Sophomore Seminar*
Grade 10
.5 credit
This seminar, offered by the Computer Science and Health Departments, introduces students to current technologies shaping our world. This engaging course equips students with critical skills to navigate the complexities of modern media and emerging technologies. Through an exploration of media literacy, students analyze the impact of media on perception, policy, and culture, with topics such as confirmation bias, online advertising, and propaganda. They also delve into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence, learning how AI is trained, its potential biases, and the ethical implications of its use in tools like chatbots, algorithms, and generative AI. Hands-on projects, such as analyzing AI chatbots, creating propaganda campaigns, and producing AI-generated media, encourage creativity and critical thinking. Students actively discuss and reflect on the influence of technology and media in their daily lives, culminating in collaborative presentations and real-world applications. This seminar prepares students to think critically, act ethically, and engage responsibly in our increasingly digital world. The health component of this seminar builds on the components presented in Ninth-Grade Seminar, addressing the physical, mental, social, and emotional challenges of high school and adolescence. Students strengthen their abilities to recognize, analyze, and react to unhealthy situations and develop the practices and attitudes necessary to lead a productive and balanced life. Classes are conducted as a forum for students to discuss their views in an atmosphere of trust and acceptance. Health classes are built to be age-appropriate, and topics may include external factors that influence health and wellness, life skills, good decision-making, social media, healthy relationships, sexual health and reproduction, drugs and alcohol, and mental illness.
*Required course for sophomores
Offered fall and spring semesters