AREA III

"Governor's School has helped me define who I am and what I believe." – Drama student, 2006

"The issues discussed [in Area III] were pertinent and relatable. I feel much more secure with myself after this experience." – Student, 2007

"[Area III] helped me discover myself and who I am." – Student, 2007

"It was so incredible. I have never been this open and comfortable with a group of people. It was probably my favorite class at GSW." – Student, 2007

An outcome of Area III at both campuses is to help the gifted student recognize his/her gifts and use them for the betterment of self and society.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

GS-East

As a testing ground for one's guiding principles, the Area III class provides the means for students to encounter a wide range of values and avenues of approaching ethical dilemmas. These strategies are intended to elicit open-mindedness and tolerance, as well as personal reflection and re-evaluation of value systems. While this area of the curriculum encourages the student to make commitments in resolving certain conflicts, the emphasis is always upon the process used in reaching the resolution, as this is the most expedient means of identifying the principles that are influential in one's thinking processes.

Since value systems are constantly evolving and changing with the individual, faculty stress the importance of regularly touching base with one's system of priorities; this awareness helps avoid falling into ruts and making critical decisions based upon principles no longer bearing their former influence. Believing it important that one's value system be compatible with his/her lifestyle, faculty encourage students to carefully consider what values should be kept at the forefront in shaping his/her quality of life and standard of living. Besides working with the student in taking charge of his/her own life, the Area III instructors also utilize strategies that promote socially active individuals. The Socratic seminar is designed to make certain that all students voice their ideas and are participants as well as listeners. Workshops allow the students to select current issues in society, to explore possible approaches or resolutions to these concerns, and to present their findings to an audience of their peers. The 'letters to the editor' assignment has students research an area of concern and send their support or critique to their journal of choice for publication. Area III stresses the importance of thoughtfully sorting out one's individual value system prior to seeking out social ills to engage.

GS-West

Area III classes challenge students and teachers to become more aware of who they are and think more deliberately about their choices, actions and beliefs. Area III encourages introspective thinking that is both reflective (How does this discussion or idea make me feel?) and analytical (Why do I feel that way?). Area III integrates ideas and discussions from Areas I, II and throughout the GS environment in an ongoing reflection on how the curriculum affects students personally. This discussion completes, at least structurally, the Governor's School learning process by relating the overall curriculum to students' lives.

Area III strives to develop emotional and intellectual tools for encountering ourselves and our society. Area III classes become mirrors of the honest, non-defensive, and generous encounters with difference that the school prizes. Area III classes are based on honest, open discussion. Lessons typically will be guided by a general topic (for instance, personality, race, censorship, government, education, family) and a more specific example or circumstance (for instance a speaker's views on education or race, arts performances, or optional seminars).