsfortheirpeers.Duringthespringsemester, studentswillnotmeetasaclass,butwillcompletepracticumworkonanindividualbasisintheCenterfor AcademicWriting Uponsuccessfulcompletionofthecourse,studentswillbeinvitedtocontinuetoserveas volunteerwritingtutorsduringtheirsenioryear PleasenotethatthiscoursedoesnotfulfillEnglishcore requirements
Prerequisites:DepartmentalRecommendation
ICP AFFILIATIONS
TheEnglishcourseslistedbelowareaffiliatedwithourICPconcentrations:
Sustainability:Eco-Fiction
Ethics,Leadership,Justice:TheEthicalLife,LanguageofLeadership Arts&Innovation:Humans&TechnologyinLiterature
HISTORY & SOCIAL SCIENCES
Mission Statement: Bylinkingthepastandpresent,theMorristownBeardHistoryDepartmentfostersskillsessentialto theunderstandingofthehumanexperience,whileguidingstudentsontheirindividualpathstobecomingengagedand empatheticglobalcitizens.
TheUpperSchoolhistoryprogramfeaturesclassroomactivitiesdesignedtobringhistorytolife,linkthepastwiththe present,promotecriticalthinkingandbuildacademicskills Weofferarigorousandglobalcurriculumofyear-longcourses andsemesterelectives Ourenthusiasticfacultyusearangeofteachingmaterialsandmethodsnotonlytoimpart knowledgeandunderstanding,butalsototapintostudentcreativityandencourageactive,participatorycitizenship Studentslearntovaluequestioningandtobedecision-makers;theylearnhowtoconductresearch,applyknowledgeand expressthemselves Teachersemphasizecriticalthinkingandwriting,andbelievethathistorycanbemaderichwithdrama, triumph,andtragedy,full-bloodedcharactersandlessonslearnedforthe21stcentury
GRADUATE PROFILE

HONORS PLACEMENT IN HISTORY COURSES
AllHumanitiesGrade9and10sections,USHistory11:TheAmericanExperience,andjunior-seniorelectiveswillemploy theEarnedHonorsmodel,whichallowsanystudenttoearnhonorsstatusforthecoursebymeetingasetofclearlydefined criteria
FULL-YEAR COURSES
Humanities History 9 (Earned Honors)
ProvidingadynamicframeworkforthestudyofEnglishandHistory,theninth-gradehumanitiescourseencourages explorationofkeythemesinworldhistory(fromprehistorictimestothelate18thcentury,withconnectionsmadeto currentevents),literature,politics,religion,art,andmusic Thecourseexaminesthechangingnatureofculturalvaluesand therelationshipbetweencommunitiesandtheindividual Asninth-gradersexplorehowpeopleofthepastmademoral, spiritual,andintellectualsenseoftheirworlds,theywillhonetheirownskillsascriticalandcreativereaders,thinkers,and writers
Humanities History 10 (Earned Honors)
ProvidingadynamicframeworkforthestudyofEnglishandHistory,thiscourseencouragesexplorationofkeythemesin worldhistory(fromthelate18ththroughthe20thcentury,includingcurrentevents),literature,politics,religion,art,and music.Inparticular,thecourseexaminesthechangingnatureofculturalvaluesandtherelationshipbetweencommunities andtheindividual.Asstudentsexplorehowindividualshavemademoral,spiritual,andintellectualsenseoftheirworlds, theyhoneskillsascriticalandcreativereaders,thinkers,andwriters.Studentscontinuetodevelopskillsinwritinganalytical essays,andemphasisisplacedontechniquesofclosereadingthatencouragethediscoveryanduseoftextualevidence capableofpromotingargumentsofincreasingsophisticationandinsight.
US History 11: American Experiences (Earned Honors)
ProvidingadynamicframeworkforthestudyofAmericanhistoryfromthePre-Columbianperiodtothepresent,this year-longcourseencouragesexplorationofkeythemesinAmericanhistory,prose,poetry,drama,politics,religion,art,and music.Inparticular,thecourseexaminesthechangingnatureofAmericanculturalvaluesandtherelationshipbetween communitiesandtheindividual,intheUnitedStatesitselfandtheworldatlarge.AsstudentsexplorehowAmericanshave mademoral,spiritual,andintellectualsenseoftheirexperience,theyhoneskillsascriticalandcreativereaders,thinkers,and writers Aswellascontinuingtodevelopskillsinwritinganalyticalessays,studentsareexpectedtoworkindependentlyas theyoriginate,frame,andexecutedistinctivepointsofview Forthisreason,the culminatingassignmentistheMBS Junior CapstoneProject thatrequiresstudentstowriteanextendedresearchpaper
FULL-YEAR ADVANCED COURSES
NoteonAdvancedPlacementandAdvancedStudiescourses:StandardizedAdvancedPlacementaswellasfaculty-designed AdvancedStudiescoursesareequivalentinrigorandcommitmenttoacourseusuallytakenduringthefirstyearofcollege. Studentsmaybeexpectedtocompletepre-coursesummerwork,andshouldexpectadditionaltimecommitments throughouttheyear.AllAPstudentsarerequiredtotaketheAdvancedPlacementexaminMay;nostandardizedtestis requiredofAdvancedStudiescourses.EnrollmentinAdvancedLevelCoursesisbasedonhighperformanceintheprevious year ’shistorycourseandthesuccessfulcompletionofacoursespecificplacementprocess.
AP United States Government and Politics (12)
APU.S.GovernmentandPoliticsprovidesacollege-level,nonpartisanintroductiontokeypoliticalconcepts,ideas, institutions,policies,interactions,roles,andbehaviorsthatcharacterizetheconstitutionalsystemandpoliticalcultureof
theUnitedStates.StudentswillstudyU.S.foundationaldocuments,SupremeCourtdecisions,andothertextsandvisuals togainanunderstandingoftherelationshipsandinteractionsamongpoliticalinstitutions,processes,andbehaviors. Underpinningtherequiredcontentofthecourseareseveralbigideasthatallowstudentstocreatemeaningfulconnections amongconceptsthroughoutthecourse.Studentswillalsoengageinskilldevelopmentthatrequiresthemtoreadand interpretdata,makecomparisonsandapplications,anddevelopevidence-basedarguments Inaddition,theywillcomplete apoliticalscienceresearchorappliedcivicsproject
Prerequisites:Highperformanceinpreviousyear’sEH/APhistorycourse;departmentalrecommendationandapplication process
AP United States History (11)
ThiscourseisastudyofUS historyfromthecolonialperiodtothepresent Althoughemphasisisplacedonessaywriting, studentsengageinawiderangeoflearningactivitiesthatassumeintroductorycollegelevelreadingandwritingskills In classdiscussionandwrittenevaluations,highpriorityisplacedondevelopmentofcriticalthinkingskills Thiscourse includespreparationfortheAdvancedPlacementexaminMay
Prerequisites:HonorsinHumanitiesHistory10,highperformanceinpreviousyear’sEHhistorycourse;departmental recommendationandapplicationprocess
AP European History (12)
Thiscourse,astudyofEuropeanhistorysince1450,introducesstudentstomajorcultural,economic,politicalandsocial developmentsthathaveshapedmodernEurope.Inadditiontograspingthebasicnarrativeofeventsandmovements, studentswillanalyzehistoricalevidenceandexpresshistoricalunderstandinginwriting.StudentsmusttaketheAPExam inMayinordertoreceivecoursecredit.
Prerequisites:Highperformanceinpreviousyear’sEH/APhistorycourse;departmentalrecommendationandapplication process
Advanced Studies: Economics (12)
AdvancedStudies:Economicsisarigorousyear-longcourseexploringmicro-andmacro-economics,essentiallyaddressing thecontentofafirstyearcollege-leveleconomicscourse.Studentstakingthiscourseideallyhavetakenapreviouseconomics courseatMBS,butthisisnotarequirement.Thiscoursewillemphasizeeconomicsasafoundationforeffectivecitizenship, highlightingtheroleofeconomicsasalifeandajobskill.Studentswillanalyzeeconomicdata,graphs,andstatistics.We willexplorereal-timedatafromtheFederalReserveBankofSt.Louis,Bloomberg,andothersources.Studentswillapply theorytoimportantissuesandproblemsthatshapeourglobalsocietyandindividualdecisions;boththeoryandapplication aredeployedinconsiderabledepth
Prerequisites:Highperformanceinpreviousyear’sEHeconomicsorEHhistoryandmathcourses;departmental recommendationandapplicationprocess
HISTORY/SOCIAL SCIENCE ELECTIVES
Allhistoryandsocialscienceelectives employtheEarnedHonorsmodel
Behavioral Economics (Earned Honors) (11, 12)
WhyisitsohardtohailacabintheraininNewYorkCity?Whydosomepeoplepayforannualgymmembershipswhen theywouldsaveonapay-as-yougobasis?Whyaremonetaryincentivesgenerallyunsuccessfulinmotivatingworkers?
