Scholar Weekend Courses at Duke University
Whether you are interested in neurobiology or playwriting, Duke TIP has a Scholar Weekend course for you!
Weekend 1 (October 10–11)
Energy and Environment in the 21st Century
Modern civilization runs on cheap, abundant energy, but it's not looking so cheap or abundant right now. Global forces like rapidly expanding populations and economic development, the need for stable energy security, and climate change have begun to make us reconsider the impact our use of energy has on our future and the environment around us. Even long-term questions about fuel efficiency can be swamped by even longer-term questions about how we make our species sustainable on this planet. Students will learn about the production and use of energy and its impact on the environment and discuss the future of energy policy and technology and the implications for society.
The Ever-Expanding World of Harry Potter
While Harry's narrative is at an end, the elements of his experience are timeless. Students in this course will discuss the Harry Potter series as a whole: Harry's transformation from boy to wizard, his relationship to Lord Voldemort and his heroic quest. We will research the many origins of the stories' mythical creatures and beasts; read a variety of critical articles on the series examining themes and search for J.K. Rowling's motivations and inspirations. Students will read The Tales of Beedle the Bard (just published in December 2008) as they delve into the genre of fairytales, gothic literature and fantasy fiction. The class will end with an opportunity for students to create their own piece of Harry Potter Fan fiction.
Genes: How Do You Wear Yours?
What makes your eyes brown? How are you related to your parents and to your pet dog? Why are some cells more powerful than others? These questions are just a few that can be answered by researching genetics, the study of hereditary information. Students will examine the principles of genetic information and get a glimpse at how the molecular world controls these processes to affect the macroscopic world. We will also discuss controversial topics such as cloning and genetic engineering. Activities will include DNA extractions, visualization of chromosomes from human cells and personal identification of many unique hereditary traits.
Hematology (Grades 9-11 only)
While at one time, leeches were the primary treatment for blood disorders, hematology, the study of blood, has become much more technical, such that blood tests are often the preliminary step in medical diagnosis. The blood is the system into which the cells of the body empty wastes, nutrients and gases and release products such as hormones. Therefore, the analysis of blood can reveal a great deal about what is happening in a patient's body. In this course, we will look at how disease and injury can affect blood, and how various tests can provide a profile of overall body function. Class work will include lecture, independent research, videos and microscope work and labs. Two labs will require a finger-stick to draw blood. Participation in this portion of the lab work is optional.
Introduction to Psychology
What do obedience to authority, false memories, infant development and cognitive disorders all have in common? These are just a few of the many topics studied in the field of psychology. In this course, we'll explore several branches of psychology, ranging from abnormal psychology to developmental psychology. Within each field, we'll look at some of the creative experiments that psychologists have constructed to better understand aspects of human experience and behavior, including the Milgram obedience experiments and the Stanford prison experiment. Though you'll get a general overview of each area, you'll also have a chance to look at one topic in more depth when you design your own psychological experiment and present it to the class.
The Neurobiology of the Senses (Grade 8 only)
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.
Note: Courses are subject to change.
Weekend 2 (November 14–15)
Abnormal Psychology
When is behavior abnormal? What constitutes a psychological disorder? These are a few of the questions that we will address in Abnormal Psychology. We'll begin with an introduction to the current diagnostic system used by mental health professionals. Next, we'll take an in-depth look at some of the more common psychological disorders, discussing symptoms, causes and treatments. The course will be punctuated with "first-person perspectives": videos and prose featuring individuals who have been diagnosed with psychological disorders, who explain, in their own words, how the disorders have impacted their lives.
Cells, Chromosomes and Cancer (Grades 9–11 only)
The cell theory states that cells are the basic units of living things. Therefore, if cells malfunction, the results affect the entire organism. Tay-Sach's results from the omission of a single nucleotide in a gene on the DNA ladder. Cancer arises when cells lose their ability to carry out apoptosis and control their rate of mitosis. The goal of this course is to understand disease from the cellular level. We will review cell anatomy and the cell life cycle, evaluate case studies, discuss the impact of aging and environment on cell processes and learn to identify differences between normal and diseased tissues. Students will perform a chromosome spread of HeLa cells, a cell line of cervical cancer cells used commonly in in vitro research, and observe the effects of toxins on mouse L929 cells.
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.
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.
Suspended: Student Rights in School
Can the principal of your school search your backpack without your permission? What about your locker? This course examines the rights and responsibilities of students within a school setting. We'll include a discussion of what conduct a school may or may not regulate and how the creation of the Department of Homeland Security has changed the rules. To thoroughly explore these issues, we'll examine the US Constitution, take a look at how the Court has or has not extended those constitutional protections to students and debate case studies. These topics will include the right to privacy in lockers, backpacks, notebooks, computer networks; student media, press and association; drug testing of athletes and non-athletes.
The Neurobiology of the Senses (Grade 8 only)
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.
Note: Courses are subject to change.