Duke TIP introduces new courses in the humanities
Contact: Katherine Thomson
Duke University Talent Identification Program
(919) 668-9127
katherine.thomson@duke.edu
Online courses emphasize interdisciplinary learning
Updated: September 10, 2009
Durham, N.C. — Duke TIP is pleased to offer two new Independent Learning courses allowing students in grades 5 through 10 to explore humanities topics in depth.
Growing Up Heroic: Adventures in Greek Mythology is a new Duke TIP course that integrates English Language Arts, social studies and facets of arts and anthropology. Just as educational theorists Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe advocate curriculum that explores the "big ideas" and "essential understandings," this course helps students comprehend heroism and coming of age. Students walk in the sandals of Achilles, Pandora, Perseus, Persephone while studying historical contexts that shaped Greek philosophy about heroism. Excerpts from Homer, Sophocles, and Ovid are rigorous readings for gifted youth to analyze through the lens of the ancient Greeks. In the meantime, students are honing skills in note-taking, research, academic, and creative writing.
The Writer’s Journey, Volume 2, unites classic, modern, and future styles of communication with tools and fundamentals essential to all types of communication. According to a 2007 study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, 93% of teenagers use the Internet. This new course ties new media with writing skills such as audience awareness, rhetorical strategy, and focused purpose in writing. Students can not only master this new media writing but also improve their research and argument skills in classic modes of the traditional research essay and position paper. Standard literary analysis interpretation and engaging creative writing opportunities also abound.
Duke TIP’s Independent Learning Program offers academically gifted students rigorous and engaging independent study opportunities anytime, anywhere. Highly-motivated, self-starting learners develop advanced critical thinking skills through inquiry-based learning and interdisciplinary thinking. Students pursue authentic, creative projects and above-level readings, writing assignments, and problem sets that challenge students at their individual level. To make the most of materials, students are encouraged to choose a mentor in their local area who can provide guidance, grading, and expertise.
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About Duke TIP: The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) is a non-profit educational organization that is recognized as a leader in identifying and serving the educational needs of academically gifted youth. Through identification, recognition, challenging educational programs, information, advocacy and research, Duke TIP provides resources to gifted students, their parents, educators, and schools for the development of the students’ optimal educational potential.
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