Robotics

--Online Course Description:
Study the fields of robotics and engineering to discover the intersection between theory and interactive hands-on application. Explore various fundamental topics, followed by interactive lab exercises and the opportunity to program and construct robots to illustrate principles. Examine the role of robotics in today's society and debate the advantages and disadvantages of using robots in various situations.

--Joy's Overview: The Robotics class is taught by Travis Prochaska and assisted by Ben Bradshaw. This class involves students programming robots to do simple tasks. It also covers a lot of engineering concepts and how they relate to robotics that help the students find solutions to the challenges that are assigned to them. After the instructors help the students understand everything step by step, they do it themselves. The students enjoy this class because it's very interactive and they spend most of their class time on the computers.

"It [favorite highlight] is when we see the robot actually working," said Justin Wright.

"I didn't cover as much as I expected to in the end of the three weeks but as far as using the robots, they [the students] definitely covered a lot of that," said Prochaska.

Some Bad, Some Misunderstood: the Villain in Literature and Pop Culture

--Online Course Description: While what we, as a society, may fear changes as technology advances, the very fact that we organize the world into good versus evil does not. The villain may shift his form throughout history, or alter her intentions and purposes, but the fact remains that there cannot be heroes without villains. Beginning with an exploration of the symbolic function of monsters of myth and legend and those infamous fairy tale villains like the Big Bad Wolf and the wicked Stepmother, plot the archetypal villain in various cultures and historical periods. Understand what motivates a villain, why some villains are just anti-heroes, and why many such figures resonate across cultures and across centuries.

--Joy's Overview:

Some Bad, Some Misunderstood: the Villain in Literature is taught by Joseph Lease and assisted by Summar Sparks. It is a class where students learn how to identify villains in books, movies, plays, television shows, pop culture, etc. They often watch movies or read books and discuss with eachother the villain and what role the villain plays. They also learn how villains have changed through time, who the villains in modern day soceity are, and whether the villains are just misunderstood or really just evil. The class is very engaging with debates as well.

"When I started this class, I expected so much more formality and lectures all day, but it's wasn't. It's so different. It exceeded my expectations!" said Kaya, a student of the class.

Keaton McManamy states, "It takes the most beast and amazing things of the world and mixes it into one awesome class."

Game Theory

--Online Course Description: Use complex mathematical concepts to analyze situations in which two or more parties are competing to determine the best course of action for each party, predict the outcome, then apply these concepts to circumstances across all disciplines. Investigate the foundations of Game Theory, or Formal Decision Theory, and its use as a tool to help people conceptualize and navigate complex decision-making processes in ways that produce optimum benefit. Explore its applications in economics, where it is used to inform such decisions as mergers, negotiations, marketing strategies, pricing strategies, and contract formation, as well as its applications in strategic conflict and warfare; evolutionary systems; and Psychology and Sociology.

--Joy's Description: Game Theory, taught by Ben Perryman and Matthew Schell, is a class that teaches students concepts and theories on strategies that apply to games as well as real life. Cole Chadwick, a student in the class describes it as a class about predicting the outcomes of certain scenarios and the winner of a game finding the best strategy to play the game. It is not only board games that it's used in; it's also used in a lot of economics.

"It's an interesting class. It's a lot of math and a lot of strategy. My favorite part is the different types of games a lot of situational games a lot of charts and diagrams to figure out a lot of different strategies that i didn't know about before," another student, Cheyanne Hampton said.

American Foreign Policy

--Online Course Description: How is American foreign policy determined, and who is responsible for shaping it? Explore the history of America's foreign policy and the current changes and conflicts that challenge it. Examine the theories and philosophy behind various approaches to international relations and compare America's driving principles with those of other nations. Identify the role of international law and international organizations in the formation of policy, and strategize ways for the United States to identify and incorporate emerging global powers into a peaceful and comprehensive strategy.

--Joy's Overview:

American Foreign Policy is taught by Matthew Clary and David Sparks. In the class, American Foreign Policy, students learn about the theories and philosophy behind various approaches to international relations and compare American's driving principles with those of other nations. They learn about how the US makes decisions towards foreign neighbors. The class involves debates and simulations. It also involves situations in which the students play roles as important members of the United States Cabinet and where they must make decisions for the country. Student, James Ward, says,

"The American Foreign Policy class has learned that there is never truly an easy solution...There is no easy way to win," James said.

After asking if she liked the class, Grace Tse stated, laughing,

"I like the class because it's interesting and the people here are funny...it's entertaining," Grace said.

After watching the students of the American Foreign Policy class lead a mock press conference, they seemed like they were enjoying it. Tse also says she thinks all the kids in the class enjoy the it and have fun.

After asking some of the students on what was so special about the class, the students responded with a few answers.

"I learned more about theories and international relations. I don't think you can learn that very much [outside of TIP]," said Casey Brand.

"I love this class. It's probably my favorite class I've taken," said Fourth year TIPster, Danielle Bedard.

outline for overview.

Classesssss!
1. Media & the Message: Communicating in the Digital Age
2. The Brain, Intelligence, and Creativity
3. Criminal Law & Mock Trial
4. Sports Medicine
5. Robotics
6. American Foreign Policy
7. Some Bad, Some Misunderstood: The Villains in Literature and Pop Culture
8. Game Theory
___________________________________________________________________


1. Media & the Message: Communicating in the Digital Age
[interviews by sarah, written by sarah]

2. The Brain, Intelligence, and Creativity
[interview by sarah, written by sarah]

3. Criminal Law & Mock Trial
[interview by joy, written by joy]

4. Sports Medicine
[interview by Lucas, written by Lucas]

5. Robotics
[interview by Kelly, written by Lucas]

6. American Foreign Policy
[interview by joy/lucas, written by joy/lucas]

7. Some Bad, Some Misunderstood: The Villains in Literature and Pop Culture
[interview by joy, written by joy]

8. Game Theory
[interview by annamarie, written by annamarie]

Notes:
*Include Quotes from students and staff.
*Lots of follow up questions...?
*Ask Teacher, TA, and Students!