With the 2012-2013 school year fastly approaching, there are new courses that are going to be offered next year at Padua. These courses are an addition to the courses added at the beginning of this school year. In the upcoming year, some new courses will include the following:
- Influential Thinkers taught by Mr. Sheehan and Mr. McAteer
- Basics of Broadcasting taught by Mr. Leizear
- Life Unworthy of Life instructed by Ms. Markham
- Engineering and Design taught by Mrs. Szurkowski
- AP Biology instructed by Dr. Wise
- Advanced Chemistry and Organic Chemistry lead by both Ms. Muto and Mrs. Fundakowski
- Linux OS and Cybersecurity taught by both Mrs. Wilson and Mr. Stinchcombe
- Graphic Design and Call and Response instructed by Mr. Wills
These are several courses that can be found in the curriculum guide.
Influential thinkers is a hybrid course that will combine face-to-face classroom instruction with computer-based distance learning. The goal of the class is to trace influential thoughts and ideas that have shaped the world. Taught by both Mr. Sheehan and Mr. McAteer, the class will offer an interesting blend of philosophical analysis and historical accounts.
Another course being offered is Life Unworthy of Life. Ms. Markham is the instructor and when asked what her thoughts were on the course she responded, “ I am looking forward to this course–more than anything for sure!” To prepare for the course, Ms. Markham will attend a summer fellowship at Georgetown University which would certify her in Holocaust Studies.She has also written to several professors who have similar courses and are compiling book and film suggestions from them. A Padua alum, Brianne Earnest ‘10, is currently taking a similar course at Immaculata and she has shared with me her course content, syllabus and reflections. She has attended two Belfer Holocaust Programs at the United States Holocaust Museum, which she will be visiting again this summer. The course will examine some intense topics but she hopes to treat them sensitively and to examine the roots of institutional violence and ethnic cleansing. The design is cross curricular–integrating film, art, literature and history.
Mr. Leizear will also be expanding upon the popular communications department with the addition of Basics of Broadcasting. While Dr. Wise will instruct AP Biology; a class originally proposed to be held for the 2011-2012 school year. The science department will also take on Advanced Chemistry and Organic Chemistry.
Padua Academy is increasing its academics beyond the classroom by expanding and developing the IT Department which is a recent addition. Cyber Security began as an activity but with the popularity of this course, it will be transformed into a fully fledged class.