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Leadership Studies

Middle School Leadership Studies courses engage students in identifying their strengths, developing their understanding of right and wrong, learning about ethical leadership, and developing their communication and collaboration skills so that students know how to work together and lead effectively.

  • Ethics of Global Citizenship

    This semester-long class explores the question: "What does it mean to be an ethically engaged citizen of the 21st century?" Students will explore and learn about the concepts of leadership, citizenship, ethics, empathy, globalization, and culture. They will examine the connections among them and the ethical choices inherent in solving those issues. This course requires curiosity, a willingness to engage in thoughtful discussions, and initiative. 

    Note: this class is open to 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. Global Scholars must have completed this course before 12th grade. 

  • Rhetorical Theory

    What do “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you” and “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” have in common? Their power comes from arrangement: antithesis and parallelism work together to create a punchy, memorable idea. But rhetoric is also an art. In order to develop our own writing and speaking skills toward powerful persuasion, we will critically evaluate the rhetoric of influential speakers both ancient and modern and apply what we learn to craft our own persuasive essays and speeches to convince each other of a point of view, as memorably and fluently as possible. We will consider audience identity and makeup, the purpose and occasion, the historical moment, as well as our own passions so that we mean what we say.

  • Advanced Rhetorical Theory

    What do “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you” and “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” have in common? Their power comes from arrangement: antithesis and parallelism work together to create a punchy, memorable idea. But rhetoric is also an art. In order to develop our own writing and speaking skills toward powerful persuasion, we will critically evaluate the rhetoric of influential speakers both ancient and modern and apply what we learn to craft our own persuasive essays and speeches to convince each other of a point of view, as memorably and fluently as possible. We will consider audience identity and makeup, the purpose and occasion, the historical moment, as well as our own passions so that we mean what we say. 

  • Speech & Debate

    Students in this course will refine their public speaking and argumentation abilities through a variety of competitive and collaborative formats. The course will hone skills in rhetoric, research, persuasion and performance through structured class debates, speeches, and recorded projects. Students will grapple with existing and emerging social and political issues, making this course an excellent option for students interested in philosophy, policy, and social justice. Students in this course will be eligible, though not obligated, to compete for the SLS Speech & Debate Team at tournaments throughout the semester. No prior debating experience is needed. 

  • Advanced Global Scholars Seminar

    This course serves as a college-level seminar course for our Global Scholars. Students will study and discuss various topics related to Global Studies throughout the school year, and they will conduct individual research on a global topic of their choosing. Students will present their research regularly in class and will write a substantive research paper due in mid-May. Global Scholars also will present their research at the SLS Scholars Symposium in April.
    Prerequisite: acceptance into the Global Scholars program.

  • Advanced Literary Scholars Seminar

    This course serves as a college-level research experience for our Literary Scholars. Students accepted into the program will complete a detailed explication of primary literary sources, literary criticism research, an interdisciplinary approach to the study of literature. Monthly presentations on research will be given, and a substantive research paper will be due in May. Additionally, Literary Scholars will present their research at the Scholars Symposium in April. 
    Prerequisite: acceptance into the Literary Scholars program. 

  • Advanced STEM Scholars Seminar

    This course serves as a vehicle for effective engagement in the scientific research process. Skills and topics will include, but are not limited to: conducting formal literature searches; literature review summary writing exercises; presentation of literature research on a topic of interest; attending research presentations of other STEM Scholars; discussion-based and written summative evaluations of peer work; and a capstone project of faculty-mentored novel research on a STEM project of interest. A formal presentation is required at the SLS Scholars Symposium in April, and the written summary in the style appropriate to peer-reviewed journals is due by the end of the course in May.
    Prerequisite: acceptance into the STEM Scholars program.

Department Faculty

  • Photo of Kathryn Parker-Burgard
    Kate Louise Parker-Burgard
    History & Social Science, College Counseling, Community Affairs and Student Life, Leadership Studies
    Director of Community Connections
    (203) 801-4817
    Hamilton College - B.A.
    Union Theology Seminary - M.Div.
    2003
    Bio
  • Photo of Elijah Smith
    Elijah Smith
    Leadership Studies
    Head Debate Coach
    (203) 801-4899
    2024
  • Photo of Elizabeth Yavenditti
    Beth Yavenditti
    Leadership Studies
    Director of Global Education, Leadership Studies Department Chair
    (203) 801-4885
    Hamilton College - B.A.
    School for International Training - M.A.
    2005
    Bio
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 40 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Leading with Humanity curriculum builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
377 North Wilton Road New Canaan, CT 06840
(203) 966-5612 | admissions@stlukesct.org