Focus Area: Agribusiness/Biotechnology
Welcome to Agribusiness and Biotechnology! This class will begin in discussion of the basics of what each topic entails, discussing previous knowledge of the subjects as well as questions that scholars hope to answer through the summer in this class. The focus of agribusiness content will include discussion of what a business is and how a business foundation is built. The class will study different agribusinesses and will have the opportunity to practice developing business and marketing plans. The focus of the biotechnology content will cover the practices of regenerative agriculture, GMO/genetic modification in agriculture, and the use of biofuels. Scholars will be placed into teams to complete a project as a group of developing an agribusiness concept or biotechnology product to pitch to the class.
Adventure Awaits
Get ready to embark in a summer of great exploration! The United States has 63 designated National Parks in locations across the country that vary in climate, landscape, and animals that inhabit the parks. Each park also has a unique historical story alongside the natural beauty the park possesses. We will dive into studying beautiful natural landscapes, the history behind these national treasures, and what can be done to preserve these landmarks for generations to come.
Focus Area: Astronomy
My goal for this Focus Area class is to engage scholars in dynamic discussions about the mysteries of the night sky and the greater universe around us. Scholars will engage in both nighttime observing and exciting daytime activities. At night, scholars will practice focusing their telescopes, identifying constellations and planets, and doing lunar photography. This will also be where we get the most use from the "textbook" of printed resources I will be providing. These materials should serve as an excellent resource for scholars as they discover the objects they can see in the sky around them. During the day, scholars will explore how stars, planets, and galaxies (and maybe the universe) form and behave. They will develop the skills astronomers use to find answers and make discoveries about the universe. Inquiry activities throughout the week will include Hubble’s classification scheme for galaxies, astronomical images for exploring the history/nature of planet formation, and trying to get an understanding of general relativity and cosmology. Time and interest permitting, we will touch on astronomy disciplines like astrobiology and exoplanet discovery.
The Other Side
"As in, "why did the chicken cross the road?". In this course, we embark on an exploration of the history, genres, and styles of comedy that have helped shape human history through contemporary times. Through engaging activities and lively discussions, students will not only learn to appreciate the artistry behind comedy but also develop their own comedic voice. This course offers a unique opportunity to study comedy as both an art form and a reflection of society, providing invaluable insights into the power of humor in shaping culture and communication."
Focus Area: Biological & Environmental Issues
“Engineering the sponge” I did something like this a few years back, concentrating on how we’ve figured out how to extract the most we can out of our natural resources (if the Earth is a sponge, figuring out a way to squeeze more resources out of the sponge…squeeze harder). In doing this, we may have reduced the carrying capacity of the Earth and now must figure out (through technology and engineering) how to allow that sponge to rebound while still squeezing it for resources. It’s an interesting and pretty important problem to solve.
navigare
We are constantly presented with opportunities, hurdles, and continually changing paths in life. So, how do we navigate those issues when they present themselves? Do we over prepare? Do we “go with the flow”? How much should we depend on others, or ourselves? What are the other variables involved? Do we all face the same variables? This navigation is what life is all about!
Focus Area: Business, Accounting & Entrepreneurship
This course explores a wide-range of economic forces and systems that have shaped and will impact societies, individuals, and bring about change. It will include exposure to real situations in the business world as well as introductory accounting techniques. Through this course we will be creating companies in groups and each group will be tasked to create a publication highlighting the purpose and features of the company.
This Land is Our Land
Oftentimes we find our community serving us, but how can we better serve our community. Now more than ever, people are seeking ways to affect change in their communities — both locally and around the world. This course is for anyone — from novices to experienced practitioners — who wants to work more effectively with community members and organizations. Our general studies course will be focused on leadership development, civic responsibility & engagement, and the importance of community service and service learning in the state of Kentucky.
