ASA: Academic Study Associates 2008 Programs

This is an all-inclusive SAT preparation course. Each class provides thorough instruction in the math, critical reading, and writing skills tested by these exams, plus strategies for mastering the test-taking skills you will need to perform at your highest level on the SAT. In addition to small-group classroom instruction and individual consultation, you will take four full-length SAT tests, designed to familiarize you with these exams and chart your progress throughout the course. Each test is computer scored and analyzed; you will receive a personalized score report with results and suggestions for further study and reinforcement. Class size is limited to 12 students per instructor and, whenever possible, students are grouped by shared strengths and weaknesses. (Supplemental Fee)

This course is designed to provide students with a clear understanding of the importance of economics within their own lives and within the greater context of history. Students will be presented with an introduction to topics in economic systems, business practices and investing. We will work together to apply a compassionate and critical eye to the global economy.

This entertaining course will look at how ethnicity, class, gender, age and the family influence American popular culture, and, in turn, are influenced by it. Attention will be given to the following aspects of American popular culture: music; film; sit-coms and reality television; advertising; sports; and fashion. The class will address the following questions: How do some aspects of American popular culture successfully cross borders to appeal to a diverse, international audience? How accurately does pop culture reflect life in America today? What message does it send to global audiences?

This course for non-native speakers of English will concentrate on developing the writing skills that you will need to succeed in college classes. Through readings and class discussions students will also have the chance to improve their speaking, listening and reading skills. Students should have completed at least three years of English study and should have achieved at least an intermediate level of competence. Students will read a variety of prose and journalistic writings and will concentrate on writing, editing and revising compositions based on these readings.

Explore the technical processes needed to create images and develop a better conceptual understanding of how photography conveys ideas and emotions. The process of exposing, developing, and printing black and white images in a professional darkroom is emphasized, along with the effective use of lighting, motion, text and depth of field. Learn how to participate in college-level critiques that will aid revision, improve critical thinking and help in assembling a portfolio. The end of the course will be dedicated to revision and perfection of your best work for display in the final ASA Art Show. The AM course is designed for students who have a good knowledge of the camera and have had some darkroom experience, while the mini-course is more introductory. You must supply your own 35mm manual camera. (Supplemental Fee)

This discussion-based course will focus on central controversies in the law today, such as privacy and civil rights, affirmative action, the right to live and the right to die, and the death penalty. We will consider in depth the arguments put forward by advocates on differing sides of the issues. Through readings and class discussions we will attempt to reach a consensus on how the rights of individuals and the state may best be preserved. This course will help you become an informed and critical observer of our legal system.

Designed for students who have completed Algebra I, II and Geometry and are preparing to enter a pre-calculus course in the fall, this course provides an excellent foundation, as well as a limited introduction to basic calculus. Topics covered will include: linear and quadratic functions, polynomial functions, inequalities, exponents and logarithms, analytic geometry, trigonometric functions, triangle trigonometry, polar and complex numbers, sequences and series, limits and graphs of rational functions. Pre-requisites: Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry

This course focuses on the concepts and theories of psychology that have been so revolutionary in our understanding of ourselves and others. You will examine the roots of personality and behavior as seen through the theories of Freud, Skinner, Maslow, Erikson and Piaget. You will be asked to evaluate the validity of these theories in light of your own experiences. These theories will also set the stage for our investigation into the major areas of human experience, including physical maturation, intellectual and moral development, sensuality and sexuality, family and peer relationships, and coping with stress and problems in everyday life.

This course is designed to complement and expand upon the mathematical content and concepts of Algebra I and Geometry. You will master critical skills that will open the door to higher math. Emphasis will be placed on Algebra II, but if time and the pace of the class allows, work will also be done in Trigonometry. Topics will include, but are not limited to: absolute value; linear equations and inequalities; factoring polynomials; complex numbers; quadratic equations; quadratic functions; simple logarithms; graphing equations; combinations, permutations and the binomial theorem. Pre-requisites: Algebra I, Geometry

One of the innovations in college creative writing courses is the workshop model; ASA has replicated this model in the creative writing classes it offers at its college prep programs. Using the published work of well-known writers, we will explore various topics and problems that face anyone embarking on the creative writing process: development of a 'voice,' point of view, effective description, comedy, and dialogue. You will be expected to complete one short story, a chapter from a novel, or a personal essay.

Effective writing is perhaps the most important skill for success in high school and college. This course, designed to help students with competent writing skills reach a higher level of achievement, focuses on the elements common to all successful college writing: defining an audience, developing and supporting a substantive thesis statement, polishing style, drafting and revision. We'll begin with the personal voice, and then proceed to the persuasive, argumentative and analytical essay. Structured writing exercises, brainstorming sessions, and reading assignments are augmented by peer workshops and teacher-student conferences as you work to complete several polished essays worthy of inclusion in a writing portfolio. Class size is kept small to ensure success.

