Humanities, English and History
Humanities Course Descriptions
Humanities - 7th Grade:
7th grade Humanities blends History and English-Language Arts. Students begin their study of history by exploring how civilizations develop, and in the first semester closely examine the African kingdoms of Ghana and Mali and ancient Rome to determine what we mean by “civilization.” In the second semester, students will use their definition of civilization and understanding of how civilizations develop to study the beginnings of the United States of America and its government. Students read a variety of literary genres including, folktales, myths, novels and plays. In addition, students are asked to write both expository and creative writing pieces to further develop their skills as writers. Vocabulary, note-taking, presentation skills and core writing skills (including grammar and mechanics) are reinforced throughout the year.
Humanities - 8th Grade:
Humanities students focus on both English and History. This year, we are studying four civilizations: the Byzantine Empire, Iron Age Celts, Classical India and the rise and spread of the Islamic world. As students learn about these cultures, we also learn how historians think, what questions they ask, and how they make connections between the past and the present. Students build skills in reading, note taking, formal and creative writing, and critical thinking and get a solid grounding in grammar, mechanics, and other bedrock writing skills. Students read a novel during almost every unit, as well as several shorter readings.
Humanities - 9th Grade:
9th Grade Humanities is a rigorous introduction to world history content and English Language Arts skills necessary to succeed at the high school level. While focusing on essential issues such as the power of the individual in history, students develop critical techniques for reading comprehension, expository writing, note-taking, and discussing complex ideas with peers. Students wrestle with a variety of texts and learn how to argue their ideas in five-paragraph essays using well-chosen evidence to back up their claims. Students explore four exciting periods in world history starting with the development of Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire and continuing through the rise of colonialism and its consequences up to the present day.
Humanities - 10th Grade:
10th Grade Humanities is a survey of American History from the American Revolution through the Civil War and Reconstruction, emphasizing themes of oppression and renewal. The detailed study of specific historical moments (including the Boston Massacre, negotiating the Declaration of Independence, experiencing the Middle Passage, the uprisings of Nat Turner and John Brown, and others) is accompanied by an examination of literary sources. A variety of texts allow students to gain further insight into the American Experience at inception and through its ongoing struggle for definition.
English Course Descriptions
Advance Placement (AP) English Language and Composition
In this AP course in English Language and Composition students become skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts, and become skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. This college level course provides students with opportunities to write about a variety of subjects and to demonstrate an awareness of audience and purpose. It enables students to write effectively and confidently in their college courses across the curriculum and in their professional and personal lives. This composition course emphasizes the expository, analytical, and argumentative writing that forms the basis of academic and professional communication, as well as the personal and reflective writing that fosters the development of writing facility in any context.
(Adapted from the description found at: http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/ap/students/english/ap-englis...)
English Language and Composition
This college prep course instructs students in writing skills for a variety of purposes as well as skills in reading prose from a variety of time periods and genres. The class focuses on writing, specifically the formation of argument, the purpose of the piece, and the audience for whom it is written. Students also continue to practice analytical writing in which they are expected to comment upon and analyze a piece or group of pieces that they have read and discussed in class. Additionally, students are expected to work on personal and reflective writings in college application essays and a short memoir. Readings serve to teach and support writing, and as such are an important aspect of the course.
History Course Descriptions
U.S. History II:
In the 11th Grade U.S. History II course students study the history of the United States from the time of Reconstruction up until the ending of the Cold War. Students closely analyze a range of topics, some of which include: the true meaning of “progress” for all Americans during the Progressive Era; the lasting impact of the United States moving away from isolationism in the wake of the World War II; and the ways in which ordinary Americans brought about monumental changes during the Civil Rights Movement. In this course students develop skills in note-taking, primary source analysis, questioning, text-based discussion, and historical research.
Modern World History:
In 12th Grade Modern World History course students explore a variety of complex modern world issues. Each of these issues can be analyzed through a range of perspectives. Students work closely with primary sources to gain access to these perspectives and take a stand on each issue through debate, discussion and formal papers. Over the course of the year students study many historical topics, some of which include: apartheid in South Africa, the effects of colonization in the Congo, the choices that led to the Final Decision in Germany during World War II, and current conflicts in the Middle East. In this course students develop skills in note-taking, primary source analysis, text-based discussion, debating, and historical research.