Focus Area: Communication and Social Theory
Whether we recognize it or not, every piece of media we engage with, from the back of the cereal box we read over breakfast to the bumper stickers on our car ahead of us in traffic, is making an argument. Students will think critically about the arguments that they, and the people around them, are making on a daily basis through media, entertainment, and other forms of discourse. Paying careful attention to the motivations and interests of the speakers and their awareness (or lack thereof) of the audience, students will begin to more readily recognize examples of effective and ineffective persuasive communication. Using Tim O’Brien’s novel The Things They Carried as a mentor text, along with a variety of other media, students will learn to use their own voice skillfully, replicating and revising techniques in their own communication to achieve their goals. As a culminating project, students will use the tenets of persuasive speech and writing they have gleaned from model texts to craft their own argument on a topic about which they are passionate. Students will consider not only their audience and the social and cultural factors that may impact the reception of their message, but also genre and mode of communication, selecting that which will most effectively convey their purpose and make an impact on their listeners.
Rescue and Reflection (R&R)
Thrift Stores. Animal Shelters. Climate and Conservation Activists. Emergency Response Units. Healthcare Workers. What do all of these entities have in common? Each, in their own way, works to “rescue” someone or something, hoping to improve upon current circumstances. Exploring the various iterations of what it means to rescue and be rescued, students will work together to uncover a need within their community and enact their own rescue mission to make it a better place. While the word “rescue” often suggests courage and compassion from those rendering aid, students will
also consider moments in history, literature, and pop culture when rescue attempts go awry, or when rescuers fail to consider the implications and consequences of their actions. Using George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion and a variety of other fiction and nonfiction texts, students will think critically about the power dynamics present in acts of rescue to inform their choices and ensure that their rescue mission is effective
Focus Area: Creative Writing & Literary Studies
In this course, we’ll work individually and collectively to make observation, reading and writing one seamless process. As writers, we’ll focus on engaging an audience and collaborating with scholars from across the disciplines. As readers, we’ll analyze a range of literature and share ideas in a college-seminar format. Together, we’ll plan and create a written project from conception to publication and serve as integral members of the GSP community.
The Moveable Feast
Tired of the 2020s? Take a trip to the 1920s and join the Moveable Feast, where youth reigned, new ideas flourished, and the world was hurtled into an age we still consider modern. More than a history course, this general-studies class will present you with experiences and impressions that put us in touch with this transformational decade and, more importantly, give us perspective on the world of the 2020s. In a larger sense, we’ll come to understand what eras and generations signify as you prepare for your own twenties.
Focus Area: Dramatic Expression
Dramatic Expression - This Shakespeare-based class begins with theatre games and acting exercises to build skills and trust. In week two, we will begin rehearsing an abridged version of Julius Caesar to be performed at the program's end. You will learn to analyze the text, work on voice and speech, and collaborate with your peers. Be prepared for an active, hands-on immersion into the acting process and the challenges of producing a Shakespeare play.
The Quest for Beauty
What makes something beautiful? Is it harmonious composition? Emotional resonance? Innovative design? In this multimedia exploration, we'll analyze the concept of beauty—in art, architecture, music, and elsewhere. Through lively discussions, fun activities, and carefully curated examples, we'll gain a deeper appreciation for the role beauty plays in our lives. We'll also examine beauty's necessary opposite—ugliness—as well as the wildly different conceptions of beauty across ages and cultures. Has our culture lost its ability to recognize beauty? Or have we simply redefined it?
Focus Area: Engineering
“Making Others’ Visions Reality” – Michael Feeback’s Engineering class will look at the relationship between architects and engineers, and how one person’s vision becomes reality with the work of others. Scholars will research various architectural expressions, reimagine buildings on campus as different styles from the past, and tackle the challenges of going from drawing board to existence.
Mid-Century Machinations
The 1950s America emerged from World War II brimming with optimism for a bright, peaceful future. At least, that’s how many of our great-grandparents remembered it. Scholars will survey life from the era, investigating Popular culture, architecture, literature, sports and politics. It is easy to look fondly upon the decade, but scholars in Mid-Century Machinations will make an honest appraisal of those “Happy Days.”
Focus Area: Engineering
Engineering is a broad field where math and science intersect practical applications for the human experience. Engineering encompasses the design and implementation of projects at the scale of household tables to the Hoover Dam. Scholars in this course will get field experience visiting academic engineering institutions, power generation facilities, and industrial facilities. We will dive into the engineering mindset: how to best approach problems, apply the skills already in hand, identify gaps in knowledge, and implement viable solutions.
