Course Descriptions
The University of California has approved all our courses as college preparatory, with the exception of Humanities & Ethics. All Woolman Semester students must take the four core courses. In addition to high school elective credit, the Humanities and Ethics course yields 120 hours of community service credit. Students are limited to one additional independent study course to maintain continuity with their sending school requirements. The Woolman Semester in it’s final year of the WASC accreditation process.
Core Courses
World Issues: Research in Action
Elective/Social Science
10 credits – 10 hours/ week
After an overview focusing on democracy, media literacy and globalization, students will choose a world issue of personal concern. Students will then complete an in-depth research project with an analysis of the economic, historical, political and social forces influencing that issue. The course concludes with a public presentation.
Selected Resources: Selected writings of Plato; Democracy Matters by Cornel West; No Logo by Naomi Klein; Mangoes, Chiles and Truckers: The Business of Transnationalism by Roberto Alvarez Jr., current periodicals, media sources, original historical documents, and other resources as needed.
Environmental Science: Ecology and Conservation in the Northern Sierra Foothills
Elective/Science
10 credits – 10 hours/week
Students will engage in both the process of science and its real-world applications. Through the collection of scientific data, students deepen their understanding of the environment as well as gaining insight into environmental issues stemming from human activities. Our site serves as a living laboratory as students perform place-based environmental analyses and examine the application of sustainability principles and ecosystem functioning.
Selected Resources: A Natural History of California by Allan A. Schoenherr; Cadillac Desert by Marc Reisner; Living in the Environment by G. Tyler Miller Jr.; excerpts from science texts and current periodicals.
Peace Studies: A Literary Approach
English
5 hours/ week – 5 credits
This course uses literature, biography, essays and poetry to explore the paired themes of peace and non-violence. Critical thinking through expository and creative writing deepens each student’s understanding of peace literature, peace activism and nonviolence. This academic awareness will be linked to the “field work” of conflict resolution, shared work and living in community.
Selected Resources: Works by Martin Luther King Jr., Mohandas Gandhi, Alice Walker, Thich Naht Hanh, selected poetry and additional non-fiction and fiction pieces.
Humanities & Ethics: Letting Your Life Speak
Elective
5 hours/week – 5 credits
Community living is the context of this course that uses readings, inquiry, journaling, service and shared work for examining ecological and ethical issues, Friends testimonies and the personal, cultural and social aspects of human development. Students will learn Nonviolent Communication, nonviolent conflict resolution methods, and interpersonal skills for decision-making. Students will participate in shared work toward site sustainability and perform an in-depth service project. Ample time will be allowed for personal and group reflection on values, ethics and life decisions.
Selected Resources: Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg and Simplicity by Mark Burch
Independent Study
Students who are required to begin or continue a course of study to fulfill sending school requirements may do so online or with a tutor.
Math
5 hours/week – 5 credits
Resources: Text and coursework will be determined by the sending school to facilitate the student’s transition.
Foreign Language
5 hours/week – 5 credits
Resources: Text and coursework will be determined by the sending school to facilitate the student’s transition.
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