Behavioraleconomicshelpsustounderstandwhywhathappensintheworlddoesnotjivewithclassicaleconomictheory: Whyaren’tweashumansthetextbook“Homoeconomicus”?Behavioraleconomicsappliesideasfromthesocialsciences toeconomicstohelpusunderstandbetterhowweact,makedecisions,andplay andhasfar-reachingimplicationsfor socialdynamicsandpublicpolicy Behavioraleconomicsisdrivingcurrentinterest,andimportantcontributionshavebeen recognizedbyrecentNobelprizes(DanielKahnemanin2002andRichardThalerin2017)
A Beloved Community: Social Movements in America (Earned Honors) (11, 12)
Throughthelensesofpower,resistance,andidentity,thiscourseprovidesanintroductiontoAmericansocialmovements fromthe1950stothepresent Drawingfromhistory,philosophy,andpolitics,itexaminesarangeofsocialmovements, including:labormovements,Indigenousrights,civilrightsandBlackPower,“ElMovimiento,”Women’sLiberation, LGBTmovements,andRight-wingmobilization Studentswillconsidertheethicalargumentsraisedbythesemovements, andhownewcivil,political,andsocialrightswerecreatedthroughorganizing Studentswillexplorewhythesemovements arose,whattheyachieved,whymanyopposedthem,andconnecttheirlearningtoAmerica’sfoundingaspirationto“form amoreperfectunion”
China Under Mao Zedong (Earned Honors) (11, 12)
Thissemester-longhistoryelectiveexploresthetumultuousyearswhenMaoZedongruledChina(1949-1976) Duringthis time,thecountrywasengulfedindecadesofupheavaldesignedtoremakeChinainMao’srevolutionaryimage Although wewillreadabouttheChairman’slifeandhisthought,wewillfocusprimarilyonlifeunderMao’sregimeandtryto understandthetensionthatstillsurroundsthememoryofthatfoundationalerainChinesehistory Thiscourseisreading andwritingintensive,asstudentswillbeprimarilyassessedontheiranalysisofprimarysources
Constitutional Law (Earned Honors) (12)
ThishonorscourseinvolvesstudyofselectedcasesinthehistoryoftheUnitedStatesSupremeCourt,dealingwithissuessuchas freedomofspeech,press,andreligion,racerelations,therighttoprivacy,therightsofaccusedcriminals,separationofpowersand federalism.StudentswillgaininsightintotheeffectsoftheConstitutionanditsinterpretationonourdailylives.
Criminology Studies (Earned Honors) (11, 12)
Thiscoursewillserveasageneralintroductiontotheacademicstudyofcriminologyandjustice Thiscoursewillfocuson thesociologicalbackgroundofthefieldofcriminologyaswellascurrentrealworldissuesinthejusticesystemoftheUnited States Inadditiontolearningthebasictheoriesandphilosophiesofthesocialscienceofcriminology,theclasswillfostera strongerunderstandingofhowrace,class,andgenderimpactthewayanindividualmovesthroughtheAmericansystemof justice
Diversity and Public Policy (Earned Honors) (11, 12)
Inthisclasswewillinvestigateandanalyzepublicpoliciesthatmarginalizegroupsbasedonethnicity,gender,sexualidentity andclass Ourstudywillexaminehowpublicpolicycreatesandreinforcesinstitutionalizeddiscrimination Wewillconsider thequestion:Howcanlawchangethewaysethnicity,gender,sexualidentityandclassshapecontemporarysocialjusticein America?
Ecological Economics (Earned Honors) (11, 12)
EcologicalEconomicsisanhonorssemesterelectiveinecologicaleconomics,environmentalethicsandjustice,policystudies anddesign Usingasequenceofexpandingcasestudies,studentswillexplorethecraftofdesigningeffectiveandethical policychoicestorespondtorealworldenvironmentalchallengesgroundedintherealityoffiniteresourcesandplanetary limits
Economics of Innovation (Earned Honors) (11, 12)
Howdoesinnovationarise infact,whatisinnovation?Whateconomicfactorsreflectinnovationinsociety,both currentlyandinthepast?Whatfostersinnovation atthesocietalorcultural,local,andfirmlevels?Howdonewideasget translatedintonewtechnologyanddiffusethroughtheeconomy?Whatcanacompanydotofosterinnovation?Isnew alwaysbetter?Isnewalwaysinevitable?Inthiscourseweexamineinnovationfromaneconomicperspective,focusingon economichistory,case-studies,andcurrentresearch We’llalsoconsiderinnovationfromanon-Westernperspective
The Ethical Life (Earned Honors) (11, 12)
Ethicsisasubfieldofphilosophyfocusedonmorality:questionsofrightandwrong,goodandevil.Thesequestionsare relevanttoeveryhumanbeingandtheanswerstothesequestionshaveconsequencesthatcascadefromneighborhoodsto nations.Inthissemester-longcourse,wewillanswerthefollowingfundamental,universallyrelevantquestions:Howought humansbehave?Whatisthenatureofvirtueandvice?Howdoweassessethicalcharacter?Howdowedeterminewhatis rightandwrong?Whatfeaturesmattertotheethicalassessmentofactions?Whatdutiesdowehavetowardsothersand ourselves?Howdidcontemporaryconceptionsofethicscometobe?Howmightweexpecttheseconceptionstochangein thefuture?
History of the Middle East through Literature (Earned Honors) (12)
Studentsinthiscoursewillreadandinterprethistorical,literary,poetic,philosophical,folkloric,andreligioustextsfrom acrosstheMiddleEastinordertodevelopanuancedunderstandingofthehistory,culture,andtraditionsthathaveand continuetoshapethisregion Studentswillengageindiscussions,completeavarietyofprojects,anddeveloptheirreading andwritingskills PossibletextsmayincludeTheEgyptianBookoftheDead,AThousandandOneNights,Bewitchedby SolikaandotherJudeo-SpanishTales,andworksbyNaguibMahfouz,MahmoudDarwish,NaomiShihabNye,Khalil Gibran,OrhanVeliKanik,YahyaHaqqi,andEdwardSaid ThisisahumanitiesclasscrosslistedintheEnglishandHistorydepartments
Integrated Marketing Communications (Earned Honors) (12)
Exploretheworldofmarketingandadvertisingtounderstanditsimportanceintoday’ssociety Studentswilldevelop analyticalandcommunicationskillsaswellasadetailedunderstandingofthedifferentaspectsofthefieldofmarketingand advertising’sroleinbusiness.Studentswilldevelopskillsrelatedtointerpersonalcommunication,self-presentation, marketing,sales,employability,promotion,andethicaldecision-making allessentialskillsinanycareer.Studentswill examinevariousmodelsofmasscommunicationsincludingbroadcast,print,digital,andsocialmedia,aswellasadvertising, brandcommunications,publicrelations,andmediarelations.Thissemestercoursewillculminatewithstudentspreparing atargetedmediaplanningandbuyingcampaign.
Principles of Economics (Earned Honors) (11, 12)
Thiscoursecoversthebasicconceptsofthefieldbeginningwithmicroeconomics(thestudyofindividualconsumerand firmbehavior)followedbyanintroductiontomacroeconomics(thestudyoftheeconomyasawhole,especiallyissues relatedtooutput,unemployment,productivity,inflation,growth,andglobalization) Everyday,politiciansand"experts" presentclaimsabouttheeconomyandproposalstocureitsallegedills Thiscoursewillprovidestudentswithabasic understandingoftheeconomytohelpassessthemeritsandpitfallsofeconomicarguments
The Vietnam War (Earned Honors) (11, 12)
Thiscoursepresentstheorigins,progression,andaftermathofmilitaryconflictsintheIndochinesePeninsula Topics exploredincludetheperiodbeforecolonialinfluence,theeraofFrenchruleandtheresistanceitprovoked,theemergenceof theVietminhduringWorldWarII,andtheUnitedStates'involvementfrom1950onwards Thenarrativealsoextendsto theentanglementoftheUnitedStates,Laos,andCambodiaintheensuingconflicts Wewillexaminetheroleof nationalismandcommunismin20th-centurystrifeandthemotivesforUS intervention Inadditiontoacquiring substantiveknowledge,studentswillhoneessentialskillssuchasanalyzingandevaluatingprimarysources,effectiveoral andwrittencommunication,andcollaboration.
ICP AFFILIATIONS
TheHistory&SocialSciencecourseslistedbelowareaffiliatedwithourICPconcentrations:
Sustainability:EcologicalEconomics
Ethics,Leadership,Justice:ConstitutionalLaw,CriminologyStudies,TheVietnamWar,ChinaUnderMao Zedong
Arts&Innovation:EconomicsofInnovation
DataAnalysis&ResearchMethods:BehavioralEconomics
MATHEMATICS
Mission Statement: TheMathematicsDepartmentproducesstudentsfluentinquantitativeandabstractreasoning.We emphasizetheimportanceofconstructingandevaluatingsoundargumentswhilefocusingonconnectionswithinandbeyond mathematics.Withinthisframework,weaimtocultivateresilience,criticalthinking,creativity,andintellectualcuriosity.
INTEGRATED MATH PROGRAM
TheIntegratedMathProgramconsistsofthree full-yearcourses:IntegratedMath1,2and3. Combiningbothtraditionalandcontemporary approaches,thisstructurerepresentsanevolution inmathcurriculumdesignallowingstudentsa muchgreateropportunityforgrowthand developmentinmathematicalthinking In adoptingthisnewprogram,MBSputsitself squarelyinlinewithstate-of-the-artmath programsthatreflecttheprofessionalconsensusoftheNationalCouncilofTeachersofMathematicsPrinciplesand Standards Whiletheprogramcoversallofthetraditionalareas(Algebra1,Geometry,Algebra2andPre-Calculus), IntegratedMathblendsthesedifferentstrandsofmathematicsthrougheachofitsthreelevelsandfocusesonconnections amongformerlyisolatedtopics,suchasalgebraandgeometry Thisapproachrevealsamoreorganicpictureofthefieldof mathematicsandfostersdeeperinsightintoitsintricaciesandbeauty Itallowsalllearnerstograspfoundationalconcepts suchasequations,functionsandtrigonometrythroughdifferentmodesofrepresentation,includinggraphical,hands-on, geometric,andsymbolic IntegratedMathemploysthetechniqueof"spiraling"sothateachlevelofthecurriculumbrings studentsbackthroughtheseessentialconceptsinordertoachievedeeperlevelsofmastery

GRADUATE PROFILE

Integrated Math 1 (9)
IntegratedMath1(IM1)initiatestheUpperSchoolmathsequencebyengagingstudentsinfoundationalconcepts,skills andhabitsofthought.Thecourseincorporatesbothalgebraicandgeometricelementscoveringconceptssuchaslogic, algebraicmodeling,propertiesoflinesandtriangles,systemsofequations,andpropertiesofpolynomialswithfactoring. Pedagogicaltechniquesandassessmentsarediversetoallowformultiplewaysoflearninganddemonstratingmathematical knowledge.
