Never before in the history of publishing has young adult literature been more popular. With record-breaking sales of the Harry Potter series and other novels with teenagers as the central characters, these books are being read and enjoyed not just by teens but by adults as well. This class will look at five novels covering the last 60 years in order to discover the common threads of teenagehood, but also to look at how things have changed over time. Catcher in the Rye, The Outsiders, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and a novel chosen by the class as a whole will be required reading; each student will be allowed to choose an additional novel of their choice. In addition to reading, students will be asked to reflect on the novels in writing and discussions, and to complete several literary analysis essays. ½ credit English Instructor: Elizabeth Blondia  

Using Ken Burns’ new documentary as our informational foundation, we will explore the history, politics, music, and popular culture of the era of the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War. By exploring a variety of texts and movies, and by meeting and talking to guest speakers, students will not only gain an understanding of the chronology of events and pertinent issues of that era, but will also be able to relate these issues (protests, patriotism, freedom of speech, and the morality of war) to current events. ½ credit History Instructors: Elizabeth Blondia and Bruce Hood  

This course will introduce you to the fundamental principles of psychology and to the major subjects of psychological inquiry. It has been designed to not only provide you with the tools necessary for the study of psychology but to present you with a sampling of the major areas of psychology research. The course begins with a short overview of how psychology developed as an academic discipline and an introduction to a number of the principal methodologies most commonly deployed in its study. The course units (8) are arranged around broad areas of research, including emotion, development, memory, and psychopathology. We will focus on well-substantiated research and current trends within each of these categories. ½ credit Social Studies Instructor: Cris Pina-Gautier