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[edit]
The Science theme is Astronomy and Space Exploration.
Astronomy and Space Exploration[edit]
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[edit]
The Social Studies theme is Explorers of the Past and Present.
Explorers of the Past and Present[edit]
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[edit]
The Economics theme is The Essentials of Economic Thinking.
The Essentials of Economic Thinking[edit]
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[edit]
The English theme is The Literature of the Frontier.
The Literature of the Frontier[edit]
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[edit]
The Mathematics theme is The Essentials of Standardized Assessment.
The Essentials of Standardized Assessment[edit]
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[edit]
The Fine Arts theme is Art and Film at the Edge of the Known.
Art and Film at the Edge of the Known[edit]
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.