Where is a thought?
Our class will dive into the question of where lies the boundary of thought. From Socrates to the MRI the question of where and what a thought is has hung balanced between the material and metaphysical. The incorporation of technology into human processing and the offloading of conscious effort onto the material will be studied pulling from thought experiments of yore all the way to hierarchical temporal memory. How information has been transferred between individuals and cultures will be compared throughout time leading to the explosion of the information age.
Communication has never been faster, information never more plentiful, medical data produced at an astounding rate, but yet we have not solved the questions of thought. The scholars will explore the ideas of thought and experience from antiquity to now tying in the question of whether an increase in data has improved outcomes in the subjective experience of the modern era.
Focus Area: Forensic Science
This course will explore the development of forensic science throughout history. We will compare crime investigation methods in the early 20th century to those used in present day cases. An emphasis will be placed on scientific principles and techniques used by forensic scientists such as crime scene analysis, physical evidence collection and processing, fingerprinting, and fiber evidence. Our goals will be to develop critical thinking skills, learn how to approach analysis of evidence without bias, and examine validity in order to solve a real world problem.
Complete Sense
For decades, society has focused on visual impressions to drive the development of the urban landscape and improve sustainability. However, in recent years, the focus has shifted to creating more of a multisensory experience when improving these areas. This course will focus on exploring the complete picture of how senses play a role in urban development. Scholars will examine how visual, auditory, and olfactory response is managed to enhance or hinder the sensory experience of those in urban areas. By creating sound maps, visual representations, and smellscapes of various locations, we will draw conclusions about the impact and sustainability of these intentionally built spaces.
Focus Area: Healthcare Industry
This course offers an in-depth exploration of the multifaceted branches within the healthcare sector. A crucial component of learning the basics in the healthcare industry involves familiarizing oneself with key terminology, concepts, and best practices across various domains, from clinical care and patient safety to health information management and medical ethics. Furthermore, gaining proficiency in the basics of the healthcare industry extends beyond theoretical knowledge to practical application. By acquiring a solid understanding of the fundamental principles, practices, and dynamics that shape the healthcare landscape, learners are equipped to navigate the complexities of this vital sector with confidence, competence, and compassion. Mastering the basics is essential for individuals aspiring to pursue careers in healthcare or allied fields.
From Fins to Fur: Unlocking the Mysteries of Animal Minds
In this class, we will explore the diverse spectrum of animal behaviors, aiming to address any inquiries you may have regarding this fascinating subject. Each week, our focus will encompass various behaviors such as play, stereotypical, learning, social, territorial, and parental care behaviors. Through engaging activities including video analysis, model construction (such as building nests), and immersive nature walks, we will learn the intricate dynamics of animal behavior. The overall goal of this course is to elucidate the interplay between human and animal behavior, shedding light on the evolutionary adaptations witnessed across species. Understanding animal behavior is paramount as it directly influences ecosystem dynamics, thereby intricately intertwining with human existence. Moreover, by comprehending these behavioral patterns, we can effectively contribute to the preservation of our planet's biodiversity.
Focus Area: International Relations
In his book, History of the Peloponnesian War, Thucydides wrote, “identity of interest is the surest of bonds, whether between states or individuals.” Conflict of interest, on the other hand, threatens or destroys those bonds. This class focuses on conflict and consensus in international since the early 20th century, emphasizing the role of economic, sociocultural, and political interests in driving the behaviors of states and non-state actors in the international system. Throughout the summer, scholars will examine the domestic and global forces that shape the conduct of states, individuals, and non-governmental organizations and the ramifications of selected conflicts. Scholars will also engage in class activities and debates highlighting the merits, challenges, and outcomes of conflict prevention, peacemaking, peacekeeping, peace enforcement, and peacebuilding principles.
You've Got To Have Freedom!
