Badger Precollege Classes

Are you interested in Pre-Vet studies or animal sciences? Immerse yourself in the world of veterinary science. This class is for anyone interested in ethical and scientific questions about animals and our relationship with them! This course will help you to learn about topics such as animal nutrition, genetics, physiology and welfare of a variety of animal species. You will gain an appreciation for the complex relationship between animals and humans and how this may impact society. Through debate and discussion, classroom exercises, and wet labs, you will gain an appreciation for the complex relationships between humans, animals and the environment. In addition, you can explore the many career and education opportunities related to working with animals.

The 2024 presidential election cycle promises to be momentous in various ways, including highlighting established and rising national leaders and providing a venue to debate vital issues being contested at the national, state and local levels. In July, Milwaukee will host the Republican National Convention, and in August, Democrats will hold their National Convention in Chicago. This is a unique moment to reassess why and how 'elections have consequences' in the American political context. In this class we will interact with guest speakers who are experts in elections and politics and explore as a group and individually some prominent policy and political issues. Elections do have consequences in terms of political processes and outcomes. This course examines the key players (including candidates, media, interest groups and governmental officials), and policies that are central to the 2024 election cycle, with a grounding in U.S. political theory and history.

How is it that someone can become an "influencer"? How do you cultivate a product and build an audience interested in learning more? Explore the answers to these questions and more as you investigate the dynamic world of media platforms and their role in shaping cultural identities, influencing politics and building global perspectives. This course will explore the undeniable fact that the media around us shapes us and persistently changes the way we think, learn and interact. Learn different theories behind social media, explore your own use of media and research the types of products that are used to impact the world around us. It will acknowledge the evolving landscape of digital influence, providing insights into the dynamics of being an influencer. An interest in media studies, communication, sociology or political science is recommended.

When you don't understand the rules, is the question about the rule itself, or why it exists in the first place? How do we know if they are fair, moral or just? Who decides that? This course will interrogate the law to the fullest extent. How did it come to be? Can morality and law be separate, or should they be closely linked? What is the logic behind legal reasoning? How do legal philosophers approach the issue of legal interpretation and judicial decision-making? Through research, discussion, and maybe even a little debate, analyze fundamental concepts of legal systems at play and negotiate the settlement of philosophy versus reality.

In Write on! Words Have Power!, students will explore the intersectionality between writing and activism. Students will broaden their idea of what is possible through inspirational readings, writers, guest speakers and activities. Together with the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s top-tier Creative Writing Program and a vibrant community of fellow high school writers, you'll learn how to integrate personal experiences and Social Justice into your work and find authentic expression to answer the following questions: What kinds of Power do words really have? How can each of us get involved in writing for Social Justice?

This class will introduce you to new fields of research, engage you in hands-on experiments and give you the opportunity to visit labs and science departments around campus. Past fields of exploration have included limnology, geology and a behind-the-scenes visit to the primate lab.

Do you enjoy rhymes, alliteration, beautiful words and picturesque language? In this creative writing class, we'll focus on the elements that make people fall in love with poetry. Students will respond to prompts and explore a variety of poetry forms, including how words and music interact in lyrics.

Mythology means more than just Mount Olympus. In this course, you'll expand your horizons beyond Greece to explore the mythology of cultures from around the world. Join us as we travel from continent to continent to compare different types of mythologies and their influence on history, society and culture. Part literature and part geography, you'll be sure to enjoy this literary tour of the world!

A broad introductory overview to Algebra II, this course is a hands-on, collaboration-rich option for students seeking to challenge their math skills. This one-subject enrichment course will allow students to explore a new kind of math. It is the expectation that students have a strong foundation and content knowledge of Algebra I and Geometry prior to enrolling in this course.