Directed Studies are courses that allow students who have taken all of the offered classes on a specific topic to design a curriculum catering to their own interests. With the help of a faculty adviser, students design and plan a course, thinking beyond the realms of the Course Catalogue in areas ranging anywhere from Islamic Studies to Quantum Physics. This winter, Jonathan Geller ’20, Andrew Lee ’21, and William Robertson ’20 are all enrolled in Directed Studies in topics of their choosing.
Differential Geometry and Tensor Calculus With Jonathan Geller and Andrew Lee
Geller and Lee are taking Mathematical Physics, an interdisciplinary course that they created with the help of Choate’s Math and Science Department. Under the guidance of Math Department Head Dr. Matthew Bardoe, they have been learning differential geometry and tensor calculus: “These are both used as tools in working with the laws of physics in spaces that aren’t flat, whether it be a soap bubble, the surface of the Earth, or curved spacetime,” said Geller.
In order to apply for a Directed Study, Lee, Geller, and Dr. Bardoe developed a timeline for the course. They mapped out how many chapters in the textbook they could cover and possible assessments. After making a rough outline of the curriculum, they submitted a proposal for approval.
Geller and Lee hope to expand on the knowledge they already have surrounding manifolds and tensors. Geller is particularly interested in covering Einstein’s Theory of Relativity by the end of the term. “It is a monumental scientific accomplishment, and it relies heavily on the math we’ve done so far, so I think it would be a really interesting way to cap off the course,” said Geller.
“By the end of the term, I also want to be able to understand some aspects of general relativity and the Lie derivative, which can be applied to studying the time-dependence of electromagnetic fields,” said Lee. Taking a Directed Study has provided Lee and Geller, as well as Will Zhu ’20 and Heidi Lei ’ 20, with the opportunity to immerse themselves in high-level Physics and Mathematics that aren’t otherwise offered at Choate.
William Robertson Explores the Middle East
Robertson is taking a Directed Study in Arabic with the help of Mr. Georges Chahwan, Language Department Head and Arabic teacher. “This year, I’m studying the Arabic language through the lenses of various modern issues, such as the climate crisis and issues of identity and intersectionality. After learning the vocabulary surrounding these topics, I engage in discussions with my adviser and work on projects and essays with him,” said Robertson.
Because Robertson has been taking Arabic Language Directed Studies since his sophomore year, his Directed Study this year was quickly approved. This term, Robertson has written an essay on climate change in the Middle East and analyzed scholarly articles in Arabic about the role of identity in today’s world. Recently, Robertson also wrote a poem in Arabic.
“The incredible part for me is that few of these accomplishments were planned ahead of time; instead, they were all spur-of-the-moment ideas that Mr.Chawan and I decided to pursue,” said Robertson. “This, I think, is the most appealing part of a Directed Study: you’re really allowed to let your curiosity off its leash and pursue whatever interests you the most.”
