Health & Fitness
New courses at Nazareth Academy
As part of its mission to offer high quality college-prep, honors and AP course work to students, Nazareth Academy constantly evaluates its course offerings. “With input from our Curriculum Council, student surveys, college readiness standards and education guidelines, we are always looking to add, adjust and tweak course offerings to best fit students’ needs and interests,” says Dr. Karen Brown, Director of Curriculum.
For example, Nazareth students can now choose Chinese as a 4-year foreign language option. “By offering Chinese, Nazareth gives students yet another option for competing internationally for jobs and potentially understanding the culture of the people who may employ them,” explains Mrs. Lori Sadowski who is teaching the class.
In some disciplines, new courses take the form of electives for upper classmen. Last year the English Department added a Modern Literature class. For 2013-14, students are able to choose Literature & Film. “We wanted to vary the electives offered by our department and add classes that focused on more contemporary texts. The film course will draw on both classic and contemporary literature and analyze the film versions of these works to discern choices directors make in approaching texts and the impact these choices make on an audience's understanding of the film,” says Ms. Jeanne Paliatka, English Department Chair.
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Nazareth musicians can now also choose Percussion Ensemble from the list of Naz Bands. With the growing popularity of the school’s “Drum Line” at spirit events, Mr. Andrew Boland, Director of Bands, sought a way to give students of any skill level a way to be part of the instrumental program for course credit. “The class offers students the opportunity to further their skills in a positive and welcoming environment.”
Sometimes, a new course may just mean a change in focus to an existing course. Both the Fine Arts Photography elective and the AP Physics courses have undergone adjustments recently. In the case of AP Physics, the goal is to present the material so the students acquire a thorough understanding of the concepts, while having the time to acquire lab experience completing college level laboratories. “It is the best way we know of duplicating the actual college experience of a physics class,” explains teacher Dr. Roberta Zasadzinski.
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Of course any new course must reflect the four pillars of Nazareth’s mission – scholarship, service, spirit and unity. Last year, in an effort to more closely build the service component into the curriculum, the Religion Department created an independent study Service course. “This hands-on course aims to help students live out the Gospel directive to love our neighbor as ourselves. Service helps students to recognize the gifts they have received, and allows for the growth that comes when they share these gifts,” says teacher Mrs. Kat Greenan.
“The variety of the changes – strongly academic, arts focused, expanding literature horizons and a focus on service – reflects Nazareth’s ability to look at the whole person within our curriculum,” says Academic Dean and Director of Admissions, Sister Terry Middendorf.