According to Malcolm X, “You cannot separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.” What does it mean to be free? What kinds of freedom do people in different societies seek? What system denies or delivers freedom to people? How have individuals and groups in different societies throughout history struggled to promote the ideals of freedom and what obstacles have they faced? In this course, we will explore the different historical and contemporary conceptualization and manifestations of freedom movements in different societies.
Focus Area: Modes of Mathematical Thinking
The theme of Modes of Mathematical Thinking is “Everyone counts!” This title hints at the two focuses of our class. First, we will study counting principles: methods of enumerating different combinations of objects. We’ll see applications of these principles in probability, graph theory, and computer programming. Second, we will study the human aspect of math, and how humans have shaped math throughout history. Likewise, we’ll see how math has affected humans, specifically how marginalized groups are often harmed through the misuse of math (e.g. credit scores, targeted policing, standardized testing). We’ll discuss how to apply math responsibly, always keeping in mind that “everyone counts.”
Ain’t Myth-behavin’
It’s easy to read mythology of ancient peoples and think, “How could they believe all this rubbish? These stories clearly aren’t true!” But mythology isn’t just a thing of the past—modern, well-educated people still believe plenty of myths. In this course, we will learn what makes something a myth, and what purpose myths serve in society. How have the roles and effects of myths changed over time, especially as literacy, science, and globalization became common? We’ll build a foundation on classical mythology, but will take a critical look modern, local myths. Ultimately, we will develop a stronger sense of skepticism about the stories we hear, so we can identify a myth when we encounter one.
Focus Area: Philosophy
The Focus Area in philosophy will engage students in critical examination and discussion of fundamental philosophical questions concerning the nature of the human person, the basis of moral value, and the foundations and extent of human knowledge. Our point of departure will be classic philosophical texts beginning with Plato, and including such other authors as Aristotle, Augustine, Descartes, Locke, Kant, and Sartre. Scholars will examine different ways of understanding basic concepts that are often taken for granted, and will explore how these concepts have taken different
shapes throughout history. Finally, following the interests of the scholars in the Focus Area, there will be application of some of the basic concepts to current social and cultural issues such as social and economic inequality, education, national boundaries, freedom of thought and expression, duties to society, and how humans should relate themselves to the natural environment.
The Good Life: Gift or Accomplishment?
What makes a good human life? Some people say it is happiness, and others say it is meaningfulness, and still others say both happiness and meaningfulness are necessary. How are happiness and meaningfulness related? Whereas happiness might seem to be a gift and a result of lucky circumstances, a meaningful life is perhaps achieved through dedication, effort, and action. Some people connect meaningfulness with morality. But could an unhappy life still be meaningful (morally good)? Alternatively, could a happy life lack moral virtue? If happiness depends upon gifts of circumstances and talents, then happiness might not be something we can choose. But perhaps we can always choose how we will act and respond, morally or immorally. We will explore the concepts of happiness, meaningfulness and moral virtue by examining a range of current moral problems, including environmental issues, economic and social inequalities, and care for the disabled and disadvantaged.
Focus Area: Physical Science
Most biology, chemistry, and physics classes across our state's high schools do a great job of teaching Kentucky students the basics of these scientific fields and preparing them to succeed in collegiate levels of those classes. A focus on testing and college preparation often leaves little time to study less traditional aspects of these scientific fields. This summer, scholars in Physical Science will take the time to study the history and nature of scientific progress itself, eventually leading to the three core fields we're all familiar with today. Scholars will read Steven Johnson's "The Invention of Air" in which they'll explore the life and work of Joseph Priestley, a peculiar figure important to both science and history's story of the late 1700s. The goal this summer is to help scholars see that behind every scientific fact, figure, and theory there are people with their own unique story to tell.
Artsy Cartsy
The science and art of mapmaking, cartography, is an ancient field that dates back thousands of years. Today, virtually everyone in modern society is familiar with the concept of maps and most people can effectively use them to navigate their environment. What's more rewarding, however, is learning how to use maps to tell a story. In "Artsy Cartsy", scholars will learn the basics of mapmaking, practicing reading and creating simple maps. Scholars will also see how creative design choices can enable mapmakers to tell stories in a way that only a mapmaker can tell. As an end goal, I would love for scholars to work together to build a map of their scholar experience at GSP at the Morehead State University campus using the tools and experiences from the summer to guide them.