Prerequisites:IntroductiontoIntegratedMathBorequivalent
Integrated Math 1 Honors (9)
IntegratedMath1Honors(IM1H)initiatestheUpperSchoolmathsequencebyengagingstudentsinfoundational concepts,skillsandhabitsofthought.Thecourseincorporatesbothalgebraicandgeometricelementscoveringconcepts suchaslinearequationsandinequalities,absolutevalue,segmentandanglerelationships,coordinategeometry,logic,basic proofs,graphingandwritinglinearequations,systemsofequations,andbasicpolynomialoperations.Thiscourseaimsto gentlytransitionstudentsintohonorslevelworkbybuildingproceduralfluency,abstractreasoning,andcomfortwith novelchallenges
Prerequisites:IntroductiontoIntegratedMathBorequivalent,departmentalrecommendation
Integrated Math 2 (9, 10)
IntegratedMath2(IM2)continuestheIntegratedMathsequencebybuildingonthefoundationalconceptsacquiredin IM1.Studentswillencounterthought-provokingproblemsthatrequirestrongconnectionsbetweenalgebraandgeometry. Topicsincludeapplicationsofsystems,behavioroffunctions,transformations,righttriangletrigonometry,andquadratic equations.Eachtopicrequiresanaddedlevelofsophisticationandabstractionasstudentsachieveahigherlevelof mathematicalfluency.
Prerequisites:IntegratedMath1orequivalent
Integrated Math 2 Honors (9, 10)
IntegratedMath2Honors(IM2H)continuestheIntegratedMathsequencebybuildingonthefoundationalconcepts acquiredinIM1 Topicsincludeapplicationsofsystems,behavioroffunctions,transformations,righttriangle trigonometry,andquadraticfunctions Thesetopicswillbecoveredatanincreasedlevelofrigoranddepth,requiring studentstobeindependentthinkerswhocanrecognizehowtoapplyexistingskillsinunfamiliarcontexts Thisfast-paced coursewillrequireahighlevelofnotationalfluencyandastrongfoundationofalgebraicandgeometricconcepts
Prerequisites:IntegratedMath1orequivalent,departmentalrecommendation
Integrated Math 3 (9, 10, 11)
IntegratedMath3(IM3)completestheIntegratedMathsequencebybuildingontheconceptsandskillsacquiredinIM2 whileincorporatinganotherlayerofdepthandrigor Thecentralthemeoflearningmathematicsthroughproblemsolving andexplorationcontinueswithtopicsincludingastudyofpolynomial,rational,logarithmicandexponentialfunctionsas wellascirclesandunitcircletrigonometry AftersuccessfullycompletingIM3,studentshavethebackgroundtotakea varietyofmathelectives
Prerequisites:IntegratedMath2orGeometryandAlgebra2
Integrated Math 3 Honors (9, 10, 11)
IntegratedMath3(IM3H)completestheIntegratedMathsequencebybuildingontheconceptsandskillsacquiredinIM2 whileincorporatinganotherlayerofdepthandrigor Thecentralthemeoflearningmathematicsthroughproblemsolving andexplorationcontinueswithtopicsincludingastudyofpolynomial,rational,logarithmicandexponentialfunctionsas wellascirclesandunitcircletrigonometry Thesetopicswillbecoveredatanincreasedlevelofrigor,requiringstudentsto beindependentthinkerswhocanrecognizehowtoapplyexistingskillsinunfamiliarcontexts.Thisfast-pacedcoursewill requireahighlevelofnotationalfluencyandastrongfoundationofalgebraicandgeometricconcepts.
Prerequisites:IntegratedMath2orGeometryandAlgebra2,departmentalrecommendation
Pre-Calculus (10, 11, 12)
ThiscourseactsasabridgebetweenIntegratedMath3andCalculus OverthecourseoftheIntegratedMathsequence, studentsareintroducedtothemajorfunctionclassesandthefundamentalconceptsofgeometry Inthiscoursestudents willaggregatetheirknowledgethusfartoanalyzethesefunctionsatahigherlevelinpreparationforcalculus Topicsinclude functiontransformations,limits,rationalfunctions,trigonometricgraphing,trigonometricequationsandidentities,
exponentialequationsandmodeling,andlogarithms.Duetotheend-of-yeartimeline,wewilldedicatespecificsectionsof thiscoursetobeseniors-only.
Prerequisites:IntegratedMath3
Pre-Calculus Honors (10, 11, 12)
ThiscourseisdesignedtobeapreparationforAPCalculusA/B Inthiscourse,studentswillaggregatetheirknowledge thusfartoanalyzevariousfunctionclassesatahigherlevelinpreparationforcalculus Topicsincludefunction transformations,limits,rationalfunctions,trigonometricgraphing,trigonometricequationsandidentities,exponential equationsandmodeling,andlogarithms Studentswishingtopursuethiscoursemusthaveimpeccablealgebraskills,strong geometricreasoningthroughproof,andaninterestinsolvingunfamiliarproblems
Prerequisites:IntegratedMath3Honorsanddepartmentalrecommendation
Statistics and Probability Honors
(12)
Thishonorscoursewillintroducestudentstofundamentalsofstatisticsandprobability Descriptivestatistics,includingthe graphicaldisplayandnumericanalysisofdata,isfollowedbyprinciplesofexperimentaldesign,empoweringstudentsto thinkcriticallyaboutdatapresentedinthepopularpress Thethirdmajorcomponentofthecourse,probabilityand combinatorics,servesasbothabridgetoinferentialstatisticsandapreparationfortopicsfrequentlyencounteredoncollege entranceexams.Decision-making,quantitativereasoning,andcommunicationarecriticalelementsofinferentialstatistics, andthiscoursewillemphasizeandrefinethoseskills.TheuseofaStatisticalsoftwarepackagewillbeincorporated.Note: studentsmaynotenrollinAPStatisticsaftertakingthiscourse.
Prerequisites:IntegratedMath3anddepartmentalrecommendation
Calculus (11, 12)
CalculusisacontinuationofPre-CalculusorPre-CalculusHonors,beginningwithareviewofpre-calculusconcepts. Topicscoveredincludemathematicalmodeling,functions(algebraicandtranscendental),continuity,limits,differentiation techniques,andapplicationsofthederivative.Thiscoursewillfocusondevelopingmathematicalfluencywithanemphasis onapplicationandcomputation.
Prerequisites:Pre-CalculusorPre-CalculusHonors
Calculus Honors (11, 12)
CalculusHonorsisacontinuationofthePre-CalculusHonorscourseandassumesastrongmathematicalbackgroundof pre-calculusconcepts.Topicscoveredincludemathematicalmodeling,functions(algebraicandtranscendental),continuity, limits,differentiationtechniques,applicationsofthederivative,integralcalculus,andapplicationsofintegration.Students begintheyearstudyinglimitsandcontinuity.Thefocusofthefirstsemesterisdifferentialcalculusandthesecondsemester isdevotedtointegralcalculus.
Prerequisites:Pre-Calculus/Pre-CalculusHonorsanddepartmentalrecommendation
Topics in Math (12)
TopicsinMathisaseniormathclassdedicatedtoequippingstudentswiththereasoningskillsnecessaryforsuccessin college.Areasofinterestincludesettheory,numbers,andcountingprinciples,simplefinance,proportionalreasoning,
estimation,andselectgeometrictopics.Thecourseplacesaheavyemphasisonthereal-worldapplicationsofmathematics, withthegoalofgrowingstudents'problem-solvingskillsalongtheway.
Prerequisites:IntegratedMath3anddepartmentalrecommendation
AP Calculus AB (11, 12)
ThiscoursefollowsthesyllabusoutlinedbytheCollegeBoardandisequivalenttoaone-semestercollegecourseinCalculus 1 Topicscoveredincludegraphical,numerical,verbal,andmodelingapproachestoallfamiliesoffunctions(algebraicand transcendental) Thecoursecoverslimitsandcontinuity,differentiation,integration,andreal-worldapplications Students arerequiredtotaketheAdvancedPlacementExaminMay
Prerequisites:Pre-CalculusHonors
AP Calculus BC (12)
Thecourseisequivalenttotwosemestersofcollegecalculus,coveringCalculus1and2 InadditiontothereviewofAP CalculusABtopics,thecoursecoversadvancedintegrationtechniques,sequencesandseries,vectorcalculus,logistic differentialequations,andcurvesdefinedinparametricandpolarspaces StudentsarerequiredtotaketheAdvanced PlacementExaminMay
Prerequisites:APCalculusAB
AP Statistics (12)
APStatistics,equivalenttoacollege-levelstatisticscourse,encompassesfourmajorthemes:exploratoryanalysis, experimentaldesign,probabilitymodelsandstatisticalinferencetechniques Applicationoftechnology,including manipulatingstatisticalsoftware,useoftheTI-84calculatorandinterpretingadvancedcomputeroutputsisintegraltothe course Alongwithmoretraditionalmodesofmathinstruction,thecoursealsointegratesreadingandanalysisofscholarly journalsaswellasSocraticstyleseminars.StudentsarerequiredtotaketheAdvancedPlacementexaminMay.
