WSC/Topics/2008

2008 marks the second year of the Scholar's Cup.

The topic for the Two Thousand and Eight season is "The Frontier".

The High School level subject areas are Science, Social Studies, Economics, English, Math, and a all new Fine Arts section.

Science

The Science theme is Astronomy and Space Exploration.

Astronomy and Space Exploration

Competitors will study the following content:

• Theories concerning the origins of the universe
• The life cycle of stars
• Our solar system
• Terraforming of other planets
• Essentials of space programs worldwide

Social Studies

The Social Studies theme is Explorers of the Past and Present.

Explorers of the Past and Present

Competitors will study the following content:

• Explorers from the following countries
  • Ancient Greece
  • China
  • Iceland
  • Polynesia
  • North America

In addition to the above, competitors will also study:

• Studying expeditions to the extremes of the earth
  • This study includes both historical and contemporary examples.

Economics

The Economics theme is The Essentials of Economic Thinking.

The Essentials of Economic Thinking

Competitors will study the following content:

• Fundamental elements of the following branches:
  • Microeconomics
  • Macroeconomics
  • International Trade and Development

In addition to the above, competitors will also study:

• A special module on The Economics of Space Exploration and Tourism

English

The English theme is The Literature of the Frontier.

The Literature of the Frontier

Competitors will read the following book:

• Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather

In addition to the above, competitors will also read a total of six poems, including works by:

• Henry David Thoreau
• Rudyard Kipling
• Pablo Neruda

Mathematics

The Mathematics theme is The Essentials of Standardized Assessment.

The Essentials of Standardized Assessment

Competitors will be tested on the following branches of Mathematics:

• Arithmetic
• Probability
• Geometry
• Algebra

In addition to the above, competitors will also focus on:

• The skills required for success on a wide array of standardized exams.

Starting this year, a new subject area is added. The new subject is Fine Arts.

Fine Arts

The Fine Arts theme is Art and Film at the Edge of the Known.

Art and Film at the Edge of the Known

Competitors will watch the following film:

• 2001: A Space Odyssey

In addition to the above, competitors will also study:

• Eight artworks that is related to the following themes:
  • The frontiers of exploration, social change and artistic development.