Morristown Beard’s 2025-2026 school year presented both new and returning Advanced Topic (AT) semester courses. Providing an alternative to the standard Advanced Placement (AP) courses, these AT courses are open to junior and senior students passionate about a specific topic. They typically run as small seminars, which are common in a college classroom.
Students must apply to AT courses with the submission of questionnaires, relevant writing samples, and teacher recommendations. The opportunity to take an AT course allows students to participate in experiential learning, focus on a specific subject, and expand critical thinking skills. Each AT semester course runs for two years, allowing for more course diversity, and enhancing the academic program as per the MBS mission that students pursue their own learning.
This year’s fall AT courses included Medicine: Analysis and Decisions and Conspiracy Theories: What We Believe in their first year, and Is the 21st Century the New Renaissance? and Contemporary Germany through Modern Media in their second and final year.
These four unique courses promote discussion and independent thought. Medicine: Analysis and Decisions, taught by Dr. Janet Berthel, science department, dives into medical policy by focusing on ethical and scientific processes behind decisions that influence healthcare.
Is the 21st Century the New Renaissance? was taught by Dr. Lalic, world language department, examines the spread of information through newly-developed media by comparing the present day to the Renaissance era. Students in this course examined the ways twenty-first century life is similar to Renaissance life.
Contemporary Germany through Modern Media was taught by Ms. Katie Ziegler, world language department, and examined how contemporary Germany is actively portrayed and shaped through the modern media landscape. Ms. Ziegler is continuing to share her expertise through another AT course for next year called German Stories, Global Questions, which, according to its course description, “[uses] critically acclaimed German films and television series as entry points” to student modern German history.
Conspiracy Theories: What We Believe, taught by Dr. Chris Payette, science department, focuses on the psychology and history of why people adopt certain beliefs. The course also examines how conspiracy theories spread, how they originate, why individuals believe them, and the analysis of how social media platforms perpetuate the circulation of conspiracy theories. It will be offered again next year in the fall.
For the Spring semester, AT courses included the second and final year of Chemical Engineering and Italian Language and Architects of Humanism.
Chemical Engineering was taught by Dr. Sara Chuang, Associate Chair Science Department. It examined the holistic analysis of chemical engineering through manufacturing, the industrial and design processes, and the impact of these influential processes on the world. This course also focused on enhancing communication skills, with open discussions and collaborative work.
Italian Language and Architects of Humanism is taught by Senora Jenifer Laviola, world language department, and spends time diving into the Italian language, the culture, the architecture, and the history in an interactive manner. Señora Laviola is offering another AT course next year called Italian Language and Culture: The Humanism of Dante, Leonardo, and Michelangelo. According to its course description, “[it] emphasizes cultural literacy, critical analysis, and the relationship between language and identity.”
All of these incredible courses provide a unique opportunity for students to truly explore their passions, and set them up for future careers. Their seminar-style mimics college classes, uniquely preparing MBS students for the college experience by enhancing both their communication and critical thinking skills.
Applications were due on March 6. Students will hear back by the end of April if they have a spot in the course. You can find the course descriptions here: bit.ly/4corwmK.
