I suggested that CTY hire subject specialists from community colleges or other tertiary-level institutions, and let them design their own courses. I can see it now: "The Rise of the Dictators," "The fall of Communism," "Evolution and living things through ages." Compare to the canned courses after two or three years. Which ones get better reviews? Etc.
What do people here think?
I think it is a higher priority for students to acquire background knowledge from survey courses (such as AP US History, AP European History, or AP World History) before they take specialized courses, both because they should know what is taught in the survey courses (which may be their terminal courses in the subject) and because such a background would make more specialized courses more meaningful.
What's wrong with the commercial mass market? That's what makes America great
. Even the "artisanal" and "organic" is done on a large scale. Tens of millions who "think different" can all enjoy their Apple products.
