What's Happening in the Mini-Term Electives?

What is the Relationship between Structure and Freedom?
What are some of the characteristics of freedom?
Where does freedom exist and what do we do with it?
When are structures (and rules) good and when are they frustrating?
How do we balance freedom and structure if we are to create good lives, work and play well, and fulfill our callings?

These are some of the guiding questions that will be recurring in our December miniterm. Whether in literature, mathematics, our common study of Indian music and culture, or electives, students will be considering these questions and others in the three weeks to come.


Of the 8 offered electives, each student participates in two.

Session #1:

Living Well (Ms. Rupke): This mini-term will involve a variety of activities. It is intended for you to think about what it means to live a healthy life style. This will include exploring physical health and goals, social relationships, and spiritual well being. Some of this mini-term will include learning how to bake "from scratch", participating in Yoga and Pilates, collage creation, and creating journals.

Capoiera (Ms. Penfold): Capoeira is a unique martial art that is African in origin and Brazilian in evolution. Introduced to the US in the mid-1970s, Capoeira has become one of Brazil's top sports (second only to soccer). Capoeira's agile movements are deft and tricky, a combination of sweeping kicks and acrobatics that marries flexibility, agility, strength, balance and coordination and results in self-confidence.

Paisley Pattern Printing (Ms. Buckley): In this mini term elective students will experiment with different printing techniques. We will start by carving potato blocks and develop the skills necessary for lino printing. The designs we'll use will be based on traditional paisley patterns, a motif that was popularized on textiles from Kashmir, India. This option will also include a time of henna painting, an activity in which students may choose to participate (that part is optional).

Weight Training and Cardio Training (Mr. Gerardo): Students will experience circuit weight training along with cardiovascular workouts. We will be working in the MSS gym and also at Church Square Park.

Session # 2:

Modern Indian Culture as "Scene" in Bollywood (Mr. Choi): This mini-term students will explore Indian culture as it is portrayed in modern Bollywood films. We will watch three films and discuss how they differ from Western films: What values are emphasized? How is humor, violence, romance and drama portrayed differently (or similarly)? The three films will be Koi...Mil Gaya, Krrish, and New York.

Indian Independence and the Question of Pakistan (Ms. Hanson; Assistant: Caroline Groce): In this elective, students will explore the difficulties surrounding independence for British India and the series of events that divided India from Pakistan. In this elective, students will examine the effects of British imperialism, reflect upon the biographies of Mahatma Gandhi and Mohammed Ali Jinnah (through documentary and movie clips, as well as texts), study the geography of the Indian subcontinent, consider the ancient religions of Hinduism and Islam, and participate in an informal debate, as we examine the conflicting positions that existed at the time of the Cabinet Mission that was assembled in 1946.

History of Baseball (Mr. Gerardo): Students will be able to learn the history of baseball. We will be watching a variety of baseball movies and documentaries.

Capoiera (Ms. Penfold): Capoeira is a unique martial art that is African in origin and Brazilian in evolution. Introduced to the US in the mid-1970s, Capoeira has become one of Brazil's top sports (second only to soccer). Capoeira's agile movements are deft and tricky, a combination of sweeping kicks and acrobatics that marries flexibility, agility, strength, balance and coordination and results in self-confidence.