Focus Area: Polictical & Legal Issues
The Political and Legal Issues focus area will examine poor political rhetoric and how it can contribute to polarizing division. The course will utilize several role-playing exercises to demonstrate how information can be manipulated. Scholars will be able to better recognize propaganda when they encounter it. One of the driving maxims for the class will be, “Humans are never more irrational than when protecting their pet ideas.” The course’s reading is titled “Thank You for Arguing,” where scholars will gain a broad understanding of rhetorical strategies that could help smooth over the rockiest of political conversations. In learning respectful political discourse, the class will learn to “judge ideas, not people.” Scholars will learn that effective political leadership requires difficult conversation and collaboration with others to effectively navigate contrasting viewpoints. Along the way, scholars will develop their own legal radar as they gain a more in depth understanding of concepts, terms, policies, and procedures within the United Sates governmental and legal systems.
"Tell Me About It..."
We will examine miscommunication and how it can lead to negative outcomes, specifically through exploring acts of rhetoric and persuasion. Scholars will analyze first person incident reports, searching for implications of morality and obligation as persuasive devices. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, the course’s driving psychological question will be, “what persuades people to do what they do?” Sometimes, the answer can be simple (money and power). In other
cases, however, the answer is not so simple. Sometimes, the motive is moral obligation. Sometimes, the motive was habit or ritual. And sometimes, the motive is centered around tradition. The persuasive brain is complex, and the group will seek ways to effectively verbalize and communicate their ideas within the confines of respectful persuasive discourse. Oral arguments, trivial debates, commercial analysis, role-playing exercises, and scriptwriting will be the main exercises utilized to learn about dynamic and ever-changing minds. While working in groups, scholars will learn the importance of concession within discussion and argument; especially when there is a difference in opinion. The common through line for the course will be a book titled, “Thank You for Arguing,” which details the usage and practical application of rhetorical Jedi moves. As a group, scholars will seek to learn the difference between an argument and a fight and let go of the idea of constantly trying to “win.”
Focus Area: Psychology & Behavioral Studies
Triskaidekaphobia: the fear of the number 13. Coulrophobia: the fear of clowns. Pediophobia: the fear of dolls. Globophobia: the fear of balloons. Pantophobia: the fear or everything. What is fear? Why do we experience? Why do we fear the things we fear? Why do we fear such mundane things as numbers, clowns, dolls, and balloons? This summer, we will be exploring the psychology of the emotion that has kept us alive since the dawn of man.
Ghosts in our Pasts and Skeletons in our Closets
In the year 210 BC (or thereabouts), the Roman playwright Plautus wrote a play called Mostellaria, or The Haunted House, roughly translated. This is, as far as many historians are concerned, the earliest known work involving a haunting within a home. Since then, whether fact or fiction, ghost stories and tales of haunted houses have weaved their way into nearly every culture. Why, though, do certain places attract ghosts? Why do certain deaths result in residual hauntings? What constitutes when, where, and why ghost stories come into fruition? This summer, we will explore the historical and cultural implications of ghosts and ghost stories, with plenty of thought provoking activities to engage the believers, the skeptics, and everyone in between.
Focus Area: Public Policy & Administration
In this focus area, we will play in the strategic and analytical toolbox that helps public, nonprofit, and civic leaders make informed decisions in often-uncertain and complex environments: asking good questions, analyzing data, assembling evidence, setting goals, engaging people and communities, and communicating with clarity. We will also explore traditional and emerging career pathways in public service fields.
Meander
Together, we will consider change over time and change over place by exploring rivers near and far, trickles to torrents. We will integrate a variety of academic disciplines in our river explorations, including geology, hydrology, chemistry, history, ethics, and literature. We’ll encounter different perspectives on dilemmas about uses for agriculture, energy, industry, transportation, recreation, habitat, and drinking water. Most importantly, we will experience a river changing before our eyes, through our hands, and beneath our feet.
