Michael Andrews came to GWCS in the spring of 2006 because he was preposterous enough to pretend to be Einstein (in the Little Theater of Alexandria's production of Picasso at the Lapin Agile ). Luckily, Mr. Hartman was preposterous enough to pretend to be Picasso, and the rest is, as they say, history.
Mr. Andrews' life is full of glorious little chances of fate such as this, and he's still kind of astounded that he gets to teach for a living. Of course, he's also astounded by trees and laughter. His hope since joining the GW staff is that he might pass on some of the astonishment and joy he finds in literature and learning to his students, as well as the skills to comprehend in their own right. Mr. Andrews also has the best darn advisory in the world.
Exploratory Art: Often, when we study art, we are studying the acquisition of certain techniques, like shading and perspective, which help us become better artists. But why do we create that art in the first place? Why did Picasso choose to paint “ Guernica ”? Why did John Coltrane choose to record A Love Supreme ? Why does that guy walk around Times Square in his underpants and a cowboy hat? This course will explore some of the reasons different personalities create wildly different art. We will learn about some wild art from around the world, and each student will be assigned minor assignments and major projects which will help them explore their inner artist and build their portfolio.
Yearbook: Oh! Great Chroniclers of the GW Experience UNITE! It is our charge to produce all of the materials which document the goings on of our fair school over the course of the year. The bulk of this work is the annual yearbook, but we also produce other clever devices designed to ensure our immortality! When futuristic aliens finally descend on Earth after we've all died, YOUR WORK will be the proof of the genius of GW!!
World Literature II: This class is dedicated to picking up where Mr. Pereira's World Literature 1 left off. We will be focusing our tremendous brains on some of the greatest books this side of the 16 th century, and along the way we will have the opportunity to taste different flavors of literature from all over the world! We will learn from gallant knights, idiotic cuckolds, mad scientists, gigantic bugs, zombies, and Sherlock Holmes. Expect to read, write, and exercise your brain every day!
*What the heck is a cuckold? Come to class to find out.
American Literature: I am completely fascinated with American literature. Why? Because it teaches me more about myself and my roots, and I am completely fascinated with myself. This year we will be exploring all sorts of different pieces of writing from the American tradition. Incorporating some elements of history and a heavy dose of skepticism, we will examine many of the “Great Works” of this country. What do these books say about where we have come from? What do they say about where we are going? Bring your brain and get ready to do some hot tubbin' in our big ol' American melting pot!