Prerequisites:
Rising12:IntegratedMath3HonorsorhigherandrecommendationfromcurrentMathandHumanitiesteachers
Rising11:Pre-CalculusHonorsorhigherandrecommendationfromcurrentMathandHumanitiesteachers
SEMESTER ELECTIVES
Probability Theory (10, 11, 12)
Alotofeventsinourlifeseemrandomorimpossibletopredict.Wesolveinterestingproblemsthatrangefromwinningthe lotterytotheBirthdayParadox Thiscoursewillcoverbasicprinciplesofcountingandprobabilityinadditiontoexploring moreadvancedtopicslikeusingbinomialandgeometricmodelsusedtopredictoutcomesofrandomvariables Theclass willprovidethetoolsnecessarytoseetheworldinadifferentway,onethatmaynotalwaysbeintuitive,butissupportedby numbers
Prerequisites:IntegratedMath2
Statistics and Data Analysis (10, 11, 12)
Statisticsfocusesondataanalysisandinterpretationwithafocusonrealworldapplications Thiscourseteachesstudentsto becriticalthinkersbylookingcloselyatrelevantandtopicalexamplestounderstandwhatthenumbersarereallysaying,not justwhatpeoplearetellingthemthenumbersaresaying Hands-onactivitieshelpstudentsinterpretandcommunicate statisticalinformationbothnumericallyandgraphically Studentswillalsolearnhowtousetechnologyasatoolfordata analysisbyusingmorewebbasedapplets Thecoursestartswithfoundationalstatisticsincludingacloselookathow statisticscanbemisleading,thenquicklyseguestotheNormalModelanditsapplications(suchastheOlympics),and finallyendswithanintroductiontolinearregressionanalysis
Prerequisites:IntegratedMath2
ICP AFFILIATIONS
TheMathematicscourseslistedbelowareaffiliatedwithourICPconcentrations: DataAnalysis&ResearchMethods:StatisticsandProbability,ProbabilityTheory,StatisticsandDataAnalysis, APStatistics
PERFORMING ARTS
Mission Statement: ThePerformingArtsprogramfosterscriticalthinking,discipline,andasenseofcommunity,allina creativeandrigorousenvironment.Throughavarietyofperformanceandlearningopportunities,studentsdiscoverand cultivateanenduringconnectiontotheintrinsicvalueoftheperformingartsinthehumanexperience.
MorristownBeard'sPerformingArtscurriculumfeaturesbothperformance-basedandartsliteracyclasses Thisallows studentswithpreviousexperiencetoenhanceexistingskills,whilealsoencouragingstudentswithouttrainingtoexplorethe worldthroughtheuniqueprismoftheperformingarts IndependentStudyopportunitiesinallaspectsoftheperforming artscanalsobearranged Co-andextra-curricularofferingsincludesemiannualvocal,instrumental,anddanceconcerts,a fallplay,wintermusical,springperformingartsfestival,andparticipationinvariousoff-campusevents Pasttheatrical performancesincludeBeMoreChill, InherittheWind,TheLaramieProject,TheMiser,MotherCourage,SweeneyTodd, andSweetCharity Fordetails,seetheArtssectionofthewebsite
Studentsinterestedintheplayormusicalareencouragedtoenrollindance,acting,orchorus.
THEATER COURSE OFFERINGS
Stagecraft (10, 11, 12)
Studentsgainhands-onexperienceinprojectmanagement,budgeting,andmeetingdeadlinesaspartoftheteamthat designsandbuildssceneryforMBSproductions,whilealsolearningabouttoolsanddevelopingpracticalskills
Thiscoursemayberepeatedforcredit
Technical Theater (9, 10, 11, 12)
TechnicalTheaterisahands-onintroductiontothetools,terminology,andtradecraftstudentsneedtobestpreparethem fortheatricaldesign.Withafocusonsetconstruction,soundengineering,andstageelectricianworkforliveevents, studentsaregivenafirsthandlookattheroutinesanddutiesoftechnicaltheaterprofessionalsfromaholisticpointofview. Ultimately,studentsaregiventheopportunitytoapplywhattheylearninclassbyservingascrewforAll-SchoolMeetings, concerts,andtheaterproductionsthroughouttheyear.
Thiscoursemayberepeatedforcredit.
Theatresports (9, 10, 11, 12)
Fast-paced,collaborative,andendlesslycreative,TheatreSportsisahigh-energycourseforstudentsingrades9–12who wanttosharpentheirperformanceskillswhilehavingalotoffun.UsingtheTheatreSportsformat,studentswillengagein structuredimprovgamesandcompetitiveteamchallengesthatemphasizequickthinking,strongchoices,andensemble work.Throughoutthecourse,studentswilldevelopconfidenceonstage,improvelisteningandcommunicationskills,and learnhowtocreatecompellingscenesinthemoment noscriptrequired.Emphasisisplacedoncommitment,supporting scenepartners,comedictiming,andtakingcreativerisksinasupportiveenvironment.Thisclassisidealforboth experiencedperformerslookingtostrengthentheirimprovisationskillsandstudentswhowanttopushthemselves creatively,buildconfidence,andthinkontheirfeet
MUSIC ENSEMBLES
AllMusicEnsemblescanberepeatedforcredit Completionofoneyearofamusicensemblecountsasaprerequisitefor AdvancedcoursesintheCID Studentswhohavecompletedovertwoyearsofanensemblecoursewillreceivean "Experienced"designationbeforethecoursetitleontheirtranscript
Chorus (9, 10, 11, 12)
Thiscourseisperfectforstudentswhoenjoymakingmusic,makingmemories,andoccasionallybeingtoldto“useyour diaphragm”likeit’salifephilosophy Inthisclass,studentswilllearnhowtoblendtheirvoicesintosomethingbeautiful, discoverthatbreathingisanimportantmusicalskill,performmusicfromawidevarietyofgenres,andexperiencethethrill ofharmonyandthemildpanicofsingingyourentrancealone Rehearsalsareenergetic,expressive,andoccasionally resembleamotivationalspeechwrappedinvocalwarmups Nomatteryourexperiencelevel,UpperSchoolChorusoffersa chancetobuildconfidenceand musicianship Sideeffectsmayincludeimprovedposture,unexpectedjoy,andthesudden urgetowanttounderstandwhataquarternotedoes
Studentswhohavecompletedovertwoyearsofanensemblecoursewillreceivean"Experienced"designationbeforethe coursetitleontheirtranscript
Contemporary Percussion Ensemble (9, 10, 11, 12)
Thisclassexploresmusicspecificallywrittenfor andperformedby contemporarypercussionensembles Theclassis opennotonlytopercussionists,butanyonewhohashadpreviousmusicalexperience,orisparticularlyinterestedin rhythm-basedmusic MembersoftheensemblewillparticipateinboththeWinterandSpringConcerts
Studentswhohavecompletedovertwoyearsofanensemblecoursewillreceivean"Experienced"designationbeforethe coursetitleontheirtranscript
Jazz Ensemble (9, 10, 11, 12)
Thiscourseisdesignedtoprovideaperformingensembleforexperiencedbrass,percussionandsaxophoneplayers
Instructionincludesplayingtechnique,notereading,improvisation,andexposuretoavarietyofmusicalstyleswrittenfor jazzensemble StudentsparticipateintheWinterandSpringConcerts
Studentswhohavecompletedovertwoyearsofanensemblecoursewillreceivean"Experienced"designationbeforethe coursetitleontheirtranscript
Upper School Orchestra (9, 10, 11, 12)
Designedprimarilyfortheintermediatetoadvancedstudent,thisclassfocusesondevelopingallaspectsofstringtechnique andperformance Studentshonetheirskillsandexploretheartofensembleplayingastheystudyandperformmusicof varyingperiods MembersoftheensemblewillparticipateinboththeWinterandSpringConcerts
Studentswhohavecompletedovertwoyearsofanensemblecoursewillreceivean"Experienced"designationbeforethe coursetitleontheirtranscript
DANCE COURSE OFFERINGS
ThefoundationoftheMBSDancecurriculumisthethree-yearsequencefromintroductorythroughAdvancedDance Thesefull-yearcoursesincludeextensivewarm-up,aswellasexercisestodevelopproperalignment,flexibility,coordination andstrength.Variousstylesareexploredthroughoutthesequence,includingjazz,modernandlyrical.
Dance (9, 10)
Thiscourseisforthebeginningstudentoronewhohasalimitedknowledgeofdancetechniqueandperformance Students willgainanincreasedunderstandingoftheirindividualrangeofmovement
Thiscoursemayberepeatedforcredit
Intermediate Dance (10, 11, 12)
IntermediateDanceisforthestudentwithanintermediateknowledgeofdance Studentswillexplorestagepresence, improvisationandchoreography,aswellascontinuetoperfectindividualtechnique Studentsparticipateinboththe WinterandSpringConcerts
Thiscoursemayberepeatedforcredit
Advanced Dance (9, 10, 11, 12)
AdvancedDanceisforthehighlyexperienceddancestudent.Thereisastrictemphasisontechniqueandstrength development Allstudentsmustparticipateinwinterandspringdanceconcertsandmandatoryafter-schoolrehearsals StudentsparticipateinboththeWinterandSpringConcerts
Thiscoursemayberepeatedforcredit
Prerequisites:Teacherrecommendation
Morristown Beard Dance Ensemble (9, 10, 11, 12)
TheMBSDanceEnsembleisanelitegroupofwell-traineddancerswhomayhavethedesiretopursuedanceasacareer. Entranceintothedanceensembleisbyrecommendationandauditiononly StudentsparticipateinboththeWinterand SpringConcerts
Thiscoursemayberepeatedforcredit
Prerequisites:Teacherrecommendationandaudition
Tap (9, 10, 11, 12)
Thisclassisdesignedforstudentsnewtotap,orstudentswhowouldliketocontinuetheirMiddleSchooltaptraining. Studentswillhavetheopportunitytodeveloprhythmicandmusicalliteracy,physicalcoordination,dexterity,andspeedof movement.
Thiscoursemayberepeatedforcredit.
Advanced Tap (9, 10, 11, 12)
AdvancedTapisfortheexperiencedtapstudent Studentswillcontinuetodeveloprhythmicandmusicalliteracy,physical coordination,dexterity,andspeedofmovement,withanemphasisonadvancedtechnique.
Thiscoursemayberepeatedforcredit.
