ASA: Academic Study Associates 2009 Programs

Are you a self-starter always looking for the next big idea? Do you want to develop your leadership skills and learn how to run your own company? This practically-based course introduces you to the issues involved in starting up and running a successful business. You will look at the macro- and micro-economic issues that impact every organization and examine the ins and outs of finance, accounting, marketing, and advertising. Create a full-fledged business plan to promote your innovative idea and visit local companies to gain a greater understanding of both the benefits and difficulties of running a successful business.

This course is the most thorough SAT preparation course offered by The Princeton Review. With 30 hours of small-group instruction and individual consultation plus 4 full-length SAT tests, your Princeton Review program will provide you with instruction in the math, critical reading, and writing strategies that you will need to perform at your highest level. Students are grouped by shared strengths and weaknesses to provide targeted instruction. Watch your scores rise as you strengthen your skills with teachers from the nation's leading test prep company. The Princeton Review guarantees that if you complete your program (program completion requires attending all classes, taking all practice exams, completing all homework, participating in a wrap-up session when you return home and taking the October SAT) and you are not satisfied with your score on the October SAT, you may take an SAT Refresher Course or extend membership to the online student center free of charge. (Supplemental Fee)

Could a president be elected without a media campaign? Do video games allow children to be desensitized to violence? The interplay between media and society affects nearly all aspects of our lives through TV, internet, smartphones, Facebook, gaming, blogs, and traditional print media. Explore the topics of family and childrens' socialization, violence, gender, race, and media ethics with case studies, group presentations, and guest speakers. From conflicts in the Middle East, to corporate irresponsibility, to our notion of the modern family, you will develop a critical eye towards the media and our world.

Examine the behavior of yourself and others through the psychological theories of Freud, Skinner, Maslow, Erikson and Piaget. Critically evaluate the validity of these theories in light of your own experiences of maturation, intellectual and moral development, sensuality and sexuality, family and peer relationships, and coping with stress and problems in everyday life. View films and read relevant articles that provide an applied understanding of developmental psychology.

Take your love of film to the next level in the heart of Hollywood. Study the history and theory of cinema, and look behind-the-scenes at your favorite movies to develop your critical eye. You will explore different genres in order to examine story structure, visual style, and cinematic devices. You'll view film excerpts as well as full-length movies to provide a diverse and exciting experience. Visit such landmarks Mann's Chinese Theater and Universal Studios to enrich your experience.

Master one of the most important skills for success in high school, college, and beyond. Reach higher levels of achievement by studying the elements common to all successful writing--defining an audience, developing a thesis statement, supporting your argument, and revising for grammar and style. Through peer workshops and teacher-student conferences, you will sharpen both your expository and persuasive writing abilities. Come away with polished essays for your writing portfolio.

Marketing can make or break the success of any product. Learn how the right packaging, pricing and branding can set any idea apart from the rest. With your classmates, dive into the complexities of consumer behavior to develop a winning marketing strategy and promote a new product of your choosing. Closely examine the importance of selecting the right message, pinpointing your target audience, and the social, psychological, and cultural influences that affect consumer decisions.

Does your stomach sink when you hear the words "Oral Presentation"? Would you prefer to stay home sick rather than participate in a class debate? From speaking in front of a class to tackling a college interview, public speaking is a skill everyone should master. Develop your ability to express yourself confidently and clearly through speech writing and performance. Sharpen your skills with the aid of videos and texts of famous speeches to deliver a performance for any occasion.

Investigate the ways psychologists differentiate healthy human development from abnormal behavior. You will examine the causes and definitions of mental illness, from obsessive compulsive behavior to schizophrenia to eating disorders. In addition, learn about the symptoms and effective treatments for these behaviors, such as different types of therapy and medication.

Fashion and music are the most exciting and influential forms of communication and culture. From LA to London to Milan and Paris, explore the roles of fashion and music in art, personal identity, and celebrity culture. Using media venues such as TV, film, magazines, and the internet, follow the evolution of these industries. You will also focus on the influence of youth culture on today's fashion and music and see first hand examples in excursions around LA.

Master one of the most important skills for success in high school, college and beyond. Reach higher levels of achievement by studying elements common to all successful writing -- defining an audience, developing a thesis statement, supporting your argument, and revising for grammar and style. Through peer workshops and teacher-student conferences, you will sharpen both your expository and persuasive writing abilities. Com away with polished essays for your writing portfolio.

In a world where newspapers are becoming obsolete, explore journalism's digital evolution into the 21st century. From online magazines to blogs to web news updates, learn what it takes to be a journalist in 2010. Investigate various writing styles and the techniques used in modern media. Develop the skills you need to convey your ideas and point of view to the public and gain a broad understanding of the role of the journalist in today's world.

How does a writer take a new idea and transform it into a Blockbuster hit? Explore the concepts of theme, plot, character, mise-en-scene, and have the chance to compose your own screenplay. An experienced instructor will show you the essential techniques specific to screenplay writing, from character development to the critical use of dialogue to action descriptions. Leave LA with new skills and an original screenplay that might be the next Hollywood hit.