Cover all aspects and styles of debates and argumentation in this intense course. Plenty of time is given to each student for competitive platform speaking. You will be able to critically analyze the strength of an argument by learning to identify common fallacies of logic found in newspapers, magazines, and television advertising. A must for all college bound students.

Assertiveness Skills - How to tactfully stand up for yourself.

Have you ever found yourself just going along to get along? Or, trying to get your way by bullying others into submission? The ability to be assertive means that you stand up for your rights, wants and desires, while at the same time respecting the rights, wants, and desires of others. A student can have the greatest ideas in the world, but if they package those ideas in either a passive or overly-aggressive manner, their ideas may not get the respect and attention they deserve. This class shows students the downsides of being passive or aggressive, and presents them with easy to understand, and apply, assertiveness skills. Through the use of group and pair's practice, students will learn to stand up for themselves and ideas in both their academic and personal lives.

Astronomy: Solar System and Stars

This class will cover the major elements of the Solar System from meteorites to gas giant planets. The course will also give an introduction to the current and major solar system exploratory missions. The section on Stars will focus on the night sky's major constellations. In addition we will learn about the electromagnetic spectrum and the life cycle of stars from birth to super nova. We will also cover the nature of black holes. Each class will be interactive, and will include on-campus field trips to some of UCI's renowned science labs, lab demonstrations, group projects, and solar observations.

Beginning Art

Offered Sessions A, B, C, and D Only!

Beginning art will explore many aspects of art. We will investigate the elements and principles of art, while utilizing a variety of media. The materials will be used in a variety of projects inspired by artistic movements from the past and present. Students will create one to two major projects along with keeping a daily sketchbook. Participants are encouraged to express their personal interests and skills through the various projects. This class is designed to encourage you to explore your creative qualities. Novices to advanced level students are welcome to attend this fun and challenging one-week course. All work created during the one-week session will be the student's work to take home and keep!

Note: A $25 Materials Fee is required for this class and will be collected first day of class.

Being Competitive in Mathematics Competitions

Learn techniques that help you compete in local and national mathematics contests. From the American High School Mathematics Examination (the first qualifying round leading to the U.S. and International Mathematics Olympiad) to MathCounts, we will take and dissect real exams to increase your chances of coming out on top.

Contingency Theory and the American Revolution

Contingency Theory asks the question, what drove people to make decisions in the way they did by the standards of THEIR times. Thus in the Revolution, why was Washington crossing the Delaware River that night? Why were his men standing in the boats? Why did he bring three times the normal number of cannon? Taking the student back to 1776 involves looking at the mindset of the times. We will use hand painted miniatures of the different armies that fought in the Revolution to discover why the armies fought standing up in line. Conflict Simulations with miniatures will allow the student to maneuver armies according to the methods of the period, in historic battle scenarios and perhaps change history a little. Primary documents as well as experiential techniques will develop the student’s ability to see events from multiple perspectives. A 'You are there' approach brings the events to life and creates a sense of excitement and involvement as we look at some of the most decisive events in American History.

Drama, Theatre Study, and Shakespeare

In this course, students will participate in many theatre games and improvisations. These exercises are great fun, and they help to stimulate both "thinking on your feet" and increasing your confidence for public speaking and oral presentations. Students will also perform from the works of Shakespeare. By playing multiple roles, students will "become the characters" in many scenes. Characters and scenes will be analyzed line by line so that participants are not only certain about what is happening within the context of the material, but also aware of Shakespeare's subtle use of rhyme, meter, incredible prose, and irony. We will examine specific plays and characters, and also pay close attention to a wide variety of monologues. This class will provide students with key strategies for successfully understanding Drama, theatre, and classical literature.

Etymologies

Etymologies is the study of Latin and Greek elements that form a large part of the English language vocabulary. Knowledge of these basic elements enables you to expand your vocabulary and reading comprehension in all academic disciplines. Course work involves whole-group instruction as well as opportunities for independent study based upon individual student interests. The class culminates in an exciting library-based final project. No prior knowledge of Greek or Latin is required. This course assists you in preparing for the SAT.