Prerequisites:Teacherrecommendation
SEMESTER ELECTIVES
Cracking the Code: How Music Works (9, 10, 11, 12)
Haveyoueverwonderedwhyasonghitsjustright?Orwhyanothersongfeelslikeitwanderedoffandnevercameback? Thiscoursepullsbackthecurtainonhowmusicactuallyworks We’llcrackthecodebehindmelodies,chords,rhythms, andform,andyou’llstarthearingmusicdifferently Spoileralert:musictheoryisnotaboutdustyrulesorfillingin worksheets It’saboutunderstandingthetoolscomposersandsongwritersusesoyoucanstealthemresponsibly Classtime isfast-pacedandinteractive Whetheryou’reaperformer,songwriter,producer,orjustmusicallycurious,thiscoursewill sharpenyourears,boostyourconfidence,andmakeyousmarteraboutmusic.
Piano Skills (9, 10, 11, 12)
Inthiscourse,studentswillusethecontrollerkeyboardsandstudentworkstationsintheCenterforInnovationandDesign (CID)tolearnthebasicsofkeyboardplayinginagroupsetting Fromsimplechordsandmelodies,tokeyboardharmony, elementarymusicsequencing(usingApple’sLogicProXsoftware),andreadingofmoreadvanced,traditionally-notated pianorepertoire,studentswillacquirefoundationalskillsapplicabletoanymusicalstyle
Songwriting (9, 10, 11, 12)
Thissemester-longsongwritingcourseisdesignedtoinspirecreativitywhileteachingstudentstheessentialbuildingblocks ofwritingandcomposingoriginalmusic Throughouttheclass,studentswillexplorepopularsongstructures,learnabout “magic”chordprogressionsthatformthefoundationofcountlesshitsongs,andbreakdownlyricstounderstandhow storytelling,emotion,andstructurecometogether Studentswilldiveintotheimportanceofrhymeschemesandhowthey canelevateasong’simpact,aswellasstudyvariouslyricaltechniquesusedbysuccessfulsongwritersacrossgenres.Along theway,they’llgainhands-onexperiencewritingtheirownlyricsandmelodies,withguidedsupportthrougheachstepof thecreativeprocess.Bytheendofthesemester,eachstudentwillhavewrittenandrecordedbetweenonetofouroriginal songs,polishedandreadyforanEP.Theserecordingscanbekeptasapersonalachievementoruploadedtostreaming platformsforawideraudiencetoenjoy.Whetheryou'reanaspiringartistorsimplywanttoexploreyourmusicalcreativity, thiscourseprovidesafunandeducationaljourneyintotheartofsongwriting.
INTERMEDIATE SEMESTER ELECTIVES: PERFORMING ARTS IN THE CID
Studio Recording Techniques (10, 11, 12)
Focusingonrecordingliveinstruments,thiscoursewillteachstudentsthefundamentalsofmicplacement,recordinglevels, overdubs,sessionmanagementandmixdown,usingApple’sLogicProXDigitalAudioWorkstationsoftware Projects mayincluderecordingofMBSPerformingArtsensemblesinthestudiosetting Emphasisonpreparationofrecordingsfor useinvarieddistributionsystems,includingtheMBSwebsite Additionaltopicsmayincludeadvancedaudioeditingfor usewithappropriatevideomedia. Thiscoursemayberepeatedforcredit.
ADVANCED SEMESTER ELECTIVES: PERFORMING ARTS IN THE CID
Electronic Music Production (10, 11, 12)
Inthisclass,studentsbecomemusicproducers You’llbuildoriginaltracksusingcutting-edgedigitaltools,liveaudio recording,andcreativesampling,allinsideLogicProX Fromdesigningyourownsoundswithsynthstoshapingbeatsand fullsongs,you’lllearnhowtoday’sproducersactuallymakemusic You’llalsogethands-ontimewithrealanalog synthesizersandsequencersintheCID;twistingknobs,buildingloops,andexperimentingwithhardwareusedby professionalartists Alongtheway,we’llexploreawiderangeofproductiontechniques,frombeat-makingandlayeringto arrangingandpolishingfinishedtracks Thiscourseisaboutexperimenting,findingyoursound,andturningideasinto musicyou’reproudtoshare.
Prerequisites:Completionofoneyearofamusicensemble
ICP AFFILIATIONS
ThePerformingArtscourseslistedbelowareaffiliatedwithourICPconcentrations: Arts&Innovation:Stagecraft,Theatresports,TechnicalTheater,allMusicEnsembleandDanceEnsemble classes,StudioRecordingTechniques,ElectronicMusicProduction
SCIENCE
Mission Statement: AtMBS,studentsareinspiredbythewondersoftheworld.Ourprogrampreparesstudentsforcivic responsibilityandglobalstewardshipthroughexperientiallearningandbydevelopingtheirunderstandingofthepowerand limitationsofscientificinvestigations.Studentsdeepentheircriticalthinkingandacquirequantitativeandqualitativetools necessarytomakeresponsibleandinformeddecisionsasscientistsandcitizens
Thesciencecurriculumincludesathree-yearsequenceofcoursesdesignedtointroducestudentstothebroad,basicareas andelementsofscience Theyareofferedindifferentversionsinordertoenhanceopportunitiesforstudentsuccess(see coursedescriptionsbelow) InadditiontothecoresubjectsofPhysics,Chemistry,andBiology,allstudentsareencouraged totakeEnvironmentalScience,andqualifiedstudentsmaytakescienceelectives,AdvancedPlacement,andAdvanced Studiescourses

IncomingstudentsenteringMBSingrades10,11or12,whohavepursuedcoreupperschoolscienceclassesinanalternate ordertothatofferedatMBS,shouldcontactthesciencedepartmentchairtodiscusstheirplacement
EARNED HONORS IN SCIENCE COURSES
StudentsinChemistry,Biology,andEnvironmentalSciencemayworktoachieveHonorscreditforthecoursebymeetinga setofclearlydefinedcriteria.
Physics (9)
Thisinvestigation-basedcourseintroducesbasicphysicsconceptsandgivesafoundationforfurthersciencecourses.The majorgoalsaretodevelopphysicalintuition,critical-thinking,andproblem-solvingskills.Activities,demonstrations, laboratoryexperiences,andprojectsareintegralpartsofthecourse,helpingstudentsdevelopskillsinorganization, observation,datacollection,reporting,andanalysis.Topicsmayincludestraight-linemotion,projectileandcircular motion,workandenergy,waves,sound,lightandcolor,andelectricityandmagnetism,alongwithpossiblespecialtopics.
Mathematical Physics Honors (9)
MathematicalPhysicsHonorsisgearedtowardsstudentswithverystrongalgebraskillsandwhoareintentonpursuing furtheradvancedsciencecoursesatMorristownBeardduringtheirupperclassmenyears Thecoursecoversthesamegeneral areasasthe“standard”Physicscourseofferedinfreshmanyear,namelyelectricity,wavesandmechanics,whiletackling conceptswithgreatermathematicalsophisticationandexpandingcontentcoveragetoabroaderrangeofmaterial,witha specificfocusontopicsofinteresttostudentswhomayeventuallypursueanengineeringdegreeorotherscientificmajors incollege Areasofemphasisrelatedtoelectricitymayincludesemiconductors,capacitors,diodes,andtransistors,whilean expandeddiscussionofwavesmayincludepropertiesoflight,suchasrefraction,reflection,andpolarization Theextended studyofmechanicsmayincludeanintroductiontodrag(fluiddynamics),rotationalmotionandstatics Thecoursewill emphasizestudent-drivenresearchanddesign,whileaimingtousephysicstosolvereal-worldproblems.Throughoutthe course,scientificrigorandquantitativeanalysiswillberequired.
Prerequisites:Departmentalrecommendation
Chemistry (Earned Honors) (10)
ChemistryandQuantitativeChemistryintroducestudentstothefundamentalideasofchemistry Topicsmayinclude atomictheory,thePeriodicTable/periodicity,chemicalbonding,structure/propertyrelationships,energytransformations, gaslaws,equilibrium,acid/basechemistry,electrochemistryandkinetics Experimentsandproblemsrequiring independentdecision-makingareintegraltothecourse
Prerequisites:PhysicsorMathematicalPhysicsH
Quantitative Chemistry Honors (10)
QuantitativeChemistryHonorsaddressesthesamematerialasChemistrywithagreateremphasisonthemathematical aspectsofchemistry
Prerequisites:PhysicsorMathematicalPhysicsH
Biology (Earned Honors) (11)
Thiscoursetouchesonallareasoflifescience,frommolecularinteractionstointeractionsbetweenorganismsandthe environment Labsarearegularandimportantpartofthecourseintegratingtheuseofcommontoolsandtechniques,both classical(microscope)andmodern(electronic),allowingstudentstostudytheformandfunctionoflivingthings Labwork fosterscriticalthinkingandproblemsolving
Prerequisites:PhysicsorMathematicalPhysicsHandChemistryorQuantitativeChemistryH
Experimental Biology Honors (11)
ExperimentalBiologycoversthesameareasofknowledgeasBiology,butrequiresstudentstoachieveadeeper understandingofscientificconcepts Masteryofthematerialisdemonstratedbytheabilitytoapplythelearnedconceptsto newsituations Greatemphasisisalsoplacedonthedesign,execution,andinterpretationoflabexperiments,applyingand synthesizinglabdataandcourseconcepts Thischallengingcourseisdesignedforstudentswhoareindependentlearners andhaveagreatinterestinthesubject
Prerequisites:PhysicsorMathematicalPhysicsHandChemistryorQuantitativeChemistryH(orpermissionof departmentchair)
Environmental Science (Earned Honors) (11, 12)
Humansocietyfacesanumberofpressingchallengesrelatedtotheenvironment,includingglobalclimatechange,theuse ofrenewableandnon-renewableresources,andwaterandairpollution.Thepolicyandpoliticaldecisionsrequiredin responsetotheseissuesdependintimatelyonourunderstandingofcomplexphysicalprocessesandsystems.Inthiscourse wewillinvestigatetheinteractionsbetweenhumansocietyandtheEarthSystem.Thefocusofthecoursewillbeoncase studiesinvolvingtheformulationofpoliciesinresponsetovariouspressuresandthreatsthatarisebetweensocietaland naturalsystems.Examplesare:climatechangeandenergypolicy;coastalfloodingandtheimplicationsforlandusepolicy; volcanicandearthquakehazardsanddisasterresponsepreparations;extremeweathereventsandthespreadofsuburbiato evermoreremoteregions
Prerequisites:PhysicsorMathematicalPhysicsH,ChemistryorQuantitativeChemistryH,andBiologyor ExperimentalBiologyH(whichmaybetakenconcurrently)
Prerequisites:HonorsChemistryorQuantitativeChemistryHanddepartmentalrecommendation
ADVANCED COURSES AND FULL-YEAR ELECTIVES
Advanced Studies: Organic Chemistry (11, 12)
Organicchemistry,thestudyofcarbon-basedcompounds,formsthebasisforadeepconceptualunderstandingofthe natureofthematerialsthatcompriseourworld,includingusascarbon-basedlifeforms Inthisyear-longadvancedcourse, studentswillstudythestructuraldetailsofprominentorganicstructuralclasses,explorethecommonchemicalreactionsof eachgroup,closelyanalyzethestep-by-stepmechanismsoftheirchemicaltransformation,andengageinretro-synthetic analysistodevisemethodsforpreparingcompoundsofpracticalinterest.Anexaminationofthespectroscopicmethodsof infraredandnuclearmagneticresonancewillbeundertakenasameanstoelucidatemolecularstructure,andlaboratory workwillfocusonadvancedtechniquessuchasthinlayerandcolumnchromatography,computationalchemistry,and synthesis.Studentswhohavedemonstratedstrongconceptualproblem-solvingskillsandindependentlearningarewell suitedtothecourse.