Develop an understanding of the stock exchange through this introduction to the theory, methods, and concerns of financial markets. Topics will include the time value of money, uncertainty and the trade-off between risk and return, financial market efficiency, and portfolio analysis. Some attention will also be given to corporate finance topics, such as capital investment decisions and mergers & acquisitions.

Will it sell? Yes, if the concept, packaging, pricing, advertising promotion, distribution, and customer service are right. Good marketing is an essential element of all business success. In this course we will analyze customer behavior and develop projects that will help us apply concepts to the complexities of decision-making in marketing. We'll also discuss advertising and the impact of visual images. The final project will involve developing a comprehensive strategy for marketing a product.

Have you ever wondered how to tell the difference between Underground Rap and Alternative Hip-Hop or pondered the subtle distinctions between Tech-House, Electro-House, Electro-Funk, and Funky House? By dividing music into categories that share a certain style or which have certain elements in common, historians, artists, and entrepreneurs have attempted to create systems by which people can discover and study music. The musical genre has become the fundamental tool by which we trace these threads through music history. This course will delve into the vast spectrum of musical genres, from Classical and Folk through Hip Hop and Electronica. Listening examples and readings, augmented by in-class performances by guest lecturers will demonstrate basic styles. We will analyze the genre form itself, and investigate its use in the modern music industry, and we will briefly cover some issues facing the music industry with the advent of digital music.

Whether you are speaking in a high school class or college seminar, in an office meeting or as CEO to your Board, leadership is often exhibited through your performance as a polished public speaker. This course offers students a practical approach to the art of public speaking. You will develop skills in various speech types: exposition; entertainment; argumentation; and persuasion. Public speaking skills will be sharpened with the aid of videotapes, texts of famous speeches, and participation in a final performance before the ASA community.

This course, designed to impart a love for film and an increased awareness of major cinematic devices, will give you a basic grounding in the theory, history, and criticism of film. Topics such as story structure, visual style, and stardom will be emphasized. Excerpts from a diverse range of films will be shown and once a week there will be a full screening to illustrate the theme of that week’s discussion.

We all know that the environment is one of the most important concerns facing each of us as individuals and our governments collectively. But what exactly are the problems we face, and what is there to be done about them? This course looks at the central environmental issues and solutions being debated as well as the history of environmental activism from the beginnings of the green movement through today. Case studies and class discussions will cover such topics as sustainability, the Kyoto Protocol, non-fossil energy sources, and organizations such as the Sierra Club and Greenpeace.

This course looks at international relations not as abstract theory but as it has affected the lives of ordinary people. We will examine current events relating to war and terrorism, diplomacy, refugee status, human rights, and aid for the developing world. The emphasis throughout will be on thinking critically about the arguments we make in international politics and formulating positions which balance both the moral concerns and the interests of all the parties involved. Readings and class discussions will be augmented by guest speakers who can share their personal perspectives on the subjects being studied.

This course will provide an introduction to and an overview of the major scientific approaches to conceptualizing abnormal behavior. We will examine the history and definitions of mental illness. We will discuss the causes and symptoms of various psychological disorders including neuroses, psychoses, personality disorders, and crime.

This course is designed to drive home the complex concepts taught in Algebra II in order to maximize each student's comfort level with the subject. Topics covered will include, but are not limited to: absolute value; linear equations and inequalities; factoring polynomials; complex numbers; quadratic equations; quadratic functions; simple logarithms; graphing equations; combinations, permutations, and the binomial theorem. Prerequisites: Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry

One of the innovations in college creative writing courses is the workshop model; ASA has replicated this model in the creative writing classes it offers at its college prep programs. Using the published work of well-known writers, we will explore various topics and problems that face anyone embarking on the creative writing process: development of a ‘voice,’ point of view, effective description, comedy, and dialogue. You will be expected to complete one short story, a chapter from a novel, or a personal essay.

Feature and editorial writing are specialized fields within the journalistic profession, but essential skills to master for anyone seriously considering a career in journalism. In this course students will read and analyze a variety of feature stories and editorials to determine what makes them compelling, and then produce their own journalistic pieces. Special attention will be placed on drafting and revising, and completed pieces will be including in a journalistic portfolio.

Effective writing is perhaps the most important skill for success in high school and college. This course, designed to help students with competent writing skills reach a higher level of achievement, focuses on the elements common to all successful college writing: defining an audience, developing and supporting a substantive thesis statement, polishing style, drafting and revision. We'll begin with the personal voice, and then proceed to the persuasive, argumentative and analytical essay. Structured writing exercises, brainstorming sessions, and reading assignments are augmented by peer workshops and teacher-student conferences as you work to complete several polished essays worthy of inclusion in a writing portfolio. Class size is kept small to ensure success.