Scholar Weekend Courses at Duke University
Thank you for your interest; all Scholar Weekend courses at Duke University are full.
Weekend 1 (October 10, 2009 - October 11, 2009)
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Anatomy, Physiology and Medical Ethics FULL
Anatomy, Physiology and Medical Ethics
This challenging course will provide students an opportunity to learn the language of anatomy and explore the physiology of major human organ systems through a variety of pedagogical techniques. During this two-day discovery, students will examine cells, tissues and models of organs; observe and interpret clinical data; and delve into the principles of medical ethics with a discussion of topics such as stem cell research, genetic discrimination and euthanasia. Conjointly, students will review select books, film and documentary clips addressing key clinician and patient issues in an effort to understand medicine as an art form as well as a science.
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Creative Writing: Composing Teen Fiction FULL
Creative Writing: Composing Teen Fiction
This course will be an exploration into the popularity of teen fiction and a workshop on constructing your own piece of literature for this particular audience. We will focus on the mania behind popular works such as Harry Potter, His Dark Materials, and the Twilight series. Why are teens captivated by these works? What elements make them best sellers? Why are teens such a huge market for fiction writers? How can adults empathize with adolescent heroines or heroes? Students will be introduced to technical literary terms, as well as strategies for development, publication, writer's block, and revision. Students will not only learn how to become better creative writers, but also better editors and critics.
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Criminal Trial Advocacy FULL
Criminal Trial Advocacy
Have you ever watched a television show with a courtroom scene and thought to yourself that you could question a witness to get the truth or outwit a crafty lawyer? Here is your chance to find out what it is really like in a courtroom. Students in this course will have the opportunity to participate in a mock trial. After learning the selected criminal substantive law and some procedural courtroom rules, students will analyze and evaluate evidence, examine witnesses, or role-play other parts. Emphasis will be on the examination and cross-examination of eyewitnesses, experts, and police officers. Students will work to develop their oratorical abilities with opening statements and closing arguments.
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Psychology of a Criminal FULL
Psychology of a Criminal
This course will explore criminality through the lenses of psychological theory and the legal system. Students will develop a better understanding of criminal behavior motivations and various factors which contribute to wrongdoing. We will examine theories of such behavior including biological, sociological and psychological theories of criminality and delinquency. We will also consider the legal system with particular focus on the insanity defense, lie detection and police psychology. Finally, we will analyze real case studies and past crimes. Students will examine behaviors that lead to deviance as well as learn basic profiling skills by completing a profile of an historical serial killer.
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The Neurobiology of the Senses FULL
The Neurobiology of the Senses
The neural processes underlying our ability to sense various stimuli in our environment have been widely studied. The Nobel Prize was recently awarded for elucidating the mechanisms of olfaction, or the ability to smell. In this course students will explore the cellular mechanisms of neurons, neural circuitry and basic neuroanatomy in a variety of species, including using their own senses to test basic principles. Students will critically examine the latest research and divide into groups to think through their own models for these complex systems based on their new knowledge of neuronal function. Coursework will include dissection, activities, research and presentation. (8th grade students only)
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Writing and Multimedia FULL
Writing and Multimedia
How must writing evolve to meet the needs of a changing society? What is journalistic integrity? What ethical dilemmas do journalists face? Can a blog be objective? Journalism is an ever-evolving field significantly influenced by changes in culture, policy, technology, and human behavior. In this course, we'll use the writing process to practice and refine the expository, persuasive, and narrative writing skills used by journalists in the development of print, web and various broadcast media. We will also examine the purpose of different writing genres in journalistic expression, the nuances of writing for a particular audience and the questions facing journalists around the world.
Weekend 2 (November 14, 2009 - November 15, 2009)
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Anatomy, Physiology and Medical Ethics FULL
Anatomy, Physiology and Medical Ethics
This challenging course will provide students an opportunity to learn the language of anatomy and explore the physiology of major human organ systems through a variety of pedagogical techniques. During this two-day discovery, students will examine cells, tissues and models of organs; observe and interpret clinical data; and delve into the principles of medical ethics with a discussion of topics such as stem cell research, genetic discrimination and euthanasia. Conjointly, students will review select books, film and documentary clips addressing key clinician and patient issues in an effort to understand medicine as an art form as well as a science.
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Build-A-Book Workshop FULL
Build-A-Book Workshop
The Artist's Book is a relatively new genre that is still being formed and defined. As the name suggests, the genre is a hybrid of art and narrative. The forms for these types of books are varied and can be in a multitude of styles: hand-sewn, accordion, scroll, fabric, pocket, mini, paper-bag, supersize, pop-up, altered, and destroyed. The content for these styles are also diverse, from poems to short stories, comics to codes, collage to memoir. This course will be part creative writing and part artistry. Students will learn about creative book formats and different types of poetry. The class will then experiment with binding styles and writing genres in order to create their own Artists' Books. Each student will leave with an assemblage of at least four different types of books.
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Playwriting FULL
Playwriting
You've probably read plays in school, but have you ever thought about what it must be like to write for the stage? What makes a conversation entertaining to watch? This course will introduce you to the basic building blocks of playwriting: plot, character, dialogue, and theatricality. During the weekend, students will work together to develop scenarios for plays, invent detailed characters, and learn the tricks of effective dialogue through a study of sample texts. Individually, you will write several short plays: a two-character scene with a clear central conflict, a monologue in which the speaker is an object of ridicule, and an adaptation of a famous myth.
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Programming and Design for Video Games FULL
Programming and Design for Video Games
Students will explore how mathematics, problem solving and creativity combine in the design and development of video games. In this course, students will learn about the process of game development and gain hands-on experience designing, modifying and developing several small computer games through exploratory and problem-solving activities. Students will work individually and in small teams to complete introductory Python programming exercises, followed by several small game projects. Topics will include basics of programming languages, elementary data structures, control statements, object-oriented programming, graphical user interfaces, 2D graphics and animation. Critical thinking and communication skills will be emphasized through class discussions and brief student project presentations. Upon completion of the course, students will take home a CD containing their weekend's programming portfolio.
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Psychology of a Criminal FULL
Psychology of a Criminal
This course will explore criminality through the lenses of psychological theory and the legal system. Students will develop a better understanding of criminal behavior motivations and various factors which contribute to wrongdoing. We will examine theories of such behavior including biological, sociological and psychological theories of criminality and delinquency. We will also consider the legal system with particular focus on the insanity defense, lie detection and police psychology. Finally, we will analyze real case studies and past crimes. Students will examine behaviors that lead to deviance as well as learn basic profiling skills by completing a profile of an historical serial killer.
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Rhetoric and Reason: The Art of Argument FULL
Rhetoric and Reason: The Art of Argument
Arguments are everywhere. Whether you're reading an academic paper or a newspaper editorial, watching television or engaging in friendly conversation, you're creating or reacting to persuasion. But what makes an argument valid or invalid? Drawing upon the principles of logic, students will analyze the rhetorical strategies of both literary texts and visual arts in an effort to discern rhetorical goals and effects. We will investigate the argumentation found in ancient philosophical texts-such as the Platonic dialogues-and the persuasive rhetoric used in contemporary cultural texts-such as "Friends." Students will have a chance to hone their own critical reasoning skills in lively classroom debate.