Advanced Studies: Physics (11, 12)
Studentswhohavetakenninth-gradephysicsmaypursueanadditional,morein-depthstudyofphysicsinthis algebra-basedhonors-levelcourse.Fallsemestertopicsmayincludeone-dimensionalandtwo-dimensionalkinematics, forces,energyandspecialrelativity.Springsemestertopicsmayincludeelectricity,magnetism,opticsandmodern physics.Thereisanemphasisonmakingconnectionstootherdisciplines(includingsomeengineering-relatedmaterial, forexample)aswellasconnectionsoutsidescience.Thecourseconsistsoftwoone-semesterclasses,eachatthehonors level,andwhileitisgenerallyrecommendedtotakeboth,thecontentcoveredisdistinctenoughthatastudentmay enrollineithersemesterseparately.Bothsemestersincludelaboratoryworkandmayincludeadditionaltopicsaccording tostudentinterestiftimeallows.Studentswhohavedemonstratedstrongconceptualandquantitativeproblem-solving skillsandindependentlearningarewell-suitedtothecourse.
Prerequisites:IntegratedMath3orequivalent,departmentalrecommendation
AP Biology (11, 12)
APBiologyisdesignedtobetheequivalentofthegeneralbiologycourseusuallytakenduringthefirstyearofcollege It coversthemajortopicsofclassification,evolution,genetics,cytology,molecularbiology,biochemistry,ecology,cell physiology,plantandanimalstructure,developmentalbiology,andphysiology.Majorexperimentsingenetics,celland molecularbiology,andanimalandplantphysiologyaredonethroughouttheyear.Thisisaverydemandingcourse,where studentsmusthavetheabilityandmotivationtoworkindependently.Studentswithstrongskillsintheareasofconceptual problem-solving,abstractreasoning,anddataanalysiswhohavemasteredthetopicsoftheirfirstBiologycourseare well-suitedtothecourse.
Prerequisites:ChemistryorQuantitativeChemistryH,HonorsBiologyorExperimentalBiologyH,departmental recommendation
AP Chemistry (11, 12)
APChemistryisdesignedtobetheequivalentofthegeneralchemistrycourseusuallytakenduringthefirstyear ofcollege.Studentswithstrongconceptualandquantitativeproblem-solvingskillswhohavemasteredthetopics oftheirfirstChemistrycoursearewell-suitedtothecourse.Studentsmustbecapableofindependentlearningand laboratorywork.Topicscoveredinclude:atomicstructure,chemicalbonding,intermolecularforces,material properties,chemicalreactions,stoichiometry,thermochemistry,kinetics,equilibrium,acid/basechemistry, thermodynamicsandelectrochemistry Laboratoryexperimentsaretypicallyinquirybased,withemphasisplaced onexperimentaldesign,dataanalysisandevidence-basedargumentation
Prerequisites:ChemistryorQuantitativeChemistryH,departmentalrecommendation
SEMESTER ELECTIVES
Anatomy and Physiology Honors (11, 12)
ThisHonors-levelcourseoffersanin-depthexplorationofmedicalterminology,foundationalbiochemistry, cellularandtissuestructure,andthestructureandfunctionofselecthumanbodysystems Intendedforstudents interestedincareerssuchasmedicine,nursing,physicaltherapy,pharmacy,physicaleducation,orpublichealth, thecourseemphasizesbothanatomicalorganizationandphysiologicalprocesses Laboratoryexperiencesextend beyondtraditionalmicroscopicanalysisandanatomicaldissectionstoincludeawiderangeofhands-on physiologyinvestigationsthatmodelorganfunctionandregulatorymechanisms,reinforcingconceptual understandingthroughexperientiallearning.
Prerequisites:ChemistryorQuantitativeChemistryH,HonorsBiologyorExperimentalBiologyH, departmentalrecommendation
Atmospheric Science (10, 11)
Thiscourseoffersanintroductiontophysicalprocessesintheatmosphere(weather,climate,andhazards)andwill centerclassdiscussionsarounddatasetsavailableontheScienceonaSphere Thegoaloftheclassistopromote awarenessandunderstandingoffundamentalconceptsaboutthehistory,functioning,contents,andutilizationof thehydrosphere,resultinginearth-systemliteratestudents.Studentswillalsobecomeproficientinusingthe sphere.
Engineering and Robotics (11,
12)
Thiscourseimmersesstudentsintheengineeringdesignprocessthroughhands-on,project-basedlearning focusedon3Ddesign,inventioncreation,andreal-worldproblemsolving Studentsexploremultipleengineering fields,includingmechanical,electrical,robotics,andcomputerengineering,whiledevelopingcriticalSTEMskills suchascreativity,collaboration,andanalyticalthinking Throughoutthesemester,studentscompleteaseriesof scaffoldedprojects,beginningwithanEngineeringDesignProcessprojectinwhichtheydefineareal-world problem,conductresearch,establishrequirements,brainstormsolutions,buildandtestprototypes,andpresent finalresults Studentsthencompleteanindividual(oroptionalpartner)buildingproject,creatingaphysical, functionalproductwhiledocumentingprogressthroughdailyengineeringjournals UsingtheSunFounder ArduinoUno,studentsconnectsoftwaretohardwarebycompletingguidedlabsthatintroducesimplifiedC++ coding,circuitbuilding,andelectroniccomponents,followedbyanappliedSmartCarprojectthatemphasizes motion,control,andsystemdesign.Thecourseculminatesinafinaldevelopmentprojectthatintegratesall learnedskillsintoafullyfunctionalinvention,supportedbydocumentation,reflection,andredesign.
Additionally,studentsengageinmonthlydiscussionsofcurrenttechnology-relatednews,connectingclassroom learningtoreal-worldengineeringapplications.
Oceanography (10, 11)
Thiscourseoffersanintroductiontothephysicalprocessesintheoceansandatmosphere,collectivelythe hydrosphere,whichisanimportantpartoftheglobalclimatesystemduetotheimmenseamountofheat, moisture,andmomentumtransferredwithinit Thegoalofthecourseistopresentscienceinasocialcontextand togivestudentsthefoundationneededtobeintelligentparticipantsinimportantsocietaldiscussionsthatinvolve environmentalissuestouchingonoceans,weather,climate,andcoastalzones Classdiscussionswillbecentered arounddatasetsavailableontheScienceonaSphere,andstudentswillbecomeproficientinusingthesphere.
Sports Medicine (11, 12)
Thiscourseisdesignedforjuniorsandseniorswhowanttopursueacareerinsportsmedicineorforstudentswho haveageneralinterestinthefieldofsportsmedicine Topicssuchasbasicanatomy,physiology,etiologyofathletic injuries,treatmentandrehabilitationoptionswillbestudied SportsMedicineiscross-listedinScienceandWellness
ICP AFFILIATIONS
TheSciencecourseslistedbelowareaffiliatedwithourICPconcentrations:
Sustainability:EnvironmentalScience,Oceanography
Arts&Innovation:EngineeringandRobotics
WELLNESS
Mission Statement: Wellnesseducationaimstoproduceapositiveattitudetowardlifelongwellnessaddressingbiological, social,andpsychologicaldimensionsofhealth,throughdevelopingtheskillsneededtopromoteoverallwell-being.
