English:
Romanticism(fall):
This semester course focuses on the literature of the British Romantic Period, approximately 1810-1840, with special emphasis on the poetry of Wordsworth, Shelley, and Keats. Students read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and an extensive collection of poems. The course also traced the logical extension of literary structures and themes into the American Romantic Movement that followed using works by authors such as Poe, Whittier, and Longfellow.
Music:
Major Courses:
Varsity Voices:
Varsity Voices is Canterbury’s high-level vocal acapella ensemble, specializing in contemporary and popular music. Explore tight vocal harmonies, complex rhythms, and advanced vocal techniques in this challenging and fast-paced environment. Varsity Voiced is an auditioned ensemble for all voice types and students who have experience in vocal percussion/ beat boxing. This ensemble will perform regularly both on and off campus.
Contemporary Jazz-R&B Combo:
The contemporary Jazz-R&B Combo is a select group of instrumentalists who perform music in many styles of modern jazz including blues, funk, fusion, swing and Latin. Students learn about playing in a rhythm section, improvising, and interpretation of style. Students of any instrument in Intermediate to Advanced level may audition. This group gives five performanced throughout the year. Students have the opportunity to learn jazz improvisation, as well as techniques for playing jazz in a small group setting. The group will play music in the styles of popular music, rock&Roll, and jazz. By audition.
Advanced Theory For Modern Music:
This course offers students a new understanding of how music functions. Students are introduced to a systematic approach to the learning of theory and composition in rock, pop, and other modern music idioms. Exploration of melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic principles, standard popular music song forms, analysis of published works, and arranging considerations will all be topics covered. Students will also develop ear-training skills through performance and dictation study of melodies, rhythms and harmonic progressions. After completing this course students will be able to write short original musical compositions as well as identify, by ear, common rhythmic harmonic and melodic musical phrases. Department approval required.
Songwriting(Spring)
Songwriting provides musicians and creative writers with the basic tools to express themselves through original songs. Basics of harmony, lyric writing, melody and song form are discussed in a fun, supportive setting. Knowledge of a chordal instrument(guitar, piano, ukelele, etc.) is helpful but not required. Prerequisite: Music Literacy or Department approval
Minor Courses:
Chorale
Canterbury Chorale is the place where anyone can find their singing voice. This choir emphasizes the healthy habits of ensemble singing through a variety of genres and styles. Canterbury Chorale is open to all students, without audition, and performs at various concerts and special events throughout the school year.
Chapel Choir
Chapel Choir is designed for members of the community who want to be part of an ensemble, contribute to Sunday Mass, and express their spirituality through music. This course will meet one evening a week and Sunday mornings to prepare weekly hymns, communion meditations, and parts of the Mass. Members of the ensemble will also have the opportunity to lead the congregation in song as hymn leaders and cantors.
Rock Guitar(Spring)
In this course students are introduced to various rock guitar styles while learning lead and rhythm guitar parts to many songs in the rock genre. The focus of the class will be on learning chord shapes and scale types used in classic through modern rock as well as studying the styles of some of the greats of rock guitar. At the conclusion of the course, students will be able to play a repertoire of classic and modern rock songs. This is great course for students who have some experience in playing the guitar and appreciate rock music. Prerequisite: Intro to Guitar or department approval
Language-Spanish
Advanced Topics in Spanish – Conversation and Controversy
In this posts-Ap course, students will cover a variety of topics ranging from deforestation to immigration, racism, and the many challenges that arise with these issues. Through authentic documentaries, articles, and podcasts, students will live this issues facing many Spanish speakers in the United States and in their home countries. With the use of debates, speeches, and persuasive writing, the students will culminate their language experience by covering current topics and being able to speak to the topic in the second language. Department approval required
Astronomy (Fall or Spring)
This semester course is an introduction to the mysteries of the heavens. Readings in the course explore modern theories of cosmology and the efforts of 20th century astronomers to explore and explain the universe. This course begins with a brief overview of the fundamental physics principles that are central to an understanding of astronomy: forces and motions, the nature of gravity, and light and optics. We countinue with an examination of our sun and solar system and move on to a more general study of stellar evolution and galaxy formation. Next, we explore a wide of exotic astronomical phenomena that the heavens hold–quasars, pulsars, black holes, and supernova–as fascinating as they are bizarre. The study of these objects leads into a discussion of Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity. Finally, we consider the possibility of extraterrestrial life and ponder the question: “Are we alone?” For fifth and Sixth Formers.
Science- Electives:
Forensic Science(Fall or Spring)
This semester course introduces students to the principles and practices found in the field of forensic science, which draws from the biological and physical sciences. The course begins by examining the theories and concepts necessary to effectively examine, analyze, and reconstruct a major crime scene. Specifically, the legal issues related to the search and seizure of physical evidence, crime scene documentation techniques, and basic crime scene reconstruction methods will be studies. Students will also study trace evidence and how it is analyzed, compared, interpreted, and used in criminal investigations. Types of trace evidence to be discussed will include glass, print, hair, fiber, and fingerprints. Case studies of actual crimes and trials will be discussed to illustrate how the science and techniques may be used in the real world. For Fifth and Sixth Formers.
Neuroscience & Behavior(Fall or Spring)
This semester course covers the relation of structure and function at various levels of neuronal integration. Topics include functional neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, sensory and motor systems, centrally programmed behavior sensory systems, sleep and dreaming, motivation and reward, emotional displays of various types, “higher functions” and the neocortex, and processes in learning and memory. For fifth and Sixth Formers.
Intro to Philosophy:
Ever wondered if God exists? If you have free will? If life has meaning? What makes an action intrinsically right or wrong? What does it mean to be happy? Should you fear death? What is Truth? This introductory course is an opportunity to study philosophy in order to develop your ability to understand and evaluate your own beliefs and values, as well as those of others, so that you can become an open-minded, respectful, thoughtful adult and responsible citizens. In this course, students learn how to inquire into complex problems and begin to formulate a personal philosophy. Students learn effective methods of inquiry, logic, analysis, and criticism while being introduced to philosophical problems. Finally, students learn how to approach these issues from a number of important philosophers, from the ancient Greeks to modern thinkers.
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