Forensic Science

This class is designed to illustrate concepts and techniques from the physical and biological sciences and the role they play in solving criminal acts. Activities are presented to enable students to develop observational skills to locate, collect and preserve evidence related to a simulated crime. Inductive and deductive reasoning will be used in working through a case study of a simulated crime scene investigation.

Game Analysis and Dissection

Offered Session B, July 7 - July 11, and Session C July 14-18 Only!! Games today are sophisticated and varied in style and execution. What defines a successful game? Learn to identify the formulas and conventions used in the various genres of modern games by analytically playing and deconstructing a variety of games on various game consoles. Analyze new and old games for such elements as gameplay mechanics, incorporation of themes, pacing, and player immersion. You will examine a variety of games and create a game prototype on paper that can be played in class for an original game concept demonstrating understanding and incorporation of these lessons.

Investigating Reading: Reading Like A University Student

Reading at the university level is a complex and involved process. To be a truly excellent reader, students must go beyond the texts that are examined and take a look at factors extraneous to the text. In this class students will utilize the UC library to research the fascinating history of the fairy tale and examine the ways in which the fairy tale has changed from its original oral tradition, to the recorded versions of the Grimms, Perrault, and up through the Disney versions of the classic tale. Students will research biographical information about the author, the historical context of the work, reactions to the work throughout history, changes in specific tales and tale types over time, and create their own version of a fairy tale.

Law, Ethics / Mock Trial Part I and II

(Session B Only, July 7 - July 11)

In this one-week course, students develop their own prosecutorial and defense strategies for a given criminal fact pattern. While doing so, you will get an overview of the judicial system in America, including the difference between civil and criminal law why "not guilty" does not equal "innocent", and how "ethics"differs by law for the Prosecution and Defense. The class will culminate in a one-day mock trial. To enroll you must attend the morning and afternoon sessions, selecting this class as a "Morning" and "Afternoon" class. This course is offered in Session B only.

Note: A $25 Materials Fee is required for this class. ($25 is total fee for parts I & II and will be collected first day of class.)

Marine Biology

Focus on the earth's hydrosphere with emphasis on ocean and estuary systems. You will examine both the physical and biological aspects of aquatic systems. Topics include ocean geography, waves, tides, El Nino, food webs and ocean life featuring marine mammals.

Modern Frontiers in Chemistry

This course offers a study of contemporary problems related in chemistry. The topics covered include the atmosphere, atmospheric environmental issues, water, water pollution issues, household chemicals, energy, polymers, waste management, pharmaceuticals, and food activities. Students interested in environmental law or environmental science, biology, chemistry, biochemistry and the health sciences are encouraged to take this course. This course provides an excellent foundation for biology, chemistry and environmental science in high school.

Note: The UCI campus has safety regulations for the protection of students conducting experiments in laboratories. Students are required to wear long pants at all times. UCI Laboratories are air conditioned and well ventilated. Note: A $75 Lab Fee is required for this class and will be collected first day of class.

Uniquely American: American Tradition in Literature

This course will take you through a study of exemplary pieces of American literature. Your journey will begin by following major American literary periods beginning with selections from early settlers to present day writers. You will review works of well-known writers and some not so well known. You will discuss and better understand the impact our evolving nation has had on the literature it has produced. You will read and discuss short stories, dramatic pieces, poetry and a sampling of non-fiction and have fun doing so.

Writing and the Creative Self

This course will explore the art of writing as a path to deeper self-understanding. Through journaling and the study of memoir, creative non-fiction, autobiography, and personal archetypes, students will expand their use of writing to include self-reflection, creative expression, communication, and negotiation. With words as their tools, these scholars will dig through material in order to excavate a unique voice and vision. Students will learn to view their memories and personal histories as their own best resources, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the power and magic of words.