WellnessisacornerstoneofaMorristownBeardSchooleducation OverthesequenceofWellnesscourses,studentsare askedtoexplorewhatpromotesandwhatinhibitstheflourishingofhumanlife,bothindividuallyandsocially Studentsin WellnesscoursesnotonlygainnewknowledgebutdrawtogethertheirlearningfromMath,theArts,theHumanities,and theSciences,recognizingthebreadthofskillsandcontentthatbearonthestudyofWellness,andappreciatingthatWellness permeatesthelifeofthemindandbodyalike Aboveall,WellnessatMorristownBeardSchoolencouragesstudentstomore fullycomprehendthatWellnesscannotbeseparatedfromtheethicalandthecultural:acorecomponentofourWellness programissustainedtraininginculturalcompetenceandethicalleadership
Wellness 9
Inthisyear-longcourse,studentswillengageinawidevarietyofindividualandteamactivitiesthatpromotelifelong wellness Unitsincludeteamsports,suchassoccer,basketball,andracketsports,aswellaslifetimewellnessactivities Duringthefirstsemester,studentswillrotatethroughmini-sessionsonleadershipandcommunicationaswellasdigital, information,andsocialmedialiteracy Thecoursealsoincorporatescharacterbuildingandproblemsolvingactivitiesthat enhancecommunicationskillsandcriticalthinking Eightweekswillbespentintheclassroomcoveringtopicsincluding personalhealthandmanagingrisk,culturalcompetencyandethicalleadership,nutritionandhealthyeatingpatterns,eating disorders,andthehumanstressresponse StudentswillalsobetrainedinthebasicsofCPR/FirstAid Studentswillthen examinerisksassociatedwithalcoholandvapingonbothapersonalandsocietallevel Thecourseincludesdiscussionof humansexuality,reproduction, andsexuallytransmitteddiseases
Wellness 10
Inthissemestercourse,studentswillengageinawidevarietyofindividualandteamactivitiesthatpromotekinesthetic learningandlifelongwellness Unitsincludeteamsports,suchasflagfootballandvolleyball,racketsports,aswellaslifetime wellnessactivitieslikeyogaandgolf Studentswillalsoengageinunitsonculturalcompetencyandethicalleadership Additionally,studentswillworkoncross-curricularassessmentsthatwillaskthemtoapplywhattheylearninother disciplinestosportsandphysicalfitness Assessmentsincludethehistoricalaspectsofsport,thephysicsinvolvedinathletics, sportscommentaryandwriting,andstatisticalanalysis
Integrative Health 10
Inthissemestercourse,studentswillbeintroducedtotheprinciplesofintegrativehealth.Integrativehealthprovides studentswithaholisticunderstandingofwellness,includingmental,emotional,functional,communal,andsocialaspects. Studentsareprovidedwithtoolsforunderstandingthemselves,others,andtheworld,andtheinterdependenceofthethree. Throughconversations,activities,andassessments,studentsapplyandintegrateconceptsintotheirlivesanddevelop long-termcompetencies.Thecourseincludesdiscussionofhumansexuality,reproduction, andsexuallytransmitted diseases.
WELLNESS ELECTIVES
Abnormal Psychology (11, 12)
Abnormalpsychologyincludesunusualmental,emotional,and/orbehavioralpatterns.Thiscoursewillintroducestudents tomethodsutilizedtoidentifymentalillnessaswellasmodalitiestotreatthem.Thereareamyriadofcounselingtheories andpractices,andsomeformsarebetterutilizedwithcertaintypesofmentalillness Thiscoursewillexplorehow practitionersidentify,diagnose,andtreatindividualswithmentalillness
AP Psychology (full year) (12)
Thiscourseintroducesstudentstothesystematicandscientificstudyofhumancognitionandbehavior.Whileconsidering thepsychologistsandstudiesthathaveshapedthefield,studentsexploreandapplypsychologicaltheories,keyconceptsin theareasofthebiologicalbasesofbehavior,sensationandperception,learningandcognition,developmentalpsychology, andtreatmentsofpsychologicaldisorders Studentsstudypsychologicalresearchmethodsthroughoutthecourse,including ethicalconsiderations,astheyevaluateclaimsandevidenceandeffectivelycommunicateideas
Thisisahigh-levelcoursethatwillrequirestrongreadingandwritingskills
Prerequisites:entranceexam,gradesearnedintheHistoryandSciencedepartments,aself-assessment,anddepartmental recommendation
Nutrition (11, 12)
Thiscoursewillprovidestudentswiththetoolsnecessarytounderstandnutritionasitpertainstotheirlives Through studyofthephysiologicalrequirementsandfunctionsofthebasicnutrients,studentswillexplorevariousaspectsof nutritioninaproject-basedcontext Topicareaswillincludetheinfluenceofnutritionanddietonhealth,culture,illness, andsportsperformance
Peer Group (11, 12)
ThePeerGroupatMorristownBeardisasemestercourseforjuniorsandseniorsdesignedtoteachleadershiptechniquesas wellasgroupfacilitationandcommunicationskills Complementingtheircoursework,PeerGroupstudentsleadweekly meetingsforfreshmenadvisorygroups,facilitatingdiscussionontopicspertinenttoHighSchooltransitionissues
Prospectivestudentsmustsubmitawrittenapplication,receiverecommendationsfromtwofacultymembersand participateinagroupinterview
Prerequisites:Applicationprocess
Sports Medicine (11, 12)
Thiscourseisdesignedforjuniorsandseniorswhowanttopursueacareerinsportsmedicineorforstudentswho haveageneralinterestinthefieldofsportsmedicine Topicssuchasbasicanatomy,physiology,etiologyofathletic injuries,treatmentandrehabilitationoptionswillbestudied SportsMedicineiscross-listedinScienceandWellness
Yoga (11, 12)
Thiscourseintroducesstudentstothepracticeofyogaasatoolwhichsupportstheirphysical,mental,andemotional well-being Studentswillbeledthroughguidedpostures,breathingtechniques,andmindfulnessexercises Bytheendof thesemester,studentswillhavebuiltstrength,flexibility,balance,andstressmanagementskills.Theseskillshavetheability toincreaseathleticperformance,academicperformance,andcopingwithlife’sstressors.
ICP AFFILIATIONS
TheWellnesscourseslistedbelowareaffiliatedwithourICPconcentrations: Ethics,Leadership,Justice:PeerGroup DataAnalysis&ResearchMethods:ThePsychologyofSocialMedia
WORLD LANGUAGE
Mission Statement: TheWorldLanguageDepartmentbelievesmeaningfulcommunicationisfundamentalto alllanguagelearning.Wepracticethelanguageincontext,developingculturalawarenessaswellaslinguistic competencies.Studentslearnaboutwhatcanbesaidinaworldlanguageaswellashowtosayit.Ourprogram embracesprogresswhileacknowledgingthatlearningalanguageinvolvescyclesofaccelerationandadjustment
LANGUAGE STUDY AT MBS
TheWorldLanguageDepartmentoffersbeginnertoadvancedclassesinFrench,LatinandSpanish Freshmen comingfromtheMBSmiddleschoolareplacedthroughacombinationoftestinganddepartmental recommendation NewMBSstudentstakeaplacementtestandtypicallyenrollinIntroductory,Novice, FoundationalorBuildinglanguage(seebelow) Thegraduationrequirementisthreeconsecutiveyearsofthesame language(French,LatinorSpanish)intheUpperSchool
WORLD LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY CURRICULUM
TheWorldLanguageproficiencycurriculumisdesignedtoallowstudentstomoveforwardthroughlanguageata pacethatprovidesthemopportunitiesforsuccess.Thiscurriculumreflectsthemostcurrentresearchinthefield oflanguageinstructionandisinformedbybenchmarksandbestpracticesdefinedbytheAmericanCouncilfor theTeachingofForeignLanguages.Thecoursesaredefinedbyperformanceobjectivesratherthantimespent learningthelanguage Theseperformanceobjectivesprovideinformationforstudentsaboutwhattheymust consistentlydemonstratetoreachaparticularlevel,puttingthemincontroloftheirownprogress Teacherswill exposestudentstolanguageinamannerthatallowsthemtomeetbenchmarksforthelevelabovetheircurrent level Thusstudentscanmovethroughthesequenceatapacethatfitstheirlanguagedevelopment,advancingpast levelsiftheydemonstratecompetenceintherelevantbenchmarks Thesequenceisillustratedbelow Students demonstrateextraordinaryachievementbyadvancingtoExperiencedandAdvancedcourses
SAMPLE STUDENT TRAJECTORIES

GRADUATE PROFILE

FRENCH AND SPANISH
Theultimategoalofsecondlanguagestudyistheabilitytocommunicateeffectivelyinavarietyofsituations This requiresthatstudentsdeveloporal,aural,written,grammatical,lexicalandculturalformsoflinguistic competency Weendeavortodevelopallformsofcompetencythroughuseofavarietyofapproaches,withspecial emphasisonappropriateuseofthetargetlanguageinvariouscontexts Asstudentsreachupperlevelcourses, increasedemphasisisplacedonhigherorderthinkingcarriedoutinthelanguagebeingstudied Avarietyof assessmentpractices(oral,aural,written,project-based,formativeandsummative)measuresstudentprogress acrosstherangeofrequiredabilities Whilemasteryofvocabularyandbasicstructuralelementsoflanguageis required,theMBSlanguageprogramstrivestomaintainavibrantandstimulatingatmosphereoflearningin whichstudentengagementandactiveparticipationinclassactivitiesarestronglypromoted
LATIN
InadditiontotheabilitytocomprehendancientLatintexts,thestudyofLatindevelopsahostofskillsthatare applicableinalldisciplines Ittrainsthemindtoobservetextcarefullyandanalyticallyandtoreachappropriate conclusionsbasedonbothdetailandcontext Itpromotesanalyticalandsyntheticthinking,intellectualand linguisticrigor,andeffective,clearcommunication Italsocontributestogainingself-knowledgethroughlearning abouttheoriginsofWesternCivilization BeginningwiththestudyoftheelementarycomponentsofLatin, studentsprogressivelyacquiremorecomplexdecodingabilitieswhichleadtothedevelopmentofreading
proficiency.LatinstudentswillalsodelveintovariousaspectsofRomanliteratureandhistory,cultureand mythology,therebyobservingconnectionsthatdemonstratethecontinuedrelevanceoftheclassicallegacyto contemporarycivilization.
OVERVIEW OF COURSE OFFERINGS
Introductory-ExperiencedFrench,APFrench
Introductory-ExperiencedSpanish,APSpanish;HeritageandBilingualSpanish
Introductory-AdvancedStudiesLatin
INTRODUCTORY, NOVICE, FOUNDATIONAL AND BUILDING LANGUAGE
Languageinstructionbeginswiththedevelopmentofstrongbasiccommunicationskillsinmanyroutinetopics suchasgreetings,introductions,personalandfamilyidentity,basicneedsandwants,likesanddislikes, introductiontofood,timeandweather,schoollifeandleisureactivities.Studentscontinuetopracticethefour basiclanguageskills(listening,speaking,readingandwriting)astheystrivetowardscompetencyintheabove areas.Cultureisintegratedintotheclassroomthroughuseofauthenticmaterials(audio,audio-visual,textual, internetandprint-based).Whileinitiallythefocusofinstructionisnotongrammarorvocabulary,ahighlevelof masteryrequiresthatvocabularybeacquiredandthatstudentsbeknowledgeableaboutthebasicstructural featuresoflanguage(eg tense,conjugation,gender,agreement) Bytheendofthissequenceofcourses,students willhaveactivelylearnedavarietyofcommunicationfunctions(suchasnarration,description,comparingand contrasting),willhavepracticedvariousmodesofcommunicationinbothwrittenandoralform(interpersonal, interpretive,presentational)andwillhavereadshortfictionandverse
INTRODUCTORY
Benchmarkuponcompletion:Thestudentcommunicateswithlimitedflexibilityinvocabularyandstructure, usinghigh-frequencywordsandrotephrases
Introductory French (9, 10, 11, 12)
Introductory Latin (9, 10, 11, 12)
Introductory Spanish (9, 10, 11, 12)
NOVICE
Benchmarkuponcompletion:Thestudentcommunicateswithemergingflexibilityinvocabularyandstructure, usinghigh-frequencyvocabularywords,rotephrasesandsimplesentences
Novice French (9, 10, 11, 12)
Prerequisites:CompetencyinIntroductoryFrenchperformancebenchmarks
Novice Latin (9, 10, 11, 12)
Prerequisites:CompetencyinIntroductoryLatinperformancebenchmarks
Novice Spanish (9, 10, 11, 12)
Prerequisites:CompetencyinIntroductorySpanishperformancebenchmarks
FOUNDATIONAL
Benchmarkuponcompletion:Thestudentcommunicateswithgrowingflexibilityinvocabularyandstructure, andusessimplesentenceswithconfidenceinthepresenttense
Foundational French (9, 10, 11, 12)
Prerequisites:CompetencyinNoviceFrenchperformancebenchmarks
Foundational Latin (9, 10, 11, 12)
Prerequisites:CompetencyinNoviceLatinperformancebenchmarks
Foundational Spanish (9, 10, 11, 12)
Prerequisites:CompetencyinNoviceSpanishperformancebenchmarks
BUILDING
Benchmarkuponcompletion:Thestudentcommunicateswithgrowingflexibilityinvocabularyandstructure, andusessimpleandoriginaldiscoursewithemergingabilityinthepasttenses
Building French (9, 10, 11, 12)
Prerequisites:CompetencyinFoundationalFrenchperformancebenchmarks
Building Latin (9, 10, 11, 12)
Prerequisites:CompetencyinFoundationalLatinperformancebenchmarks
Building Spanish (9, 10, 11, 12)
Prerequisites:CompetencyinFoundationalSpanishperformancebenchmarks
INTERMEDIATE AND EXPERIENCED SPANISH AND FRENCH; CONTEMPORARY HISPANIC NARRATIVES
Inthesecourses,conductedprimarilyinthetargetlanguage,studentswillcontinuetopracticecommunication abilitiesinmanyevery-daycontexts,butwithemphasisondevelopingvocabulary,structuresandusagethatreflect moresophisticatedthinkingabilitieswithinthetargetlanguage(evaluation,analysis,synthesis,creativewriting). Growthispromotedthroughin-depthprojectsandtasks,andgreatercontactwithauthenticmaterials.Courses progressivelyemphasizeworkinginthelanguageasmuchasonthelanguage;assuch,studentparticipationinthe targetlanguageisrequired.Asinthelowerlevels,allfundamentallanguageskillsareencouraged(listening, reading,speaking,writing),butwithincreasedexpectationsforsustaineddiscourseinthetargetlanguageand
creativeuseofpreviouslypracticedskills.Ahighdegreeofproficiencyinpreviouslystudiedmaterialisimplicitin upper-levelclasses.
Intermediate French (9, 10, 11, 12)
Prerequisites:CompetencyinBuildingFrenchperformancebenchmarks
Intermediate Spanish (9, 10, 11, 12)
Prerequisites:CompetencyinBuildingSpanishperformancebenchmarks
Contemporary Hispanic Narratives (9, 10, 11, 12)
Prerequisites:CompetencyinIntermediateSpanishperformancebenchmarks
Experienced French (9, 10, 11, 12)
Prerequisites:CompetencyinIntermediateFrenchperformancebenchmarks
Experienced Spanish (9, 10, 11, 12)
Prerequisites:CompetencyinContemporaryHispanicNarrativesperformancebenchmarks
HERITAGE SPANISH LANGUAGE
ThisisayearlongcoursedesignedforheritageandbilingualspeakersofSpanish.Thecoursepromotesconfidence andcompetenceinspeaking,listening,reading,andwriting.Uponcompletionofthecycle,studentswillbe placedintoanappropriateleveloftheSpanishcurriculum.TheHeritageandBilingualSpanishcurriculum followsatwo-yearA/Bcycle,offeringdistinctbutcomplementaryexperienceseachyear.Thisisaseminar-style coursethatencouragescriticalthinkingandrespectfuldialoguearoundlanguage,culture,identity,andhistory. Studentsareguidedindiscussionsandcompletefrequentwritingandreadingassignments.
Heritage and Bilingual Spanish Language (9, 10, 11, 12)
Prerequisites:Interviewwithaninstructor
INTERMEDIATE AND EXPERIENCED LATIN
IntermediateandExperiencedLatincontinuethedevelopmentofreadingandcomprehensionskills.Reading Latinistheprimarymeansofinputformorecomplexsyntacticformssuchassubordination,participles,andthe subjunctivemood,butstudentsalsoenhancetheircomprehensionthroughspeaking,writing,andlistening exercises Continuedstudyofmorphologyanditsapplicationcomplementthepracticeofclosereading Students alsobegintomakeforaysintoliterature,art,poeticmeter,figuresofspeech,andcomparativeanalysis
Intermediate Latin (9, 10, 11, 12)
Prerequisites:CompetencyinBuildingLatinperformancebenchmarks
Experienced Latin (9, 10, 11, 12)
Prerequisites:CompetencyinIntermediateLatinperformancebenchmarks
ADVANCED LANGUAGE COURSES - AP AND ADVANCED STUDIES
Advanced Studies: Gender and Power in Latin Literature (11, 12)
ThisAdvancedStudiescourseexplorestheinteractionbetweengenderandpowerthroughauthenticLatin literature StudentswillimprovetheirabilitytoreadLatinwithcomprehensionofsyntaxandvocabularyandwill developtheiranalyticalabilitiesthroughdiscussion,literaryanalysis,andthestudyofLatinmetrics Theywill exploretopicssuchasmasculinityandfemininity,genderedbehavior,systemsofoppression,andpower structures Theywilllookforbothcontinuitiesandrupturesbetweenancientwaysofunderstandinggenderand powerandourown
Prerequisites:ExperiencedLatinanddepartmentalrecommendation.
AP French Language (9, 10, 11, 12)
APFrenchhasbeenrevisedtoreflectrecentchangesintheCollegeBoardcurriculum Theprimaryfocusinboth classesisthematicand"modal,"thislatterreferringtothecommunicationalexigenciestestedbytheexams themselves Thesix"modes"ofcommunicationarewrittenandspokeninterpersonal,writtenandspoken interpretive,writtenandspokenpresentational.TheFrenchAPexamrequiresthatstudentsbeexposedtoabroad spectrumofthemes.Treatmentofthesethemeswillemphasizethevariousmodesofcommunicationwhilealso developingthestudent'sabilitytoreadcritically,analyze,compareandcontrast,evaluate,expressopinions, critiqueandsupport.Themajorityofcourseworkiscarriedoutusingauthenticmaterialswhichpromoteavery highdegreeofbothlinguisticandculturalcompetence.StudentsinAPcoursesarerequiredtotaketheAPexam inordertoreceiveAPcreditfortheclass.
Prerequisites:Departmentalrecommendationandhighperformanceinpreviousyear’sFrenchcourse
AP Spanish Language (9, 10, 11, 12)
APSpanishhasbeenrevisedtoreflectrecentchangesintheCollegeBoardcurriculum Theprimaryfocusinbothclassesis thematicand"modal,"thislatterreferringtothecommunicationalexigenciestestedbytheexamsthemselves Thesix "modes"ofcommunicationarewrittenandspokeninterpersonal,writtenandspokeninterpretive,writtenandspoken presentational TheSpanishAPexamrequiresthatstudentsbeexposedtoabroadspectrumofthemes Treatmentofthese themeswillemphasizethevariousmodesofcommunicationwhilealsodevelopingthestudent'sabilitytoreadcritically, analyze,compareandcontrast,evaluate,expressopinions,critiqueandsupport.Themajorityofcourseworkiscarriedout usingauthenticmaterialswhichpromoteaveryhighdegreeofbothlinguisticandculturalcompetence.StudentsinAP coursesarerequiredtotaketheAPexaminordertoreceiveAPcreditfortheclass.
Prerequisites:Departmentalrecommendationandhighperformanceinpreviousyear’sSpanishcourse
Within a culture of support and collaboration, Morristown Beard School students discover and develop their individual pathways to academic success and personal fulfillment while becoming enlightened, morally responsible citizens of the world.
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